Chapter 595: Three Appraisals of the Treasure Chest Demon (10k)
At the base of the Spiral Bell Tower.
Vini Scarlet and Pandora Dragon walked side by side.
“Is it on the tenth floor?”
Vini slightly tilted her head, looking up at the spiral tower, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“Why can’t we just find any classroom near the library?”
“You can complain loudly during the negotiations.”
Pandora casually said, then stepped onto the stairs first.
Although she wasn’t particularly close with Vini, they were both female students from the Mana Academy and were part of the same club—though Pandora was only a nominal member, she was indeed a member of the Literature Club.
She easily found Vini and obtained her consent without much talk.
Perhaps because Vini wanted to challenge her.
This simulated duel game, where both sides were encountering it for the first time, would start on equal footing in terms of rule understanding and card comprehension, eliminating experience disparities and making it an almost even battle of wits.
Such opportunities were rare.
Vini’s nature was aloof, but she would compete when necessary.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have represented the Mana Academy in the Academy Cup.
As fellow top-grade students from the Mana Academy, she had always regarded Pandora as a goal and rival, though direct confrontation was rare.
This time, although it was just a performance match, it allowed them to go all out.
Thus, she closed her book and followed Pandora.
But these ten floors…were truly exhausting!
…
When Vini and Pandora reached the tenth floor of the Spiral Bell Tower, Claire and Eve were already drinking afternoon tea in the clubroom.
Compared to Wit and Robert, they clearly placed more importance on Vini and Pandora’s strong pairing.
Wit, despite being the “Hero’s Child,” had lost his initial popularity after a year and didn’t have particularly good personal conditions.
However, Pandora and Vini were currently the hottest star duelists, whose presence alone could incite cheers, let alone their participation together?
Claire could already imagine the fervor of the “Silver Cup” opening ceremony.
After Wit and Robert successfully preheated the simulated duel game, Pandora and Vini’s appearance would undoubtedly make the entire Dueling Arena surge with excitement!
At that time, major media outlets would simultaneously release advertisements for the simulated duel game, making the entire kingdom recognize this popularized duel game.
With material conditions becoming abundant, the scarcity of spiritual life would become apparent.
The simulated duel would seize the opportunity to capture this vast market.
Claire put down her teacup and turned slightly, hearing two knocks at the door.
“Tap tap.”
The small imp beast flapped its wings to open the door.
“Good afternoon, little imp beast.”
Pandora raised her hand, letting the imp beast rest on her palm and gently poking its head.
The imp beast squinted, looking content.
Vini merely glanced at it and looked inside.
The living room, separated by wooden walls, was decorated with many small trinkets, and the corner plants emitted a peculiar aura.
A book lay on the sofa, and the table used for guests had silver tea sets.
“Scholar Beast” Claire and the twin sisters, whom Vini hadn’t met before, were sitting opposite each other, all three of their gazes turning toward them.
Vini gave them a slight smile but did not leap over Pandora to greet them.
They closed the door and walked to the tea table, where Pandora began, “Good afternoon, Aunt Claire. And Eve and Irina, we just saw each other last weekend.”
Irina was somewhat cold, but Eve was more enthusiastic: “I intended to greet you, but the shop was too busy.”
“Seems like you all know each other?” Vini interjected, “I’m Vini Scarlet, here by invitation.”
“Hello, Claire Kate.” Claire extended her hand to Vini.
Vini politely shook hands with her, and they were now acquainted.
“Come, sit down.” Eve pulled out chairs, inviting them to sit.
Thus, everyone was present.
Eve was about to get straight to the point when Pandora asked, “Where’s Dark? Isn’t he here?”
“He’s inside.” Claire pointed towards the “reading room” within the clubroom.
Clearly, Dark Demon was once again playing games.
Pandora nodded and sat down.
Eve took a deep breath and said, “As you all know, we will be participating in a simulated duel performance match during the ‘Silver Cup’ opening ceremony this Friday afternoon, using this as an opportunity to promote the simulated duel.
This simulated duel, designed by Young Master Demon, is a popularized duel game developed by our Public Dueling Society and Saint Maryann Academy. Here’s our promotional pamphlet.”
