"Silverbrook High School, name's Azrael." Relief washed over him as he recognized the official insignia—this was a certified Lore Cardian from the Cardian Master Association.
Micheal surveyed the ghoul corpses scattered across the ground, his expression shifting to one of genuine amazement. Seven ghouls, each killed with a single devastating blow. The precision and power required for such clean kills meant one thing—Azrael's cards were definitely not standard Blue quality Black Iron level equipment.
"Your card quality isn't Blue, is it?" Micheal asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Azrael nodded. "Purple quality."
His relief quickly turned to worry as a troubling thought struck him. "My card was just crafted today, and I haven't had time to register it with the Association yet. Will there be problems?"
As a wild Lore Cardian operating without official certification, Azrael knew the regulations well. Using Blue quality Black Iron level cards or higher in public without proper authorization was strictly prohibited. The last thing he needed was to face disciplinary action from the very organization that was supposed to protect civilians.
Micheal's eyes widened in surprise. He'd initially assumed the young man before him was a prospective college student preparing for university admission. It wouldn't have been unusual for a third-year high school student to craft a Purple quality Black Iron card after intensive study—that kind of achievement was expected from students capable of creating Blue cards on their first attempt.
But a complete novice crafting Purple quality on their very first try? That was extraordinary.
"Don't worry about it," Micheal said with a reassuring smile. "I'll report the situation here truthfully to the Association. You've got serious talent, kid. I hope to see you at Velkairos University next year."
Despite his surprise at Azrael's raw ability, Micheal had encountered plenty of prodigies during his time in Velkairos University's card-making department. Talent like this, while impressive, wasn't completely unheard of.
He clapped Azrael on the shoulder warmly. "Relax, Azrael. I'm betting the Association will actually reward your actions here tonight."
His expression grew more serious as he gestured toward the residential complex. "After all, if you hadn't been here, these residents might be..." He shook his head, leaving the grim possibility unspoken.
The truth was, Micheal had received the Association's emergency order and immediately raced toward Happy Homes Complex on Delila at maximum speed. But fate had other plans—a Silver-level Gluttonous Beast had intercepted his path, forcing a time-consuming detour that nearly proved catastrophic. Without Azrael's intervention, the consequences would have been devastating.
Of course, the Association wouldn't hold him responsible for the delay. In the fog-shrouded chaos of monster incursions, no one could predict what obstacles might emerge.
Pushing aside his troubled thoughts, Micheal adopted a confident smile and raised his voice to address the gathered residents. "Alright, everyone from Happy Homes Complex! I'll be escorting you all to Nirvale District now for your safety."
Before he could finish his announcement, violent fluctuations rippled through the sky above them. Every person present instinctively looked up as an massive figure materialized over Velkairos City, its presence both magnificent and terrifying.
The colossal being gazed toward the secret realm [Demon's Nest] with an expression of cold neutrality, neither pleased nor angered. When it spoke, its voice resonated with absolute authority across the entire city:
"Crimson Oath Society, you have crossed the line this time."
As the words faded, the immense figure drew what seemed like the gentlest of breaths. That simple exhalation swept away the thick fog blanketing Velkairos City like cobwebs before a hurricane. Simultaneously, every monster lurking within that supernatural mist dissolved into wisps of black and gray smoke, vanishing entirely.
Azrael stared at the sky in stunned disbelief. Could a Lore Cardian truly wield such overwhelming power? A single breath had resolved the crisis threatening an entire city. The sheer scale of that ability defied everything he thought he knew about combat.
"Micheal," he managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper, "which senior Lore Cardian is that?"
Micheal's expression had grown deadly serious as he gazed upward, his voice carrying deep respect as he spoke: "[Dread King] Master Lucian."
He paused, then added with reverence, "Core card: [Dread King of the Fifth Palace, Bao Zheng]."
The title hit Azrael like a physical blow. Dread King. Only now did he truly understand what that name represented—not just power, but absolute dominion over life and death itself.
A harsh, grating laugh suddenly echoed across all of Velkairos, filled with malice and dark promise. "Lucian! You can protect them for now, but can you shield them forever?"
Master Lucian remained silent for a long moment, his massive form motionless against the night sky. When he finally responded, his words carried the weight of an unbreakable vow:
"As long as I, Lucian, draw breath, the coastal defense line will never fall."
