《DeckMaster System Awakening》 Chapter 1: Deckmaster System Awakened Drake leaned back against the weathered wood of the abandoned cabin, his eyes flicking between the group as he asked, "So, what class do you think you''ll get?" Ash, always restless, let out a deep groan, poking at the fire with a stick. His red hair seemed to glow with the light of the flames, matching the irritation in his emerald eyes. "Hell if I know," he muttered, "Probably something like a herbalist or some crap. I''ll end up randomizing it anyway." "What''s so bad about herbalists?" Sivley teased, raising an eyebrow as her green hair shimmered in the firelight. There was a slight smirk on her lips, but her tone carried a little bite. "You''re scared of picking flowers now?" Ash shot her an irritated look, the fire reflecting in his eyes. "Not scared, just not interested. I want to burn things, not make tea." Before their banter could escalate, Collin stepped in with a grin, always quick to ease the tension. "Alright, before you two start a war, how about we play a game instead? Two guesses per person. Let''s see who can figure out what class everyone''s gonna get." Ash groaned again, but there was a spark of curiosity in his expression. He shifted a little closer to the fire, interested despite himself. Collin leaned in, eyes flicking around the circle. "We''ll start with Ash. Sivley, what do you think?" Sivley didn''t even hesitate. She gave Ash a once-over, sizing him up with a knowing look. "Fire-spearman or maybe some kind of fire-warrior. You''re way too impatient to do anything else." Ash snorted, shaking his head. "You act like I''m about to run through the woods with a spear. But fine, I''ll take fire-warrior over tea-brewer any day." Collin raised his hand, eyes sparkling with mischief. "All in favor?" "Aye," the group echoed, almost in unison, drawing out a reluctant smile from Ash. "You all suck," Ash muttered, though the amusement in his voice betrayed his words. Collin grinned wider, sensing the mood had lightened. He glanced over at Jalen, who had been quiet, watching the fire with that deep, thoughtful gaze of his. "Alright, what about Jalen? You''re built like your dad, so it''s got to be something physical. Maybe a warrior?" Jalen shifted slightly, clearly not as comfortable with the attention. "If I don''t end up a warrior, my dad will probably lose his mind." He smiled faintly, but there was a hint of something heavier beneath it. "My oldest brother''s a metal mage, and he took off years ago. My other brother''s a mana forger, and Dad''s proud, but¡­ I think he''s still holding out for someone to take up his combat techniques." There was a pause as Jalen stared into the fire. "But honestly? I''ve always thought summoning was more exciting. Warriors can''t ride into battle with mythical creatures at their side." Ash raised an eyebrow. "Summoners, huh? I didn''t take you for the ''tame a dragon'' type." Jalen chuckled softly. "Maybe not tame. But fight beside one? I''d be up for that." While they talked, Emma''s gaze lingered on Jalen. She smiled softly, not saying much but clearly caught up in watching him. The way he carried himself, his quiet confidence¡ªthere was something about Jalen that always seemed to pull her in. And Collin noticed. He always noticed. The subtle glances Emma gave Jalen weren''t lost on him. He leaned back, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he tried to shrug it off, focusing instead on the game. It wasn''t like Emma and Jalen were a thing; they just had this unspoken connection, and for whatever reason, it bugged him more than he liked to admit. He always chalked it up as her crush on his father manifested with Jalen as well. Not that Collin wasn''t distracted by someone else himself. There was no denying the casual admiration he had for Jalen''s dad, Drake. It wasn''t just the man''s strength, though that was part of it¡ªDrake had this effortless, rugged confidence that made everyone around him feel like they could handle anything. Collin wasn''t blind to it, and he knew Emma wasn''t either. They both admired him, in that distant way where you know it''s a crush, but you don''t let it get too serious.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Ash, oblivious to the undercurrent of glances and emotions running through the group, leaned forward. "Alright, let''s get back on track. Who''s next? Collin?" Emma''s eyes lit up as she gave Collin an appreciative look, trying to get the attention off of Jalen. "Collin''s probably going to get something like an earth-brawler, right? Strong, stubborn, and good at smashing things." Her tone was playful, but there was warmth there, a soft attraction that she wasn''t quite ready to acknowledge yet. It wasn''t like her quiet interest in Jalen¡ªthis felt lighter, easier. Collin''s grin widened, enjoying the banter as he glanced back at Emma. He liked her, in a casual, flirtatious way that didn''t take itself too seriously. She was tough, witty, and could hold her own in a fight. Even if things weren''t serious, there was a mutual respect between them, and maybe a little more just beneath the surface. "Earth-brawler, huh? I''ll take that," Collin said, his smile playful. "Better than running around picking flowers." Their teasing was cut short as a sudden gust of wind blew through the camp, causing the fire to flicker violently. The flames shrank down to small embers, and the air around them grew heavier, charged with something unnatural. Emma instinctively gripped the hilt of her blade, her eyes scanning the treeline. "Did anyone else feel that?" Jalen stood up, his senses on high alert. The ground trembled softly beneath them, a steady vibration that seemed to grow stronger by the second. "This doesn''t feel right," he muttered, his eyes darting between the shadows. "It''s like a mana surge, but different." A low, ominous groan filled the air, and everyone''s attention snapped toward the sky. A streak of light descended rapidly toward the forest nearby, crashing into the trees with a thunderous roar. "What the hell was that?" Emma asked, her grip tightening on her blade. Ash jumped to his feet, his usual bravado replaced by something closer to exhilaration. "It''s happening, isn''t it? The surge. The selection." Collin''s eyes were wide as he looked around at the others. "Already? It''s only been ten years since the last one." Jalen could feel the mana thickening in the air, pressing down on them like an invisible weight. His heart raced. This was it¡ªthe barrier between their world and the true universe was thinning. The surge was here. Suddenly, the fire exploded into a towering column of flames, roaring upward into the sky. Jalen staggered back, shielding his face from the heat. The flames swirled chaotically around them, an uncontrollable force of pure energy. Then, just as quickly, the flames vanished, leaving the camp in eerie silence. The ground rumbled again, harder this time. From the shadows, a figure emerged¡ªhis armor shattered, his face smeared with soot, and his breath labored. Jalen squinted through the darkness. "Dad?" Drake, battered but still standing tall, trudged toward them, mud caked on his boots and parts of his breastplate missing. "The surge," he rasped. "It''s different this time. Something''s wrong." Both Collin and Emma straightened at the sight of Jalen''s father, admiration flashing across their faces. There was no denying Drake had a presence about him¡ªa rugged, battle-hardened man who seemed to command attention without trying. Collin felt that familiar, casual admiration he''d always had for the man, while Emma''s eyes lingered just a little longer than usual, betraying her own silent crush. Drake glanced at Jalen, then at the others. "You need to be ready," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Stick together, no matter what happens." Before anyone could respond, the ground trembled again, and from the treeline, a shadow lunged toward Drake. He moved with lightning speed, decapitating the beast with one swift strike. The creature''s body landed with a heavy thud near the fire¡ªa twisted, scarred feline form. Jalen rushed toward his father, panic rising in his chest. "Dad! Are you hurt? Did it get you?" Drake wiped his blade clean, his face calm. "I''m fine, son. Don''t worry about me." Another beast leaped from the shadows, but Drake was ready, his blade flashing again as he cut it down. The body collapsed at his feet. A loud roar echoed from the forest, and the group froze as a massive tree snapped in half, crashing to the ground. In the distance, through the flickering firelight, they could see a pair of glowing green eyes¡ªfeline and menacing¡ªwatching them from the shadows. Everyone in the village knew those eyes. The beasts had truly awakened. The beast that appeared 10 years ago during the last surge and has been terrorizing the villagers every since. The campfire crackled weakly as the group stood frozen, staring into the dark forest where the menacing, green-eyed beast lurked. The air was thick with tension, each member of the group acutely aware that they were facing a danger they hadn''t prepared for. The creature that had haunted the village for a decade was no ordinary beast; it was cunning, almost sentient, and the stories of its attacks were woven with frustration and fear. Every time help had been summoned, it would vanish, only to return when they were most vulnerable. Jalen, though rattled by the sudden appearance of his father and the beasts, felt the weight of responsibility settling over his shoulders. The selection was upon them, the surge of mana that marked a time of awakening, when ordinary people might discover extraordinary power. But the surge hadn''t brought only potential¡ªit had also brought danger, embodied by this creature. Chapter 2: The weight of destiny Jalen collapsed onto a surface that radiated a soft, white-and-black luminescence, its smoothness a stark contrast to the chaos he had just fled. The cool material felt almost soothing against his skin, and he closed his eyes, allowing the surface to cradle his cheek as he lay there, wrestling to maintain a steady rhythm of breath. Just moments ago, he had escaped from a brutal conflict where his father battled a formidable peak-tier 2 beast, teetering on the edge of tier 3, surrounded by menacing, enhanced monstrosities. The heavyweight of that reality settled in his mind, an oppressive cloud of doubt making it hard to breathe. He couldn¡¯t envision his father emerging victorious, and that thought gnawed at him relentlessly. He felt utterly out of his depth. The looming, monstrous figures with their predatory gazes had been frightening enough, but for someone like him, without a class, it was a disaster waiting to unfold. Jalen squeezed his eyes shut tighter, desperately trying to block out the images of his father fighting alone. ¡°I should¡¯ve stayed,¡± he muttered, guilt washing over him like a tidal wave. ¡°I could have helped¡­ somehow.¡± Yet, he recognized the bitter truth lurking beneath his regrets. Even if he had chosen to remain, confronting that beast would have been a desperate battle for both of them, likely leading to tragedy. He vividly recalled the moment the System had seized him, the raw force that yanked him from imminent danger. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a blessing the System took me away,¡± he reasoned, clinging to that idea as a fragile lifeline amid his spiraling thoughts. ¡°Dad doesn¡¯t have to worry about us now; he can concentrate on finding a way out.¡± The comforting notion that his father, skilled and resourceful, would navigate his escape while Jalen remained safely sheltered felt like a beacon of hope, pushing back against the storm of anxiety swirling within him. ¡°He¡¯s guaranteed to escape,¡± Jalen whispered, holding onto that thought as if it were a shield against the crushing uncertainty threatening to engulf him. He could almost envision his father, composed and unwavering, battling fiercely for survival, determined to protect him. Drake had always been the steadfast rock of their family, and even in this tempest of fear, Jalen felt a flicker of faith igniting within him. As he lay there, the luminescent surface beneath him began to pulse gently, responding to his tumultuous thoughts. ¡°He¡¯s strong,¡± Jalen murmured, the rhythm of his heart starting to steady. ¡°And he¡¯ll come back.¡± With that certainty washing over him like a soothing balm, he finally opened his eyes to the blank expanse surrounding him, feeling a glimmer of hope pierce through his fear. In this new, surreal space, free from the chaos he had escaped, Jalen took a deep breath, steeling himself to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the System. [System Tutorial has begun. Please approach the Awakening Stone.] Proof that he had made it out alive. Proof that his friends had, too. His swirling thoughts were interrupted by another flash of text. [Please approach the Awakening Stone.] He shook his head, looking around. The room matched his expectations¡ªa mesmerizing display of white and black square tiles that covered every surface. Each tile was large, measuring just over four feet across, and emitted a soft, gentle glow that illuminated the space around him comfortably. Although he perceived the room to be roughly the size of a small stadium, he knew that this was merely an illusion. From what he had heard from those who had been through the initiation before him, the room could shift to whatever size the System desired. At the center of the chamber loomed a pillar made of a mysterious obsidian-like substance. It was difficult to discern whether it was a solid rock or a type of metal, as it seemed to oscillate between the two. At its peak rested the Awakening Stone. Blue with swirling hues that danced and flowed like water, it was an enigma that beckoned him closer. This stone would be the key to shaping his future. Once he reached out to touch it, he would be initiated into the System, finally gaining his class. From that moment on, everything around him would transform. His father had chosen the path of a Warrior. Through relentless training, strict discipline, and a few fortuitous encounters, he had forged himself into a strong captain within the city guard. His mother, on the other hand, had chosen to randomize her class and take the route of a Chief¡ªa noncombat class with skills in cultivating rare ingredients for recipes that grant buffs and increase the mana absorption of those who consume them.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. But then there was Dylan Jr. When Dylan Jr. had touched the stone, he had awakened as an Essence Crafter, a rare and highly coveted class. This remarkable role allowed him to create and enchant gear that could adapt to any user, regardless of class or unique abilities. This adaptation process could even interact with its user¡¯s class mechanics, an ability otherwise reserved for System rewards. Essence Crafters were unmatched when it came to gear customization. Once bonded to an item, their craftsmanship had the potential to amplify hidden class features that the user kept secret, known only to the System. Acquiring personalized gear was already a challenge¡ªexpensive and elusive for those who sought traditional crafting classes. For anyone in need of a Crafter¡¯s expertise, it was a goal shrouded in both desire and difficulty. [Approach the Awakening Stone.] The System¡¯s prompt once again ferried Jalen back from his drifting mind. He walked forward. As he approached, Jalen noticed that the stone¡¯s height was positioned exactly at his heart. One of the System¡¯s peculiarities. No matter who entered the Tutorial, the Awakening Stone would always meet their heart. Everyone he knew talked about their experience in the same way. As they approached the stone, they would feel a warm breath caress their bodies, calming their minds and relaxing their muscles. Mana slowly opening their blocked coils. For Jalen, it was different. The air around him was still warm, but it was piercing, like a thousand pairs of eyes were staring directly into his soul. The mana, instead of slowly opening his coils, felt like a flood cascading all at once. It felt like his body was bloating, becoming overfilled. He felt like his coils were being forced open by being torn apart, but he knew what it was. He had heard many people describe it, but it was a feeling you could only experience if your coils were already open. The sensation of bloating was his coils expanding. It happened when your mana increased rapidly, like when you tiered up or absorbed a treasure. He felt the danger of being exploded from the inside and had no way to resist. Then he felt a presence¡ªthe presence of the System. It instilled a primal fear in him. It didn¡¯t have malice; it was simply the breath of something so far beyond him that his mind couldn¡¯t comprehend it in any way other than through a primal sense of fear. It was the breath of the System. His head remained still, but his eyes darted around the room. Nothing. Jalen continued forward. Prickling heat roiled across his skin as he arrived at the pillar. He looked down on the Awakening Stone before quickly shutting his eyes. Where the rest of his family had simply described a shining black stone radiating a calming heat, Jalen saw chaos. What seemed like flowing colors at a distance were now complex streams of mana performing a frenzied dance. The front of his head began to hurt. He somehow knew that the mess he saw was precise and ordered. It was all governed by a series of rules. Very important rules. But because he couldn¡¯t grasp the outermost edge of even a single one of those rules, the mere act of looking at that mana could cripple him. It reminded him of the rules of the most complex game he could never conquer. [Place your hands on either side of the Awakening Stone.] Jalen jolted awake, blood rushing down his nose. Controlling the instinct to open his eyes, he shook his head and blindly reached forward. Despite the heat in the air, the stone was cool, like the tile beneath him. A comfortable tingling sensation ran through his body, and a screen appeared in the darkness before him. [Class Options] [1. Warrior] [2. Guardian] [3. Chief] [4. Random +++] [5. Reset] Shit, Jalen cursed. The Awakening Stone always presented a few options to choose from, and one of them was always random and the other allowed for a reset of the options. The rest, experts hypothesized, appeared based on a combination of an individual¡¯s aptitudes, aspirations, and intentions. While there were often surprises on the list, most options followed the accepted pattern. Once the class choices were presented, all a person had to do was mentally select one to get a more detailed summary of its features. Select the same one twice in a row, and the class would be finalized. ¡°Warrior Dad would probably like this option if it was a specialized type of warrior, but it isn¡¯t, so it¡¯s out. Guardian is the exact opposite of what I want. Chief? I can¡¯t cook as it is, so that¡¯s a no. So, I will go with resetting the options. [Class Options] [Flame Trickster] [2.Goblin Summoner] [3.Master Chief] [4. Reset +++] ¡°Are you seriously one option that uses magic like I want but it''s goblins? No disrespect to Gareth but it is not viable. Flame Trickster is one I haven''t heard before¡± so I clicked on it to get its description. A super specialized flame mage that can conduct fire as temporary living spells. Focuses on trickery and Deception and uses living spells as traps to further its goals. ¡° Would probably fit Ash more, let''s move on Master Chief? Jalen chuckled to himself. ¡°I¡¯m not cut out for that either.