Azrael couldn't believe his luck. Could it really be that good?
Principal Kang smiled warmly and picked up a leather-bound booklet from his desk. "Azrael, you can choose one of these materials. It will be delivered to your home after school."
Azrael carefully accepted the booklet and methodically flipped through each page. His eyes widened as he scanned the impressive list of items:
[Fine Steel Sword] (Blue Quality), [Bloodstained Platinum Pendant] (Purple Quality), and [Zombie Dog Physical Enhancement Type] (Purple Quality).
The booklet contained dozens of black iron-grade materials, all of which were blue quality or above. Each one represented tremendous value and potential for a novice Lore Cardian.
Suddenly, Azrael's eyes narrowed with focused intensity. "Principal Kang, I choose this one."
Principal Kang and the others leaned forward to see what Azrael had selected:
[Elite Ghoul] (Purple Quality).
Seeing Azrael's unexpected choice, Lian shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He hesitated before speaking, clearly wrestling with whether to offer advice. "Azrael, I strongly suggest you choose item materials instead. You could craft a prop card to enhance your existing biological card."
Lian's tone carried the weight of experience. "Normally, a novice Lore Cardian's second creation should be a prop card. Not only can prop cards significantly boost the combat effectiveness of your current biological card, but there's also a practical concern. Your first biological card may have been completed through beginner's luck. Rushing into a second biological card could result in wasted materials."
Azrael shook his head firmly, meeting Lian's concerned gaze. "Uncle Lian, I truly appreciate your guidance, but I've made my decision. This is what I need."
Seeing Azrael's unwavering determination, everyone present exchanged glances but remained silent. They all understood a fundamental rule of their profession:
Interfering with a Lore Cardian's creative vision was absolute taboo.
Calvin stepped forward, breaking the tension. "All right, then. Principal Kang, Lian, I'll escort Azrael to the key class now."
Both men nodded their approval.
As the two figures disappeared down the hallway, Lian chuckled and turned to Principal Kang. "Mr. Kang, it looks like your school has discovered quite the promising seedling this time. I'd say you have good reason to be confident about next month's joint examination among the four schools in the Nirvale District."
Principal Kang's expression darkened slightly, and worry creased his brow. "I've heard troubling rumors that the other schools have produced exceptional talent as well. There's even talk that Ardenne High School has a student whose first card was golden."
Lian silently disagreed with Principal Kang's pessimism. The true measure of a Lore Cardian's strength was never solely determined by card quality levels. In his opinion, Azrael's willingness to stand up during a crisis demonstrated character far more valuable than that of the so-called ace players of rival schools.
"Lian," Principal Kang said, his voice suddenly carrying an unusual weight. "I need to ask you for a favor. In all these years, I've never asked anyone for help."
Just as Lian was processing this surprising admission, they were interrupted.
"Do you want to return to your old classroom and say goodbye to your former classmates?" Calvin asked as they walked through the corridors.
Azrael considered the suggestion, but ultimately shook his head. "It's not like I'm graduating. I'm still attending Silverbrook High School. I can visit them whenever I want."
"True enough."
They soon arrived at the entrance to the key class. Silverbrook High School had such a low probability of producing Lore Cardians among second-year students that the entire school only maintained one specialized class.
"Miss Victoria, could you please step out for a moment?" Calvin called out to the classroom.
A middle-aged woman with an authoritative presence emerged from the classroom. Her sharp eyes immediately assessed the situation.
"This is Azrael," Calvin said, gesturing toward his companion. "Starting today, he'll be one of your students."
He then turned to Azrael. "This is Victoria, one of the most senior instructors at Silverbrook High School. She'll be your homeroom teacher."
Azrael bowed respectfully. "Good morning, Miss Victoria."
"Hello, Azrael. Please go inside and introduce yourself to your new classmates." Victoria adjusted her glasses and gave Calvin a questioning look. What's his story?"
As the two teachers continued their hushed conversation outside, Azrael stepped onto the classroom podium. "Hello, everyone. I'm Azrael. I look forward to learning alongside all of you."
He scanned the room methodically. There were twelve students total, including himself. Only one girl was among them.
Suddenly, the girl gasped with recognition. "You're Azrael? Thee Azrael?"
Azrael raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You know me?"
"Of course I know you!" she replied with genuine enthusiasm. "You're practically our role model around here. My name is Gabi."
