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

　"Hey, Witt, are you in the first round?"

　In the second-year Knight Academy area, Robert nudged Witt's kidneys and asked.

　Witt quickly moved to the side and said, "You've already seen it, what are you still saying?"

　Robert chuckled and said, "Those guys at the Duel Club are really annoying, putting you and Dark in the first duel as a pair. So, what do you think?"

　Witt took a deep breath: "What else can I do? I know it might be a bit early, but this is truly an opportunity I've been dreaming of. Even if I might not succeed, I have to try... Wait, you're not thinking of getting Dark to avenge you, are you?"

　Robert's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "How could that be? I'm definitely on your side."

　Witt immediately sneered, "I don't believe you, you redneck! Even if I can't win, I won't lose too badly!"

　Robert whispered, "That's hard to say..."

　Witt suddenly jolted, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Huh?"

　Robert quickly replied, "Of course I believe you won't be tortured to death, after all, you just beat me, right?"

　Witt was suddenly speechless, then sat down listlessly, took a deep breath while looking in Dak's direction.

　Whenever he saw Dak's back, he would subconsciously want to take out "Forbidden Love" to check it out.

　But without realizing it, he hadn't used that magic card that allowed him to see into other people's emotions for a long time.

　Witt suddenly asked Robert, "Do you think his opinion of me will improve now that I just helped him out?"

　Robert slowly turned to him, then opened his mouth in surprise, seemingly astonished that Witt had suddenly thought of this.

　“Don’t look at me like that.” Witt turned his face away and looked at Dark again. “He’s not only our savior, but he also saved our mothers. Of course I want to get along with him. But it looks a bit difficult.”

　Robert blinked, then suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "It must be because you're too weak! That's right, it must be because you're too weak and failed to get his attention."

　Witt: "Huh?"

　Robert patted him on the shoulder meaningfully and said, "Do your best, kid."

　Witt looked completely bewildered.

　……

　the other side.

　Second-year Magic Academy area.

　Sarah Swati played with the Sorting Card in her hand, lost in thought.

　After a while, she suddenly asked, "Heidi, are you going to perform this afternoon?"

　Her staunch supporter, Heidi Euphemia, nodded and said, "Yes, the seventh game. And you?"

　Sarah looked up slightly and said, "I didn't have any this afternoon."

　Heidi: "Then..."

　Sarah laughed and said, "But there will be some tonight."

　Heidi asked curiously, "And who was your opponent? Who was so unlucky as to run into you?"

　Sarah shook her head: "I need to leave for a bit now. I probably won't be able to watch your game this afternoon."

　Heidi immediately looked surprised.

　Sarah said seriously, "I need to prepare; we'll face a formidable enemy tonight!"

　"A formidable enemy?" Heidi couldn't help but guess. "Emma?"

　Sarah shook her head and said, "It's Dark!"

　She then put the "Sorting Card" into her wallet and whispered, "I still have one experiment to finish, I hope I can catch up. Good luck with your competition!"

　Heidi nodded and said, "I will. Even though the opponent is that guy Justin Wayne..."

　Sarah clenched her fist at her and said, "You are both prefects, and your strengths are not much different. The outcome is very close. I have faith in you."

　Heidi blushed slightly and quickly said, "I'm sure I'll win!"

　Sarah nodded in satisfaction, then got up and left the audience.

　……

　With about five minutes left before the fifteen-minute break ended, Dark received a reminder to head to the players' waiting room.

　He exchanged a few words with Doron and Pistan beside him, then got up and went outside.

　He and Witt weren't the only ones to receive the entry reminder; several students ahead of them in the queue also stepped forward one by one.

　Just as Dark saw Diana, Diana had already trotted over to him.

　Which match are you in?

　"second round!"

　Diana exclaimed excitedly.

　She was clearly quite excited about her upcoming appearance.

　Dark knew that she and Rose signed up for the rookie tournament almost every week, and in terms of practical experience alone, they might already be ahead of him.

　"I'm in the first round, let's go."

　Dark smiled slightly and led the way into the players' tunnel.

　……

　A few minutes later, the first batch of second-year contestants arrived at the contestants' lounge.

　The dueling club members responsible for relaying the message stood at the door, verifying each person's identity.

　After entering the players' lounge, Dark went to the window and found that the view was perfect, with a clear view of the stage.

　"Professor Sylph is on stage!" Diana exclaimed excitedly.

　Upon hearing this, the other students also gathered around.

　We were all classmates, and before the competition for specialization, our relationships were generally okay.

　A group of people crowded around the window, watching Professor Sylph speak eloquently on the stage.

　Don't know why.

　I dislike these kinds of official speeches when I'm seated. But just by changing the setting, I can appreciate a completely different flavor.

　The students were discussing Professor Sylph's words with great interest, and the atmosphere was lively.

　But after watching for a while, Dark quietly withdrew.

　He was squeezed in the crowd, and he always felt that Witt was secretly watching him, which made him very uncomfortable.

　"It's just a duel on stage next, what are you looking at? If you keep looking, I'll..."

　Dak muttered a couple of complaints to himself before heading towards the door of the waiting room.

　Professor Sylph's speech was nearing its end, and it was time for the first contestant to take the stage.