She handed two pamphlets to Pandora and Vini.
They picked up the pamphlets and started reading.
The pamphlets were very well-made, obviously crafted with great effort.
Both Pandora and Vini were somewhat familiar with the simulated duels that had been popular in the academy for some time, but since they hadn’t shown much interest previously, their understanding was superficial.
Now, reading the rule explanations in the pamphlet, they finally grasped the details.
“This is a great design.” Pandora closed the pamphlet and said, “I want to see the game card guide.”
Eve retrieved another booklet and handed it over: “These are the first edition cards. Since it’s still the initial testing phase, they aren’t overly complex.”
Pandora nodded, “Since it’s for the public, it shouldn’t be too complex.”
Eve continued, “True, but we will gradually deepen the game through new cards to increase strategic depth, even if it won’t reach the level of Mana Duels. We’ll try to add depth.”
“I want a copy of the guide too.” Vini said.
Once they got the guides, Vini carefully read through them.
After a while, they both put down the guides, exchanged glances, and noticed the same thought in each other’s eyes.
“It’s too simple.”
The gameplay of the simulated duel was there, but the first edition cards were visibly simplistic.
If they didn’t have all the cards, they might still be able to compare deck construction.
But if they could pick any card from a full set, it would be trivial.
Even unexpectedly, they might end up with nearly identical decks.
This would turn the duel into a pure luck contest.
Though Pandora didn’t mind, Vini clearly didn’t want it to be so.
…
“Everyone’s here?”
While they were contemplating, Dark finally came out of the “reading room.”
He approached the tea table, greeted the seniors, and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea.
After taking a sip, Dark asked, “How’s the discussion going?”
“Not bad.” Pandora replied lightly.
Actually, she was more eager to get to the “reward” part and discuss Hephaestus’ work with Claire.
But Vini said, “Apart from deck construction and duel methods, everything else is fine.”
Pandora glanced at her without speaking.
Claire smiled and remained silent.
Eve quickly said, “There are no requirements for deck construction. We can provide all the cards listed in the guide for selection. As for duel methods, we aim for a spectacular performance…”
Eve suddenly noticed Irina pulling her gently.
She paused, noticing Vini’s frown, clearly disapproving of her statement.
But what exactly displeased her?
Eve couldn’t immediately figure it out.
Dark observed Vini’s expression and said, “Even if it’s a performance match, shouldn’t we give it our all? Winning or losing isn’t related to how exciting it is. Regarding deck construction, I have a method. Let’s see if it’s feasible.”
“What method?” Vini asked.
Dark smiled and said, “The simulated duel’s HP is eight thousand points. Each duelist can only carry forty cards, and only three copies of the same card can be in one deck.
Why don’t we directly provide three of each card on-site to form a shared card pool?
Then, the duelers take turns selecting cards from the pool, construct their decks on-site, and duel with those decks. What do you think?”
“Taking turns selecting cards and constructing decks on-site?” Vini pondered upon hearing this.
Pandora also became interested, “Sounds intriguing.”
After some thought, Vini said, “It’s indeed a good idea. I have no objections.”
“Let’s finalize it.” Dark decided.
Eve and Irina didn’t even react as the performance match switched to a new format.
Seeing no opposition, Dark said, “Don’t forget to inform Wit and Robert. Next, let’s discuss the reward. Senior Vini, do you have any special requests?”
Vini smiled and shook her head, “Not really. Since it’s a performance match, should we prepare formal attire?”
Dark blinked and looked at Senior Pandora.
Formal attire was nice, especially since he hadn’t seen Senior Pandora in such attire since Christmas.
However, he vetoed it, “Since it’s a school performance, let’s stick to uniforms. Students are our identity, right? Senior Pandora, what are your requests?”
“My requests have been stated.” Pandora replied calmly.
Dark nodded and looked at Claire.
Claire then spoke, “Irina, bring out the guarantee letter.”
“Sure.” Irina responded, immediately taking out a file bag from her bag and placing it on the table, pushing it toward Pandora.
Pandora’s heart stirred as she opened the bag.
