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

　"But we have no choice but to believe it, right?"

　"..."

　"Anyway, do your best, give it your all, and if you can survive even one round, you've won!"

　"Uh...that's too exaggerated. Even against Dark, I'm not completely powerless. I can hold my own for two or three rounds...never mind, I'll go up first."

　Justin Wayne shook his head and strode towards the blue team's platform.

　As the two walked out, the students watching from the sidelines immediately started discussing it.

　Putting aside Dark Dimon, Justin Wayne was also a prominent figure among the first-year students at Knights College. His upright character and sunny, healthy appearance easily won people's favor. Unlike Emma and Witt, who were relatively aloof in Knights College, he had gathered many supporters.

　Given the consistently hostile relationship between the Knights' Academy and the Noble Academy, there were quite a few Knights' Academy students in the arena who hoped Justin Wayne would win against all odds.

　Of course, the students of the House of Nobles scoffed at this, not believing that Justin Wayne had any chance of winning.

　"It's been almost two months since Easter, hasn't it? Justin Wayne must be making rapid progress."

　Doron and Pistan muttered to each other.

　But then he added, "Of course, Darke is progressing even faster!"

　What makes Darko Dimon so frustrating is that he's not only better than you, but also more hardworking.

　The gap between the two will only widen over time. Unless Darko Dimon reaches a plateau and occasionally looks back to admire the scenery.

　While those outside the arena still had time to grumble, Justin Wayne was already under immense pressure the moment he stepped onto the steps of the arena.

　His forehead was slightly damp with sweat from the sudden warming weather, and his right hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, showing an unusual tension.

　As a typical "knight-like" person, he is usually brave yet gentle, confident yet unassuming. Even in his previous rookie debut competition, he performed brilliantly.

　Later, when Dark stopped paying attention to duels because he had enough credits, he still made occasional appearances, accumulating a lot of experience and credits, which enabled him to continuously improve.

　His win rate gradually increased when facing second-year duelists.

　However, the more this was the case, the more he understood the terrifying aspect of Dark's ability to win the final victory in the first to third year groups at the Easter Duel Festival.

　Therefore, the pressure he was under at that time was unimaginable to outsiders.

　Even so, the steps on the contestants' platform are only a short distance long, and everyone has to climb them.

　When he stepped onto the blue team's platform, Darko was already waiting on the red team's platform.

　The two contestants had little interaction within the academy; after taking the stage, they merely greeted each other and then each took out their cards.

　Read the full text for free here

　The set was placed into the slot on the card table.

　As the card table was reactivated, a projection appeared in front of the players' table.

　Even after two months away from the poker table, Dak showed no signs of rustiness.

　Once he was ready, he raised his hand and waited quietly for the whistle to sound.

　"Beep——"

　Professor Jones suddenly blew his whistle, and the atmosphere on the field instantly became tense.

　"Preparation Phase" [30 seconds]

　As the 30-second countdown projection appeared, both players simultaneously drew cards.

　Whether it's contempt or fear, from the moment the duel begins, these become insignificant external factors.

　True duelists only have eyes for their opponent.

　"The duel begins!"

　Dark draws a card instantly.

　Five magic cards were acquired immediately.

　Then he turned his hand and unfolded it like a folding fan.

　Five magic cards came into view, and his brain immediately started thinking, rapidly devising tactics and strategies that could be applied.

　A smile immediately appeared on his face.

　[Paradise 3 Months]

　【Fantasy Beast: Eevee】

　【Dream Demon】

　The Vampire Heiress

　Acquiring both "Paradise 3 Months" at the same time makes everything exceptionally easy.

　In the rookie tournament, where the number of cards in a deck can be freely adjusted between twenty and forty, Dark has no useless cards in his hand, and his starting hand is never bad.

　The addition of "Vampire Heiress", "Soul of the Moon Goddess 1" and "Primordial Dragon Egg" in particular made it easier for him to start his deck.

　With five cards in his starting hand, if he wanted, he could start with "Dream Demon" and then trigger "Vampire Ritual" to directly summon "Vampire Heiress," using the power of a seven-star magic card to make his opponent feel hopeless.

　But he doesn't intend to do that.

　"Tick!"

　As the thirty-second countdown ended, the round switched.

　……

　"Battle Phase" [30s]

　……

　When Darke raised his hand to summon, Justin Wayne's expression clearly relaxed slightly.

　But that won't affect him.

　"I choose you, 'Dream Fairy'!"

　Depending on the difference in summoning speed between the two, Dark completed the summoning when Justin Wayne's normal summoning spell was only halfway through.

　The Misdreavus, which swiftly emerged from the card art, flew without hesitation towards the blue team's half of the board.

　As Justin Wayne's Normal Summoning was finally completed, Dark had already begun casting his second Normal Summoning.

　But Justin Wayne's initial three-star magical spirit managed to keep the Misdreavus out of the blue team's summoning zone.

