Chapter 388: Three Questions from Dark Demon (4k)
Despite the professors and seniors at the Mana Academy being able to discern that the “Solo Sword Sheath” had transformed from an “Equipment Card” into a “Mana Spirit Card,” the knowledge of the spectators outside the arena was limited.
Those who did not understand the essence of mana spirits mostly believed that Deoxys was controlling the “Solo Sword Sheath.”
It was already extremely difficult for a magus to remotely control a mana guidance ball, yet this mana spirit could manipulate a flying sword with such ease. In the eyes of ordinary people, this was both terrifying and unbelievable.
If such technology existed, taking someone’s head from a thousand miles away would be nothing.
The swordsmanship techniques of the legendary hero, Brett Gold, were not far off from this.
This shock, combined with the fact that a first-year student defeated a third-year popular contestant in just three rounds, triggered a wave of cheers.
In just one and a half minutes, this was enough to leave a deep impression on everyone.
Especially the mana spirit—Deoxys—and the unnamed sword left the deepest impressions.
…
For those who understood this knowledge, knowing that weapons cards or armed cards could indeed transform into mana spirits, they were even more shocked.
If they understood even deeper.
Seeing that the “Solo Sword Sheath” was a “Holy Sword,” they would be truly horrified!
Alvaraite was finally moved.
Originally, she had received her child’s ability to forge a “Holy Sword” with simple joy.
Even when she later discovered that “Lion Beast” possessed “Hero Qualities,” she wasn’t overly surprised.
But since this duel began, the moment Deoxys held the “Holy Sword,” her expression changed.
Deoxys’s “Hero Qualities” were subtle and profound, not revealed until touching the “Holy Sword.”
Therefore, although Alvaraite loved this mana spirit, she never imagined it also possessed “Hero Qualities.”
Yet once Deoxys touched the “Holy Sword”—that richer “Hero Qualities” completely exposed itself!
“It’s actually two heroes!”
“And that Holy Sword…”
Alvaraite couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.
Though there weren’t many Holy Swords, there were still quite a few.
Each Holy Sword had slight differences in detail.
These differences made their qualities stand out.
Throughout history, there have been forged “fake Holy Swords.”
Even hero candidates with strong enough “Hero Qualities” could directly use “Holy Sword Spells” to summon Holy Swords.
However, judging by its current performance, the “Holy Sword” mana spirit card created by her child might even rank among the upper tier of Holy Swords.
An upper-tier Holy Sword, plus two heroes!
It was hard to avoid thinking about “destiny.”
Even though Alvaraite wasn’t a believer in destiny, she couldn’t help but worry.
She didn’t want Dark to get entangled in future troubles.
As a “Saint,” she had a long life and could protect her child forever.
That’s why she let her child do as they pleased.
Because no matter what her child did, she could cover for them.
And she firmly believed that her child’s inner nature wasn’t bad—just a bit mischievous and willful.
But if caught in the whirlpool of a “hero” fate…
Alvaraite couldn’t help but think of Brett Gold’s sacrifice.
That wasn’t what she wished for.
“Looks like I need to do something.”
She held the model of Deoxys in her hand, her face gradually turning serious.
…
In the Free City, Montiel Farley, the city lord, also noticed Deoxys’s “Hero Qualities.” Her shock surpassed Alvaraite’s.
Compared to the fighting attribute of “Lion Beast,” the light attribute of “Deoxys” was more in line with the common perception of a hero.
Since ancient times, true heroes were undoubtedly aligned with light.
But what truly shocked her was the “Holy Sword!”
“What exactly is that Holy Sword?”
“If the Holy Sword can move on its own, what role does the hero have?”
Montiel Farley abruptly turned to Altair, demanding, “Altair, do you really know your student?”
Altair’s smile remained calm: “Sona, I wouldn’t pry into my students’ secrets.”
“No wonder demons could infiltrate the academy during wartime…”
Montiel Farley thought to herself but didn’t say it out loud.
Saint Maryann Academy had extraordinary significance. As the principal, Altair was both chosen and burdened.
In other words, if Altair’s principles weren’t so strong, she wouldn’t be the principal of Saint Maryann Academy.
Montiel Farley knew she couldn’t learn more from Altair, so she turned to her daughter, hoping to impart some wisdom.
But Aurora turned to her first, gently saying, “Mom, is this Dark Demon?”
Montiel Farley’s tone suddenly choked up.
For a while, she couldn’t speak.
…
The first round of the main tournament ended too quickly.
Judy, who was just settling down to watch, had to stand up again almost immediately.
Next, she would interview the winner of this match—Dark Demon.
At this moment, Dark was still backstage.
After confirming his victory, he began to gather his mana spirit cards.
He only used five mana spirit cards in this duel, so it took him only a moment to finish.
He gathered mana in his fingertips, teasing the Deoxys on the card. When Deoxys, annoyed, turned around with its back to him, he smiled and put all his cards into his deck bag.
Meanwhile, Mike Owen had also finished gathering his cards.
Dark looked up at him. Although Owen was very excited when the outcome was decided, he quickly regained his composure after the duel.
Dark had few interactions with Owen and didn’t have any negative impressions of him, just found him interesting.
After this short three-round duel, Dark realized that Owen’s strength might be stronger than he thought.
The combination of “High Suspended Sword” and “Storm Blade” truly amazed him.
If not for his good luck and Owen’s lack of understanding of the “Solo Sword Sheath,” it might have been uncertain whether he could win.
