Changing Fates

The power system of this world is fairly straightforward.

There are two main types of Cards. Cards are what grant supernatural abilities to their users.

First, we have Origin Cards. These are essentially the manifestation of a person's soul and determine their innate abilities.

While it's believed that everyone in existence has the potential to awaken an Origin Card, in reality, only about five percent of the global population actually do.

Which is wild, considering the world's total population is roughly around five and a half billion.

Those who awaken their Origin Cards also discover their Soul Potential, which indicates the maximum level their powers can reach.

For example, if someone has an [A-rank] Soul Potential, they can only elevate the powers of their Origin Card up to [A-rank].

Soul Ranks are structured as follows: C » B » A » S » SS » SSS.

To advance through these ranks, one must gather Spirit Essence.

There are two ways to do that: either by refining the impure, latent Spirit Essence from the atmosphere through meditation — the classic xianxia cultivation method — or by slaying Spirit Beasts and absorbing the already refined Spirit Essence from their dead bodies, which is much faster but riskier.

For instance, while it might take three months of meditation to progress from Rank [C] to [B], killing a few low-level Spirit Beasts can achieve the same result much quicker.

But keep in mind that once you reach your Soul Potential cap, you can't grow any further, no matter how much you meditate or how many abominations you slay.

That said, there is one way to break this Potential limit, though this world doesn't know about it right now—only I do.

For the record, my potential is [SS-rank], while my current Soul Rank is [C].

Moving on, the second type of Card is Acquire Cards, which can be obtained by defeating Spirit Beasts, finding them in the Spirit Realm or real world, or inheriting them from others.

All Cards are Graded as Common (C) » Rare (B) » Epic (A) » Legendary (S) » Supreme (SS) » and Mythical (SSS) based on their uniqueness and the powers they grant.

The use of Acquire Cards is limited by your current Soul Rank, so if you're at [B-rank], the highest card you can use is a Rare-grade card.

To use an Acquire Card, you need to attune it to your soul, adding it to your Soul Arsenal, or Deck.

You can hold up to ten cards in your Soul Arsenal, with a maximum of three cards of the highest Grade you can currently use at your rank.

This means if someone has more than ten Cards in their total collection, they need to strategize which Cards to swap and which to keep in their Deck for different situations.

There are eight categories of Cards depending on what kind of prowess they bestow upon their users:

1. Skill Cards: Grant specific abilities or techniques.

2. Spell Cards: Harness mystical energies for various effects.

3. Item Cards: Summon objects or artifacts with unique properties.

4. Transformation Cards: Alter the user's physical form, granting enhanced attributes or specialized abilities.

5. Support Cards: Provide passive or active abilities to bolster capabilities or assist allies.

6. Summoning Cards: Summon creatures or entities for aid.

7. Enhancement Cards: Augment the user's physical or magical abilities.

8. Debuff Cards: Impose negative effects like curses or hexes on enemies.

Interestingly, anyone can use any category of Acquire Card, regardless of their Origin Card.

For example, my own Origin Card is a Spell Card that lets me manipulate matter on a basic level for now.

But I can still use Debuff, Support, or any other category without any issue as long as that Card's Grade is below or equal to my Soul Rank.

So, basically, the possibilities for different builds and strategies are endless in this world, making battles highly unpredictable.

That said, it's usually a good idea to make your build around your Origin Card, as it is going to be your most vital asset in a fight.

But the problem is that an effective build still requires a variety of Cards!

However, if my father kicks me out of the family, he will confiscate all my Acquire Cards since they are technically the clan's property.

"It's not fair!" I muttered under my breath in the shower.

It really wasn't fair!

Yeah, the Cards were given to me by the clan, but I earned them! I excelled in my training, performed well in sparring sessions, and even won duels during the clan festivals!

No one could just come and take away my hard-earned rewards, not even the clan's patriarch himself! I wouldn't let that happen!

I had to find a way to convince my father not to disown me.

•••

Currently, I was getting ready in the bathroom.

It had been two days since I'd last bathed, so the first thing I did today was take a shower.

Afterward, I put on a simple linen shirt under a gray cashmere sweater and paired it with perfectly tailored charcoal trousers.

Stepping out of the bathroom attached to my personal VIP medical ward, I slipped on a pair of luxurious brown leather loafers and applied a soft, woody fragrance.

Aaah, it felt so good to finally get out of that depressing patient gown and wear some real, rich men's clothes.

"Here, Young Master," Juliana said, her face impassive as she approached me with a navy overcoat in one hand and an opulent black watch in the other, ready to help me put them on.

"Tsk," I clicked my tongue in frustration and snatched the items from her. "I told you to wait outside. I can dress myself."

The silver-haired girl shrugged.

"The last time you dressed yourself, you were ten. So pardon me for ensuring that you look presentable before your father, the patriarch, Young Master."

Argh! I hated how right she was.

Okay, so I was a privileged brat who let servants dress him from childhood. So what?!

Sure, some people might mock me for that, but I bet if they became filthy rich one day, they wouldn't even lift a glass of water with their own hands—I know I never did.

Yes, I had servants to serve me water, too! Sue me!

…But after remembering my past life, it felt strange to let someone else constantly tend to me. So, I guess I was trying to become less spoiled.

Also, I wasn't very keen on having Juliana near me all the time now that I knew her true colors.

Sighing softly, I put on my overcoat and watch before checking the time. It was 12:35 P.M. right now.

"When did he say he was coming?" I asked aloud.

"I'm your Shadow, not his, Young Master," Juliana replied, a hint of emotionless amusement in her voice.

…Was she trying to provoke me or something?

I turned to glare at her. "What did you just say to me?"

In response, she instantly bowed slightly, a mocking gesture of contrition.

"I said I don't know when your father will be arriving. Can you find it in your generous heart to forgive this humble Shadow of yours for being so incompetent, oh benevolent Young Master?"

"That's not what you said before," I shot back, still glaring.

"No, I'm pretty sure that's what I said, Young Master. Maybe your ears are ringing—a side effect from hitting your head during the fight, I suppose?"

…Forget trying to use her, maybe I should just kill her and be done with it.

•••

After idly waiting for a few more minutes, I received a text message from my father – or rather, one of his assistants – informing me that the patriarch would be here in ten minutes.

I took a deep breath and rose from the sofa I had been sitting on.

Juliana, who was silently standing beside me, asked in a subtly curious tone, "Where are you going, Young Master?"

"The garden," I replied, already heading toward the door. "He'll be arriving soon."

Juliana followed me in silence as I stepped out of the room.

We walked down the hall, passing patients, nurses, and doctors, until we reached the elevator and descended to the ground floor.

At the front desk, one of the medical staff approached me. He was a bald, middle-aged man in a white coat, looking more sick and sleep-deprived than most patients here.

"L-Lord Samael, I'm sorry, but you shouldn't be walking right now—"

Before he could finish, I brushed past him, giving him a stern look. The other staff members, who were also about to object, quickly settled down.

They knew that the fact I hadn't beaten this man half to death for trying to stop me was a miracle in itself. No one else wanted to push their luck.

I wouldn't say I loved it, but I didn't hate people fearing me like this either.

The old me was crazy, what can I say?

Besides, this hospital was owned by my clan. These people worked for my family so I could use my full influence as a Duke's son to do whatever the hell I wanted.

Ah, influence. Wealth. Privilege. All the more reasons I didn't want to be kicked out of my family.

Shaking my head, I exited the hospital building and headed to the vast courtyard surrounded by several small, beautiful gardens right outside.

After that, I didn't have to wait long to finally face my father.