Chapter 247: Emma Maltis’s Reversal (4k)
Battle Phase [30s]
Second Round.
Draw Cards…
Emma gritted her teeth slightly and summoned her third Mana Spirit!
The Golden Beast, parasitized by the Gold Coin Beetle, had a defense of 1800, sufficient to handle most Mana Spirits.
However, the ultimate goal of the duel was to shatter the Mana Guidance Ball’s Life Barrier.
Unable to remotely control the Mana Guidance Ball, Emma had to summon Mana Spirits to protect it from sneak attacks.
Soon, a beam of white light from a Mana Card landed on the Red Side’s Summoning Area, manifesting a new Mana Spirit!
This one didn’t appear as vicious as the Golden Beast but resembled a kneeling bronze soldier statue.
The bronze soldier statue, with a long sword slung diagonally across its waist, was tall and lifelike, much like the constructs in the academy’s games, clad in light armor.
…
[Card Name: Bronze Soldier]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ???]
[Race: Mechanical]
[Attribute: Steel]
[Mana: 1100]
[Attack: 1200]
[Defense: 1300]
[Ultimate Skill: Sweep]
…
Almost simultaneously, Spencer also summoned his third Mana Spirit.
In the Blue Side’s Summoning Area appeared a glowing beetle flying in the air.
…
[Card Name: Electromagnetic Beetle]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ?]
[Race: Mechanical]
[Attribute: Electric]
[Mana: 100]
[Attack: 100]
[Defense: 200]
[Ultimate Skill: Magnetic Perception]
…
The electromagnetic beetle resembled an iron gold beetle, with sensors on its antennae that could detect magnetic fields, serving as a compass for adventurers. However, in the arena, its only advantage was its ability to fly.
Flying allowed it to dodge many attacks, a natural advantage for aerial Mana Spirits.
…
Seeing this clearly one-star Mana Spirit, Emma immediately realized that Spencer had gathered enough sacrifices for a four-star Mana Spirit Summon.
This made her feel pressed.
Though the Golden Beast tore open the Sandbag Tiger’s body again and again, it couldn’t inflict real damage.
Emma checked her hand, searching for a solution.
But her deck, like most first-year students’, focused on first-tier Mana Spirit Cards. Her hand also contained several filler Mana Spirit Cards.
Now, even the Golden Beast couldn’t break the Sandbag Tiger’s defense. Summoning more Mana Spirits would just increase consumption.
The disadvantage of lacking high-tier Mana Spirits became starkly apparent.
Emma drew a Mana Card from her hand, her eyes flickering.
This Mana Card was her greatest achievement recently.
…
[Card Name: Gilded]
[Type: Magic Card]
[Effect: Coats the surface of your Mana Spirit with a golden shell, making it appear as gold. +100 Defense.]
…
“First-year,” Spencer noticed Emma’s confusion and took out a four-star Mana Spirit from his hand. Suddenly, he reminded her, “I’m going to summon.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up sharply.
She saw the second-year senior from the Mana Academy directly draw a Mana Card and begin a Sacrificial Summon right before her eyes!
Was this a reminder for beginners, or a sign of arrogance?
Emma frowned but knew she had no way to stop the Sacrificial Summon.
She had full confidence in the Golden Beast’s defense. If it were just a four-star Mana Spirit…
Moreover, to summon a four-star spirit, she would have to sacrifice the Sandbag Tiger!
Abandoning the protection of the Mana Guidance Ball for a second-tier Mana Spirit wasn’t a wise choice.
Emma held her breath, ready to command the Golden Beast to attack the Mana Guidance Ball!
…
Moments later, Spencer completed the Sacrificial Summon!
The newly summoned Electromagnetic Beetle first turned into light, followed by…
Emma’s eyes twitched as she suddenly noticed the Sandbag Tiger’s bones hadn’t disappeared and were now glowing!
Spencer’s voice echoed, “Offering the Electromagnetic Beetle and the Sandbag Tiger’s remains as sacrifices, summon—”
A massive Sacrificial Summon Array shimmered in the air.
A bulldog with white fur leaped out of the array!
