Chapter 395: Dark Demon’s Fearful Demon King (29/233)
The smoke did not dissipate after “Shading Shadow” entered; instead, it grew thicker and spread rapidly, covering half of the Blue Side area in an instant.
Eevee and Huhu were both enveloped by the smoke, losing their vision.
“Mia!”
Without hesitation, Eevee ran toward the remembered location of the Red Side.
“Clack clack…”
But Huhu could only retreat into its shell, helplessly waiting for the smoke to clear.
With nowhere else to run, it could only rely on its high Defense of 2200 to endure.
However, after retreating into its shell, it heard no sound.
“Shading Shadow” immediately submerged into the shadows after entering the smoke, then swiftly moved through the shadows created by the smoke, catching up with Eevee!
It silently hid in Eevee’s shadow, sneering.
…
At the same time.
The competitors did not stop moving.
Dark had already started summoning “Mana Nightmare Demon.” With “Shading Shadow” distracting the Mana Guidance Ball, he seized the opportunity to summon it.
On the other side, Stewart Fane naturally didn’t stop either.
After all, among the five Mana Guidance Balls currently on the field, only one belonged to him.
He had to find a way to summon more powerful Mana Guidance Balls to turn the tide.
—
Both sides thus began another round of summoning.
In the tenth second of the fifth round, Dark delayed the summoning due to focusing on “Shading Shadow,” and only summoned “Mana Nightmare Demon” at this point.
Although “Mana Nightmare Demon” was a ghost-type Mana Guidance Ball, its appearance was very cute, making people want to hug it.
The Blue Side summoning area was covered in smoke, so Dark couldn’t summon within it. Instead, he chose above the Blue Side summoning area.
Thus, the summoned “Mana Nightmare Demon” appeared not far ahead of the competitor platform.
“Mana Nightmare Demon” opened its eyes wide, curiously observing its surroundings.
Upon discovering its owner behind, it wanted to turn around and give a hug (づ´３`)づ.
But the invisible barrier protecting the platform kept it outside.
Dark was relieved by the existence of this barrier and quickly issued a command: “Sun Eevee, attack the Mana Guidance Ball!”
Then he immediately started summoning “Bliss III Moon.”
“Bottom Strength!”
Originally intending to help Eevee, Sun Eevee immediately looked up at the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball. The red light on its forehead gem glowed again, and “Telekinesis” activated!
Though “Telekinesis” had no cooldown, it continuously consumed mana.
The greater the output and the finer the manipulation, the more mana it consumed.
Sun Eevee continuously used “Telekinesis,” even with solar energy replenishment, it was already running low, with its mana value dropping from 2000 to around 1000.
This meant it was now very vulnerable.
But the master’s command was absolute!
A massive amount of telekinetic force gathered again, shooting like an arrow towards the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball in the sky.
Stewart Fane, who had just completed a summon, instantly changed his expression, hurriedly interrupting his second summon of the round to continue controlling the Mana Guidance Ball.
However, the first telekinetic attack was hard to dodge and still hit the Mana Guidance Ball.
[Magic Value: 5070-4065]
The magic value of the Life Barrier dropped again.
The Mana Guidance Ball was blown away.
Stewart Fane quickly released mana to pull back the Mana Guidance Ball, fully manipulating it away from Sun Eevee.
Even though Sun Eevee could no longer release significant telekinetic attacks due to insufficient mana, Stewart Fane did not know this…
Being deceived, he delayed his summoning.
But the Mana Guidance Card he had previously summoned had already taken effect.
A dark beam, like a ghost, shot out from the Mana Guidance Card and instantly pierced into the ground shadow hole.
Unknown changes rapidly occurred within the shadow hole.
…
Stewart Fane’s deck was originally centered around “shadows.”
Once the “Shadow Hole” was established, he had numerous methods of summoning available to him.
—
On the other side…
When Eevee dragged the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball out of the smoke, it suddenly noticed its own shadow laughing!
Eevee was startled by this terrifying sight, instinctively opening its mouth, releasing fine, moonlight-like fragments that condensed into a bright light ball in its mouth!
