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

　A blinding light burst forth from its body, and the white light flowing from each wound converged to form a powerful pillar of light that pierced through the golden beast's body!

　The golden beast, with a defense of 1800 and a magic power of 1300, was instantly blasted away, leaving a huge and terrifying hole in its chest and abdomen!

　"Golden Beast!"

　Emma couldn't help but cry out.

　But the golden beast held on!

　The fatal wounds to the chest and abdomen are enough to render most magical spirits incapable of fighting. However, the Golden Beast is a mechanical species, and even with only its head remaining, it can continue to bite as long as its magic power is intact.

　Emma discovered that the Golden Beast's magic power had not been exhausted, and immediately activated the magic card in her hand - "Gilding"!

　The golden beast—the bronze soldiers beside it were instantly enveloped in golden light, and liquid gold poured down from its head, coating its body with a perfect golden shell.

　The bronze soldier's original defense of 1300 has been increased to 1400.

　This is already a very good defensive stat for a three-star magic sprite.

　But that's not the real reason for the "gilding".

　"Golden Devour!"

　Under Emma's command, the golden beast struggled to its feet, its mouth opening to a terrifying degree, swallowing the "golden soldier" whole from head to tail!

　The "Golden Soldier" sacrificed himself voluntarily.

　The golden beast that devoured the "golden soldier" immediately emitted a dense golden light from its body.

　Bathed in golden light, the wounds on the golden beast's chest and abdomen healed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, causing its already enormous body to swell even further.

　Under the effect of "Golden Devouring", the Golden Beast not only recovered to its original state, but also became even stronger!

　Its magic power cap has increased by 500 points!

　The abnormal state has been dispelled.

　Even defense and attack have each increased by 100 points!

　【Magic Power: 100】

　Attack: 1300 → 1400

　[Defense: 1800 → 1900]

　……

　Seeing the golden beast stand up again, Emma felt much more at ease.

　Second-year students who can participate in the Duel Club recruitment in the next semester are generally not very strong; a four-star magical spirit is already their limit.

　After her golden beast successfully triggers "Golden Devour," it will be no less powerful than a four-star magical spirit.

　With a defense rating of up to 1900, it can easily defeat most four-star magical spirits.

　This is the source of her confidence.

　She also knew something about the "bully" that Spencer summoned.

　That's a fairly common four-star magical spirit. Its most common special move is "Rabid Fang," which can cause the magical spirit that gets bitten to go into an uncontrollable frenzy.

　However, skills like these are usually ineffective against mechanical types.

　Next, we need to find a way to increase the Golden Beast's attack power!

　Creating a fully armed and powerful spirit using various methods is her current main tactical approach.

　However, the crucial magic card has not yet been drawn.

　……

　the other side.

　Spencer looked slightly surprised.

　He didn't know much about the Golden Beast and couldn't tell if it was real or fake, so he ordered the Bully Dog to launch a probing attack.

　As a result, the bully's attack of up to 1800 could not break through the defense, and "Rabid Dog's Fang" was completely useless.

　However, the golden beast posed no threat to the bully, and the two sides reached a stalemate.

　The second round ended when the stalemate continued.

　……

　Round three.

　Both players draw cards simultaneously.

　Spencer lost his initial composure and had to rush the card-drawing process.

　He quickly examined the two magic cards, then a slight smile appeared on his lips as he selected one of them and held it to his lips.

　Then he looked towards the red team's platform and whispered, "For a first-year student to pose a threat to me is quite impressive. In the name of Spencer Alec, Spellcaster Summon—Flame Claw!"

　A crimson flame suddenly flew out from the card and entered the demon hound's right claw!

　The dog's paw with its sharp claws instantly burst into flames!

　"Wang!"

　With a bark, the bully pounced on the golden beast once more!

　……

　"Is it a fire enchantment or a fire-based weapon?"

　Emma couldn't tell whether Spencer was using a magic card or a weapon card. But either way, it posed a great threat to her.

　Fire is effective against Steel.

　The bully hound with its Flaming Claws is now able to penetrate the Golden Beast's defenses!

　Once the Golden Beast is defeated, she will have no chance of turning the tide.

　pity.

　She's lucky.

　"The Golden Treasure Chest!"

　Emma confidently raised the magic card, and the dazzling golden light shone on the bully dog ​​in the arena!

　A moment later, a treasure chest filled with gold jumped out in front of the bully dog!

　No living thing can resist the allure of gold!

　No!

　The bully's eyes suddenly turned into the shape of Φ!

　That's the symbol for holy coins.

　Its forward gallop came to a halt, and the expression on its face changed from ferocious to greedy.

　"Bully Dog, attack Sandbag Tiger!"

　Emma gave the order immediately.

　The Golden Treasure Chest's control over the magical spirit will not last more than 30 seconds; the battle must be decided as soon as possible!

　The bully dog, having gained control, immediately turned and pounced on the blue team's territory.

　The golden beast flapped its wings and soared into the sky, charging out at the same time!

　……

　This moment.

　Spencer finally understood the allure of dueling.

　His expression changed drastically, and he could no longer remain calm.

　The bully's fiery claws tore through the sandbag tiger's defenses and even set its hide ablaze.

　Despite Sandbag Tiger's desperate struggle using its "Endurance" skill, the Golden Beast followed up with a powerful attack, its claws plunging into Sandbag Tiger's belly and successfully touching the Blue Team's Magic Orb!

　"Bully, wake up!"

　Spencer suddenly leaned over the railing and roared down.

　However, his bond with the magical spirit was clearly not deep enough. The bully dog ​​swung its burning right paw and tore the sandbag tiger to shreds!

　The blue team's magic ball was then exposed to the air.

　To avoid any unforeseen complications, Emma immediately gave the order to attack simultaneously.

　As the Flaming Claw and the Golden Claw fell simultaneously, the Blue Team's Magic Orb's Life Barrier was completely shattered!

　"The battle is over!"

　"The winner: Emma Metis."

　……

　"Won!"

　Emma stared blankly at the light fragments that exploded as the barrier of life shattered.

　Despite the setback she experienced with Angelia, she wasn't too discouraged. However, the repeated failures still left the young girl feeling down.

　This exhilarating victory still holds some significance for her.

　Victory always brings confidence.

　Confidence is a standard feature of winners.

　After a long and frustrating afternoon, the first-year students of the Knight Academy finally had their moment.

　Their Emma successfully defeated the second graders!

　Cheers erupted like boiling water.

　The two senior students from the literary society looked at Emma kindly and clapped along with her.

　Vitt, standing in the crowd, looked on with a hint of envy.

　Last semester, he always thought he would be the one standing in that position.

　……

　The victors were cheered, but the losers were not mocked.

　Spencer walked off the platform dejectedly, and his friends surrounded him, offering words of comfort.

　……

　On the top of the table.

　Professor Jones said with a hint of pride, "Emma Metis, not bad!"

　Professor Fox's expression darkened slightly: "Professor Jones, a temporary setback doesn't mean anything. Spencer is hardworking enough, and he will make up for it in the upcoming rookie competition."

　Professor Jones smiled and said, "We'll see."

　Today, she undoubtedly won a great victory.

　The judges scored the scores.

　Professor Jones was the first to raise his sign.

　"Red team, Emma, ​​9 points."

　"Blue team, Spencer, 6 points."

　Professor Fox snorted and raised his sign as well.

　"Red team, 8 points."

　"Blue team, 5 points."

　The fifth-grade student reviewer was severely punished once again.

　"Red team, 8 points."

　"Blue team, 6 points."

　……