"Next, please welcome the seventh-place qualifier."
Senior Judy bent slightly forward, smiling and nodding at Dark, revealing a sliver of fair skin below her neck.
Dark kept his gaze straight ahead, composed and unruffled.
Senior Judy then turned to introduce him to the spectators: "To be honest, before the results came out, I simply couldn't imagine how a first-year could fight his way to a qualifying spot under the encirclement of the second- and third-years.
But contestant Dark Demon demonstrated exactly that to me, flawlessly. I think the spectators present will never forget the wonderful performance he and his Magic Guide Spirit delivered. Now let me give a brief little introduction on his behalf."
She said brief, and it really was brief.
Senior Judy basically just read off the awards Dark had won since the start of the term, and she made no mention of his family background.
A student's family background would, most of the time, become a boost along their path in life, but sometimes it would bring needless trouble as well.
The academy clearly did not want to bring such things into the competition.
To begin with, becoming an outstanding Magic Guide Master was already enough to rival or even surpass the status of half the nobility.
So the spectators only needed to know that they were students of the Noble House—that was enough.
After finishing the introduction, Senior Judy turned around and gave a wink: "Classmate Dark Demon, is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"
Dark nodded slightly, then stepped forward, took the microphone from Senior Judy's hand, looked out at the tens of thousands of spectators in the stands, and said: "Happy Easter."
Then he handed the microphone back to Senior Judy.
But at the same moment she grasped the microphone, Senior Judy pressed her slender fingers down on his, keeping him from withdrawing.
Then Judy, who should have turned to the next contestant, blinked hard and said: "Is there anything more you'd like to say?"
Dark fell silent, then his gaze slid toward Ma Li Bond beside him.
But Senior Ma Li kept her spine ramrod straight, her eyes fixed ahead.
Senior Judy gave a tap of her finger, pushing the microphone back into Dark's hand, and said in a low voice: "It's your first time on stage—leave the spectators a deep impression."
Only then did Dark compose his expression and say in a clear voice: "This year is the first Easter I've spent at the academy, so I took part in planning this Easter Dueling Festival. I hope we can use dueling to bring smiles to more people."
Afterward he handed the microphone back to Senior Judy again.
Senior Judy was stunned for a moment, but still quickly took the microphone and immediately said: "I never would have guessed that this Easter Dueling Festival was actually planned by classmate Dark. The qualifier battle royale truly brought me a huge surprise—I really did feel the joy in the dueling.
I think all of you spectators must feel the same as me. So, thank you, classmate Dark Demon, for bringing us such a wonderful and entertaining Dueling Festival!"
In an instant, thunderous applause erupted!
Whether or not Dark could win more victories in the duels to come, the impression he had left on the spectators was already deep enough.
Especially once the Easter model eggs became popular, even more people would likely remember his name.
That was an impression that belonged entirely to him as an individual, having nothing to do with the Demon family, or with the family background of a duke's son.
Whether good or bad.
...
Once the applause died down, Senior Judy continued with the introduction of the eighth-place qualifier, Ma Li Bond.
Afterward, Senior Ma Li proved to Dark that what she'd said was no lie.
She, too, said only one line to the spectators: "Happy Easter."
...
With that, the introductions of all sixteen qualifying contestants came to a swift close.
After they had exited one by one, Senior Judy began to explain the rules of the main matches.
Since the rules of the main matches were far too simple, there's no need to repeat them here.
Dark entered the contestants' passage together with the seniors, and then the fourth- to sixth-year students continued onward, while the first- to third-year students all stopped at the mouth of the passage.
Of the eight contestants, five were third-years, two were second-years, and one was a first-year.
But the relationships among students of the same year didn't seem all that close either.
Even Mike Owen and Stuart Fawn, both third-year Noble House students, had nothing to say to each other.
As for Senior Winnie Skadi of the Magic House, she simply pulled out a palm-sized book, leaned against the wall, and began reading.
Truly racing against every second, not stopping for a moment.
