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

　In short, anyone who makes it through the preliminaries is a "Duel King." This is an extremely high honor for any participant.

　One can imagine how intense the preliminary rounds will be. With this new format, the number of mages aiming solely for the main tournament should increase dramatically. After all, there's only one champion, but sixteen "Duel Kings." This instantly increases the probability of winning the "Duel King" title by sixteen times.

　Finally, there's the reward.

　The rewards for this World Cup are very generous.

　Anyone who makes it through the preliminary rounds will receive a medal and a prize. And if they make it to the main competition, everyone will receive a trophy.

　The names of all sixteen contestants will be engraved on the giant trophy already built in Duel City.

　Each subsequent World Cup Duel Challenge will also feature a giant trophy, engraved with the names of the sixteen "Duel Kings" according to their ranking. And the prizes, in addition to the trophy, will naturally be even more valuable.

　However, the rulebook doesn't mention "God's Gift." After all, Principal Arte isn't sure how many people will receive it.

　Therefore, "Gift of the Gods" can only exist as a "hidden reward" that is currently circulating outside the area.

　After reading the entire rulebook, Darko finally had a detailed understanding of the rules for this World Cup.

　He pondered for a moment, thinking that since there were a full sixteen spots, perhaps he... wasn't without hope.

　"However, whether there is hope or not is one thing, and whether you have good luck or not is another."

　"The qualifiers are a single-elimination tournament. If you're unlucky and run into a strong champion, it's not impossible to be eliminated in the first round of the qualifiers."

　"Fine, if we really do run into them, we can just say we lost to the champion—"

　"The current goal is still to select the finalists through open auditions."

　"The preliminary selection uses a points system, which has a relatively high margin for error."

　"In any case, we must make it through the preliminary rounds and enter the Alliance Duel Arena."

　"Although this preliminary city points competition is modeled after the academy championship, the overall rules have been greatly simplified."

　"First, the 'duel time' is completely eliminated." "No doubling down, no risking your life." "As for the specific rules..."

　"Each contestant will receive ten points upon entry." "There will be a ten-minute break after each duel." "Contestants have the right to refuse duel invitations during these ten minutes."

　"Duel partners who have already fought once may not engage in a second duel."

　"These are all basic rules."

　"In addition to this, there is a new special rule."

　"Of the ten points a contestant receives upon entry, three are special points."

　"These three points will be marked with a red dot on the points card."

　"When a contestant has only three red dots left in their score, they also have the right to refuse the duel!"

　"The three red dots represent the last three lives."

　"Participants must carefully choose their final duel opponent, or they will face elimination with zero points."

　"In addition, each time you lose a point, you lose one of these three red dots, and they will not be restored as your score increases."

　"Once you've lost all three lives, you have to leave the game early."

　This special rule is quite amazing to Dark, as it makes the "City Showdown" model even more perfect.

　It is said that this rule was devised by Principal Arte all by himself.

　It is expected that similar "city duels" will likely follow this set of rules in the future.

　It is very effective in preventing players from being targeted and eliminated directly, and is a protective measure for individual players.

　After all, the purpose of the preliminary selection is to select 128 preliminary contestants, not to directly select the champion.

　Even if a contestant has 127 opponents he can't beat, he can still advance as the 128th ranked contestant.

　When Dark was involved in setting the rules for the Academy Championship, he had considered this aspect, which is why "player rest time" exists.

　But that match ultimately turned into a hunt for the weak by the strong. That's not what they wanted to see in this World Cup qualifier.

　After reading the rules, I set the goals for this competition.

　Dark refreshed himself and prepared to continue his last-minute cramming. He had used his stockpile of materials to craft a considerable number of magic cards the previous day.

　There are also quite a few new Magical Spirit cards, but they are all based on "Elysium".

　This can be considered an update to the card pool.

　This World Cup Duel Challenge will start from the preliminary rounds, with numerous duels, so he can't use his usual deck in every match.

　In magical duels, concealing trump cards and tactics is always the key to victory.

　The key is to avoid being targeted.

　Once someone sees through your hand and targets you specifically, you'll be at a disadvantage in every aspect of the duel.

　While the preliminary rounds aren't crucial, the qualifiers are a do-or-die situation; to advance to the top 16, you have to win every single match.

　Therefore, his plan for today was to continue refining magic cards. However, unlike yesterday, today's focus was on "mystical cards".

　Borrow the "dream machine" from Professor Harvey, enter the secret passage, and transform the esoteric ideas from the learning process into practice.

　Then, one after another, "Mystic Cards," some useful and some useless, were produced.

　The entire refining process didn't end until 8 PM.

　After returning the "Dream Machine," Dak went back to the Tower of the House of Nobles to attend the "Swearing-in Ceremony."

　The so-called "pledge rally" is a meeting to cheer on the students of the aristocratic college who are participating in the World Cup.

　The organizer was the president of the Noble History Research Club, who is now a sixth-year student named Edwin Clarissa.

　As graduation approaches, Senior Ed has not yet relinquished his position as club president. It's unclear whether he truly cannot find a suitable successor or if there are other reasons.

　In short, his leadership abilities are undeniable.

　Tonight's "pledge rally" was unique and very lively.

　During the party, Dak finally learned who in the House of Nobles had signed up for this year's World Cup Duel Challenge.

　First, there's the second grade.

　Besides Aurora, who is confirmed to be attending, there are only two little princesses, Anna and Angie.

　But Dak could tell from their expressions that they didn't care about this World Cup at all.

　They were most likely forced to participate on the king's orders. While they verbally obeyed, they probably viewed the competition as a vacation.

　Then comes the third grade.