[Moon Power: Use the power of the moon to attack your opponent. If under moonlight, the power doubles!]
Then it let out a scream and shot the light ball at its shadow.
But its shadow suddenly distorted, avoiding the direct hit.
“Shading Shadow,” somewhat embarrassed, emerged from the shadow, drawing a kunai forward to slash at Eevee’s neck!
“Mia!”
Eevee screamed, one of the ribbons entwining around the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball instantly detached, whipping towards “Shading Shadow.”
However, “Shading Shadow” was quick, reversing the kunai to cut the ribbon.
But this gave Eevee time to retreat.
It leaped backward, creating distance from “Shading Shadow.”
Meowmeow instantly inserted itself between the two Mana Guidance Balls, its claws skillfully touching “Shading Shadow” before withdrawing.
In that instant.
Before “Shading Shadow” could react, its wings melted and turned back into a pool of ink, which then converged and vanished.
“Meow!”
Meowmeow’s call was full of surprise.
The vanished ink appeared in its palm.
This was clearly a “tool”!
[Thief: Pickpocket, steals tools while attacking, but cannot steal if holding one already.]
Any tool was no match for Meowmeow’s thievery.
But suddenly, it frowned.
The ink in its hand clearly had “equipment restrictions”; it could not be equipped.
Meowmeow’s eyes turned to the sky “Mana Nightmare Demon.”
Yes…
Dark’s “Mana Nightmare Demon” had evolved into “Mana Nightmare Demon” under the influence of “Bliss III Moon.”
Despite the side effects of “Bliss III Moon,” “Mana Nightmare Demon” was firmly stuck to the competitor platform’s barrier, squeezing its face into a pancake shape, looking quite comical.
But Meowmeow always found it reliable.
“Meow meow!”
Meowmeow called twice.
But “Mana Nightmare Demon” ignored it as expected.
“Ao!”
A terrifying roar suddenly came.
Meowmeow turned sharply.
It was “Shading Shadow,” whose tool had been stolen by Meowmeow, completely emerging from Eevee’s shadow. It charged angrily at Meowmeow without even looking at the nearby Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball.
Meowmeow barely threw the “tool” before being instantly tackled by “Shading Shadow.”
A thin veil sprayed from “Shading Shadow’s” palm formed a large net, trapping the gray cat.
Meowmeow’s pride in its agility was instantly lost.
“Shading Shadow” glanced at the thrown “ink tool,” spinning a kunai on its finger, then forcefully stabbing Meowmeow!
…
“Shading Shadow” was a five-star Mana Guidance Ball with a base Attack of 2300 points. Meowmeow’s Defense was only 900 points, and its base 1500 mana value had been significantly depleted after using three ultimate skills. This fatal blow ended Meowmeow’s life.
One can say that good and evil eventually receive their due, not that they don’t pay, but that the time has not come yet.
Meowmeow had committed three major sins: wasting money, fraud, and theft. It finally faced the consequences.
—
“Yomimi—”
But atop Meowmeow’s grave, the “Mana Nightmare Demon,” having regained consciousness due to the effect of “Arrogance I,” emitted a very joyful cry.
It suddenly extended its tentacle-like appendages, grabbing the ink tool.
With a gentle squeeze, it successfully activated it!
The ink, now under the control of the ultimate skill “Thief,” was truly equipped by “Mana Nightmare Demon,” spreading into dark wings behind it.
Dark’s eyebrows jumped, and he immediately picked up the “Mana Nightmare Demon” Mana Guidance Card, discovering that its mana and defense had each increased by 300 points!
[Card Name: Mana Nightmare Demon]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ????]
[Race: Undead]
[Attribute: Ghost]
[Magic Value: 2700] +300;
[Attack: 2500]
[Defense: 1600] +300;
[Ultimate Skills: Fear Gem, Sharing Pain, Same Life, Nightmare Space.]
Needless to say, the ink was clearly something that could grant ghost-type Mana Guidance Balls additional abilities.
