Chapter 383: Dark Demon Enters the Battlefield (16/233)
In that instant, Dark thought that the “Shadow Ghost” had not died.
However, the increase in points from the side denied this assumption.
“Does he have two ‘Shadow Ghosts’?”
As soon as this idea arose, the shadow of the Lion Beast began to spread outwards.
It completely lost its shape and transformed into a pool of dark shadows.
The Lion Beast suddenly felt its feet sink into the shadow swamp beneath it.
Twisted arms emerged from the shadows, grabbing onto its ankles, preventing it from moving.
The Lion Beast’s eyes flashed. Without hesitation, it drew its sword and stabbed towards the ground.
But before the tip of the sword touched the ground, the gloomy third-year student shouted two words: “Shadow Kill!”
Being another “Shadow Ghost,” this one possessed three ultimate skills: one was the inherent “Hidden Shadow,” another was the recently used “Death Ensnarement,” and the last was the same “Shadow Kill!”
Suddenly, the shadow swamp beneath the Lion Beast started to violently churn like boiling water, with black bubbles rising to the surface.
When these bubbles burst, countless blades made of shadows shot up, momentarily freezing in the air, densely surrounding the Lion Beast!
“Lion Beast! Sword Dance!”
Almost simultaneously, Dark’s shout echoed.
“Roar!”
The Lion Beast let out a powerful roar, a hint of blood-red color flickering in its eyes.
Then, holding the sword with both hands and slightly bending one knee, it lifted the sword aimed at the ground and thrust it down forcefully.
At that moment, an endless aura surged around it, swirling and accelerating!
Countless shadow blades flew towards it in that instant.
The effect of “Sword Dance” formed a storm protecting its entire body, instantly dispersing many of the shadow blades.
Only a few shadow blades managed to penetrate the storm, but they were quickly weakened by the gusts of wind, leaving only fine cuts on the Lion Beast’s body.
Feeling a slight pain, the Lion Beast injected mana into itself.
The “Solo Sword Sheath” then burst forth with sacred white light once again.
“Boom!”
The shadow swamp of “Death Ensnarement” was rapidly dispersed from the tip of the sword, and the Lion Beast’s shadow returned to normal in an instant.
The second “Shadow Ghost” also fled amidst a scream.
The Lion Beast’s feet were squeezed out of the ground as the shadow swamp disappeared.
Moving swiftly like a heavy tank, it chased after the “Shadow Ghost,” wielding the “Solo Sword Sheath” like a dagger, running at high speed.
When the “Shadow Ghost” regained its physical form in trembling, the towering figure of the Lion Beast appeared before it.
Then, a reverse strike!
Another strike!
“Double Slash!”
Under the enhancement of “Sword Dance,” the second slash pierced through the void, as the “Shadow Ghost” had already been killed by the first strike!
…
[Points +1]
…
The consecutive point gains made Dark’s ranking more stable.
With only the last few minutes left in the preliminary round, the remaining contestants still standing were formidable, making it difficult for the magus golems to eliminate them.
Dark expressed deep gratitude for these two “Shadow Ghosts” that came directly to him.
This time, when the points increased, Dark finally noticed that the second-ranked third-year student from the Noble Academy—Stewart Fane—had lost another point.
The complete synchronization of these changes immediately made Dark realize that the gloomy senior was none other than Stewart Fane!
“So, who is he?”
Stewart Fane was the son of a baron with no estate or fief, granted his title and honors due to his father’s war achievements, though it was not hereditary.
Therefore, if Stewart Fane wanted to become a noble, he needed to rely on his own efforts.
Generally, there were two ways to become a noble.
To buy or sell.
Using resources to purchase.
Or selling oneself.
In fact, as a top-performing third-year student, Stewart Fane would naturally become a prestigious full-fledged magus upon graduation, whether or not he became a noble was not a necessary standard for crossing social classes.
However, his unemployed father, who lost his ability to work due to the war, hoped that he could become a noble.
Thus, after entering Saint Maryann Academy, he did everything possible to join the highly exclusive Noble History Research Club based on his academic performance.
Despite this, the consequence of barely fitting into a circle not meant for him was marginalization.
He was at the bottom of the Noble History Research Club.
To change this situation,
Stewart Fane, under the condition of ensuring his consistent performance, targeted Dark Demon!
Logically, his actions weren’t unusual.
After all, the Lion Beast had been “boastful” for quite some time.
As a competitor on the same field, educating a “boastful” junior wasn’t a problem.
The issue was in his piercing gaze.
So, target the magus golem instead. Why are you staring at the contestant?
But Stewart Fane wasn’t being deliberately malicious.
As a student always striving to cross social classes,
Stewart Fane deeply valued class distinctions.
He couldn’t tolerate a first-year student mixing in with third-year students.
Yes, he had this kind of “class prejudice.”
