Chapter 871: Son of the Stars – Dark Demon 4k
Pandora Dragon, since her second year, has consistently held the top spot among her peers.
Among her classmates, there were many who were talented and diligent, but none could shake her position.
Unbeknownst to her, she had become an unattainable flower in the eyes of male students, earning nicknames such as “Iron Wall of the Ball” and “Valentine’s Nightmare.”
However, this didn’t mean that male students had given up on pursuing her.
In fact, even within her fan clubs, there were plenty of males. High-ranking seniors with confidence in their appearance, family background, or abilities also kept an eye out for opportunities.
In this contestant’s lounge, there were quite a few individuals with such thoughts.
Among them, Luke Beck, a senior from the Fool’s Academy known as the “Dragon Slayer,” was one of the early ones to show his cards.
Another sixth-year student, Noah Sharp, known as the “Baron of the Night,” had also shown clear intentions, albeit he was currently not at the academy.
Noah Sharp, next to Pandora in terms of fame, was often seen as a good match by many.
There was a time when even Noah Sharp himself considered pursuing her romantically.
One Valentine’s Day, he impulsively sent Pandora a chocolate with a love letter attached.
Of course, he never received any response. His chocolate was lost among the sea of chocolates and likely ended up as material for some magic card.
Noah Sharp’s confession was relatively subtle, whereas Luke Beck was more direct.
On a whimsical weekend, he brought a rose to the library’s front desk and, in front of many people, declared his love for Pandora.
Although he was rejected just like others before him, his courage was still admirable.
…
With Noah Sharp and Luke Beck both having hit walls, almost no one believed anyone could win over the high-class flower during their school years.
But everything changed with the arrival of this person.
As Pandora herself put it, it was meeting the right person at the right time.
Even after acknowledging their relationship, Pandora and Dark rarely appeared together, and today’s natural and intimate behavior in front of everyone was rare.
Such sudden news was hard for those who had long admired her to accept.
Especially since the person she chose was a junior three years younger than her.
While age wasn’t a barrier to love, it always felt a bit off when the woman was significantly older than the man.
For those who didn’t want to see this development, this was a convenient excuse to convince themselves.
Luke Beck, in silence, swore to give Dark Demon a lesson!
He started praying that the three contestants ahead of him wouldn’t choose Dark Demon!
…
“What’s going on?”
Vini Scarlet, arriving just in time, curiously looked around the room.
Before she could express her curiosity, the staff from the Dueling Club rushed in.
The staff confirmed everyone’s presence and sighed in relief, guiding everyone toward the backstage area behind the podium.
Sixteen contestants entered the main event of the Golden Cup, each wearing neat uniforms with the Dueling Club badge, exuding the demeanor of top students.
Once they entered backstage, makeup artists quickly sprang into action, fixing their hair at an astonishing speed.
Of course, students usually managed their own grooming, so the makeup artists mainly focused on minor adjustments.
This backstage area was beneath the podium, shielded by a barrier; outsiders couldn’t see inside, but those inside could see out.
From here, one could observe the duelists’ performances best.
“Ding-dong.”
As the clock struck two, the music playing above the field suddenly changed, becoming intense. The initial performance of the opening ceremony was like a fireball, suddenly starting.
Judy, a graceful and noble female host in a golden dress, suddenly appeared in the backstage area.
She glanced inside, exchanged a few words with the staff, then signaled the familiar elemental spirit on her shoulder to use the instant teleportation technique.
Next moment, Judy appeared on the podium in the air, bowing gracefully to the audience and teachers in the circular seating area, and the global spectators.
The connection was established, and viewers from various branches of the academy could finally see the audience.
“Welcome to Saint Maryan Dueling Arena. After months of preliminaries, this year’s Golden Cup has finally reached the highly anticipated main event. Sixteen contestants have emerged from numerous participants and will bring you the most thrilling duels today.”
Judy maintained a radiant smile, making everyone feel at ease just by listening to her voice.
Both inside and outside the academy, the audience quieted down, exchanging whispers only.
Under Judy’s guidance, the opening ceremony quickly moved into the performance segment.
Students from related clubs took turns on stage, offering entertainment before the main event began.
During this half-hour performance, backstage staff actively rehearsed lines with the sixteen contestants.
Because after the performance, it was time for the contestants’ introductions.
Of course, aside from fixed lines, much depended on the contestants’ spontaneous actions.