¡± to goblin summoner.¡± A subclass of summoner that focuses on summoning varieties of goblins and their evolved forms. Sorry Gareth and no disrespect but for me goblins aren''t very viable and don''t really fit the boot of mythical creatures. Then he noticed something strange ¡° Why does the random option have pluses? Then he noticed the Random +++ option, marked with a peculiar allure. It seemed different. Clicking on it prompted an explanation that sent a shiver of intrigue through him. ¡° Randomize has evolved because of your already completed pathway. You have been awarded the option to randomize a class base on your current expectations. Class is guaranteed to be rare or above.¡± Chapter 3: Rare Deckmaster The air around him exploded. Though he couldn¡¯t see it, he felt clouds of mana erupt from the stone in his hands, flowing through all corners of the room. They twined around him before rushing through the center of his forehead. His neck was pushed back, and streams of mana began to pour through him. They felt alive. Each one was distinct, carrying its own characteristics, its own flavor. Classes. Or the mechanisms that governed them. Dylan didn¡¯t quite know. He simply let himself float at the center of the current. Suddenly, something called to him, tugging at his mind. He instinctively tugged back. Breath rushed from his body as he staggered forward against the Awakening Stone, leaning heavily against its pillar. He felt his mind bend. A fishing pole pulling against the might of a whale. He felt his connection to the thing deepen, and despite the struggle on both sides, they were already inextricably bound. Either he claimed it as his own or lost himself in the attempt. He began to focus. Calling his mind back from the countless streams. Concentrating on just the one he¡¯d chosen. Or had it chosen him? It didn¡¯t matter. All that mattered was bringing it back. Making it his. He gave the stream of mana a mental tug. It moved closer. He did it again. Little by little, he pulled it back, and little by little, his body collapsed. Sweat pooled on the tile around him; blood ran freely from his nose, dripping down his chin to create new stains on the already messy leather armor. Jalen slipped forward, practically hugging the pillar. His only support. His head swayed down, smashing into the Awakening Stone, and it was as if something had opened. The painful tug-of-war became a rushing torrent. The stream of mana flew toward him and entered his mind. Just as he succeeded, he finally saw it. The stream was composed of those same patterns. The ones that made his head hurt. It rotated around his consciousness, and slowly began to dissolve. Bringing with it agony. When Jalen thought could no longer endure. The pressure dissipated and with it a message appeared. [Congratulations on Random Class Selection: Rare class Deckmaster.] [Are you ready to begin Class Tutorial: Deckmaster? Yes/No] Deckmaster? That was his class? He¡¯d never heard of it before. Or maybe he had vaguely his memories still blurry. I''ve never heard of this happening before. Maybe it was new class some big shot that awakened recently? That wouldn¡¯t be particularly unusual. The System and its Awakening Stone seemed to produce new classes from time to time. Of course, most of them were variations on those that already existed. If Deckmaster was either a very rare or specialized class, it would be normal for Jalen to have to do his own research after getting back. He focused back on the System¡¯s prompt and chose to begin. [To view your Status Page, concentrate your will and think about Status. Please attempt it now.] The swirling energy of the Awakening Stone settled into a hum that vibrated through Jalen¡¯s bones. He looked up at the notification, eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of the new reality he found himself in. His body was still trembling, breath shallow, but he pressed on, pushing past the weariness that weighed on his limbs. The System had given him an option¡ªa chance to learn, to embrace what he had become. [Personal Status: Jalen Knight ] His last name appeared before his eyes, grounding him back in the present. That was who he was¡ªJalen Knight, the younger brother, the underestimated one, the kid who had always stood in the shadow of his family¡¯s legacy. But that grounding opened up the memories the system tampered with when reading through his memories to give him a beneficial class. How could I forgot Deckmaster is the class of the Strongest tier 4 in the kingdom of (name) known to ascend the steps of power to push back higher tier mages. ? My class has the potential to ascend classes. [Class: Deckmaster, Tier 1]Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. The title shimmered, confirming what he had already suspected. Deckmaster. A class rooted in strategy and adaptability. He would wield cards¡ªmagic-infused artifacts that could summon creatures, cast spells, and alter the course of any battle. It was rare, familiar, and the very name sent a pulse of excitement through his veins. He knew very well how people would react if they found a new tyrant was just created. He inhaled sharply, feeling the weight of the class settle over him like a cloak. Then came the System¡¯s guidance: [Class Skills (expand)] [Statistics (expand)] Jalen concentrated, feeling his will reach out to the interface, and the information unfurled before him like a map of possibilities. [Statistics] [Life Force: 11 (Tier 1)] [Intelligence: 14 (Tier 1)] [Physical Power: 5 (Tier 0)] [Physique: 2 (Tier 0)] [Magic Power: 14 (Tier 1)] Mana: 150/150 Mana Regeneration: 2.0/minute As he examined the stats, a quiet hum of understanding settled in the back of his mind. His life force¡ª11. Not particularly high but solid enough for his current state. It indicated his general vitality, how much damage he could endure before being incapacitated. Tier 1 was the starting point for most, but that wasn¡¯t where he planned to stay. Intelligence: 14. Now, that was interesting. Intelligence determined the strength of his spells, his magical constructs, and how efficiently he could manipulate mana. He was above average for an early awakener. Magic Power: Also 14. Another promising number, especially for someone using cards. Magic Power fueled the potency of the cards he would draw, the summoned creatures, and the spells they cast. At 14, he was already better equipped than many Tier 1 mages. Mana: 150. He felt it like a current beneath his skin, flowing and endless, ready to be shaped. Mana was life for a caster. It was the fuel he would use to bring the cards to life and cast his abilities. He also happened to have a a 50% more mana then normal spellcasters. His Physical Power and Physique were low¡ª5 and 2, respectively. That was expected. He wasn¡¯t a warrior. He wouldn¡¯t be out there swinging swords or wrestling with hulking beasts. But for now, it was enough to survive until his summons could fight for him. Mana Regeneration: 2.0/minute. That was a comforting number. It meant he wouldn¡¯t be drained after casting a few spells. His magic would renew itself quickly, keeping him in the fight for longer. For a newly awakened, it was double the usual amount, though it would need improvement if he wanted to be able to protect himself once his secret gets out. The System¡¯s next prompt began outlining the significance of each stat in detail, explaining how they affected his overall capabilities. Jalen half-listened, his mind already jumping ahead. He knew the basics: Life Force meant how much punishment his body could endure. Physical Power represented his strength. Physique controlled his stamina and resilience. But none of those would matter as much as Intelligence and Magic Power in the early stages. Those were his core strengths now¡ªthe heart of a caster. Everything else was secondary. He glanced back at the Class Skills section. His real strength lay there, in the potential locked within the cards he could summon. There would be more, of course¡ªmore cards, more spells, more creatures. But for now, the Deckmaster was his foundation. ¡°Alright,¡± Jalen muttered under his breath, rolling his shoulders and standing up straighter. ¡°Time to see what I can really do.¡± His mind latched onto the next part of the System¡¯s tutorial as it prompted him to explore his new abilities. Then an interesting prompt popped up. [ Rare classes and higher have the exclusive ability to permanently trade stat points to gain special class abilities. In this tutorial, you will have the opportunity to choose one free class ability.] [ Boost Draw: Needed draw choose one card in your deck the chances of drawing it become ten times for one turn. The next turn it is increased by one hundred when the chosen card is drawn the effect is sealed into the next restart.] [25 mana] [ Draw one: Draw when you draw card(s) you can draw one additional card. If you draw a card you can reveal it''s mana cost is reduced by one] [22 mana] [ Card Creation basic Mastery: when creating a blank card the chances of failure is reduced by half. The limit of blank cards you can create is increased by per day is increased by double. ] [Cost 30 mana] [Select one and it''s cost will drop to zero. It is recommended you review your class features before deciding.] ¡° Woah this is new, I''ve never heard of this being mentioned. The ability to trade stats for class abilities any class would probably do it besides weird classes with no good class abilities and focused solely on stats. ¡° I should probably check my status even though I figured out the predecessor to my class no one knows how it operates except it''s powered, unpredictable and, involves cards. [Class Skills] [ Expand skill descriptions] [Meditation] [Card Creation] [Deck Management] [Card Manifestation] Meditation was straightforward. It was the one skill shared by everyone initiated by the System. It allowed individuals to enter a state of focused calm, enhancing the effects of any regeneration stats while restoring their mental and physical resilience. In some cases, it could even unlock special features tied to other skills. Additionally, remaining in meditation over time helped to slowly increase a person¡¯s overall stats. It was the simplest, but by far the slowest, path to growth. After going over what he already knew, Jalen was ready to explore the unique abilities his new class offered. [Deck Management] This skill governs all aspects of managing your deck. This includes but is not limited to: assembling a deck, creating new ones, switching out cards, and resetting your deck. Jalen frowned. That was¡­ pretty vague. He had expected something more descriptive. Perhaps the next ability would shed some light. [Card Creation] [This skill allows you to create blank cards and use those blank cards to craft fully functional ones.] The words made sense, but the significance still escaped him. What could these cards do? What exactly would he be creating? He inhaled slowly, trying to stay patient. It was time to move on. [Card Play] [This skill governs how you bring your completed deck into reality and play the cards within it.] Another cryptic description. While Jalen could infer that his class involved making and playing cards, he still didn¡¯t know what they did or how they would function in combat or life. He had gathered the basic idea of the Deckmaster class, but the specifics were still frustratingly unclear. As if sensing his confusion, the System prompted him to continue to the next stage. [Please proceed to the podium to receive your initial class equipment.] With a resigned sigh, Jalen decided to move forward, hoping that whatever was waiting for him at the table would finally provide some clarity. Chapter 4: Wheel of Cards. As Jalen stood at the table, watching his new class equipment materialize before him, a shiver of anticipation ran through him. The System had laid out two items for him: a massive book, thick and weighty with a glint of gold on the cover, and a small box that could easily fit in the palm of his hand. He approached cautiously, realizing he was about to unlock something uniquely his, something only a Deckmaster could possess. The book had an imposing presence, its sheer size suggesting it held something far more complex than he had anticipated. Though it bore no obvious markings, the golden cover hinted at a purpose tailored to his new role. The box, on the other hand, was unmistakably connected to cards. The size was right, if a bit larger than playing cards, and he knew intuitively that this box was the key to the actual cards he¡¯d be wielding. Maybe I¡¯ll get something epic, he mused, letting his mind race to fantastical thoughts¡ªdragons, maybe, or even massive creatures like a soaring pterodactyl brought to life from paper. The System¡¯s prompt interrupted his wandering thoughts, explaining the process for detailed examination. Without hesitation, he reached for the book first. [Card Scripture] [Description: A comprehensive catalog of the Deckmaster¡¯s rules, abilities, and a record of all cards in their possession.] [Equip? Yes/No] The simplicity of the description didn¡¯t match the grandeur of the book, but the concept of equipping it immediately piqued his interest. Typically, only advanced or unique items would sync directly with a user¡¯s soul, so this was already promising. Jalen tapped ¡°Yes.¡± The book began to glow, fragmenting before his eyes into delicate particles of mana. Each piece shimmered with faint patterns¡ªthose same designs that usually left his head aching. This time, however, they seemed orderly, almost gentle, as they drifted toward his chest. He felt them integrate into his being with a soft hum, like the addition of an extra limb or sense. With concentration, he realized he could summon the book at will. The Card Scripture floated into his vision and then retracted back with a simple mental command, almost as if he¡¯d always known how to handle it. He turned to the box next, his curiosity mounting. [Starter Deck] [A foundational collection of cards, designed to support a Deckmaster¡¯s first steps.] [Requires Scripture.] Jalen¡¯s lips twisted in a slight smile. It was all coming together, piece by piece. He reached for the box, selecting ¡°Yes¡± with anticipation. The cards within erupted in a shower of light, each one larger than expected, about 4-by-7 inches, and suspended in midair around him. Just as with the Scripture, they began to disintegrate, the residual data embedding itself into the pages of his mental catalog. When he checked, he found pockets appearing in the virtual pages, sized precisely for each card as they filled the slots in neat rows. Finally, the process concluded, and Jalen could feel his catalog buzzing with new contents. When he summoned it, the Card Scripture opened naturally to a fresh, clear layout. [Catalog Contents] 1.Rules 2.Decks 3.Card Collection Finally, he thought, maybe now I can get some real answers. Selecting the ¡°Rules¡± section, he prepared to learn the finer details of his class. But the System seemed determined to guide him, presenting him with a prompt: [Now, summon your Card Scripture and open it to the Rules.] Jalen¡¯s brow furrowed as he complied. The pages flicked over to a section titled Basics of Deck Play, and though he sensed a distinct hand-holding here, he couldn¡¯t deny the practical benefit. [Basics of Deck Play] 1.Every card in a deck has two costs¡ªa summoning cost, generally in mana, and an activation cost, usually paid in energy.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. 2.Card Play begins when the Deckmaster summons a loaded deck, bringing it into play. 3.To summon a deck, the Deckmaster must pay the combined summoning costs of all cards within that deck. 4.To keep a deck in play, the Deckmaster must pay 5 percent of the deck¡¯s summoning cost every minute.] 