After their gaze met, Dark placed his hand on the spellboard and said, “Thank you for the match.”
Then he closed the spellboard.
…
Mike Owen nodded seriously and then walked down the competitor platform.
Although he lost, his steps were surprisingly light as he descended the stairs.
Of course, he couldn’t let others see…
This “full effort defeat” might actually be beneficial for him.
“April has arrived, and half the semester is over. It’s time to prepare for the final exams… and take a break.”
…
Dark walked down the competitor platform, and the staff member responsible for guiding him was already waiting at the staircase.
They exchanged nods, and the staff member said earnestly, “Next is the winner’s interview. Judy will ask three standard questions. You can choose to answer them without being too stiff.”
Dark paused for a moment and then smiled, “Thank you, senior. I’ll handle it well.”
The staff member patted his shoulder approvingly and said with a smile, “Good luck, I have high hopes for you.”
Dark nodded and added, “Thanks.”
Then he turned and walked toward the stage.
Just as he turned, he noticed the model hanging on the senior’s waist.
“Hold on, isn’t that Deoxys?”
Dark’s mind raced, and his keen “business sense” instantly made him realize the issue.
He couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
“Senior, are you hoping for a price increase on the Deoxys model? Even though Deoxys performed quite impressively.”
Dark shook his head and continued walking.
Soon, he reached the stage.
Judy, the hostess, was already waiting for him on stage. She addressed the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, now presenting the winner of this duel—the first-year student from the Noble Academy, Dark Demon.”
“I know everyone must be curious. As usual, I will ask three questions to satisfy your curiosity.”
After saying this, Judy stepped aside and waved at Dark, “Dark, please come over here.”
Dark moved to the center of the stage.
Judy was quite tall, even without shoes, standing over 170 cm.
Standing next to her, Dark didn’t seem particularly tall.
But the contrast between people wasn’t solely determined by height.
When they stood together, everyone’s attention focused on Dark.
Beside Judy, he became the focal point.
After a while.
Judy pretended to take out a small piece of paper and read from it, “So, the first question: Dark Demon, are you the planner behind this Easter Duel Festival?”
As soon as the question was asked, the audience reacted.
But Dark simply smiled and said, “I shouldn’t say that. I only participated in the planning of this Easter Duel Festival.”
Judy’s gaze shifted, “How much did you participate?”
Dark turned his head, “Is this the second question?”
Judy paused, then covered her mouth and laughed lightly, “Yes.”
“Good.” Dark turned back to the audience, “If we’re talking participation, it’s probably ninety-nine point nine nine nine percent…”
With the appearance of these nines, the initially surprised audience suddenly felt it was a joke.
Some people thought to themselves and agreed that it was indeed reasonable for a first-year student to participate in such a large-scale event.
How could it all be planned by him?
But unexpectedly, this first-year beauty was quite humorous?
On stage, Judy’s expression stiffened momentarily, unsure of what to ask next.
Dark glanced at her and casually grabbed the microphone, “While the actual situation may differ, it’s roughly like that.”
He then returned the microphone to Judy and crossed his arms in front of his abdomen, bowing slightly to the audience, stepping back two steps, and then turning to leave the stage gracefully.
At this moment, Judy suddenly realized that Dark Demon had only answered one question!
Her lips twitched, but she couldn’t lose her composure on stage, so she continued smiling at the audience.
…
While Judy was busy dealing with the audience, Dark Demon, who had walked offstage facing away from the audience, showed a change in expression.
As soon as he got off the stage, he quickened his pace.
The next matches would select two contestants from the senior group to compete, and then it would be the junior group’s turn.
The groups would alternate, completing the quarter-finals before moving on to the semifinals.
The first round of the quarter-finals wouldn’t be completed all at once.
In general, four matches would be played, with two for each group, followed by a lunch break.
The break would last about one to two hours, giving the audience time to eat in the dining halls.
During this period, the academy would organize some events, mostly elegant music performances, with perhaps some mana projections for effect.
After one to two hours, the main tournament would continue until a winner was declared.
Thus, before the next round, Dark had plenty of time.
He entered the competitor passage from the back of the stage, then quickly turned into a side path and came to a circular area.
But instead of looking for Rose and Diana or chatting with Senior Pandora, he headed straight for a position he had locked onto on stage!
Minutes later, he managed to squeeze into that spot, only to find that the lady with the orange-red hair who should have been sitting there was gone.
This made him frown, and he simply sat down where he was.
But the lady who had “slipped away” naturally wouldn’t return.
…
A short distance away, Professor Metia Barcelo was sitting with the other professors, right next to Professor Shylph!
Metia was dressed in her usual attire but had been ordered to wear an overcoat.
She complained about Professor Shylph’s conservatism while obediently putting on a coat, hiding her robust figure.
By nature, she wouldn’t willingly join this group of “stiff” professors.
But Professor Sarah Shylph had knocked on her door early in the morning and issued an irresistible invitation.
Professor Shylph was the professor she was most familiar with in the academy, and she had no reason to refuse her.
Especially considering the playful look in Professor Shylph’s eyes, which she was very familiar with.
So Metia had no choice but to accept the invitation and sit obediently here.
The frustration of not being able to enjoy the spectacle truly made her restless.
—
[Combined]
[4000/…]
[During the Two Sessions, website XX cannot comment.]
[Without interjections, it feels like nobody is watching, leaving me feeling lost…]
[I won’t say more, just give some feedback by voting and using free items every day.]
