Appearance [I]

"Hmm, should I get this one or that one?"

In front of me, there were at least a dozen glass displays mounted on a large wall, showcasing all kinds of glimmering Cards.

In fact, all I could see around me were Cards and a few Artifacts.

This was just one small section of the Vault, where hundreds of [Common-Grade] Cards and a handful of low-end Artifacts were stored.

Rumor had it that the sections housing [Legendary] or even [Supreme-Grade] Cards were at least five times larger, packed with thousands of items.

Those sections even used spatial storage Artifacts to cram in more Cards, saving space. But for now, I was stuck choosing from this section.

And it still wasn't easy.

Why? Because as I said, there were hundreds of Cards.  

Hundreds!

It would probably take me an entire day just to go through them all, and I'd still miss a few.  

Thankfully, I had found myself a Vault manager to help me out.

"Dude, can't you do all this tomorrow?!"  

Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of assisting me. Because…

"It's my last day of break today, and I just want to sit in my room, eat ribs, and binge a sitcom or something."

I turned to look at her, giving her the long, unimpressed stare she deserved.  

She was a little older than me — two years, give or take — with big round glasses perched on her nose and long, messy dark hair that looked like it hadn't seen a brush in days.

Her brown eyes glared back at me with the energy of someone already halfway done with life.  

I mean, currently it was just 8:45 in the evening and she was already dressed in pajamas! Introverts are more outgoing than her!

"That sounds lame," I told her flatly.  

"Oh, shut up, Mr. Hotshot!" she shot back, rubbing her face in frustration. "Not everyone's life can be as happening as yours!"  

I rolled my eyes. "Aren't you on the Cadet Council? There are parties happening all over campus tonight, and you've got access to every single one. Go enjoy yourself instead of staying at home."

"Wow, you sound just like my mom," she scoffed. "And no, I'm not in the Council."  

I frowned. "Wait, you're not? I thought only Council members were allowed to look after the Vault."  

She shook her head.

"There are exceptions. I'm a teaching assistant for one of the instructors, so I kind of got forced into this job. I took the late shift because I thought no one would be crazy enough to come down here at this hour," she said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "But here you are, proving I can't make a single good decision in life!"  

I smirked, leaning casually against one of the glass displays. "What can I say? Greatness doesn't clock out."  

She groaned and flopped into the nearest chair. "Greatness better pick a Card before I fall asleep right here."

I chuckled and gave her another look.  

She said she was a teaching assistant to an Instructor, huh?

Interesting.  

At the Academy, Instructors aren't just simple underpaid teachers — they're renowned Hunters, each a fabled figure in their own right.

Officially, they're not allowed to take personal pupils during their time at the Academy to avoid favoritism.  

Officially, that is.

Unofficially, though, they take on teaching assistants. On paper, a TA's job is to help with academic work — grading papers, organizing lectures, that sort of thing.  

But in reality, being a TA means something far more significant — personal mentorship from an exalted Hunter.

It's a rare opportunity to be trained directly by one of the best.  

And Instructors don't just pick anyone. You'd have to be someone exceptional — strong and capable and brimming with potential.  

Yet here she was, slumped in her chair, yawning while scratching the back of her neck like she'd just rolled out of bed.  

'She… doesn't look strong OR capable.'  

"Oh well," shrugging off that thought, I held up two Cards before flipping them back and forth as if examining their non-existent weight.

"Okay, serious question," I said, breaking the silence. "This one has a fire-based attack, but this one gives me enhanced agility for short bursts. Which one do you think is better?"

She barely spared them a glance, raising an eyebrow. "The one that gets me out of here fastest."  

"Wow," I said, clutching my chest as if wounded. "I can feel the support radiating from you."  

"You should. It's all I've got left," she shot back. "Now, unless you're planning to spend the night here — actually, scratch that, you're not — just pick one already!"  

Turning back to the display, I made a show of feigned contemplation. "You know, this is your job. You're supposed to help me pick a Card."  

Her patience, already hanging by a thread, snapped.

"My job is to supervise you while you're here!" she practically screamed those words, then almost began to cry. "Now, for the love of all that is holy, just pick your Cards and leave! Or so help me, I'll lock this place with you in here and come back tomorrow!"

I rolled my eyes and decided to take both Cards. That made eight. Now, for my final pick… I had an idea.  

Flashing her the most sincere smile I could muster, I asked, "For my last Card, can you point me in the direction where I could find something related to sensory enhancement?"

She frowned, tilting her head. "Sensory enhancement? Not many people keep stuff like that in their Arsenal... well, unless they're blind."  

My smile widened. "Exactly. It's a gift for someone. Or, well, more of an investment, really."

•••

Since I already had two Cards in my Soul Arsenal, I added seven more — filling all ten available slots, including my Origin Card.

The last two Cards I grabbed from the Vault went into my coat's inner pocket.

To be honest, I'd gotten some solid Cards. The Academy's Vault was far better stocked than my Clan's, but that was to be expected.

The nine Cards I'd chosen were:

«Quickstrike», which boosts the user's attack speed for the next three melee strikes.

«Steel Hide», temporarily hardens the skin, reducing incoming physical damage for 10 seconds.

«Piercing Bolt», allowing the user to fire a small energy projectile that can pierce through light armor.

«Battle Reflex», which boosts reaction speed for 5 minutes, aiding in parries, dodges, or counters.

«Flame Lash», creating a whip of fire for 15 seconds that deals burn damage on contact.

«Bleeding Edge», temporarily coats the user's weapon with corrosive energy that festers bleeding wounds.

«Barrier Breaker», massively increases attack power for a single strike, ideal for breaking through shields or barriers.

«Vortex Pull», creating a localized pull effect, drawing enemies or objects within a 5-meter radius closer.

And lastly, «Inhuman Senses», sharpening the user's six senses to their human limits. Yes, six senses — instincts included.

That, along with the two «Flash Step» and «Fire Arrow» Cards I'd taken from Jake during the Exam, completed my current Soul Arsenal.

By the time I was done, it was already night. Nine o'clock to be exact, and I was an hour late to the fresher's party.

"Well, the main character always arrives late," I muttered to myself.