The two-meter-tall bulldog exhaled black, foul-smelling smoke from its mouth, its wrinkled face grotesque and ugly, completely out of place with Spencer’s demeanor.
…
[Card Name: Bulldog]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ???]
[Race: Avian-beast Kin]
[Attribute: Evil]
[Mana: 1600]
[Attack: 1800]
[Defense: 1600]
[Ultimate Skill: Frenzied Fang]
…
“The Sandbag Tiger’s leftover bones can be used as three-star sacrifices…”
Emma had never seen such a move, shocked beyond belief.
Was this about squeezing every last drop out of it?
She immediately ordered, “Golden Beast, defend!”
Since Spencer successfully summoned a four-star Mana Spirit without sacrificing the Sandbag Tiger, the Golden Beast’s attack was meaningless.
Quickly defending and trying to endure this round was the best option.
She still had a chance to turn things around.
But just as the Golden Beast released its grip on the Sandbag Tiger, Spencer calmly said, “Sandbag Tiger, vent fury!”
“Roar!”
Instantly, the Sandbag Tiger, sitting still and allowing the Golden Beast to tear at it, twisted its head, its tiger eyes glaring angrily at the Golden Beast despite being squeezed by its chubby cheeks!
Its body burst with blinding light, and white light flowed from every wound, forming a powerful beam that pierced through the Golden Beast!
With a defense of 1800 and 1300 Mana, the Golden Beast was instantly blasted away, a huge, terrifying hole appearing in its chest and abdomen!
“Golden Beast!”
Emma couldn’t help but shout.
But the Golden Beast held on!
The fatal wound to its chest and abdomen would usually incapacitate most Mana Spirits, but the Golden Beast, being mechanical, could continue biting even with just its head left, as long as it had Mana.
Emma found the Golden Beast’s Mana hadn’t been depleted and immediately activated her Magic Card—”Gilded”!
The Golden Beast, surrounded by bronze soldiers, was enveloped in golden light. Liquid gold poured down from its head, coating it with a perfect golden shell.
The Bronze Soldier’s defense increased from 1300 to 1400, already a respectable number for a three-star Mana Spirit.
But that wasn’t the true purpose of “Gilded.”
“Gold Devour!”
Under Emma’s command, the Golden Beast struggled to stand, opening its mouth wide and swallowing the “Golden Soldier” whole!
The “Golden Soldier” sacrificed itself.
After consuming the “Golden Soldier,” the Golden Beast erupted with intense golden light.
Under the illumination, the Golden Beast’s wounds healed rapidly, its already large body swelling further.
With “Gold Devour,” the Golden Beast not only recovered but also became stronger!
Its Mana limit surged by 500 points!
Abnormal states were dispelled.
Both its Defense and Attack rose by 100 points!
[Mana: 1300-1800]
[Attack: 1300-1400]
[Defense: 1800-1900]
…
Seeing the Golden Beast stand up again, Emma felt relieved.
Second-year students who could join the Dueling Club in the next semester generally weren’t too strong; a four-star Mana Spirit was their limit.
And after triggering “Gold Devour,” her Golden Beast wouldn’t be inferior to a four-star Mana Spirit.
With a Defense of 1900, most four-star Mana Spirits would struggle to break through.
This was her source of confidence.
Moreover, she knew something about the “Bulldog” Spencer summoned.
It was a common four-star Mana Spirit, often using “Frenzied Fang,” which could drive bitten Mana Spirits into a frenzied state.
But skills like these were usually ineffective against mechanical types.
Next, she needed to find a way to increase the Golden Beast’s attack!
Equipping it with various armors and creating a powerful Mana Spirit was her current strategy.
However, the key Mana Card was yet to be drawn.
…
Elsewhere…
Spencer showed a slight look of surprise.
He didn’t understand the Golden Beast, so he commanded the Bulldog to make a probing attack.
The Bulldog’s 1800 attack couldn’t break through the defense, and “Frenzied Fang” was useless.
Similarly, the Golden Beast posed no threat to the Bulldog, leading to a stalemate.
During the stalemate, the second round ended.
