The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　The more they discussed it, the stronger their competitive spirit became.

　If the goal is to fight seven opponents alone, then there's no point in avoiding the strong and hunting down the weak.

　Regardless of strength or weakness, all are treated equally and hunted down. This is what it means to be a hunter at the top of the food chain!

　After establishing their unwavering confidence in victory, they rediscovered their original purpose. The academy competition was merely a shell to attract "divine influence," and they shouldn't put the cart before the horse.

　Every contestant from St. Mary's Academy starts with nine badges. In a conservative sense, this is just enough for a ticket to the Blue Restaurant. But from another perspective, having nine badges means having eight lives in the first day's one-bet competition, allowing you to lose eight times in a row!

　No need to look at the schedule, no need to wait, just go for it, win or lose, you'll have at least eight chances.

　A contestant who has just accepted a duel challenge has the right to refuse the duel for the next thirty minutes.

　But that doesn't mean the other party will necessarily refuse.

　If it's about the underdog overcoming the stronger opponent on paper, then probably no one would refuse.

　After all, the duel is the core, and victory or defeat is just a facade.

　With so many contestants from eight colleges, it was already...

　They have gathered here in order to fight on this grand stage.

　“In that case, let’s settle on this for now,” Senior Pandora said, taking into account everyone’s opinions. “Those who want to be escorted, and those who want to be escorted, can contact Shrek Holmes. As for the rest, do as you see fit.”

　In the end, the discussion turned out like this again. The students split up and adapted to the situation.

　Apart from the "escort team" led by Shrek Holmes, the other contestants are free to act as they please.

　In short, no tactics are the best tactics.

　After the general strategy is formulated, the next step is to refine it to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each main contestant.

　Now that the competition has progressed to this point, almost all the main contestants have already competed. Through post-competition analysis, we can identify the strengths and weaknesses of some contestants. By finding ways to avoid their strengths and attack their weaknesses, it may be possible to achieve a remarkable upset.

　Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that some players are still holding back. After all, the three-round format was set from the beginning, and some people will always be saving their trump cards for the final round to decide the outcome.

　Only at this point did they reveal their true intentions.

　It's even possible that they'll save their trump cards for the more crucial second day of the competition.

　In short, we must not be careless and should be cautious.

　At 8 p.m., the discussion that had started in the afternoon finally came to an end, and everyone crowded together to head to the cafeteria.

　The cafeteria was nearly empty at this time of day—as it should have been. But as soon as they entered, they found teams from three different colleges gathered in a corner of the cafeteria.

　Those were none other than the War Totem Academy, the Public Magic Academy, and the Elf Magic Academy!

　"What is this? Huddling together for warmth?" Shrek asked in surprise.

　“I can accept a merger between the War Totem Academy and the Public Magic Academy, or even between the Elf Magic Academy and the Public Magic Academy. But what kind of nonsense is this, elves and orcs eating at the same table?” Doron muttered.

　“Not necessarily. Look, the public magic academy is located between those two academies. Perhaps the goblins and dwarves are in cahoots,” Sarah said…

　[Oh no! For some unknown reason, some of the data is corrupted or lost, and I need to reorganize it all. I burst into tears. My hands were already ruined (;A^).]

Chapter 1288 Academy Showdown: Points are King (4k)

　Elves, dwarves, goblins, and orcs.

　These four races are considered orthodox "great races" throughout the entire history of demi-humans.

　However, the nature of these relationships varies across different periods. Although humans habitually refer to these races collectively as "sub-humans," those within these sub-humans do not necessarily consider themselves to belong to the same race as other sub-humans.

　This is completely different from the ethnic relationships within human beings.

　Just like in the eyes of the elves, orcs, dwarves, goblins and humans are all "other races" and are essentially no different.

　Even if they occasionally define themselves as "subhuman", it is only out of self-interest.

　In most cases, it is only because humans are dominant that they need to unite with other sub-human races in order to fight against humans on an equal footing.

