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

　As for the outcome, it wasn't really within their consideration.

　After all, the contestants in this month's end-of-month summary had a significant difference in skill level.

　Given the rules, it was already quite an achievement that Dark was able to defeat Hawkman.

　The rest of the competition is up to the other players.

　……

　On stage, Claire surveyed the audience and then raised her voice again, announcing, "Thank you to the two contestants from the last round for their wonderful performance. Now, please welcome the next contestants. They are the mischievous and adorable Meow Meow, and today's special guest—Diana!"

　"It's my turn!" Diana jumped up excitedly.

　Although she didn't know she would be performing when she arrived, she was undoubtedly inspired to fight after watching Dark and the Wrestler.

　Dark glanced at it and asked, "With a sword?"

　Diana's eyes widened and darted around before she nodded and said, "Okay."

　Dak then unfastened his longsword from his waist and tossed it over: "Take it."

　Diana caught it easily, then drew the longsword used for practice, leaned the scabbard against the chair, and stepped onto the arena.

　the other side.

　Meow Meow was already prepared. When it walked onto the stage, it looked serious and acted very cautiously.

　Of all the students in this cohort, it had the best grasp of basic swordsmanship, but when facing Diana, this advantage in swordsmanship couldn't overcome the absolute gap in strength.

　Moreover, it didn't know anything about Diana and didn't know her actual skill level.

　We must go all out to win!

　"Meow!"

　With a flick of two fingers, Miao Miao drew her sword.

　Unlike Darko and The Hawkman, they didn't walk to the center of the arena to greet each other before parting ways.

　The two contestants stood still ten meters away.

　Claire then shouted, "The game begins!"

　Diana and Meow Meow started moving almost simultaneously.

　However, the two sides' actions were completely different.

　Diana took only two steps forward, her movements slow and her stance extremely steady.

　Meow Meow opted for a swift dash, wielding a short sword that it handled with ease and agility.

　As the two approached, Meow Meow suddenly leaped forward, its short sword aimed straight at her face.

　But Diana simply raised her hand slightly and successfully blocked the attack.

　She looked at Miaomiao with shining eyes, and with a flick and turn of her long sword, she forced Miaomiao away.

　But as soon as Miaomiao's feet touched the ground, she pounced forward without stopping, her short sword flashing like rain.

　Diana, her face beaming with excitement, also brandished her longsword, her defense impenetrable.

　The sounds of swords clashing rang out frequently, a stark contrast to the battle between Dark and the Wrestling Eagleman.

　Diana did not rely on her innate superhuman strength to suppress Meow Meow, but instead skillfully used her swordsmanship to fight back.

　Both sides displayed their skills to the fullest at this moment, and the gap between them gradually became apparent.

　Meow Meow is ultimately just a beginner who has been practicing for less than two weeks, so there's no way she can compare to Diana, who has already been exposed to various weapons.

　Therefore, despite its great reluctance, it was eventually found by Diana, who pressed a sword against its throat.

　The outcome was now decided.

　……

　After losing, Meow Meow didn't go back to Teacher Camilla's side, but instead came to Dark with a frown on her face.

　Dak quickly hugged it and whispered to comfort it, "That's enough, you've already done a great job."

　"Meow—" Meow Meow threw down the sword, climbed onto Dark's lap, and curled up into a ball.

　Dak gently stroked its back and continued watching the game.

　……

　With Diana and Meow Meow's duel over, the third match soon began.

　The battle between Gatomon and Leomon can be described as a contest between two beings of the same type and equal skill level.

　After the two magical spirits entered the arena, they stared at each other intently for a moment before suddenly drawing their swords and clashing against each other.

　The same basic swordsmanship can display completely different styles in the hands of different people.

　If we say that Meow Meow's swordsmanship is...

　Read the full text for free here

　If we consider skill as a trait, then both Gatomon and Leomon belong to the power type.

　Therefore, when they are put together, the contrast is particularly intense.

　Those unfamiliar with them would find it hard to imagine that Gatomon, with its small size and only four stars, actually possesses a base strength even stronger than Leomon.

　With the same power-based swordsmanship, Gatomon clearly possesses a touch more agility, while Leomon exhibits a touch more composure.

　Under the watchful eyes of onlookers, the two magical spirits fought for a full fifteen minutes before a clear winner emerged.

　Gatomon, who secretly practiced every night, finally gained the upper hand through his hard work.

　It did not let this hard-won advantage slip through its fingers, but steadily expanded it little by little, finally striking the lion beast's wrist holding the sword. Then it quickly closed in and, taking advantage of the lion beast's right hand not being able to grip it tightly, knocked the sword out of its hand.

　And so the outcome was decided once again!

　Gatomon, having emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle, proudly raised its head.

　The lion looked at its empty hands and felt extremely frustrated.

