Chapter 541: Dark Demon Successfully Breaks Through (4k)
Many people may have similar experiences.
In dreams, they feel extremely awake and clearly recognize that they are in a dream, yet they ignore all the absurd events as if everything were real.
The confusion and contradiction in cognition and consciousness are hard to explain.
…
When Dark became aware, he was standing on a pitch-black lake surface.
There was no support beneath his feet, and ripples spread across the water.
Mysterious sounds echoed endlessly in his ears.
One drop, two drops, three drops.
More and more water droplets fell into the lake, coming from nowhere.
At the moment of contact, they released a bright white glow before being quickly swallowed by darkness.
Unconsciously, he started walking forward.
Water droplets falling from the sky gathered into rain, dripping onto him, but they felt unusually sticky.
They were not as smooth as water, but rather as slippery as snakes.
The droplets stuck to his body, one after another.
With a glance, they truly turned into snakes!
Dark suddenly lowered his head; the black lake reflected his shadow, with countless water snakes writhing around his body. A chilling sensation swept over him, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.
“Ah—”
A startled cry echoed.
Dark abruptly opened his eyes, feeling icy cold.
Then he saw Eevee, the gender-neutral Mana Spirit, using two ribbons to wrap around his body, trying to lift him from the already cold bathwater.
“Mii—”
Seeing Dark awaken, Eevee immediately let out a cute sound.
Dark took a deep breath, pushed away the wet ribbons sticking to his body, and crawled out of the bathtub.
He had fallen asleep while bathing before, but with the golems around him, he always woke up in bed. However, today was different.
…
After drying both himself and Eevee completely, Dark put on his nightwear and left the bedroom.
The golems either slept in beds or on the floor, and a few even hid under his large bed like mischievous children.
It was late at night, and the castle lay like a giant beast on the ground, eerily quiet.
As Dark lifted the bedding and got into bed, Eevee sneaked in, poking its pink paws out from under the covers, looking obedient and well-behaved.
Dark just smiled and sat cross-legged, slowly closing his eyes.
In the next instant, his consciousness plunged deeply into the spiritual world.
The core idea of “Technique of the Shadow God” is to instantly focus mental awareness on a single point, thereby instantly emptying the entire brain.
This spiritual magic was originally used to refine mental energy and occasionally resist mental intrusion.
But Dark had found a new approach, using it to refine “Capital Sin,” making each drop of “Capital Sin” condensed to 1.5 points.
Since then, he never relaxed his cultivation of “Technique of the Shadow God.”
Now, his unwavering efforts finally bore fruit.
He could clearly feel that the speed of focusing his consciousness and the extent of emptying his mind had greatly increased.
The spiritual world in his consciousness seemed to have expanded to some degree.
It felt as if with just a thought, he could concentrate his spirit to an extreme level!
Although no additional effects had emerged, this “Technique of the Shadow God” undoubtedly crossed a tier.
“I’ve finally progressed from beginner to novice!” Dark said slowly while maintaining his seated position with closed eyes.
With the breakthrough in “Technique of the Shadow God,” his spiritual perception ability also strengthened.
After spending time stabilizing his realm, he immediately tried to evoke emotions, allowing “Capital Sin” to overflow from his brain.
As the “Capital Sin” over ninety points rapidly overflowed, he could clearly feel it was much easier than before, and the concentration of “Capital Sin” had become even higher!
“One drop of ‘Greed,’ 2.0 points!”
Feeling the intensity of that drop of “Greed,” Dark suddenly opened his eyes, his vitality instantly soaring.
The breakthrough in “Technique of the Shadow God” further enhanced the concentration of each drop of “Capital Sin.”
This meant that every month he could extract “Capital Sin” from 15 points to a full 20 points!
Without a doubt, this was a significant breakthrough.
Moreover, unlike the “Soul Curse,” which becomes unsuitable for use once it reaches the novice level, the upper limit of “Technique of the Shadow God” can be continuously raised.
