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

　Diana's eyes widened, and she quickly said, "No way!" Dark shook his head and said, "The entire arena is materialized by arena magic. Some of the food stalls use a 'Food Card' system, and all the food sold there is edible. So, even if you're not qualified to enter the Blue Restaurant, you can find food outside. But since there are restaurants, those with enough points will likely prefer to eat there. Therefore, lunchtime and dinnertime will be key times for crowds to gather. At that time, we can do the opposite and specifically target those who are not qualified duelists."

　Of course, you should pick the softest persimmons.

　Dac wasn't that particular.

　To reliably obtain "divine essence," you need to find opponents you can consistently defeat.

　His trio with Diana and Aurora perfectly complements each other's weaknesses and can handle most opponents.

　The third round of the points competition will include "practical elements".

　However, according to the rules, contestants are not allowed to use any methods or means to attack other contestants outside of the duel.

　This rule is very strict; even attacks that do not cause any real harm to the opponent will be taken into account.

　Once it is judged as an "attack", points will be deducted directly.

　The points deducted will be returned to the venue as "airdrop gift boxes" during the second day of the competition.

　In short, there are many more such detailed rules.

　Players can basically only use auxiliary methods such as "escape", "pursuit", "stealth", and "break stealth".

　If you want to use methods other than these, you must bear the risk of being judged as an "attack".

　The specific judging criteria will only be known after someone tries it. "The first day of the competition is about accumulation; don't be too conservative." "There will be a sixty-second countdown after the competition begins." "The duels can only begin after sixty seconds." "We...we don't need to run."

　"We are not the ones who need to run."

　Even Diana's mind isn't entirely focused on food. Plus, with Rose acting as an external brain, her understanding of the game's rules is quite thorough.

　The meeting lasted only half an hour, and everything that needed to be said was said. Afterwards, the four said goodnight to each other and went their separate ways.

　I wash up at 9:00, go to bed at 9:30, and fall asleep at 10:00.

　When I woke up again, it was already the next morning. "Six o'clock sharp, eight hours of sleep, not bad."

　Dark glanced at the wall clock, then pulled Eevee and Sylveon off him and got out of bed to wash up.

　After he finished washing up, all the magical elves woke up, each one radiant and full of energy, clearly in their prime.

　Dark took out the magic cards, stored them one by one, and then slowly replenished his magic. A slightly chilly breeze blew in through the crack in the balcony window. He inhaled it, becoming even more awake.

　It's exactly 7 o'clock.

　After completing all his preparations, Dark put on his coat, pinned on his duel badge, strapped his card pack to his leg, and walked out of the dormitory alone.

　When he arrived at the common room, he saw Eluri Clarissa talking closely with Diana and Aurora.

　The four met up and left the tower.

　Upon arriving at the cafeteria, I met up with the other main contestants. Everything proceeded smoothly without any unexpected events.

　After finishing breakfast, the group of twelve left the cafeteria and entered the open-air duel arena.

　The interior of the duel arena is shrouded in a barrier, making it impossible to see inside from the outside, but it must be filled with tall buildings.

　The first day of the third round of the Academy Championship officially began.

Chapter 1289 The Era of Magic, Boiling Anticipation (4k)

　In the golden autumn of October, the sky is high and the clouds are light, and a gentle breeze is blowing.

　Viewers who had been following the show for two whole weeks couldn't wait to enter the venue.

　Despite the unbeatable atmosphere in the dueling arenas around the world, there was no delay in watching the matches, and the ability to interact with the competitors before and after the matches.

　But watching the game in a crowd outside the stadium has its own unique charm. Outside of formal settings, there's a greater degree of freedom, and you can see and encounter a wider variety of strange people and events.

　At least inside the duel arena, there was no sign of supporters of different fighters drawing their swords against each other because of the match results.

　A true "spectator" should not only watch the players in the game, but also the audience outside the game.

