Deception: A Tactician's Card

Continuing the Training Regimen (Part One)

"Why are we here?"

"Is something wrong, First Seat?"

"We need to finish what we started."

"What do you mean 'we'?"

Faze Marshall, the First Seat, was questioned by the Second Seat, Liz Plasma and Fourth Seat, Veil Blanche. They're in the same place the four elites and a student secretary experienced something unfathomable.

Liz Plasma, 18 years old, is an individual possessing black almond eyes and short hair, has the same height as Faze's, but only has half of Faze's breast size. She wore a pair of glasses and has this same competitive vibe Faze possesses. She and Faze often engaged into fights to see who's stronger. She followed Faze after she got invited to the Crimson Dome. It's not yet accessible to the students, but as elites, they got the privilege to enter some areas and rooms that are completely off-limits. She got a little puzzled though, her rival seems to be under the weather when she was called out.

Veil Blanche, on the other hand, is someone that has heterochromatic eyes -- violet on the left, orange on the right -- and banged bluish-white hair. She has the height and age same as the other two, but got an oblivious atmosphere that enshrouds her. She looks a bit pale, but it only adds to her beauty.

"Ah, I wanna sleep...yawn..."

Fifth Seat, Dominic Copperhead, 19 years old; he's a well-built individual suitable for his age. He has short brown hair and eyes, has a height of 5'9", and has a lazy demeanor especially when he talks. He often sleeps even when walking.

"Don't you dare sleep while I'm around you, Dom."

"Hiiiiiii! The witch has spoken!"

"What did you say!?"

Sixth Seat, Yumen Dazzle, 18 years old; she has the height of 5'3", has a pretty slender physique, and gives off a matured aura. She possesses red villainous eyes and hair long enough to reach her hips. She's wearing a witch hat and a cloak out of her adoration to the first female rune card user, the Rune Witch of Destruction.

"Eh, somehow I feel nervous."

"Huh? What do you mean Katrina?"

"There's something wrong. There are some lingering effects of a rune card."

"Maybe it's the [Auto Restore] rune card? It's pretty common to be used in these kinds of places."

"No... This is something else, I'm pretty sure of it Nico."

Ninth Seat, Katrina Shannon, 17 years old; a seemingly average-looking individual. She always close her eyes due to her circumstances and a short ash gray hair and has the height of 5'2". She's carrying her favorite history book, "Origin Story Vol. 1".

The one she's talking to is her childhood friend and the Tenth Seat, Nico Fahrenheit. He's a year older than Katrina, possesses orange eyes and hair, and has the height of 5'8". He has a physique more on the thin side, but he has the agility to cope up with his lack of strength.

The elites are all humans, except for Katrina and Yumen who got Demon origins.

"Oh? You're here?"

Yukti appeared out of nowhere, together with Snow, who later joined the elites' group.

"Let me guess, you want to avenge your loss?"

"It is as you say."

Hearing Yukti and Faze's exchange, the other elites expressed their different reactions.

"WHAT!? You're my rival and yet you lose to this...this nobody!? Shame on you!" Liz said as she grabbed Faze's collar.

"So the reason why we're here is to get your pride back? Aren't you a little selfish now, Faze?" said Veil while scratching her head.

However, the most notable opinion came from Katrina, who got her focus on Yukti instead of Faze. She points her finger at him and exclaimed her words with a flustered expression.

"I-it's him! The one with the stench of death!"

Th others were alarmed after hearing her remark, save for five people who already knew Yukti. The atmosphere became tense, and the six elites unleashed their weapons.

"Tch, Faze... I'll get you after I pummel this guy! [Ice Sword], heed my call!"

"How did he enter this place!? Manifest, [Lightning Spear]!"

"This is one dangerous individual then! Come forth, [Blazing Hammer]!"

"I hate to agree with you Dom, but indeed he is. I call upon you, [Elemental Wand]!"

"[Tome of Hex]!"

"If Katrina says so, I shall restrain this person. [Whip of Divinity]!"

The five followed suit. And their gazes are same as the others. All of their senses are sharpened.

Everything is set.

And yet Yukti, seems pretty calm while facing a good example of quality and quantity merged into one.

"Now, how should 'I' hold back?" says Yukti while looking at them pitifully.

That statement alone boiled his opponents and the enraged elites initate a battle against an experienced individual.

•••

"So with that, I hope everything is settled."

"Thank you very much, chairperson!"

Rose Crimson and the comedian Andrew have finished their discussion and the entertainer got an exclusive contract for the upcoming Crimson Station.

"Hmm? What's this feeling?"

"Oh? Did you feel it too, Andrew?"

"Y-yes. It's coming, from that place", Andrew said as he stared at the dome.

Rose rubbed her chin with her fingers and thought about it.

She detected eleven rune cards being activated in the dome. Most of them are elemental and were powerful enough for a student. She then smirked and talked to Andrew.

"Come with me for a moment. Let's see what those guys are up to."

"W-would that be alright?"

"Yeah, don't worry. I also need you to familiarize the place too, so it's hitting two birds with one stone. You're pretty curious as well, aren't you?"

"Ah, well... Yes, I suppose I do, chairperson."

"Very well! Let's go!"

Rose might be delivering her words in a jolly tone, but she's a bit shaken upon knowing that they're going to face ofd against an individual they can't hold a candle with.

"Please Yukti. Don't ever make me worried about my students again. However, I am grateful to you for sharing what you know but please... practice some restraint", she mumbles as she used her [Teleport] rune card and transferred to their destination.