The journey back from the registry was a blur of Kaito's triumphant shouting and Aina's constant, worried-but-proud fussing. To them, the test was a celebration. To me, it felt like I had just signaled the start of a high-stakes game to an audience I couldn't yet see.
As soon as we crossed the threshold of our home, the adrenaline that had been propping up my three-year-old frame evaporated. My small muscles ached from the "Two Pair" impact, and my mind felt like a browser with too many tabs open.
"I'm... sleepy," I managed, rubbing my eyes.
"Of course you are, Takeru-kun!" Aina said, quickly scooping me up. "That was a very big day for a very big boy."
Kaito ruffled my hair, his hand nearly covering my entire head. "Sleep well, Champ. Tomorrow, we start thinking about that Hero training!"
As Aina tucked me into my futon and the door clicked shut, leaving me in the cool dimness of my room, I didn't fall asleep immediately. In the dark, a golden light flickered behind my eyelids. The system was updating.
[Achievements & Unlocks]
A series of holographic notifications scrolled through my vision, silent and shimmering.
[Achievement Unlocked: The World Watches]
Condition: Officially register a Quirk with the National Registry.
Reward: Voucher unlocked, 1 Joker, 1 Voucher, and $100 (Quirk Currency).
Because my existence was now "validated" by the world's records, I felt a sudden, heavy intent radiating from the deck. The infinite deck was responding to the world's recognition of me.
Suddenly, five cards manifested in the air before me. At first, they were bound by heavy, spectral locks, but a second later, the locks dissolved into light, revealing four Vouchers and one Joker.
"So this is it," I whispered, my toddler voice tiny in the quiet room. "I have to clear achievements to unlock these? Is this what the ROB meant when he said Jokers must be earned?"
The cards shimmered with distinct colors—gold, white, and green. But the black one stood out most, covered in a design of thousands of peering eyes. As I focused on them, the knowledge of their utility flooded my mind. These weren't just cards; they were Vouchers or Passive Skills. They would stay active even if my Quirk went on cooldown or my deck was empty.
First was Seed Money. The card showed a waterfall of gold coins against a radiant golden background.
Effect: Unlocks the "Economy" system. Defeating enemies and reaching milestones grants $ (Quirk Currency).
Initial Payout: $100.
"It doesn't tell me what the currency is for yet," I mused. "I'll have to explore that later."
Next was Clearance Sale. The card depicted a book with arrows pointing upward against a clean white background.
* Effect: Increases training efficiency by 1.5x.
"This is a masterpiece," I grinned. "This will let me master combat styles faster than anyone else my age. Definitely a favorite."
Then came Petroglyph, showing a steaming bowl of soup against a soothing green background.
Attribute: Bio-Recovery. * Effect: Increases physical and mental recovery speed by 2x while out of combat.
"Survival," I noted. "Who knows when I'll be attacked and need my strength back immediately? This is my safety net."
Lastly, my gaze landed on the black card: Omen. The design of those thousands of eyes seemed to track my own movement.
* Effect: Allows the user to see the Numerical Power Level of any target they focus on.
"This... this is exactly what I need. No more guessing. I'll know exactly how much Mult I need to win without accidentally killing anyone."
I reached out and let the cards dissolve into the void of my consciousness. I felt my soul "eat" the knowledge. I felt full—like a new person. Immediately, the Bio-Recovery kicked in; the ache in my arm from the punch at the clinic began to fade. Within an hour or two, I'd be at 100% again.
Then, my perspective shifted. The world didn't just look sharper; it looked mathematical. I glanced down at my own small, pudgy hand.
A translucent green 12 flickered into existence.
"12, huh?" I didn't feel discouraged. I felt excited. I didn't need a high base number yet; I just needed to know exactly how high I had to climb to beat the house.
Finally, I looked at the reward Joker. It pulsed with a theatrical flair.
* Joker: The Guest Star
* Effect: Grants x1.5 Mult if fighting alongside an "Official Hero" or against a "Registered Villain."
* Flavor Text: "All the world's a stage, and you've just been cast in the lead role."
This ensures my power is always peaking when the stakes are highest, I thought. I could feel the $100 sitting in a mental vault—a small nest egg for a high-stakes future.
My eyes finally began to grow heavy. I had the power to multiply strength, the Jokers to modify reality, and the Vouchers to ensure I survived the process. But for now, the "High-Tier Emitter" was just a tired toddler. I closed my eyes to the sound of the Joker's faint, echoing chuckle.