Leonar stepped off the public bus, jaw clenched and a flush of heat creeping up his face. The van driver hadn’t stopped shouting insults after seeing the hundred-dollar bills, and the mocking comments from the other passengers were just the cherry on top.

One woman had shot him a smug smile and quipped, 'Rich folks always gotta complicate things for the rest of us,' while a guy in the back had burst out laughing, adding a snarky remark about how he probably didn’t even know how to use small change.

As he got off, Leonar sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Seriously? I’m barely scraping by, and they already think I’m some bloody millionaire."

"If you’d been a bit sharper, maybe you could’ve handled that with more finesse," chimed in Eleonora, her voice echoing in his head with a teasing lilt.

Leonar rolled his eyes.

"And what exactly was I supposed to do? Magically turn the bills into coins?"

Eleonora didn’t answer, but Leonar felt a faint tickle in his mind, as if she were savoring his discomfort. He shook his head and started walking. The casino wasn’t far, and the path was familiar, though his heart beat with nervous anticipation.

"Finally," Leonar thought, taking a deep breath before stepping in, trying to calm the sense that something was bound to go wrong. But the moment he crossed the doors, all that nervousness evaporated.

"Leonar!" someone called out from a nearby table, raising a glass.

Others joined in, the collective greeting making the place feel almost like home… though it wasn’t.

Leonar raised a hand with a smile.

"How’s it going, folks?"

"Look who’s back!" a bald man bellowed from another table, his deep laugh echoing. "Here to win back what you lost last time or lose even more?"

Leonar chuckled as he strode toward the center of the room.

"I’m here to show you all how it’s done. Just wait and see."

"I’ll believe it when I see it," quipped another player, a guy in a plaid shirt and a cap covering his messy hair.

"Come on, Leonar. Quick game. What do you say?"

Leonar arched a brow, glancing around. Then he noticed something that made him smile: no pesky security guards in sight.

"Sure, why not?" he said, flashing a broad grin. "I’m ready to wipe the floor with you all."

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The table erupted in laughter as Leonar took a seat. A slim, young dealer shuffled the cards with practiced precision, though his sharp eyes seemed to measure every player’s move. Leonar noticed the scrutiny but decided to brush it off.

"Alright, guys, who’s ready to lose their money first?" he joked, pulling out his modest $300 bankroll and laying it on the table.

Without hesitation, the dealer swapped his cash for chips.

The first game was smooth. While Leonar knew how to play, he was also ready to pull out his ace in the hole. Using his unique ability, he could see the colors of the cards: green, yellow, and red glowed vividly before him. Green signified a safe move, and he didn’t hesitate to use it. Betting just enough to avoid suspicion, he managed to win the first pot.

"Look at that! Seems like Leonar’s touch might be back," one player remarked, clapping him on the back.

"Yeah, or maybe it’s just beginner’s luck. It’s happened before."

Leonar grinned.

"Relax, guys. I’m just warming up."

The second round was a bit riskier. A yellow card appeared among his greens, but he decided to push his luck and bet big. He craved it: adrenaline. Playing it too safe would suck the fun out of it for him.

The other players eyed him carefully, some beginning to frown.

"You sure you’re that confident?" asked a man with a mustache, his skeptical smile cutting through the tension.

Leonar shrugged.

"Why not? Sometimes you’ve gotta go all in."

And it paid off. His bold bet left him with more than double his initial funds. The murmurs around the table grew louder, and the looks less friendly.

"This is getting interesting," one player muttered as another requested the dealer reshuffle the deck.

For the next few hands, all Leonar saw were red glows, so he bet the bare minimum before folding. Whispers spread about how Leonar seemed scared to lose it all, but the sixth game was the one that truly caught everyone’s attention. With a flawless mix of green cards and aggressive strategy, Leonar raked in a substantial pot.

His laughter mingled with the murmurs of disbelief from the other players.

"This guy’s unstoppable!" shouted a bystander, drawing more onlookers to the table.

By then, Leonar had amassed $2,740. The chips in front of him sparkled under the casino lights, and his grin was impossible to hide. He chuckled to himself, reveling in the rush of victory. Just as he was gearing up for another game, someone approached him from behind.

"Barret wants to see you," said a firm voice belonging to a middle-aged man in a dark suit.

Leonar turned his head, still smiling.

"Tell Barret I’ll swing by soon. I’m in the middle of something big here."

The man didn’t budge.

"Barret wants to see you now."

Leonar gritted his teeth but eventually nodded.

"Alright, alright. I’m coming."

He stood, gathering his winnings and raising his glass to the other players.

"Next round’s on me, fellas. Enjoy!"

"Didn’t you say money’s something we’re supposed to be careful with?" Eleonora’s dry tone rang in his head.

Leonar chuckled, still riding the high of his success.

'Yeah, sure, but when you’ve got a lot, you can afford to splurge a little. Look at this, Eleonora. I’m on fire.'

"Uh-huh, sure..." Eleonora replied, not sounding convinced.

Leonar smirked, drunk on the thrill of his winning streak.

'Relax, Eleonora. I’ve got this under control.'

"Right, because blowing money on drinks is the best way to prove that…" she shot back.

Ignoring her, Leonar followed the man to a more secluded area of the casino. Barret’s room was a grim space, dimly lit by a single overhead lamp. As Leonar entered, Barret stared at him silently, his jaw tight and his gaze unyielding.

Leonar tilted his head, smiling nonchalantly.

"What’s up, Barret? Here to congratulate me on my lucky streak?"

Barret didn’t answer immediately. Running a hand over his face, he sighed deeply before muttering:

"Just when I thought you were learning your lesson… this had to happen."