Chapter 269: Dark Demon and the Giant Bear (4k)
“Brat, losing isn’t scary, but to laugh after losing? Wait until you get home, I’ll give you a good beating!”
The man in the coat at one corner of the spectator area tried to peek at his son’s face by standing on tiptoe, but as Tudor entered the ring, he could no longer be seen.
The man sighed, thinking that his son was doing well enough in the Mana Academy and hadn’t disgraced the Tudor family, which was enough for him.
He turned his head and glanced at the place where Prince Charles was sitting, thinking to himself, “At this level, the prince probably won’t notice him, so there’s no need to worry about being drawn into political intrigue. We Tudors are all rough around the edges, but at least we’ve produced a son with noble manners. We should be careful. Yes, let’s use rattan instead.”
…
The matches were progressing swiftly.
Before Tudor stepped down from the stage, the two duelists for the second match were already waiting below.
These two contestants were both second-year students who had recently joined the Dueling Club, making for a fairly even contest.
Old John cautiously slipped into St. Maryan’s Dueling Annex and found an inconspicuous spot in the audience to watch the matches.
He had a knack for sketching, and with just a few strokes, he could capture someone’s likeness quite accurately, making his sketches more popular than others’.
Even these two unremarkable second-year students were recognizable in his sketches.
But clearly, neither of them was someone the royal family would pay attention to.
He squinted his eyes, feeling somewhat anxious.
If he could catch the attention of the prince and princess, perhaps his sketches might become a big hit, and he could advance to a prosperous life!
However, the third match also featured two unremarkable characters.
Although the overall atmosphere of the Novice Tournament was warming up, there didn’t seem to be any explosive moments yet.
…
In the competitor’s rest area.
Dark withdrew his gaze from the dueling arena. The skill levels of the second-year newcomers varied widely, with some even falling short of this year’s first-year students. The value of observing them was limited.
However, the next round was Diana’s turn.
He turned to look beside him.
Diana was perched on her toes in a chair, flipping through her cards with a mysterious air, seemingly not intimidated by her first battle.
“If I were her age now, I’d probably be trembling with nerves,” Dark thought. He realized that the students of St. Maryan were quite remarkable.
Without his past-life memories, he certainly wouldn’t be able to remain as composed as they did.
But first-year students weren’t his comparison points.
A few minutes later, he reminded her, “It’s almost over.”
“Is it?”
Diana instinctively covered her mana card, then chuckled and jumped off the chair.
She patted her skirt and exclaimed, “It’s my turn!”
Dark extended his hand, spreading his fingers. “Go for it.”
Diana lightly touched his palm and then ran towards the competitors’ passage.
Soon, she emerged from the competitor passage behind the red side platform, showing her competitor card to the staff at the entrance.
The staff member was a third-year girl from the Dueling Club. Seeing such a cute contestant, she couldn’t help but say, “Good luck.”
Diana pulled her skirt and politely replied, “Thank you.” Then she looked up at the blue side competitor passage opposite.
A chubby, round figure appeared at the entrance, looking arrogant and seemingly skilled.
Diana drew a card from her deck, holding it in her palm, and whispered, “Come on! You’re the best!”
The mana card faintly glowed, responding to her encouragement.
…
“The winner is decided!”
As the life barrier of the blue side mana ball shattered completely, the third match’s participants gradually left the stage.
The red side contestant walked down the platform with a flushed face, waving energetically at the audience, clearly very excited.
Once he entered the competitor passage, Diana began walking steadily toward the red side platform.
She climbed the stairs and kept searching for Rose’s figure in the circular belt.
Finally, she saw Rose vigorously waving a sign with “Panda” written on it, and couldn’t help but smile mischievously.
When she reached the platform, her gaze shifted between the circular belt and the audience.
Earlier, Dark had mentioned that his mother was here, so she wondered if her parents were here too.
“It would be great if they were here!”
Diana missed her mother.
Suddenly, her gaze shifted, and in the crowd, she spotted a giant man over two meters tall. Her expression visibly relaxed.
Especially when she saw the silver-haired woman leaning beside the giant, Diana became even happier.
She bounced like a little rabbit and waved vigorously in their direction.
Viscount Gretbail in the audience had lush brown hair, and his beard framed his face like a lion’s mane. Sitting there, he towered over most people.
At first glance, one might think he had a huge brown bear behind him.
His robust and imposing physique undoubtedly provided a sense of security.
Beside him, the silver-haired woman was tall and slender, seeming out of place yet harmonious.
That was Diana’s mother, a woman with royal blood.
Diana undoubtedly inherited her mother’s traits, though her mother stood at 175 cm, slightly taller than the petite Diana.
But Diana felt this was proof of her limitless potential, so she wasn’t worried.
Seeing her daughter waving, Viscount Gretbail proudly said, “Look, I said our daughter would do well! If that boy from Tudor family made it, Diana will definitely succeed.”
Lady Viscountess blinked at his smugness and said, “Then why don’t you greet our daughter?”
Viscount Gretbail immediately responded, “Right!”
He stood up abruptly, his broad back blocking the view of the audience behind him.
Immediately, a voice like a beast’s roar shook the entire venue, “Diana, your dad is here!”
…
The entire venue fell silent.
Prince Charles in the front row couldn’t help but look back, but upon seeing it was Viscount Bear, he quickly turned back, stifling his anger.
Next to him, the archbishop opened one eye briefly before closing it again, continuing to meditate.
“Is that Diana’s father?” Claire asked Alvaraite.
