Although the [Wild Dance of Ice Flowers] spell was broken, the temperature in the arena, which had dropped because of the spell, did not immediately warm up.
Taking advantage of the cooldown on his summoning spell, John Smith exhaled a breath of air. The chilly environment made him feel invigorated.
His Magic Guide Spirits were primarily ice-type, and they thrived in a cold environment, allowing them to perform at their best. But that wasn't the main reason for his spell-based opening.
→He just wanted to show off!
John had never had a low-key personality, even as a child, but after enrolling in St. Marian Academy, he had been suppressed by the environment.
When everyone around you has a dull personality, no matter how socially graceful you are, you can't get the dance started!
Therefore, he could never understand why he was assigned to Fool's House.
Ever since being sorted into Fool's House, his luck hadn't been very good.
He had encountered unspeakable incidents during two consecutive Halloween events, and he had missed the Dueling Club's two recruitment drives due to stomach problems.
This time, if he hadn't asked Sister Carian for some stomach medicine in advance, he would have missed it again!
Of course, he would never admit it was because he'd greedily eaten ice cream.
John didn't realize that the main reason he was assigned to Fool's House was that he neither possessed noble blood nor was particularly tough or brave, and even lacked calmness and wisdom.
It was only because he didn't fit the traits of the other three houses that he was kicked into Fool's House...
But let's not digress.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to show off.
The mistake was underestimating his opponent.
Dark's intuition was spot on; John was indeed looking down on him.
Opening with a spell might seem flashy, but if it proves ineffective, it's equivalent to exposing your Magic Orb to danger.
If the opponent's Magic Guide Spirit was a three-star flying type, or possessed a precise long-range skill, then even the technique of remotely maneuvering the Magic Orb might not be enough.
There's a limit to how fast a duelist can move their Magic Orb.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, no duelist would take this risk—unless they had no Magic Guide Spirit cards in their hand!
Dark had experienced this once before, so he understood it all too well.
After assessing the situation, he didn't immediately attempt a tribute summon. Instead, he had Hawlucha and DemiDevimon temporarily switch to a defensive stance.
Among his four-star Magic Guide Spirits, [Miltank] was a tank type. Its attack was only 1000, and without the ability to use [Rollout] effectively, it wouldn't be able to handle that Frost Troll very well.
Moreover, when facing an opponent who could remotely control their Magic Orb, he didn't want to sacrifice Hawlucha.
DemiDevimon was also the evolution material for [Black Gatomon]. If he could draw [Lust III] next turn, he could summon a second-tier, four-star Magic Guide Spirit without a tribute.
...
On the other side, John looked at his life barrier, which had only 521 magic points left, and was finally forced to be cautious.
As both sides stopped their actions simultaneously, the tempo of the duel suddenly slowed down.
The 30-second countdown of the first round ticked by, finally moving on to the second round.
"Tick!"
Draw phase!
Dark drew two new Magic Guide Cards from the top of his deck in succession and immediately checked them.
▼
[Shuckle]
[Sylveon]
▲
"Here it is!"
Using [Shuckle] as a tribute instead of Hawlucha to summon [Sylveon] was clearly an excellent strategy.
But just as he was about to start summoning, he suddenly noticed that John on the opposite side was holding a Magic Guide Card high, light blue ice crystals flowing around his wrist, a look of ecstatic joy on his face.
Evidently, he had also drawn a key card!
An idea flashed through Dark's mind, and he immediately tapped on [Shuckle].
When in doubt, summon the pot.
"Bazi!"
Shuckle, who had already appeared multiple times in in-class matches and left some people with psychological scars, was summoned directly in front of the red side's Magic Orb.
And in the summoning zone on the opposite side.
The Frost Troll took a heavy step forward. An ice-blue magic circle appeared just in front of it, followed by the emergence of a cylindrical handle.
The Frost Troll reached out, grabbed it, and with a forceful pull, drew out a long lance made of azure ice crystals!
...
"It's a Weapon Card!"
Dark's pupils instantly contracted.
Weapon Cards were a subcategory of Item Cards.
Generally, Weapon Cards added attack power and special effects.
Higher-level Weapon Cards even came with their own skills!
...
Seeing his surprise, John couldn't help but make a gesture and grin, revealing his teeth. "Frost Lance, exclusive for ice-type humanoid Magic Guide Spirits. It adds 300 attack!"
