Konoha: Naruto will win no matter what choice he makes! Chapter 190

Night deepened.

Silence reigned.

Dreams ended.

Morning arrived.

St. Marian welcomed the final day of its first semester.

Friday’s weather was perfect, with a hint of warmth in the sunlight.

Professor Jones didn’t delve into abstruse theoretical knowledge in the dueling class anymore.

She waited until all the students had gathered in Combat Hall No. 2, then picked one student from each house to be a leader. She then had the students line up in four columns, following their leaders as they jogged out of the combat hall.

It was the last class.

Professor Jones intended to take them for a run around the outside of the castle.

This would also allow the first-year students, who spent all their time cooped up inside the castle, to breathe the air outside and understand just how vast the castle truly was.

Dark glanced at Emma, Sarah, and a certain someone to his right.

Emma and Sarah’s expressions weren’t looking too good.

They were already struggling to keep up with the running group, and now being singled out as leaders? Wasn’t that public execution?

Dark and the Fool’s House leader on the far right exchanged a glance, then both slowed their pace.

The four columns of students proceeded slowly at a relatively leisurely speed.

Professor Jones didn’t urge them on either.

The area outside the castle was unexpectedly vast, with various small buildings scattered throughout.

Among the first-year students, there were some who liked to peer out of the castle, but very few actually went to explore the grounds.

If they had the time, more people would choose to head straight for Traveler’s Street.

“We’re here.”

After some time, Professor Jones stopped at a certain spot.

The students followed her gaze in the same direction.

Then, a two-story building in the style of a Roman palace came into view.

“What’s that?” someone asked in surprise.

Then, a student who already knew answered, “That’s the entrance to the dungeon.”

The dungeon existing within St. Marian was a multi-layered structure, much like a large labyrinth.

Monsters in the dungeon refreshed once a week and were only open to some students from Friday at 12 PM to Sunday at 12 AM.

Most of St. Marian’s core materials originated from here, making it completely self-sufficient.

Study.

Adventure.

Duel.

These were three indispensable elements in the daily lives of upper-year students.

As first-year students, they currently only had access to “study.”

…

“Next semester, your Magical Beast class teacher might take you on a tour of the dungeon.”

Professor Jones stopped here for about ten minutes, then moved again.

“Come on, keep going!”

So the students sighed and continued their run.

…

The last class of the first semester for first-year students came to an end amidst the seemingly endless running.

…

Dark, thanks to his consistent morning exercises which improved his physical fitness, managed to preserve his noble dignity. As he overlooked most of the students bent over and gasping for breath at the end, he further strengthened his resolve to continue his morning exercises.

Before class ended, Professor Jones gave some safety instructions regarding the holiday, then announced “dismissal.”

At that moment, even with aching legs, the students instantly erupted in cheers!

For students who had no concept of the “winter break” duration, a nine-day holiday was simply exhilarating.

What’s more, it also included the “Christmas Ball”!

Although the Christmas Ball didn’t have hunting activities like the “Masquerade Ball,” the single Christmas stocking for each person still brought a lot of anticipation.

For those who had already experienced a hunting activity, the Christmas event, with its “ball” element at its core, held an even stronger appeal.

It was December 22nd, leaving two days until the Christmas Ball on the evening of the 24th.

The key was the dance partner.

The secondary key was Christmas gifts.

The awkwardness of having no dance partner at the ball, or receiving no gifts other than a stocking, came to mind.

The young magi’s gazes gradually sharpened!

Next, it was war!

…

“Hiss, what’s going on?”

Dark touched his cheek, feeling a stinging sensation.

Who was carving on his face with a刀锋-like gaze?

…

Unlike other students.

After the dueling class ended, Dark went straight to his dormitory to continue researching the [Fusion] spell.

Since he had made a decisive breakthrough last night, the subsequent research became a little smoother.

Around twelve o’clock, he stopped to eat some takeout brought by the little demon beast, then immediately went out, finally arriving at the Dragon Taming Platform before Professor Claire departed.

The Dragon Taming Platform was located near the classroom dormitories. Despite its name, it was actually a place similar to an “airstrip.”

