My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Chapter 4 Princess Alice

"Bang!"

Its heavy body crashed to the ground, raising a small cloud of dust, and its scales made a dull thud as they struck the ground.

The training ground fell into an eerie silence as the Knight Academy students lay motionless on the ground.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the center of the arena in disbelief.

The black-haired boy stood calmly with his sword still in hand, but a goblin had appeared beside him sometime earlier...?

It was a unique female goblin; its skin was a silvery-gray color that distinguished it from its kind, and it looked delicate and smooth.

The goblin was about one meter tall, wearing a brand-new brown leather armor. Its small face was somewhat human-like, and its sharp eyes left a deep impression.

It held a thick, blood-stained wooden stick tightly in its hand, standing straight beside the unconscious knight academy student, its slightly cold eyes warily surveying its surroundings.

Only when he turned to look at Xiuqi did a rare tenderness appear in his eyes.

"What...what kind of monster is this?"

An incredulous gasp erupted from the crowd.

"A goblin? What's a goblin doing here?"

"It's a summoning spell! That guy from the Arcane Academy, he summoned a goblin!"

"Impossible! He was clearly using a sword just now, how could it be a summoning spell? And summoning goblins is at least a first-level spell, is he a first-level mage?"

"The key point is that the goblin appeared out of thin air behind him! What kind of evil magic is that?"

"It's a magic card! He used a magic card!" A sharp-eyed person noticed the card that Xiuqi hadn't put away yet, and there seemed to be a goblin pattern on it that was slowly fading away.

The silence was instantly shattered by gasps, questions, and shouts of anger, even more intense than when the engagement was dissolved.

Summoning creatures is not uncommon and is common in both combat and duels.

Normally, people would summon contracted creatures before a battle.

But for someone like Xiuqi to suddenly summon something during a duel, and then have that summoned creature appear behind the opponent and launch a sneak attack—

This fighting style is too unorthodox and lacks any sense of martial ethics!

Teacher Kyle rushed forward and checked on the fallen student.

Fortunately, he was only knocked unconscious and his life was not in danger.

He waved his hand, signaling the stunned students beside him to carry him to the treatment room.

Then, with a complicated expression, he looked at Xiuqi and the goblin with a cold gaze and a large club in its hand.

To be honest, he had never seen a goblin like this before; its expression at that moment resembled that of a grumpy little girl.

"Mutant goblin?"

"Compared to its filthy brethren, this goblin is so clean..."

Mr. Kyle stared at the little boy holding the big stick, clicking his tongue in amazement, completely ignoring the flames burning in the boy's eyes.

"Mr. Kyle, it's my pleasure to introduce you to..."

"This is my contracted partner, her name is 'Princess Alice'!"

I usually call her "Princess".

Xiuqi's gaze fell on the "princess," and the little creature, which had been looking fierce at Teacher Kyle, suddenly softened its gaze.

He handed the longsword back to the student in charge of the equipment on the sidelines, and the light from the [Blade Protection] on his body slowly dissipated.

His face once again wore that listless expression.

"The duel rules don't prohibit the use of summoning magic, do they?"

"After all, I'm just a weak mage apprentice!"

Teacher Kyle glanced at the noisy students around him, cleared his throat, and announced the results of the duel.

"Summoned creatures can be used during duels."

"The duel is over, the winner..."

"Arcane Academy, Xiuqi!"

His gaze finally lingered on Xiuqi's face.

"Student Xiuqi, your fighting style... is quite unique."

"Thank you for your encouragement, teacher. I will strive to deepen my understanding!"

Xiuqi shrugged, expressing his continued commitment to in-depth study in response to the teacher's encouragement.

"......" Mr. Kyle.

Then he walked straight to the stack of gold coins and bent down.

Without any hesitation, he picked up all twenty-five gold coins and stuffed them into his purse.

"Clang—"

The clinking of the gold coins as they went into his bag instantly put him in a good mood.

There must be no sound in the world more melodious or moving than this.

Even the daughter of a marquis, who was both wealthy and beautiful, and possessed a magnanimous heart...

"Thank you all for your help, thank you everyone!"

"If anyone else wants to duel and can't find me, they can leave a message in Class C, Year 1 of the Arcane Academy."

"A duel costs 25 gold coins per round, a limited-time offer only for those currently present!"

"The price will rise to 30 gold coins per use next month..."

"Book now if you need it!!!"

He waved to the stunned Knight Academy students around him, his face beaming with an uncontrollable smile.

Keep in mind that an average person might not earn 10 gold coins a year, so 25 gold coins is no small amount.

This solved the immediate problem and even made a profit, so it's definitely not a bad deal.

A rich, pungent aroma filled the air.

When he turned his head, Jasmine was already standing beside him.

The coldness and mockery that had been on her face were gone, replaced by extreme curiosity and inquiry.

This is the second time. Girl, do you walk so quietly?

Xiu Qi muttered to himself.

It's worth noting that after his contracted partner "Princess Alice" appears, he can share some of her basic skills and senses, such as "Princess's" 9 points of passive perception.

Even with a passive perception boost of 9 points, he didn't notice Jasley's approach.

I don't know if the other party has a stealth skill or if it's just a coincidence.

"Master Xiuqi..."

She whispered his name, her deep blue eyes seeming to see right through him;

"Your 'princess' doesn't seem like an ordinary contracted creature!"

Xiu Qi stood up, dusted off his hands, and grinned:

"Just like you, you're anything but ordinary, aren't you, Miss Garcia?"

The lazy-looking boy opposite her didn't even use honorifics with her. You should know that Xiuqi's father was a knight of the family, and his brother was just appointed as the guardian knight of Shire County this month.

However, the magnanimous marquis's daughter did not take offense at his words, but instead looked at him with great interest.

At that moment, a cold gaze shot out from the crowd behind Xiu Qi.

Xiuqi turned his head sharply and saw a figure in a knight academy uniform quickly disappear around the corner.

He frowned, feeling that the figure looked somewhat familiar—it seemed to be the student who had shouted the loudest during the crowdfunding bet earlier.

"Never mind them, they're just Finn's followers."

Jasmine's expression was calm, and her tone was indifferent:

There are always some people who want to curry favor with him and cause trouble. But with me around, they don't dare to go too far.

That's because I didn't dare to go too far with you...

For me, as long as it's not excessive force, even moderately excessive force is tolerable...

Xiuqi felt the heavy weight of the money pouch sinking down, and, being magnanimous, decided not to argue with the broad-minded and ambitious young lady.

After this, there will probably be fools who bring gold coins and beg him to duel.

By this time, the crowd had mostly dispersed.

He gazed deeply at Jasmine, already prepared to part ways with her.

Although this noble marquis's daughter is both rich and beautiful, one must stay far away from her, and preferably never see her again, because it is too dangerous to be around such a woman!

However, the red-haired woman's next words made Xiu Qi's resolute steps to stop abruptly.

"Master Xiuqi..."

"you..."

"...Are you short of money?"