Inside was the guarantee letter signed by Claire for Hephaestus.
Pandora seemed moved but quickly composed herself, putting the letter back in the bag and asking, “Can I take this back?”
“That’s not possible.” Claire chuckled, “This is just a copy for record-keeping. The original has been submitted. I believe you’ll soon see Hephaestus in the academy.”
Pandora exclaimed in surprise, “Really?”
Claire smiled, “It’s because her conditions meet the academy’s requirements. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to enter. If things go smoothly, she might even participate in the ‘Silver Cup’ opening ceremony.”
Vini, seeing Pandora’s rare display of emotion, finally understood why she accepted the invitation for this simulated duel.
She originally thought Pandora agreed due to her friendship with the boy…but there was more to it.
“But, Hephaestus…is she family? Isn’t she an orphan?”
Vini’s inner cat, quietly peeked its head out.
…
Both sides quickly signed a cooperation agreement.
But neither of them showed any intention to leave immediately.
It seemed like being able to have afternoon tea with the “Sage of Beasts” was also a rare opportunity.
Vini and Pandora also wanted to further research simulated duels and card guides.
Due to their respective reasons, neither of them wanted to lose now.
And if they didn’t want to lose, they naturally had to spend time researching.
However, while they were doing research, they were also talking.
After finishing what she was doing, Claire took out a book and chatted while reading.
This ability to divide attention was passed down from one generation to another.
Dark saw his chance and quietly returned to the “Office,” fetching his backpack and dragon tooth sword.
Then he placed the dragon tooth sword on the table and eagerly asked, “Senior, take a look at this sword, what kind of material is it made of?”
Pandora looked up and casually said, “It’s a sword made from the fangs of a Tuskdragon, it’s decent enough.”
“Tuskdragon?” Dark’s tone stuttered. Suddenly, he felt less impressed by the sword in his hand!
Tuskdragons, although they were dragons, were among the least dragon-like creatures in the sub-dragon category.
Apart from their large size, having dragon scales on their bodies, and a blade-like horn on their heads, they were completely shaped like wild boars.
The dragon tooth sword in Dark’s hand was precisely made from the fang of a Tuskdragon.
Moreover, Tuskdragon fangs… were renewable resources!
Under normal circumstances, Tuskdragons would change their fangs every year.
During the peak of the Demon race, high-ranking vampires once raised Tuskdragons to harvest their fangs.
Because of this, for a long time, the market price of dragon teeth plummeted.
“Did you get this dragon tooth sword from the underground city?” Vini suddenly asked.
Dark sighed and said, “Yes, it came from a treasure chest.”
Vini said, “The underground city always replicates all kinds of things. Just like your dragon tooth sword, it clearly uses dragon tooth as material, but the craftsmanship is incredibly poor.
Except for the blade part, everything else looks like it was simply nailed on. But this is good too; it’s easy to dismantle. I suggest you grind the dragon tooth into powder and discard the rest.”
“That’s exactly what I thought.” Dark’s eyes lit up; the two of them had surprisingly similar ideas.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Dark took out another horn that looked just as nice as the dragon tooth sword.
This “Rhino Horn” was thick and long, even more valuable than Dark’s “Grass Cat Plant.”
He asked, “What about this horn? Can the material be used?”
Vini carefully observed it and, supporting her chin, said, “If I’m not mistaken, this should be the horn of a ‘Roaring Rhinoceros.’ The original hollow horns of ‘Roaring Rhinoceroses’ can store echoes and instantly release them, deafening people’s ears.
I suggest directly turning it into an Item Card; it should obtain an Item Card with the ‘Roaring’ ultimate skill.”
Dark carefully listened and then pondered, “So it’s a ‘Roaring Rhinoceros’? Then it might not have good compatibility with ‘Unicorn Rhinoceros.’ I originally thought there was a chance to refine it. Perhaps making it into an Item Card is a better choice.”
He suddenly said, “Wait!”
Then he ran into the “Office” and took out his little notebook, recording the usage suggestions for the “Rhino Horn.”
Vini couldn’t help lifting the guidebook and smiling lightly, half-covering her lips, seeing him determined to get everything.