　To be honest, he had been waiting for a long time, and was even a little impatient.

　Those two exhibition matches reignited his passion for dueling.

　……

　"This year's second-year students are as energetic as ever, and I expect this year's 'Silver Cup' to be just as exciting. As the vice dean of the academy, I sincerely wish that every student will learn from the competition, take a further step, and become a truly outstanding archmage!"

　Professor Sylph on stage remained serious, which slightly diminished her beauty. But her voice reached everyone's ears, instinctively drawing their attention.

　After a lengthy speech, she finally lowered her hand, looked up, and announced, "This year's 'Silver Cup' is now officially open!"

　The applause from the audience erupted like a tidal wave.

　Professor Sylph nodded slightly and then stepped off the stage.

　Then, host Judy took the microphone and immediately said, "Now, let's give a warm welcome to the two fighters who will take the stage for the first duel of this year's 'Silver Cup'."

　"First up is the player assigned to the red team's platform, a second-year student from the Knight Academy... yes, it's none other than the well-known 'Son of the Hero'—Virt Gold!"

　The exhibition match between Witt and Robert clearly earned them more popularity.

　The audience's applause grew even more intense.

　Judy nodded in satisfaction and continued reading, "Then, the contestants assigned to the blue team's platform, the second-year students from the Noble Academy..."

　A hint of embarrassment flashed across Judy's face, but she quickly recovered and exclaimed, "Some of you may have already heard his name. That's right, he is last year's Crimson Star winner and now the top student of the second year—Dark Dimon!"

　When Judy uttered the name Darko Dimon, the audience, especially those in the outer stands, seemed to pause for a moment, as if savoring the familiarity of the name.

　But Alvette Saint-Démon, sitting in the very front row, had already started clapping enthusiastically.

　Lady Camilla and Viscountess Florentia beside her also slowly began to applaud.

　The audience seemed to finally remember that they had just heard this name half an hour ago. Instantly, thunderous applause erupted.

　Amidst the unprecedentedly enthusiastic applause, Dark and Witt walked out of the players' tunnel and, guided by staff, proceeded to the central dueling arena.

　The two exchanged a fleeting glance before heading toward the contestants' stands on either side of the field.

　As he walked up the steps, Dak glanced at the audience outside and immediately spotted Alvitt and two other aunts in the front row, as well as the head maid, Ollie.

　After he stepped onto the stage, he waved in that direction, and only after Arvitt waved back did he turn to face the card table.

　"A long-awaited rookie competition."

　Dark murmured something, then channeled his magic to activate the card table.

　The loudspeaker was activated, and he knew that his next words would be amplified throughout the entire venue via the loudspeaker inside the card table.

　So, to lighten the mood, he said, "I haven't had a chance to say this much, but Witt, you've improved a lot. Your performance in the exhibition match was fantastic."

　Witt paused, and after a long while, he managed to utter a single word: "Thank you."

　Dark smiled slightly and said, "I should be thanking you. I never expected the first match of the 'Silver Cup' to be between you and me. How did it go? Did you prepare well?"

　“Of course.” Vittor nodded, but something about the conversation felt off.

　Darke then said with a smile, "I hope we can both get what we need from this duel."

　Witt instinctively echoed, "Hopefully."

　Dark then stepped back slightly, took out the "Elysium" deck he had built beforehand from his card pack, examined it, and placed it into the card slot on the table.

　Seeing that he had already started preparing, Witt on the opposite side also took out his deck from his card pack.

　Although he had spent the last two days studying simulated duels, the Silver Cup wasn't something he had just acquired in the last couple of days. He had already built a usable deck beforehand, so he was fairly confident in his abilities.

　After both sides placed their decks, the referee and commentator took to their seats and commentary booths.

　Today's commentator is still Zach Wilson.

　Now a fifth-grader, Zach Wilson is steadily making his way in the Duel Club—still a commentator, and a rookie commentator at that.

　Dak was already quite familiar with this senior from the academy. When Zach Wilson looked over, he nodded amiably.

　Zach Wilson nodded quickly in acknowledgment, then felt a strange sense of honor.

　"Ahem." He quickly coughed lightly, getting into commentary mode.

　He came here with a mission today!

　As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean.

　Although Edwin Clarissa, the new president of the Society for the Study of Aristocratic History, didn't show much when she first took office, today, the fire has finally been lit!

　Zach Wilson was not in a position of crisis, but was given the task.

　Now that he's standing on the commentary platform, he can see the second-year students' performance most directly.

　Edwin then gave him a very important task—to discover and document the talents among the second-year students.

　This includes not only the Noble House, but also talents from the other three colleges.

　If the Noble History Research Society wants to lead the entire Noble Academy to win the Academy Cup, it needs to know itself and its opponents.

　In addition to discovering talent within our own college, it is also essential to scout out and understand the talent pool of other colleges.

　Zach Wilson took on this important task.

　Unlike Angus Jeffrey's time, Edwin did not force people to act according to their own will. He often gave rewards that exceeded the value of the reward itself, which made the members of the Society for the Study of Aristocratic History more willing to serve him.

　"This duel should be taken very seriously by every academy."