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

　This arena covers an area of ​​over 200,000 square meters and can accommodate nearly 100,000 spectators. It is undoubtedly the largest arena in the world.

　The dueling arena is circular in shape with smooth, mirror-like outer walls, and can simultaneously display projections.

　In the center is an open-air venue with a column-shaped platform that can be raised and lowered freely. As a warm-up for the World Cup opening ceremony, a beautiful young woman from a religious family stands on the platform and sings a hymn. The melodious yet slightly tragic music, combined with the historical projections rotating in the air, creates a heavy and profound epic feeling.

　In the circular seating area, tiny sprites, no bigger than the palm of your hand, flitted and danced among the crowd, guiding the audience to their reserved seats.

　Dak entered through the main entrance a little later.

　He came as a contestant.

　There were seats reserved for the more than 3,000 contestants in the audience. It is said that some people actually signed up to participate because they couldn't get tickets. As soon as he entered the duel arena, a very cute little Pokémon swooped down from above, nibbled on his nose, and then gestured to lead him to the audience.

　These little sprites are not natural creatures, but magical sprites. The mage who continuously summons and controls them must be inside this arena.

　Dark looked around with a hint of curiosity, but finding nothing, he gave up.

　Thanks to the guidance of the little elves, the influx of 100,000 spectators did not cause chaos, but overcrowding was still unavoidable.

　More than half of the audience members are now seated, but tens of thousands more are still entering.

　Fortunately, there is more than one entrance to the duel arena.

　Audiences entered from different entrances, naturally resulting in a flow of people.

　Guided by the sprite, Dark finally found the contestant area. He gave the sprite a high five and continued walking inside.

　There is a special area for groups that register as a group. If you stand at the back and look up slightly, you can see the sections with the flags of each group.

　Dark not only saw the flag of St. Marian Academy, but also the flags of other academies that had previously participated in the Academy Championship, such as the Holy Mystic Academy, the Royal Academy of the Kingdom, the Elf Sorcerer Academy, and the War Totem Academy.

　In addition, there are sections for professional duelists who register under the names of various dueling clubs, sections for those who register under the names of various professional guilds... and there is even a section exclusively for sea creatures!

　That's right, there are more sea creatures coming to land to participate in the duel this time than during the Academy Championship!

　According to Dark's intelligence, the Sea Clan is taking this World Cup Duel Challenge to an unexpectedly high level of importance.

　The previous academy championship seemed to have become a prelude for the sea creatures. So much so that a large number of powerful sea creatures set foot on land for this World Cup. They are probably already aware of the changes to come. The organized and planned participation of these groups could bring unexpected changes to the preliminary rounds.

　Although the preliminary selection rules explicitly prohibit forming groups, it is difficult to make a judgment in practice, and it can only be said that the restrictions are limited as much as possible.

　After observing carefully, Dak noticed that there seemed to be empty seats in the St. Mary's Academy section, so he squeezed in.

　Along the way, I met many acquaintances.

　Most of the main contestants in the Academy Championship have come to participate. Even the Twin Paladins are standing in the Holy Mystic Academy's team. However, Princess Eliza, who had been rumored to have signed up for the competition, has yet to be seen.

　I don't know if they haven't arrived yet, or if they've disguised themselves in a different way.

　Because there were "no restrictions" on the registration for this audition, it wouldn't be surprising if some strange people were mixed in among the contestants.

　Since entering through the entrance, Dak has seen many mysterious people wearing hooded capes and masks, completely covering themselves.

　Most people who conceal their true faces have various reasons.

　After all, the World Cup Duel Challenge is broadcast live worldwide, so it's normal for some people not to want to be seen in the face of fairness.

　Even if it's just to avoid being targeted, disguising oneself is sometimes necessary. However, the World Cup selection process is filled with all sorts of people—different races, nationalities, purposes, personalities… that's what it's like. It's a grand stage for the selection process; if you have the guts, come and try.

　When Dak arrived at St. Mary's College's section and found an empty seat in the corner, it was already 5:50, with only ten minutes left before the World Cup opening ceremony.

　He raised his hand and waved to Diana, who was looking around from the front row. Diana's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked down to tell Rose.

　They guessed they had been looking for him for quite a while. The seating arrangement here was very tight, and it was difficult to find a seat.

