NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 44
Chapter 44: Emma Maltis’ Initial Venture into the Pay-to-Win Path
Tudor: w（?Д?）w;
…
“Hahaha!”
Diana watched as her polar bear slowly lifted Robert’s turtle shell, unable to resist laughing with her hands on her waist.
Robert, on the other hand, looked like he had seen a ghost, his mouth wide open as if it could fit an egg!
“Don’t just stand there, Robert!” Wit couldn’t help but shout loudly from the sidelines.
But Robert could only force his mouth shut, unsure of what else he could do.
The students from the Knight Academy who had mocked Robert the previous night but were now humiliated in the first round, also let out laughter—albeit without malice—finding it genuinely amusing.
Seeing his castle about to be overturned by the polar bear, Robert finally couldn’t hold back and roared, “Defend!”
The castle finally responded to his call, and a layer of yellowish light flowed over its walls.
It was evident that the castle had become harder with the use of the “Defend” skill, and the yellow barrier helped it absorb impacts better.
However, “Defend” was just “Defend,” not “Root.”
“—It was destined to be overturned!”
“Ao!”
The polar bear unleashed its strength, flipping Robert’s castle over in one go!
And then, the mana guidance ball was left unprotected.
With Diana commanding the polar bear to shatter the mana guidance ball’s life barrier, this uneven duel was truly declared over.
…
Robert, looking grim, stepped down from the field and handed over to Wit, saying, “Brother, it’s up to you now.”
Wit replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll succeed.”
Robert added, “This is our last chance.”
Wit responded, “No ifs!”
…
Diana then flicked her card to recall the polar bear, skipping away happily.
Upon seeing Rose and Dark, she ran over, patting her chest proudly, “What do you think? Isn’t my bear big?”
Dark gave an unusual thumbs-up, “Big!”
…
“Number 13 and 16.”
Professor Jones announced the next pair.
…
Wit and Robert both shuddered and turned their heads simultaneously, looking in the same direction.
Emma Maltis was watching the match alone.
She suddenly noticed someone was looking at her and turned her head, meeting their gaze.
“Zii—”
They separated instantly.
Emma turned her head back, somewhat displeased.
Wit and Robert exchanged glances and stood up together.
Robert couldn’t help but say, “Don’t lose!”
Wit looked serious, “I won’t, as long as I’m not slower than her.”
After the previous round, Wit had honed his summoning speed.
Although his practice time was limited, he had compressed his usual casting time to 12 seconds, nearly matching Emma’s.
He believed he could further reduce it by another second if he focused more!
If it were 11 seconds, even against Dark, he might have a chance!
The temporary field was only ten meters, a short distance easily crossed.
But the time it took for the mana golem to materialize from summoning to landing was significant.
Moreover, the acceleration phase consumed time too.
As long as he could successfully summon before the mana guidance ball’s life barrier was completely destroyed, the seemingly weak fox should not be able to stand against the buck deer.
Coincidentally, Wit and Tudor thought alike.
Of course, it wasn’t time to ponder these things now.
Wit knew his current opponent was Emma!
“There won’t be any problems. Emma’s otter is weak; the only thing to be cautious about is its water spray.”
…
Wit and Emma crossed paths, but neither spoke.
The young magi were still too pure to grasp trash talk.
The field was divided into red and blue sides, with Wit standing on the red side and Emma on the blue.
The referee was Shiweite from the Noble Academy.
Shiweite seemed amused to see two key students from the Knight Academy face off in the second round.
But he had to blow the whistle regardless.
“Beep—Prepare!”
Wit and Emma immediately drew their “Mana Cards.”
…
Outside the arena, Dark, Diana, and Rose approached together.
Dark was also very interested in this match.
Diana whispered, “Dark, who do you think will win?”
Dark narrowed his eyes slightly, “On the surface, Wit has the upper hand, but actually…”
Diana: “Actually?”
Dark: “Neither is simple.”
Diana: “Oh?”
…
“Battle begins!”
At the eleventh and a half second mark.
Wit broke through his limits, completing the summoning before Emma!
The mighty buck deer emerged from the white light, its massive antlers like branches, charging fiercely forward.
Start!
And just half a second later.
Emma completed her summoning before the twelve-second mark!
The otter, similar in size to Lil’Eevee, slid to avoid the buck deer’s charge, choosing to circle around nimbly!
Emma’s strategy was clear.
In terms of raw power, her otter definitely couldn’t match Wit’s buck deer.
But the ultimate goal of the duel was to break the mana guidance ball’s life barrier, not to defeat the opponent’s mana golem!
Despite failing to mimic Dark in the previous match, Emma learned from it and expanded her thinking.
Most of the first-year students were still engrossed in the mana golem battle, failing to grasp the essence of the mana duel.
…
Seeing Emma’s otter charging towards his mana guidance ball like a gust of wind, Wit tightened up, quickly calling his buck deer to defend!
—This move cost him his first opportunity to win.
The buck deer’s attack was clearly stronger, and starting earlier, it had a direct advantage.
But he lacked this awareness.
The buck deer’s defense couldn’t catch up with the nimble otter, causing the mana guidance ball’s life barrier to drop sharply after being bitten!
But the otter didn’t dare continue, fleeing immediately.
The buck deer protected the mana guidance ball, hooves tapping hurriedly.
Wit felt a bit tense; he had expected Emma to be tough, but not this tough.
“I can’t keep this up… I need a plan!”
Wit’s mind raced, and he found a solution.
Under his command, the buck deer lowered its head, pushing the mana guidance ball between its antlers!
“Perfect!”
Wit felt more assured.
The otter wouldn’t dare confront the buck deer head-on, giving Wit confidence.
He immediately directed the buck deer to charge at Emma’s mana guidance ball—this was quick thinking!
But as the buck deer charged, Emma suddenly commanded the otter to close in.
The otter seized the opportunity, opening its mouth to spray a water jet, hitting the mana guidance ball stuck between the antlers!
The mana guidance ball flew up instantly!
At the same time, its mana value dropped significantly!
…
“Ultimate Skill?”
Wit was surprised but delighted.
A one-star mana spirit card’s ultimate skill usually cost 50 mana points, which meant it could only be used once!
This implied the otter was no longer a threat!
He immediately directed the buck deer to catch the mana guidance ball again.
But as soon as the buck deer caught the ball, the otter, which shouldn’t have enough mana to use the ultimate skill again, shot another water jet!
This water jet was obviously well-trained, extremely accurate.
The red side’s mana guidance ball was hit again!
Mana value dropped from 500 to 200!
Wit stared intently at Emma’s otter, amazed that despite using up all 100 mana points, the otter remained standing!
“What’s going on?”
Turning his gaze, Wit finally noticed something: Emma was holding another card!
…