Most professors entering and leaving the academy would do so by riding flying mounts.

Most professors’ mounts were their own magic spirits, while a few, like Claire, had tamed real magical beasts!

Claire’s Wyvern was a subspecies with thin dragon blood, originally the mount of a minor leader in the Demon King’s army, but later became her spoils of war.

When Dark arrived at the Dragon Taming Platform, Claire was saying goodbye to a few familiar professors.

So he didn’t approach, but stood a little further away, watching.

After this departure, they probably wouldn’t meet again until summer vacation.

Dark felt a little sentimental.

“Hey, Dark!”

Dark suddenly perked up.

He saw Claire waving vigorously.

He quickly smiled, raised his arm high, and waved forcefully!

“Aunt Claire, goodbye!”

…

A strong wind rose.

The dragon soared through the clouds.

Claire put on her goggles and rode her wyvern soaring into the sky.

Professor Silph, who had come to see her off, drew a circle with her key card, and a circular door appeared high in the air.

As Claire passed through the doorway, she suddenly turned her head, her light brown hair flying in the wind, covering half her face.

…

Dark watched her back until it completely disappeared, then took a small step back and turned to leave.

Since it wasn’t a life-or-death parting, there was no need to be overly sad.

Alvete was alone and needed companionship.

With Claire’s addition, the Duke’s mansion would be a bit warmer.

Dark wouldn’t have to worry too much about unfavorable news about his mother popping up every time he read “The Sage’s Daily.”

He quickly returned to his dormitory and continued to immerse himself in perfecting the [Fusion] spell.

Another two hours passed, and Dark finally produced a [Fusion] spell that looked somewhat legitimate.

“Phew~”

He drank a glass of apple juice to refresh himself, then quickly packed his things and headed to the library.

Senior Pandora also had her own things to be busy with; this afternoon was the last chance before the Christmas Ball.

When he arrived at the library, Pandora said a few words to Ms. Bella beside her, then walked out from behind the counter under Ms. Bella’s warm gaze, and went to the laboratory with Dark.

The castle corridor was still quiet.

Dark asked curiously, “Senior, do you still have work?”

Pandora shook her head: “I have holidays too, you know? I just came to accompany Ms. Bella. Oh, and wait for you, by the way.”

Dark scratched his head, wondering if preparing a Christmas gift for Ms. Bella would make Senior Pandora even happier?

…

This time, there wasn’t much time.

The two began working as soon as they entered the laboratory.

Under Senior Pandora’s guidance, Dark first tested the [Fusion] spell. Once he felt all the indicators were met, he began the alchemical experiment.

The first half of [Fusion] alchemy was actually somewhat similar to [Spell Cage], both requiring the creation of a base for the magic spirit card.

The essence of [Fusion] was equivalent to using two or more magic spirits as core materials to instantly refine a brand new magic spirit!

It could be said to be a form of “on-site alchemy.”

Therefore, using a [Fusion] card required a massive amount of magic power!

Hence, very few people used [Fusion] series decks.

Most magi would at most use [Fusion] as an auxiliary means, not a core one.

The entire experiment started a little after three in the afternoon and lasted until half past four.

The experimental result was not unexpected; it ended in failure.

Having already prepared himself mentally, Dark was not discouraged.

The summary of experience and problem-solving after the experimental failure were the main focus of this afternoon.

Dark certainly couldn’t do these by himself.

But with Senior Pandora’s careful guidance, everything went relatively smoothly.

An hour passed in a flash.

Although Dark didn’t fully understand, he had already taken notes on all the key points, and now he would have to continue studying on his own.

He gradually relaxed and began to clean up the experimental residue.

After tidying up, the two left the laboratory together.

Dark originally wanted to invite the senior to a restaurant in Traveler’s Street for dinner, but the senior regretfully said she had things to do in the evening.

So the two went to the cafeteria, endured the meaningful smiles of the halfling chefs, and ordered a small table of dishes in a corner of the cafeteria.

Then Dark discovered that the senior was also a carnivore, with a preference for sweet flavors, especially those that were sweet and salty.