5.The Deckmaster may unsummon their deck at any time. It was a structured system, but Jalen could already see where the challenge lay. The deck¡¯s continuous drain required a careful balance¡ªhe couldn¡¯t just throw powerful cards into play without consequence. Each decision, each card played, would be a commitment, a gamble with stakes attached. And at this stage, he was too fresh to fully comprehend what limitations or advantages his starter cards would bring. This is more than just a game, he thought, realizing the weight of his role. It¡¯s like balancing an entire ecosystem in real time. He allowed himself a small, private grin. Deckmaster was rare, a class shrouded in mystery, and if he could master this, it would set him apart in ways no one had foreseen. As the rules settled in his mind, a new System message appeared before Jalen, snapping him out of his thoughts. [Prepare to roll for your Deck Type.] [Each Deckmasters initial deck is decided by roulette, ranging from the 3 random rarities. The result of the randomization has been selected. The result legendary, rare and common classes of cards.] [Roll Results Possibilities:] Legendary: Dragons, Greater Spirits, Self-Adapting Machines Rare: Elemental Titans, Celestial Beasts, Phantom Puppets Common: Elementary Spirits, Frost Wolves, Night Stalkers A spark of excitement shot through Jalen. This was his chance to start with something truly powerful, something that could change the course of his entire journey. The System clarified that his starter deck would lean heavily into whatever type he rolled, offering him not only cards unique to that theme but also potential synergies he¡¯d gradually unlock as he grew more proficient. His mind was alight with possibilities. Dragons¡ªimagine summoning a creature so ancient and destructive that even other awakened beings would think twice about challenging him. Or Greater Spirits, mystical entities woven from the elements themselves, offering versatile power that could adapt to almost any situation. And then there were the Self-Adapting Machines, mechanical titans rumored to evolve and self-upgrade with each use. But then again, he couldn¡¯t ignore the practical value of the lower tiers. Elementary Spirits might seem basic compared to dragons or celestial beasts, but they were reliable, adaptable, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªfamiliar. Their elemental powers were foundational, something he could always fall back on. The roulette interface materialized in front of him, a large, circular display divided into the categories. Legendary types were small slivers of gold, Rare were broader bands of silver, and Common types filled the largest sections in bronze. The odds weren¡¯t in his favor for anything above the basics, but he clenched his fists, focusing on the hope that the System would surprise him. [Ready to roll for your deck type? Yes/No] Jalen didn¡¯t hesitate. He selected ¡°Yes,¡± and the wheel began to spin, a quiet hum building into a low roar as the golden, silver, and bronze sections blurred into a dizzying spiral of color. His heart pounded in time with the spinning, each second stretching into an eternity as he watched. The wheel began to slow, shifting from a whirling blur to individual segments as it approached the end. A flash of gold¡ªa Legendary section¡ªslipped past, and his heart leapt. But it didn¡¯t stop. Instead, it slowed over the Rare, a wide silver band with Phantom Puppets prominently featured. Close, so close. His jaw clenched as it inched forward, skipping past the last of the silver sections and descending into the commons. He held his breath as the marker drew nearer and nearer to a section labeled Elementary Spirits. The wheel stopped. A final chime echoed in his ears, a quiet confirmation of fate. [Deck Type Acquired: Elementary Spirits] Jalen exhaled, forcing down the slight pang of disappointment that tightened his chest. It wasn¡¯t the legendary deck he¡¯d dreamed of, nor the rare options that could¡¯ve given him an edge. But this was what the System had given him, and he was determined to make the most of it. Elementary Spirits were still powerful; they just lacked the grandeur and uniqueness of their rarer counterparts. Elementary Spirits¡ªembodied forces of fire, water, earth, and air, known to work in tandem with each other in ways that more powerful creatures could not. There was a simplicity in their design, but that simplicity was adaptable. Versatile. He could see the appeal now¡ªspiritual entities aligned with the world¡¯s elemental foundations, perfect for support, attack, and defense, depending on how he used them. The System gave him a moment to process his thoughts before continuing: [Congratulations, Deckmaster. You have obtained the Elementary Spirits Deck.] [This deck provides access to a collection of cards embodying core elemental spirits, each attuned to fire, water, earth, and air.] [Each spirit possesses basic elemental abilities but can be combined with others to unleash more complex effects.] [New Tutorial Task: Summon your first spirit.] Jalen¡¯s hand twitched in anticipation. Although Elementary Spirits weren¡¯t as awe-inspiring as dragons, they carried a subtle strength. They were the kind of allies who didn¡¯t just destroy; they shaped the battlefield. He could work with that. And with his class¡¯s focus on card creation and management, he had the feeling he could adapt this deck into something that might rival even the rarest or legendary creatures one day. Mentally accessing his catalog, he flipped to his newly acquired deck. The deck buzzed in Jalen¡¯s hand as he readied himself for his first official summon. His fingers brushed over the cards, feeling a slight warmth radiate through the cardstock¡ªa reminder of the power housed within even these seemingly simple cards. He¡¯d just paid the mana cost to actualize his deck, bringing it into play and confirming his connection with each spirit held within it. Chapter 5: Ember. The system had provided him with a helpful breakdown earlier, and now he understood how critical it was to manage his energy reserves. Forty cards, each pulling from a shared pool of energy. His Deckmaster class wasn¡¯t built for rapid, high-energy bursts but rather for sustained engagement. He could hold his own across long battles or strategic engagements, pulling each card into play as the situation demanded. But as his fingers hovered over the deck, the system popped up another prompt, just as he¡¯d started to draw: [Would you like to set a deck summon chant? A personalized chant can be triggered even under duress to summon your deck at any moment. Recommended to be a unique phrase.] [Would you like to assign a summon signal? Yes/No] Jalen considered it, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. It was tempting to assign something flashy¡ªa memorable command he could use in the heat of battle. But he decided to hold off for now. He¡¯d come up with something later, something that felt truly his. ¡°Not now, system,¡± he murmured, his gaze steady on the deck in his soul. [Physique Status] Mana: 80 out of 120 The quick stats refresh settled his thoughts. He could summon the full deck three times with his current energy, perhaps more if he learned to manage the spirits and keep his tactics tight. With his deck fully summoned 5 cards were dealt into his hand and humming with readiness, he let hand hover over the one he felt the best resonance with. On the card it had an image of a red salamander the size of a large dog. The flavor text read the most passionate of the lesser elementary spirits. It''s is loyalty can be compared to man¡¯s best friend. It''s a lonely creature among the lesser spirits as it''s power is naturally destructive leading to the other elementary spirits to avoid them. The card cost two mana and when Jalen tried to activate the card he was hit with feedback. Jalan felt his mind split. His primary focus was still on the salamander card in his hand, but another part of him was pulled away to answer a question. Did he want to draw a card, generate energy, or do nothing? He was stunned for a moment before quickly realizing what was going on. Jalen steadied himself, pulling his thoughts into focus. The feedback he felt when trying to summon the salamander was more than just a rejection; it was a reminder that every card, every action, carried consequences. His deck and the system were more than just tools¡ªthey were partners in his journey, constantly nudging him to grow smarter, more deliberate in his choices. ¡°Alright, system, show me the full energy breakdown,¡± he commanded, his tone sharpening as he sought clarity. The translucent interface adjusted, now displaying a more comprehensive energy dashboard:
[Energy Breakdown]
The data was illuminating. Jalen quickly ran through the implications in his head: he had enough mana to play around with his deck a little, but spamming cards would leave him drained and vulnerable in extended encounters. The key to success would be finding a rhythm¡ªgenerating energy while keeping expenditures lean. His gaze drifted back to the Salamander card. The flavor text tugged at him, making him wonder if the card¡¯s isolation mirrored his own circumstances. But now wasn¡¯t the time for sentimental musings. He needed to decide how to act. The system¡¯s prompt lingered in his peripheral vision, urging him to choose between Drawing a Card, Generating Energy, or Doing Nothing.
Options:
  1. Draw a Card: Pull another card from the deck, potentially expanding his options, but at the cost of strategy¡ªtoo many cards might overwhelm his ability to manage them effectively.
  2. Generate Energy: Take a defensive approach and stockpile mana, ensuring he wouldn¡¯t run dry when the battle heated up.
  3. Do Nothing: Hold steady, maintaining his current energy reserves and staying ready to react.
Jalen took a breath. He needed to think tactically¡ªwhat choice would set him up for success in the long run? But he realized he was overthinking it a bit. It¡¯s system dummies he won¡¯t get seriously injured no matter what he picks but he will have to think about strategies more later. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "System," he murmured, the decision forming in his mind. "I choose..." The action was done before he could even finish his sentence, the system clearly sensing his intent. An extra energy was generated the system then refreshed the status with an additional reminder. [Energy Breakdown] ¡° Always Keeping track of your current energy is a vital part of your class. With too little energy your entire deck is offline with too much you will end up overworking your body. The key is to keep a nice balance. A backup weapon is a top priority for this class. ¡° Jalen nodded at the system''s advice, letting the words sink in. The reminder about balance and the importance of a backup weapon wasn¡¯t new, but hearing it in the midst of a live session drove the point home. Deckmaster was a class built on preparation and adaptability¡ªa single misstep could mean being caught with no cards, no energy, and no way to defend himself. He glanced down at the Salamander card again, still feeling its warmth resonate through his hand. Its destructive power was enticing, but it was also a double-edged sword. With the energy reserves now at 2, he had a little more room to maneuver.
Jalen mentally mapped out his options:
  1. Activate the Salamander Card
  2. Draw Another Card
  3. Generate More Energy
  4. Do Nothing
Jalen nodded at the system''s advice, letting the words sink in. The reminder about balance and the importance of a backup weapon wasn¡¯t new, but hearing it in the midst of a live session drove the point home. Deckmaster was a class built on preparation and adaptability¡ªa single misstep could mean being caught with no cards, no energy, and no way to defend himself. He glanced down at the Salamander card again, still feeling its warmth resonate through his hand. Its destructive power was enticing, but it was also a double-edged sword. With the energy reserves now at 2, he had a little more room to maneuver.
The system¡¯s reminder about overworking his body lingered in his mind. That was something he¡¯d need to research further¡ªwhat did "overwork" really mean for a Deckmaster? Would his body break down, or would his mana simply stop regenerating? The system¡¯s cryptic warnings left him with questions, but for now, he had to focus on this moment. ¡°System,¡± he said, his tone deliberate, ¡°activate the Salamander card.¡±
As soon as he spoke, the card¡¯s image glowed brighter, and Jalen felt a surge of heat as the mana was pulled from his reserves. The warmth in his hand intensified, and a fiery red glow spilled onto the training field. The shape of the salamander began to materialize¡ªa creature as small as a puppy, its body wreathed in flickering flames. The salamander¡¯s gaze locked onto Jalen, and he felt the weight of its presence¡ªnot hostile, but expectant. The card¡¯s flavor text echoed in his mind: ¡°Its loyalty can be compared to man¡¯s best friend.¡± Jalen took a steadying breath. ¡°Alright, buddy,¡± he murmured, stepping closer to the summoned spirit. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you can do.¡± The Salamander lowered itself, flames licking the ground beneath its feet. It was ready¡ªand so was Jalen. Chapter 6:, Deckmaster Bond the Trial Begins [The first summon holds significance within your class. Be mindful and Prove your Worth.] A sense of unease tugged at Jalen¡¯s thoughts. He hadn¡¯t heard of the system harming players during the tutorial, but everything about this experience felt too intense, almost as if the system itself was watching him. He exhaled, grounding himself. ¡°System, don¡¯t tell me I have to wrestle this little guy to prove my worth,¡± he muttered, trying to shake off the tension. The salamander simply wandered around, padding softly across the stone floor before curling beside the podium as if it had always belonged there. The creature observed him with quiet curiosity, those golden eyes wide and unblinking. Despite its small size, he could sense the potential energy simmering within, a reservoir of fire waiting to be unleashed. It was more than just a creature; there was a connection there, a mutual awareness he hadn¡¯t anticipated. ¡°Hey there, buddy,¡± he said softly, crouching down to the salamander¡¯s level, hand extended. ¡°What¡¯s your story?¡± The salamander hesitated, lifting its head and sniffing his fingers with a cautious curiosity. Then, it nudged his palm with a warmth that went beyond the physical, an impression of loyalty, companionship, and an unspoken sense of protectiveness that went deeper than he¡¯d anticipated. He felt their bond settle, a tether of mana linking them. [First Elementary Spirit Familiarity Gained: Fire Salamander] [Your spirit¡¯s bond with you will deepen with frequent interaction. Bonds may influence its abilities and synchronicity with your class.] Jalen felt a swell of satisfaction as he traced the salamander¡¯s scales with his fingers. ¡°What does it mean, ¡®influenced by our bond?¡¯¡± he wondered aloud. Then a soft, timid voice echoed in his mind, catching him off guard. ¡°Hello?¡± Jalen¡¯s hand froze, his breath catching as he processed what he¡¯d just heard. ¡°You¡­ you can talk?¡± he asked, almost in a whisper, as if a louder tone would shatter the moment. The salamander tilted its head, looking as surprised as he felt. ¡°I¡­ I think so?¡± The voice was soft, hesitant, like a whisper testing the boundaries of silence. ¡°Where am I? And¡­ who am I? I don¡¯t remember¡­ but somehow, I remember you.¡± The creature¡¯s words jolted Jalen from his expectations. A lesser elemental spirit, especially one as low-tier as a salamander, should be mindless, limited to simple commands. And yet here it was, speaking to him, expressing confusion, even a glimmer of familiarity. He was suddenly grateful he hadn¡¯t skipped the system¡¯s prompt earlier about their bond¡ªit was clearly more intricate than he¡¯d anticipated. ¡°How¡­ How do you even¡­¡± he stammered, trailing off as he looked into its eyes. Its gaze was intelligent, perceptive, even if tinged with uncertainty. The fire elemental curled around his leg, its warmth seeping through his clothes. As if sensing his unease, the system chimed in once more: [First Familiar Evolution Completed: Ember the Fire Salamander] [The first summon has evolved beyond its original form, gaining intelligence, strength, and the ability to communicate effectively.] [Note: As your bond deepens, Ember will gain new abilities and grow with you.] Jalen took a moment to absorb this. ¡°Alright,¡± he said finally, smiling at the salamander. ¡°I guess you¡¯re not just any spirit. How about a name?¡± He thought for a moment, then offered, ¡°How about Ember?¡± The salamander blinked, considering, before nodding. ¡°Ember,¡± it repeated in that soft, timid voice. ¡°Yes¡­ I like that.¡± Jalen felt a spark of pride. ¡°Welcome to the team, Ember.¡± He crouched to meet Ember¡¯s gaze. ¡°How about a test? Can you make the flame in your mouth brighter? Just enough to light the room?¡± Ember nodded, parting its jaws slightly. A small, steady flame blossomed from its mouth, casting a soft, warm glow over the stone chamber. It was controlled, gentle, more a flicker of warmth than a destructive blaze. Then the system chimed in with new prompts: [First Familiar Evolution Completed: Ember the Fire Salamander]The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. [Note: The first summon is marked by a unique bond and has evolved into a familiar. As a familiar, it will grow stronger over time, gaining new abilities as your bond deepens.] [Conditions for Ember¡¯s Next Evolution: ?0/100 enemies defeated ?1/15 summonings completed] Jalen gestured toward the nearest system dummy, a simple humanoid figure constructed of straw and wood. Ember followed his gaze, tilting his head as though calculating the request. His golden eyes flickered, flames dancing faintly within. ¡°Like this?¡± Ember asked tentatively, his voice soft but curious. Jalen nodded, crouching beside him to explain further. ¡°Yes, focus on the flame inside you, Ember. Picture it leaving your body, aiming for that dummy over there. Don¡¯t worry about getting it perfect. Just give it a shot¡ªliterally.¡± Ember straightened, his small frame seeming to draw in the ambient energy around him. The warmth radiating from his body intensified as he opened his mouth. He seemed to grow larger to the size of a wolf before releasing a large fireball. The fireball streaked through the air, its brightness casting sharp shadows against the chamber walls. It hit the dummy dead center, exploding into a brief, fiery bloom. The straw figure was incinerated almost instantly, leaving behind a smoldering husk of charred wood and ash. The heat washed over Jalen, but it was oddly tempered¡ªwarm, but not scorching, as if Ember was instinctively protecting him from the full brunt of his power. Ember blinked, stepping back, his flames dimming slightly as he shrank back down to his smaller form. ¡°Did I¡­ do okay?¡± he asked, his voice uncertain. Jalen let out a low whistle, his lips curving into a grin. ¡°Okay? Ember, that was incredible! You¡¯ve got some serious power in you.¡± The salamander perked up at the praise, his tail swishing in slow, fiery arcs. ¡°I felt¡­ strong. Like the flame wanted to listen to me. But it¡¯s still hard to aim,¡± he admitted, lowering his head slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Jalen assured him, placing a hand on the salamander¡¯s warm back. ¡°That¡¯s what training is for. You¡¯ll get better with practice. And trust me, we¡¯re just getting started.¡± The system chimed in again: ? 1/100 enemies defeated] ? 