This card game worked as follows: each person had six points or more, depending on how much they wanted to bet. These points were used to wager each round, where the monsters on the cards would be staked in a "battle." Each player received three magic ability cards to use, and each monster had health points depending on its level.
The way these monsters were created was simple: the cards were made from mana containers that could hold a person's magic. From there, the monsters would be formed based on the person who infused the magic—shaping their affinities, abilities, and magic cards. It was a fairly simple game, at least for Valença, who played it because of her father.
"Why don't you two give up? If it's for my revenge, I'll win even at things I'm bad at."
"I don't really know how this game works, but if it means having a match with my best friend Enrico, then I'll accept."
"You two talk too much for people who are about to lose, you know. My father's a master at this."
'I don't know how to play either, so I hope Valença helps me stop these two.'
Watching the competition, Giulio, Camila, Thalen, Kaela, Alenya, and Sisaka were curious about how it would go, so they gathered around the table. The only one not nearby was Erina, who was working at the place.
'Damn, I wanted to watch too, but I need money… Maybe I can sneak a look once in a while.'
Enrico, hidden in the shadows behind a wall, smiled faintly as he watched them having fun, his eyes shifting to where Elowyn and her subordinates were resting.
'Looks like even they're relaxing… well, time to get back to work. I still have two left.'
Deeper in the corridor, his body was bleeding—especially from his right shoulder. During that time, he had to fight 100 low-level cultists of fear, face three summoned monsters near an empty graveyard, disarm 77 traps scattered around the center, convince the guards to handle the stronger ones while keeping the civilians safe, check all of Vesparello to ensure nothing remained, and finally fight two third-circle mages in different locations.
'I still need to find the last third-circle, that fourth-circle, and the fifth-circle… but I'll leave those for the guards—they should already be searching.'
In his current state, it was impossible to do anything more, so all he could do was find them and warn the guards.
"So this is the boy who caused all this mess?"
"Yes, I saw him being the first to fight our men."
"Boy, your death will not be quick. I'll make sure of it."
Well, it seemed that instead of him finding them, they had found him. That was bad—standing before him were a third-circle and a fourth-circle mage.
'Damn it, how do I get out of this?'
[They're coming. Be careful.]
Immediately, the two attacked before he could even think. He didn't want to, but he had to move somewhere with people—somewhere he could draw attention.
'I don't want to ruin their fun, so I'll head—'
Before he could finish his thought—or before they could strike—several blood spears pierced the ground in front of the two, forcing them to stop.
"That scent… that impulse… ahhhh, I found you, my master!"
Above them floated a girl with white hair and deep red eyes, a few scars on her face. She was holding her own cheeks, hearts swirling madly in both her eyes as she stared at Enrico in pure ecstasy.
"Ysabella?"
"Ahhhh, it feels so good to know my master remembers me…"
She seemed delighted to be recognized, but that joy vanished when she saw Enrico injured and the enemies before him. Her face shifted back to the personality Enrico knew as she glared at the two.
[For a moment, she looked like a completely different person.]
'I won't lie, I felt a chill down my neck… wait—my neck?'
Turning, he saw Valen, who was also there, touching his neck while bringing her nose close, a look of rapture on her face.
"Master, I hope you liked my letter."
"Your letter?... now that you mention it, I remember seeing it."
Of course Enrico remembered that letter—it even contained a poem proclaiming her love for him in a way that had left him speechless. He recalled the words perfectly:
Your blood touched my lips, and the world fell silent.
Since then, there's been no night—only the echo of your pulse.
I called you master, but loved you as a god.
I called you lord, but desired your mortal touch.
If dying is to live within you, then may each of your drops be my temple.
[What do you mean, "your mortal touch"?]
"Die in me? I don't even know what to say… I've never read poems before, but this is just…"
He was honestly speechless, reading it several times trying to make sense of it. In the end, he simply decided he'd have to find a way to restrain her if things ever got dangerous.
"Master, I finished another one, so hold this while I kill these inferior beings."
Before Enrico could say anything, Valen had already rushed toward the two enemies alongside Ysabella. When he looked down at the letter, he noticed someone kneeling—Nyxaria—her eyes filled with adoration as she awaited his orders.
"Master, the longer I stayed away, the more I felt I couldn't live without drinking your blood again… so tell me, will you order me to do something?"
"I want you to find the one who's been watching us."
"Of course, master. I can feel him behind the house."
He heard a sound of something being struck and realized Nyxaria had vanished—no doubt fighting the fifth-circle mage who'd been spying on his two subordinates and trying to kill him—at least until their plans were interrupted.
"Are you sure you're going to read that letter?"
"Sorry, but I'm curious… let's see: 'My dear master, this is for you.'"
Do not ask me for freedom, for it died with you.
What remains of me is the echo—a reflection of your gaze.
If the world calls you man, my world calls you eternity.
And even if the sun consumes me, I will smile, for I have tasted what it is to be yours.
"..."
[Speechless again?]
"Interesting."
[That's it? I'm curious—don't you feel uncomfortable or—]