“If it’s sweet and sour pork ribs, sweet and sour carp, or fish-flavored shredded pork, she should like it, right?”

This thought couldn’t help but cross Dark’s mind.

In fact, those were also his preferred flavors, and he could make a little of them.

However, giving food as a Christmas gift might be a bit undignified.

She wasn’t a little foodie like Diana.

…

Table manners in this world actually discouraged talking while eating.

But as long as it wasn’t a formal occasion, it wasn’t that strict.

The two ate their food while chatting softly.

Pandora was very interested in Dark’s occasional shyness and asked him about amusing anecdotes from his childhood.

But in this life, what amusing anecdotes could Dark have from his childhood?

He lowered his head slightly, appearing somewhat hesitant to speak.

Pandora’s interest grew even stronger.

Dark really didn’t want to recount his experiences from his previous life in this one, so he tried to change the subject: “You can’t keep asking me, Senior, what about you?”

Pandora smiled mysteriously: “Have you heard of ‘Dances with Wolves’?”

Dark had naturally heard of it, so he nodded honestly.

Pandora then began to tell her childhood experiences.

…

Hmm.

Moonlight overhead, stepping on a wolf’s head, dancing with wolves.

…

After listening, Dark couldn’t help but open his mouth, looking utterly stunned.

Pandora then covered her mouth, laughing like a lady.

…

Pandora’s appetite was larger than Dark’s.

However, the nutrients flowed to all the right places.

Dark thought she and Diana would have common ground.

Although this dinner wasn’t as atmospheric as Wednesday night’s, as long as both parties were happy, it was the best dinner.

Pandora wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth with a napkin and whispered, “Don’t forget our agreement.”

Dark nodded slightly, unable to help but say, “So, we’ll see each other at the ball next?”

Pandora hummed in response: “Probably. These two days, I need to prepare for a trip.”

Dark: “Where are you going?”

Pandora smiled mysteriously: “I’ll tell you when I get back.”

…

Dark was twelve years old and 1.59 meters tall.

Pandora was fifteen years old and 1.68 meters tall.

They were three years apart, and their heights differed by nine centimeters.

Dark had just begun to develop and felt that catching up wouldn’t be a problem.

Although Pandora was considered tall among girls, she was actually still in her developmental stage.

So, who would win was still unknown.

They walked side by side, chatting about everyday topics, then parted ways at a fork in the road.

Both were smiling.

…

But not long after, Dark couldn’t smile anymore.

He realized he still hadn’t figured out what Christmas gift to give.

Instead, he started to anticipate what Christmas gift the senior would give him.

He shook his head.

Dark pushed open the tower door of the Noble House.

A wave of warmth immediately washed over him.

After entering, he quickly closed the door.

He saw the common room filled with people.

On the first night of the long holiday, so many students from all six grades of the Noble House, except for a few who chose to go home, were either in Traveler’s Street or in this common room.

And the male and female sides were clearly demarcated.

With the fireplace as the dividing line, the area near the door was the male domain, and the other side was the female domain.

Both sides held their ground, eyeing each other fiercely.

As soon as Dark entered, he saw a senior student clutching a letter, trying to break through the female lines, only to scurry back in embarrassment amidst a burst of laughter.

And not long after.

A girl bravely walked towards the male camp and was met with a collective welcome from the boys.

The difference in treatment between males and females was so obvious, it brought tears to the eyes.

However, the senior boy who received the girl’s invitation politely declined.

The girl then clutched the invitation, covering her eyes as she ran back.

…

“What in the world is going on?”

Dark watched for a while, then felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

He glanced around and noticed the first-year students, including Doron, huddled in a corner, trembling.

Clearly, like him, they were experiencing this kind of situation for the first time.

Did St. Marian have such a custom before the Christmas Ball?

Dark’s eyebrows twitched, and he suddenly noticed Diana and Rose winking at him from an inner position in the girls’ camp, both playfully sticking out their tongues.

It seemed.

They were like protected fledglings.

And the senior girls were like protective mother birds; anyone wanting to invite a junior girl to the ball first had to pass their scrutiny!

This was too f***ing… interesting!

…

[Two-in-one, 4000 words]