Chapter 879: Pre-wishing for a Long and Happy Life Together
“He actually gave you his blessing!”
Eluria Clarissa couldn’t help but cover her mouth, exclaiming in surprise.
Pandora couldn’t resist teasing, “What do you think about Silas Andy’s blessing?”
Dark’s expression darkened slightly as he said, “I feel like I’ve been cursed.”
Judy really went overboard.
She was still trying to pile on after someone had already been eliminated. Didn’t she fear encountering a ghost when she goes out at night?
Fortunately, he had won in the first round of single-elimination matches. Otherwise, he would be the one scratching his feet on stage now!
While thinking this, Dark suddenly felt a stir in his heart and glanced at the nearby Eluria Senior.
The second match tonight would be between Eluria Senior and Pandora Senior.
Why is Eluria Senior still smiling?
…
The loser interview segment finally came to an end.
Silas Andy almost ran away from the audience’s sight.
He didn’t return to the “backstage arena” or even stop by the contestants’ lounge. He likely rushed back to the dormitory to lick his wounds in some unseen corner.
Though he left, the joy he brought to the audience will never fade.
…
Afterwards, there were still twenty minutes before the next match began.
Dark and Pandora Senior planned to stay in this “backstage arena” to watch the match up close.
However, Eluria Clarissa left alone after watching Dark’s duel, as she had said she would.
She wanted to return to her dormitory and prepare in advance for facing Pandora!
Originally, Eluria’s goal in participating in the Golden Cup was to win the championship. To achieve that, she needed to eliminate the top contender—Pandora Dragon.
Therefore, Eluria had done extensive research on how to defeat Pandora.
Now, it was just a matter of advancing to the finals early.
If she couldn’t defeat Pandora with a complete attribute advantage and thorough preparation, then winning the championship would be nothing more than a pipe dream.
Eluria Clarissa wasn’t nervous.
Even if she lost, as long as she gave it her all, she would have no regrets.
…
After Eluria Clarissa left, Pandora Senior, who had always seemed confident, immediately set up a barrier and began studying her deck and planning tactics.
Of course, Pandora couldn’t truly underestimate Eluria.
She treated enemies with disdain strategically and with respect tactically.
This was her approach.
To avoid disturbing her, Dark proactively distanced himself and sat aside, carefully reflecting on the previous duel and analyzing it post-match.
One cannot succeed without talent, but effort is equally important.
His success today was closely tied to the good habits cultivated early on.
…
Twenty minutes later, the fourth match began!
Pandora temporarily paused her studies and watched alongside Dark.
The contestants in this match were Luke Beck, a sixth-year student from the Fool’s Academy known as the “Dragon Slayer,” and Matthew Billbrom, another sixth-year student from the Fool’s Academy called the “Power Attacker.”
Matthew Billbrom ranked twelfth in the preliminary rounds and was one of only two sixth-year students in the main event of the Golden Cup.
But with three previous duels as context, the audience no longer believed that upperclassmen were inherently stronger or that higher-ranked players were necessarily better.
Yet, the disparity between Luke Beck and Matthew Billbrom was glaringly obvious!
This significant gap was vividly displayed during the fourth match of the main event.
Luke Beck secured a massive victory!
Afterward, he sneered coldly toward the “backstage arena” and left the stage.
He clearly had something to say, but unfortunately, this interview was for the loser.
In contrast,
Matthew Billbrom was reduced to a mere background figure.
He reluctantly answered Judy’s questions with a blank expression.
Then, the afternoon session of dueling finally ended.
Audience members began to rise and head to the cafeteria for meals.
Students and teachers from Saint Maryann Academy also flocked to the cafeteria. Some chose to dine at Traveler’s Street instead.
There was ample time between the afternoon and evening sessions, so they didn’t need to rush too much.
As Dark and Pandora Senior chatted happily in the cafeteria, they suddenly remembered their role as guides and turned their heads, searching for Evan Pearson.
“What are you looking for?” Pandora asked curiously.
Dark turned around and smiled, “The Saint Son.”
“The Saint Son?” Pandora couldn’t help but furrow her brows, “The exchange student?”
Dark nodded, “Yes, the exchange student from the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints.”
Pandora fell silent for a moment, then said, “I really want to see what the Saints’ so-called Saint Son looks like.”
Dark paused and replied, “Maybe it’s better not to. It might shatter your illusions.”
Pandora blinked, her mood slightly improving, “What illusions could I possibly have?”
Dark took a bite of steak and said, “Archbishop Caleb Norris has arrived. Although Professor Shylph should have notified him, it’s best to remind Aunt Hephaestus not to be overly active recently.”
Pandora nodded, “I’ll go remind her.”
Dark nodded again, “That should be fine. The Saints should already know about Aunt Hephaestus being in the academy. As long as there isn’t any conflict, they wouldn’t seek trouble unnecessarily. Instead, we need to hide Ophelia as much as possible.”
Pandora said, “Why? Shouldn’t that side be safer? Ophelia Brad’s existence means the Saints’ secret is already in our hands. That’s not something good to talk about openly. They can’t be without reservations.”
Dark shook his head, “If that matter escalates, even the Saints might find themselves in a difficult position.”
Pandora suddenly realized, “Indeed.”
For both the Saints and humanity as a whole, the death of the Demon King was a critical matter that had to be buried.
If everyone believed the Demon King was dead, but news emerged that someone still carried the Demon King’s blood, how would things develop?
Moreover, the Saints didn’t know and couldn’t know that Ophelia Brad’s demonic lineage had been completely eradicated.
—Now, only Wit Gold possessed the pure bloodline of the Undying Demon King.
For the Saints, they could turn a blind eye to the Hero’s Child, but they couldn’t remain indifferent to Ophelia Brad after public opinion fermented.
