Chapter 630: Unpredictable Halloween (4k)
Noble Academy Tower, Room 301.
“Is it tomorrow for the Halloween event?”
Dark sat at his desk, injecting all his mana cards with magic power and then neatly stacking them.
To prepare for the night before the Halloween event, he had specially crafted more “energy potions” and “revealing powders.”
The use of “energy potions” was self-explanatory, while “revealing powders” were necessary mana cards against ghost-type monsters.
Although he already had the fragile “illusionary worm,” which could break through illusions and concealments, it was too weak and could be eliminated by area attacks at any time.
Therefore, preparing more “revealing powders” couldn’t hurt.
Apart from that, Dark did not make any additional preparations.
He had great confidence in his current deck and even felt ready to challenge last year’s boss, the “Vampire Count.”
“I wonder what the rules for this year’s masquerade will be.”
The professors’ confidentiality measures this time were unexpectedly good; no specific rules had been leaked until now.
Of course, perhaps some students close to the professors had learned some information but hadn’t disclosed it.
In any case, Dark did not specifically ask and secretly looked forward to any potential surprises.
…
At the same time.
Inside the four towers, almost all the students were eagerly making their final preparations.
Uncertainty instills fear but also curiosity.
Even the upperclassmen, who had experienced several Halloween events, were once again excited.
The students were eager, waiting for the ball to start.
Regardless, the professors’ confidentiality strategy seemed highly effective, successfully shifting the students’ interest from “romance” to “events.”
Everyone anticipated, yearned for, an unprecedented grand Halloween masquerade!
…
The calendar turned.
October 31st.
As usual, the masquerade event would start at six o’clock sharp.
Before that, students could move around the castle until noon.
Then they needed to return to their dorms in the towers as per the requirement, leaving the castle to the professors and school staff.
All the monsters and mechanisms for the masquerade event would be set up within these six hours.
But today was different.
After waking up in the morning, students immediately received notifications from their selection cards, and everyone was prohibited from leaving the towers!
Though this prohibition was enforced by guardian golems at the tower entrances, there were still various ways to get out if one really wanted to. However, no one would risk being confined for doing something meaningless.
…
“So this is why you didn’t get breakfast?” Dark said slightly helplessly, looking at his selection card.
The imp beast spread its wings like hands and shrugged.
As a loyal and dedicated familiar, it flew to the cafeteria for food as usual, but the halfling chef only handed it two newspapers.
The imp beast said, “Although it’s unfortunate, the cafeteria can’t provide food today.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do.” Dark clapped his hands and said, “Although we have plenty of backup food in our dorms, there are always students who don’t keep supplies or have just finished theirs.”
The academy wouldn’t let students starve. It seems the Halloween masquerade has already begun!
“It’s already started?” The imp beast jumped up excitedly.
“It looks like it. We were caught off guard by the professors.” Dark said.
Since they usually returned to the towers at noon, he hadn’t recalled the mana golems in the clubroom, nor had he moved “Paradise” from there.
However, he never planned to recall “Paradise”; the mana golems could still be summoned later, though it would take time to replenish their mana.
“Let’s get ready.”
…
On the Spiral Bell Tower.
As the mana golems were released and vanished in light, the remaining ones in the clubroom became aware.
Agumon, as a familiar, remained in the clubroom.
Holding the tiny night bird, it walked out with the baby bear, overlooking the castle from the railing. Suddenly, its eyes widened.
“What is that?”
Outside the giant castle, black runes gathered into a dragon, roaring past.
Then a pumpkin carriage descended from the sky. A purple witch stepped out from the carriage, walking in the air with graceful elegance, waving her wand.
As magic power gathered, the tip of the wand emitted dark light, and a swarm of runes surged forth, forming a new rune dragon!
These rune dragons either circled the castle or entered through windows, gradually forming barriers that obscured the sunlight, darkening the castle’s light.
Agumon stared at the witch’s actions, the tiny night bird flapping its wings to escape but held tightly.
The baby bear blinked, masking its deep fear beneath a seemingly calm exterior.
Metia Bartholomew, the “Astrology” professor who often taught in the classroom above them, was actually such a terrifying sorcerer?
…
Sorcerers were a type of magic profession, much like alchemists, becoming relics of the past.
Sorcerers were often portrayed darker and more terrifying than mages in stories and biographies, typically villains.
But they were merely mages skilled in setting up barriers and rituals with runes.
The main reason for their bad reputation—curse abilities—were just part of ritual magic.
Sorcerers declined due to the emergence of “Secret Rite Cards.”
Metia Bartholomew was both an astrologer and a veteran sorcerer.
Of course, she was also a skilled user of “Secret Rite Cards,” a magus.
This wasn’t contradictory.
Like Professor Kazel, who was both an alchemy master and a mana card theory expert.
…
“Gah!”
The baby bear suddenly saw Professor Metia turn and wink at it, instinctively shrinking back, then ran back to the clubroom with a “slap slap.”
The masquerade on Halloween Eve was already a dangerous activity for it.
Under normal circumstances, if students encountered a little bear in the castle, they might ponder why it was there.
But during the masquerade, they would attack without hesitation.
Thus, Dark had long warned it not to leave the bell tower tonight.