Unfortunately, cultivating “Technique of the Shadow God” requires steady and patient effort, and cannot be rushed.
“It took me an entire year to progress from beginner to novice.”
“To continue improving, I will need many more years.”
“If I want to shorten this duration, praying to the Holy Grail might be a good path.”
“Even if I can’t directly achieve the leap through the Holy Grail, there’s a chance to significantly reduce the time.”
Dark’s eyes flickered, once again generating strong anticipation for the “Holy Grail.”
“Since that’s the case, my goal this year will be to win the Academy Cup!”
…
Starting from the second year, students at Saint Maryann Academy can participate in the Academy Cup competition.
Whether it’s the underground city combat or the inter-grade duel matches, Dark now has the qualification to participate!
Finally, he won’t watch helplessly as the Academy Cup slips through his fingers.
Thinking about finally having the opportunity to compete alongside Senior Pandora, Dark felt even more excited.
After setting his goals, he finally fell asleep again, holding Eevee.
…
At six o’clock sharp.
Driven by his biological clock, Dark Demon woke up on time.
After opening his eyes, he regained his composure, then chose between “getting up for morning exercises” and “sleeping in.”
Usually, when he hesitated like this, it was a sign of “laziness” growing within him.
So, he had developed the habit of morning exercises long ago.
Now, as he advanced to the second year, he had additional options for “cultivating qi,” making his morning routines more diverse.
Around half past six, he finished his morning exercises and then bathed and changed clothes.
As he stepped out of the bathroom, he just happened to see the imp beast flying back through the window.
After three months apart, the imp beast’s work ethic had only improved.
Besides carrying a basket of breakfast, it brought back two newspapers!
“The Wise One Daily,” and “The Clown Daily.”
Dark hadn’t specifically asked for them, but the imp beast had always observed meticulously during its visits.
He unfolded the newspapers and ate and read leisurely, gradually getting into his familiar routine.
At the beginning of the first year, he usually spent more time previewing courses.
But later, as most courses were self-studied, he rarely previewed anymore — because there were no courses left to preview.
Once school officially started and new textbooks were distributed, he might rediscover that initial excitement.
As Dark pondered, he noticed that “The Wise One Daily” was filled with various notices of schools starting.
In a time of extremely limited information dissemination technology, newspapers were virtually the only means of spreading information.
Every year, the kingdom’s various academies used this method to remind students to return to school.
Continuous notifications ensured that most students wouldn’t overlook it, and people nationwide would gain some knowledge about the kingdom’s major academies.
This was undoubtedly an effective advertisement.
…
At ten minutes past seven.
After taking a longer time to finish breakfast, Dark handed the basket back to the imp beast.
Then he woke Victoria and Phoenix, instructing Victoria to take Phoenix around the academy and familiarize themselves with the castle structure.
Meanwhile, he went to the teacher’s dormitory to meet Claire and the others.
They needed to quickly pick an idle shop in Traveler’s Street as the first branch of the Public Dueling Society, clean it up, and stock it.
This wasn’t easy.
When Dark finally finished his tasks, he realized it was almost evening.
He hurried back to the castle, bringing along the two golem elves who were about to become first-year students to attend the selection ceremony!
At this moment.
The first-year students residing temporarily in the academy town were allowed to leave.
They entered the academy through the teleportation square, filled with anticipation and fear as they followed Professor Shylph into the castle.
Dark found his place in line and nodded at the two golem elves.
“Follow Professor Shylph, remember to listen.”
Dark repeatedly instructed them like a parent sending their child to school for the first time.
“Got it! Got it!”
Victoria performed a QWE combo and pulled Phoenix into the queue.
The first-year students looked curiously at the newcomers, and the golem elves’ striking appearances instantly caught the attention of the freshmen.
However, most of the freshmen were quite reserved and didn’t gossip much.
Strange environments and unfamiliar faces.
