Otaku Translation: The villain only wants to live a Buddhist life Chapter 396

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Chapter 396: ’s Infinite Bloodline

A win was a win, and a loss was a loss.

had not reached the point where he couldn't accept a loss.

But ultimately, the element of luck played a part in duel competitions. Winning or losing didn't represent one's entire strength.

He acknowledged that Dark Demon had surpassed the level of a first year, but in the next competition, he might not necessarily lose!

"I hope I can meet you again in the next competition."

Stuart Fawn lastly uttered those words, and then lowered his head and deactivated the card table.

As for next, he needed to carefully think about how to deal with President Jeffrey's reproval.

This unexpected failure might have an extremely negative impact on his predicament in the .

……

"Next competition?"

Upon hearing Stuart's last sentence, Dark’s expression turned strange.

He kept feeling like this senior's words were alluding to how "the wheel of life keeps on turning, so don't trample on the young bud when it's down".

But the one who was of greater age should be him, the senior, right?

He stroked his chin. After contemplating for a while, he really couldn't be bothered to respond, so he started to recall his magical spirits.

What enabled him to claim the victory of this duel was the performance of his magical spirits.

Especially and , who had firmly established the situation.

Stuart Fawn probably thought that as long as he could slog through this round, he

could regain his chance of winning.

But the fact was that the moment Mismagius stepped onto the battlefield, the duel was already over.

What gave him the illusion that he could still survive was simply because Dark didn’t let Mismagius launch [] and chose to "keep it up his sleeve".

Once [Nightmare Space] was deployed, Mismagius only had to use [Ally Switch] to swap its position with [Jester Ninja] to give the magic ball a fatal blow.

But in a duel competition, the less information was revealed, the more favorable it would be for the subsequent matches.

For instance, Espeon's [Magic Bounce] and Magical Scribe's [Auto Summon] would most likely be analyzed and countered after this duel.

Therefore, knowing how to keep one’s cards hidden was very important.

……

When Dark packed up his magic cards and walked down the contestant platform, in the auditorium, Eldest Prince Charles who specifically came for him was already feeling quite impatient.

Although the viewing experience of the duel just now wasn't that bad, his mind was nonetheless not on the duel itself.

"Where's the you talked about?"

There was a threatening tone to the eldest prince's voice.

The confidant beside him hurriedly appeased, "The next match, it'll definitely come out in the next match!"

The eldest prince clasped his hands over his chest and continued to look at the arena in silence.

Of course he knew that not being able to summon a specific magical spirit in a duel was only normal. He was merely venting his dissatisfaction just now.

But the next match...

……

The next match was certainly not one Dark would participate in.

At Senior Sister Judy's call, he got down to the stage, went through the formalities, and then walked off the stage.

Afterwards, two contestants from the senior group took to the stage and started their duel.

The two contestants to duel in the first round of the senior group's semi-finals were the fourth-year Noble House student who defeated a fifth-year contestant, and the only sixth-year student in the competition.

After leaving the stage, Dark didn't go to the ring belt, but stayed at the gateway of the contestant passage, replenishing the magic energy of his magic cards while watching the duel.

The other contestants whose turns had yet to come were also staying in the same contestant passage.

The two remaining contestants in the senior group, [Dragon-Slaying Warrior] Luke Bech and [Night Baron] Noah Sharp, were students of the same year. They were obviously familiar with each other, but as if unable to stand one another, they stood very far apart.

But it made sense—a "dragon wielder" and a "dragon slayer" would naturally not get along with each other.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the junior group was a little more harmonious.

Dark and Senior Sister Mary could be considered acquaintances, able to at least make small talks with each other.

As for , the other third-year student from Fool House, he had always kept to himself and didn't talk much.

Amidst this atmosphere, the duel commenced.

……

Although the outcome of the senior group's duel had nothing to do with him, Dark still watched it seriously.

However, there was a great disparity in strength between the two contestants in this duel.

From the start of the [Battle Phase], the situation had spiraled to become completely one-sided.

Unlike Dark Demon, the fourth-year Noble House student was unable to prevail over his senior and was thoroughly suppressed by the sixth-year student from the beginning to the end.

It was as if once the realization caught up, the fourth-year Noble House student was already done for.

……

"I didn't expect my turn to come so soon."