But what Dark took out next made her raise an eyebrow and purse her lips: “Bio Pearl?”
“Yes, a Bio Pearl.” Dark carefully took the “Bio Pearl” out of a box and placed it on the table.
The “Bio Pearl” was about the size of a fist, translucent overall, with a tiny thing inside resembling a biological embryo.
Vini didn’t expect him to still have such a rare item, her voice filled with surprise, “Is this also obtained from the underground city? Didn’t you say you’re only entering the underground city for the first time this year?”
“Good luck, found a few treasure chests.” Dark glanced at Pandora and asked, “Can you tell what kind of creature information is contained in this ‘Bio Pearl’?”
Vini excitedly said, “Let me see.”
She stretched out her hand to hold the “Bio Pearl” close, her eyes shining as she observed it.
On the other side, apart from Eve and Irina who didn’t know much about it, Claire and Pandora also paid attention.
Claire put down what she was holding and smiled, “Your luck is really great. When I was in the academy, I rarely got ‘Bio Pearls’ from the underground city. If it’s information about extinct creatures, the value is even greater.”
She turned to look at Vini and asked, “How is it? Have you figured anything out?”
Vini’s gaze slightly narrowed, hesitating, “It seems to be a reptile, I’m not quite sure. To identify it further, we need specialized equipment to map out the biological information inside.”
“I’ll do it.” Pandora said indifferently and reached for the “Bio Pearl” still held by Vini.
But Vini frowned and showed no intention of letting go.
Pandora furrowed her brows, and the mana flowing from her fingertips enveloped the “Bio Pearl,” then with a slight effort, she took it from Vini’s hand.
She didn’t care about Vini’s reaction and directly placed the “Bio Pearl” in front of her, then slightly widened her eyes, a golden-red glow flashing, with some pressure leaking out.
“Dragon Aura?” Vini abruptly turned her head, staring at Pandora’s overly pale face.
With black hair and black eyes, except for a fine dragon scale-like tear mark below her eye, there were no obvious dragon-related elements in Pandora’s appearance.
Although she was known as the “Silver Dragon Maiden,” it was merely a praise for her usual deck.
Pandora had always been concealing her mixed heritage until she recognized Hephaestus.
As the Dragon Aura flowed, her eyes gradually showed a brilliant golden-red color, focusing more intently on the “Bio Pearl.”
“True Dragon’s Eye?”
Dark concentrated on observing her, but his gaze was entirely on Pandora’s eyes rather than the “Bio Pearl.”
Claire, however, remained calm as usual.
Under the scrutiny of the “True Dragon’s Eye,” changes slowly occurred within the “Bio Pearl.”
The substance resembling a biological embryo suddenly had a faint shadow floating around it, which expanded under the golden-red gaze until it became clearer and larger than the “Bio Pearl.”
When Pandora stopped her “gaze,” a clear biological shape emerged.
Pandora placed the “Bio Pearl” on the table, and the clear biological shadow even began to move around on its own.
Seeing Dark’s surprised expression, Pandora raised her eyebrows and said, “From now on, if you have any questions like this, just ask me.”
…
“Is this the beauty of student life?”
Claire’s gaze unintentionally swept across the three faces, her heart filled with nostalgia.
…
Dark snapped back to reality and focused intently on the “Bio Pearl.”
The shadow on the pearl had the appearance of a reptile, resembling an ancient dinosaur, but with bat wings on its back.
From its head to its tail, along the spine, there were gem-like structures.
However, since the shadow lacked color, it was impossible to determine the color of these gems.
For now, the biological information recorded in the “Bio Pearl” should belong to a “Pterosaur.”
“A type of flying dragon?”
But Vini Scarlet spoke up.
Pandora did not object, “It should be, perhaps it’s a type of ‘Gem Dragon.'”
“Gem Dragons” are dragons with flat round gems on their heads but no horns.
They have a different love for gems compared to ordinary dragons; they don’t collect them for display but for consumption.
“Gem Dragons” eat gems and minerals, drawing mana from them to become harder and stronger.
…
Several people gathered together and briefly described the characteristics of this ancient flying dragon.
