The duo walked under the beautiful orange sky, admiring the setting winter sun as they reached Shepard's tower. With a scan of his student card, the magical door creaked open, revealing the familiar interior.
Almost buried under thick stacks of papers, the dean raised his head from his dull routine. Upon seeing his last disciple, his eyes glinted. "Took you a while to greet your mentor," he said, grinning at the ghost. Before Adam could answer, he continued, "Elysia explained everything already. It's regrettable to lose such an open-minded teacher. Thankfully, Reynard can replace her."
The duo nodded, a trace of sadness dancing in their eyes. Then, since he didn't have to waste time explaining anything, Adam requested something that caused Shepard's eyes to brighten. "I think I'm good enough at brewing tier-four potions. Unfortunately, materials of the fifth tier are too rare or expensive. Thus, I want to learn how to craft resilient puppets," he said, returning his mentor's grin.
"Excellent. I was about to recommend you delve into this field myself in a few weeks," Replied Shepard, his body turning into mist and flying to the first-floor library. Five minutes later, he returned with four thick books. "I'm not a puppet expert. But you should find everything you need in those books," he said, winking as he handed them to the boy.
With a grateful nod, they walked to the first floor to read them in peace, knowing they couldn't take them outside the tower without spending golden tickets. Thinking about them, he turned to his mentor and asked, "What can I do to earn a few tickets?"
"Easy! Win the battle monster tournament first to earn a hundred. Next, win the inter-academy tournament to earn..." The dean lingered, thinking about the right amount not to lose his entire private collection before continuing. "Let's say five hundred?"
Stunned by the amount but knowing not anyone could win those competitions, curiosity grated at his mind. "How much can I earn the ordinary way?" He asked, his brow raised.
"One ticket for spending a month assisting teachers with various boring tasks. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this approach," Shepard replied, shaking his head. The rules were harsh, but his books were too rare to stay far from him.
Without a word, Adam continued ascending the stairs. However, his mind ran in full gear to curse the arcanist. 'Is he crazy? To borrow a book, one must work for over eight years!' He thought, assuming it would be a waste of time to argue with Shepard since he visibly set his rules to prevent anyone from borrowing anything.
In the meantime, Julius scanned the library, expecting to see the short, red-haired girl. Unfortunately, Morgane was absent. However, he spotted a silver-haired lady he didn't have many chances to speak with sitting behind a desk.
Feeling the boy's gaze linger on her, she closed the complicated book she had been reading and raised her head. "Ah! Long time no see!" Zenobia exclaimed, her grey eyes glinting and her lips curling into a smile. "How did your deck building go?" She asked, impatient to hear news about her last junior disciple's grand project.
Remembering he hadn't turned the talismans into cards yet, Adam smiled wryly before answering, "It's complete. I have ten ghosts, seven weird creatures called chimaeras, and the tier-four knight you already saw."
"Wow! But you're missing two cards, then! Sit. I'll help you find the best ones," she said, patting an empty chair, her enthusiasm menacing to burst. Her junior's arrogant claims might turn true with such an incredible line up.
"Well, I'm not missing any cards. I have a powerful tier four ghost and a bizarre tier one human," Adam grinned, knowing her excitement would burst. And he was right.
Zenobia jumped on the desk to save time and raced to his ethereal form. With her ragged breathing and trembling hands, she almost looked demented to him. "Show them to me," she said, her voice a low growl, showing her self-control attempt.
After he told her they were still talismans, Zenobia snatched Julius' hand, dragging him down the stairs, out of the tower and finally to the battle monster club.
Baffled by her forcefulness, the duo gazed at each other in confusion for a moment. Then, Adam shrugged. "We'll have to turn them into cards, anyway. With her, we'll at least avoid another stealing fiasco."
Ten minutes later, they stepped into the boisterous club room. Students discussed duel strategies, showing their cards spiritedly. Their loud voices echoed their youthful passion, causing Adam's yearning to awaken. 'I'll soon discuss and play with them!' He thought, his actual age a long-forgotten memory.
Next, Zenobia navigated the desks and the arena in the room's center, finally reaching the lazy student managing the shop. In a commanding voice, she said, "I need to turn nineteen talismans into cards. Get to work, or I'll do it myself."
Upon hearing her voice, the thieving youth stood as straight as a pole. Beads of sweat covered his forehead as he bowed in respect. "W-Welcome, Manager Zenobia," he stuttered, fear dancing in his eyes and his legs trembling.
Then, his eyes bulged in hate as he noticed the boy accompanying her. "It's him! He is the one who destroyed the expensive cards last time! You must avenge me, manager!" He yelled, remembering how he had almost lost his position and had to pay for the damaged goods.
Meanwhile, Julius covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. However, Adam didn't face the same problem. "Bahaha! Serves you right for trying to steal from me with a smug grin plastered on that ugly face," he said, slapping his leg in amusement.
Unfortunately for the thief, Zenobia was anything but amused by the situation. "Not only did you try to steal a younger student, abusing your authority like the disgusting trash you are, but you are also lying right in my face! Leave. The club doesn't need parasites like you," she roared, clenching her fists until her palms turned white to resist the urge to hit him.