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

　It seems that the other person's presence was indeed weak, and the House of Nobles and the House of Fools did not have much contact, so neither of them could say the other's name.

　However, the man had brown hair and brown eyes, and his features were quite handsome, but a few freckles on his face made his appearance rather ordinary.

　After he and Rose stepped onto the contestant's platform, both of them looked timid, clearly indicating that neither of them was skilled in dueling.

　However, as soon as the match began, the difference in strength between the two was immediately apparent.

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　A watershed moment has emerged.

　Rose's initial summoned "Mobius Bug" stood in front like an impenetrable steel fortress. When the energy scale of the "Mobius Bug" changed from 1 to 7, the sudden release of ultrasonic waves instantly killed the opponent's strongest trump card.

　Then, she sacrificed a three-star "Mobius Bug" and a one-star "Magic Beast: Snow Rabbit" to summon a second-tier four-star magical spirit - "Rainbow Horn Rabbit"!

　The rabbit, as strong as a calf, had a single horn on its head that was half a meter long, as smooth as jade, and emitted a rainbow of light, completely overturning people's common impression of rabbits.

　Dark immediately recognized that it was crafted using the bull horn obtained after killing the two-headed demon boss as its core.

　This "Rainbow Horned Rabbit," clearly the most aggressive card in Rose's deck, charged around with its rainbow-colored horn, shattering all of the Fool's House student's defenses in the blink of an eye, and then piercing through the life barrier with only 2000 life points!

　The difference in strength between the two sides was particularly evident at that moment.

　The students of the Fool's House, who had initially thought they had drawn a good lot, turned pale and suffered a crushing defeat.

　Nevertheless, the duel did bring a smile—to Rose.

　Rose was visibly excited as she stepped off the stage; her fair face was flushed, still tinged with the excitement of her crushing victory.

　“Well done.” Dark raised his hand and patted her on the shoulder.

　Then Rose and Diana huddled together, sharing their joy.

　……

　Not long after Rose's duel ended, the entire round of dueling trials was finally completed.

　In this first round of duels, most of the students showed their abilities.

　There were some expected crushing victories like Darko's, some unexpectedly dismal defeats like Justin's, and of course, some surprising victories like Rose's.

　Emma, ​​Sarah, Witt, and others who have received much attention have all shown strength that exceeds the level of first-year students.

　Emma successfully refined the magic crystals she obtained after defeating the two-headed demon boss into powerful magical spirits, making up for her lack of second-tier magical spirits.

　Sara is similar; her deck has always been more unpredictable and weaker in direct combat. Now, she has effectively compensated for this weakness.

　As for Witt, he is already able to use the "Holy Sword" freely, and he also has magic spirits.

　In short, the seven duelists who joined the Duel Club early in their first year, except for the unfortunate Justin Wayne, all performed quite well.

　……

　After the first round of duels ended, the four professors gathered together to exchange opinions, rested for fifteen minutes, and then immediately began the second round of duels.

　The second round of duels began with a major event that hadn't occurred in the first round, raising questions about whether the professors had engaged in underhanded dealings.

　The idea of ​​making it.

　Arena 3: Sera Swati from the Magic Academy vs. Diana Gretbay from the Noble Academy!

　With some boys dominating the scene, the competition among girls is especially evident.

　Sarah, Emma, ​​and Diana are undoubtedly the most dazzling girls in the first year.

　However, the three of them actually give very different impressions.

　Sarah is knowledgeable and outgoing, reigning like a queen among the first-year students at the Magic Academy.

　Emma is diligent, studious, intelligent, and resolute, but she is not good at getting along with others, much like a scholar focused on acquiring knowledge.

　Diana is lively, cute, innocent, and straightforward, but she seems a bit clumsy. Her achievements today are inseparable from Dak's help and encouragement.

　Comparing the two, it's natural to think that Diana is the weakest of the three.

　This time, Sarah's match against Diana is particularly noteworthy.

　"Well."

　Diana looked at Sarah across from her and wanted to cover her head.

　Sarah is precisely the type she's least adept at dealing with. If it were the Sarah who didn't yet possess a magic-elf capable of direct confrontation, she might have had a slight chance. But the current Sarah has completely overcome her weaknesses, and has even strengthened her strength in unpredictability…

　She really didn't want to be rivals to Sarah now.

　But since we've already been matched, we have no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

　"Rose, wait for me to come back..."

　Diana walked towards the contestant's platform in arena 3, her back view lonely and her demeanor resolute, like an old general about to go into battle.

　For some reason, Dak couldn't help but want to laugh, but he held it in.

　"Dark, who do you think will win, Diana or Sarah?" Rose couldn't help but ask.

　Dark shook his head slightly: "It depends on luck and quick thinking. It's possible that Sarah was overpowered by Diana with brute force, or it's possible that Diana stepped into a trap and was powerless to turn back."

　Rose opened her mouth wide and asked, "So, does Diana have a better chance of winning?"

　Darke then said, "Not much."

　Rose: "Huh?"