…
Third Round.
Both sides drew cards simultaneously.
Spencer lost his initial composure, drawing cards more urgently.
With two Mana Cards in hand, he quickly examined them, then smirked, selecting one and placing it near his lips.
Then, looking at the Red Side’s competitor platform, he whispered, “A first-year who can pose a threat is truly impressive. By the name of Spencer Alec, Mana Summon—Flame Claw!”
A red flame instantly flew from his card and injected into the demon dog’s right paw!
The dog’s sharp-clawed paw ignited!
“Bark!”
The Bulldog barked and lunged at the Golden Beast once more!
…
“Is it fire enchantment or a fire-type weapon?”
Emma couldn’t tell if Spencer used a Magic Card or a Weapon Card, but either posed a significant threat.
Fire attributes countered Steel attributes.
With “Flame Claw,” the Bulldog could penetrate the Golden Beast’s defenses!
If the Golden Beast lost, she would have no means to reverse the outcome.
Unfortunately…
Her luck was good.
“Gilded Treasure Chest!”
Emma confidently raised this Mana Card, blinding gold light illuminating the Bulldog on the field!
In an instant, a treasure chest filled with gold appeared before the Bulldog!
No creature could resist the allure of gold!
No creature could!
The Bulldog’s eyes instantly transformed into Φ shapes!
That was the symbol of Sacred Coins.
Its charging steps halted, its expression changing from ferocity to greed.
“Bulldog, attack Sandbag Tiger!”
Emma instantly ordered.
The control over the Bulldog lasted no more than 30 seconds, so they must decide the outcome quickly!
Controlled by the treasure chest, the Bulldog turned and charged toward the Blue Side.
The Golden Beast spread its wings and rushed forward!
…
At this moment.
Spencer finally experienced the charm of dueling.
His expression changed dramatically, unable to remain calm.
The Bulldog’s “Flame Claw” tore through the Sandbag Tiger’s defense, even igniting its outer skin.
Despite the Sandbag Tiger’s “Endurance” skill, the Golden Beast swiftly attacked, clawing at its abdomen and touching the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball!
“Bulldog, snap out of it!”
Spencer leaned over the railing, shouting furiously.
But their bond wasn’t deep enough; the Bulldog, with its burning right paw, completely tore apart the Sandbag Tiger!
The Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball was exposed.
To prevent any further complications, Emma immediately ordered simultaneous attacks.
As the Flame Claw and Golden Claw descended together, the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball’s Life Barrier shattered!
“Battle Over!”
“Victor: Emma Maltis.”
…
“I won!”
Watching the light particles explode when the Life Barrier shattered, Emma was momentarily stunned.
After the setback from Angelia, she wasn’t overly disheartened, but repeated failures still weighed on her.
This decisive victory meant a lot to her.
Victory always brought confidence.
Confidence was the hallmark of a victor.
First-year students from the Knight Academy, having endured a frustrating afternoon, finally found their moment.
Their Emma had triumphed over a second-year student!
Cheering erupted like boiling water.
Two friendly seniors from the Literature Club watched Emma and applauded.
Wit, among the crowd, looked enviously.
Last semester, he always thought he’d be the one standing there.
…
The victors were cheered, while the loser faced no mockery.
Spencer, dejected, walked off the stage, his friends surrounding him, offering comfort.
…
On the judges’ platform.
Professor Jones seemed pleased, “Emma Maltis, not bad!”
Professor Foxs’ expression darkened, “Professor Jones, a temporary failure doesn’t mean anything. Spencer is diligent enough to turn things around in the next novice tournament.”
Professor Jones smiled, “We’ll see.”
Today, she undoubtedly emerged victorious.
Scoring.
Professor Jones raised his scorecard first.
“Red Side, Emma, 9 points.”
“Blue Side, Spencer, 6 points.”
Professor Foxs snorted and raised his scorecard as well.
“Red Side, 8 points.”
“Blue Side, 5 points.”
The fifth-year student reviewer suffered another blow.
“Red Side, 8 points.”
“Blue Side, 6 points.”
…