Spirit, an equipment-type magic tool with additional flight capabilities.
With the “Ghost Wings” equipped, the “Shadow Whisper Ninja” gained an edge, able to control the battlefield.
“But now, it’s mine!”
Dark looked up towards the opposite side.
Stewart Fane on the Red Side platform was struggling to cope, still maneuvering the Mana Guidance Ball to dodge the “Telekinesis” attacks from Sun Eevee.
“Dream Mana Nightmare Demon.”
“Yomimi.”
“Attack!”
“Yomimi!”
After their exchange, the “Ghost Wings” behind the Dream Mana Nightmare Demon suddenly spread open, making its already swift speed even faster.
It immediately flew towards the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball like the wind.
At this very moment, the round switched again.
Tick… tock…
The countdown for the sixth round began.
But neither the participants, commentators, nor spectators had any leisure to pay attention to the card draw in this round.
In the sky…
The Dream Mana Nightmare Demon, equipped with “Ghost Wings,” launched an attack on the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball.
On the ground…
The Shadow Whisper Ninja, having lost the “Ghost Wings,” turned around and pounced on the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball being dragged by Eevee.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Sun Eevee’s mana had dropped to its lowest, forcing it to stop the “Telekinesis” output.
It stood there, panting heavily, the gemstone on its forehead losing its luster.
At the same time,
Large black ants with long horns were emerging from the shadow nests!
…
Zach Wilson on the commentary stand was urgently explaining, “It seems that Stewart Fane’s ‘Shadow Ant Eggs’ have successfully hatched in the ‘Shadow Nests.’ Typically, one ‘Shadow Ant Egg’ can hatch a number of ‘Shadow Ants’ proportional to the number of ‘Shadow Nests.’ With six ‘Shadow Nests,’ there should be eighteen ‘Shadow Ants’ hatched.”
…
Over a meter long, the massive black ants crawled out of the “Shadow Nests.” Only three of them, closest to Sun Eevee, moved closer.
The remaining fifteen ants, emerging from the other five “Shadow Nests,” surrounded Eevee!
Eevee, already exhausted, had no way to deal with the Shadow Whisper Ninja.
Adding these fifteen “Shadow Ants,” it found itself in a desperate situation.
“Mii!”
It suddenly let out an urgent cry, and the ribbon entwining the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball was severed.
The Shadow Whisper Ninja turned again, charging up an attack on the Mana Guidance Ball.
Whoosh!
A black light flashed past.
The blade of the kunai opened a narrow slit in the Life Barrier.
Mana (Blue): 8000 – 5991
Seeing the Mana Guidance Ball’s mana plummet, the originally timid Eevee’s eyes turned red, mustering courage to charge forward.
But the Shadow Whisper Ninja quickly grabbed its head with his palm, preventing it from moving.
Without an Ultimate Skill, the difference in stats between the two Mana Spirits determined the outcome.
After grabbing Eevee’s head, the Shadow Whisper Ninja did not strike hard but raised the kunai to continue attacking the Mana Guidance Ball.
…
In the sky above,
The Red Side Mana Guidance Ball, far slower than the Dream Mana Nightmare Demon equipped with “Ghost Wings,” couldn’t escape the蓄力一击 despite Stuart Fane’s best efforts to channel mana.
Mana (Red): 4065 – 1667
Compared to the full 8000 points, the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball, with only 1667 points left, was in dire straits.
Stuart Fane broke out in a cold sweat, his eyes turning red, fingers almost digging into the ground.
From ordering the Shadow Whisper Ninja to attack the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball to now, less than a minute had passed, but his mindset had completely flipped.
“Just one more hit, and it’ll be over!”
Stuart Fane had no time to think about how the “Ghost Wings” were taken or how Dark summoned such a powerful Five-Star Mana Spirit in such a short time.
He was sweating profusely, desperately seeking a chance to survive.
Continuing to rely on mana to control the Mana Guidance Ball and evade was impossible.
Struggling for a while longer, gambling on who would run out of mana first?
The Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball still had nearly 6000 points left!
And Dark Diem wouldn’t let the Shadow Whisper Ninja continuously attack the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball.
No…
Dark Diem was already acting!
Stuart Fane saw out of the corner of his eye that the Blue Side Mana Guidance Ball was rising again under the pull of mana.
Without the “Ghost Wings,” the Shadow Whisper Ninja could only attack by throwing kunai—too foolish!
“Shadow Whisper Ninja, attack the purple ghost!”
Out of desperation,
Stuart Fane changed his command.
The Shadow Whisper Ninja’s eyes flashed, immediately stopping the kunai he was about to throw, aiming instead at the purple ghost—the Dream Mana Nightmare Demon!
Stuart Fane himself pulled the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball towards the ground with all his might.
In fact, the ground was his true domain.
If he could pull the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball back to the ground, and any Mana Spirit dragged it into a “Shadow Nest,” he would have a chance to turn things around.
On the ground, eighteen “Shadow Ants” were ready to be sacrifices!
These special Mana Spirits marked as One-Star but with Two-Star strength could summon any Mana Spirit from the Second Tier—or even the Third Tier!
Even his classmates didn’t know that Stuart Fane had a Seven-Star Mana Spirit Card.
Though this Seven-Star Mana Spirit Card wasn’t outstanding among its peers, it was still in the Third Tier, exerting class pressure over the First and Second Tiers.
This was the source of Stuart Fane’s confidence.
Although he hadn’t drawn that Mana Spirit Card yet.
But a Duelist never gives up until the end.
…
BOOM!
The kunai thrown by the Shadow Whisper Ninja exploded in mid-air, forcing back the rushing Dream Mana Nightmare Demon.
The Red Side Mana Guidance Ball was hit by the shockwave, further reducing its mana, but also falling to the ground at a faster speed.
Mana (Red): 1667 – 998
This unexpected good fortune brought a look of wild joy to Stuart Fane, who hurriedly issued commands.
One of the “Shadow Ants” turned around and rushed back to the “Shadow Nest” after receiving orders.
The Red Side Mana Guidance Ball, under Stuart Fane’s control, moved above the “Shadow Nest.”
Once the “Shadow Ant” returned, it could drag the Mana Guidance Ball into the “Shadow Nest.”
But Stuart Fane’s smile suddenly froze.
He looked up sharply at the opposite side.
Dark was smiling at him.
Then, the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball began to rise under the push of mana!
Dark had transferred his own Mana Guidance Ball to a safe height and then used his mana to lift the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball.
The mana tug-of-war between Mana Guidance Balls almost always happened in high-grade duels.
Dark curled his finger, adding more mana.
Anger surged in Stuart Fane’s eyes; he slammed his hand down, using mana to press down.
The Red Side Mana Guidance Ball trembled uncontrollably under the dual mana control.
What startled Stuart Fane was that this first-year student’s mana seemed to be suppressing his own.
In his anger and shock, he gritted his teeth and roared, “Shadow Whisper Ninja!”
The Shadow Whisper Ninja yanked Eevee up and threw it, flying like the wind towards the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball.
At this critical moment, it didn’t succumb to its whims.
Tick… tock!
The sixth round ended in an instant.
Neither side drew cards, and they entered the seventh round.
But the duel had clearly entered a tug-of-war phase. The tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball.
The eighteen “Shadow Ants” that could serve as sacrifices had no use.
Stuart Fane clearly had a Second-Tier Mana Spirit Card, but there was no room to use the “Sacrificial Summoning Spell.”
The situation had become so tense without anyone noticing.
But after the start of the seventh round,
Neither side drew cards.
Stuart Fane poured all his energy into controlling the Mana Guidance Ball.
As long as he could hold out until the Shadow Whisper Ninja arrived, pressing his hand on the Mana Guidance Ball, the “Mana Remote Control” method couldn’t match the Shadow Whisper Ninja’s power.
Then, he could have the Shadow Whisper Ninja put the Mana Guidance Ball into the “Shadow Nest,” gaining a breather.