Dark listened attentively with a learning attitude and eventually summarized it in four words—”Fossil Winged Dragon!”
Rock-type, Flying-type, Sub-Dragon category—it immediately reminded him of the “Fossil Winged Dragon.”
Although the “Fossil Winged Dragon” doesn’t have gems on its spine, its overall shape is very similar.
If the biological information inside the “Bio Pearl” could be extracted, it might be possible to refine a similar Golem.
Fortunately, he still had that dragon tooth sword in his hand—although it was from a Tuskdragon… but it was still a dragon, right?
Just a bit of dragon tooth, it could mostly only serve as an auxiliary ingredient.
To restore an ancient flying dragon based on the biological information in the “Bio Pearl,” a lot of knowledge and resources would be required.
He needed to learn more, especially the定向炼成 method for Golems.
Only by mastering this knowledge thoroughly could he independently develop the formula for directed formulation.
…
After Dark took notes, Pandora returned the “Bio Pearl” to him.
He carefully placed the “Bio Pearl” back in its box, as if protecting a “Fossil Winged Dragon” egg.
Pandora said in a calm tone, “Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Dark swiftly took out a bottle and asked, “What kind of potion is this?”
The potion bottle was only as long as a finger, and the liquid inside was clear and transparent, slightly viscous but otherwise looked like ordinary water.
But this potion, Pandora casually glanced at it and said, “Elixir of Fortune, a weak healing holy water.”
“Holy water?” Dark’s eyes lit up.
But Pandora immediately added, “I heard that a long time ago, the Holy Church distributed this Elixir of Fortune, claiming it was a divine gift.”
Dark’s face darkened, understanding her meaning.
This “Elixir of Fortune” was probably not just a diluted healing potion.
But he quickly frowned, “But this potion has a high value when measured by the Eye of Truth.”
“It’s because of the bottle.” Vini casually said, “This bottle is a magical tool with special powers, capable of preserving the potion for a long time without spoiling.”
“Got it.” Dark quickly jotted it down.
Such magical tools were often used to preserve potions that deteriorated quickly, useful both daily and over time.
Of course, similar tools were sold in Traveler’s Street, but they were a bit expensive.
Dark suddenly thought of something and asked, “What is the essence of the soul left behind after an ‘Absorbing Spirit’ dies?”
Pandora quickly replied, “Soul Remnant, can be used as the base for a Mana Spirit Card, more effective than the base made from Spirit Nectar and Brain Leaf Essence Water. If you want to refine a third-tier Golem through directed formulation, you can consider using it as a life base.”
Dark nodded.
Head, immediately recorded this down.
Afterwards, he took out a blood-red crystal from his bag, intending to ask what kind of creature’s blood crystallization this “Blood Crystal” was.
But before he could even finish taking it out, Claire said, “It’s the blood crystallization of a Blood Demon. Further refining it can be used to replenish the Blood Quartz that Victoria wears.”
A Blood Demon is the second advanced stage for non-hereditary vampires.
After humans accept the embrace of a vampire, they turn into mindless Blood Slaves. The next step is advancing to a Blood Demon, and finally becoming a vampire.
Even if these “Blood Crystals” aren’t used to make Blood Quartz, they can still be given to Victoria as snacks.
Of course, Dark doesn’t advocate such extravagant behavior.
But if the Blood Crystals were not used as snacks but instead taken by Victoria as materials for mana alchemy…
According to the rules, Victoria would need to pay credits, possibly through borrowing.
However, the academy isn’t strict about this rule, and there are countless ways to exploit loopholes.
The most common method is giving them as gifts.
Usually, birthday or holiday gifts.
Of course, even if one didn’t follow the rules, no professor would bother investigating such matters.
“Just consider it a Halloween gift.”
“If the ‘Blood Holy Sword’ hasn’t been traded by Halloween, then it should also be put in the gift box.”
Dark decided and then pulled out a “Bronze Mirror” from his bag.
Among the treasures obtained from the dungeon, there were too many unknown things.