　If the dominant race is the orcs or elves, they would never consider themselves and other demi-human races as a single large race.

　However, throughout history, humans have generally held the dominant position.

　Therefore, subhuman races such as elves, dwarves, goblins, and orcs actually have a wealth of experience in alliances.

　Although they don't get along now, they have no personal feelings when it comes to interests.

　If dwarves and goblins actively unite, even elves and orcs might have the potential to join forces against a common enemy.

　Of course, given the current environment, their cooperation is definitely not going to be made public.

　Most likely, it's just some meaningless agreement.

　Although the students from St. Mary's Academy kept glancing over there, they certainly didn't care much.

　They were mostly out of curiosity about how dwarves and goblins could bring together two races that were mortal enemies just yesterday to sit at the same table.

　"How about we send someone to investigate?" Mars Carey said eagerly. "That's a very good idea," Shrek Holmes said. "I recommend someone, you go, Mars."

　"Oh, hehe." Mars immediately lowered his head and started eating. He wasn't that stupid; the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

　"Anyway, it seems tomorrow's match won't be boring." Pandora slowly and methodically cut the steak on her plate like a lady, which made Dark laugh.

　But the moment he raised the corners of his mouth in a smile, he was met with a fierce glare from his senior.

　He then casually chimed in, "Since even the elves and orcs are already secretly colluding, the other academies are even more likely to follow suit. We'd better assume they've all united."

　As soon as he finished speaking, Winnie Skadi looked up and said, "Actually, I think that a group like the Sky Magic Academy and the Ocean Magic Academy are less likely to unite than the Elf and Orc races."

　Pandora said, "Complete cooperation is definitely impossible, but reaching one or two simple agreements, such as not going to war with each other, is more likely."

　Gina Grant nodded and said, "Perhaps it's just a preliminary agreement."

　“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Elurly Clarissa said. “If I were in their shoes, I would also try to unite and fight together. If we have to blame someone, it’s because we’re too strong. In a normal match, they simply can’t imagine a victory, so of course they can only resort to underhanded tactics.”

　Everyone nodded in agreement, not rejecting the notion that "we are too strong."

　"actually……"

　But then Darke laughed and said, "If you just want to improve your ranking, shouldn't you team up with us? That would be more efficient."

　This is clearly another completely different line of thinking.

　As everyone heard this, images naturally formed in their minds.

　Partnering with St. Mary's College is indeed a shortcut to improving rankings.

　After all, the rules of this round of points competition include the concept of "elimination".

　Apart from St. Marian's College, the other colleges do not have many badges in each person's possession.

　If we can find a way to eliminate some of the threatening players during the first day of the competition.

　The remaining colleges naturally achieved excellent results, second only to St. Marian College.

　This situation is not hard to come up with if you open your mind.

　But as of now, there's been no sign of them, and no one has come forward to propose a joint effort.

　I don't know if it's a fixed mindset or some other reason.

　Or perhaps, the time simply hasn't come yet.

　After dinner, the students from St. Marian Academy dispersed. After saying goodnight to Senior Sister Pandora, Dark gathered a few students from the Noble Academy and headed to the tower together.

　There's still plenty of time in the evening.

　There will be smaller meetings after the main conference.

　But as soon as they entered the House of Nobles tower, they heard cheers and then colorful confetti rained down from the sky.

　What are they doing?

　Dak laughed as he brushed the colorful confetti off his head.

　Pistan Kellogg walked over with a smug grin: "Isn't this a rehearsal for Victory Day?"

　Upon hearing this, Dak clicked his tongue in amazement.

　Everyone says that opening champagne at halftime is a bad idea, but Pistan didn't even wait until halftime and just opened a champagne bottle right away.

　If we lose in the end, wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing?

　Dak himself didn't think much of it, but he was used to thinking from an outsider's perspective, and he felt that Pi...

　Stan's behavior was unacceptable; it was clearly putting pressure on the athletes.

