Chapter 334: Dark Demon and the Silent Duel
“Nina Professor…”
Dark looked at the notification on the selection card and suddenly felt an ominous premonition.
“Could it be that Professor Shylph really approved her application?”
Dark was shocked as he opened the notification.
He had thought that a responsible professor like Professor Shylph would never approve Nina’s “one-day dungeon tour” application.
But what he saw with his own eyes seemed to challenge his rationality?
[Professor Nina: Great! Professor Shylph has agreed to my application. At ten o’clock this morning, we will officially enter the dungeon for a half-day adventure. Please prepare in advance, and don’t forget to bring your lunch!]
“From a one-day tour to a half-day tour?”
“Is there really a fundamental difference?”
Dark’s face darkened immediately. The notification did not mention any other professors accompanying them; it was just Professor Nina alone. Could she take care of an entire grade of students?
Moreover, the more he read the notification, the less credible it seemed.
Bringing lunch? Is this a spring outing?
Come to think of it, spring has arrived!
…
After the snow on Valentine’s Day, the weather had indeed been gradually warming up.
It was already March.
Dark thought for a moment, then left a message on the specially purchased notice board, asking the golems to be ready to be summoned after they woke up.
Then he took the basket from the Imp Beast’s claws and started eating breakfast.
“Yomimi—”
The Mana Spirit rubbed against him.
Dark used a fork to pick up a cherry for decoration and fed it to him.
“Ah—”
The Imp Beast’s eyes widened, and he imitated Dark, coming closer.
Dark paused but still picked up a strawberry and put it in its mouth.
“Chomp chomp.”
The Imp Beast mechanically chewed the strawberry, suddenly feeling somewhat emotional.
So begging is such a simple thing?
How many opportunities had he missed until now?
“Yomimi?”
The Mana Spirit turned to look at him, puzzled.
…
After finishing breakfast, Dark found a spare lunch box in the cabinet and brought along a bottle of apple juice and a bottle of dairy cow grass juice. He also carried the basket and went to the cafeteria with the Imp Beast.
Although going on a “spring outing” in the dungeon sounded troublesome, he decided to trust it for now.
Since they were leaving at ten and returning in half a day, lunch would have to be eaten inside the dungeon.
Making some rice balls or sandwiches could probably get by.
“Probably the other students are thinking the same?”
But when Dark entered the kitchen, he didn’t find any other students there.
Though curious, he didn’t investigate further.
When the halfling chef asked about it, he explained the “half-day dungeon tour.”
The halfling aunt immediately volunteered to help him prepare.
By the time Dark came back to his senses, his lunch box was filled with delicious food—mostly things that could still be enjoyed even when cooled.
Dark thanked her, and the halfling aunt smiled, saying, “No need to thank me. Serving the children is our duty. As long as you enjoy it, we’re happy.”
Dark thanked her again and left the kitchen.
He gave the lunch box to the Imp Beast to take back to the dormitory, while he went to class first.
There was still a duel class on Friday.
After class, he needed to return to the dormitory to put away the duel textbook and meet at the castle gate.
He would bring the lunch box then.
However, some students seemed to have different ideas.
When Dark entered the duel class room, he was surprised to see many classmates already there.
Each carried big and small bags full of snacks and fruits…
They had all been shocked and worried when Professor Nina first mentioned the “dungeon tour,” but now they seemed to have completely forgotten their concerns.
Perhaps due to their trust in the professors.
Or perhaps due to excitement about the “spring outing.”
Who knows?
Dark turned around and walked to his familiar seat.
As he sat down in the last row by the window, he saw Diana turn her head excitedly, her pink face full of joy: “Dark Dark, guess what I brought?”
Dark: “Candy.”
Diana pulled out a whole pack of candies from her drawer, happily saying, “You guessed right.”
Dark: “…”
Just as he was speechless, Rose turned around, patting her backpack and saying, “Don’t worry, I’ve got Diana’s share too.”
She seemed to have brought some kind of pastry?
But you wouldn’t think I’m surprised because Diana only brought candy and no lunch, right?
I’m not!