At that point, even if they weren’t willing, they might be forced into a direct conflict with Saint Maryann Academy.
This was the trend of the times.
Dark spun the fork in his hand and suddenly looked sideways, saying, “Look over there.”
Pandora followed his gaze and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Is that Saint Son Evan Pearson?”
Dark nodded slightly.
Evan Pearson was naturally mingling with Edwin Clarissa and others.
Though Dark didn’t know how they became acquainted, he was glad someone was keeping an eye on the Saint Son.
Just as he pondered this, his eyebrows twitched, and he looked at Pandora Senior.
Suddenly, a golden-red flash flickered in Pandora Senior’s eyes!
It was the True Dragon’s Eye!
Pandora’s golden-red flash vanished instantly, and she quickly returned to her usual demeanor.
Dark picked up “An Actor’s Self-Cultivation” and cooperated, “What did you see?”
Pandora Dragon whispered, “He has problems.”
Dark understood and didn’t ask further.
Meanwhile, Saint Son Evan Pearson turned his head sharply, sensing something.
Beside him, Guardian Knight Tom Smith warned, “What’s wrong?”
Evan Pearson observed for a while and shook his head, “Just saw our guide. Sitting with him is the ‘Silver Dragon Lady’ introduced during the opening ceremony, right?”
Tom Smith nodded slightly, “Should be.”
Edwin Clarissa heard their conversation and smiled, “That’s Pandora Dragon, our librarian. She and Dark get along well.”
“Librarian?” Evan Pearson pondered for a moment and suddenly said, “She’s half-dragon?”
Edwin Clarissa’s gaze flickered, whispering, “Your Highness, good eyesight.”
Evan Pearson nodded, maintaining his aloof demeanor, concealing his inner thoughts.
…
Ten minutes later, the meal ended.
Dark and Pandora Senior left the cafeteria together.
They didn’t head straight to the outdoor duel arena but first went to Dark’s office.
Both entered and locked the door behind them.
Dark asked, “Can you speak now?”
Pandora walked to the sofa and lounged lazily, pointing to the teapot on the table.
Dark chuckled helplessly and served a cup of after-dinner tea.
Pandora then said, “I saw traces of mixed energies within that guy.”
Dark’s heart stirred, “What kind of energy?”
Pandora said, “First, sacred light, which should be sacredized light attribute mana. Second, similarly sacred but sharper, I’ve seen it in Wit Gold, likely the power of a hero’s bloodline. Third… I’m not sure.”
Dark frowned slightly and asked, “Can you describe it as much as possible?”
Pandora said, “My True Dragon’s Eye isn’t as powerful as a true dragon, so many things aren’t clear. However, the third energy feels somewhat similar to what I sensed from Vini Scarlet.”
Dark, “Vini Senior?”
Pandora glanced at him and corrected, “Scarlet!”
“Alright.” Dark laughed, “When it comes to Senior Scarlet, the first thing that comes to mind is the Sage lineage, right? Can I consider that related to Sage powers?”
Pandora wasn’t quite sure, “Isn’t Sage a title for learned individuals?”
Dark said, “Generally yes, but I heard from Claire that some Sage titles can be inherited. Since they can be inherited, the powers associated with them might have special characteristics.”
Pandora said, “Perhaps. Anyway, the Saint Son’s internal energies are not limited to these three. I originally thought the Saint Son’s power would be very pure, but it turns out different from what I imagined.”
Dark thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps we shouldn’t judge too soon. Tonight, we can go to the library.”
Pandora asked, “Is there anything there?”
Dark said, “Saint Maiden Audrey Jeane is in the library. We can compare her internal energies with those of the Saint Son.”
Pandora agreed, “Indeed. A single example can’t be taken as a standard.”
Dark laughed, “Evan Pearson, as the only selected Saint Son by the Saints in over a decade, might have his own unique traits.”
Pandora said, “I wonder why the academy is hosting this exchange learning activity.”
Dark said, “Everyone benefits from it.”
…
The evening session of the tournament opened with a duel between Philomena Bach, the deputy leader of the Astrology Club and a fourth-year student from the Fool’s Academy, and Marshall Wayne, a fourth-year student from the Knight Academy. The match began under the brilliant starlight.
Sated audience members had returned to their seats, listening to elegant music and eagerly awaiting the start of the fifth match.
Many more were hoping for the fifth match to end quickly—they were more interested in watching the sixth match, the duel between the “Silver Dragon Lady” and the “Fairy Princess”!
Accompanying Pandora Senior to the “backstage arena” near the duel场地, Dark saw several contestants who would be appearing that evening.
Perhaps due to the upset in the afternoon session, the atmosphere among the contestants was very tense—though Dark suspected this was influenced by the loser interviews.
After all, no one wants to be publicly humiliated after losing!
That would be too tragic!
…
“It’s about to start. Who do you think will win?” Pandora asked.
Dark casually replied, “Philomena Bach. I’ve experienced the Astrology Club’s strength.”
Pandora said, “Fiete Stemberg’s Star Summoning Spell? That’s not an easy technique to master.”
Dark laughed, “Then I’ll root for Marshall Wayne.”
Pandora poked his head, “You’re such a fence-sitter.”
Dark laughed, “I sway with the wind.”
“Right off the bat, you two are flirting. Could you consider the feelings of us single people?”
Eluria Clarissa, who arrived a bit late, couldn’t help but shake her head.
Pandora was surprised, “I thought you’d take another thirty minutes.”
Eluria Clarissa said, “Scared?”
Pandora said, “You still have thirty minutes to prepare. Remember to say the blessing you’ve been thinking about for hours. I appreciate it.”
Eluria Clarissa sat beside her and said, “I’ll wish you a long and happy life together.”
…
…
[Please vote for the moon ticket. I’ll stay up all night to update.]