　Even in the group seating area, seats will be provided for those without seats. Dark had only been sitting for a short while when an unknown contestant sat down to his right, quickly filling all the available seats there.

　But a student sitting on his other side, next to him, suddenly asked curiously, "Dark Dimon?"

　Dark turned his head and looked at him, but couldn't recognize him at all. He only said based on the school uniform, "Hmm, a senior from the Noble Academy."

　“Yes, yes,” the student from the noble academy said cheerfully. “My name is Benson, Benson Pespi. I’m an old guy in my sixth year, so it’s normal that you don’t recognize me.”

　Dark blinked involuntarily.

　You know I don't know you, and I know you know I don't know you, but could you please not say it outright?

　You're making a big fuss.

　It's so awkward at home.

　But Benson Pespi seemed delighted to have him sitting next to him, and struck up a conversation with great enthusiasm: "The seating in the academy is arranged by year, why don't you sit in the front?"

　Should younger students sit in the front and older students sit in the back?

　Dark said helplessly, "Something came up, I just got here. Senior Pespi, what about you? Why are you sitting here alone in this corner?"

　"Ah, ha, ahahaha." Benson Pespi chuckled dryly a few times before saying, "Do you understand the loneliness of a master?"

　Dak suddenly realized, so he was just a loner.

　I've heard that every class has one or two people who aren't very sociable. Is that true?

　However, since this senior student Pespi has signed up for the World Cup, he shouldn't be too bad.

　As he was an upperclassman, Dak didn't act too distant. Instead, he chatted with him casually until six o'clock before turning his attention to watching the opening ceremony.

　Six o'clock sharp.

　But not all the audience members were seated yet.

　This is the first World Cup to be held, so it's normal for there to be some minor oversights.

　Managing 100,000 viewers is difficult enough, let alone when they represent all races.

　However, the opening ceremony was not delayed, and the host had already ascended the platform. As the column-shaped platform gradually rose, the sky projection device in the center of the venue perfectly presented the scene of the host's platform.

　The stage was adorned with dazzling lights, and as the host appeared, a dreamlike illusion appeared.

　The host, dressed in a pale yellow gown, possessed a stunningly beautiful appearance that met the public's aesthetic standards.

　That wasn't Principal Art, but rather Marilyn, a popular celebrity host who frequently appears in professional dueling tournaments.

　Marilyn is also a mage, but she can only obtain Lv2 certification. However, being a mage is only her secondary profession; her true nature is a professional host, and her ability to use magic is merely a bonus.

　With her exceptional professional skills and stunning beauty, she had become a dream girl for magic duelists and duel enthusiasts years ago. After Dark developed a habit of reading the newspaper, he always saw rumors about her in the pages.

　In the human kingdom, many nobles are her admirers, and some high-ranking nobles have even sworn to marry no one but her.

　However, Marilyn remains single to this day.

　As a result, rumors circulated that she had the "support" of a nobleman of even higher status.

　With a marquis also falling from his horse, the noble identity behind him became even more intriguing.

　After all, there are not many dukes in the Kingdom of Yunic, and most of them are old. The youngest duke is none other than the kingdom's only duchess, Aylvit.

　If he's not a duke, then he can only be a king. It couldn't possibly be some archbishop within the Holy See, could it?

　In short, people from all worlds love gossip. Just as Dak was thinking this, he heard his senior, Pespi, buzzing like a mosquito about Ms. Marilyn, and it was gossip with a hint of risqué spice.

　He realized he might have discovered the reason why Pespi was so unsociable.

　If he lived in the 21st century, he might become an indispensable yellow lightning bolt in every group.

　But this is a strange world that has just entered the Renaissance.

　The nobles, in particular, who valued their manners, could not stand such vulgar gossip, especially when it was discussed openly.

　To avoid ruining his public image, Dark could only sigh inwardly and turn a deaf ear.

　"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the City of Liberty!" Brilliant fireworks soared into the sky, and Ms. Marilyn's enthusiasm echoed throughout the stadium. She didn't say "City of Duels," but emphasized "City of Liberty," which was a clear statement of her attitude.

　Duel City will always be a district of the City of Freedom, not an independent city.