1/15 summonings completed] The system¡¯s prompts lingered in Jalen¡¯s mind as he glanced at the smoldering remains of the straw dummy. Ember, now circling him with a faint glow of pride, was proving to be more than he could have hoped for. The little salamander¡¯s curiosity seemed endless, its wide golden eyes scanning the room as if hungry for more challenges. ¡°One down, ninety-nine to go,¡± Jalen muttered under his breath, his tone both amused and determined. Ember tilted his head, the faint ember-like flicker of his tail casting soft shadows. ¡°Ninety-nine?¡± the salamander asked, his voice tinged with concern. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a lot.¡± Jalen chuckled and crouched beside him again. ¡°It¡¯s not about how many we take down, Ember. It¡¯s about growing stronger with every step. Every flame you unleash gets sharper, brighter, and more precise. We¡¯re in this together.¡± That reassurance seemed to calm the salamander, who gave a firm nod. ¡°Together,¡± Ember echoed, his voice small but resolute. The simple word sent a ripple of warmth through Jalen, more profound than any system feedback. The chamber shimmered faintly as new dummies materialized¡ªfive this time, evenly spaced around the circular room. Each one seemed slightly sturdier than the last, their wooden frames reinforced with strips of metal. Above them, the system projected an instruction: [Test of Precision and Coordination: Destroy all targets without damaging the surrounding area.] Jalen raised a brow. ¡°Looks like the system¡¯s raising the stakes already. You ready, Ember?¡± The salamander took a step forward, his tail flicking behind him. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± he said, his voice carrying a quiet determination. Jalen knelt beside him again, his hand resting lightly on Ember¡¯s back. ¡°Let¡¯s break this down. You don¡¯t need to incinerate them like before. Try smaller bursts¡ªaim for the wooden sections and avoid the metal reinforcements. Think of it like¡­ threading a needle with fire.¡± Ember looked up at him, his golden eyes narrowing in concentration. ¡°Smaller bursts¡­ Okay.¡± He padded forward, his small form suddenly radiating a controlled intensity. The flames along his body flickered as he opened his mouth, gathering energy into a tiny, concentrated orb of fire. The first fireball launched, no bigger than Jalen¡¯s fist. It sailed through the air with precision, striking the first dummy square in its wooden chest. The flames burned brightly for a moment. Before fizzing out the system gave an important piece of information. (Dummies are immune to fire under tier 2. Try another way.) Jalen blinked as the system prompt floated before his eyes, glowing with a faintly smug hue. ¡°Immune to fire? Seriously?¡± he muttered, glancing at Ember. The salamander looked equally perplexed, his fiery tail dimming slightly as his head tilted. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t burn them?¡± Ember asked, his voice laced with confusion. ¡°But I¡¯m a fire spirit. What else am I supposed to do?¡± Jalen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The system¡¯s challenges weren¡¯t just about brute strength¡ªthey were tests of creativity and adaptability. He¡¯d have to think outside the box. Standing, he began pacing, his boots echoing faintly on the stone floor as he examined the dummies. Each was reinforced with bands of metal, glinting dully under the chamber¡¯s light. The wood was likely standard, but the metal was the key. It had to mean something. ¡°The system slapped me on the face with the solution. I swear it was getting tired of me. Use melee attacks or summon a different elemental creature. You are a deck master not a summoner.¡± Jalen stared at the system prompt, its words taunting him with their smug clarity. A deck master, not a summoner. The reminder stung, but it also forced him to refocus. His class wasn¡¯t about relying solely on one companion¡ªit was about adapting, strategizing, and using everything at his disposal. But he had nothing else in his arsenal. Not yet. Just Ember, the fiery salamander who had already given his all. And now they were facing dummies immune to fire. Chapter 7: Dragonic Insight Jalen stared at the system prompt, its words taunting him with their smug clarity. A deck master, not a summoner. The reminder stung, but it also forced him to refocus. His class wasn¡¯t about relying solely on one companion¡ªit was about adapting, strategizing, and using everything at his disposal. But he had nothing else in his arsenal. Not yet. Just Ember, the fiery salamander who had already given his all. And now they were facing dummies immune to fire. Let¡¯s see I do have something left. My family¡¯s innate trait The Dragonic Insight. The origin of the innate traits are shrouded in much mystery besides the reason they exist. Ancient Mana Beasts: those who were somehow blessed or cursed by Mana beasts. The ancient beasts were part of the world since the beginning and were once worshipped by all races for their power and mystery. So this is where my family''s innate talents will help. Father said that once I awaken my class I will be able to use the ability that my family had inherited from one of my great ancestors making a deal with a dragon. Just try to circulate my mana through my body over and over until my mana collides with the spark. Jalen took a deep breath, letting his father¡¯s words echo in his mind. Circulate mana through the body, over and over, until it collides with the spark. It sounded simple, but he knew it required precision, control, and trust in his instincts. He glanced down at Ember, who watched him intently, the salamander¡¯s tail flickering faintly as if mirroring his anticipation. ¡°Alright, Ember,¡± Jalen said, straightening his posture. ¡°This might look a little strange, but trust me, okay? We¡¯re going to figure this out together.¡± Ember tilted his head, his golden eyes reflecting both curiosity and trust. ¡°I trust you,¡± he said softly, his small voice steady despite the uncertainty. Jalen stepped forward, positioning himself in front of one of the dummies. He closed his eyes and began to focus inward, drawing his mana into a slow, deliberate flow through his body. At first, it felt like tracing the path of a river, his mana moving in a gentle current. But as he deepened his concentration, he began to push the flow faster, building momentum with each cycle. His breathing steadied, aligning with the rhythm of the mana as it circulated through him. Then he felt it¡ªa faint spark, buried deep within his core. It wasn¡¯t just mana; it was something older, more primal. The inherited essence of his lineage, a fragment of the deal his ancestor had struck with a dragon. As his mana collided with the spark, it flared to life, sending a wave of heat coursing through his veins. His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with a fiery hue, and the world around him seemed sharper, more vivid. So Instinctively, he reached out toward the dummy, his hand outstretched. Energy pooled in his palm, coalescing into a shimmering construct¡ªa simple but elegant weapon. It was a pair of gloves, its glowing with faint embers, the tips gleaming like molten metal. The gloves wrapped around his hands felt perfect, as though they had been crafted specifically for him. The system chimed: [Family Ability Activated: Draconic Insight] [Your class instincts have been enhanced. Temporary equipment is generated based on your current needs. Your insight has reached peak. ] My mind raced with a million thoughts a second about my class. The few stray thoughts I could decipher ranged from useless to very insightful. Focus and concentrate don''t let your thoughts overwhelm you. Don''t let them leave you a stray. ¡° Beginning analysis of the class is a type of summoner dealing in cards. Cards from the deck reveal a lot about the class. There are 3 main cards in the basic deck : summons, cast spells, and enhancement spells. ¡°The resource system requires the user''s concentration plus outside input. Let me check my status. [Class Skills (expand)] [Statistics (expand)] Jalen concentrated, feeling his will reach out to the interface, and the information unfurled before him like a map of possibilities. [Statistics] Level 1: Exp 0/25 [Life Force: 11 (Tier 1)] [Intelligence: 14 (Tier 1)] +36 [Physical Power: 5 (Tier 0)] [Physique: 2 (Tier 0)]Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. [Magic Power: 14 (Tier 1)] +6 Mana: 56/120 Mana Regeneration: 2.0/minute Energy: 0 ¡° 80 was the mana I started with when I summoned my deck. It¡¯s been approximately 2 minutes so my mana should have regenerated by 4 but I should have also spent 8 mana keeping the deck activated. So that would mean I should have 76 mana. But I¡¯m down to 56 so dragon if insight takes approximately 5 mana a second. Status menu close. Status menu open. [Statistics] Level 1: Exp 0/25 [Life Force: 11 (Tier 1)] [Intelligence: 14 (Tier 1)] +36 [Physical Power: 5 (Tier 0)] [Physique: 2 (Tier 0)] [Magic Power: 14 (Tier 1)] +6 Mana: 46/120 Mana Regeneration: 2.0/minute ¡°So it looks like I was correct about the mana usage so I should be swift. I hear when mana drops below a certain threshold it causes discomfort then a debuff before passing out. Now every thirty seconds a new resource prompt should appear. Draw a Card: Generate Energy: Do Nothing: I should destroy a puppet before my gloves disappear. I sprinted towards the closest dummy to my right and simultaneously generated an energy point. Jalen felt the weight of his new gloves, their heat pulsing in sync with his heartbeat. The system¡¯s analysis and his deductions had given him a clear picture of how his class functioned, but now it was time to put it into action. Looking at my cards again noticing a interesting buff I activated it immediately.
Spirit Crystal of Wind and Sea When this crystal is shattered the being who shattered it gains the mobility trait. Chance to permanently increase dexterity. When this crystal is shattered the being who shattered it gains the mobility trait. Chance to permanently increase dexterity. ¡°The chance to gain an extra trait will probably increase if swallowed. What could be the harm in trying? It''s quite strange that dexterity wasn''t originally a stat in the class since it involves moving your hands fast and a lot. The card glowed for a second and then a small crystal fell into Jalen¡¯s hand. The crystal had a very weird consistency as it felt hard to the touch but with a slight squeeze it shattered like candy glass. Jalen blinked as the system prompts disappeared, his senses heightened to an almost overwhelming degree. Every motion of the dummies, every flicker of light, every minute shift in the arena¡ªhe could see it, feel it, anticipate it. His body responded almost instinctively, his steps smoother and faster. He clenched his fists, the gloves on his hands glowing with faint embers. His breath came steadily now, the initial burn of the crystal fading into a warm, empowering buzz. ¡°Alright,¡± Jalen muttered, a faint grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Time to test this out.¡± The dummy closest to him twitched, its lifeless body preparing for its automated strike. Jalen didn¡¯t wait. He launched himself forward, his enhanced speed catching even himself off guard. In an instant, he was in striking distance, and his glowing fists collided with the dummy¡¯s wooden frame. The impact was explosive. Ember-like sparks shot outward, and the dummy staggered back, a scorched mark left where his fist connected. The gloves weren¡¯t just for show¡ªthey amplified his strikes, imbuing them with the fiery energy of his inherited draconic power. The system chimed again: [New Resource Prompt Available.] [Option Randomly chosen] [+1 Energy Generated.] But before Jalen focus on the Gloves inherit ability he was reminded with a headache his mana was running low so he decided to launch another punch at the dummy. The punch landed squarely on the dummy''s head and the impact of the glove turned the dummy''s head into an exploding mess of wood and metal. The explosion caught Jalen off guard. The sheer force of the gloves¡¯ power surged through the dummy, turning its wooden head into a spray of splinters and ash. The fiery embers that danced around his gloves flickered dangerously, a stark reminder of how quickly his mana reserves were dwindling. The system chimed once more, its neutral tone in stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him. The system chimed again: [New Resource Prompt Available.] [Option Randomly chosen] [+1 Energy Generated.] ¡°So every time I punch something with these gloves I get a new resource prompt, cool. How do I turn this off but, before I could get an answer to my question the headache intensified and my body got sluggish. Status was the only thing I could mutter before I fell unconscious.¡± Jalen¡¯s eyes fluttered open to the sensation of something warm and wet against his face. Ember was perched on his chest, his small tongue flicking against Jalen¡¯s cheek. The salamander¡¯s golden eyes were filled with worry, his tail no longer flickering with its usual fiery confidence but burning low, barely an ember. ¡°Ember¡­¡± Jalen croaked, his voice hoarse. His limbs felt like lead, and his head throbbed with a dull ache that made every thought feel like trudging through mud. ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± Ember¡¯s relief was palpable, his tiny claws pressing gently into Jalen¡¯s chest as he leaned closer. ¡°You scared me! You just collapsed, and I didn¡¯t know what to do. I kept licking you because¡­ well, I saw animals do it once.¡± Jalen chuckled weakly, though it felt more like a wheeze. ¡°Thanks for keeping watch, buddy. How long was I out?¡± Ember tilted his head, his tail flickering faintly as if counting. ¡°Maybe¡­ an hour? The dummies stopped moving after you went down, but you¡¯ve been out cold since then.¡± An hour. Jalen groaned, forcing himself to sit up. His muscles screamed in protest, and his body felt like it was moving through syrup. He brought up his status menu with a thought, the glowing interface appearing before him. [Statistics] Level 1: Exp 5/25 [Life Force: 11 (Tier 1)] [Intelligence: 14 (Tier 1)] [Physical Power: 5 (Tier 0)] [Physique: 2 (Tier 0)] [Dexterity: 2 (Tier 0) [Magic Power: 14 (Tier 1)] -5 Mana: 78/120 Mana Regeneration: 1.0/ minute [Status Debuff Detected: Overextension] ?Mana Regeneration reduced by 50%. ?Physical performance is slightly impaired. ?Duration remaining: 2 hours, 43 minutes. So let''s say I was knocked out when my mana reached one. Since my mana regeneration rate is currently 1 so I was probably out for an hour and 17 minutes meaning the debuff was probably for four hours. I should have 2 energy wait where''s my deck? [System Prompt] [Deck was deactivated because of lack of mana. Ember as your first summon can work independently from the deck.] [ Sense Ember is summoned and no longer in the deck you are now missing two cards in your deck minimum. The special consumable Spirit Crystal of Wind and Sea and now Ember. Please fill those two remaining card slots before summoning the deck. ] Chapter 8: The Blank Card [System Prompt] [Deck was deactivated because of lack of mana. Ember as your first summon can work independently from the deck.] [ Sense Ember is summoned and no longer in the deck you are now missing two cards in your deck minimum. The special consumable Spirit Crystal of Wind and Sea and now Ember. Please fill those two remaining card slots before summoning the deck. ] [Would you like to begin the tutorial on card creation? [Yes? or No] The system prompt floated before Jalen¡¯s eyes, its glowing text cutting through the fog of his lingering exhaustion. His fingers twitched involuntarily as he read the message, a mixture of relief and dread bubbling to the surface. ¡°Missing cards?¡± Jalen muttered, his brow furrowing. Ember glanced up at him from his spot on the ground, tilting his head. The salamander¡¯s tail flicked faintly, reflecting Jalen¡¯s unease. ¡°And card creation? I didn¡¯t even know that was an option.¡± Ember, clearly still shaken by Jalen¡¯s earlier collapse, hopped up onto his shoulder. ¡°This sounds like something you need to figure out fast. Missing two cards? How did you lose two cards, Jalen? You only summoned two cards. Your 2/0 on card loss. Hey Ember, I thought you were supposed to be on my side. I am on your side Jalen ember sighed as if he was explaining the concept of time to a new born. It''s just at the rate you lose cards. You''ll need a whole new deck in the next hour. It only took around 5 minutes to lose cards. It will take a hour and 40 minutes to lose them all. ¡°What do you mean at the rate I lose cards? You are one of the missing cards. Do you want to go back into the deck so I will only have one missing card? ¡± Jalen¡¯s sharp retort hung in the air as Ember fixed him with a deadpan look, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. The salamander crossed his tiny arms, the fiery tip of his tail flickering impatiently. ¡°Go back into the deck? Are you serious right now? I¡¯m out here saving your life, and you¡¯re asking me to get back into some mana-sucking void so you don¡¯t have to think about your deck management?¡± Jalen groaned, rubbing his temple. ¡°Alright, alright, you¡¯ve got a point. But you¡¯re not exactly helping with the motivational speech, you know?¡± ¡°I am helping,¡± Ember huffed, puffing up his tiny chest. ¡°If you can¡¯t handle a little banter, how are you going to handle combat when you¡¯re down to no cards and no mana? You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m independent now. Imagine if I had gone back into the deck¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t see my cute face again. ¡± Jalen sighed, conceding the point. ¡°Fine. You¡¯re right. I need to figure this out fast before the rest of the deck becomes useless. And I do need to learn how to create cards anyway.¡± He glanced at the system prompt floating before him, its glow slightly pulsating as if waiting impatiently for his decision. ¡°Alright,¡± Jalen said, addressing the system. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. Yes, start the tutorial.¡± The moment he confirmed, the system chimed, and Ember leapt down from his shoulder, pacing in small circles while the tutorial¡¯s text began to unfurl. [Card Creation Tutorial Initiated.] [Step 1: Define Your Class Approach.] Your cards reflect your strategy and personality. Are you aggressive, defensive, or adaptive? Select your focus: ?Aggressive: Overwhelm opponents with offense. ?Defensive: Fortify and outlast. ?Adaptive: Flexible and versatile. Jalen stared at the options, hesitating. He¡¯d always prided himself on being adaptable. ¡°I think adaptive makes the most sense. I¡¯ve been making do with what I have, and I¡¯ll need versatility to cover my weak points.¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Ember piped up, looking up at him with a raised brow. ¡°I mean, if you¡¯re losing cards left and right, maybe going defensive would buy you more time.¡± Jalen shot him a look. ¡°I¡¯m not building a bunker. Adaptive fits my class better.¡± He selected the Adaptive option, and the system chimed in approval. [System Prompt] [So glad you remembered your class. Thought you might hit your head and thought you became a berserker. Secret Reward obtained. ] The system is acting weird; it''s more personal than it normally is. [Step 2: Determine Missing Card Needs.] Your deck currently lacks balance due to two missing cards. Please address the needs of your deck by selecting card types: ?Summon Card ?Spell Card ?Enhancement Card ¡°Easy,¡± Jalen said, already deciding. ¡°One summon to replace Ember and utility spell maybe something to help me summon more cards. Maybe a defensive boost.Stolen novel; please report. [Step 3: [Summon the Card Catalog.] Jalen complied. [Open the Card Catalog to the first page of the Card Collection.] When Jalen opened the book to the correct page, a screen appeared, showing the image of a single card. Where the other cards he¡¯d seen all looked to be made of a light gold metal of some kind, the one in front of him was completely white. It almost looked like a sheet of paper. Above the card was a line of text. [Blank Card Template.] As Jalen wondered what to do next, the System¡¯s prompt came again. [Touch the Blank Card Template, and channel mana into its image.] Jalen hesitated, his fingers hovering above the blank card displayed on the glowing screen. The stark whiteness of the template was unnerving, like staring at an empty page with no idea how to fill it. Ember hopped back up to his shoulder, his tail curling around Jalen¡¯s neck like a flickering scarf. ¡°You gonna stare at it all day, or are you actually going to do something?¡± Ember teased, leaning over to peer at the blank card with mild curiosity. Jalen shot him a look. ¡°You know, I could really use some constructive feedback for once.¡± ¡°I am being constructive. I¡¯m constructing sarcasm to motivate you.¡± Ignoring him, Jalen took a deep breath and pressed his fingers to the glowing card. The surface was cold at first, then grew warm as he began channeling his mana into it. He could feel the familiar pull within him¡ªthe swirling currents of his mana core responding to the card¡¯s silent demand. The system chimed again, its voice oddly chipper: Creation a Success [Name: Blank Card] [Type: N/A] [Summoning Cost: N/A] [Activation Cost: N/A] [Effect: N/A] [Would you like to use your Secret Reward to help in card crafting. Cards require ingredients to increase their potential. Would you like use your secret reward as ingredients for card [ Yes or No] Yes I guess. [Turn to the next page of the Card Catalog and place the Blank Card on its surface.] Jalen followed the instructions feeling a little drained, finding the next page completely empty. When the card touched the surface, there was a brief flash of white light, and then the card was gone. A screen appeared in front of the catalog displaying the same image seen on its last page, but there was different text. [Blank Card] [Quantity: 1] So, this thing both creates and stores Blank Cards? He¡¯d already known the catalog could hold his cards. After all, when he¡¯d first received his deck that¡¯s where its cards had gone. But the process at the time had been automatic. This Blank Card was the first time he¡¯d added something to the book himself. [Under normal circumstances, a Deckmaster may only create a number of Blank Cards per day equal to double their Class Tier.] [For the purposes of this Tutorial, this restriction has been relaxed.] [Create and store 14 more Blank Cards to continue.] 14 more but I¡¯m still on mana restrictions. Jalen checked his mana to find it didn¡¯t regenerate and even went down ten. This is going to take a while so he crafted four more cards to be on the safe side then started meditating. It increased his mana regeneration by a bit. It took him about eighty minutes to complete the entire 15 cards. I feel drained and I still have a 80 minutes left on this debuff. I haven¡¯t even completed the trail yet. I¡¯m not confident I can punch straight through the steel puppets with my bare hands yet. This is a disaster but it¡¯s finally over. Jalen sat back against the cool stone wall, his breathing heavy, sweat dripping down his face as the last Blank Card slid into the catalog. Ember had remained silent for the past hour, pacing back and forth on the ground like a restless guard. Now, the salamander climbed onto Jalen¡¯s lap, his golden eyes staring up at him with a mixture of concern and impatience. ¡°Well, you made it,¡± Ember said, his tone dry but tinged with relief. ¡°Fifteen cards. Didn¡¯t think you had it in you.¡± Jalen groaned, running a hand through his damp hair. ¡°Yeah, and I feel like I¡¯ve run a marathon uphill. Twice.¡± He glanced at the glowing system prompt that hovered in the air. [Congratulations! 15 Blank Cards successfully created and stored. Deck Capacity has been restored. Tutorial progress: 60%.] [Your Secret Reward has been incorporated into the deck¡¯s potential. Prepare for the next step.] Jalen sighed. ¡°Wait, there¡¯s more? Of course, there¡¯s more.¡± ¡°Did you really think it¡¯d be that easy?¡± Ember asked, hopping up to perch on Jalen¡¯s shoulder again. ¡°You¡¯ve barely started. And let¡¯s not forget¡ªyour mana¡¯s still on lockdown. So unless you¡¯re planning to use your fists against steel puppets, you better hope this next step gives you something useful.¡± Jalen nodded, closing his eyes for a moment to steady himself. His mana reserves were pitifully low, and even meditating hadn¡¯t restored as much as he¡¯d hoped. The lingering effects of his earlier collapse were still haunting him. But he couldn¡¯t afford to quit now¡ªnot when his survival hinged on mastering the deck. The system chimed again. [Step 4: Card Imprinting.] [Use your Blank Cards to design new cards. You may select from pre-generated templates or create custom cards. Remember: Each card drains mana based on its complexity. Be strategic.] Jalen opened the catalog again, flipping through its shimmering pages. The first page displayed two options: [Option 1: Pre-Generated Templates.] A collection of basic cards designed to provide immediate utility. These include low-cost summon, spell, and enhancement cards. [Option 2: Custom Creation.] Design your cards from scratch, imprinting them with unique traits and abilities. Requires higher mana investment but offers greater versatility. ¡°Pre-generated or custom?¡± Jalen muttered, glancing at Ember. ¡°What do you think?¡± Ember tapped his tail against Jalen¡¯s shoulder, his flame flickering thoughtfully. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d say start with the pre-generated ones. You don¡¯t exactly have a lot of mana to play with, and you¡¯re still learning. Save the custom stuff for when you¡¯re not running on fumes.¡± Jalen frowned but nodded. It was a practical suggestion, even if it stung his pride. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s check out the pre-generated templates first.¡± Selecting the option, the system displayed a series of cards, each glowing faintly as they hovered in the air. Jalen scanned the options quickly: 1.Summon Card: Aqueous Serpent. swift and fluid water elemental in the form of a serpentine creature. 2.Spell Card: Spirit Pulse A low-cost magic burst that disrupts enemy movements and can damage multiple targets. 3.Enhancement Card: Mana Stabilizer Increases mana regeneration for a short time, reducing overall spell costs. Jalen stared at the glowing cards suspended before him, their faint light illuminating the dim space around him. The decision wasn¡¯t particularly hard¡ªhe needed something versatile and something to buy himself some breathing room. ¡°I¡¯ll take the Aqueous Serpent and the Mana Stabilizer,¡± he said decisively. The moment the words left his lips, the two chosen cards detached from the selection grid, glowing brighter as they floated toward him. Each card felt alive in its own way¡ªone cool and flowing like a gentle stream, the other steady and grounding like an anchor. As he was about to reach for the cards he got another system prompt. [ Using the secret gift to upgrade the two chosen cards.] [Selections Confirmed.] [Summon Card: Aqueous Serpent and Enhancement Card: Turning secret gifts into ingredients. Secret gift turned into a water serpent and mana crystal. Chapter 9: New Cards Jalen stared at the system prompt in front of him. It was just like any other notification, the usual blue text materializing on his screen¡ªcold and impersonal, as always. The usual patterns were there¡ªnothing alarming. But something felt¡­ off. There was a weight to it, something that gnawed at the back of his mind. [System Prompt] The deck evolves. Cards now reflect your growth. The path ahead requires strength. Are you prepared to forge ahead? Jalen blinked, his fingers hovering over the interface. It was¡­ nothing new. But why couldn¡¯t he shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right? The words were too simple, too neutral. His thoughts felt clouded, like he was on the edge of understanding something, but it kept slipping through his fingers. As he leaned forward to confirm his selection, something unusual happened. The blue text on the screen flickered for just a moment. It was almost imperceptible¡ªa shimmer, a shift. Jalen furrowed his brow, his hand pausing. It didn¡¯t happen again. Or at least, not in a way he could see. He clicked on the ¡°Continue¡± option, still feeling that nagging unease creeping up his spine. The blue prompt remained unchanged, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the sensation that something was watching him, something just beyond the reach of his awareness. Then, escaping Jalen¡¯s notice, the words began to warp. [Golden Text: Visible Only to the Reader] I¡¯m just a wee bit disappointed you have ####### eyes when you are surprised. The facial expressions when you first saw your class reminded me so much of her. She used to love those crimson eyes. The moment the reader entered the golden text, everything around them shifted. The world blurred, folding in on itself like the turning of a page, and in a flash, they found themselves standing in a place that felt completely foreign. The steady hum of digital noise faded away, replaced by a chilling silence. Before them, the golden text from the system prompt dissolved into nothingness, and in its place, an immense, shadowed room loomed. The air was thick, heavy with the weight of something unseen, yet undeniably present. The only source of light came from a single monitor¡ªa stark contrast to the overwhelming darkness of the room. Its screen glowed with a strange, ethereal light, and the words still pulsed there, faint but familiar. A low, unsettling presence filled the room. The monitor stood on a pedestal, its cold light casting strange, elongated shadows on the floor. But what drew the eye wasn¡¯t the screen¡ªit was the figure standing just beside it. The figure was massive, its form shrouded in darkness so deep it felt like the shadows themselves were alive. Only a pair of glowing red eyes pierced through the blackness, their intensity so fierce that they seemed to burn into the very fabric of the space. The eyes locked onto the monitor, watching Jalen with a single-minded focus. Then, one of those burning eyes shifted toward the reader, acknowledging them with a slow, deliberate nod before turning back to the screen. Despite the figure¡¯s immense size, it remained motionless, as if frozen in time. But the red eyes¡ªthose eyes¡ªbetrayed an intelligence, a presence that felt like it was observing the reader, waiting for something. ¡°So, what are you doing here, old friend? Ever since you disappeared the first time, beings have been chasing your traces. Now you¡¯re back to your old stalking, 3,000 years later. I never heard you speak before, but now you will. Why are you following this one in particular? I guess it¡¯s the same reason I am. He acts just like her, doesn¡¯t he?¡± The deep voice echoed through the space, vibrating in the reader¡¯s chest as if the words themselves carried weight. The figure tilted its head slightly, as if considering something, then returned its full attention to the monitor. Another golden text flickered to life on the screen, the only parting acknowledgment from the massive figure. [Golden Text] I guess you¡¯ll be headed back soon. It was nice meeting you again, old friend.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Then, the world folded again, collapsing into itself. The golden text disappeared entirely, and the darkness dissolved into a familiar hum. Jalen blinked. The system prompt in front of him remained unchanged, the blue text as cold and impersonal as ever. He shook his head, a faint headache tugging at the edges of his awareness. He couldn¡¯t tell what had just happened¡ªor if anything had happened at all. Still, the unsettling feeling persisted. Something had shifted, even if he couldn¡¯t put his finger on it. Shrugging it off, Jalen leaned forward and finally hit ¡°Continue.¡± The screen flickered one last time. [System Update: Card Evolution Complete] The following cards have evolved: ?Aqueous Serpent ?Effect Update: ?Synergy with water-based cards: Boosts potency by 10%. ?Environmental Power: Strength scales with the size and depth of the body of water it inhabits. ?Mana Stabilizer ?Effect Update: ?Mana Flow: Greatly increases mana regeneration and reduces spell costs during activation. ?Stabilizing Aura: Temporarily negates negative mana debuffs. ¡°That¡¯s interesting,¡± Jalen murmured. ¡°System, show status menu.¡± [Statistics] ?Level: 1 (Exp 5/25) ?Life Force: 11 (Tier 1) ?Intelligence: 14 (Tier 1) ?Physical Power: 5 (Tier 0) ?Physique: 2 (Tier 0) ?Dexterity: 2 (Tier 0) ?Magic Power: 14 (Tier 1) (-5) ?Mana: 95/120 ?Mana Regeneration: 1.0/minute [Status Debuff Detected: Overextension] ?Mana regeneration reduced by 50%. ?Physical performance slightly impaired. ?Duration remaining: 1 hour, 9 minutes. ¡°Ok, just an hour and some change until I don¡¯t feel so tired. I¡¯ll take the cards and destroy the puppets. Wait a second¡ªwhere are the puppets?¡± Looking again, I noticed that half of them were already destroyed. ¡°Ember, what happened to them?¡± The salamander, dog-sized and as smug as ever, stood on two legs and crossed his tiny arms. ¡°I told you¡ªI used to win every fight in Spirit Garden. They picked a fight, so I beat them up. Now, pick me up.¡± Ember reached out expectantly. I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°So why didn¡¯t you do that in the first place?¡± He gave me a pointed look as I bent to pick him up. Jalen held the smug salamander in his arms, its bronze scales warm to the touch. The cards in his hand shimmered with a faint metallic glow. The updated effects of the Aqueous Serpent and Mana Stabilizer lingered in his thoughts, their possibilities endless. Around him, the battlefield was a mess. Charred heaps of ash and melted mounds of debris were all that remained of the puppets. Ember flicked his tail lazily, his crimson eyes practically twinkling with satisfaction. ¡°Seriously,¡± Jalen muttered, surveying the destruction. ¡°You could¡¯ve done that from the start. We wouldn¡¯t even be here right now.¡± Ember puffed out a small plume of smoke, his tone as casual as his stance. ¡°If you had asked me to, I would have. But you didn¡¯t ask¡ªyou just assumed I couldn¡¯t.¡± Jalen let out a resigned sigh. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think you had it in you, Ember.¡± The salamander gave a satisfied snort, another puff of sulfur-laced smoke escaping his nostrils. ¡°Apology accepted, Jalen. Next time, remember¡ªthere¡¯s more to me than just looking adorable and playing with fire.¡± Setting Ember down, Jalen reached for his deck. ¡°Let¡¯s see if I can draw one of the new cards.¡± Pulling out his deck, five cards shot out and floated directly above his hands. Their shimmering bronze outlines caught the light as they hovered, waiting. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see¡­ Basic Water Spirit, Spirit Sword, Thunderbolt, Energy of the Spirits¡­¡± Jalen¡¯s gaze landed on one of the new cards. ¡°And there it is¡ªthe Aqueous Serpent.¡± He stacked the cards in his right hand before pulling one into his left to examine more closely. The design was simple¡ªa perfect circle. As Jalen focused, a glowing screen materialized above the card. The first card depicted a small blue slime, its form shifting slightly in the holographic light. [Name: Basic Water Spirit] [Type: Summon] [Subtypes: Creature, Phantom] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: 1 Energy] [Effect: Summon a Water Spirit. Lasts for 4 turns. Has a Resilience of 15 and a Physical Power of 4.] ¡°So it¡¯s just like Ember,¡± Jalen mused. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll move on to the next one.¡± He flipped to the next card. This one bore the image of a gleaming sword surrounded by swirling, ethereal energy. [Name: Spirit Sword] [Type: Summon] [Subtypes: Equipment, Weapon] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: 1 Energy] [Effect: Equips a spirit sword. Lasts for 8 turns. Can temporarily transform into a spirit weapon.] ¡°Huh. Isn¡¯t it already a spirit weapon? What¡¯s the difference?¡± Jalen frowned. ¡°I¡¯ll have to figure that out later.¡± The next card was simpler¡ªjust a yellow bolt of mana, crackling with energy. [Name: Thunderbolt] [Type: Spell] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: 1 Energy] [Effect: Fire a bolt of thunder mana. Deals damage equal to Magic Power.] Jalen¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°If my Magic Power is 14, then this card inflicts 14 damage. I need to see how much a point of damage is worth, but this definitely looks like my best offensive option so far.¡± The fourth card was far more intricate. It depicted a circle of spirits holding hands beneath a massive sun, its light so overwhelming that it nearly drowned out the rest of the image. [Name: Energy of the Spirits] [Type: Energy] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: Free] [Effect: Generate 2 Energy, and next turn, generate additional energy equal to the number of spirits you control.] ¡°So this card solves my energy problem,¡± Jalen said, nodding thoughtfully. ¡°Generating energy based on the number of spirits I have¡­ The sun makes me think there¡¯s some deeper meaning behind how this card was created.