As the saying goes, the more lacking something is, the more one values it.
Deep down, Stewart did not want Dark Demon to succeed in the preliminaries.
The thread.
But he wasn’t a fool either.
After two consecutive “Shadow Ghosts” hit walls, he finally held back his impulse to continue investing his strength.
Provoking the son of a duke was far too irrational.
In truth, victory and defeat were common occurrences, and duels did not inquire about one’s background.
Unfortunately, there were always those who would pay extra attention to these matters outside the arena when they felt insecure.
…
But Dark had no idea who he was and showed no interest in his situation.
If he didn’t glare at Dark, Dark wouldn’t have paid him any mind.
His glare, however, left an impression on Dark.
…
The match proceeded as usual.
Zach Wilson’s commentary gradually grew more enthusiastic.
During the battle between the Lion Beast and the two “Shadow Beasts,” he was passionate and expressive, performing quite well.
This made him feel like he had found his rhythm, and he was confident that he could perform even better in the main event.
A minute later, when he redirected his attention to Dark, he exclaimed excitedly, “With less than a minute until the end of the Preliminaries, let’s see how the rankings stand.”
“First place remains unchanged with Winnie Scarlet, second place… Tom Nixon!”
“At this critical moment, Nixon from the Third Year Fool’s Academy has surged ahead, surpassing Stewart Fane.
It seems the defeat of the two ‘Shadow Ghosts’ had a significant impact on him. And the Dark Demon, who killed those two Shadow Ghosts…”
“As the only possible qualifier from the First Year, Dark Demon has moved up another spot to seventh place!”
“It seems his qualification is now certain.”
“I never expected that in this Preliminary where even third-year students participated, a first-year student could still break through. Dark Demon truly lives up to being the top student of the First Year Noble Academy and the winner of the Crimson Star!”
“Let’s look at the other contestants.”
“Fourth place… Mike Owen!”
“The steady and reliable Mike Owen from the Third Year Noble Academy has successfully secured the fourth position.”
“Following closely behind in fifth place is Paul Dulles from the Knight Academy! ‘Glory Knight’ Paul Dulles, who passed the Knight examination last year and became a Glory Knight, has advanced to the top five!”
“Sixth place… Else Kevin, Second Year!”
“Despite many strong third-year students not participating in this Easter Duel Festival, Kevin’s emergence from the third year already proves his strength. He is truly an outstanding student among second years and a star of tomorrow worth looking forward to.”
“And finally, eighth place… Third Year Knight Academy Harrison… No, it’s Third Year Noble Academy Maly Bond!”
“Second Year Noble Academy contestant Maly Bond narrowly surpassed Harris Buckler, and with thirty seconds left, let’s see if Harris Buckler can reverse the tide and reclaim the qualification?”
“Oh no! Harris Buckler’s ‘Tri-Winged Dragon’ was taken down by Maly Bond’s ‘Martial Turtle’ with a skyward cannon.”
“No suspense here, eighth place, Second Year Noble Academy, Maly Bond!”
“What a surprise, there are actually two second-year students who qualified. Let’s give a warm round of applause to all the qualifiers!”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
…
The Preliminaries finally concluded amidst thunderous applause.
Dark qualified in seventh place.
Next will be the Preliminaries for Fourth to Sixth Years.
For both students and spectators, this will be an even more spectacular visual feast.
While the Preliminaries for First to Third Years were impressive, there were some constraints.
But the Preliminaries for Fourth to Sixth Years, no matter how restrained, cannot be held back further.
The appearance of each third-tier Magic Golem can excite the audience.
Moreover, many came specifically for the “Heavenly White Dragon” featured in the promotional posters.
To fervent fans, just seeing the “Heavenly White Dragon” once was worth the ticket price.
Of course, they don’t know that the owner of the “Heavenly White Dragon” did not participate in this Preliminaries.
…
Pandora Dragon sat quietly in the last row of the ring, less than ten meters away from the Valkyrie in the first row of the spectator area.
Not only did she hold a chubby Dragon Grass in her arms, but also her familiar, the “Young Winged Dragon,” which had already attained sentience.
The Young Winged Dragon, which was no thinner than the Dragon Grass, often stretched out its short hand to poke the Dragon Grass’s cheeks, making it go “mimi” non-stop.
Dark Demon’s victory was within her expectations, though surprisingly easy.
Just by using two main units, he managed to secure a top-eight spot, which was astonishing.
“It must be that sword…”
“When did he forge such a powerful Equipment Card?”
“It seems I might be caught up if I get complacent.”
Pandora separated the two nearly fighting creatures and looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling content.
This academic year, she felt her luck was exceptionally good.
It seemed everything began to change since she met Dark.
Especially after Christmas, the period was the luckiest time of her life.
That changed her destiny, filling her with hope for the future.
…
Free City.