The Frost Troll's attack was 1500, at the top of the three-star range. Adding 300 brought it to a whopping 1800!
It was indeed formidable.
But what was even more powerful was that after obtaining the Frost Lance, the Frost Troll would gain a combo skill that could only be triggered when these two cards were together—[Blizzard Lunge]!
"Blizzard Lunge!"
John pointed his finger, commanding the field with a flourish.
The Frost Troll widened its stance. Its two giant arms, which reached its knees, gripped the lance. With a sudden twist, a violent, icy wind erupted from the tip of the lance, and a visible tempest began to swirl around the shaft.
The storm spun, mixing with ice and snow.
The entire field of vision turned white.
The Frost Troll's figure was already swallowed by the blizzard.
...
Watching from the sidelines, Virt stared at the Magic Guide Spirit that looked identical to his own Troll, feeling utterly shocked.
They were both Trolls, so why was there such a huge difference?
...
In the judges' seats, Professor Fox glanced sideways at Professor Jones, feeling quite pleased with himself.
John Smith was just a decent prospect from the second-year Fool's House, someone he hadn't paid much attention to before. He hadn't expected him to improve so rapidly after the break.
Professor Fox spoke evasively, "Some young people just don't know their own limits. The older generation always has its reasons for being older."
But Professor Jones just smiled. "The new waves push the old. That's how it's always been. Professor Fox, the times have changed."
...
"Bang!"
A loud thud suddenly echoed across the field.
It was the Troll, having finished gathering its power, taking a heavy step forward that made the very air tremble.
After that step, its entire body leaned forward at a 45-degree angle, achieving a state of unity between man and spear, completely transforming into a giant lance within the blizzard.
The next moment, it lunged through the blizzard!
In the face of this charging giant spear, the three Magic Guide Spirits in the red summoning zone seemed as insignificant as ants.
"The match is decided."
A smile appeared on John's face.
Not even a second-tier Magic Guide Spirit could withstand this wave of attack, let alone three mere first-tier spirits.
He would scatter them with the storm and pierce the red Magic Orb's life barrier in one fell swoop!
Victory was within his grasp!
He was just a first-year student, after all.
...
Hawlucha was blinded by the shards of ice blowing straight at it.
DemiDevimon couldn't help but cover its face with its wings.
Shuckle poked its head out of its hard shell. "Bazi!"
Hawlucha turned its head with a suspicious look.
Shuckle nodded affirmatively. "Bazi bazi!"
Hawlucha, half-convinced, turned back to the front.
The next moment, a psychic light shone on its body, and an abundant surge of power poured into it.
It suddenly felt a bit sturdier.
And on the [Hawlucha] Magic Guide Card in Dark's hand, its defense value had changed from 1200 to 1700!
It was Shuckle's finishing move—[Power Split]!
The enhanced constitution gave Hawlucha confidence in Shuckle's suggestion. Its gaze hardened, and it took a stance against the charging Frost Troll!
At that moment, its concentration was stretched to the absolute limit.
Scenes from its past training with wooden dummies flashed through its mind.
It naturally stepped forward, then leaped violently, punching against the wind!
The fist, formed with only three fingers, wasn't pretty, but the power concentrated within it was entirely real.
The Frost Troll, fully in its state of man-spear unity, seemed to see a pathetic insect making a final, desperate struggle. Its intelligence wasn't high enough to grasp the subtlety of the situation.
All it knew was that this scene was like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot—a complete overestimation of one's own abilities.
Until its body was quietly enveloped by a psychic light, and its charging form suddenly felt a wave of weakness.
In that instant, an incomprehensible emotion surfaced in its mind, but it obeyed its orders and charged forward relentlessly.
"Bang!"
A less-than-stunning sound of impact.
Fist and spear collided in mid-air.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on this single point.
The entire world seemed to freeze for a moment.
A moment later.
Fist and spear separated.
The Frost Troll, enormous and overwhelmingly fierce, was sent flying backward like a kite!
Hawlucha, however, spread its wings, slowed its momentum, and landed steadily.
An air of a grandmaster, unintentionally revealed.
...
"Impossible!"
Professor Fox shot up from the judges' table, slamming his hands on it.
Professor Jones, however, crossed her arms over her ample chest, a smug look on her face.
You couldn't blame Professor Fox for losing his composure. Anyone seeing the terrifying power of that golden [Shuckle] for the first time would be just as shocked.