　That was a bald knight wearing armor, with a heart-shaped opening on his chest, riding a giant pink pig—the "Knight of Love"!

　Despite its slightly flawed appearance, the Love Knight is incredibly powerful. In terms of its three main attributes, it ranks among the top three-star magical spirits. Furthermore, its ultimate skill, "Love's Salvation," is a divine healing technique that has a special effect on its mount.

　However, the gap between classes is difficult to bridge.

　When "Love Knight" raised his lance under Justin Wayne's command and unleashed another finishing move, "Love Ray," at Misdreavus, an even more intense beam of pink light shone upon Misdreavus.

　The Misdreavus, making a face, instantly evolved under the effect of "Elysium 3? Moon"!

　The "Dream Demon," resembling a witch, rapidly took shape within the light of evolution, then mercilessly shattered the heart-shaped beam of light and lunged at the "Heart Knight."

　Fear descended.

　……

Chapter 444 Using one more round means losing (6k)

　Despite the fact that the "Knight of Love" has top-tier magic attack and defense.

　However, its stats, which failed to break through the three-star limit, are still like those of a child compared to the five-star Mismagius.

　The "Heart Ray" has a unique "bewitching" effect that softens people's hearts. However, it has no effect whatsoever on the "Dream Demon," which is the embodiment of "Paradise."

　While Justin Wayne was anxiously waiting for the cooldown of his first summon to finish, his prized "Knight of Love" was completely torn apart by "Mismagius," and his magic orb with only 2,000 HP was completely exposed to Mismagius with an attack power of 2500!

　There was a "click" sound.

　Even though Justin Wayne had done his utmost to unleash his magic and control the magic orb to fly into the sky, the Misdreavus was in hot pursuit, its claws easily piercing through the orb's life barrier.

　[Magic Ball (Blue): 2000→0]

　……

　"Beep——"

　Professor Jones immediately blew his whistle, the tip of which still retained some of its previous warmth.

　In less than a round—no, less than half a round!

　Justin Wayne, the star student of the first-year Knight Academy, was defeated without warning!

　In that instant, Justin Wayne's spirits plummeted.

　He originally thought that the strength of "Knight of Love" would be enough to support Dark's initial burst, and then his second "Knight of Compassion" would form a Knight bond with "Knight of Love", giving the two top-tier three-star knights an overall boost, which would allow them to fight against Dark's usual four-star magical spirits.

　This time, however, the magical spirit that Dark summoned and evolved was a five-star "Dream Demon"!

　This left him completely defenseless.

　They could only wait to be slaughtered.

　"They really didn't even last a single round..."

　Justin Wayne subconsciously bit his lip, and the veins on the back of his hand gripping the magic card bulged.

　This devastating outcome almost made him deny all his previous efforts.

　Why am I working so hard?

　……

　Justin Wayne looked dazed as he stepped off the stage, and his friends could only offer words of comfort such as "It's nothing," "It's Darko after all," and "Come again next time."

　On the other side of the contestants' platform, Dark's face clearly showed that he was still not satisfied, and he turned around and walked off the platform.

　He had initially thought Justin Wayne would pique his interest, but it turned out he clearly wouldn't.

　"There's still one round left. I hope my next opponent will bring me some surprises."

　He shook his head and returned to his original spot amidst the "I knew it" looks from the students of the Noble Academy.

　……

　The duel assessment did not stop because of his outstanding performance, and one group of contestants after another were called up to take the stage.

　If Dak focused his attention on observing, he would find that the first-grade students had indeed made great progress.

　In particular, the group of students who conquered the dungeon bosses with him had more unique cards in their hands and performed brilliantly in this duel assessment.

　"Number 3, Number 28."

　"It's my turn!"

　Diana perked up and stepped out.

　She then won without any doubt.

　Among the first-year students, she has clearly stood out, and together with Emma and Sarah, they are known as the three top girls of the first year, representing the girls of the Noble Academy, the Knight Academy, and the Magic Academy respectively, leading the pack.

　Shortly after she returned, it was finally Rose's turn to take the stage.

　"Your turn." Diana grabbed Rose's arm and shook it.

　Rose nervously took out her number and said, "I know."

　Diana leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't be nervous, they're so weak..."

　Rose: "Huh? But..."

　Diana emphasized, "Seriously, you'll see once you try it. It's incredibly weak!"

　"No, oh well, never mind." Rose walked towards court number 2 with a helpless expression.

　She naturally assumed that Diana was encouraging her, but she didn't know that Diana was actually telling the truth.

　Dark, who had been listening intently, blinked and then, along with Diana, followed her to the edge of court number 2.

　Just then, another contestant came up on stage.

　Dark looked closely and realized he couldn't remember the other person's name no matter what, so he asked, "Diana, who's that over there?"

　Diana tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "It seems to be from the Fool's House, but I don't quite remember."