Dark was actually quite curious what on earth she was reading—after all, a book in a palm-sized format like that generally wouldn't be anything respectable—but he restrained his curiosity.
By comparison, that third-year Knight House senior looked like he might be fairly easy to talk to.
But sure enough, Senior Ma Li was the easiest to talk to after all.
So Dark asked: "Senior, what do we do next?"
"Wait." Senior Ma Li held up a single finger, the corner of her mouth curving up.
Dark helplessly pressed on: "So what exactly are we waiting for?"
Only then did Ma Li smile and say: "What else would we be waiting for—waiting to go on stage. Next, Judy will draw two number tokens out of a hidden box, and the two who get drawn go straight up to duel. We start with our lower-year group, which is why we're waiting here. I really hope you and I get drawn next—then I could win easily."
Dark's face darkened, and he said: "Let's hope so."
Of course, he knew Senior Ma Li was joking.
Now that he understood the situation, Dark could begin to estimate the timing.
In the qualifier battle royale, he had used only a single "Pride III" card, and he'd used it right at the start.
By now, the roughly one-hour cooldown had clearly finished resetting.
So all the Magic Guide Cards in his hand were in a usable state.
"The number of [Major Sin Card]s is too small—it really is a bit inconvenient. In the early matches the intervals are long, so there's no need to worry. But later on, when there aren't many contestants left, it gets somewhat dangerous."
He frowned slightly, unable to help mulling it over.
Meanwhile, across from him, Mike Owen had actually wanted to come over and greet him, but because of the presence of Stuart Fawn—a fellow member of the Noble History Research Society standing right beside him—it really wasn't convenient for him to get chummy with Dark.
Mike Owen hadn't actually thought much of this Easter Dueling Festival; the reason he was taking part... was to unwind.
He just hadn't expected that Angus Jeffrey still hadn't given up on making trouble for Dark, which put him in a difficult spot.
But since things had come to this, all he could do was adapt as the situation demanded.
"How about I just lose, then?"
Mike Owen's mind kept turning.
"As long as I lose fast enough, the less I have to worry about running into him. Bingo! That's it!"
...
Up on the hosting platform, however, the host Judy did not, as Ma Li had said, take out a black box containing number tokens.
She beckoned behind her, and the backstage staff immediately carried up a table, atop which eight eggs were arranged in a neat row.
Judy smilingly came up to the table, picked up a tiny hammer from it, and said to the spectators: "Next, I'll pick two of these eight eggs, crack them open, and take out the number tokens inside, in order to decide the two contestants for the first duel. Is everyone ready?"
After giving the spectators a moment to react, Judy lifted the little hammer and gave it a shake, then casually picked an egg and struck it hard.
"Crack!"
The egg split entirely open from top to bottom, revealing one large number token inside.
Judy picked up the token and turned its face toward the stands.
She also turned it, in passing, toward the direction of the contestants' passage.
...
"Number 129... it's actually me?"
Mike Owen instantly perked up.
Next, as long as he lost fast enough, he could switch professions into a spectator and go watch the matches from the ring zone.
Maggie was still down there waiting for him.
"What a pity I couldn't hold back during the qualifier battle royale."
Mike Owen kept his eyes on the hosting platform, waiting for Judy to crack open the second egg.
...
"Number 129 is Mike Owen of the third-year Noble House. It looks like he'll be the first contestant to appear in this main competition. So, next, let's continue and reveal the second contestant."
Judy once again picked up the little hammer and struck an egg in the corner hard.
"Crack!"
As the egg shattered, she asked the spectators: "So then, who will the next contestant be? Let me see..."
This time, when she picked up the number token, Judy was visibly a little surprised. She turned her head to glance at the mouth of the passage, then suddenly raised her volume and announced loudly: "For this Easter Dueling Festival, the lower-year group main competition, first match, will be third-year Noble House Mike Owen versus first-year Noble House—Dark Demon!"
"Damn it!"
Within the contestants' passage.
Mike Owen shuddered all over and abruptly looked up at Dark across from him.
Almost simultaneously, Dark turned to look at him too.