　The key is to remember not to become a mere spectator. "Is today the last day of the Academy Championship?" "Tomorrow is."

　"I have never followed a duel that spans such a long period of time before. It feels like watching an opera."

　"No, you've neither watched a duel nor seen an opera." "The first two rounds have been so exciting; I wonder what this round will be like!"

　"I don't know. I heard that this round of the competition will be unprecedented. The contestants will have to fight one-on-one in a huge arena that is like a simulated city... Oh no, just thinking about it is exciting!"

　"I really want to see my favorite player soon, everyone!"

　"I heard that once a contestant is eliminated, they can always be seen inside the red restaurant."

　"Have you guys read the rulebook for this third round?" "We've practically worn it out, bro!"

　"No matter what, our academy will definitely win the championship." "You don't look human at all."

　"What does individual strength matter? We're all about alliances and counter-alliances!" "Ha, we're all about sweeping everything in one click."

　Even earlier than the contestants, even earlier than the sun, countless viewers from all over mainland China had already secured their spots at various viewing locations.

　Never before in the entire world has there been a duel on the scale of a "global screening".

　From any perspective, this college competition was unprecedented.

　Even if more "globally watched" level duels follow, the significance of this inaugural Academy Championship can never be overshadowed.

　Even before the competition ended, "experts" from all walks of life were already analyzing the significance of this inaugural college championship.

　Since it was the first time the event was held, the organizers had no concept of the economic demand that a competition of this scale could generate, and they were also unable to effectively leverage the appeal of the competition to generate profits.

　Basically, they're losing money to gain publicity.

　The human and material resources required to host such a competition are unimaginable. Even in this increasingly prosperous era, only the Magic Alliance, which unites the high-ranking officials of various races, can afford the cost.

　Only with the Magic Alliance can such a competition, which covers all the major races, be held.

　The difficulty of organizing this was actually no less than that of the "Hundred Tribes Alliance" during wartime.

　What prompted the formation of the "Hundred Races Alliance" was a huge crisis that threatened to destroy the nation and its people.

　What prompted the formation of the "Magic Alliance" was not only the crisis, but also the huge profits that were foreseeable in the future.

　This year's college competition has great symbolic significance.

　After this competition ends, there will likely be even more races desperately trying to join the Magic Alliance.

　The Age of Magic: Exciting Anticipation!

　"There are never winners or losers in war, but this time, we will win." "Are you out of your mind? This isn't war."

　"Then what exactly is war?"

　Orcs and elves entered the dueling arena, laughing at each other.

　The dwarves and goblins fantasized about the magnificent sight of giant robots rampaging through the city.

　The long-lived species mingled with the sea creatures among the humans and subhumans, intently watching the competition that had not yet begun.

　Amidst disgust and pity, nobles and believers prepared a feast and prayed to God.

　The time is getting closer and closer to the 8 o'clock start time.

　In the open-air dueling arena of St. Marian College, students, professors, and staff members who were taking a rare break had already entered the circular area.

　The entire venue was filled with their discussions about the process and result of the match.

　After all, it was St. Marian Academy's home turf, and St. Marian Academy had an overwhelming number of supporters.

　This time, however, the substitute players, who were not part of the main competition teams, also unfurled banners in the circular stands and became cheerleaders.

　For no apparent reason, Duolong became the captain of the St. Mary's College cheerleading team, wearing a headband with the words "St. Mary's College will win" written on it, and personally raising the flag with the huge school emblem.

　He can't play today, but he'll still be fighting on the sidelines. Nearby are cheerleading squads made up of substitute players from other academies. There are eight cheerleading squads in total, vying for dominance.

　This made him feel the atmosphere of war.

　He licked his lips, becoming even more excited.

　A corner that no one notices.

　Russian "Golden Mermaid" Aisalia Patus, along with her "strategist" Dolores Stark, sneaked into the venue with several monsters.