　Dark couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't worry, even if she loses, Diana won't be defeated so easily. Besides, losing isn't all bad. Let her lose once before the holidays, it'll save us some trouble."

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　She became too lax after returning home. In learning, stagnation means regression, and a three-month break is a true test. If she only focuses on having fun during those three months, she'll likely fall far behind when she returns.

　"A long holiday..." Rose opened her mouth, but her mind was elsewhere.

　Her mood clearly dropped.

　After noticing this, Dak asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? Don't you want to go home?"

　Rose couldn't help but lower her head and reply, "Mmm!"

　Dark raised an eyebrow and said, "You live at your uncle's house, right?"

　Rose: "Mm."

　Dark: "There's really no need to worry too much. Maybe when you go back, you'll find that home isn't so bad after all."

　"Beep——"

　Professor Lily suddenly blew her whistle, and the battle began!

　Diana, who draws a card at the start of the "Preparation Phase," instantly enters battle mode. Her previous worries and discouragement seem to have become an illusion, and she suddenly transforms into a roaring bear.

　Opposite her, Sara Swati smiled radiantly, like a beautiful but venomous snake.

　The decks and tactics of both sides were like a bear and a snake, one fierce and domineering, the other alluring and ruthless, resulting in an extremely intense clash.

　As Darke had predicted, Diana, though fiercely powerful, was no match for Sara's cunning and was eventually devoured by the venomous snake until she collapsed.

　Although both sides performed exceptionally well in this duel, the winner takes all and the loser is condemned.

　Sarah immediately received a round of applause, while Diana couldn't help but purse her lips, feeling dejected by the defeat.

　Of course she wouldn't cry.

　But his little fists were clenched very tightly.

　“Diana,” Sarah said suddenly.

　Diana then tilted her head slightly to look at her.

　Sarah blinked: "Next semester, I'll be waiting for your revenge."

　A spark flashed in Diana's eyes.

　……

　That's how duels are.

　One victory or defeat does not mean victory or defeat forever.

　Only by constantly moving forward can we break through our own limitations time and time again.

　When Diana stepped down from the contestant's platform, her expression had returned to normal.

　The duel with Sarah clearly taught her a lesson, truly rekindling her fighting spirit.

　see.

　……

　Shortly after, Rose reappeared.

　She was lucky; her opponent this time was still an unremarkable student.

　Even though the student from the Knights Academy already knew the characteristics of the "Mobius Worm," he still didn't know where to start and ultimately lost.

　Rose breathed a sigh of relief and stepped down from the contestant's platform.

　These two duels had drained her energy, but thankfully she won both.

　She doesn't actually have a strong competitive spirit, and she doesn't care much about grades, as long as she doesn't fail any courses.

　……

　With Rose's dueling test successfully completed, only Dark remained of the trio.

　He waited quietly for his turn to appear, then watched as his anticipated opponents took the stage one by one, until finally even Emma entered the arena, leaving him speechless.

　Having finally encountered a duel test, he naturally wanted to enjoy himself to the fullest, but it seemed that things were not going as planned.

　He shook his head and sighed.

　"No. 66..."

　He only perked up slightly when Professor Jones finally called his number.

　“Dark, it’s your turn.” Diana nudged his waist with her elbow.

　He quickly replied, "I heard you!"

　Professor Jones then called out the next number: "Number 104, Field 1."

　“Number 104.” Darke recalled for a moment, then quickly realized, “Is it Witt?”

　His gaze shifted, and he saw Witt Gold also looking over with his number plate in hand.

　Dak then turned his gaze back.

　He had, of course, been watching Witte's duel in the previous round. However, because Witte's opponent wasn't particularly strong, he hadn't displayed any exceptional skill.

　I wonder what changes have occurred in him over the past two months?

　The return of the Blood Princess should theoretically help Vittor's growth.

　However, the Blood Princess is not a professor, so she does not have the right to award academic credits or provide material support; at most, she can only assist in education.

　Although Witte lacks education, whether the two sides can actually work together is another matter.

　Moreover, the Blood Princess was actually under "house arrest," and was not allowed to move freely in the academy, nor could she have much contact with Vit.

　However, in the past two months, Dak has occasionally seen Witt and Tom Nixon together.

　Tom Nixon is a third-year student at the Fools' House. He is a half-blood born in the slums and once competed against Dark in the finals of the Easter Duel Festival. He also participated in the Blood Princess's ritual.

　He has some connection with the Blood Princess.

　Judging from the fact that Tom Nixon used the "Bloodlust" series of magic cards, their connection is quite strong.

　Vittor, who inherited the bloodline of the Blood Princess,

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　Theoretically, he should have the aptitude for blood magic, and perhaps he could learn something from Tom Nixon.

　In short, when Dark learned that his opponent was Witt, he began to rack his brains to add more settings to him, hoping that he would really become stronger—otherwise it would be too boring.

　And on the other side.

　Upon learning that his opponent in the second round of the duel would be Dark, Witt couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, somewhat excited.

　Although he no longer harbors any animosity towards Dark, he still sees him as a role model, aspiring to be as excellent as Dark, or even surpass him.