Not everyone could handle it calmly.
…
Watching Victoria and Phoenix blend into the group, Dark quietly moved away and headed to the banquet hall.
Students from the second to sixth year were gradually entering, boys and girls excitedly discussing the new freshmen lineup. The hall was filled with joyful atmosphere.
During these times, the seniors were the happiest.
The naive freshmen would undergo the selection ceremony on stage, which was a grand welcome ceremony, and it could quickly make them feel a sense of belonging to their respective houses.
For students from the second to sixth year, the freshmen were like models lining up on stage, and seeing their youthful faces made them think of their own pasts.
Dark entered the banquet hall and instinctively went to his old seat, only to find those seats all empty. The noble academy classmates who had advanced to second year were sitting further inside.
He glanced up and noticed Tudor and Diana waving at him.
“Sorry.”
Inside his heart, Dark silently apologized to the enthusiastic Tudor and pretended not to see him, walking towards Diana instead.
Behind Diana’s seat, Dark whispered, “Who are the most anticipated freshmen this year?”
“Who else? It’s definitely Anna and Angie.” Diana chewed on her candy, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Rose leaned out from the other side, waving an envelope in front of Dark.
Dark asked curiously, “What’s this?”
Rose whispered, “I’m not sure. Professor Lily asked me to give this to you, but you were gone all day in Traveler’s Street.”
“I was at Traveler’s Street,” Dark replied, taking the envelope. “If there’s something urgent, why didn’t she use the Selection Card to notify me?”
Rose shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe Professor Lily had other matters to discuss with you?”
“Probably,” Dark realized.
Immediately, he opened the envelope and pulled out a letter that looked like an invitation.
[Dear second-year student of the Noble Academy, Dark Demon… We sincerely hope you can represent the second year and deliver a speech on stage after the selection ceremony as the Chief Student.]
[Synthia Saint Altair]
“What does it say?” Diana leaned in and asked.
“A delayed notice,” Dark casually handed the letter to Diana.
After reading it, Diana immediately exclaimed excitedly, “It’s a Chief Student speech! Dark, are you going to be the first one on stage?”
“I guess so. From second to sixth year, it’s usually in this order.” Dark replied casually. “Although this invitation came unexpectedly, the academy doesn’t seem to have any specific requirements for the Chief Student’s speech content. Just say something appropriate when the time comes.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Diana agreed, then asked, “I wonder which house Victoria and Phoenix will be assigned to?”
“Probably Knight Academy or Fool’s Academy,” Dark answered, then remembered the dark elf girl and the little beastman. “This year’s freshman lineup might be quite interesting.”
While they were chatting, the surrounding voices continued to reach their ears.
Indeed, most people were talking about the two princesses about to enter school.
And a few well-informed individuals seemed to focus their attention on the royal beastman.
Listening to their discussions, Dark couldn’t help but wonder if the senior students had been discussing him and Wit Gold in the same way last year.
Speaking of Wit, he glanced and noticed that Wit and Robert were sitting properly at the Knights’ Academy table.
Unlike the protagonist in “Harry Potter,” they did not cause any opening-of-school accidents.
Emma Maltis, sitting opposite him, looked over and quickly shifted her gaze away.
Dark blinked, and suddenly heard music playing from the four corners of the hall!
The melody played by four different instruments faintly conveyed a solemn atmosphere. The candle holders floating above the four splendid tables ignited candles, replacing the light from the magical lamps.
The entire hall dimmed slightly, but gained a touch of magical charm.
The students’ chatter instantly subsided.
“Clang!”
At exactly seven o’clock, the bell rang, echoing throughout the castle.
On the faculty dais, the professors dressed formally took their seats one by one.
On the other side of the stage, the freshmen entered under Professor Shylph’s guidance.
The first dozen or so students lifted the curtain and entered, wide-eyed at the thousand-person hall, their expressions filled with excitement.
The selection ceremony began!