Just like this “Bronze Mirror,” even when infused with mana, it showed no reaction, but in the eyes of the “Door to Truth,” it had a higher value than “Cat Grass” and was equivalent to the “Rhinoceros Horn” he had previously.
But when Dark took out the “Bronze Mirror,” Claire, Pandora, and Vini all reacted.
Dark couldn’t help but sigh at the gap between him and them.
Yet, it was precisely because of this gap that he had motivation to catch up.
He placed the “Bronze Mirror” in the center and asked, “Have you figured anything out?”
But this time, both Pandora and Vini just stared at the mirror, pondering.
After a moment, seeing their lack of response, Claire took the mirror and said, “If I’m not mistaken, this should be a replica of the ‘Medusa’s Mirror.'”
Vini replied, “So it’s a replica? No wonder it doesn’t have the aura of a legendary artifact.”
Pandora added, “I can see it, but I don’t know how to activate it.”
“It’s not difficult.” Claire extended her finger and pressed it against the mirror surface.
This “Bronze Mirror,” which had been obtained from a treasure chest in the “Bronze Chamber,” had a circular bronze frame with intricate patterns carved on the edges. The rust on its surface was a testament to time.
Claire gathered mana at her fingertips and smoothly wrote a spell on the mirror’s surface.
Once she finished, she retracted her hand, and the mirror’s surface shimmered with a grayish light.
Then she picked up a teacup from the side and slowly approached the mirror.
When the teacup touched the faint glow, the cup’s side was covered with stone.
She flicked her fingers and pushed the teacup onto the mirror. In an instant, the teacup was completely petrified.
But once the “Bronze Mirror” depleted its mana and the gray light receded, the petrified shell of the teacup fell off, restoring its original form.
Claire said, “Apart from needing continuous exposure and having a different petrification effect, it’s no different from the real thing.”
“This is a world of difference, right?” Dark thought to himself, but excitement gleamed in his eyes.
If he could refine this “Bronze Mirror” into a “Mana Card,” he would obtain his first strong control-type mana card!
…
He didn’t stop. Immediately, he took out another item from the “Bronze Chamber”—the “Silver Sphinx.”
“What about this one?”
The “Silver Sphinx,” similar in value to the “Bio Pearl” and “Dragon Fang Sword,” would bring him what kind of surprise?
The “Sphinx” was about the size of a paperweight, finely carved and lifelike.
The three couldn’t help but move closer to look.
Vini muttered, “A Sphinx beast? I seem to remember this is the pet of some Death God.”
“The God of Funerals and Knowledge, Husk,” Pandora said. “I’ve read about it. But the Sphinx beast isn’t its pet; it is the Sphinx itself.”
“Is that so?” Vini rubbed her nose, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Claire smiled, “Husk is the earliest Sphinx. After it, all other Sphinxes are suffixed with ‘Beast’ to distinguish them.
In the library’s records, it is both a Death God and a Wisdom God, and the founder of a civilization.
However, this silver statue lacks divinity and has little to do with Husk. As for its special features, I can’t tell yet. What about you two?”
Facing the question from the “Wise Beast,” although Vini and Pandora wanted to show off, after careful examination, they both shook their heads.
Claire asked, “Pandora, you can’t tell either?”
Pandora helplessly said, “It looks like an ordinary silver statue. Apart from excellent craftsmanship, there’s nothing special about it.”
Suddenly, a chill emerged beside her, and it was Vini opening her “Eye of Truth.”
After a while, Vini closed her eyes and reopened them, filled with confusion, “Why is a silver statue so valuable? Does the God of Truth favor Sphinx beasts?”
“I don’t think so,” Claire picked up the “Sphinx” and examined it for a while before throwing it back to the eagerly waiting Little Dak, saying with a smile, “But it seems you’ll have to figure this out yourself.”
Dark opened his mouth but had to put away the “Sphinx.”
He felt that Claire must have a way to find out, but she chose not to…
However, today’s afternoon wasn’t originally meant for appraising treasures, and they lacked professional equipment. Relying solely on knowledge and intuition had its limits.
Although Dark felt disappointed, he quickly regained composure and took out the next treasure from his bag.
“These, did you get them all last weekend during your dungeon adventure?”
