Card simulation, starting with the Goblin Deserter

The distinctive smell of disinfectant, characteristic of hospitals, permeated the air, like an omnipresent sprite.

Outside the door, the hurried footsteps of doctors and nurses could be heard from time to time.

Sitting up in his hospital bed, Hayes suppressed his unease and feigned confusion, asking, "What are you talking about? What legendary card?"

Fisher's voice was soft, yet it held a hint of amusement.

"I'm sorry to disturb your private space, but unfortunately, I witnessed your entire conversation with Ryan Linda..."

Okay, no need to argue anymore, the other party knows everything.

Realizing he couldn't argue his way out, Hayes slumped down and complained in a defiant manner.

"If the other students knew you had installed this hidden surveillance camera in every corner of the college, they would definitely file a petition to the education department!"

Fisher was amused and offered an explanation that was both funny and exasperating.

"In fact, you are one of the few people who know this; the vast majority of people, including professors and teachers, are unaware of it."

"Please understand me, Patton Hayes. The creation of a legendary card is of great importance, and I must make sure you are ready to become its holder..."

Hayes' fingers tightened slightly as his mind raced—Fischer's tone wasn't accusatory, but rather probing. Perhaps... what he truly cared about wasn't the legendary card, but the holder's temperament?

That's a good thing, but the problem is that Hayes can't answer the question of "how to obtain legendary cards".

You can't exactly tell Fisher that you used a simulator to enhance an epic card and turn it into a legendary card, can you?

The other party will think he's been driven mad by the secret realm...

You need to fabricate a story to convince the other person that this is the whole process of how they obtained the legendary card, and it's best to also promote your own positive energy...

Having made up his mind, Hayes immediately put on a look of reminiscence and spoke to thin air.

"Soraka and I encountered danger at a certain checkpoint in the secret realm..."

"To save my companion, I shielded her from the collapsing rocks with my body. Although I saved Soraka, I was also seriously injured."

"As I lay dying, an ancient voice rang in my ears!"

"He told me," Hayes gazed into the air, lowering his voice, "that your will is commendable, and I bestow upon you the legacy!"

"Then I found I had an extra card, but that secret realm had some kind of magical power that restricted decks. When I came out of the secret realm, I realized it was actually a legendary card..."

Hayes's storytelling was so vivid that he was surprised to discover he also had a talent for making up stories!

Unfortunately, Fisher felt the same way.

"That's a good story, Hayes. If you hadn't become a card master, you might have become a renowned bard."

Before Hayes could react, Fisher chuckled, as if he was quite pleased with the "story" Hayes was telling.

"Remember your wariness of me today. Until you become a card master capable of standing on your own, do not reveal anything about legendary cards to anyone."

Hayes was stunned. Now he realized that Fisher didn't care about the so-called "birth of a legendary card." What he really cared about was whether Hayes would be driven by pride and complacency after obtaining the legendary card.

Although the other party is a voyeur who invades other people's privacy, he is a good dean—Hays thought to himself.

"Alright, I've finished the first thing. I have one more thing to ask you," Fisher said slowly, sounding as if he had taken a sip of tea.

"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Hayes: ?

-

The Dean's Office on the Top Floor of the Zuma Academy Teaching Building

Wearing pajamas, Fisher sat down at his desk with a cup of freshly brewed black tea.

He was surrounded by piles of documents, and the heavy workload had led this man in his sixties to even live there.

At the very top of the file was a title highlighted in red: "Academy Secret Realm Error Report!!"

The bright red title makes it eye-catching, and the three exclamation marks at the end further indicate that this is an urgent file that needs to be processed urgently.

However, Fisher continued to leisurely sip his black tea, seemingly unconcerned about the workload that would keep him busy for three nights in a row, and simply communicated with someone far away in a calm tone.

"Patton Hayes has agreed to become my disciple, and I will go to see him after he recovers and is discharged from the hospital."

"You can rest assured, I'm certain he's the best candidate for your needs..."

On Fisher's desk, a virtual screen made of magic continuously replayed the scene of Hayes climbing the mountain during the practical test.

The man let out a soft "hmm," seemingly surprised that Fisher thought so highly of a student.

"Are you sure? Spies from the Principality of Bayin reported yesterday that they've made a new breakthrough in the research of magical artifacts..."

"This year's freshman entrance exam is a joint exam with multiple countries. If nothing unexpected happens, they will definitely try to sabotage the exam to damage our country's reputation."

The voice turned serious, as if to remind Fisher not to underestimate his opponent.

However, Fisher simply smiled faintly: "I'm too old to know how much of an improvement this magical item can provide to a card master."

"But its essence is to free card players from the constraints of a weak body, allowing them to cram more offensive cards into their decks... Am I right?"

The person on the other end hummed in agreement with Fisher's statement.

"Hehe, then there's no problem."

Fisher finished his tea, and at that moment the secret video was playing the scene of Hayes attacking Sinclair and crushing his palm bone with his bare hands!

"Sir, if I told you that this student named Hayes, without using any cards or magic, could match the physical strength of a one- or two-star card monster, would you believe me?"

After a long silence, the voice finally uttered, "Are you drunk?"

Fisher: ?

"I'm drinking black tea, how much more can I drink?" Fisher almost laughed in exasperation, but he also knew that seeing was believing and there was no point in saying more.

"I'll introduce him to you after I formally accept him as my apprentice, and then you'll understand."

-

Hayes, who inexplicably became the dean's disciple, was still lying in his hospital bed, diligently folding origami cranes.

Next to him was a slightly deformed empty lunchbox. Even though he had become much more skilled than before, eating with utensils was still a bit beyond his current level.

Fortunately, Hayes can now do other things while stacking items, such as—checking the second round of the online store, which he hasn't had time to look at yet.

He glanced at the panel and opened the shop; the second round still only had two items.

[Item: Diary of a Heartbroken Person]

Price: 50 million

[Introduction: This is a diary entry written by someone who has just broken up with their boyfriend. The sorrowful and introspective words somehow possess a certain magic? Perhaps it could become a good source of material for card design.]

[Item: A versatile and oddly shaped worktable]

Price: 1000 million

[Description: This is a versatile and quirky workbench. You can try using it for cooking, working, card making, and anything else you want to do!]

[Note: This product has in-app purchase options; please purchase with caution.]