Only by staying on the bell tower would it be safe.
But after midnight, it could go to the banquet hall on the first floor of the castle with Agumon to enjoy the ball’s charm.
It had always looked forward to it.
…
Inside the Noble Academy Tower.
After recalling all the mana golems, Dark briefly informed the situation.
Then he changed clothes, prepared to go out dressed as a vampire.
His choice was not wrong.
When he put on a black suit and a gentleman’s hat, he activated the changing card—”Vampire Ritual.”
His face took on a pale makeup, sharp fangs appeared in his mouth, and bat wings spread behind him.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Dark confirmed that he had perfectly transformed into a noble vampire.
Though different from the expected “old noble,” with overly youthful features, the cold and arrogant demeanor of a vampire was vividly displayed.
Unlike last year’s masquerade, this year he felt a sense of role-playing.
“It’s time to go out.”
He grinned, revealing sharp fangs.
Picking up his cane, he pushed the door open.
Many people were already moving in the corridor.
Not a few thought the event had started early.
Most second-year students had already changed into costumes, and those who hadn’t quickly retreated to change when they saw others’ outfits.
Dark closed the door, placing his hands on the cane, with the imp beast flying onto his shoulder.
“Good morning, Dark… Good morning, Mr. Vampire.”
The second-year boy from Room 302 quickly changed his address.
Dark nodded slightly, saying in a cold tone, “Good morning, Masked Knight.”
“How do you like my Masked Knight outfit? Isn’t it great?” Masked Knight proudly said.
Dark looked at the red fly-eye mask on his face, trying to keep a straight face and said, “Did you buy the changing card from an upperclassman?”
Masked Knight replied, “Yes, it’s from a senior at Fool’s Academy.”
Dark couldn’t help thinking of Senior Leon.
Masked Knight added, “By the way, what do you think about the notification on the selection card?”
Dark thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps it’s a preheating activity to give professors time to set up the venue, with rewards being various foods?”
Masked Knight slapped his head and said, “You’re right. I’ll go ahead! My companion is calling me!”
Dark nodded and said, “Okay. Although it’s not yet Halloween, I wish you a happy Halloween.”
“Thank you.” Masked Knight waved and ran towards his companion—the yellow Masked Knight and the blue knight.
Dark smiled and walked forward with his cane.
Of course, he was also looking for the ghost princess and the fairy lady.
…
At this moment.
The ghost princess had just been woken up by the fairy lady and was hurriedly washing and applying makeup.
After waiting in the corridor for a while, the vampire gentleman, unable to see them leaving, followed the crowd down to the common room.
As expected, the common room was already packed with people.
Driven by herd mentality, despite the professors not notifying an early start, all the students in the common room had changed into costumes.
This year’s masquerade, students were clearly more relaxed than last year.
Without the visit of Princess Eliza, there were no crowds deliberately dressing up in formal wear to flatter her.
Most students wore personalized costumes.
Compared to the three red, yellow, and blue masked knights, this was nothing.
Dark even saw a minotaur in the crowd!
“Hey! Dark, over here!”
The minotaur raised its decorative giant axe and waved at Dark.
Dark recognized the student under the minotaur costume by voice and went over.
Then he saw a pig-man next to the minotaur!
“Oh my God, Tudor and Pistons, how did you turn into a cow and a pig?”
—Dark wasn’t exaggerating.
He approached the minotaur Tudor and the pig-man Pistons, keeping a serious face and asked, “Do you have any news?”
Tudor shrugged and shook his head frantically.
Dark frowned and looked around, noticing most students were discussing quietly but couldn’t come up with substantial results.
“Is it not time yet?”
He looked up at the wall clock.
“Seven thirteen… Maybe it starts at seven thirty?”
…
As time passed, more and more people gathered in the common room.
The spacious common room gradually became crowded.
Dark found the translucent “ghost princess” and the “fairy lady” floating by some means.
But the two little princesses, who should have been very noticeable, were nowhere to be seen among the crowd, hidden by their costumes.
Meanwhile, Joie in the same noble tower wore a princess dress and a crystal crown, looking like a princess.
Time flew by. When the clock’s hand pointed to seven thirty, the loud bell sound indeed came from the direction of the spiral bell tower.
“Dong!”
The bell echoed throughout the castle, lingering for a long time.
Students in the four towers fell silent at the same moment.
Almost simultaneously, everyone’s selection cards beeped “beep beep beep” and vibrated wildly.
“It’s here!”
Everyone thought, then took out their selection cards from their mana card decks and injected magic power to activate them.
…
Dark similarly activated his selection card and opened the new information.
[Answer questions to gain identity.]
“Gain identity?”
Dark couldn’t help frowning.
The message was concise and fitting the theme of the masquerade.
But what was its purpose?
He slightly turned his head, wanting to check if Tudor’s selection card had the same prompt.
The giant minotaur’s head turned just then, blocking his view.
Dark: “…”
Of course, Tudor’s selection card had the same prompt.
And below that prompt, there was a sixty-second countdown.
When the sixty seconds ended, the prompt faded, and the first question appeared.
Alongside the question, another prompt appeared.
[Keep it confidential.]
In the next instant, everyone covered their selection cards.
The crowd in the common room dispersed in a rush.
