Otaku Translation: The villain only wants to live a Buddhist life Chapter 444

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Chapter 444: Taking One More Turn Would Count as a Loss.

Even though the [Knight of Love]'s magic energy, attack, and defense were all top-tier, its inability to break through the 3-star limit rendered it as helpless as a child before the 5-star Mismagius.

The [Love Beam], with its unique "charm" effect that weakened hearts, had no impact whatsoever on the [Lust]-embodied [Mismagius]. While Justin Wayne anxiously waited for the cooldown of his first summon to reset, his pride and joy, the [Knight of Love], was utterly shredded by [Mismagius]. And just like that, the fragile magic ball, with its mere 2000 Health Points, was left exposed to the merciless onslaught of Mismagius, whose attack power was 2500 points!

“Crack!” A sharp snap echoed through the air.

Despite Justin Wayne’s desperate attempt to control the magic ball with every ounce of his magic energy, sending it soaring into the sky, Mismagius pursued relentlessly. Its claws pierced through the life barrier of the magic ball with ease.

[Magic ball (blue): 2000 → 0]

...

“Tweet—” Professor Jones immediately blew her whistle, the sharp tip still retained the warmth from earlier.

In less than a single turn—no, not even half a turn—Justin Wayne, the once-celebrated prodigy of the first-year Knight House, had fallen without warning!

In that instant, Justin Wayne's heart plummeted into an abyss. He had believed that the strength of the [Knight of Love] would be enough to withstand Dark's initial burst, allowing him to summon his second card, the [Knight of Sorrow], which would form a knight bond with the [Knight of Love]. Together, these two elite 3-star knights would gain a significant boost, enabling them to stand toe-to-toe with Dark’s usual 4-star magical spirits.

But this time, the magical spirit Dark summoned through evolution was none other than the 5-star [Mismagius]!

This left Justin completely powerless, forcing him to await his inevitable defeat.

"Not even one full turn... I couldn't even last one full turn..."

Justin Wayne instinctively bit down on his lip, veins bulging on the back of his hand clutching the magic card. This devastating outcome nearly made him question all the effort he had poured into his training.

What was the point of all my hard work?

...

Descending from the dueling platform, Justin Wayne appeared dazed. His friends could only offer hollow words of comfort: “It’s nothing,” “It’s Dark, after all,” “You’ll get him next time.”

On the opposite side of the arena, Dark wore an expression of mild dissatisfaction, turning away from the platform as if unimpressed. He had hoped Justin Wayne might provide some entertainment, but reality proved otherwise.

"One more round to go. I hope the next opponent to arrive will bring me a pleasant surprise," Dark muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he returned to his seat amidst the "as expected" looks from the students of Noble House.

...

The duel assessments continued without pause, each pair of contestants called forth in rapid succession. Dark paid close attention, observing that the first-year students had indeed made significant progress. Particularly those who had joined him in clearing the dungeon boss—they now wielded new cards, showcasing their growth during this assessment.

"Number 3, Number 28."

"It’s my turn!" Dianna exclaimed, stepping forward with renewed vigor.

Then, she emerged victorious as expected. Among the first-years, Dianna had clearly risen above the rest, earning her place alongside Emma and Sara as one of the "Three Dominators" representing Noble House, Knight House, and Magister House respectively, leading the pack.

Not long after Dianna returned, it was finally Rose’s turn.

"It’s your turn," Dianna said, shaking Rose’s arm gently.

Rose nervously pulled out her number token. "I know..."

Dianna leaned in close, whispering softly, "Don’t worry, they’re really weak..."

Rose blinked. "Huh? But..."

Dianna emphasized, "Seriously, you’ll see when you go up there. Super weak!"

"No, uh, fine," Rose sighed, walking toward Field ② with a look of resignation.

She naturally assumed Dianna was trying to boost her confidence, unaware that Dianna was speaking the truth.

Dark, who had been eavesdropping nearby, exchanged a glance with Dianna before following her to the edge of Field ②. At that moment, the opposing contestant stepped onto the stage.

Dark squinted, unable to recall the opponent’s name. Turning to Dianna, he asked, "Who’s that over there?"

Dianna tilted her head thoughtfully. "Probably from Fool House... I don’t remember."