¡± Chapter 10: Water Spirit Part 1 [Name: Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit] [Type: Summon] [Subtype: Aqua, Creature, Water Spirit] [Summoning Cost: 3 Mana] [Activation Cost: 5 Energy] [Effect: ¡­] Jalen frowned. The effect section was incomplete, the text flickering as if struggling to stabilize. He instinctively pushed a bit of his mana into the card, watching as the words slowly sharpened into clarity. [System Prompt] [¡° Cards can do more than what is written when you analyze them. The words are a small summary of the important abilities of these cards. So it is in your best interest and the responsibility of your Deck-Masterclass to test the capability of your cards. ¡°The system sure is talkative. Isn¡¯t it a bit strange?¡± Plus the system sounds oddly interested in my progress instead of the detached version I hear my father and Mother talk about.¡± [Effect: Summon the Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit. Has a Resilience of 15 a magic power equal to the summoner and life force of 20. Increases Aqua Allies Control Potency by 10% up to 100 of magic. Environmental Power: Strength scales with the size and depth of the body of water it inhabits. ] Jalen narrowed his eyes as he read over the newly revealed details of the Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit. The system¡¯s message lingered in his thoughts. ¡°So, cards aren¡¯t limited to what¡¯s written on them? That means there¡¯s a lot more to discover through actual use.¡± The Resilience of 15 meant it could take some hits before going down, while the Magic Power equal to the summoner made it directly scale with his own abilities¡ªright now, that was 14. Not bad. Life Force of 20 wasn¡¯t something he fully understood yet, but it sounded like a key stat for longevity in battle. What really caught his attention, though, were the last two abilities. "Increases Aqua Allies Control Potency by 10% up to 100 of magic." That was huge. If this applied to all of his water-based summons, it meant his Basic Water Spirit and any future Aqua-type creatures would become significantly stronger just by having the Serpentine Spirit on the field. The phrase Control Potency likely referred to how effectively he could manipulate his water-based summons or spells. If this worked as he suspected, stacking water spirits would make his deck exponentially more powerful. And then, there was the Environmental Power effect. "Strength scales with the size and depth of the body of water it inhabits." Jalen¡¯s mind raced through the implications. If he summoned it in a shallow puddle, it might be weak, but if he managed to call it forth in a lake, or better yet, an ocean¡­ it could be an absolute monster. ¡°Okay, now that¡¯s a card,¡± Jalen muttered, flipping it between his fingers. Ember, perched on his shoulder, peeked down at it with an unimpressed flick of his tail. ¡°Tch. So it gets stronger when it¡¯s in water? That¡¯s so¡­ predictable.¡± Jalen shot him a look. ¡°Unlike you, not everything has to explode in flames to be effective.¡± Ember huffed. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, if I had an Environmental Power effect, it would scale with how hot the battlefield was. Just imagine¡ªturning an entire place into a molten wasteland, my power increasing with every degree of heat.¡± Jalen smirked. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is that if I create a battlefield where half is water and half is fire, we¡¯d both be unstoppable?¡± Ember¡¯s eyes gleamed with sudden interest. ¡°Now that¡¯s an idea I can get behind.¡± Jalen shook his head but couldn¡¯t deny the thought had merit. He glanced back at the shimmering Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit card, feeling the weight of its potential. This wasn¡¯t just another summon¡ªit was a creature with dynamic power, capable of growing stronger depending on the battlefield. If he played his cards right, he could build an entire strategy around it. "But first, I need to test it out." So I can summon two cards this turn. One from basic Energy at the start of turn and the other for my talent. So for the sake of experimentation I¡¯ll first summon the Water spirit, test it out then summon Serpent with the trait. Giving the cards another glance over Jalen selected the water spirit and summoned it the card released a subtle glow before disappearing. A faint ripple of blue light spread out from Jalen¡¯s fingertips as the Basic Water Spirit took form. The air around him cooled slightly, and in front of him, a small, gelatinous figure materialized¡ªits body a translucent blue, shifting like a sentient droplet of water. It bobbed slightly in the air, tiny ripples forming across its surface as if responding to his presence.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Jalen instinctively reached out with his mana, feeling the connection between him and the summoned creature. There was a strange, fluid-like sensation, as if his thoughts were dipping into a vast, unseen current. So this is what it means to control a summoned spirit¡­ The Water Spirit hovered silently, awaiting his command. He willed it to move, and it floated forward with a soft ripple, following his intent like an extension of his own will. "Alright, let¡¯s see what you can do." Jalen flicked his hand forward, sending the Water Spirit toward one of the half-melted training dummies still standing in the clearing. As if understanding the command, the spirit lashed out¡ªa small, crescent-shaped wave of water shot forth, slamming into the dummy with a wet smack. It didn¡¯t do much damage, but Jalen noticed something interesting: the area where the attack had landed shimmered with residual mana, the water clinging to the target. "That might be useful. If its attacks leave behind water, then maybe the Serpentine Spirit could use it." Ember, still perched on his shoulder, tilted his head. ¡°So¡­ it spits water. Not very impressive.¡± Jalen rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a basic spirit. It¡¯s not supposed to be flashy.¡± The salamander huffed, his tail flicking against Jalen¡¯s back. ¡°If I had a basic summon, I bet it¡¯d at least explode.¡± ¡®Let''s see what else you can do.¡± With a mental command, the slime released a or what was supposed to be a rapid-fire of water, but it took about 6 seconds between the shots. ¡°I was hoping for it to be fast enough to use as a distraction but it''s slow and doesn''t have a good range. Try and shoot me. The slime followed the directions and Jalen simply sidestepped it. Yeah not fast enough. Ok do it again and this time I won¡¯t dodge. The Basic Water Spirit gurgled softly, then fired another slow-moving glob of water straight at Jalen¡¯s chest. He braced himself, arms crossed, expecting little more than a splash. Smack. The impact was¡­ underwhelming. The water ball hit him, soaking through his shirt, but there was no force behind it. Just a cold, wet patch spreading over his torso. ¡°Jalen sighed. ¡®Well¡­ that was disappointing.¡¯¡± Ember, watching with barely concealed amusement, cackled. ¡°Oh no, Jalen! You¡¯ve been struck by the mighty wrath of the puddle!¡± He dramatically clutched his chest as if mortally wounded. Jalen gave him a flat look before rubbing his chin in thought. ¡°Alright, so it¡¯s slow, weak, and has bad range. ¡°But there¡¯s something here I can use¡­ That water is still sticking to me after impact.¡± If that effect lingers, I might be able to use it to boost the Serpentine Spirit.¡± He glanced at the shimmering droplets still clinging to his shirt, watching how they refused to evaporate. That residual mana¡ªhe could feel it. It was almost like the attack left behind a conduit of some kind. ¡°Which means it might be useful in combination with other Aqua-based abilities.¡± Excitement stirred in his chest. This was exactly why testing his cards was necessary. Even if a spirit was weak on its own, there was always potential for synergy. Ember, still grinning, tilted his head. ¡°So, now what? Low-tier basic spirits aren''t really the best at fighting, especially water spirits. They always lost when we started brawling in the spirit garden, or just standing to the side trying to stop the fighting. Oh and -¡± ¡° Ember, is there a point to this or are you just bragging about how great you are? Also, you came out of your shell quickly. At first, I couldn''t get you to talk, and now you won''t stop.¡± What shell? I¡¯m not an earth spirit. And yes, there is a point¡ªMrs. Aqua was a water spirit.¡± ¡°She always healed the people I beat up. So why don''t you try to get it to heal?¡± Jalen blinked. ¡°Healing?¡± He glanced back at the Basic Water Spirit, which was still wobbling slightly in place, as if unsure of what to do next. Healing wasn¡¯t something he had even considered¡ªso far, all it had done was spit slow, weak water shots. But now that Ember mentioned it, water spirits were often linked to restoration and purification. Jalen narrowed his eyes. Alright, let¡¯s test it. He lifted his arm, inspecting the faint bruises from yesterday¡¯s training session. Nothing serious, just a few lingering aches from sparring. But if this little guy could heal even minor wounds, that would be huge. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see what you can do,¡± he murmured, directing his focus toward the spirit. Instead of commanding it to attack, he willed it to restore. The spirit quivered. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, as if processing his intent, it pulsed softly¡ªits translucent body rippling with energy. A moment later, a thin tendril of water extended from it, reaching toward Jalen¡¯s arm. The sensation was¡­ strange. The water wrapped around his skin, cool and soothing, almost like dipping into a fresh stream. He felt a faint tingling, like tiny bubbles fizzing beneath his skin, and then¡ª The ache in his arm eased. Jalen¡¯s eyes widened. He turned his arm over, pressing the spot where the bruise had been. The discoloration was still there, but the dull throb had significantly faded. ¡°Whoa.¡± Ember flicked his tail smugly. ¡°Told you. Mrs. Aqua used to do this all the time. Water spirits might suck at fighting, but they¡¯re annoyingly good at keeping people in the fight. That¡¯s why they were always stopping my fun.¡± ¡°So you were a little bully at Spirit Garden ok. Jalen mumbled, still inspecting his arm. He tooned out the sounds of Ember explaining why he wasn¡¯t a bully.¡± Jalen wasn¡¯t listening anymore. His mind was already racing with the implications. If his Basic Water Spirit could heal even a little, then combined with the Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit¡¯s ability to amplify water-based effects¡­ Could he create a sustainable battlefield advantage? His deck was starting to take shape¡ªnot just a bunch of individual summons, but a system. A slow grin spread across his face. ¡°Oh, this is getting interesting.¡± Ember snorted. ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much again.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I actually have a brain.¡± Ember huffed. ¡°And yet I¡¯m the one who had to tell you about the healing thing.¡± Jalen rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned back to his cards, already thinking of the next test. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see how the Serpentine Spirit interacts with this.¡± Chapter 11: Water Spirit Part 2 Jalen rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned back to his cards, already thinking of the next test. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see how the Serpentine Spirit interacts with this.¡± Jalen tried to find the trait the system left. [System Prompt] 1: Draw A card 2 Generate Energy 3. Do Nothing [ Just visualize the talent you want to activate it. Once a talent is used once it will be added to the status menu, and can be used instantaneously as long as the activation requirements are meet.] Jalen closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on the talent he had traded 30 mana for. The knowledge of its activation method had settled into his mind as naturally as breathing. "Just visualize it, huh?" The system¡¯s guidance echoed in his thoughts. It was strange¡ªalmost too convenient¡ªbut there was no time to dwell on that now. He visualized the talent he needed, picturing the energy shifting within him, and instantly¡­ A faint hum of power resonated through his body. His mana fluctuated, momentarily destabilizing before settling. [Talent Activated: Cost Reduction ¨C One selected card costs 0 for this turn.] A ripple of light flickered across his deck, and immediately, Jalen knew which card had been affected. The Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit. "Alright," he murmured, flipping the card between his fingers before pressing his palm against it. "Let¡¯s see what you can really do." The card flared with energy, dissolving into a wave of shimmering blue light that pooled at his feet before shooting upward in an elegant spiral. From that swirling surge, the Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit emerged. The Serpentine Spirit lifted its head, glowing eyes locking onto him. Unlike the Basic Water Spirit, this summon didn¡¯t feel¡­ passive. It had a presence. A will. Jalen extended his mana, establishing a connection. It was different from the Basic Water Spirit. Instead of simply obeying, the Serpentine Spirit responded instinctively, shifting with a fluid grace that suggested an understanding of its surroundings. ¡°Alright,¡± Jalen said, exhaling. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you can do.¡± He gestured toward the same half-melted training dummy. The spirit moved instantly but not in the way Jalen expected. Instead of attacking the dummy it opened it¡¯s mouth and spewed water out. The water as if it was sentient instead of covering the whole floor, stopped a few meters in a circle shape surrounding the Spirit. Then the serpent-like creature shot forth a pressurized jet of water. The impact was quick and explosive. The dummy shuddered, the stream ran right through the dummy before impacting against the wall. Residual water clung to the surface of the wall¡ªjust like before. Only this time, it pulsed, as if infused with lingering energy. Then the water trickled down and when it reached the ground it rushed back to it¡¯s origin and joined the circle of water. ¡°Interesting,¡± Jalen murmured. The Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit wasn¡¯t just attacking¡ªit was manipulating the battlefield. It was creating its perfect environment. The water didn¡¯t just dissipate after impact. It returned, feeding back into the circular formation surrounding the spirit. It was a closed system, constantly recycling its energy. Jalen¡¯s mind raced. Was this an automatic trait, or could he control it? He extended his mana, reaching out to the water at the spirit¡¯s feet. Unlike the Basic Water Spirit¡¯s more straightforward attacks, this felt complex¡ªnot just an element being used, but a living system in motion. The water trembled at his command but resisted, almost like it was waiting for something. "Alright," Jalen muttered. "Let¡¯s test something else." He gestured at the Serpentine Spirit, this time directing his will toward the circle of water instead of the summon itself. The spirit responded immediately. The water rippled, the ring around it shifting subtly, and then raced towards Jalen and Ember.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. The spirit responded immediately. The water rippled, the ring around it shifting subtly, and then¡ªit surged toward Jalen and Ember. For a split second, Jalen¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His instincts screamed at him to react, to defend, but his rational mind was scrambling to catch up. Had he lost control? The thought hit him hard. The Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit was stronger than his Basic Water Spirit, stronger than any summon he had used before. Was it too powerful for him to command? His fingers twitched, mana coiling in his veins as he braced for the worst. The spirit¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto him, unreadable. The rush of water closed the distance in an instant¡ª And then¡ª It stopped. The water curled around his feet but didn¡¯t strike. It didn¡¯t attack. Instead, it lingered, circling him in slow, deliberate motions, as if waiting. As if¡­ testing him. Jalen exhaled sharply, his heart still hammering. Ember, perched on his shoulder, flicked his tail. ¡°You looked like you were about to pass out.¡± Jalen ignored him, eyes still on the Serpentine Spirit. That wasn¡¯t a hostile move. It had reacted to his mana, but not in defiance. It was acknowledging him. Testing his reaction. Jalen swallowed, his grip tightening. His class shouldn¡¯t allow a summon to go against his will. But for a moment, that hadn¡¯t felt like an extension of his power¡ªit had felt like he was facing down something independent. ¡°Did you panic?¡± Ember snickered. Jalen shot him a glare. ¡°No. I was¡ª¡± He cut himself off. He wasn¡¯t about to admit that, for a moment, he actually had panicked. That, for the briefest second, he had thought his own summon was about to turn against him. Which meant one thing. I need to get stronger. Not just in mana reserves or deck strategy. I need to establish dominance over my summons. Because if he ever summoned something truly powerful¡ªsomething that actually wanted to rebel¡ªhe had no doubt that hesitation would mean death. To redeem some of his dignity he tried again but instead tried to communicate directly with the serpent. ¡° Hello, do you understand me?¡±The Evolved Water Serpentine Spirit lifted its head, glowing eyes narrowing slightly as if considering his words. The water around it pulsed once, then stilled. For a moment, there was nothing. No response. No shift in its posture. Just the quiet hum of energy between them. Jalen frowned, pushing his mana outward in an attempt to reinforce the connection. If it could react to his mana, then maybe it could understand him. The spirit exhaled a soft, hissing breath, its form undulating as the water around it rippled in response. And then¡ª A voice¡ªnot spoken, but felt¡ªbrushed against his mind. ¡°You call¡­ and I answer¡­¡± Jalen¡¯s eyes widened. It wasn¡¯t the basic summon¡¯s response. Actually it might be and the basic summon not being so basic 2 out of the 3 summons I summoned can talk. He swallowed. ¡°You can¡­ think?