Date- 27 Mar 2321
Time- 13:25
Location- Sky Blossom City, Sky Blossom Card Stadium, VIP Box no.1
Hearing that it takes months for a card apprentice just to find his/her Ethereal Spirit I was without words. As I was planning on using my Ego Gem in my upcoming duel against Corey. But would not just give up on forming an Ego Gem without attempting it first. Just in case I had to ask Anna some obvious questions.
“Anna, you have met Corey, right? Did she form her Ego Gem? And that weird sinister fire of hers was it a rule?” These questions were weighing my mind. so I decided to get them cleared first.
“Oh, that Bright family girl. She is talented just like her parents. Whenever I meet those two at the Way Beyond they can’t stop bragging about their daughter. The nerve of that Bright couple to compare me to their daughter but finally meeting her in person I have got to say she did not disappoint me.
She has already formed her Ego Gem. As for the sinister fire that she displayed it was not just a rule but a rule forged into the rune. She even surpassed me by forming an Ego Gem and a Rune Card while she is still in the Card Soldier realm. You know I formed my Ego Gem at the Card Master realm and forged my first Rune Card in the Card grandmaster realm. She will make a great addition to the Way Beyond.
I remember the Bright couple asking for early retirement. Now that I have found a capable and perfect replacement for them I think I should reward their years of selfless service with early retirement as they desire. I heard they wanted retirement to be with their family. Well, they can finally meet their family soon. Hahaha” Anna finishing her monologue let out a villainous laugh.
“…” I was speechless hearing Anna. How much of a jerk can one person be? To award a selfless veteran couple by sending their only daughter to the front line in their stead. I bet hearing Anna’s plans for them and their daughter, the Bright couple will never dare to ask for retirement or brag about their daughter in front of Anna.
“Oh, sorry. I spoke my mind out loud.” Seeing my complex expression Anna realized that she spoke her thoughts out loud, which were not meant for a third party to listen.
“I bet the Southern Watch loves having you as their commander” I said sarcastically.
“Don’t judge me, if every capable card apprentice keeps asking for leave and early retirement then who will get the job done? I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Anna snorted, claiming her hands were tied and she ain’t the bad person here.
“Hey, I’m just a humble orphan. No judgement here.” I did hear Corey complaining to Susan that it’s been years since she met or talked to her parents. If she knew the person responsible for that is Anna I do not know what her reaction would be.
“…” Anna rolled her eyes to my response.
“By the way what is this Way Beyond? seeing you banish the city lord to Way Beyond I thought it was some kind of place to dispose of troublemakers but now you say that Corey’s parents are also there. What is that place anyway?” From Anna’s monologue earlier Corey’s parents seem to be her subordinates then why send them to a place where troublemakers are banished to?
“First of all, I did not banish the city lord. I just gave him an opportunity to earn merits and redeem himself and his family from the crimes he has committed.
Way Beyond is something only the people with a certain level of clearance know about. So, it’s not for you to worry about. You will know about it when you join one of the top 10 universities anyway.
If you are curious then all you have to know is that Way Beyond is the reason our ancestors decided to come together and form the current government and community as we know. At the Way Beyond a war is going on and we need all hands on deck.” Anna knew I was not the type to leave the things I am curious about alone. So she fed me little hints to what Way Beyond meant to humanity.
“Okay, I will take your word for it. How strong are rule and rune cards? Is it possible to counter them with normal cards?” Since Corey has already formed her Ego Gem and forged her rune cards, I had to come up with precautions against them before our duel.
“Fighting Rule and Rune Cards with normal cards, you crazy? It would be like using a wooden sword against a sharp steel sword.
The rules and rune cards are the essence of everything you see, feel and experience in this world. How are you going to fight with something like that with the normal cards created to imitate them?
Is it about your upcoming fight with Corey? I see she doesn’t seem to have a good impression of you. If she is anything like her parents she will try her best to embarrass you so bad. If I were you I would not even climb the arena but directly forfeit the match. It’s better to lose like a coward than be humiliated in the arena in front of a huge audience.
You know things like this can label you for life. You do not have to go through this just give up but then my mother will try to have you killed in other ways. Oh my if I could be anybody I would not want to be you! You are so miserable. But if you choose to become my husband as I proposed yesterday, I can help you out of your misery. After all, my mother will not try to have her son-in-law killed.” Anna had a hearty laugh poking at my misery.
“This time marrying you will also not solve my problem. As I can’t forfeit this duel with Corey since I have an ongoing bet with her.”