It seemed the opponent’s presence was so faint that neither Noble House nor Fool House students could recall his name. The boy had brown hair, brown eyes, and a clean-cut face marred only by a few freckles, which dulled his otherwise handsome features.

Both Rose and the Fool House student approached the field timidly, clearly inexperienced in duels. However, the moment the match began, the disparity in their abilities became painfully obvious.

Rose’s opening summon, the [Mobius Bug], stood firm like an impenetrable fortress. When its Energy Scale surged from 1 to 7, the sudden release of Supersonic Wave instantly obliterated the opponent’s strongest ace. Following this, Rose sacrificed her 3-star [Mobius Bug] and 1-star [Phantom Magic Beast: Snow Rabbit] to perform a Tribute Summon, bringing forth a powerful 4-star magical spirit—the [Rainbow Horned Rabbit]!

This robust rabbit, resembling a small calf, boasted a gleaming horn half a meter long, radiating a spectrum of colors. It completely shattered the conventional image of rabbits. Dark immediately recognized the horn as being crafted from the core of the double-headed demonic being they had defeated in the past.

With its dazzling rainbow horn, the [Rainbow Horned Rabbit] charged forward, shattering the Fool House student’s defenses in the blink of an eye and piercing through his life barrier, which had a mere 2000 Health Points.

The gap in their abilities was glaringly evident. The Fool House student, who had initially believed he’d drawn a favorable match, turned pale with shock as he suffered a crushing defeat.

Despite the loss, the duel brought a smile—to Rose. Stepping off the platform, she was visibly elated, her cheeks flushed with excitement from her overwhelming victory.

"Good job," Dark said, raising his hand for a high-five.

Rose eagerly slapped his hand before rushing over to share her joy with Dianna.

...

Shortly after Rose’s duel concluded, the first round of assessments came to an end. Most students had shown their capabilities during this round. Some, like Dark, achieved predictable victories; others, like Justin, met unexpected defeats. Then there were those like Rose, who emerged as dark horses.

Emma, Sara, and White, who had been under intense scrutiny, also demonstrated skills far beyond the average first-year level. Emma successfully forged a powerful magical spirit using the magic crystal coin obtained from defeating the dungeon boss, compensating for her lack of second-tier magical spirits. Similarly, Sara, whose deck had always excelled in trickery but lacked brute force, now addressed her weaknesses effectively. As for White, he had grown adept at wielding the [Holy Sword] and expanded his arsenal of magical spirits.

In summary, among the seven duelers from the first year who had joined the dueling club early, all except the unfortunate Justin Wayne performed admirably.

...

After the conclusion of the first round, the four professors gathered briefly to exchange opinions before taking a fifteen-minute break. Soon after, the second round commenced.

This round featured matchups that hadn’t appeared in the first, sparking suspicions of behind-the-scenes manipulation.

Field ③: Magister House’s Sara Swati vs. Noble House’s Dianna Great Bayer!

While male students vied for dominance, female competitors drew equal attention. Sara, Emma, and Dianna were undoubtedly the most prominent first-year girls, yet each left a distinct impression.

Sara was erudite and outgoing, reigning supreme within Magister House like a queen. Emma was diligent and intelligent but socially reserved, akin to a scholar devoted to knowledge. Dianna, on the other hand, was lively and pure-hearted, though often perceived as somewhat clumsy. Her achievements owed much to Dark’s guidance and encouragement.

Comparatively, Dianna was seen as the weakest of the trio. Thus, her match against Sara drew particular interest.

"Mmm..." Dianna gazed at Sara across the field, instinctively wanting to cover her head in despair. Sara represented the type of opponent Dianna struggled against the most. Before Sara had acquired stronger front-line spirits, Dianna might have stood a chance. But now, Sara had not only rectified her weaknesses but also enhanced her strengths in cunning strategies...

Dianna truly wished to avoid facing Sara in her current state. Yet, fate had paired them together, leaving her no choice but to steel herself.

"Rose, wait for me..."

As Dianna walked toward Field ③, her silhouette exuded loneliness and resolve, reminiscent of an old general marching to battle.

For reasons unknown, Dark felt the urge to laugh but suppressed it.

"Dark, who do you think will win between Dianna and Sara?" Rose asked curiously.