Her father was a gold-class Lore Cardian, and she had learned about Azrael's recent heroics from him the previous evening.
Azrael laughed awkwardly, sensing that something might be off. "I think the association might be exaggerating things a bit."
"All right, everyone, settle down." Victoria entered the classroom with professional authority.
"I believe you're all aware of our new classmate's recent actions." Her voice carried clear approval. "Azrael bravely rescued a community resident during yesterday's Demon's Nest incident. Let's show our appreciation."
Victoria started clapping, and the classroom erupted in applause.
Facing their curious stares, Azrael smiled humbly. "Anyone would have done the same thing."
Sometimes you just have to be gracious, he thought. It doesn't cost anything to be modest.
"Ahem." Victoria cleared her throat deliberately. "Now then, let's have everyone introduce themselves properly."
Azrael stepped down from the podium, giving his new classmates their turn in the spotlight.
After the introductions concluded, Azrael identified two classmates who warranted special attention.
The first was Gabi, whose card was the impressive Black Iron Purple quality, Three-Tailed Fox. He recalled that the demon fox series could evolve all the way to the legendary diamond red quality, the nine-tailed Fox.
The second was Cory, a boy with a short ponytail, whose card was the black iron purple quality [Green Zombie]. Unlike the demon fox series, the zombie series showed excellent advancement potential, and its evolution paths were remarkably smooth and predictable.
However, Azrael knew Cory personally, and not fondly. They had been classmates, and Cory had led a bullying campaign against Azrael because he was an orphan. Only Teacher Calvin's intervention had stopped the harassment.
Tsk. Still the same bully. Azrael's eyes turned cold as those unpleasant memories surfaced.
"Attention, everyone." Victoria clapped her hands sharply, commanding the room's attention. "I have an important announcement to make."
The students immediately gave her their undivided attention.
"In exactly one month, our Nirvale District will host a joint examination involving all four major schools. The winning school will earn the incredible opportunity to enter a secret realm for practical training."
Secret realm!
The words sent a visible wave of excitement through the room. Hearts began beating faster throughout the classroom.
Access to the secret realm meant obtaining rich material resources, whether for direct use in card creation or for profitable resale. It was every Lore Cardian's dream opportunity.
Seeing that she had captured their complete attention, Victoria allowed herself a slight smile of satisfaction. "However, each school can only send three representatives to participate in the joint examination. Only those three students will gain secret realm access."
She paused for dramatic effect.
"Therefore, our key class will implement a ranking system."
The tension in the room became palpable.
"Tomorrow, we'll hold the first ranking battle," Victoria continued. "The method will be Lore Cardian duels."
Card maker duels operate under specific rules: everything is permitted except direct attacks on the opposing Lore Cardian. Most duels ended when participants surrendered after exhausting their current card repertoire.
Every Lore Cardian understood one critical detail: when a biological card was destroyed in battle, it entered a full day cooling period before it could be summoned again.
Victoria left the classroom after making her announcement.
Cory immediately approached Azrael, his expression dripping with disdain. "Well, well, Azrael. I never expected to see a black chicken transform into a phoenix in just a few days!"
Cory had always been the golden child, praised and privileged since childhood. Seeing his former victim, Azrael, now basking in recognition and respect, ignited a burning jealousy in his chest.
Azrael rolled his eyes at the obvious provocation and responded with deliberate casualness. "Yeah, sure. You're obviously much better than me. Congratulations."
Azrael's dismissive tone felt like a slap in the face to Cory. The humiliation was unbearable.
"How dare a mere orphan show me such attitude!" Cory's voice carried venomous anger.
His expression twisted into something sinister. "Tomorrow's ranking battle will be perfect. I'm going to tear your precious cards into pieces in front of everyone."
Azrael looked at him, exhausted and speechless, too tired to engage in pointless arguments.
When Calvin returned to his classroom, he found complete chaos. Students were talking over each other in excited and confused voices.
Morvane immediately rushed to him with a panicked expression. "Mr. Calvin, did Azrael really drop out of school to get a job?"
Calvin looked puzzled by the question. "Where on earth did you hear that?"
"Azrael became a Lore Cardian and transferred to the key class."
The classroom fell into stunned silence.
Then it erupted into thunderous shouting.
"What?!"