Card simulation, starting with the Goblin Deserter

Only one card met the "synthesis" requirement. Hayes thought it would be combining multiple cards into one.

"Which card... [Goblin - Sadness]?"

Following the prompts on the workbench, Hayes placed the unused epic card into the slot.

The remaining squares under the tree canopy shifted and changed, as if they were tailoring a unique crafting scheme for it.

[The main card "Goblin - Sadness" has been detected. Calculating the crafting path.]

[Magic-based materials are needed to strengthen the card's foundation; emotion-based materials are needed to evoke the "sadness" card characteristic; and finally, a special material is needed to establish the card's combat style...]

Hayes was overwhelmed by the string of text. He waited patiently for a while and then saw five small windows labeled "Materials" appear below the main text.

At the very bottom of the grid, a dark gray, unlocked card was faintly visible.

Hayes leaned closer to look and saw the words 【？？？】 written on it—estimated: Legendary level.

Hayes: !!

This means that as long as he can find five qualified extraordinary materials and combine them with [Goblin - Sorrow], the latter can become legendary.

Another legendary card! Following "Epic Card + Enhancement *1", Hayes has discovered another way to obtain legendary cards!

There are only two of these in the entire royal city. Could it be that he'll be able to collect seven or eight in a while?!

No, let's be even bolder... a whole set of thirty legendary cards! Before anyone even gets a chance to fight him, they'll be terrified and crying!

Hayes was extremely excited at that moment, but he quickly calmed down and began to think about more practical issues—how could he obtain these five extraordinary materials?

The materials used to synthesize extraordinary cards are definitely not something you can just find anywhere...

He could visit various building materials stores in the capital on weekends, and also ask Professor Grace, the alchemy professor.

It just so happens that her class is on the timetable tomorrow morning.

Having made up his mind, Hayes carefully examined each compartment of the workbench and discovered that the corresponding material requirements were even written on them.

The one on the far left is labeled "Emotional Material," which must align with the "sadness" theme of the main card.

A thought flashed through Hayes's mind, and he asked, "Would the 'Diary of a Heartbroken Person' in the shop be considered a piece of material related to sadness?"

The counter did not respond to his question; it does not currently have a "customer service" function.

But Hayes thought it was probably true, since the product description said: sad and introspective words actually have a certain magic, and maybe they can be a good material for making cards.

If this can be used for "card making", it shouldn't be too much to use it for "synthesis", right?

But he only has 40 left. The Diary of a Heartbroken Person alone costs 50, and the expenses for the other four extraordinary materials must be considerable.

Hayes was thinking to himself that Norton still owed him 300 million in final payments, and he figured he could ask Dean Fisher for some of it tomorrow.

I just don't know how Norton's injury is recovering, and when he can be discharged from the hospital (to give him the money)?

Coincidentally, while Hayes was working at his desk, Norton, far away in his hospital room, had already met with his two good brothers.

The three were discussing how to distribute the cards they had bought for 300 million.

At first, things were quite harmonious, with everyone sharing cards, until all three of them became envious of one particular card, and then the atmosphere changed—

"I'm using a survival-focused deck, who else should I give this kind of survival card to if not me?"

Norton held up a card and ran around the ward shouting.

His two brothers, chasing after him, were getting impatient: "Who says only those who focus on survival can carry survival cards?"

"Give me that card; I don't want the rest of the cards in the box!"

"You're dreaming! Give me that card, and I don't want the rest!"

In the cramped space of the hospital room, Norton was quickly grabbed by the two men, but he still held on tightly to the card and wrestled with them.

His injuries had almost healed, and he was ready to be discharged, but after this commotion, it's uncertain whether he'll be able to go to class tomorrow...

-

As noon approached, the dazzling but not scorching sunlight illuminated the entire Card Master Academy.

The first-year students, whose classes had not yet started, rushed out of the college to enjoy their last day of vacation.

Even Hayes relaxed his tense nerves that day and went out to eat at a small restaurant outside the college with Gentry.

However, what most people don't know is that it was inside a private room in a coffee shop on the main street of the royal city.

Linda expressionlessly threw the coffee on the table onto the floor, the shards and coffee spilling everywhere.

She looked at the elegantly dressed middle-aged man in front of her and sneered.

"I wouldn't dare drink your things, Uncle... no, Marquis Stern."

Nastern cut a piece of pastry, put it in his mouth, and said slowly.

"Didn't your father teach you to be humble in front of your elders?"

Linda snorted and was about to retort, but she was immobilized by a powerful surge of magic.

Across from him, Stern swallowed his snack, his face expressionless.

He looked at Linda, who was picking up the necklace to summon Loki, and calmly said, "There's more."

"When facing an invincible enemy, you must restrain your temper, because everything you do will seem like a joke to them."

Upon hearing this, three veins bulged on Linda's forehead, and her beautiful face was filled with anger.

But she loosened the necklace in her hand because what the other person said was true.

Even when she summoned Loki, she had no means of resistance against a seventh-tier card master, Stern, who was using all his strength.

But Linda remained defiant, saying, "You have the guts to covet the Ryan family's property; I wonder if you have the guts to kill me right here!"

Upon hearing this, Stern stopped eating and looked at Linda with a strange smile.

"Kill you? And then get arrested by the Royal Guard? Besides..."

"Why would I kill you? I love you very much."

He stood up and walked to Linda's side, forcefully suppressing her with his magic while reaching out to stroke her golden hair, murmuring something.

"Little Linda has grown up! She's even made friends at school..."

"I just wonder if you'd be sad if your friend lost an arm or a leg at the academy... Oh, sorry, did I say something rude?"

Inside the private room, Loki the Silver Lion suddenly appeared, roaring fiercely at Stern, but was bound to the ground by the shackles formed by the shadow beneath Stern, unable to move.

Just as Stern was admiring Loki, Linda, who had somehow broken free from the magical restraints, suddenly grabbed a silver fork from the table and stabbed it fiercely into Stern's neck!

However, a seventh-tier card master's magic can form a barrier to protect their body at all times, so Linda's attack was ineffective.

After pulling out a card to completely restrain Linda's limbs, Stern looked displeased.

"As a card master, how can you attack with your bare hands? Who taught you that?"

"Patton Hays?"

Linda didn't answer, she just stared at him.

Stern straightened his cuffs and paused slightly as he walked to the door. He didn't turn around, but his voice clearly reached Linda's ears.

Making new friends isn't easy, so cherish this friendship.

Because he will soon disappear.

"..."

The sun was still shining brightly outside, and the college was filled with the noise of the holiday.

Hayes was deep in thought, staring at the five empty material compartments in the restaurant; meanwhile, on the other side of the royal city, Linda stroked Loki's fur, gazing towards the academy, her anger replaced by worry.