Chapter 232: Dueling Club’s One-Sided View (4k)
At two o’clock in the afternoon.
Arena ①.
The Dueling Club had already prepared the venue before noon.
Although the Dueling Club was still led by student ministers, the most influential voices belonged to the three advisory professors.
Professor Pavar Jones was one of them.
Today, Professor Jones was dressed casually, wearing just a loose jacket with a bow tied at the abdomen, showing off her rock-hard abs without fear of the cold.
She stood out like a lighthouse among the crowd, towering over everyone else.
Next to her was an elderly man.
The old man had white hair and beard but maintained a straight back. He wore thick cotton clothes.
He was named Hans Fox, also a professor for Duel Classes.
Today, two advisory professors were present for the new member recruitment: Pavar Jones and Hans Fox.
“Is that little Demon supposed to come this afternoon?”
Professor Fox rubbed his eyes, probably due to his age, feeling that his vision had declined sharply recently.
“He should come.”
Professor Jones crossed her arms, her lips slightly curved.
The competition between professors was straightforward—those who taught better students spoke louder.
This Fox Professor had always looked down on them because of his seniority. Today, she finally had a chance to put him in his place!
…
The covert competition between the two professors made the minister of the Dueling Club feel helpless.
No one liked being watched by professors while handling their own affairs.
While the new member recruitment wasn’t trivial, it didn’t require professor supervision.
In previous recruitments, professors usually only asked a couple of questions after it ended. What was different today?
“Is it because the Hero’s Child is here?”
The minister felt overwhelmed.
He was in his fifth year, and next year he would graduate. According to the rules, he needed to complete the handover of positions this term.
Having served as a minister at Saint Maryann Academy and smoothly stepping down would greatly benefit his job search in sixth year.
But only if he could step down smoothly!
“I hope no one causes trouble this semester!”
The minister’s name was Joe William, with red hair, tall and sturdy, from a noble estate.
His father was a minor noble, but his mother was just a housemaid. Therefore, his birth status was awkward.
It was Saint Maryann Academy’s acceptance letter that saved him.
Now, his mother had risen from a maid to a noble lady due to him, and he finally gained his father’s recognition.
Once he graduated and secured a job, gradually becoming a renowned Magus, he could repay his father and elevate his status.
As long as everything went well, he felt his efforts had not been in vain.
“Minister, can you be more confident? If someone cannot admit their own excellence, what’s the difference between living and being waste?”
Deputy Minister Inia Knight, as usual, wore a frustrated expression.
Inia Knight, from a knight family, was also a student at the Knight Academy, just like Minister William.
Inia was promoted to deputy minister during her second year and became a fourth-year student now.
After Minister William stepped down, she would become the new minister of the Dueling Club!
Unlike the indecisive Joe William, Inia was decisive, confident, and resilient, inheriting her parents’ traits.
Inia had yellow hair tied in a single ponytail, exuding a heroic aura.
Even standing next to the tall William, she remained strikingly elegant.
In short, she was a very charming woman.
William scratched his cheek helplessly, “What am I good at? Apart from working harder than others, I’m just a bit stronger and can stay up late.”
Inia rolled her eyes, “Open the door. It’s time for the newcomers to enter.”
…
At this moment…
Outside Arena ①, many people were waiting.
Since it was recruitment at the arena, there was no rule against accompanying or observing, so almost all first-year students came…
Conversely, second-year students, having faced recruitment twice, had fewer participants this time.
Higher-grade students naturally participated even less.
Dark did not join the crowd but stood slightly away, using his finger to prod the small Eevee on his card to pass the time.
Eevee wiggled around to avoid his fingers but enjoyed the game internally.
Next to Dark, Diana had an impatient temperament, frequently glancing at the crowd.
Rose held her hand, preventing her from pushing through the crowd.
Dueling Club recruitment was not sequential, and reckless competition was meaningless.
Two minutes later.
The main door of Arena ① finally opened from inside.
The students who had been waiting rushed in, and the crowd outside visibly decreased.
When there weren’t many people left.
Dark and the others entered leisurely.
There was nothing particularly eye-catching inside; just ordinary banners hanging around.
Near the entrance, there were three counters.
Students needed to register at these counters and show their Mana Spirit Cards.
Those with twenty cards could get a badge.
Then they just needed to hold the badge and wait for their turn.
The reviewers of the Dueling Club would score based on the students’ performance in duels.
Each duel had three reviewers.
Each student had three chances to participate.
They could earn nine scores in total.
The highest and lowest scores would be removed, and the average would be the final score.
…
When the recruitment activities neared their end, the Dueling Club would post everyone’s scores.
A cutoff line would then be set.
Those above the line would pass.
Those below would have to try again.
Due to the subjective nature of the review,
students who failed could challenge the reviewers for a fourth duel.
If they won the fourth duel, they could enter the Dueling Club unconditionally.
Of course, no one usually did that.
…
“Here here!”
The bustling atmosphere in the arena energized Diana.
She grabbed Dark’s hand and ran to one of the counters.
There were three counters, each with over thirty people, totaling nearly a hundred.
Since registration was only allowed during the half-hour after opening, no one was likely to be late.
Dark queued up behind Diana, observing carefully.
Many familiar faces were in the queue.
Besides the top eight from the last class competition, there were several classmates whose names he could barely remember.
Most of those present were second-years.
Second-years had experienced two recruitments and those remaining were likely not top students, but time had honed them into formidable opponents.