His tone shifted, becoming almost conversational but no less threatening. "Besides, with Lioren stationed in Vaelcrest, do you really dare to escalate this conflict?"
The harsh voice seemed to catch in someone's throat, choking with rage before managing a bitter sneer. "That old man won't last much longer. Mark my words—there's a long road ahead. We'll see who stands at the end."
As the ominous exchange concluded, the towering figure of [Dread King Bao, Arbiter of the Fifth Gate] slowly faded from the sky, leaving only the memory of its overwhelming presence.
Azrael's eye twitched involuntarily. The Crimson Oath Society's power might be questionable, but their talent for making threats was clearly first-rate.
With the immediate crisis resolved, Micheal turned back to the crowd and clapped his hands sharply to regain their attention. "Alright, everyone! As you've all witnessed, Master Lucian has successfully thwarted the Crimson Oath Society's conspiracy. You can all return to your homes safely now."
As the Happy Homes Complex residents began dispersing back to their apartments, chattering excitedly about the night's events, Micheal approached Azrael with a practical suggestion.
"Student Azrael, there's no time like the present. Would you like to come back to the Association with me right now to handle your registration?"
Azrael considered the offer briefly. Even if he postponed it until tomorrow, his homeroom teacher would inevitably drag him to complete the registration anyway. Better to get it over with tonight.
"I'd appreciate that, Micheal. Thank you."
Seeing Azrael's agreement, Micheal activated his card to materialize two sets of riding saddles. It was worth noting that prop cards had no summoning limit, unlike biological cards where a person could only maintain one of each type simultaneously.
Delila crouched beside them with perfect timing, her powerful form ready for passengers.
"Come on, riding Delila will get us back much faster." Micheal tossed one saddle to Azrael and smoothly mounted the creature's back.
Azrael followed suit, settling into the saddle as Delila rose to her full height. The sensation of wind rushing past his ears as they took flight prompted a curious question.
"Micheal, is it legal to use creature mounts for regular transportation like this?"
Micheal glanced at his phone, scrolling through messages in the Association's Lore Cardian group chat as he replied casually, "Oh sure, rideable creature cards can be used for transportation as long as they're properly registered with the Association."
He added almost as an afterthought, "Same rules apply to vehicles summoned from prop cards."
Azrael nodded thoughtfully, then couldn't resist asking with a straight face, "So would humanoid creature cards count as rideable creatures?"
"...What?" Micheal lowered his phone and stared at Azrael with complete bewilderment.
"Just kidding," Azrael said quickly.
But Micheal seemed to have remembered something, his expression growing contemplative. "Actually, now that you mention it... I think there's a female Lore Cardian in Jinvale who's famous for riding muscular male summons."
"Wait, what?" Now it was Azrael's turn to look completely lost.
He'd genuinely been joking about that question.
Sensing they were venturing into dangerous conversational territory, Azrael quickly changed the subject. "So Micheal, how do you think the Association will handle my case?"
Micheal waved his phone in response. "I've already filed my report. They've requested that I bring you in for processing."
"Is it too late for me to jump off this thing and run?"
Micheal chuckled at Azrael's mock panic. "Don't worry—if they wanted you detained, I would have restrained you already instead of giving you a comfortable ride."
The Cardian Master Association maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal Lore Cardians. Those were the dangerous rogues who operated outside the law—criminals like the members of various dark societies who spent their time planning elaborate schemes to "open the world's eyes" to their twisted ideologies.
During their flight and conversation, they quickly arrived at the Cardian Master Association's Nirvale District branch. A middle-aged man had been waiting at the entrance, and his face lit up the moment he spotted Micheal approaching.
His attention immediately shifted to Azrael with obvious interest. "You must be Azrael—Micheal told me all about you."
The man stepped forward and grasped Azrael's hand in a firm handshake, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "The Nirvale District Cardian Master Association thanks you for your heroic assistance tonight, Azrael."
Azrael found himself momentarily confused by the Association's overwhelmingly positive reception. But he wasn't truly the naive eighteen-year-old high school student whose body he inhabited—his experience allowed him to quickly read between the lines.
The Nirvale District Cardian Master Association was clearly preparing to establish him as a model citizen, a shining example of what young Lore Cardians could accomplish when they used their abilities for the greater good.