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Capital University's ace, Charlotte, had fallen. Just like that.
She hadn't even forced Russell to reveal his true trump card. The arena fell into a heavy, stunned silence.
With their morale shattered and their strongest fighter defeated, the remaining three opponents from Capital University were naturally no match for Russell. His cards, virtually untouched by the first battle, swept through them with ease.
"In the first round of the team competition... Northgate University wins!"
As the referee's declaration echoed through the stadium, Northgate secured the first slot in the next round.
High above in the VIP tribunal, Chancellor Valeron watched Russell, who looked completely relaxed on the field, and let out a long sigh. "His cards... he revealed almost no information at all."
Archmage Alaric nodded in agreement. "Indeed. That black flame appears to be a standard ability for that specific card, not a finisher. He must have other trump cards in reserve."
As high-level cardmakers, they couldn't miss the depth of power hidden within Russell's deck. Recalling the malevolent aura they had felt radiating from the boy's eyes earlier, they suspected there was far more to those pupils than just fire. Unfortunately, Capital University had been too weak to force his hand. Now, they could only wait for future opponents to expose his secrets.
"Young people are formidable these days," Valeron said, regaining his composure. "Northgate University owes Blake Whitmore a debt of gratitude. If Russell hadn't been born in New Metro, and if Blake hadn't been the first to scout him, who knows which school he would have ended up at?"
"True," Alaric muttered, his eyes still fixed on Russell below. "Do you know who he reminds me of right now?"
Valeron's pupils contracted slightly. "You think that highly of him?" He paused, answering his own question. "Yes... Yves St. Clair was also this high-spirited back then. But you know there is a massive threshold between Diamond and Master rank, right? Look at us. How long have we been stuck at Diamond?"
Alaric shook his head. "This is just my personal intuition. It doesn't count for much." He glanced at Valeron, feigning surprise. "Why are you so shocked? Haven't there been plenty of young people I've praised over the years?"
Valeron let out a dry laugh. He recalled that this old man claimed someone had the "appearance of a Palace-level genius" almost every year. But today, Russell's performance was so outstanding that Valeron had momentarily lost his cool. "...Don't mention it. Most of the 'good seedlings' you predicted in the past failed."
Alaric opened his mouth to argue, then bristled. "Are you blaming me for the frequent invasions of the Secret Realms in recent years!?"
Valeron smiled and patted his old friend on the shoulder. "You know the truth in your heart."
Alaric was so indignant he nearly yanked out two strands of his beard. He rolled his eyes at the Chancellor and abruptly changed the subject. "Jokes aside, I don't know what is happening lately. The frequency of Secret Realms appearing is far too high. Even Master-level realms are manifesting more often than in previous decades."
Valeron went silent for a moment, his expression weary. "Who knows? All we can do is try our best to maintain order." He shook off the gloom and perked up. "At least the number of geniuses is rising to meet the threat. This year we have Russell, Holden, Anson, and others. I believe the situation will improve."
On the sidelines, Russell returned to the preparation area. He waved his hand in front of Lucian, who was still staring blankly at the floor.
"What's wrong? Brain freeze?"
Lucian blinked, speechless. When he had seen the Blood God using his dark clouds to nearly extinguish Russell's fire, his heart had plummeted. Have I become a burden? The thought had been eating him alive.
"Don't worry," Russell said, effortlessly seeing through Lucian's anxiety. "That black flame ability isn't a critical trump card. It doesn't matter if people see it."
The remaining four members of the Battle Club stared at him in shock. That apocalyptic black fire, which had covered the entire arena and incinerated three contestants, was not important?
"Let's go," Russell said, ignoring their expressions. "There are still a few games to watch."
Their match was over, but Kirin University, Daming Science & Technology University, and the mysterious Northwestern team were still up. Intelligence was key.
The second match: Daming Science & Technology University vs. The Federation Mystics College.
Last year's champion, Troy, was currently directing his card, [Nine-Virtues Mountain God · Changcheng], to attack the monk on the opposite side. Because the Federation generally did not venerate Buddhism, the Mystics College had always been an underdog.