Their gazes met.
Dark was rather amiable.
Mike Owen, however, suddenly heaved a sigh.
He had already sensed Stuart Fawn's gloomy gaze.
"So this is what they call misfortunes never coming singly?"
This time, even if he didn't go all out, he couldn't slack off either.
Unless he truly no longer wanted to go on hanging around the Noble History Research Society.
Given his past identity, back in the Noble History Research Society he had practically offended every major club there was.
Once he left the society, he'd have nowhere to go.
"Nothing for it—I'll just have to grit my teeth and go up."
Mike Owen nodded at Dark and stepped out of the passage first.
At that moment, his retreating figure carried an inexplicable air of tragic grandeur.
Just like... a great general marching off to war.
A small question mark formed in Dark's mind, full of bewilderment at Mike Owen's behavior.
It's a perfectly good Easter—what kind of drama are you putting on?
Are you really treating today like April Fool's Day?
Oh, today is also April Fool's Day—never mind, then.
Dark adjusted his collar and strode toward the mouth of the passage.
...
As the two contestants made their entrances one after the other, the atmosphere in the stands surged once more.
Dark didn't have much popularity yet, but Mike Owen unexpectedly had some.
The two contestants walked out of the passage and, under the guidance of the staff, headed to opposite sides of the arena.
Since Owen was the first contestant drawn, he was the red side, while Dark was the blue side.
The spectators' attention also split apart as the two contestants separated.
Mike Owen had fans of his own.
But as for the casual, neutral fans, they clearly leaned more toward the planner of this Dueling Festival.
To most spectators, being able to see a planner who should have stayed behind the scenes personally step onto the dueling stage was probably a most delightful thing.
In short, quite a few people gave this "mastermind behind the scenes" first-year very enthusiastic applause.
Amid the applause, Dark arrived at the foot of the blue side's contestant platform and lifted his legs to climb the stairs.
Come to think of it, this was only the second time he'd climbed the stairs of this contestant platform, yet once his foot came down it felt quite familiar, without the slightest awkwardness.
Upon reaching the contestant platform, he instinctively turned his head toward the spot where he'd seen Senior Pandora last time, and was startled to find that the senior was indeed sitting there quietly.
Today, perhaps because she was carrying two "little fatties," the atmosphere around her had eased considerably, and not too many seats had been left empty.
When Pandora saw him turn his head over, she raised her hand slightly to her chest and gave a small wave.
Dark couldn't help showing a smile.
When his gaze withdrew, his smile immediately grew wider.
Because he was lucky enough to see Alvit and Claire sitting in the very front row of the stands.
Dark was actually quite surprised by the arrival of his mother and his teacher.
He had originally thought a competition like this Easter one wouldn't draw them in, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
"Did they know I'd be appearing? Or was it for some other reason?"
Thoughts spinning in his mind, Dark raised his hand and waved hard toward them!
Alvit immediately responded with excitement.
This time there was no Eldest Princess to hold back her hand, so she could finally wave to her heart's content.
Seeing his mother's face once more, Dark felt warmth flooding his heart.
He still remembered that last time, his mother had actually given him no response at all, leaving him dispirited for a long while.
But however much he longed for her, he couldn't possibly show it on this contestant platform.
After waving, Dark turned back and looked at Senior Mike Owen directly across from him.
He turned his attention back to the duel, raised his hand to press on the card table, and channeled in mana.
Once the card table was activated, the amplification device started up along with it.
Dark smiled faintly and said: "Senior Owen, long time no see."
...
Mike Owen actually wanted to chat with him a bit, but unfortunately the setting didn't allow it.
So he merely responded out of courtesy: "Long time no see, Demon. I didn't expect to run into you in the very first match."
Dark shrugged: "I didn't expect that my first time in an official match would be against you, Senior. From our last Street Duel, I learned a great deal."
"You really know how to bring up the one thing best left unmentioned..."
Mike Owen clutched his head, his gaze drifting toward a certain spot in the ring zone.
