Chapter 160: Courage and Wisdom Are Not Conflicting
As the first-year Magic House's only named character so far, Sara Swati's name remained largely unknown.
However, in the eyes of the professors, she was clearly highly regarded.
Inheriting the brown eyes and dark skin of the Ancient Sage, Sara was remarkably conspicuous within the predominantly fair-skinned academy.
Among first-year students, she was unrivaled in terms of knowledge and foundational understanding.
During the first class competition, Sara couldn't overcome Emma's [Golden Casket], but this time, she returned with formidable momentum.
Apart from Sara.
Emma Metis from the Knight House was also a significant focus for the professors.
As a professor in the Knight House, Professor Sarah naturally knew more about her: "As you might expect, Emma Metis also belongs to the Sage Lineage; her mother was a disciple of the Secret Sage."
Professor Lily pouted, "So why isn't she a Magic House student?"
Professor Sarah earnestly explained, "The Sorting Ceremony considers various factors at the time of a student's enrollment, such as their mana, talent, disposition, and mindset. Since she was sorted into the Knight House, it means her qualities at that time were better suited for the Knight House, or she was psychologically more inclined towards it. If another sorting were to be conducted now, the outcome might be different."
Professor Jones pointed to her own 'muscle-brained' head, smiling as she said, "Courage and wisdom don't conflict."
Professor Lily's eyes darted, and she chuckled.
Next, they spoke of the Hero's Son.
Professor Sarah's expression softened slightly: "As for Virt Gold, he does possess talent, though he's been a bit disheartened. Under the supervision of Instructor Grace, he has made some progress. However, compared to those three..."
She shook her head, unwilling to say more.
"Next, is it my turn?"
Professor Jones crossed her arms over her chest, proudly stating, "Our Noble House may have fewer students this year, but we certainly have no shortage of top performers. Leaving aside Dark Demon for a moment, Dianna Greatbear and Teddy Doron are both exceptionally good children. In terms of personality, I'm quite fond of Doron, but Dianna is undoubtedly more endearing."
Claire said resignedly, "Professor Jones, after all these years, your preferences still haven't changed."
Professor Jones: "What's wrong with having preferences?"
Professor Sarah: "Alright, let's begin the second round of the competition."
Then, the professors perked up and exited the Dueling Arena's office.
...
Two-thirty PM.
All the first-year students had already gathered inside Dueling Arena 1.
However, unlike the morning, students who hadn't advanced to the second round were very relaxed, as they weren't required to compete. They were primarily there as spectators to watch the matches.
Nevertheless, the Little Magic Masters had a very strong sense of collective honor; almost every one of them was cheering on their house's competitors.
The Knight House and Noble House, usually at odds with each other, were now baring their teeth and fiercely competing.
Although the Hero's Son, once the Knight House's pride, had fallen short, Emma Metis had demonstrated incredibly strong competitiveness in the first round. This filled them with high expectations for the well-rounded young lady, who was gradually integrating into the collective.
The Noble House, naturally, placed their championship hopes on the reigning champion, Dark Demon!
...
From being highly anticipated at the start of the semester to being largely ignored now, the increasingly apparent sense of disparity left Virt Gold breathless.
Right after Halloween, he could still maintain his composure thanks to his excellent second-place finish in the event.
Even after his "detention," he could feel progress under Instructor Grace's supervision.
For today's class competition, he had also come with the goal of winning the championship.
Yet, in the first round of matches this morning, he had already faced a tough battle!
Classmates he had previously disregarded entirely seemed to have suddenly grown stronger!
Had he not pushed his Troll into a "berserk" state, he might not have even made it to this second round.
In short, his mood was heavy at that moment.
Moreover, Dark's figure was already out of his sight.
...
The format for the second round of matches was slightly different.
The Round of 16 continued to use a single-elimination format.
After the Top 8 were decided, a double-elimination format would be adopted.
Each competitor would have two chances; their first loss would not result in direct elimination but rather send them to the loser's bracket. Elimination would only occur upon their second loss.
After the professors briefly explained the rules, they began distributing the player numbers.
Distribution proceeded in order, from the Noble House to the Fool's House.
Dark received player number 1.
Dianna received player number 2.
...
Once all sixteen competitors had received their player numbers, the professors used identical numbered tokens for a random draw to create the match schedule.
For the Round of 16, four arenas would still be used simultaneously.
Soon, the professors posted the match schedule.
Pulled along by Dianna, Dark walked over and glanced at the match schedule.
"My next opponent, number 3? Isn't that Doron?"
He then turned his head slightly and saw Teddy Doron turning his head at the same time!
The Doron family was a prominent house in the kingdom, on par with the Greatbear family. The two families were both allies and absolute rivals.
Dark vaguely remembered having a match against him in the previous class competition.
Back then, the Little Magic Masters only had one Magic Beast each, and Doron's Magic Beast seemed to be a fierce little dinosaur.
However, Dark didn't give him a chance to summon his Magic Beast, instead using a rushdown tactic to take him out in one swift blow.
"Dark Demon!"
The red-haired boy gritted his teeth as he uttered Dark's name.
After the last competition, he was ashamed of his defeat, reflected deeply, studied hard, and continuously strove to improve himself.
Finally, today yielded results.
Not only had he smoothly advanced to the second round, but he had also encountered Dark in the very first match of this round.
This was his moment for revenge!
"I didn't expect the first match to be an internal conflict."
Dark actually had a good impression of Doron. He cast a slightly regretful glance at him, then walked with Dianna towards Arena 1.
The Round of 16 consisted of 8 matches in total, divided into two waves.
Dianna was in the second wave.
And Dark was the featured opening act.
...
"Whirrrr!"
At Professor Jones's whistle, both competitors ascended the dueling platform.
Dark stood on the five-meter-high dueling platform, gazing down.
Even though it was his second time entering, he still hadn't fully adjusted to the excessively vast dueling arena.
"Dark."
Doron on the opposite dueling platform suddenly spoke.
Dark looked up, slightly puzzled.
Doron then said solemnly, "From now on, I will give it my all!"
"Uh..."
Though he had a retort brewing, Dark still responded, "Same here."
After all, a lion uses its full strength even to hunt a rabbit.
[Preparation Phase] [30s]
Above the card table, the standard text appeared, and the 30-second countdown began!
...
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