Dark shook his head slightly. "It depends on luck and quick thinking. Either Sara gets overwhelmed by Dianna’s brute force, or Dianna walks into a trap with no way out."

Rose opened her mouth. "So does Dianna have a good chance of winning?"

"Not really," Dark replied.

"Eh?" Rose exclaimed.

Dark chuckled. "Don’t worry. Even if she loses, Dianna won’t be easily discouraged. Besides, losing isn’t entirely bad. A defeat before the holidays might prevent her from becoming complacent. Progress halts if you stop moving forward. Three months is a long break—it’s a true test of discipline. If she spends it recklessly playing, she’ll fall behind when she returns."

"The holidays..." Rose murmured, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

Her mood visibly dampened.

Noticing this, Dark whispered, "What’s wrong? Don’t want to go home?"

Rose lowered her head and mumbled, "Mhm..."

Dark raised an eyebrow. "You live with your uncle, right?"

Rose: "Mm."

Dark: "Actually, there's no need to worry too much. Perhaps when you return home, you'll find it’s not as bad as you think."

"Tweet—" Professor Lily suddenly blew her whistle, signaling the start of the duel!

During the [Preparation Phase], Dianna drew her initial hand and instantly shifted into battle mode. Her previous worries and gloom seemed like an illusion, as she transformed into a roaring bear.

On the other side, Sara Swati smiled charmingly, resembling a beautiful yet venomous snake.

Their decks and tactics mirrored their personas—one fierce and domineering, the other alluring and ruthless—clashing intensely.

As Dark had predicted, despite Dianna's unmatched ferocity, she was ultimately outmaneuvered by Sara's cunning strategies. Slowly ensnared by the snake’s relentless advance, she fought desperately but eventually fell.

Although both performed admirably in this duel, victory belongs to the victor, and defeat to the vanquished.

Sara received all the applause, while Dianna was visibly struck by the outcome, her lips pressed tightly together.

She certainly wouldn’t cry. but her small fists clenched tightly.

"Dianna," Sara suddenly said.

Dianna slightly tilted her head to look at her.

Sara blinked: "Next semester, I’ll be waiting for your revenge."

Instantly, sparks ignited in Dianna’s eyes.

...

Such is the nature of duels.

A single win or loss does not determine eternal victory or defeat. Only through continuous progress can one break through their limits again and again.

When Dianna stepped down from the dueling platform, her expression had already returned to normal.

This duel with Sara clearly taught her a lesson, reigniting her desire to fight.

...

Not long after, Rose took the stage once more.

Her luck held; her opponent this time was another unremarkable student.

That Knight House student, even knowing the characteristics of [Mobius Bug], still couldn’t find a way to counter it and eventually lost.

Rose let out a deep sigh of relief as she stepped down from the platform.

These two duels had drained her significantly, but thankfully, she won both.

She didn’t have much competitive drive or high expectations for her grades—just passing was enough.

…

With Rose successfully completing her duel assessment, only Dark remained among the trio.

He waited quietly for his turn, watching eagerly as his anticipated opponents took the stage, until even Emma appeared, leaving him silent.

Having finally encountered a duel assessment, he naturally wanted to enjoy it thoroughly, but it seemed fate had other plans.

He sighed and shook his head.

"Number 66..." When Professor Jones finally called his number, he perked up slightly.

"Dark, it’s your turn," Dianna nudged him with her elbow.

"I heard!" he quickly replied.

Then Professor Jones announced the next number: "Number 104, Field ①."

"Number 104..." Dark pondered briefly before realizing, "Is that White?"

His gaze shifted, meeting White Gawd, who was also looking over with his assigned number.

Dark turned back.

He had observed White’s previous duel, but since White’s opponent wasn’t particularly strong, White hadn’t shown much prowess.

Who knows what changes occurred over these two months?

The return of Blood Princess theoretically should aid White’s growth.

However, Blood Princess wasn’t a professor and lacked the authority to grant credits, so she could only assist in education.

Though White lacked proper guidance, whether they could work well together remained uncertain.

Moreover, Blood Princess was essentially under “house arrest,” restricted from moving freely within the academy and couldn’t interact much with White.

Still, Dark occasionally saw White walking with Tom Nixon.

Tom Nixon, a third-year Fool House student born in the slums and of mixed heritage, had faced Dark in the finals of the Easter Duel Festival and participated in Blood Princess’s ritual.