…
But Stuart Fane had the Shadow Whisper Ninja, and Dark Diem had the Dream Mana Nightmare Demon.
Even without Dark’s command, the Dream Mana Nightmare Demon had already started its action.
It dived from above, swooping down like a hawk towards the Red Side Mana Guidance Ball.
With only 998 points of mana left,
Crush it all!
If he could win this duel smoothly, he believed that he would surely gain more favor!
At the same time.
The smoke in the blue side’s summoning area had dissipated, and “Huhu” regained its vision, poking its head out from its shell.
Its tiny eyes spun around, watching the intense battle in the red zone, feeling eager to join in.
But its extremely slow crawling speed made it impossible for it to reach the battlefield.
“Mana Nightmare Demon” was really inconsiderate, not even opening the “Nightmare Space” for Huhu!
“Pip-pip.”
Huhu felt somewhat dejected.
…
No one noticed the lonely little Huhu.
…
When the Mana Nightmare Demon swooped down, “Yomimi” flickered with a sharp light in its eyes, and three senbon needles were already held between its fingers.
It threw these senbons upward as it sped along the ground.
The senbons separated in mid-air, and the thin silk attached to their tails spread out like a web.
This shadow energy formed web gradually turned into a large net, rushing upward to cover the Mana Nightmare Demon.
“Yomimi!”
The Mana Nightmare Demon couldn’t turn in time and let out a startled cry.
But despite the shock, it did not retreat but continued to charge forward, attempting to collide with the red side’s Mana Guidance Ball along with the shadow net.
However, it was caught off guard when the three senbons suddenly exploded, generating a force that wrapped around the shadow net, stopping it in mid-air!
“Yomimi” breathed out lightly, its five fingers moving rapidly like controlling puppets, causing the shadow net to tighten abruptly, trapping the Mana Nightmare Demon!
The Mana Nightmare Demon’s eyes showed panic.
Originally, as a “Ghost,” it could easily slip out of the net.
But after equipping the “Ghost Wings,” it lost its ability to “penetrate.”
This made it look like a trapped bird, very pitiful.
But it was not a bird.
“Tear it apart.”
Dark忍不住 reminded.
The Mana Nightmare Demon then gathered its strength to tear through the shadow net.
It had the ability but was flustered due to its high intelligence.
…
But the moment Dark spoke, his mana control dropped, giving Stewart Fane an opportunity.
And “Yomimi” finally reached and grabbed the Mana Guidance Ball.
…
“It seems Stewart Fane contestant successfully extended his life,” commented Zach Wilson on the commentary platform.
But the situation continued to intensify in his eyes.
Angus Jeffrey in the ring.
Diana, Rose, and others in the ring.
Alvaraite in the spectator area.
Aurora in the box.
…
Different people tightened their nerves for reasons they could not explain.
…
The situation on the field did not ease.
“Mana Nightmare Demon, Fear Gem!”
Dark’s voice rose noticeably.
Though slightly reluctant, the Mana Nightmare Demon still released the magic it had collected night after night from dreams.
The three red gems embedded in its body emitted dazzling magic light!
That light was extremely brilliant.
It had a dreamy beauty.
But beneath the beauty lay a deadly threat!
The few “Shadow Ants” illuminated by the magic light melted almost instantly, turning into magic light points.
“Yomimi” sensed danger and instinctively pulled the Mana Guidance Ball behind it, immediately being bathed in the magic light.
In that instant, it felt an extreme fear in its heart.
Unlike ordinary Mana Golems,
Stewart Fane’s “Yomimi” clearly had intellect surpassing that of a typical Mana Golem.
Thus, it could deeply feel the fear contained within the magic light.
Its mana value decreased visibly and rapidly!
After being summoned, “Yomimi” continuously used its ultimate skill “Yomimi,” and its mana was already half depleted.
With just this magic light, the remaining 1,000 mana points could not withstand it, quickly reaching zero.
At this moment, the duelist Stewart Fane finally summoned another Mana Card.