To ensure smooth proceedings, staff informed contestants of potential questions beforehand, allowing them to prepare.
Most contestants, however, merely glanced at their materials and watched the performance, unconcerned.
If they needed to prepare for such trivial matters, they wouldn’t have made it this far.
At the end of the performance, two students from the Public Dueling Society performed a simulated Easter-themed aerial duel, drawing applause once more.
The Duke’s Mansion, despite its busy schedule, hadn’t forgotten to continue advancing the business established by the young master.
This year’s management had already shown great potential, with initial investments recouped and profits steadily increasing.
This Easter, preparations were underway for an Easter Duel Festival across the kingdom, to be held under the banner of the Public Dueling Society’s first anniversary.
Though short in duration, simulated duels were indeed becoming widespread.
With this new revenue stream, the Duke’s Mansion had more financial leeway.
But this was only the surface benefit.
The true significance of “popularizing” simulated duels ran deeper.
…
Five minutes later, the simulated duel performance ended. Judy finished her advertisement and continued, “Now, please welcome the sixteen contestants of the Golden Cup main event! First, the Knight Academy fourth-year student Mars Kerry, who entered as the sixteenth seed!”
“Finally, it’s starting!” The audience cheered from both inside and outside the arena.
Mars Kerry, standing in the backstage area, smiled and whispered, “It’s my turn!”
Mars Kerry had burst into the top sixteen as a dark horse in the last week of preliminaries, gaining significant popularity.
As he stood up, other contestants looked up.
Dark observed this unfamiliar fourth-year senior, Mars Kerry. Tall and broad-shouldered, his muscles strained against his sleeves, though his face was not rough, merely tanned, giving him a powerful yet elegant look.
As a fourth-year, making it to the top sixteen in the competitive Golden Cup proved his strength.
But rankings were relative. Being sixteenth meant he had the highest chance of being picked by the top contestants.
He might be eliminated today!
However, Mars Kerry seemed unconcerned, his eyes filled with confidence.
His confident entrance immediately caught the attention of the audience outside, intensifying the atmosphere.
“I remember, you were the fourteenth seed, right?” Pandora approached Dark and asked.
Dark nodded slightly, “That’s correct.”
“So it won’t be long before your turn.” Pandora smiled.
“Don’t fall before you meet me,” Pandora said.
Dark nodded seriously, “I’ll give it my all.”
His research on magic cards was just beginning, needing more time for initial results.
In a couple of weeks, his overall strength should improve noticeably.
Unfortunately, time waits for no one. He must face this challenging single-elimination tournament without any breakthroughs.
In this situation, he could only do his best.
…
Mars Kerry’s introduction and interview soon ended. The fifteenth contestant, guided by the staff, ascended the podium. Dark began preparing in advance.
Interviewed contestants waited behind the podium.
Once the fifteenth contestant joined, it was finally Dark Demon’s turn.
Dark stepped onto the elevator platform and slowly rose, stopping when it aligned with the podium, then walked forward.
Judy smiled and turned, saying, “Please welcome our fourteenth contestant, the much-anticipated rising star of tomorrow, the only second-year student in this Golden Cup main event—Dark Demon, the ‘Son of the Stars’ from the Noble Academy!”
“Son… of the stars?”
Dark’s originally composed steps nearly faltered.
He had no idea when he got this official nickname.
Although he knew someone liked calling him this, he thought it hadn’t spread.
“Could it be because of the ‘Star Elemental Cards’?”
This thought flashed through his mind, and Dark reluctantly accepted this slightly embarrassing but somewhat dignified title, walking towards Judy.
Judy smiled and handed him the microphone, asking, “Junior Demon, do you want to introduce yourself, or should I do it?”
Dark smiled, “Go ahead, Senior.”
Judy chuckled, “Since you asked, I, as a senior, have to step up. Although veteran viewers are already familiar with you, we need to consider new viewers. Yes, standing before you is the class president of the second year, the winner of the ‘Crimson Star,’ the ‘Golden Orange Star,’ the organizer of the Easter Duel Festival… the Saint Maryan treasure blessed by the stars, and my favorite duelist—Dark Demon!”
Instantly, thunderous applause erupted!
But amidst the roaring applause, Dark Demon’s expression darkened slightly, barely holding back his smile.
When the applause died down, Judy continued, “Personally, I believe Dark Demon’s life is destined to be legendary. This year’s Golden Cup is精彩内容未完待续。
