Chapter 625: Knights Do Not Die By Hand (4k)
“I think,” Rose finally concluded.
“From witches, fairies, ghosts, and vampires, we can choose one of these four. These costumes are relatively easy to make and won’t hinder movement… Most importantly, none of them are too unattractive!”
Girls indeed care more about appearance.
Dark chuckled and said, “I agree. This year’s Halloween ball will not be as last year’s, when everyone dressed formally due to the princess’s visit. Even if the costumes are a bit odd, they won’t stand out too much.”
Diana patted her cheek and said, “But Anna and Angie are still in the academy, aren’t they?”
Dark replied, “They might enjoy the same treatment after they graduate.”
Diana pondered, “I wonder what kind of costumes they’ll choose this year?”
Dark smiled, “We’ll see on Halloween day. Hopefully, there won’t be anything too bizarre.”
“Oh.” Diana patted her cheek again and said, “Let me think about it some more.”
Dark nodded, “Let’s head to Traveler’s Street first, we can think while walking.”
The three then chose a stone table and sat on the surrounding stone benches.
Once the teleport hub spun around, they all turned and entered Traveler’s Street.
…
Even though Halloween was still weeks away, Traveler’s Street was already decorated. Many students were already wearing various costumes, running around in the street.
At this time, some students would sell pre-made “changing cards” at stalls along the street.
Dark had once bought a “Night Prince Outfit” changing card from a senior’s stall. Despite its quality issues, he had put it aside.
His research on changing cards actually began with that card.
Thinking carefully, he realized he could now make his own changing cards, but it would be too troublesome and unnecessary.
Just then, he noticed Senior Leon selling changing cards on the street.
“I wonder if Senior Leon’s skill in making changing cards has improved compared to last year?”
But after considering for a while, Dark didn’t go over to check.
Compared to changing cards, he preferred buying high-quality clothes from clothing stores, preferably ones that could be worn outside of Halloween.
“Speaking of which, why not dress up as a vampire?”
Dark suddenly had an idea.
Vampire costumes varied, but most were just noble outfits with wings, white-painted faces, red eye shadow, and fake fangs.
In other words, removing the excessive decorations would leave a daily-wearable outfit.
Compared to the impractical “Night Prince Outfit,” this was clearly a better choice.
“A black suit, a black top hat, and a cane would make a grand old vampire.”
Dark rubbed his chin, wondering if he should add some wrinkles?
Then he saw Diana and Rose immersed in changing cards!
…
It took Dark quite a while to pull them out of the sea of changing cards.
By then, Diana and Rose had made their own decisions.
Having observed so many changing cards, they had gained some inspiration.
Rose decided to play the lively imp.
Diana was very interested in playing the ghost.
“Then let’s have the imp lady and the ghost princess,” Dark smiled and said.
“But prepare ‘Levitation Spell’ and a low-quality ‘Invisibility Potion.’”
Dark thought Diana was better suited to play the imp, while Rose fit the ghost princess image.
However, the Halloween masquerade wasn’t too serious, so they could do whatever made them happy.
“What about you?” Diana looked up and asked.
Dark replied, “An old vampire.”
…
Traveler’s Street had specialty stores that custom-made wings, fangs, and other small props.
The three walked around and finally picked a shop, ordering the necessary props and measuring sizes, planning to pick them up next Saturday.
Then they moved on to other clothing stores, purchasing the clothes they would wear.
When they left Traveler’s Street, each had chosen a set of clothing.
Dark successfully bought a complete black outfit, including a hat, and carefully selected a cane.
The cane was of good quality and might even be useful for driving away ghosts during the event.
Diana bought a pristine white princess gown with no colors except white, complementing her silver hair. If she suddenly appeared in the dark night, it might indeed startle someone.
As for Rose, she chose Professor Lily’s casual outfit…
When they returned to the tower of the Noble Academy, the three split up on the third floor.
Diana and Rose played around and entered the same room, then suddenly closed the door and quieted down.
“How about it? Any plans for this year?” Rose asked.
Diana replied, “A vampire prince and a ghost princess.”
Rose shook her head, “Last year, you two wearing couple outfits didn’t work, let alone such an unrelated pairing.”
Diana pouted, “What should we do then?”
Rose said, “If there are no princesses getting in the way this year, we just need to invite them first, and it will surely work.”
Diana couldn’t help but recall last year’s Halloween and frowned.
…
Returning to dorm 301, Dark continued his studies and research after putting down his clothes.
Last year, students were already worrying about finding dance partners for Halloween. This year was no different.
However, compared to last year, the romantic atmosphere was somewhat diluted this year.
After second year, students focused more on their grades, leaving little time for other activities.
Moreover, there was no trend of “love divination” this year.
Instead, “simulated duels” became popular.
Regarding “simulated duels,” Traveler’s Street’s “Public Dueling Society” had posted announcements for Halloween-themed events, mentioning new Halloween-themed cards, which attracted many students.
Dark did not participate in designing them but was also curious.
This year’s Halloween Eve was on Thursday night, with Friday being Halloween, followed by a weekend off.
Additionally, the “Golden Cup” opening ceremony would be held on November 1st, Halloween!
The Halloween-themed cards for “simulated duels,” along with new posters and sales details, would be announced at the “Golden Cup” opening ceremony.
Dark looked forward to it.
…
The night passed without incident, and soon it was Sunday.