　With the academy's approval, they were finally able to enter the open-air dueling arena openly and watch this unique duel match up close.

　In that unnoticed corner, they also took a step forward.

　Take a small step for yourself

　Capitals of various countries.

　Most of the high-ranking officials from various ethnic groups who sent their academies to participate in the competition were also present in this final round of the competition.

　They couldn't watch every single match like the kings of human kingdoms. But at least during the two days of matches that would decide the outcome, they had to.

　Even those who are indifferent to duels and cannot understand the organization of this competition still grit their teeth and come to watch the battle in order to better integrate into the community in the future.

　Whether we like it or not, this is the inevitable trend.

　Of course, the Kingdom Trio has also arrived at the Royal Capital Duel Hall today.

　However, things are different from before.

　This time, they did not enter the hidden box, but instead entered the audience as official members. Accompanying them were some high-ranking members of the Holy Church, members of the royal family, new and old nobles, as well as some commoner generals and industry leaders who were not nobles.

　This is a grand event. The old world is coming to an end. A new chapter is about to begin.

　……

　Welcome to St. Marian Academy!

　As the curtain was drawn back, spatial ripples appeared in the audience seating area of ​​the open-air duel arena, and projections of audience members from various locations appeared simultaneously as the spatial hub was activated.

　The already bustling venue was instantly engulfed by an even louder roar.

　All the audience members were unusually excited, and they could hardly contain their emotions.

　But what appeared before them was still an unactivated barrier. However, on the outer wall of that hemispherical barrier, the figure of the host, Judy, immediately appeared.

　Miss Judy was as elegant and beautiful as ever, with graceful bearing. But what was even more captivating was the image projection that appeared simultaneously on the outer wall of the barrier, rotating like a carousel. All the exciting moments from the start of the Academy Championship were being played on the barrier's outer wall in this film-like format.

　The audience members who had just connected to the venue were almost immediately drawn to the images.

　But the discussions and clamor didn't diminish at all; instead, they garnered even more exclamations and cheers.

　This was the opening ceremony for the final round of the Academy Championship. A grander opening ceremony than any music and dance performance.

　Players lounge.

　The twelve contestants from St. Mary's Academy had arrived long ago. In the final half hour before 8:00, they completed their final communication.

　While the communication may not seem to have much practical significance to Dark, it can at least increase the tacit understanding between the players once the competition officially begins.

　Although this third round of the points competition appears to be an individual competition, based on current analysis, it is actually more team-oriented than the team competitions of the first two rounds.

　Even in team competitions, individualism can still exist. At least among the upperclassmen, only Shrek Holmes and Marscare, whom he recruited, have plans to form a team together.

　"On the first day of the competition, there is a half-hour protection period for duels, so there is no concern about acting alone."

　This is largely what they were thinking. And that is indeed the case.

　Among the senior students in the main competition at St. Marian Academy, apart from Sherlock Holmes, they were all accustomed to being alone.

　Teamwork actually slows them down. The lower grades are in an awkward position.

　Vittoria and Emma from the Knights' Academy were teamed up by Shrek. Aurora and Diana from the Nobles' Academy were going to team up with Dark. This resulted in Sarah from the Nobles' Academy being left alone. "Then come with us!"

　With a wave of his hand, Shrek Holmes took on all the responsibilities.

　Sarah glanced at Dak, and seeing that he didn't move, she readily agreed.

　Although slightly disappointed, she could generally grasp Dark's thoughts.

　Aurora and Diana, who formed a strong trio with Dark, were indeed the two who performed best in the lower grades.

　But compared to Dark himself, Aurora and Diana are nothing.

　The so-called "complementary deficiency" is actually completely unequal when you put the "deficiencies" on both sides on the scale.

　Ultimately, Dark simply chose two of his closest friends. "What a pity."

　Sarah murmured softly and sat down next to Emma.

　Meanwhile, in the rest of the players' lounge.