　Following that, Ms. Marilyn delivered a lengthy speech, successfully captivating the audience with her excellent hosting skills. Then, the projection in the sky switched to show a scene from a room.

　There sat high-ranking officials from various countries, including Principal Arte, who sat very formally.

　The atmosphere was relatively serious, and Principal Art did not try anything funny.

　Ms. Marilyn began introducing the "sponsors" along with the director.

　Normally, the organizers of a competition seek sponsors. But this World Cup, the sponsors took the initiative to approach them.

　The sheer size of the list of sponsors was so large that it was completely incomprehensible to the average person.

　The upper and lower classes of this world are essentially separated. This is mainly due to the blockage and monopoly of information channels.

　Even today, most nobles have noticed some clues that the Age of Gods is coming.

　But many people are still completely unaware of this.

　They couldn't understand the significance of this World Cup, nor could they comprehend why the "kings" of various countries, races, and religions—human kings, the Pope, the Orc king, the Elf queen—would all appear in such a dueling competition.

　Although the scale of this competition is indeed unprecedented.

　Therefore, each time a prominent figure was introduced, it elicited gasps of surprise. However, as the introductions of the sponsors continued, observant people soon noticed that Prince Charles and Princess Eliza were not among them.

　Furthermore, the kingdom's only duchess, Alvette Saint-Demon, is not among them!

　Almost everyone "knows" that the City of Freedom is the City of Freedom shared by Dimon and Montilfarri.

　But now, on such a crucial matter

　Duke Dumont was not present at the event.

　Where did she go?

　The kings of various countries did not come merely to watch the battle; they came on a pilgrimage to worship the gods!

　Historical records from any era state that the twelve gods of Mount Polopus were gods who stood at the pinnacle of the divine age.

　Since the appearance of Hermes, many of humanity's actions have been beyond its control.

　Although the current development situation is stable and improving, the atmosphere behind the scenes is actually very oppressive.

　Human kings, popes, Lionheart, elven queens... these are all people who stand at the pinnacle of their respective powers.

　They don't have the habit of bowing down to anyone.

　Even Principal Arte's transactions and negotiations with Hermes could only be based on Hermes' rationality.

　That was never, and could never be, an equal exchange from the start. In the end, it was Dark's performance that gave humanity a glimmer of hope. Hermes and the other gods were the biggest beneficiaries of the entire establishment of the magical pantheon.

　Humanity has only gained an opportunity from this, an opportunity to stand on the same stage as the gods.

　Even this opportunity was won through a life-or-death struggle. Humans are the most adept animals at hiding their fangs.

　Only by seizing opportunities to climb higher can one finally show their true colors.

　After the introductions of the "sponsors," the contestants were introduced. The host, Marilyn, first introduced the various teams participating, then focused on introducing some well-known mages to raise audience expectations. It was only at this point that Dark began to seriously memorize.

　Because those renowned mages are likely to become his next opponents.

　As he listened, he realized that he was also among them, and his face flushed red. He subconsciously became modest.

　However, it must be said that the list of participants this time is truly enormous. In addition to students and professors from various academies, there are renowned professional duelists, famous sages, prophets, and seers, well-known war heroes, royal members of various races... just pick a few and they are all extraordinary figures.

　Dark keenly noticed that even the wise teachers like Emma, ​​Sarah, and Winnie were participating in the competition.

　I wonder what they'll be like when they're facing their teachers or elders.

　Dark found himself suddenly wanting to watch it—but there was also some regret.

　This time, none of the head maids of the Duke's mansion, who possessed golden armor, came.

　They had all vowed to participate, but none of them showed up.

　However, several head maids who had not yet obtained the Gold Saint Armor appeared here under the guise of being contestants.

　In addition, Claire Kate did not register.

Chapter 1485 Darkdemon and the Ranking System (4k)

　This World Cup Duel Challenge is indeed of great importance. The Duke's Palace has done a lot of work for this competition.

　However, when the competition began, not many people actually signed up, which inevitably made Dark feel that his previous preparations had been in vain.

　Originally, even if they hadn't planned to participate, Arvit and Claire were already scheduled to go to the City of Freedom.

　But now even Claire isn't here.

　Even if it's Alvitt, she should still be at the Temple of the Goddess in the Snow Mountain.

　But Claire should have already left the Graveyard of Beasts, or even returned home.