Seeing that Dark seemed to have endless treasures, Vini couldn’t help asking.
“Luck, luck,” Dark placed a “Wooden Carving” in the center of the table.
This “Wooden Carving” was found in a hidden room near the treasure chest where the “Bio Pearl” was obtained.
The treasure chest containing the “Wooden Carving” was two meters high and three meters wide, making it the largest he had ever opened.
But the carving itself was only twenty centimeters tall, depicting a seated human figure with rough details, far from being as intricate as the “Sphinx.”
Its value was somewhere between the “Worm Tree” and “Cat Grass,” on par with the bottle containing “Felicity Water,” the “Blood Crystal,” and the “Soul Residue” of the “Sucking Spirit.”
After a brief inspection, Pandora and Vini confirmed its use.
It was a raw material for a “Substitute Puppet,” which could be used to create a magical tool—a “Substitute Puppet!”
Seeing Dak’s confusion, Pandora patiently explained, “A Substitute Puppet is a special escape tool. It can take damage in critical moments and automatically trigger the ‘Flash Spell,’ teleporting the owner nearby.
However, Substitute Puppets are single-use tools. As magi-tutors, we prefer refining them into mana cards.”
Then she took out a “Substitute Puppet” mana card from her deck and waved it at Dak, “I also have a ‘Substitute Puppet’ mana card, but after using it once, there’s a long cooldown. If you want to learn how to make them, you can come to me.”
“Great!” Dark stored the “Wooden Carving” in his bag as if he had discovered a treasure.
Though it was still a raw material, if refined successfully, it would undoubtedly become a lifesaving tool.
And in mana duels, it would surely be a game-changer, helping the main golem evade fatal blows.
…
Amidst his joy, Dark took out a “Clown Mask.”
Vini saw the “Clown Mask” and covered her forehead, “Junior Demon, I really want to know where you got all these bizarre things?”
“Dungeon treasure chests,” Dark replied matter-of-factly.
Pandora shrugged slightly.
The news of a “Treasure Chest Maniac” among the second-year students had already spread quietly.
But Vini Scarlet, indeed, remained oblivious to the outside world, unaware of this.
Fortunately, she had prepared herself mentally, or she might have been shocked.
After all, even if she could relatively easily find boss-level monsters, after defeating them, she usually found only one or two treasure chests—unlike Dark Demon, who went straight into the dungeon with a bag.
She thought for a moment, and the “Clown Mask” was now in Vini’s hands.
Vini activated her “Eye of Truth” and injected a bit of mana into the mask, then confidently wore it on her face.
The “Clown Mask” suddenly wriggled and tightly adhered to her face.
Immediately, she felt her lips being stretched, and though unwilling, she was forced to laugh in a silly manner.
Her face flushed red, and she quickly removed the “Clown Mask.”
Pandora took it over, teasing, “Your laugh sounds good.”
Vini closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled, “This ‘Clown Mask’ forces laughter, but it doesn’t generate genuine happiness from within. Currently, it has no practical effect. In fact, it’s not even as effective as a ‘Joy Card.'”
“Let’s improve it then?” Pandora carefully observed, compared it to her own face, and ultimately didn’t dare wear it.
She put down the mask and looked into Dark’s eyes, “Our dear junior is an expert in emotion research. I believe he can modify it into a suitable ‘Mana Card.'”
“I’ll try…” Dark put away the “Clown Mask.”
At the very beginning, he thought of the “Jester Lord” from “Digital Monsters.”
But the “Jester Lord,” as an Ultimate-Level Digimon, would require at least the fourth tier to be transformed into a mana golem.
Given the quality of this “Clown Mask,” it was impossible to use it as the core material for the “Jester Lord.”
Therefore, he had to find another use for it.
Pandora’s suggestion was quite good. If they could combine it with “Bliss” to modify it into a mask that would make people feel uncontrollable joy…
Perhaps they could create a special control-type “Mana Card.”
“Looks like I need to speed up my learning of ‘Mana Card’ crafting!”
After putting away the “Clown Mask,” Dark took out the final treasure—the “Blood Crystal Crown”!
…
