Card simulation, starting with the Goblin Deserter

"This is a savings card from the Jade Exchange, which can be redeemed at any bank within the territory of Zuma Royal City."

Norton, slightly out of breath, handed Hayes a black bank card.

Hayes took it and examined it briefly.

The bank card has a high-quality feel, and the PIN is written on a sticky note and pasted on the back.

At the same time, the simulator's panel suddenly appeared.

[Player's assets have been detected to meet the requirements; explanation of the new "Shop" feature]

Hayes was surprised; this simulator actually allowed in-game purchases?

He immediately manipulated the control panel and opened the "Shop".

Currently, only two items are available for sale.

[Item: Perfect Magic Amplifier]

Price: 70 million

[Description: As its name suggests, it is a perfect potion with no side effects. It can increase a card master's magic level by one.]

[Note: For use only by Tier 1 Card Masters]

【Item: Dragon Pill (Diluted)】

Price: 100 million

[Description: Enhances physical strength and slightly increases physical potential.]

[Note: This product can be used in both the simulated world and the virtual world simultaneously.]

Hayes: !!

wtffff!

These two items sold in the mall look so tempting!

Putting aside the magic amplification agent that can directly raise one rank, this "Dragon Pill" can actually benefit him in the simulated world as well!

This means that he will no longer be an ordinary, weak goblin, and his chances of survival will be greatly increased when facing sudden attacks such as "wolf packs"!

He had originally planned to use the money to buy some extraordinary materials or cards, but after seeing these two items, Hayes changed his mind.

What good products can an ordinary person like him, who has no status or connections, buy in the market?

All you'll get are terrible, lame decks like "Goblin Deck"!

You should give up all the trivial expenses in the world and save money to buy "Magic Amplifier" and "Dragon Pill"!

Hayes immediately grabbed Norton's hand as soon as he closed the "Shop," his eyes burning with desire.

"Bro, what type of card are you looking for?"

"I'll find it for you! I have connections. As long as the price is right, everything is negotiable!"

Norton was caught off guard by this sudden enthusiasm, and the polite words he was about to say stuck in his throat—he was worried that he had offended the other party before and was thinking about how to make amends, so why was the other party calling him brother instead?

"Uh... not for now, my deck is already complete."

Norton even stuttered, startled by Hayes's sudden enthusiasm.

Upon hearing this, Hayes disappointedly released Norton's hand, feeling a great fortune slipping away from him.

Seeing his expression, Norton thought for a moment and said, "Brother Hayes, I think you are ready for the real-world test."

"But you've been staying in your dorm these past few days, so you probably aren't very well-informed..."

"Huh? What news?"

"This practical test will most likely be completed in teams!"

Hayes frowned (Zuma Academy hadn't had this rule in previous years), and Norton leaned closer to him and whispered, "This isn't a secret in aristocratic circles."

"You know the Duke of the Silver Lion, right?"

Hayes searched his memory and was surprised to find that he actually knew!

"You mean, the 'Silver Lion' Duke's wife ran off with someone from the neighboring empire, and he died of anger in his frontline camp?"

Norton's mind went blank for a moment; he hadn't expected Hayes's words to be so sharp and incisive...

"Ahem... In short, that duke offended quite a few people during his lifetime, and his reputation as a nobleman was also affected by his wife's infidelity."

"His daughter also applied for this year's Zuma Academy entrance exam, and many people have conspired to prevent her from passing the test..."

Hayes understood what was being said, but what made him frown was—what did this have to do with him?

Hayes looked at Norton with a puzzled expression, while the latter stared at him in silence.

...

"Wait a minute..." Hayes' eyes widened as if he had thought of something.

"Could I happen to be a leftover like that duchess's daughter?"

Most of them had conspired together, but he didn't leave his dormitory and was completely unaware of it.

In other words, he was among that small group of people!

"I don't know the specifics, and perhaps some people haven't found teammates yet."

Norton patted Hayes on the shoulder and said seriously, "Brother Hayes, I found teammates half a month ago, so I can't help you."

"I can only remind you that you absolutely must not team up with that girl."

The chances of passing the practical test together with her... are 0!

-

At 4 p.m., the Zuma Academy Admissions Office posted a notice.

"To test the candidates' teamwork skills, the format of this practical test is different from previous years..."

"The assessment will be conducted in teams of 2-3 people. Candidates are requested to form their own teams and submit the team list the day before the exam..."

The announcement was released at 4 PM, but Hayes didn't see it until evening.

But when he checked the list of teams published by the college, he was shocked to find that there were only two names left of the candidates who had not formed teams!

One is Patton Hayes, and the other is "Lian Linda".

Inside the dormitory, Hayes looked up at the ceiling, his face filled with melancholy.

"It seems like everyone except me knew in advance that the situation had changed..."

How many of this year's freshmen are actually from families with connections?

Are you even letting students from poor families have a chance to play?!

Beside him, Norton's expression was complicated. He said with shame, "I originally thought you were just a slacker who stole a spot, so I didn't plan to tell you."

"I'm sorry, Brother Hayes."

Of course, not all the prospective students at Zuma Academy are children of noble families; there are many "small-town test-takers" like Hayes who have no background.

However, with students sharing information and others, and with some people deliberately leaking information, the fact that "we must form a team as soon as possible" is already common knowledge.

Hmm... Hayes is half a goblin, so it's not surprising that he didn't know.

With less than a week until the actual test, even though Hayes believes that with the simulator at his disposal, he will definitely become an outstanding card master in the future, it is already a done deal that he will team up with Linda.

"Hopefully this teammate will be easy to get along with..."

Hayes noticed Norton's "pity" look and couldn't help but laugh: "It can't be that bad, can it?"

"Even if many people want to target that girl, I'm innocent. The examiner has no reason to make a big deal out of me..."

Norton sighed, looked at Hayes as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally just patted him on the shoulder.

"It's okay, bro. There's no age limit for Zuma Academy recruitment. You can take the exam again next year!"

Judging from his demeanor, Norton seemed certain that Hayes would not pass the test.

"I bear some responsibility for this. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask..."

"Hmm? There really is. Could you lend me some money?" Hayes' eyes lit up.

"Uh, how much do you want?" Norton replied, reaching into his pocket.

"170 million".

"How many??"

Norton looked at Hayes, paused for a moment, and then said, "This amount isn't enough to bribe the examiners..."