¡± The Serpentine Spirit didn¡¯t reply in words this time, but the water shifted again, deliberate and controlled. As if the very liquid surrounding them was its body, its senses, its will. ¡°I am not mindless.¡± Jalen exhaled sharply. His fingers curled instinctively. This was different. Ember tilted his head, flicking his tail as if sensing the tension. ¡°This one¡¯s got a bit of a personality, huh?¡± He focused on the spirit again. ¡°Then¡­ if you¡¯re not mindless, what do you want?¡± The Serpentine Spirit regarded him for a long, heavy moment. Then, the water around it swirled, shifting in slow, precise movements¡ªcontrolled, intentional. ¡°Strength.¡± Jalen inhaled. The spirit wasn¡¯t just a tool. It had its own desire. It wanted power. It wanted growth. So it probably remembered something from its past. So it could have some information of some kind about the way the deck operates. Does it just kidnap random creatures and turn them into cards, or is there some kind of condition. Jalen steadied his breathing, pushing aside the lingering tension from his earlier hesitation. If this summon wasn¡¯t just an extension of his will but a being with its own thoughts, then there was potential¡ªa lot of potential. His mind worked through the implications quickly. Two of his three summons had spoken to him now. That wasn¡¯t a coincidence. Was this how his class was supposed to work? Or was something wrong with it? ¡°Alright,¡± Jalen said, his grip tightening. ¡°Let¡¯s see what else you can do.¡± The Serpentine Spirit remained still, but the water beneath it pulsed again, a slow ripple of acknowledgment. Jalen extended his mana, not in command, but as an invitation. Instead of forcing his will onto the spirit, he wanted to see if it would respond freely. The air around them grew heavier. The water shifted, and then¡ªit moved on its own. The ring of water at the spirit¡¯s base expanded outward, stretching beyond its original shape. Not just a passive formation, but an active one. The lines of liquid twisted, then¡ªbranched. Jalen¡¯s eyes flickered as he tracked the movement. The water wasn¡¯t just circling anymore. It was forming patterns¡ªrunes. Not just mana runes¡ªsummoning runes. ¡°Wait.¡± His stomach flipped as realization hit. It was using summoning techniques¡ªon its own. Jalen had studied the mechanics of summoning, had memorized the formation patterns, had spent hours refining his card combinations to optimize his deck. But the spirit was constructing something new. ¡°Ember,¡± he muttered. ¡°Are you seeing this?¡± The fox perched on his shoulder let out a low whistle. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m seeing it. And it looks like it¡¯s about to break your class rules.¡± Jalen clenched his jaw. Summons weren¡¯t supposed to summon. That was a core limitation in his class. He was the summoner. The deck was the medium. The summons weren¡¯t supposed to be able to act outside of that system. And yet¡ªthe Serpentine Spirit was. The runes completed. The water flashed, glowing with a deep, pulsing blue. And then¡ªanother form began to take shape. Not another Serpentine Spirit. Something smaller. Something humanoid. Jalen tensed. This wasn¡¯t part of his deck. This wasn¡¯t part of his class. The water swirled and compressed, coalescing into a distinct form. And then, standing there, dripping with residual energy¡ª Was a Water Sprite. Jalen¡¯s heart pounded. That wasn¡¯t a card in his deck. He had never summoned this creature before. He didn¡¯t even own a card like this. His summon had just created a new summon. For a long moment, Jalen just stared. Then, very quietly, Ember muttered, ¡°¡­Okay, that¡¯s not supposed to happen.¡± Jalen exhaled. ¡°No. It¡¯s not.¡± And yet¡ªit just did. Jalen barely had time to process the impossible sight before him¡ªthe Water Sprite standing there, dripping in residual energy¡ªwhen the Serpentine Spirit moved again. The water that had formed the summoning runes did not dissipate. Instead, it rippled outward, spreading into a larger circular pattern that extended across the ground. The energy within it thrummed, alive, shifting. Jalen¡¯s pulse quickened. It was forming another construct. This time, however, the intent was different. It wasn¡¯t pulling in new energy¡ªit was reinforcing its own. ¡°Wait,¡± Jalen muttered under his breath, taking a slow step back. The water didn¡¯t lash out. It didn¡¯t surge toward him or Ember like before. Instead, the ripples folded in on themselves, stacking in delicate layers, forming something more intricate. And then, just as the last wave settled¡ªit hardened. The air around them grew dense with mana. Jalen felt the shift before he saw it. A subtle but undeniable wall of pressure surrounded him. The light in the room bent ever so slightly, refracting through what looked like an invisible dome of water. Chapter 12: Abyssal Tide Serpant Jalen felt the shift before he saw it. A subtle but undeniable wall of pressure surrounded him. The light in the room bent ever so slightly, refracting through what looked like a transparent dome of water. I can do this the sprite and spirit moved towards the towering serparent. Then they started to glow a beautiful azure color. Then the color spread to the serpent as well. The barrier started to glow in that same color then shrunk. Water began flowing out of spirit and the sprite and spirit body circled around the mouth of the serpent. Jalen barely had time to process what was happening before the entire room was bathed in that ethereal azure glow. The light rippled through the watery dome, casting undulating shadows across the walls, warping space itself with its intensity. The Water Sprite and Serpentine Spirit moved in perfect synchrony, their bodies pulsating with energy as they spiraled around the massive serpent¡¯s open maw. The glow wasn¡¯t just light¡ªit was mana, dense and potent, something raw and ancient. Jalen¡¯s instincts screamed at him to prepare for something big. He could feel it in his bones, a primal understanding that this wasn¡¯t just a spell or a technique¡ªit was an evolution. They were merging. The barrier around them shrank suddenly, condensing with alarming speed. The water that had once been a protective dome was now feeding into the fusion¡ªdraining from the surroundings, pouring into the glowing figures like rivers flowing into the sea. Jalen couldn¡¯t interfere. Even if he wanted to. This wasn¡¯t his doing anymore. The Serpentine Spirit let out a low, rumbling hiss, its body growing denser, more defined as the light consumed it. The Water Sprite, previously fragile and delicate, shone blindingly bright, as if burning through its very existence to fuel the transformation. The serpent¡¯s body expanded, coils thickening, its form becoming sharper, more dangerous. The patterns along its scales changed, shifting into intricate, glowing sigils that pulsed with the same energy that had once surrounded them. Then¡ª The final collapse. The energy surged inward all at once, a flash of blinding blue light erupting in the center. Jalen staggered back, throwing up an arm to shield his eyes. Ember bristled, claws digging into Jalen¡¯s shoulder. And then¡ªsilence. The glow dimmed. The pressure in the room faded. And standing in the center of the training grounds, where once there had been three separate entities, was now one. A being far larger than before, with gleaming sapphire scales, intricate sigils etched into its hide, and an aura so overwhelming it made Jalen¡¯s skin prickle with something close to fear. The Abyssal Tide Serpent. Jalen¡¯s breath caught in his throat. ¡°What the hell¡­? Ok that''s kind of impressive¡± Ember whispered. ¡° This is what I can do. What can my summoner do?¡± The Serpent''s mocking voice echoed in Jalen¡¯s head like a constant reminder of his inferiority to his own summon. The barrier it''s glowing again. What is it doing now? Jalen barely had a moment to process the Serpent¡¯s words before the pressure in the room surged once more. The barrier surrounding them pulsed, its glow intensifying, but this time, it wasn¡¯t just a dome¡ªit was shifting, warping, expanding into something more. The Abyssal Tide Serpent¡¯s massive frame tensed, its glowing sigils pulsating faster, as if preparing for something. And then¡ª A deep, resonating hum filled the space. Jalen felt it before he understood it. The mana in the air compressed, dragged inward toward the Serpent¡¯s form. The water that had fed the transformation now coiled violently around it, forming a spiraling vortex of raw, churning power. The pressure was unbearable. Jalen gritted his teeth, his knees buckling slightly under the sheer force radiating from his summon. Ember hissed, his flames flaring in defiance, but even his usual arrogance was dulled by the sheer presence of the Serpent. ¡°He¡¯s about to blow.¡± Ember¡¯s warning snapped Jalen out of his daze, but the realization came a second too late.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Water from all around was already building in front of the sentient card. A ball of water a meter in circumference was still growing in the face of the serpent. Once it reached over 3 meters in circumference it started to compress. ¡° Hey whatever you think you are doing, stop it. Jalen screamed at his summon who promptly turned away and started ignoring him. If you don''t let me out of here I¡¯m canceling your summon. Then I trade your card to Mr. Grapeson for his left front two try me. Then the unthinkable happened and the water Spirit rolled his two serpentine eyes. Then with a bright flash the water sphere now compressed into the shape of a small marble was swallowed. Then a large ray shot of the serpent''s mouth eviscerating everything in its path. The only thing that was safe from the onslaught was the barrier. Jalen could only stare, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. The Abyssal Tide Serpent had swallowed that entire ocean¡¯s worth of compressed mana¡ªonly to unleash it in one devastating blast. The aftermath was cataclysmic. The training grounds were gone. Not damaged¡ªnot scorched¡ªbut outright vaporized. Everything beyond the confines of the shimmering barrier had been erased from existence, as if reality itself had been peeled away by the sheer magnitude of the attack. The air shimmered with residual heat, and for the first time since the battle had begun, an eerie silence settled. Jalen swallowed hard. What the hell was this thing? His summon¡ªhis own summon¡ªhad just obliterated an entire section of the arena without hesitation. Ember clutched his shoulder, his claws digging in. ¡°I¡ªuh¡ªyeah, I think we should be worried.¡± Jalen didn¡¯t even bother responding. Because at that moment, the barrier pulsed again. But this time it was the work of the system. Jalen blinked. The words flickered in front of him, glowing with that unmistakable system-blue hue. A system prompt? Right now? [Your summon was accidentally evolved with an ingredient way higher than your realm. So please return the card. You will be properly compensated.] Jalen reread the message, his mind racing. Return the card? They had to be joking. His gaze snapped back to the Abyssal Tide Serpent, still towering in the aftermath of its devastating attack, its glowing sigils pulsing with untapped power. The damn thing looked like it could stall an 3 tier entity and drown a small village if it wanted to. And the system just expected him to hand it over? ¡°Yeah, no.¡± Jalen scoffed under his breath. Ember tilted his head at the screen. ¡°Huh. That¡¯s new. I didn¡¯t even know the system could admit to screwing up.¡± Jalen barely heard him. His mind was working too fast. Then he registered what Ember spoke. ¡° Didn''t you come from the system? How can you talk bad about it? Jalen asked in confusion covering his entire face. ¡° I don''t come from the system, I come from the spirit garden. This was huge. ¡° Ember you remember where you came from so did the system nab you from your home.¡± Ember¡¯s ears twitched, and for the first time since Jalen had known him, the fire spirit looked genuinely uncomfortable. His usual snark was absent, replaced by something sharper, something restrained. Jalen¡¯s heart pounded as he stared at his summon. Ember wasn¡¯t answering immediately. That alone was a red flag. ¡°You hesitated,¡± Jalen said, his voice quieter now, more controlled. ¡°Why?¡± Ember let out a slow breath, his fiery fur flickering as if he was debating how much to say. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know all the details, alright? Spirits¡­ we don¡¯t get a choice in what happens to us once we¡¯re bound to a summoner.¡± That wasn¡¯t an answer. Not really. Jalen narrowed his eyes. ¡°Ember. Did the system take you?¡± Ember exhaled sharply, the flames around his paws crackling. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple.¡± Jalen clenched his fists. That was not a denial. He felt his stomach twist. He¡¯d always assumed summons came from the system, that they were created¡ªgenerated¡ªby whatever cosmic mechanism governed mana contracts. But if Ember actually had a home, a before, that meant¡­ The system was stealing spirits. And not just that. If Ember remembered but wasn¡¯t supposed to¡­ Jalen¡¯s gaze flicked to the Abyssal Tide Serpent. Was it the same for him? The Serpent was ancient. That much was obvious. Its presence, its power, even the way it spoke. It wasn¡¯t just some newly formed summon¡ªit was something old. Something that had existed long before Jalen had drawn its card. And the system had been desperate to take it back. Jalen inhaled, steadying his thoughts. ¡°¡­Ember. What happens when a summon remembers?¡± Ember looked at him, and for once, there was no excitement in his expression. ¡°They don¡¯t stay summons for long.¡± Let me think, Let me think, the system knows it made a mistake. Somehow, some way, the fusion had tapped into something far beyond his intended class awakening.He didn¡¯t know how it happened, but what mattered was that the system knew they¡¯d messed up¡ªbadly enough to intervene directly. Jalen exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his shirt. He had two options. Option one: Obey the system. Return the card and possibly Ember. Get whatever ¡°proper compensation¡± they were offering, which was probably some second-rate substitute. Option two: Ignore the system, keep the Abyssal Tide Serpent, and deal with the consequences later. Because if the system was this eager to reclaim the card, then that meant one thing: It was more valuable than anything they¡¯d ever let someone at his level own. Jalen didn¡¯t need to think long. His decision was already made. He smirked, tilting his head at the floating system prompt. ¡°Decline.¡± The moment the word left his lips, the system stuttered. The prompt flickered, as if it couldn¡¯t process his rejection. [Invalid response. Please return the card.] ¡°Yeah, still a no,¡± Jalen said, folding his arms. The Abyssal Tide Serpent let out a low, amused rumble, its massive tail curling as if entertained by the entire exchange. The system screen glitched violently. Then¡ª [Final Warning.] [Failure to comply may result in consequences.] Jalen¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Bring it on.¡± [Unknown Pov] I messed up big time if the system finds out I won''t not be able to observe him anymore. Oh I know, humans see the system as a godly figure so I¡¯ll just ask for posing as the system. [ System Prompt] [Your summon was accidentally evolved with an ingredient way higher than your realm. So please return the card. You will be properly compensated.] [That should fix it. Who knew that his corpse was just lying around? I just wanted to give him a little edge against other tier-1 beings, not give him the brain and heart of the Strongest tier of mana beasts. They did you so wrong my dear friend. ] The card should be back here by now. It''s taking a bit. I should probably see what he¡¯s doing. ¡°What the hell do you mean no? You don''t just tell the system no what''s wrong with you. He acts too much like her.¡± Chapter 13: NYX The card should be back here by now. It''s taking a bit. I should probably see what he¡¯s doing. ¡°What the hell do you mean no? You don''t just tell the system no what''s wrong with you. He acts so much like her.¡± ¡° Oh what the heck did I do. Mom would flip out if she knew I just rejected the systems command. Wait now that I think about it the system never gives commands like that. The system also doesn¡¯t make mistakes. What exactly was that acting like the system.¡± ¡°I just suddenly got a chill. Like someone is watching me. Hey lizard you didn¡¯t tell me your name did you. What is it? Do you feel something watching us?¡± The Abyssal Tide Serpent slowly curled its massive body, its glowing sigils dimming slightly as if contemplating Jalen¡¯s words. Then, with a low rumbling chuckle, it finally responded. ¡°Name? I have had many, but none that mattered. You, my summoner, may call me whatever you wish.¡± That wasn¡¯t an answer. Not really. But Jalen had bigger problems at the moment. His gut was screaming at him, the same way it had when the system message first appeared. Something wasn¡¯t right. Jalen turned sharply, his gaze sweeping across the empty ruins of the training grounds. The air felt¡­ heavy. Off. Like there was something just beyond his perception. His skin prickled with unease. ¡°Ember, do you feel that?¡± Jalen asked, voice quieter now. Ember¡¯s fur bristled, his flames flaring just slightly before stabilizing. ¡°Yeah. And I don¡¯t like it.¡± His tone was serious, lacking his usual snark. That alone was enough to put Jalen on edge. The Abyssal Tide Serpent lifted its head, its sapphire eyes gleaming with something unreadable. ¡°You are being watched,¡± it said simply, as if stating a fact. Jalen felt his stomach drop. ¡°By what?¡± The Serpent didn¡¯t immediately answer, instead turning its massive head toward the empty space beyond the barrier¡ªthe same space where reality itself had just been erased. The air shimmered faintly, like heat distortion, but there was nothing there. Nothing visible, at least. Then, in a tone that sent a chill down Jalen¡¯s spine, the Serpent spoke again. ¡°Something¡­ familiar.