Of course, the most formidable were the upperclassmen mixed in the queue!
Those upperclassmen who had missed the opportunity to join the Dueling Club in their lower grades.
Even though they competed with younger students, they retained the demeanor of upperclassmen, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Dark suddenly blinked, “Hmm, isn’t that Scott?”
Yes, Scott from the second-year Noble Academy was also on the recruitment list!
However, Dark’s gaze lingered on him for only a few seconds before shifting to the third and fourth-year seniors.
In a scoring-based duel, he didn’t need to worry about winning or losing. He truly wanted to engage in friendly sparring with them.
The queue moved quickly.
By the time Dark regained his composure, Diana had already received her badge.
She waved it proudly before moving aside.
Dark stepped forward, registering under the staff’s guidance, then took out his deck.
Activated Mana Spirit Cards and unactivated ones were easily distinguishable.
The staff only needed to check the back of his cards and count to twenty to confirm.
“This is your badge, good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Dark glanced at the badge and indeed saw a lucky number — 666!
…
At two-thirty…
The crowd surged.
Dark’s mind stirred, and he followed the flow.
When the crowd stopped moving, they had arrived at a high platform.
The boy on the platform wore formal school uniform, with neatly combed hair, yet his crimson hair still exuded personality.
But he was actually a very introverted person.
“Good afternoon, I’m Joe William, the current minister of the Dueling Club.”
William introduced himself first, then proceeded to the routine speech.
His words were very inspiring, making people feel热血沸腾.
But hearing it too often was just routine.
It was always “Friendship First, Competition Second.”
Come on, this is the Dueling Club!
Winners take all, losers dust.
Perhaps even William himself didn’t believe in this.
However, such rhetoric had some value in moral education for younger students.
After finishing his speech, he switched to Deputy Minister Inia Knight.
Inia immediately announced the recruitment match rules, which were typical “heroic by victory,” completely contradicting William’s words…
“This time, the novice duel will take place simultaneously in four venues. Friends and family can watch along, but please do not affect the players. Finally, wish everyone success.”
…
“Mmm, finally finished!”
Diana covered her head and jumped, trying to regain her energy.
“Can’t handle it?” Dark couldn’t help but smile, “Let’s go check the schedule first.”
While the ministers were taking turns speaking, the order for the first round of duels was arranged, and the schedule was posted on the bulletin board.
When they arrived, the bulletin board was surrounded.
Diana instantly complained, “What now?”
“Nothing.” Rose emerged from somewhere, smiling, “I’ve already checked for you. Diana, you’re number 123, third match on Arena ①. Dark, you’re also on Arena ①, sixth match.”
Dark: “Oh, we have to wait!”
Rose: “Smart people have already claimed spots on Arena ①, while fools are scratching their heads.”
Diana: “Meanie! (ノω<。)"
...
Outside Arena ①, there was a lone bench with a small bag on it.
Such a positioning method was normal, but staying too long could be annoying.
So Rose quickly returned to the bench and pulled Dark and Diana over.
Dark sat down and immediately saw Professors Jones and Fox sitting in the judging seats.
He realized that he and Diana being assigned to Arena ① was not coincidental.
Sure enough, soon after, Wit and Robert appeared in his field of vision.
Then Sarah Swati arrived at Arena ①, surrounded by her companions.
Later, even Emma walked over with her two friends.
"Try to hide it a bit?"
Dark clicked his tongue, placed his card pack on his knees, and sorted through his deck.
...
Elemental Cards:
①【Magical Beast: Eevee】
②【Magical Beast: Ditto】
③ "Trash Slime"
④【Curse Cage: Imp】
⑤ "Piplup"
⑥ "Huhu"
⑦ "Wrestler Eagle"
⑧ "Deoxys"
⑨ "Big Milk Jar"
⑩ "Fairy Eevee"
Magic Cards:
① 【Joy Card】
② 【Arrogance I】
③ "Arrogance II" (old)
④ "Arrogance II" (new)
⑤ 【Greed II】
⑥ "Bliss III" (moon)
⑦ 【Bliss III】
⑧ "Magic Bullet Spell" X2
⑨ 【Push Spell】
⑩ "Barrier Spell" X2
? 【Invisibility Spell】
? "Flash Spell" X2
Item Cards:
① "Energy Potion" X5
② 【Silence Potion】
③ "Revealing Powder" X2
...
A total of 25 types, 33 Mana Spirit Cards.
According to the rules of the novice tournament, a deck must contain no less than 20 Mana Spirit Cards and no more than 40.
Duellists generally take the middle ground, which is 30 cards.
Additionally, no more than three cards of the same name can be held simultaneously.
"In summary, with 20 cards as the baseline, all ten Mana Spirit Cards must be included, and the rest can be adjusted appropriately."
"First official competition, feeling increasingly excited."
...
On the judging seats of Arena ①.
Professor Fox squinted, looking down for a while before hesitantly pointing at someone, "That’s Dark Demon?"
Professor Jones was momentarily stunned, then sighed, "Professor Fox, I know a great glasses craftsman."
Professor Fox immediately understood, "Alright, he’s the future hero, I know. What about the Valkyrie’s son?"
"He’s sitting there," Professor Jones pointed to someone sandwiched between two girls.
Fox blinked, confirming he hadn’t mistaken the hair lengths, and laughed, "Oh, he’s got a bit of that kid’s flavor!"