As lightly inhaled, her back that was leaning against the wall straightened up a little.

Dark asked in concern, "Senior sister, do you have any chance of winning?"

Mary glanced at Tom Nixon opposite her, and then waved her fist, "If you're talking about the chance of winning..."

Dark: "Mhm?"

Mary broke into a smile, "Of course there's none."

Thereupon, she turned around and strode out of the contestant passage.

Dark’s mouth fell open, falling speechless for quite some time.

"She’s truly free-spirited."

Dark shook his head and gathered his thoughts.

Although Senior Sister Mary defeated Elvis Kevin in her previous duel, if one were to closely observe the match, they would find that her combat power was actually slightly inferior to Elvis Kevin.

Her victory was the result of a culmination of many factors.

But when facing Tom Nixon, a top student of the third year, those advantages of hers would most likely be unavailing.

As she had said herself, she had no chance of winning.

However, a dueler never gave up.

Even if the road ahead was dark and hopeless, one must believe in themself, believe in miracles, that there would always be a way to light up a path!

……

Although this statement might sound rather corny, the power of the mind could indeed create miracles.

Moreover, the opponent might also suddenly slip up, won't they?

Dark let out a light smile before turning to look at the other contestant who was about to take the stage.

As a result, his eyes happened to meet with Tom Nixon's.

Tom Nixon was a third-year student, meaning he was fourteen years old.

In this world, fourteen years old was originally already an age where one could get married, have children, and take on the responsibility of the family.

Although the rapid change of the times had allowed children more time to grow up, Tom was a child from the slums. He was more familiar with the way of the world.

Since this was the first time Dark came into contact with this senior from Fool House, he couldn't help but closely observe him.

Appearance wise, Tom had slight split ends and overly long bangs that covered his eyes—a very subdued look, but not nearly as gloomy as Stuart Fawn.

He looked very natural and ordinary, just like any other young boy who could be seen everywhere.

But it was this young boy who defeated Senior Sister , a descendant of the , in his previous duel.

From the beginning, Dark had regarded Winnie Skadi as an opponent he had to overcome on the way to victory. Unexpectedly, she was eliminated right in the first round of the main competition.

It was only natural that he would pay great attention to Tom Nixon, who defeated Winnie Skadi.

Just as the two were sizing each other up, Tom Nixon suddenly raised his hand, spread out his fingers towards Dark, and then slightly folded them up, letting his thumb hang under his forefinger.

Before Dark could express his doubts, he quickly turned around and walked out of the passage.

"What's the meaning of that?"

Dark was left in complete puzzlement as he recalled Tom Nixon's gesture.

But [Night Baron] Noah Sharp, who was also present, suddenly asked him, "Do you know him?"

"Me and him?" Glancing at Tom Nixon's back, Dark shook his head and replied, "We don't know each other."

"That's strange." Noah Sharp rubbed his chin and began pondering.

This fifth-year senior from Knight House was only sixteen years old, but he was already quite tall and large. Although his appearance was ordinary, he had a very steady and reliable aura.

Dark didn't know him at all. He had only learned from the earlier introduction that he had saved his hometown and thus received the title of baron.

But since it was Noah Sharp who took the initiative to strike a conversation, there was no reason for him to hold back. He immediately asked, "Excuse me, can you tell me the meaning of Senior Tom Nixon's gesture?"

"It's the custom of some minority tribes." [Dragon-Slaying Warrior] Luke Bech, who had been pretty silent until now, suddenly spoke up and explained, "Tom is telling you that he’ll devour you."

"Devour me?" Dark became even more confused.

Noah Sharp threw him a sideway glance, and then said, "That's why I asked you if you know him. This isn't some ordinary greeting, but treating you as the prey he's about to hunt."

A baffled look took over Dark's face.

Seeing that the junior student seemed to be shocked, Noah Sharp laughed and comforted him, "Don't fret too much. As a first-year student, you’ve done really great by defeating two third-year students in a row. Even if you lose next, you’ll still gain a lot of popularity. In Saint Marian, popularity can truly be converted into credits. Work hard, alright."

After saying that, Noah Sharp walked a little out of the passage and prepared to watch the match.

He didn't act overly enthusiastic towards Dark due to his identity.

In essence, this was the general attitude of a promising magister towards nobles.