He shared some connection with the Blood Princess.

Given that Tom Nixon used [Bloodlust] series magic cards, their link was quite strong.

White, inheriting Blood Princess’s lineage, theoretically possessed the aptitude for Blood Magic and might learn something from Tom Nixon.

In short, upon learning his opponent was White, Dark began brainstorming scenarios, hoping White had grown stronger—otherwise, it would be dreadfully dull.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Upon discovering his second-round opponent was Dark, White’s eyebrows shot up, excitement coursing through him.

Though he harbored no hostility toward Dark now, he still viewed him as a goal—to become someone as excellent as Dark, or even surpass him.

Facing Dark in a duel at the end of his first year felt like an ideal conclusion.

If he could scrape even a fragment of Dark’s strength in this duel, it would be a bonus.

"Hey, White, what’s wrong?" Robert suddenly asked.

White quickly steadied himself and replied, "I’m fired up."

Robert immediately checked his forehead, puzzled: "No fever? Maybe I should ask the professor for a sick leave for you so you can bow out early. After all, you don’t stand a chance against Dark anyway."

White: "..."

After a moment, White said, "Can we talk about something else?"

"Alright then." Robert shrugged. "Good luck. Surviving a round counts as a win."

White muttered, "Robert, there’s something I’ve never told you."

Robert looked confused: "What is it?"

White said bluntly, "You’re annoying."

Robert slapped his shoulder hard: "Ha! You finally said it!"

"Ow!" White gritted his teeth in pain. "Cut it out."

Robert gave his rear a playful push, sending him forward: "Go on, the sooner you go, the sooner you’ll come back. Don’t waste everyone’s time."

White rubbed his shoulder, wincing.

Nevertheless, he made his way toward the player platform of dueling field ①.

By now, Dark had already ascended the red platform.

Placing his hand on the card table, he gazed past the transparent barrier at White stepping onto the stage. His gaze was calm yet carried the weight of time.

From the start of the school year to now, nine months had flown by in the blink of an eye.

He vividly remembered the shock of regaining his past memories during the sorting ceremony and searching afterward for whoever might be the original game’s protagonist, paying particular attention to this Harry Potter-like character.

But today, he realized he hadn’t interacted with White in two months.

Before he knew it, they had drifted onto parallel paths without intersection.

Once Dark became confident he could analyze and control Deadly Sin in the future, there was no longer any reason to cross paths with the destined Brave One.

Throughout the year, he had adhered to the mindset he set at the beginning of the term, and continuing on this path was all that mattered.

As his thoughts grew clearer, Dark’s composure deepened.

He waited patiently until White mounted the platform before activating the card table, inserting his deck into the slot, infusing it with magical energy, and initiating the shuffle.

On the blue platform, White hurriedly placed his deck into the card table, activating the shuffle.

"Dark."

"Hmm?" White’s sudden voice caused Dark to glance up slightly.

White spoke: "I’ve never had the chance to formally thank you, but I truly appreciate everything."

Dark raised an eyebrow: "There’s no need for that."

If you’re sincere, find a proper occasion to express your gratitude.

Yet White continued: "I know, even if I give it my all, I won’t be able to match you, but I won’t surrender."

Dark nodded: "That’s fine. As long as you can smile, it’s enough."

White: "Huh?"

Dark: "I hope this duel brings smiles to both of us."

"Tweet—"

[Preparation Phase][30s]

The moment the exchange ended, the thirty-second countdown for the preparation phase began.

Without hesitation, Dark reached for his cards.

White, however, hesitated for a moment before drawing.

This marked their first official duel since the start of the school year. Though merely in Rookie League format, it held significant meaning for White—it might reveal the gap between him and his goal and help him calculate how to bridge it.

For Dark, it held some significance, though not much.

After drawing five magic cards, he spread them out immediately, applying full force even against a lesser opponent.

▼

[Primal Dragon Egg]

[Honedge (Weapon Form)]

[Greed III]

[Shuckle]

[Miltank]

▲

The first card drawn was [Primal Dragon Egg]!

Starting with this 3-star magical spirit card allowed Dark to rapidly hatch a 6-star magical spirit.

Provided its 1500 defense wasn’t broken instantly—a highly unlikely scenario.