　If a contestant's mental fortitude isn't strong enough, they might suffer from insomnia tonight due to excessive pressure, and then tomorrow, due to insomnia and nervousness, they might underperform and be eliminated on the spot.

　The first person to criticize a player might just be the first to open a bottle of champagne.

　"Hey Pistan, why didn't you invite me to the early celebration? Has our relationship already become so strained in just a few days?"

　"What are you saying? Duolong, aren't you a contestant?" "What contestant? I'm just a substitute."

　"A substitute is still a player, and I'd love to see you in the exhibition matches over the next two days!"

　“There’s no day after tomorrow, Pistan. Tomorrow morning’s opening match is the final exhibition match, and besides, I didn’t sign up.”

　"Oh, that's a real shame. In that case, from this moment forward, you are officially reinstated as the captain of the St. Marian Academy cheerleading team!"

　"Thanks."

　Doron put his arm around Pistan's shoulder, secretly glanced at Dark and the others, blinked, and revealed a mischievous smile.

　Dak shook his head helplessly and led everyone through the common room and into the corridor.

　The meeting was to be held in room 401, which was Dak's own bedroom. The only attendees were Diana, Aurora, and Rose. Rose was just there as a side guest.

　Among the lower-grade contestants, only three are from the Noble Academy. Dark gathered them together, already preparing for their collaboration the next day. In short, a new trio is about to be born.

　Just like how every girls' dormitory has countless group chats, Shrek Holmes on the other side has also gathered several contestants for a small meeting in the Knights' dormitory.

　The "escort team" he assembled also included fifth-grader Marscare, third-grader Witgold, and fellow third-grader Emma Metis.

　Emma didn't want to participate; her original plan was to team up with Sarah, and then see how things went.

　But she was a student at the Knights House, and thus could not escape the clutches of Shrek Holmes.

　Thus, the plan for two upperclassmen to escort two lowerclassmen to the Blue Restaurant was formed.

　Now that the team is already formed, Emma can only use it as a basis to re-analyze the situation.

　She was very aware that she was currently at the bottom of the team.

　Although this word should have been forever out of her reach.

　But that's reality, and we have no choice but to face it.

　Compared to the first two rounds, the third round of the points competition has more "practical elements".

　She was never good at actual combat to begin with, and the new dueling rules have left her struggling. With the addition of "real combat elements" in this third round of the points tournament, her room for maneuver will naturally be further compressed.

　The same situation can be seen in Sarah's case. Both of them are in an awkward transitional period. That's why Emma wants to partner with Sarah.

　She is not one to be subservient to others.

　It was precisely because her situation was similar to Sarah's that they had a basis for being partners.

　But now it seems we have no choice but to give up.

　This time, we'll be following senior Sherlock Holmes on this mission. If we're lucky, we'll be able to cross most of the area and enter the Blue Restaurant.

　She could stand in the safe zone, observe the entire area, and plan her move carefully. This choice wasn't bad.

　……

　"The venue setup for the third round of the qualifying tournament was just a simple diagram, which was cut out from a promotional poster."

　Dark summoned the "Magical Secretary" and displayed the simple diagram. Diana and Aurora, of course, had already seen it before.

　Dark said, "Although we're not taking the escort route, it's still quite important to remember the restaurant's location. After all, the match runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and both lunch and dinner will be taken in the restaurant. Moreover, entering the restaurant at crucial moments can help avoid danger. After a long duel, a safe place to rest is also needed."

　"Wait a minute." Diana's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "Is that restaurant really a restaurant?"

　Dark said, "Of course it's true."

　Aurora continued, "The third round of the Academy Championship is essentially a preview of the World Duel Challenge. And the stage for the World Duel Challenge is the entire Free City. So tomorrow's competition venue will be a simulated urban area. But apart from the red and blue restaurants, there shouldn't be any real NPCs."

　“Oh,” Diana replied casually.

　But anyone with eyes could see that she was definitely up to no good. Dark said, "If you want to join Senior Holmes's escort team, I can pass on the message."