Although Noah Sharp had the title of baron, it didn't seem like he attached much importance to aristocracy .

Immediately afterwards, [Dragon-Slaying Warrior] Luke Bech also walked out of the passage.

Dark was the only one left inside the passage, rigorously pondering.

But having remained puzzled despite his rumination, Dark could only temporarily restrain his thoughts and earnestly watch the match.

Zach Wilson, who had returned to the commentator's tribune, had already begun his passionate commentary.

Earlier, after switching with the commentator of the senior group, he had returned to Angus Jeffrey's side. While secretly looking at Jeffrey's angry expression, he inexplicably felt a little happy in his heart.

Of course, despite laughing in his heart, it was impossible for him to laugh in front of Jeffrey's face.

Now that he had returned to the commentator's tribune, he could once again be as bold and unrestrained as he pleased.

On paper, there was a slight gap in strength between Mary Bond and Tom Nixon, but having just experienced Dark Demon's underdog victory, the audience’s interest towards such duels between junior and senior students had instead grown larger.

Furthermore, the dueling styles of the two contestants on the field were in fact quite special, and they had genuinely accumulated some niche fans.

Therefore, the atmosphere at the start of the duel was quite fervent.

After the two sides climbed onto the contestant platform, they directly skipped the communication (trash talk) session and entered the preparation phase.

And thus the cards were shuffled, drawn, and summoned, the duel fully kicking off!

……

"Will whoever wins between these two become Dark's opponent in the final match?"

In the ring belt, Dianna asked with her eyes open wide.

Pandora nodded with a smile. "That's right. If Dark wants to obtain the final victory, he must defeat the winner of this match."

Dianna couldn't help but say, "That seems really difficult."

The duel between Mary Bond and Tom Nixon was unexpectedly fierce.

That was to say, Mary Bond was surprisingly strong!

In this duel, she strongly demonstrated the aptitude a should have.

While her magical spirits weren't as intelligent as Dark’s, their performance was nearly as excellent.

Rose also remarked in surprise, "Dianna, she feels very similar to you."

But Dianna was bewildered. "Eh? How are we similar?"

Rose shook her head. "I can't tell exactly."

Pandora stared at Dianna's face for a while, and then told her, "Watch the match carefully, you’ll be able to learn from it."

Dianna: "Oh."

……

"What a good aptitude."

On the other side of the ring belt, "Leah Goethe", who had switched to a different appearance, looked on with an approving gaze.

However, her focus was not on Mary Bond, but on Tom Nixon.

……

While Mary Bond showed the aptitude of a "Spiritual Magister", Tom Nixon showed another kind of aptitude that only few could recognize.

It was the aptitude of "(血源魔导师)" that was completely different from "Spiritual Magister"!

By probing into the origin of bloodline, they could establish a blood connection with magical spirits, let the instinct of bloodline infuse the magical spirits’ core, and make them unleash unimaginable power.

That was what a "Bloodborne Magister" was.

Different from the system of "spiritual power", what "Bloodborne Magisters" used was "the ".

There was no way to rate which of the two was stronger or weaker, but while "spiritual power" was in a sense a system that could actually be propagated, "the power of bloodline" was exclusive to a very small number of people.

And the mixed-blood Tom Nixon seemed to possess the key to unlocking "the power of bloodline".

……

In the duel arena, the battle between Mary Bond and Tom Nixon's magical spirits had gradually broken away from the usual conventions of battle.

Just like a martial arts master and a bloodthirsty beast fighting to the death, the data on the panel seemed to have been reduced to an insignificant decoration for them.

Mary Bond, who knew from the beginning that she had no chance of winning, had fully thrown herself into enjoying the duel.

And Tom Nixon, who was confident in his victory, gradually composed himself after encountering an unexpectedly fierce resistance.

The beast in his heart that lay beneath his ordinary appearance slowly revealed its fangs.

The heated battle had ignited a mayhem.

……

With a focused gaze, Dark Demon watched on with rapt attention.

The duel between the two people on the field had completely engrossed him, making his blood, which hadn't cooled down for long, boil once more.

As for the gesture Tom Nixon made to him before the match, he had long since tossed it to the wind.

There was no point in dwelling on that sort of thing.

Next, if it was Tom Nixon who won, he just had to defeat him in the final.

Simple as that.

……