But that was merely the tip of the iceberg for the rookie Magus, Dark Demon.
If he was losing his cool over this, she was rather worried if Professor Fox's heart could take what was to come.
...
Among the first-years, cheers erupted from the spectators of every house.
They were relatively familiar with Dark, and some had anticipated something like this, but they still couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
So cool!
Regardless of how the effect was achieved.
That moment when Hawlucha sent the Frost Troll flying with a single punch was just too cool!
As the saying goes, the layman watches the excitement, while the expert sees the technique.
But it's the laymen who are the foundation of the dueling industry's prosperity.
Never mind the details, as long as it looks awesome, that's all that matters!
...
On the red player's platform.
Dark glanced at the completely flustered John Smith across from him and slowly lowered the [Sylveon] card in his hand.
On the field, Hawlucha, having landed steadily, was already on the move.
The moment the Frost Troll was knocked back was an excellent opportunity.
Hawlucha didn't want to let it slip by.
The earlier collision had actually given its wings frostbite.
It had to end this quickly, to win this match on its feet.
And not be used as a tribute...
Before the Frost Troll could get back up, Hawlucha successfully closed in on the blue side's Magic Orb.
Before delivering the final blow to the cracked life barrier, it looked up with a puzzled expression, not quite understanding.
The guy up there, he's just giving up?
...
"Battle over!"
"Winner: Player No. 666, Dark Demon!"
...
Dark gave Hawlucha some time to bask in the cheers of the crowd before recalling his Magic Guide Spirits one by one.
He was a little disappointed. Senior Smith's performance hadn't been up to par.
[Wild Dance of Ice Flowers], [Frost Troll], and [Frost Lance] were all very powerful Magic Guide Cards, but their owner lacked the heart of a duelist.
As expected.
Some people didn't get into Knight House because their other traits were more prominent.
Others, however, weren't chosen for Knight House because they simply weren't qualified.
He hoped that if they met again on the dueling field, he would have grown.
...
Dark packed up his Magic Guide Cards and walked down from the player's platform.
Back at the judges' seats.
Professor Jones shook her head and sighed, "It's a pity there's no 11-point option."
Then she held up the red placard marked with a 10.
As for the other blue placard, it read 6 points.
Although John's mental fortitude was a bit weak, he had some skill in refining Magic Guide Cards, and his summoning speed wasn't slow. It was a score above passing.
But Professor Jones placed more importance on a student's character development.
Professor Fox snorted coldly and also gave his scores.
"Red side, Dark, 10 points."
"Blue side, John, 5 points."
Even he couldn't find any fault with Dark. The bug-like skill of that [Shuckle] and the terrifying intelligence displayed by [Hawlucha] on the field had shocked him.
A flicker of anger burned within him.
Why did students like this never end up under his tutelage?
The golden generation, led by the Valkyrie and the Hero, had also just missed him.
Although he had trained many heroic figures and still kept in touch with them by letter, they always seemed to be lacking something compared to the Valkyrie and her peers.
On the other side.
The fifth-year senior silently raised his placards.
"Red side, 10 points."
"Blue side, 7 points."
...
"Three perfect scores!"
Doron, having just returned victorious and rejoined the chubby Pistan, saw the three shocking 10-point scores.
He turned and said, "That's Dark for you, the pride of our Noble House!"
Pistan asked, "How did you do?"
Doron smiled. "I outdid myself, an average of 7 points!"
Pistan: "Then you're set!"
Doron: "It's not that easy. Ah, what a shame I missed Dark's duel. Who was his opponent?"
Pistan: "A second-year senior, pretty strong... of course, that depends on who you're comparing him to."
...
While the students were buzzing with discussion, Dark was replenishing [Hawlucha]'s magic.
Hawlucha crossed its wings over its chest, held its head high, and wore an expression that screamed, "I'm waiting for a compliment."
Its expression only softened after Dark promised it a little red flower.
Because it struggled so much with its studies, this was the first little red flower Hawlucha had ever earned!
It was ecstatic on the inside.
Of course, once a reward was given out, he couldn't show favoritism.
The key contributor, Shuckle, and the supporting player, DemiDevimon, also received a little red flower each as a reward.
After finishing the magic replenishment, Dark closed his eyes, planning to rest for a bit before watching again.
But the participants of the next match caught his attention, and he couldn't help but open his eyes to look at the field.
It was Virt and Scott!
________________________________________
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