Dark smacked his forehead, reminding them, “Don’t bring too much. We’re going to the dungeon, not a picnic.”
Girls generally have less stamina, and Rose is especially delicate.
If they really carry such a big bag, they might not make it far into the dungeon.
But Diana immediately said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of energy!”
Dark: “…”
Well, they seem to consider more than I expected.
…
“Ring ring—”
When Professor Jones stepped into the classroom with the sound of the bell, she immediately noticed the unusual atmosphere.
She couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on? Good news?”
A male student from the Knight Academy bravely raised his hand and said, “Yes, Professor. We are going to enter the dungeon for an… adventure!”
“An adventure in the dungeon?”
Professor Jones nodded thoughtfully and then casually added, “Today, we’ll discuss some of the rules for duels in the dungeon.”
Emma, sitting in the front row, couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Professor Jones, do they have duel rules in the dungeon?”
“Of course.”
Professor Jones stepped onto the podium, turned to the students below, and smiled, “For magi, dueling is an important way to resolve disputes. Correspondingly, different environments have different rules.
For example, the street duel Dark Demon performed on Valentine’s Day is one of them.
In the dungeon, to avoid attracting monster attacks, new rules apply. We usually call these silent duels.”
“Silent duels?”
At this point, Dark’s interest was piqued, and he listened attentively.
Professor Jones wrote “Silence Card” on the blackboard and said, “A silent duel is generally based on the use of a silence card. Whether it’s a magus or a golem, they must be within the range covered by the silence card.
The main differences between a silent duel and a regular duel are two points:
① No sound can be made;
② No mana guidance ball. In fact, most duels outside official competitions don’t use mana guidance balls. Tudor, do you have any questions?”
Tudor, who had raised his hand high, immediately asked, “Professor Jones, what if there’s no silence card?”
Professor Jones nodded satisfactorily, “Your question is very good, but I can’t answer it.”
Tudor: “This…”
Professor Jones gestured for him to sit down and then said, “The silence card is the foundation of a silent duel. Without a silence card or something similar, dueling in the dungeon is asking for trouble.
As a professor, I advise you not to do this. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, please calm down and carefully assess whether you have the ability to face a horde of monsters. Alright, let’s continue… Dark Demon, do you have any questions?”
Dark lowered his hand, stood up, and asked, “Professor, how do we win without a mana guidance ball?”
Professor Jones replied, “I know you have experience with street duels, but silent duels in the dungeon are fundamentally different. They exist to quickly resolve disputes while ensuring safety.
Therefore, silent duels do not allow attacking the opponent’s physical body. We typically designate a one-star golem as a substitute for the mana guidance ball. Once this golem is eliminated, it signifies the defeat of the magus.”
“I see.”
Dark nodded in understanding.
Now he had a general idea of how silent duels worked.
Without sound, magi can only use silent incantations to cast summoning spells, which requires a high level of skill.
And without the ability to convey commands through voice, the默契 between magus and golem becomes crucial.
How do they communicate in a silent environment? How do they quickly convey tactics to their golems?
These are actually techniques used in special situations.
Additionally, skills like “Seductive Voice” or “Loud Roar,” which rely on sound, lose their effectiveness.
In summary, silent duels place even higher demands on magi than regular duels.
Magi in the dungeon tend to choose quick, direct tactics during silent duels.
After all, danger lurks everywhere in the dungeon, and no one knows when a monster might suddenly appear.
…
Professor Jones detailed the basic rules of silent duels. Later in the class, she had Dark and Wit demonstrate on stage.
As the sons of the Kingdom’s Dual Swords and members of the Dueling Club, their strengths were slightly different but still within acceptable limits.
Wit seemed to have improved recently, and determination could be seen in his eyes.
No wonder he is the son of a hero?
Such unyielding courage is truly precious.
Standing apart on the stage, following Professor Jones’ instructions, they began a silent duel. Starting with a one-star golem, they avoided high-level golems and powerful spells, aiming to win with quick, small maneuvers.
Only when entering the preparation phase did Wit realize that this seemed to be their first public confrontation?