At around ten o’clock, Dark arrived at the outdoor duel arena and directly entered the competitors’ passage.
Neither Diana nor Rose had matches today, so they didn’t come to watch the duel.
In fact, they had gone to the dungeon early in the morning to prepare for an impromptu adventure.
But Dark faced his final match in the “Silver Cup”积分赛积分赛!
So far, he had completed nine matches and won all of them, ranking first in the second-year “Silver Cup” rankings.
But this was largely due to his higher number of matches.
In a month or so, someone might surpass him based on more matches.
He wasn’t concerned about it.
“After this match, Professor Jones’ assignments will be done.”
With that thought, he arrived at the competitors’ waiting room.
There was still some time before the duel started, so he observed others’ duels and organized his cards until he received a reminder from the Dueling Club.
He then exited the waiting room and entered the duel arena.
When he arrived, his opponent was already waiting.
That was Justin Wayne, the class president of the Knight Academy, known for his high emotional and intellectual quotient—truly a standard sunny boy with high popularity.
He politely shook hands with Dark and nodded, “Although the chances are slim, I will try my best to seize any opportunity.”
Dark responded politely, “Anything can happen on the duel field. I hope we have a pleasant duel.”
“Alright.” Justin Wayne couldn’t help but smile.
Then they released hands and backed away to their respective platforms.
This time, Dark was assigned to the blue side, while Justin Wayne was on the red side.
As soon as they stepped onto the platform, the audience seats immediately echoed with opposing shouts.
Without thinking, those must be bored students from the Knight Academy and the Noble Academy…
Dark ignored those voices and placed his deck in the card slot, observing Justin Wayne from the platform.
Justin Wayne, both in appearance and personality, seemed like someone who could easily gain trust and support.
Dark had limited interactions with him, but he had learned a bit over the past year.
He always felt that Justin Wayne might be better suited for the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints.
There, he would surely become an outstanding saint knight.
“BEEP——”
The referee’s whistle interrupted Dark’s thoughts.
He gave a slight smile to Justin Wayne, who was also looking at him, and focused fully on preparation.
Justin Wayne used a very standard “Knight” series deck.
From human knights, orc knights, goblin wolf riders… to mechanical cavalry, it was essentially composed of various types of “knights” and related mana spirits.
The “Knight” series decks’ biggest feature was their versatility—no specific weakness.
Versatility, however, meant mediocrity if the average level was not high enough.
Of course, if the average level was high enough, it would be “omnipotent”!
Justin Wayne was only a second-year student, so he certainly couldn’t claim to be “omnipotent.”
However, compared to other second-year students, his deck was indeed quite comprehensive.
Dark did not underestimate him.
“TICK TACK!”
After both players shuffled their decks, the word “Standby Phase” appeared with a thirty-second countdown.
The duel began!
…
Since stepping onto the platform, there had been no communication between them.
The atmosphere was slightly tense, giving the impression of a full commitment.
“One, two, three, four, five.”
Dark quickly drew cards, spreading them out fan-like in his left hand.
The starting five mana spirit cards for the final match of the “Silver Cup”积分赛积分赛 entered his view.
[Deoxys]
[Primordial Dragon Egg]
[Pride IV]
[Nether Soul Ring]
[Magic Beast: Ibut]
The first mana spirit card drawn was the victory cat—Deoxys!
But he did not have the sacrifice needed to summon Deoxys… not exactly.
“Justin Wayne’s starting hand probably includes a three-star mana spirit. Using the Nether Soul Ring to detain it, combined with the one-star Magic Beast: Ibut, it can form a total of four-star sacrifice.”
“However, this is not the priority in the current hand.”
Dark’s gaze fell on the Primordial Dragon Egg.
Without hesitation, he picked out this mana spirit card.
Justin Wayne’s deck was strong, but his style differed from Sarah Swati’s, so Dark didn’t worry about falling into any traps after summoning the dragon egg.
Besides, this was just a starter summon…
“TICK TACK!”
Thirty seconds of thinking time ended, and the “Standby Phase” switched to “Battle Phase.”
Dark immediately began his usual summoning spell.
“In the name of Dark DiMont, Mana Summon—Primordial Dragon Egg!”
…
When this impressive giant dragon egg materialized from the summoning light, the shouts from the ring-shaped stands came to a sudden halt.
The second-year students from the Knight Academy, who had been cheering for Justin Wayne, involuntarily held their breath.
Three seconds for summoning, three seconds for hatching.
Everyone knew that this dragon egg would hatch into a powerful six-star dragon!
Facing the charging baby Blue-Eye Dragon, how would Justin Wayne defend?
…
But on the red competitor platform, Justin Wayne did not back down.
Just a few seconds behind Dark.
As soon as the dragon egg’s shell cracked open, Justin Wayne completed his starter summon.
“In the name of Justin Wayne, Mana Summon—Shield Knight!”
White light shone.
On the red summoning area, a heavily armored knight wielding a massive shield appeared!
This Shield Knight was imposing, with a shield over two meters long, standing like a wall in front of the red mana guidance ball!
A mere three-star mana spirit, the Shield Knight, gave the impression of being indestructible.
Justin Wayne tightly watched the hatched baby Blue-Eye Dragon, his second mana spirit card already in his fingertips.
He wasn’t sure if he could block Dark’s attack.
But a knight does not fear battle.
…
