I didn't rush to the Emerald Dragon, because I was already completing the map in 9 days.
Here is the build:
Level 2 - Sign of the Wizard
Level 3 - Strong Magic of Chaos
Level 4 - Basic Education
Level 5 - Secrets of Chaos
Level 6 - Magic Attraction
Level 7 - Basics of Machine Control
Level 8 - Ballista
Level 9 - Advanced Machine Control
Level 10 - Rapid-Fire Ballista
Level 11 - Intermediate Education
Level 12 - Basics of Wizardry
Level 13 - Witch's Reward
Level 14 - Skilled Magic of Chaos
Level 15 - Pyrokinesis
Level 16 - Mana Replenishment
Level 17 - Basics of Summoning Magic
Level 18 - Higher Education
Stats per level:
Attack: 1, Defense: 5, Magic: 11, Knowledge: 18
Stats with equipped artifacts:
Attack: 3, Defense: 11, Magic: 12, Knowledge: 20
Total: 46
The route is as follows:
First day: Nazir defeats the Megera, Pixies, visits the well.
Second day: Zombies, Minotaurs, Golems, well (total 105 mana).
Third day: Minotaurs at the shield, Executioners, Gargoyles (I don't even know why, you could have saved a turn here), Cerberuses.
Fourth day: Minotaurs at the crystal mine, shields, dwarf treasure.
Fifth day: Goblins (again, I don't know why they bothered me), chest, I stop near the Succubus.
Sixth day: I buy Phoenix Feathers, defeat the Succubus, then the Minotaurs (why?), chests.
Seventh day: Armored Knights, stable, mage treasure.
Eighth day: well, Hydras, more Hydras, Death Knights.
Last day: garrison and the coveted Christmas tree.
I wanted to improve the time to 8 days overnight, but unfortunately, I didn't have time. Then there were problems with the internet, I couldn't send the save with 9 days, I only managed to send it at 12.40. But at that time, the results of the tournament had already been published.
Besides, the respected organizer did not respond to messages via ICQ. Well, as they say, it wasn't meant to be ;)
Still, thank you for the tournament, I don't regret spending my free time on it.