Alvaraite nodded. “Is Diana the little bear on the competitor platform? She seems close with someone?”
Claire smiled. “There’s also another heiress from the Flotte family, and the three of them are always together.”
Alvaraite: “Really? Looks like I need to visit the Bear family soon. I never imagined he would learn to interact with girls. When he was young, he and little Anna were constantly at odds.”
Princess Eliza couldn’t help but smile. “Childhood play doesn’t count. Maybe after next semester, Anna could become a strong contender for the duchess’s son-in-law.”
Alvaraite smiled. “Actually, my child has an arranged marriage.”
Eliza shrugged. “Duke, nowadays, the term ‘free love’ is very popular. You can’t force marriages. Not just my Anna, but little Angie personally named Dark at the Halloween dance.”
Alvaraite: “Anna and Angie?”
…
On the competitor platform, Diana wasn’t embarrassed by her father’s loud voice; in fact, she thought the louder, the better.
Of course, as a well-mannered girl, she couldn’t speak loudly.
So she waved more vigorously and only focused on the duel when reminded by the referee.
Announcer Wilson’s voice sounded appropriately. “Today’s pace is unexpectedly fast, and it’s already the fourth match! As you can see, it’s another clash between first-year and second-year students.”
“The red side contestant is the much-anticipated new star of the first year, the beloved daughter of the Kingdom’s Bear—Diana Gretbail!”
“Her father’s powerful voice must have left a deep impression on everyone.”
“Now, please welcome the blue side contestant, the Mana Academy, second-year student, Franco Turner!”
“Franco Turner is also an outstanding student who joined the Dueling Club in his first semester. His strength is undeniable.”
“Will this duel be a first-year’s challenge or a second-year’s successful defense? Let’s wait and see!”
…
As the daughter of the Gretbail family, Diana naturally attracted a lot of attention.
With Viscount Gretbail present, there were always those who wanted to impress him.
Thus, Diana’s cheers were high.
In the corner, Old John’s eyes lit up as he realized this was a key role that people would willingly spend money on. He immediately focused his attention.
With the automatic shuffling complete, the pre-match exchange phase was skipped, and they moved directly into the latter half of the “Preparation Phase.”
…
[Preparation Phase] [30s]
…
Both players draw their starting hands!
Diana blew a breath into her palm and drew her cards fiercely!
“Great!”
With five cards in hand, she felt a surge of excitement.
Though she didn’t draw the ace card—the three-star mana spirit “Bear Spirit”—she got “Bear Strength” and another three-star white card, “Orange Bear!”
This was a card she had prepared for today, a result of her hot streak during card training.
…
[Card Name: Orange Bear]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ???]
[Race: Avian-beast Kin]
[Attribute: General]
[Mana: 1400]
[Attack: 300]
[Defense: 1600]
[Ultimate Skill: None]
…
Though it was a plain white card without any skills, the stats of “Orange Bear” were impressive. It could be considered one of Diana’s top cards.
Its defense of 1600 far exceeded most three-star mana spirits’ attack power, and its 1400 mana value made it extremely durable.
The low attack of 300 was obviously the price of having such high defense and mana values.
It was a minor flaw compared to its strengths.
Diana’s eyes sharpened as she placed her hand on the mana card.
She possessed innate combat skills, capable of entering a fighting state instantly.
Meanwhile, Franco Turner, learning that his opponent was from the Kingdom’s Bear clan, dared not underestimate her and focused intently.
[3s]
[2s]
[1s]
[0s]
At the end of the Preparation Phase countdown,
both players began their incantations simultaneously.
Franco Turner’s summoning speed was noticeably faster than Diana’s.
With a flash of light, a snow-white mana spirit, resembling a dumpling, appeared in the blue side’s summoning zone.
…
[Card Name: Magical Beast (Snowball)]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ?]
[Race: Elemental Kin]
[Attribute: Ice]
[Mana: 100]
[Attack: 100]
[Defense: 100]
[Ultimate Skill: Snow Concealment]
…
“It’s appeared, Franco’s magical beast!”
Wilson tried to keep his voice enthusiastic to liven up the atmosphere.
But before the snowball made any moves, he refrained from saying anything unnecessary.
“Magical beasts are typically the first mana spirits we obtain in our first year, but as young magi grow, they often fade into memory. Franco clearly hasn’t forgotten his.”
…
On the blue side platform, Franco commanded his magical beast immediately after summoning it, “Snowball, Snow Conceal!”
Instantly, pure white snowflakes rose around the snowball.
Its round, dough-like body gradually disappeared into the snow.
As its form vanished completely, the snowflakes fell to the ground, leaving wet marks.
This was an invisibility-type mana spirit!
Diana on the red side platform couldn’t help but widen her eyes.
Clearly, Franco was well-prepared.
First-year students lacked experience and generally had no ability to break invisibility.
Moreover, his summoning speed was superior, allowing him to summon a second mana spirit before the first could be attacked.
Starting with a one-star snowball as a stable sacrifice,
“Next!”
He looked up at Diana, waiting quietly for the cooldown of his regular summoning spell.
And Diana, slightly delayed, finally summoned “Orange Bear!”
It was a fat, orange-colored bear, squatting on the ground, about 1.5 meters tall, with a plump, fleshy body.
It seemed immobile, with limbs resembling decorations, explaining its low attack value of 300.
“Orange Bear, the mana ball is yours.”
Hearing its owner’s request, Orange Bear emitted a cat-like meow, turned around, and hugged the red side mana ball before curling up into a ball.
– A common tactic of first-year students: crouch and defend.