Angus Jeffrey had his hands clasped together, fingers interlaced, watching this way with a deep, fathomless gaze.
Mike Owen sighed inwardly, then his face turned solemn and he set his mindset straight.
Then he said to Dark: "This barely counts as our second duel. I hope you can understand that the one standing before you is Mike Owen, third-year of the Noble House."
This was practically equivalent to a formal declaration of war.
Dark's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said: "Senior, please go all out."
After that, the two no longer exchanged words.
Dark took out the deck he had adjusted in advance from his card pack—forty Magic Guide Cards in all, with a hefty feel in his hand.
Today was different from before.
When he stepped onto this contestant platform again, the strength of his deck was already vastly different.
But the duelist across from him was no longer the second-year Elsie Kevin—it was the third-year honors student, Mike Owen.
In that Valentine's Street Duel, although Dark had been the final victor.
But the "Suspended Sword," "Mud Trap," "Triple Bronze Gate," and that other armament card Senior Owen had displayed at the time were all very powerful Magic Guide Cards.
If, instead of clowning around back then, he had honestly started by summoning a Magic Guide Spirit first, Dark might not have won so easily.
Without a doubt, Mike Owen should be the strongest duelist Dark had encountered to date.
Facing an opponent of this caliber, Dark dared not let down his guard in the slightest.
The "go all out" he had said to Mike Owen was also a reminder to himself.
"Trust in your own deck!"
...
As Dark slotted his Magic Guide Cards into the card slot, the card table began to shuffle automatically.
Both contestants were ready.
Only then did the referee's whistle sound.
The commentator's atmosphere-rousing words were tossed aside.
The whole mood gradually grew solemn.
...
"Preparation Phase" [30s]
The 30-second countdown for the Preparation Phase appeared simultaneously on the card table panel and in the air above the field.
Dark abruptly reached out to draw a card; after a moment's unfamiliarity, he immediately entered his rhythm thanks to the familiar texture of the Magic Guide Cards.
This duel adopted the most standard mode.
There was one point that was a bit different from what Dark had anticipated.
Perhaps it was to stay in sync with the upper-year group's duels, so that the spectators wouldn't feel a sense of disconnect when the two groups' duels alternated.
Even for the lower-year group's Magic Sphere Life Barrier, the fourth level was used—8000 points of mana value!
A duel with 8000 points of mana value and a duel with 4000 points of mana value would have a relatively large difference in pacing.
Dark hadn't even experienced a 4000-point mana value duel before; this rather large leap required him to approach it with a more cautious attitude in order to grasp the details.
"Draw!"
The 30-second countdown of the Preparation Phase encompassed the two steps of "drawing" and "thinking."
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5."
Five Magic Guide Cards were now in hand.
Dark entrusted the Magic Guide Cards to his left hand, spread them out in a fan, and his eyes swept over them rapidly.
[Curse Cage: DemiDevimon]
[Pride III]
[Pride I]
[Meowth]
[Blink Spell]
"DemiDevimon and 'Pride III'!"
The instant he saw these two Magic Guide Cards, Dark couldn't help knitting his brows.
The possibility of opening with a summon of "Devimon" had unfolded.
But facing a third-year powerhouse, if he directly summoned a second-tier Magic Guide Spirit, would he run into a trap?
DemiDevimon held an extremely core position within his tactical system.
Whether "Devimon," "Black Gatomon," or the strongest, "Bastemon," all required DemiDevimon as their foundation.
Once he chose to summon "Devimon," it was equivalent to giving up "Black Gatomon" and "Bastemon."
And if "Devimon" then fell into a trap...
In that case, open with a summon of "Meowth"?
"Not much point."
"Hiding my head and tail isn't my style."
...
"Tick!"
The 30-second countdown passed in the blink of an eye.
The duel switched to the "Battle Phase."
A turn countdown, likewise 30 seconds, appeared on the panel and in the air above the field.
Dark snapped back to focus and summoned directly.
"In the name of Dark Demon, Magic Guide Summon—DemiDevimon!"
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