　However, every competition has winners and losers, and it couldn't run up to Duck for comfort like Meow Meow did—although it really wanted to, it silently picked up the longsword, sheathed it, and left the arena.

　Of course, instinctively, it returned to Dark's side.

　"Well done," Dak gave it a thumbs up.

　The lion was slightly taken aback, but felt a little happier.

　Then it felt a pain in its heel, turned around abruptly, and found that it was Gatomon that had kicked it.

　When it saw the aggrieved look in its eyes, Gatomon raised an eyebrow and glared at it.

　It trembled at first, and like a kitten, it lowered its head and slipped into the group of magical elves.

　Tailmon was standing nearby.

　……

　The fourth match followed, with Aurora facing off against Dusskewer.

　The single-edged sword sheath is a four-star magical spirit with an attack power of up to 2200. It can float in the air at extremely high speed and is not restricted by the wielder's body.

　Facing such an unfamiliar opponent, Aurora, who had only practiced swordsmanship for two weeks, couldn't help but feel uneasy.

　But once the battle began, Aurora displayed exceptional talent. Her on-the-spot reactions and mastery of swordsmanship were both remarkable.

　Despite initial setbacks due to her inability to adapt to the "360° seamless sword" of the single-scabbard, she persevered thanks to her formidable physique. Finally, after a fierce battle, she successfully turned the tide and defeated the single-scabbard!

　"A magical spirit without a finishing move is definitely missing something."

　After watching the entire process, Dak couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

　While the sword sheath itself is among the top-tier four-star magical spirits, its core essence lies in its ultimate attack and the characteristics of a holy sword.

　It is more suited to be the sword of the strong than the strong themselves.

　……

　After the fourth match concluded, Aurora returned to her seat.

　She closed her eyes and breathed softly, trying to calm herself down quickly.

　This battle was actually quite significant for her.

　Her first victory gave her a clear understanding of her talent and abilities.

　So she raised her end-of-month goals a little.

　Win another game!

　……

　Claire surveyed the stage, confirming that Dark and Diana were both ready to compete, before announcing, "As you can see, the first round is finally over. The winners are Dark, Diana, Gatomon, and Aurora! As expected of the most popular magical spirit, Gatomon's performance was truly spectacular. Of course, our sisters Diana and Aurora also performed exceptionally well. I'm sure everyone is eagerly anticipating the final result. Who will emerge victorious and receive the mysterious gift meticulously prepared by His Excellency the Duke? Let's wait and see! Now, let's begin the second round. Please welcome the winners of the first round, Dark and Diana!"

　"Clap clap clap!"

　The maids clapped enthusiastically.

　Off the court, Diana winked at Dark and whispered, "It's our turn!"

　“Yes, it’s our turn.” Dark took a deep breath, picked up the lion beast’s longsword, and stood up.

　Despite having been mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but feel sad when the moment actually arrived.

　Perhaps this is the kind of resolute determination that comes from knowing there are tigers in the mountains but still venturing into them!

　"Da da da--"

　Following closely behind, Diana also stood up, sword in hand.

　However, unlike Dark, who appeared calm on the surface but was actually heartbroken, Diana was happy inside and out.

　As the two entered the arena, some of the maids couldn't help but chuckle.

　Arvit and Camilla sat on the bench, both with smiles on their faces.

　As the mothers of both players on the field, they weren't really interested in competing. But Camilla still said with a smile, "Alvit, so what do you think? Who do you think will win this time?"

　Arvit blinked and said, "Is that even a question? Of course it's your Diana."

　Camilla's lips curled slightly. Read the full text for free here.

　He added, "That's not necessarily true."

　Arvit smiled. "You said the same thing last time."

　Camilla replied, "That was last time. I know my daughter very well."

　"I know my son very well," Arvit said with a smile.

　Camilla: "Then we'll wait and see?"

　"We'll see," Arvit said with a smile.

　……

　The conversation between the two mothers did not affect the situation on the field.

　After Dark and Diana entered the arena at the same time, they stood ten meters apart.

　"Let's begin!" Diana exclaimed, mustering her courage.

　Dark nodded from afar.

　Claire smiled slightly on the stage, then chopped down her raised right hand and shouted, "The match begins!"

　Before the words were even finished, all eyes in the martial arts arena were already focused on the center of the arena.

　The maids, of course, wanted to watch their young master's duel very carefully.

　Meanwhile, Dark's magical sprites also became focused.

　Although they all felt that Dark's chances of winning were slim, they still secretly hoped that he would win.

　"Win or lose, give it your all!"

　In an instant, Dark made up his mind, took a step forward, and the energy surging from his three chakras spread throughout his body, as if he had cast a body enhancement spell, and his physique improved across the board.

　Then he suddenly brandished his sword and took the initiative to attack.

　As far as the eye could see, Diana opposite him, though not "enraged," was still radiating an aura that shot towards him like an arrow.