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

　"It's my first time competing under official rules, and I'm starting to get excited."

　……

　On the judging panel in venue number ①.

　Professor Fox strained his eyes, staring down for a long while before hesitantly pointing at someone and saying, "Is that Dark Deemon?"

　Professor Jones was taken aback for a moment, then said helplessly, "Professor Fox, I know a very good eyeglasses craftsman."

　Professor Fox immediately realized, "Okay, that's the future hero, I know. But what about the Valkyrie's son?"

　“Sit over there.” Professor Jones pointed to someone sandwiched between two girls.

　Fox blinked, making sure he wasn't mistaken about the length of the two men's hair, and then chuckled, "Oh ho, they're starting to resemble that kid from back then!"

　……

　【2-in-1 4000】

Chapter 233 Diligence is the Path to the Mountain of Books (4k)

　With the recruitment competition about to begin, more and more people are entering Arena 1.

　They avoided the initial peak hours, leaving space for those who needed it, before leisurely strolling in.

　"After watching so many high-level games, it's nice to occasionally see newbies pecking at each other."

　"I wonder how many first-year students will join the club this year? Last year was a dismal failure."

　"This year is clearly different. Look at those clubs over there; they're already pulling out all the stops to recruit people!"

　"They're really something, they always stake out people six months in advance."

　"That's called seizing the initiative! Will there still be stock left if we wait until next school year?"

　"Too!"

　……

　Those who merely watch the spectacle can never compare to those who actually get things done.

　All kinds of organizations are on high alert!

　To highlight the superiority of their clubs, every club intending to recruit new members held up signs covered with slogans high, as if afraid that potential first-year students wouldn't see them.

　But among all these big signs, the long-established literary society only had a small sign, and it was even upside down!

　"It's just a formality, don't worry about it."

　There were only two members in the literary society responsible for recruiting new members.

　One of them was Winnie Skadi, who was once invited to dance with the eldest princess at a Halloween ball.

　The other is Emma's dance partner at the Halloween ball—a third-year student named Helena Tracy!

　Winnie wears black-rimmed glasses, has long black hair, delicate features, and is quiet and intelligent. She is a book-loving girl who is always reading.

　Helena, on the other hand, is more spirited and stubborn, and often argues with Emma about literary issues.

　Of course, the more they argue, the closer they become, and the better their relationship gets.

　The literary society's main goal for this trip was to meet Sarah and Emma.

　One was from the Magic Academy, and the other from the Knight Academy.

　The two of them were each responsible for one.

　Helena was clearly full of confidence, her tone as if to say that Emma would join the literature club even if she paid Emma herself, as long as she opened her mouth.

　Winnie, on the other hand, was quite troubled, since she and Sarah were complete strangers.

　But the president's task had to be done!

　……

　The two arrived near court number 1 and saw a little girl with brown hair step onto the contestant's platform.

　"There it is!"

　Helena called out and quickened her pace.

　When she arrived at court number 1, she suddenly realized that Emma's opponent was a familiar third-year student!

　"Isn't that Angelia? What's she doing at the Duel Club's recruitment tournament?"

　Helena was stunned and completely disoriented.

　Winnie, who followed closely behind, thought for a moment and then said, "Let me think, she mentioned last semester that the books she wanted to read were getting more and more expensive..."

　Helena slapped her thigh and complained, "If you can't afford the books, just say so! You can just buy them when the club updates its library!"

　Winnie: "She doesn't like sharing a book with other people."

　Helena: "Women are so dramatic!"

　Winnie: "..."

　Helena: "Never mind, I'm actually quite curious about her abilities, but Emma might be in for a tough time."

　Winnie: "No pain, no gain."

　……

　St. Marian's school uniforms are basically the same in style, the difference being the school badge on the chest.

　In addition to the different designs of the school emblems for each college, the stripes below the emblems are also differentiated according to each grade level.

　First-grade uniforms have only one star, second-grade uniforms have two stars, and so on, so third-grade uniforms naturally have three stars.

　So when Angelia appeared, everyone could tell at a glance that she was a third-year student!

　"First graders versus third graders?"

　Exclamations of surprise rang out one after another.

　More people gathered there.

　The first-year students of the Knight Academy couldn't help but feel worried for Emma.

　Emma is their star player; losing in the first round wouldn't be something to laugh about.

　Many people were hoping to cheer Emma on at the outdoor dueling arena once she made it to the rookie tournament.

　It would be embarrassing if they were unexpectedly rejected.

　I'm afraid we'll be dominated by the Noble Academy for the rest of the semester.

　Therefore, when Emma stepped onto the red team's platform, she suddenly heard a unified cheer from below.

　She was slightly taken aback, then felt a little shy, and the initial flutter of excitement she felt for the third-year student suddenly disappeared.

　"Emma, ​​keep it up!"

　Emma patted her cheeks, her gaze suddenly sharpening.

　No matter who the opponent is, just give it your all!

　……

　"Wow, this kid has a really good attitude."

　Professor Fox, sitting on the judging panel, rubbed his eyes, somewhat surprised.

　“Emma Metis is also considered a grand-disciple of the Sage of Mystery.”

　Professor Jones made no attempt to hide his smugness.

　Although Emma's quick mental adjustment surprised her, she couldn't say it out loud.

　Emma's mindset probably wasn't this stable at the beginning of the semester.

　What changed her?

　……

　Outside the venue.

　Diana couldn't help but ask, "Can she win?"

　“I don’t know,” Dark shook his head. “It depends on her opponent.”

　If it were a poor student like Scott, then Emma would definitely have a chance.

　But if it's a top student like Betty, then it's uncertain!

　He didn't expect Emma to encounter a third-year student in the very first match, which should have been a low-probability event.

　But the current situation has also served as a wake-up call for him.

　Perhaps his opponent will also be an upperclassman.

　"If only that were true!"

　look forward to.

　……

　Dak raised his head slightly.

　The two contestants on the stage are communicating remotely using amplification devices.

　Emma greeted him very politely.

　Angelia simply replied, "Hurry up."

　Emma was momentarily speechless: "Uh..."

　Angelia seemed to realize her inappropriate words and actions, and added, "Let's talk next time."

　Emma: "Next time?"

　"Beep——"

　The referee blows the whistle.

　After the exchange between the two sides concluded, the countdown to the match began.

　Draw a card!

　……

　Watching a game from the sidelines is a completely different experience from being on the players' platform.

　Dak was completely focused.

　The huge projections of both players' tables had already been fully displayed directly in front of the players' tables.

　"Preparation Phase" [30 seconds]

　The above words are displayed directly above the card table.

　In the upper left corner, the current magic power value of the magic ball is displayed simultaneously—2000!

　魔导球的生命结界有五个级别，每一级对应的魔力值分为1000、2000、4000、8000、16000。

　This competition uses the rules for rookie tournaments, so the magic ball deploys a level two life barrier.

　"Although the rule changes are minor, they have a huge impact on the competition. I don't know if Emma can adapt."

　Dark's gaze drifted to the card slot on the lower right side of the card table.

　The card slot contained a whole stack of magic cards, which had already been "automatically shuffled".

　Next.

　Duelists will have 30 seconds to draw cards and strategize.

　View it from the audience's perspective.

　Emma draws cards faster than Angelia, but Angelia is clearly more relaxed.

　The 30-second thinking time passed in the blink of an eye.

　A soft "tick" sounded on the card table, and the words above instantly changed to:

　"Battle Phase" [30s]