¡± Jalen¡¯s grip tightened around his arms, trying to suppress the cold dread creeping up his spine. Familiar? The Serpent had never acted like this before. It was always mocking, arrogant, and overflowing with confidence, but now? Now it was¡­ restrained. Cautious. As if it knew exactly what was out there but didn¡¯t want to say it aloud. Jalen exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. ¡°Yeah, okay. That¡¯s not terrifying at all.¡± Ember muttered something under his breath, his flames flickering erratically. ¡°Maybe we should just¡­ I don¡¯t know, leave?¡± That wasn¡¯t a bad idea. Except Jalen knew¡ªdeep in his gut¡ªthat whatever was watching them wasn¡¯t just going to let them walk away. And then, just as the tension reached its breaking point, the system prompt glitched violently before flickering out entirely. The presence vanished. Just like that. Jalen blinked. Ember stiffened. The Serpent let out a long, slow hiss. Then a new system message appeared. [Error: Unauthorized Entity Detected.] [Adjusting Parameters¡­] [Recalculating¡­] [¡­] Jalen swallowed hard, staring at the words. ¡°Okay. What the actual hell is going on? Also just tell me what to call you. ¡± The serpent looked like it had something to say but I can¡¯t see the idea of saying it vanishing. ¡° You¡¯re still trying to complete a trial, you know. It won¡¯t be good to be the first in over a thousand years to not even make it to the second trial. ¡± Oh right I completed the Quest. What is the hold up in the system? [Conditions for Ember¡¯s Next Evolution: ?5/100 enemies defeatedThis narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ?1/15 summonings completed] ¡°Wait ember since you don¡¯t go back to the deck can you not evolve. ¡± ¡° I can, I just don¡¯t want to.¡± [ Testing Stage Complete] [ 11/12 puppets destroyed] [ Time Remaining: 6 hours :34 minutes] [ Bonus: Defeat the last enemy] [ Please take this remaining time to assimilate with your class skills. ] 11 out of 12 where is the twelve one. I don¡¯t know, but you give me a name to call you before I start calling you aqua lizard. Do you think you get rid of all this water to see the 12 one. Apparently Jalen¡¯s Idea was a good one because the system followed suit with a cryptic message. . Adjusting battlefield conditions¡­] [Clearing excess mana interference¡­] [System override acknowledged.] [Remaining enemy located.] Jalen felt a shift in the air, like the entire space around them had just clicked into place. The overwhelming presence of water¡ªthe swirling tides and pools left in the wake of the Abyssal Tide Serpent¡ªbegan to recede. Not entirely, but enough to expose more of the battlefield. The ruins stretched further than he remembered, and for a moment, Jalen wasn¡¯t sure if that was a trick of the system or if something had actually been hidden here. Then, the ground groaned. Stone cracked. Water drained away, revealing something massive, something wrong. A puppet. But not like the others. Jalen took an instinctive step back as the figure slowly stood. Its form was humanoid¡ªmostly¡ªbut twisted, like it had been built wrong from the inside out. Unlike the other puppets, this one wasn¡¯t made of metal or enchanted wood. Its body looked almost organic, like it had been grown instead of constructed. The seams in its form pulsed faintly, as if something alive lurked just beneath its surface. The system wasn¡¯t showing its health bar. ¡°Uh, Serpent?¡± Jalen muttered, not taking his eyes off the thing. The Abyssal Tide Serpent¡ªwho had remained smug and unbothered through everything so far¡ªwas now watching the puppet with something Jalen could only describe as wariness. The creature¡¯s sapphire eyes narrowed. ¡°That,¡± the Serpent finally said, ¡°is not a puppet.¡± Jalen didn¡¯t like that answer. ¡°The system says it is.¡± ¡°The system is mistaken. That¡¯s a demon or a system punishment I can¡¯t decide which. ¡± The puppet¡ªno, the thing¡ªtilted its head in an unnatural, almost curious motion. Then, as the last of the water receded, Jalen saw something embedded in its chest. A card Jalen¡¯s blood ran cold. It was similar to the cards Jalen had in his very own deck. But it wasn¡¯t bronze it was silver. The system flickered again. [Warning: Interference detected.] [Enemy reclassification in progress¡­] [Designation: ???] ¡°Okay,¡± Jalen muttered under his breath. ¡°I really hate this trial.¡± Ember¡¯s flames burned hotter as the creature finally moved. Not fast, not aggressively, but deliberately, like it was testing its own body. As if it had only just woken up. Jalen clenched his fists, eyes flicking between the thing and his Abyssal Tide Serpent. ¡°You gonna tell me what to call you now, or do I really have to go with Aqua Lizard in the middle of all this?¡± The Serpent let out an annoyed hiss but didn¡¯t take its eyes off the creature. ¡°¡­Vritra.¡± Jalen blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°My name,¡± the Serpent said, tail coiling slightly. ¡°You may call me Jorm .¡± Jalen exhaled sharply. ¡°Alright, Jorm.¡± His gaze snapped back to the puppet. The thing smiled. Then it moved into an awkward inhuman stance. Then Jalen felt goosebumps spread down his spine, and a sudden pressure burst from the puppet. He blinked and suddenly felt his head detached from his own body. Jalen gasped, the sensation of his head detaching from his body vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. His breath hitched as reality snapped back into place, his vision swimming. He was still standing. Still whole. His hands flew to his throat, but there was no wound, no pain¡ªjust the lingering chill of something wrong. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± he choked out. Ember was snarling now, fur bristling, flames licking higher and wilder than before. ¡°Jalen, what just happened?¡± His voice was sharper than usual, laced with concern. Jorm¡ªwas staring at him. Not at the puppet-thing. At him. ¡°You saw it, didn¡¯t you?¡± the serpent said, voice low, almost contemplative. Jalen swallowed. ¡°Saw what?¡± ¡°The moment of your death.¡± Jalen shuddered. The memory was already fading, but the sheer realness of it lingered, like an echo. ¡°That wasn¡¯t real,¡± he said, more to himself than anyone else. ¡°No,¡± Jorm agreed. ¡°But it will be¡ªif you hesitate.¡± Jalen felt his stomach twist. That vision hadn¡¯t been a dream or an illusion. It had been a warning. He turned his gaze back to the puppet-thing¡ªno, the demon, or whatever the hell it was. It still stood there, unmoving, its grotesque form tilting ever so slightly, like it was watching him. Studying him. And then, it laughed. The sound was wrong, layered, overlapping in strange echoes, like it came from a dozen mouths at once. It didn¡¯t belong in this place. It didn¡¯t belong anywhere. Jalen gritted his teeth. His hands curled into fists. Then, the system flickered violently again. [WARNING: Unstable Entity Detected.] [Calculating Threat Level¡­] [Threat Level: Unclassified.] [System Directive: Eliminate or Flee.] Jalen let out a breath. ¡°Fleeing¡¯s not an option, is it?¡± Jorm let out a deep, amused rumble. ¡°Not unless you¡¯d like to see that vision become reality.¡± [ New System Directive] [ Last 1 minute until the system can remove entity.] Jalen clenched his jaw, his pulse hammering in his ears. One minute. That was all he had to survive. But against what? This thing wasn¡¯t just a puppet. It wasn¡¯t even just a demon. It was wrong. A distortion of reality itself, an error the system was struggling to define. And it had already killed him once. Not in the physical sense, no¡ªbut that sensation of disconnection, of feeling his head severed from his body, had been too real to ignore. Jalen wasn¡¯t about to let it happen again. ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, forcing his breathing to steady. ¡°One minute. We can do that.¡± Ember snarled, his flames roaring higher. ¡°You say that like it¡¯s easy.¡± Jorm¡ªcoiled his massive form around them, his sapphire eyes narrowing at the creature. ¡°It will be easy,¡± the serpent declared, though there was a sharpness in his tone, an unspoken if. If Jalen made the right moves. If he didn¡¯t hesitate. If they weren¡¯t already too late. ¡° Then the serpent said something that made perfect sense to Jalen. This is the system¡¯s way of getting back at you for telling it no. You won¡¯t die from this thing , but it will hurt like hell if you let it catch you. ¡° What are you saying, are you saying what I¡¯m thinking you are saying.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you find it a little strange that the all powerful system can¡¯t remove an error from itself, especially one that hasn¡¯t even reached tier 3. It¡¯s a entity called a NYX puppet designed to inflict physiological and physical torture. The physiological effects you¡¯ve experienced yourself. ¡± Chapter 14: Who鈥檚 Newton It¡¯s a entity called a NYX puppet designed to inflict physiological and physical torture. The physiological effects you¡¯ve experienced yourself. It¡¯s strength is probably at a point where it can get past me. Since its fighting style should be closer to an assassin''s.¡± Jorm luminous azure eyes traced the back and forth movements of the puppet. Then the large eyes narrowed. ¡° It¡¯s coming, Jalen stay behind me. As I watched the puppet staggering back and forth like a drunk finding his way from a bar. I noticed that it was smiling once again. It appeared right in front of the towering Jorm before the familiar sensation of time slowing, or I guess it was my perception of time that slowed. [ System Resource Prompt] [ Draw 1 card] [Gain extra energy] [Do nothing.] Looking back at my hand it would be a waste to generate energy when I have- [Name: Energy of the Spirits] [Type: Energy] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: Free] [Effect: Generate 2 Energy, and next turn, generate additional energy equal to the number of spirits you control.] Doing nothing in most situations is probably worse so I¡¯ll draw. If I draw something useful I can use the energy of the spirits to activate 2 cards this turn, or a higher cost stronger card. My perception of time sped back up as another card shot from the deck. Catching the card with my right hand I kept my left eye on the confrontation as I tried to read the name of the new card. Blessing of the Wind [Name: Blessing of the Wind] [Type: Spell] [Summoning Cost: 1 Mana] [Activation Cost: 1 Energy] [Effect:] For 3 turns, shroud yourself in a Wind Spirit Cloak, enhancing agility, reflexes, and stealth. This will work Energy of the Spirits, a bright flash signalling the card¡¯s activation. Energy of the Spirits activated, a bright flash signaling its awakening. A surge of warmth pulsed through Jalen¡¯s fingertips, spreading like wildfire up his arms as the energy coalesced. The air around him crackled with an unseen force, a soft hum vibrating in his bones. Wisps of ethereal light¡ªpale blue and tinged with flickering gold¡ªspiraled around his hands before dispersing into the surroundings, drawn to the spirits lingering within the battlefield. Those wisps of energy passed through the spirits before flying back into Jalen¡¯s chest. Jalen exhaled sharply, adjusting to the sudden influx of power. It wasn¡¯t just raw energy¡ªit was alive, flowing like a current, eager to be shaped into something greater. Ember¡¯s flames flickered in response, momentarily flaring higher, and even Jorm¡¯s gleaming azure eyes reflected the shift in the atmosphere. The system registered the change immediately. [Energy Stored: 2] Jalen clenched his fists, the residual glow still dancing across his fingertips. He could feel the pulse of the energy thrumming in his veins, waiting¡ªno, daring him to wield it. Now, with the extra energy at his disposal, he had options.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The energy coiled around Jalen, light as a whisper yet surging with undeniable force. A cool rush of wind wrapped around his form, slipping beneath his clothes and dancing over his skin like an unseen current. It wasn¡¯t just speed¡ªhe could feel the shift in his body, like shackles that had been binding his movements were suddenly shattered. His limbs felt lighter, his breath sharper, his awareness expanding as the world itself seemed to slow just a fraction. "I feel like a weight has been lifted off my whole body." Lifting his foot, he barely exerted force, yet the movement sent a faint gust swirling beneath him. The air parted effortlessly, as if welcoming him into its embrace, bending to his newfound control. This was more than just acceleration¡ªit was refinement, precision, a perfect synchronization between his will and the world around him. Then, the moment shattered. A familiar, suffocating chill coiled around his chest. Shadows stretched unnaturally at the edges of his vision. Another death. Another end. His heart¡ªstill beating¡ªwas torn from his chest, cradled in a pale, merciless hand. He gasped, but no air filled his lungs. His knees buckled under the weight of the phantom pain. Even though he knew it wasn¡¯t real, the sensation of cold fingers curling around his heart, squeezing, testing its final beats, was too vivid, too visceral. His gaze snapped upward, breath stolen by the detached, unfeeling stare of the Nyx Puppet. It was already there. Closer than before. A few feet away, reaching¡ªnot for him, but for the very heart it had just torn from his chest in his vision. His mind reeled, trying to separate premonition from reality, but the gap was narrowing. Too fast. Too close. A tidal wave of water surged forward, crashing toward the Nyx Puppet from behind¡ªJorm¡¯s attack. At the same time, a thin beam of searing flame shot toward it¡ªEmber¡¯s counter. But neither would reach before it did. Jalen felt it then. The air around the puppet¡¯s limb¡ªtwisting, curving ever so slightly. Not enough to completely miss, but just enough to avoid his heart. Jorm was right. It wasn¡¯t trying to kill him. Just make it hurt. The puppet, as if reading his mind and knowing Jalen knew its intentions, smiled a cruel grin. Then it sped up its mangled limb. Jalen grit his teeth. I don¡¯t have an interest in getting stabbed, either. They won¡¯t make it in time but I don¡¯t have to cover a large distance, I just have to dodge. The wind gathered around him, responding to his instincts before his conscious mind had even finished the thought. A single step. That¡¯s all it would take. His legs were light, his body unburdened, the Wind Spirit Cloak humming at his back like an unseen force. Jalen exhaled sharply, And then he moved. He kept moving until there was a room worth of space between him and the puppet. The puppet continued forward before just stopping in mid air even with nothing to stop it¡¯s motion. Jalen exhaled sharply. And then he moved. The wind carried him like a whisper, his body weightless, every step an effortless glide across the battlefield. He didn¡¯t stop at a single step. He kept moving, riding the momentum of the Wind Spirit Cloak until there was at least a room¡¯s worth of space between him and the puppet. His heart pounded, his breath steady but sharp, the thrill of near-death humming in his veins. Then, something was wrong. The Nyx Puppet continued forward¡ªbut then it just stopped. Suspended in mid-air. Not slowed. Not hindered. Simply frozen. Jalen¡¯s breath hitched. Nothing had physically stopped its motion. No barrier, no force. It hadn¡¯t braced itself or landed¡ªit had just ceased moving, its body hanging in the air like a puppet with its strings suddenly cut. For a heartbeat, the battlefield fell silent. Jalen¡¯s eyes locked onto it, watching, waiting, every instinct screaming at him to not look away. Then¡ªthe smile. That same twisted, knowing grin stretched across its face, as if acknowledging that he had figured something out¡ªsomething it wanted him to see. What the hell is this thing¡­? Jorm¡¯s tidal wave finally crashed past where the puppet had been, smashing into the ground with a thunderous force. Ember¡¯s fire beam scorched through the air, cutting a line where it should have stood. And yet, the Nyx Puppet remained. Still grinning. And then¡ªit began to move again. Not forward. Backward. Not retreating, not shifting¡ªit was simply rewinding. Every stagger, every lurch, every twitch it had made while approaching him¡ªplayed in reverse. Jalen¡¯s stomach twisted. It wasn¡¯t just fast. It wasn¡¯t just strong. It was breaking something far worse than the rules of movement. It was playing with the very flow of reality. And it was still smiling. [ System Prompt ] [40 seconds left until the system can remove abnormality good luck. ( You will need it. ¡°_¡± )] ¡°What in the system is this? Good luck, you''ll need it, help me You caused this so fix it what is this demon. Why is it not following the rules of everything? Where is Newton and his laws when you need him.¡± ¡° Who¡¯s Newton?" asked the curiosity spilling from his tone.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯d ask me. Jalen asked, confused. I don¡¯t know who that is.¡± ¡°But you said it.¡± ¡° I don¡¯t think I did.¡± Jorm finally tore his gaze away from the Nyx Puppet, his brows furrowed, scanning Jalen¡¯s face as if searching for something. ¡°You did say it,¡± he stated, his voice steady but edged with curiosity. ¡°Newton. You said his name like you knew him.¡± Jalen opened his mouth to argue but stopped. Had he said it? The words had come so naturally, spilling from his lips before he could even think. Newton created the laws of motion, didn''t he, But the moment he tried to recall why¡ªwho Newton was, why the name had surfaced¡ªit was like chasing smoke. The harder he focused, the further it slipped from his grasp. A chill crawled up his spine, one entirely separate from the Nyx Puppet¡¯s presence. His thoughts felt off¡ªdistorted, like something had been nudged out of place. The Nyx Puppet had stopped moving forward, but that grin remained. Wide. Unshaken. Knowing. Jalen swallowed, forcing his focus back on the immediate threat. He could unpack the strangeness in his head later¡ªif there was a later. ¡°Thirty seconds,¡± Jorm muttered, his grip tightening, power coiling around him like a living storm. ¡°We just have to hold out.¡± Jalen wasn¡¯t sure if ¡®holding out¡¯ was even an option. The puppet had broken the rules of movement. Now it was playing with something worse. If it could reverse itself, then¡ª His thoughts cut off as the puppet twitched. The rewind had stopped. It was still once more, mid-air, its limbs slightly contorted as if its body had glitched into an unnatural position. Then¡ª