　Besides Dark himself, there was only Diana and Rose... oh, and Doron.

　The other outstanding students in the third-year academy did not choose to participate.

　Doron originally didn't want to participate either.

　Although he gained some experience in extracurricular activities, he felt that his abilities were still insufficient, and even if he participated in the competition, he would only be a fish in the preliminary selection.

　However, the mage he encountered during his extracurricular exploration of the ruins—Malakiforn—made it clear that he wanted to participate in this World Cup.

　He then thought of meeting her again—not because Heidi was going too!

　In short, the focus for second and third graders is mainly on gaining experience.

　They signed up for the World Cup without ever thinking about qualifying through the open qualifiers.

　Aurora's participation was also partly due to the fact that the World Cup was being held in Liberty City.

　As the young city lord, even if she didn't participate in the competition, she still had to go to the City of Freedom, so she simply signed up.

　After the second and third grades comes the fourth grade.

　The fourth year of the Noble Academy was arguably the weakest class overall. Only Mary Bond and Elsie Kevin had signed up for the World Cup this time.

　Their focus was also on gaining experience. Then came the fifth grade.

　There were slightly more fifth-graders participating; besides Snake Harriman, whom Dark knew well, several others had also signed up. There were even more sixth-graders, including Eluri Clarissa.

　To see the big picture from small details.

　The participation of the Noble Academy can basically give a sense of the overall participation of the entire academy.

　There are more participants from fifth and sixth grade. They are also quite confident about advancing from the preliminary rounds.

　Students below fifth grade mostly focus on gaining experience, and some also have the idea of ​​accumulating experience for the next World Cup.

　Dark quietly inquired with Doron and discovered that he hadn't even mastered the "character cards" for the third and fourth tiers.

　—Forget about making it through the preliminary rounds, even if he were incredibly lucky and managed to get into the preliminaries, he still wouldn't qualify for the competition!

　Unless he can refine the third-tier "character card" during his day off.

　When faced with Dak's earnest questioning, Doron simply chuckled and said, "There are no ifs."

　Dark couldn't help but sigh, "Cowardice before the battle even begins! Cowardice before the battle even begins!" Doron punched him on the shoulder, "It's up to you now." Dark shook his head slightly and said, "I'll see."

　Actually, there was another third-year student from the Noble House who also signed up for the World Cup. That was Ergani, who was temporarily registered.

　The "pledge rally" didn't end until 10:30 p.m.

　After saying goodbye to Aurora, Diana, and the others, Dak returned to his dormitory to make final preparations for his trip.

　After that came washing up, practicing meditation, and sleeping.

　Silent all night.

　Although some people were too excited to sleep, Dak slept soundly.

　Although the World Cup is a grand event, this kind of pure competition, which has nothing to do with "life-or-death crises," can no longer make him feel nervous.

　He slept soundly.

　The alarm clock rang precisely at five o'clock in the morning.

　He spent half an hour washing up, getting dressed, and tidying himself up before pulling his suitcase out of the dormitory.

　The catnip and other plants in his room were naturally well cared for by the maids. The "magical creatures" of the Magical Creatures Club were also looked after by his senior, so he didn't need to worry about them.

　All he needed to do was take the little Guhuoniao away.

　When Dak arrived at the clubroom to pick up Little Bird, the latter was still fast asleep.

　Beside it is the "Thunder Chick" being used as a cushion, and on its head is a "Flower Fairy".

　That "flower fairy" that came with "Shami". When "Shami" is not around, it basically stays on the little Guhuoniao's head.

　After thinking for a moment, Dak also brought "Thunder Chicken" and "Flower Fairy" along.

　Once he arrives in the City of Freedom, he will entrust the little Guhuo bird to the City Lord's Mansion. "Thunder Chicken" and "Flower Fairy" will be a bodyguard and a playmate, respectively, which is perfect.

　"We should arrive in Freedom City by 6 p.m. tonight. We can go to the market and buy it a few sets of clothes for human children. Freedom City must be more lively than ever before."

　With that thought in mind, Dak walked out of the castle.

　The little Guhuoniao has long since grown to the point where it can maintain its human form for a long time, so it's time to change its habits.

　Strive to transform "it" into "she".

　As the bustling sounds reached his ears, many figures appeared in Dak's eyes.

　Students and professors who have registered for this World Cup must gather in the square outside the castle and then leave the academy together through the magic gate.

　Students from all departments and grades, plus professors who intend to participate.

　The number of students from St. Mary's College who registered for this World Cup was surprisingly high.

　[60% off! 60% off!]

Chapter 1482 [60% Off, Last Day] Darkdemon Takes the World Stage (4k)

　Dak spotted Professor Pava Jones standing at the front of the crowd immediately.

　Professor Jones, dressed in a formal suit, stood out from the crowd.

　She is the Dean of the Academy of Nobles and also the professor leading the academy's team this time. Although Principal Arte is in the City of Freedom, she herself has to preside over the competition, so it's naturally difficult for her to take care of the students.

　Of the four deans, Professor Sylph had to oversee the college, Professor Bode had to manage the students, and Professor Lily had to participate in the competition, leaving only Professor Jones who could be entrusted with such an important task... Sigh, wouldn't Professor Jones participate in the competition? A small doubt arose in Dark's mind.

　Professor Jones is also a beneficiary of the ruins of the British Empire. His bloodline as a primitive giant, combined with the materials collected from the ruins, is enough to give him a major upgrade to Kaku.

　With her abilities, she could certainly gain far more than Aurora. And as a dueling instructor, a true dueling master, why wouldn't she be competing for championships instead of tutoring children?