Montiel Farley subconsciously put some sweets in his mouth, his eyes fixed on Dark—no, his Magic Golem, the Lion Beast—as he prepared to leave the stage.
As a comrade of the Valkyrie, the “Sun”
Warrior.” Su Na? Montiel Farley, of course, had worked with the Hero Brett Gold.
And she had even come into contact with many “Hero Candidates.”
People with “Hero Qualities” gave off a different aura.
According to the explanation of the Church of the Saints:
To protect humanity, the “Holy” once divided into three parts.
After these three divisions grew up,
one became an unparalleled Hero,
another became an omniscient Sage,
and the last became an incredibly noble Emperor.
And all the Heroes after that were descendants of the first “Hero,” legitimate “Children of God.”
Thus, the Church recruits Heroes in every era, supporting those with “Hero Qualities.”
With the changing times, the lineage of Heroes gradually dispersed, even lying dormant within.
In theory, there should be more people with “Hero Qualities,” but due to an additional “Awakening” phase,
it seems like their specific numbers have decreased, remaining within a certain range.
Folklore always circulates phrases like “Whenever a Hero appears, it is when humans need him.”
But in reality, whenever a large number of people with “Hero Qualities” awaken, it is a sign of impending disaster.
Compared to the vast human population, there are many with “Hero Qualities,” but few become “Hero Candidates,” and only one becomes the true “Hero!”
“That lion-type Golem has Hero Qualities,” said Montiel Farley.
She finally accepted her judgment: “Lionmen belong to the sub-human species and are part of the human race. It’s not strange for them to produce Heroes. In fact, my husband is a sub-human with Hero Qualities.”
Aurora seemed to learn about this only now, looking up in surprise: “Father is a Hero Candidate?”
Montiel Farley showed a rare calm smile: “Not quite. He did not accept the Church’s consecration. However, he can use the Holy Sword.”
Aurora blinked, blushing: “Does this mean I might also have the potential to become a Hero?”
Montiel Farley couldn’t help but laugh: “In your current state, you never will. Actually, most Hero bloodlines are very thin. Only by gaining recognition from countless Holy Swords can one supplement their bloodline and truly become a Hero.
Saint Maryann Academy has a child named Black Gold, whose Hero bloodline should be the purest and who has the greatest potential to become a Hero.”
Aurora thought for a moment, hesitating: “So becoming a Hero is actually just a process of collecting Holy Swords?”
Montiel Farley did not refute: “If you put it that way, it’s correct.”
Aurora: “That sounds so boring…”
Montiel Farley seriously stated: “It is meaningful.”
She then turned to look at Principal Altair and asked: “Altair, what do you think?”
Altair was leisurely enjoying a cake, licking the white stain from the corner of her mouth as she said: “Dark Demon, he is very brave and kind.”
Montiel Farley: “I asked how you view that Golem.”
Altair replied: “A Golem reflects its owner.”
“Damn!”
Montiel Farley frowned instantly.
If her daughter wasn’t present, she would have pounced on her.
But in the end, she sighed and didn’t press further.
Altair never directly responds to such matters; perhaps it’s out of her duty as a “Principal.”
Saint Maryann Academy shouldn’t get involved in earthly disputes in principle.
But during the conflict between demons and humans, it clearly showed bias.
No one knows what price Principal Altair herself paid for this.
People always praise heroes raised to the heavens, yet they don’t know that many heroes silently contribute in places unknown.
…
Saint Maryann Outdoor Duel Arena.
When the countdown for the Preliminaries ended, Dark Demon smiled faintly and returned the somewhat fatigued Lion Beast to his Golem Card.
Then he waved his hand, and the “Solo Sword Sheath” came to his side.
He hung the “Solo Sword Sheath” on his waist, took a few steps, smiled, and put it back into his Golem Card.
Finally, the last tactic of summoning “Ditto” was not implemented.
He had successfully advanced.
As soon as the match ended, Diana walked over with a light, happy step.
Originally, she was quite disappointed, but since someone around her was “negative,” and she was “positive,”
comparing themselves made her feel joyful.
So happy people are always good at finding joy.
“Still you, Dark, are impressive.”
Diana looked up at the handsome profile of the golden-haired youth, her fingers twitching.
But upon touching Dark’s sleeve, she quickly drew back like she had been shocked.
Dark smiled: “How many points did you get?”
Diana turned her eyes and said: “Ten! It’s double digits!”
Yes, not only positive, but also double digits!
Dark tapped her forehead and smiled: “Not bad. Let’s go find Rose. For the upcoming senior class chaos battle, I want to watch from the Spectator Area.”
Diana nodded: “Okay.”
Then the two stepped towards the Competitors’ Passage, turned at the fork, and entered the ring.
The affectionate manner in which they walked together caught the attention of someone observant.
…
[2.5 in 1]
[12000/12000]
