Tavian's Signature Card wasn’t Common rarity—it was Special rarity. But, he had never heard of a Special rarity before. He inspected the back cover again. Yes, it was white, but when he tilted it, a holographic mark shimmered across it. This wasn’t just plain white; it was more like an icy color with a holographic sheen.
Tavian approached a nearby instructor on stage. "Sir, I have a Special card," he said.
But no one seemed to hear him. A few guards even nudged him aside. “Move, kid. Head to your room. Tomorrow’s your first class.”
Tavian was pushed along, unable to do much else. He made his way out of the hall, grabbed his bag from the locker, and followed the others into the open courtyard under the pale light of the full moon. His pace quickened, but his eyes stayed glued to the card in his hand, its shimmering surface reflecting the moonlight.
A few other new awakeners bumped into him, clearly on purpose, laughing as they did.
This was going to be his new life at the academy. The Archipelago Academy, a unique institution for newly awakened individuals, was organized into four distinct divisions:
The first was the Forge, a class meant for those whose awakening left them with little more than enhanced physical abilities. Their cards were often useless, and they were destined for manual labor roles, albeit with better endurance and strength.
Second was the Logistics Division, aimed at middle-tier awakeners who had some talent but weren’t destined for combat. These individuals became support staff for the Card Hunters—the elite Card Masters who ventured into battle or on dangerous expeditions. Logistics workers would be the ones collecting items, setting up camps, and handling other behind-the-scenes tasks.
Third was The Vanguard, a prestigious class for those trained to become frontline soldiers, defending territories and carrying out Union missions. This group received better treatment, access to superior facilities, and a more structured path to advance their card abilities. Being in the Vanguard was the dream for many, as it still allowed for a choice: continue serving the Union or transition to becoming a Card Hunter, obtaining a license to hunt monsters or lead dungeon expeditions.
Finally, there was the Apex Division, the most exclusive and prestigious group. This division was reserved for those born with silver spoons—those with Rank A or S, Legendary rarity cards, and exceptional potential. Apex Division members were the pride of the Union. They were destined to take on significant roles, whether by bringing glory to the Union in inter-Union competitions, inspiring the masses as rising stars, or leading the charge in major battles.
Tavian felt a vibration on his Card Device, the sleek bracelet-like gadget he wore on his left wrist. It functioned as a communication tool—able to make calls, handle payments, and track the cultivation progress of a Card Master. The data on the device was encrypted, making it personal and only shareable through syncing or with the user’s permission.
He glanced at the notification that popped up on the screen, revealing his designated division. As expected, he was assigned to the Forge division.
He sighed at the sight. It wasn’t surprising—a Rank D with a Common rarity card was bound to end up in the lowest division. But still… his card wasn’t exactly common!
His card's rarity was Special! The Signature card even had a name and an effect that sounded far too powerful for the Forge division.
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Limit Break! Damn it!
He could use any card without worrying about capacity slot limitations. Didn’t that basically mean he was Rank S? Maybe even higher, since his capacity slots were limitless!
Perhaps he’d need to undergo cultivation, advance to the second stage as a Card Apprentice, and wait for the perfect moment to reveal his true abilities.
It seemed like Special rarity cards were incredibly rare, and he’d have to be careful about how and when he used this one.
There was a competition held at the academy—a second chance for new awakeners to change their division. It gave them an opportunity to move up or, in some cases, be downgraded if their initial assessment proved inaccurate.
But since Special rarity cards were unheard of—at least to Tavian—he needed to learn more about it. He would have to test its powers himself and make the most of this advantage for his own growth.
As he walked through the gates of the academy, his Card Device was scanned, confirming his identity and status. He slipped in with the other new awakeners, and soon the towering academy buildings came into view. The academy was split into four distinct areas, each separated by massive walls, clearly marking the divide between the four divisions. The stark contrast between the treatment of each division was undeniable.
He made his way toward his designated dormitory building, located at the far end of the academy grounds. It had around 10 floors, and as he checked his Card Device for details, it confirmed he’d be staying on the 10th floor.
“Not bad”, he thought. At least climbing all those stairs would help with his physical training, since the dorm reportedly didn’t have an elevator.
Still clutching his Signature Card proudly, he smiled as he admired the illustration.
For every Card Master, the Signature Card was their most vital possession—it wasn’t something they could afford to lose. If a Signature Card was lost or stolen, it would set the Card Master back significantly. The reason was simple: a Card Master builds a continuous affinity with their Signature Card, and over time, there’s a chance the card can even receive upgrades.
Losing it meant starting from scratch. Sure, they could create a new card similar to the old one, but it would have none of the progress they had made. And that? That was a nightmare for any Card Master.
He took the card box from his bag and carefully placed his Signature Card inside with a smile. This card was going to change his life from this day forward, though he knew he’d have to work hard to make that a reality.
First, his goal was to cultivate and break through from Card Novice to Card Apprentice. Only then would he be able to wield more cards and gain access to greater opportunities, including the chance to participate in the next competition.
Tavian had reached the dormitory building and began climbing the stairs. As he passed several other new awakeners struggling to catch their breath, he barely broke a sweat. Physical activity was nothing new to him after years of hard labor.
Upon reaching the tenth floor, he walked down the corridor toward his assigned room. It was supposed to be shared with five other new awakeners, which meant he’d soon have a few new friends, right?
He arrived at the double doors and paused, not hearing a sound from inside.
Am I the first one here?
He held his Card Device up to the scanner, a beep echoed, and the door swung open to reveal an empty-looking room. He stepped inside, but immediately, his instincts flared.
A sudden movement—he could feel the air shift near his left cheek. Someone was throwing a punch from his blind spot!
With a sharp reflex, Tavian jerked his head back just in time, narrowly avoiding the fist that shot past his face. The punch was fast, powerful—definitely strong enough to break his jaw if it connected.
In one fluid motion, he caught the attacker's wrist with his right hand and yanked it to the side, sending the assailant stumbling to the floor.
At that moment, four more boys around his age emerged from either side of the room. One of them grinned and said, "Well, looks like the last member of our room is pretty strong too."