From taking over the Mana Guidance Ball from “Yomimi” to now, only a few seconds had passed. Stewart Fane knew there was no time for a “Sacrificial Summon,” so he used a normal summoning spell.
“In the name of Stewart Fane, Mana Summon — ‘Protective Mirror’!”
Instantly…
An oval light mirror appeared before “Yomimi,” blocking the dazzling magic light of the “Fear Gem.”
But this protective magic, which could hold for a critical moment, shattered in just a few seconds.
But in those few seconds,
The nearly exhausted “Yomimi” successfully entered the “Shadow Hole” beside its feet, completing the shadow escape.
Stewart Fane suddenly exhaled, relaxing his tense nerves.
However, the magic light from the Fear Gem did not stop.
The Mana Nightmare Demon, with a pained expression, used its ultimate skill, seemingly intent on exhausting all its stored mana, controlling the magic light to condense and enter the “Shadow Hole” where “Yomimi” escaped.
“Ahh!”
A desperate scream came from the entrance of the “Shadow Hole.”
The shadow net remaining on the Mana Nightmare Demon suddenly disintegrated into fine light particles.
There was no sound below the “Shadow Hole.”
Without “Yomimi,” the red side’s Mana Guidance Ball was squeezed out of the “Shadow Hole.”
The red side’s Mana Guidance Ball reappeared before the audience, its Life Barrier completely shattered.
[Mana (Red): 998-0]
…
Tick-tock.
The countdown in the air restarted after reaching zero.
But this high-intensity duel without any breathing room had come to an end.
Both sides were too exhausted to draw cards or look at them from the sixth round onwards. From the sky and ground battles to the mana confrontation between contestants, to the rescue and attack-defense of Mana Golems, it was so intense it left no room for breath.
The red side contestant Stewart Fane ultimately failed to bring the situation to the next stage. After being seized by the blue side contestant Dark DiMont, he was relentlessly pursued and defeated.
The atmosphere in the arena intensified sharply after a brief pause.
Audiences from around the world erupted like boiling water, with countless discussions mingling with excited cheers, surging like waves.
Many viewers who saw Dark DiMont for the first time today would never have imagined that a first-year student could truly defeat a top third-year student in a formal duel!
Many viewers, even those who had high hopes for Stewart Fane, could not believe he would lose.
Some who had bet on Stewart Fane were incredulous: “That’s it? Fane still has many Mana Cards, what happened?”
…
“What happened?”
Angus Jeffrey, the president of the Noble History Research Society, almost distorted his face.
Amidst the uproar, he roared at Mike Owen beside him.
But Mike Owen just wanted to tell him: “Your spit splashed onto my face.”
…
“Duel ends, and the winner is the first-year Noble Academy — Dark DiMont!”
Zach Wilson couldn’t help but shout excitedly.
On the red side’s contestant platform, Stewart Fane suddenly realized he had truly lost when Wilson’s voice rang out.
He still had cards in hand, prepared sacrifices for summoning numerous high-star Mana Golems, and had a seven-star Mana Golem as a final trump card.
Yet, he lost!
Just performing the “Sacrificial Summoning Spell” for less than ten seconds, he couldn’t squeeze it out.
Suddenly inhaling a large amount of air made him choke, followed by constant coughing.
“If I could compress the casting time of the ‘Sacrificial Summoning Spell’ to the three-second limit…”
Some upperclassmen could perform the “Sacrificial Summoning Spell” in just three seconds, like a “Normal Summoning Spell.”
But that was actually the result of talent and hard work.
Stewart Fane could be considered a talented prodigy with good luck, but his mana talent wasn’t particularly outstanding.
Therefore, when mastering the much deeper “Sacrificial Summoning Spell” compared to the “Normal Summoning Spell,” he progressed slowly.
“Senior Fane, are you okay?”
Dark DiMont’s gentle voice entered Stewart Fane’s ears, causing his mind to stutter.
A strange expression flashed across his face as he forced himself to cough twice to clear his throat.
Then he raised his head slightly and said solemnly, “I lost.”
