Chapter 160: Courage and Wisdom Do Not Contradict
As the only named and numbered first-year student in the Mana Academy, Sarah Swati’s name was still unknown to many.
However, she was clearly highly regarded by the professors.
Inheriting the brown eyes and dark skin of the ancient sages, Sarah stood out significantly in the academy where light-skinned students were predominant.
Among the freshmen, no one could match her knowledge and foundation.
In the first class competition, Sarah couldn’t overcome Emma’s “Golden Treasure Chest,” but this time she returned with astonishing momentum.
Aside from Sarah,
Emma Maltis from the Knight Academy also caught the attention of the professors.
Professor Shylph, who taught at the Knight Academy, naturally knew more about her: “As you might imagine, Emma Maltis also comes from the lineage of sages; her mother was a disciple of the Secret Sage.”
Professor Lily pouted: “So why isn’t she a student at the Mana Academy?”
Professor Shylph explained seriously: “The house assignment is based on multiple factors such as the student’s mana, talent, conduct, and mindset when they enter the academy.
Since she was assigned to the Knight Academy, it means that at that time, her qualities better suited the Knight Academy, or she had a stronger inclination towards it. If we reassigned her now, the result might be different.”
Professor Jones pointed at his muscular brain and said with a smile, “Courage and wisdom do not contradict each other.”
Professor Lily’s eyes twinkled, and she giggled.
They then talked about the Hero’s Child.
Professor Shylph’s expression softened slightly: “Wit Gold has some talent, though he’s a bit mischievous. Under the supervision of Instructor Griselda, he has made progress. However, compared to those three…”
She shook her head, unwilling to say more.
“Is it my turn next?”
Professor Jones crossed his arms with pride: “Our Noble Academy, although there are fewer students this year, there are many excellent ones. We won’t talk about Dark Demon for now; Diana Gretbail and Teddy Dolong are both rare good children. In terms of character, I quite like Dolong, but Diana is indeed more endearing.”
Claire sighed: “Professor Jones, after all these years, your preferences haven’t changed.”
Jones replied: “What’s wrong with liking bears?”
Shylph said, “Alright, let’s start the second round.”
Afterward, the professors regained their spirits and walked out of the office in the Battle Hall.
…
Two thirty…
All the first-year students had gathered in Battle Hall No. 1.
Unlike earlier, the students who did not advance to the second round were very relaxed since they didn’t have to compete. They mostly watched the matches as spectators.
However, the collective honor of the young magi was strong, and almost everyone cheered for their own academy’s competitors.
The traditionally opposing Knight Academy and Noble Academy even bared their teeth at each other, competing fiercely.
Although the Hero’s Child from the Knight Academy performed poorly, Emma Maltis showed extremely strong competitiveness in the first round, which led them to strongly expect the well-rounded Miss Everything.
The Noble Academy naturally placed their hopes on the defending champion, Dark Demon!
…
From being highly anticipated at the beginning of the school year to being ignored now, Wit Gold felt increasingly suffocated by the growing disparity.
He could maintain his mindset by relying on his second-place finish in the Halloween event.
Even after being confined, he could feel his progress under the supervision of Ms. Griselda.
Today’s class competition, he came with the goal of winning.
However, in the first round this morning, he faced a tough battle!
His classmates, whom he used to look down upon, suddenly seemed much stronger!
If not for letting the Troll enter a “Rampage” state, he probably wouldn’t have advanced to the second round.
Overall, he felt heavy-hearted.
In his field of vision, he could no longer see Dark’s back.
…
The format for the second round was slightly different.
16 to 8 continued to use single-elimination.
After determining the top 8, double-elimination began.
Each competitor would have two chances; a first loss wouldn’t eliminate them directly, but they would fall into the losers’ bracket and face elimination only after a second loss.
After the professors briefly explained the rules, they started distributing number cards.
From the Noble Academy to the Fool’s Academy, they distributed in sequence.
Dark got card ①.
Diana received card ②.
…
Once all sixteen competitors received their number cards, the professors randomly drew the same-numbered cards to create the schedule.
For the 16 to 8 round, four fields operated simultaneously.
Soon, the professors posted the schedule.
With Diana pulling him, Dark went over to take a look at the schedule.
“My next opponent is ③? Isn’t that Dolong?”
Then he turned his head slightly and saw Teddy Dolong turning his head at the same time!
The Dolong family was a prominent clan in the kingdom, comparable to the Gretbail family. Both were comrades and fierce rivals.
Dark vaguely remembered that he had once battled Dolong in the last class competition.
At that time, the young magi only had one “magical beast,” and Dolong’s magical beast seemed to be a ferocious small dinosaur.
But Dark didn’t give him a chance to summon his magical beast; instead, he used a quick attack strategy to defeat him in one go.
“Dark Demon!”
The red-haired boy gritted his teeth and called out Dark’s name.
After losing last time, he felt ashamed, reflected deeply, studied hard, and continuously improved himself.
Finally, he reaped the rewards today.
Not only did he smoothly advance to the second round, but he also encountered Dark in the first game of the second round.
This was the moment for revenge!
…
“I didn’t expect the first match to be an intra-academy battle.”
Dark actually had a fairly good impression of Dolong. He looked at him regretfully before heading to field ① with Diana.
There were eight matches in total for the 16 to 8 round, divided into two waves.
Diana was in the second wave.
And Dark was the main attraction.
…
“Beep—”
Under Professor Jones’ whistle reminder, both sides’ competitors stepped onto the competitors’ platform.
Standing on the five-meter-high platform, Dark looked down.
Even though this was his second time here, he still hadn’t fully adapted to the overly spacious arena.
“Dark.” Dolong suddenly opened his mouth from the opposite platform.
Dark raised his head in puzzlement.
Dolong solemnly said, “I will give it my all from now on!”
“Uh…”
Though he had something to say, Dark responded, “Same.”
After all, even a lion attacks a rabbit with full force.
“Standby Phase” [30s]
Standard words appeared above the spellboard, and the 30-second countdown began!