Watching the mighty monk radiating golden Buddha light, Russell nudged Grant. "Speaking of which, Grant, your cards are also based on Buddhist mythology, right? Why didn't you apply to the Mystics College?"
Grant shuddered. "The Mystics College requires students to uphold the precepts: no killing, stealing, adultery, lying, or alcohol. It's too demanding. I couldn't handle it."
"How can they be cardmakers without killing?" Russell asked, confused. Combat was inherent to the profession.
"According to their doctrine, the demons in the Secret Realms are not considered 'living beings,'" Grant explained.
"That bottom line is remarkably flexible," Russell noted dryly.
As they spoke, Troy's Mountain God had captured the novice monk. However, the final member of the Mystics College played his trump card: [Guardian Deity of the Sangha · Skanda]. A warrior monk emitting blinding golden light appeared, accompanied by faint, ethereal chanting.
"Tsk. These monks are hard to deal with," Troy sneered.
In response, he summoned a strange goat with nine tails and four ears. As soon as the creature appeared, the mental pressure from the chanting vanished, and the Mountain God calmed down.
"The monk is going to lose," Russell predicted, shaking his head. Troy's new card was a perfect counter to mental attacks.
As expected, Daming Science & Technology University won, though it was a hard-fought victory.
The third match: Northwestern University of Science and Technology vs. Zhejiang University.
The first four battles were unremarkable. Finally, the captain of Northwestern, Anson, faced off against Zhejiang's ace, Ji Xiaoxiao. Russell narrowed his eyes as three silver robots materialized on the field.
Almost immediately, Russell called it. "Zhejiang University's level has slipped this year. They will lose to Northwestern."
The result was exactly as he predicted. Although Ji Xiaoxiao held on for a long time, he eventually collapsed under the robots' tireless, calculated assault.
"A pity," Russell sighed. "I still don't even know the name of Anson's core card."
Finally, the schools for the fourth game took the stage.
Kirin University vs. Heron Island University.
Russell's old rival, Holden, was the captain and trump card of Kirin University. But to everyone's surprise, Kirin chose to send Holden out first.
"He's going in personally again," Russell noted.
Just like during the unified examination, Holden stepped onto the battlefield himself. No one questioned his fighting style anymore; being Frank Dragomir's disciple carried a weight that silenced critics.
However, Holden's cards were far more advanced than before. As Russell watched, a familiar-looking spectral tiger appeared next to him.
"ROAR!"
With a deafening bellow that shook the stands, the tiger pounced—not at the enemy, but at Holden. Under everyone's horrified gaze, the beast merged into his body. A heavy, mystical suit of armor featuring a ferocious tiger head on the chest instantly encased him.
"He has completely abandoned the ghost summoning ability," Russell analyzed. "It seems to be the same card, just evolved. But where is the weapon?"
As if to answer him, a violent wind erupted in the arena. In a single breath, the airflow compressed into a solid, invisible spear in Holden's hand.
"Come and fight!"
Amidst wild shouts, Holden thrust his spear. The atmospheric pressure alone was devastating. The top player from Heron Island University lasted only a single exchange before being blown off the stage.
Then came the second. Then the third. Then the fourth.
Grant stared at Holden, who was laughing maniacally in the center of the storm, and swallowed hard. "Is this what a disciple of Master Frank looks like? It's a bit exaggerated, isn't it?"
The final student from Heron Island stepped up with a gloomy expression. It was a massacre. Holden's invisible wind spear tore the ground apart, and he accomplished a complete 1v5 sweep with almost no effort.
After the referee announced the result, Holden did not leave the field.
Instead, he turned slowly, raising his invisible spear and pointing it directly at the stands where Russell was sitting. The challenge was silent, public, and unmistakable.
Russell looked down at Holden's burning eyes and understood the message perfectly.
He responded silently in his heart.
Come then. I will shatter your martial arts dream.
(End of Chapter)
(End of Chapter)
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