Innate Soul Card

The [Soul Card Box] was an ability that everyone in this world had, it was an ability born from everyone's innate soul card. For example, Eric's innate soul card was:

[Name - Frederick Leonheart

Card Apprentice Grade - 1(7%)

Attribute/s - None

Species Ability -

(Soul Card Box) - Connect and store soul cards, which prevents anything from damaging the stored soul cards. Even when the stored soul cards are conjured in reality, the soul card box will still prevent all damage. For each card apprentice grade, gain 10 slots of card storage.

Innate Talent -

(Infinite Card Strengthening) - able to view the strengthening options of a selected soul card. If the selected soul card is a card that was made by you, view all viable options. All cards start at 60 or higher compatibility with you.]

'Time to strengthen my soul cards…'

However, just as he was about to start, he heard someone cough. The excitement in Eric's eyes instantly faded away.

"Good afternoon sir, how may I help you?"

Eric glanced at the distinguished gentleman in front of him, scanning his features from head to toe as a wave of familiarity hit him.

He was a middle-aged man with a tall stature and a stoic face, which when paired with his long golden hair and deep hazel eyes would strike anyone as handsome.

He looked unfamiliar, yet Eric had a nagging feeling that he knew the person.

"Good afternoon to you too, and I'm sorry for disturbing your practice. You must be the new apprentice I've been hearing about. Grandfather has been talking about you since last week. Speaking of which, have you seen him? I've been looking for him, however I can't seem to find him at home."

Gears turned inside Eric's head as he was loading the information that he had just gotten. However, it seemed to have short-circuited as he almost inaudibly asked, "Pardon?"

Ah!

"I mean, ye—I mean, no. Ol—cough, master didn't tell me where he went".

Eric broke out into cold sweat.

'How could I have forgotten the face of dean Krimson? Well, I know I only saw him once and it was at the entrance ceremony a while back but it was still quite recent. How…',

Countless thoughts erupted in Eric's mind. To seemingly disrupt this, dean Krimson spoke.

"How unfortunate…"

Just as Eric thought that the dean was about to leave, he saw the curious eyes of the latter.

"Since I'm here already, I'd like to see if you really have that amazing talent he told me you had. May I see the set of soul cards in your hands?"

And just like that, Eric and the dean sat together for a while.

"For your first time, these soul cards are indeed decent. I'm guessing you made this [Spirit Glasses(Sealed)] card first as a general-use card, and does not count as a part of this card series correct?"

Eric agreed. Indeed if he were to sell this card series in the future, he would not include the [Spirit Glasses(Sealed)] card. After all, it was made for auxiliary use outside of battle. However, he may make a [Card Maker] series in the future.

The dean continued, "In that case, your first card should've been this [Ashley The Orphan] correct?"

"In that case, the next card should be [Frostfang] and then…"

The dean narrated the order in which Eric made the card series. Then, he finally evaluated it as a proper professional card maker.

"In terms of concept, this card series indeed great. Using a blend of ice and fire in order to fend off cards that tries to counter one or the other. However, why didn't you go to the extreme path and just go with ice and water or ice and wind attributes?"

Hearing this question, Eric somewhat felt anxious but his confidence in his first card series gave him strength.

"While it is true that this option is indeed feasible, in my opinion this would also be quite bad. In fact, it might even be more disadvantageous. After all, the common way is to go to the extreme like you said which will lead me to be be unable to fight back if my opponent's series of cards were to be of my weakness. That, and an opposing element in the same card series will lead me to even greater heights as that would mean that I could counter more card masters…"

Eric went on to rant about why he chose this concept, although he knew that the dean was just testing him. After all, the dean was well-versed in card making and such a concept was not new to him. The dean simply wanted to check if his grandfather really found a talent.

"Not bad, that's indeed the main reason why the opposing elements concept is also part of the mainstream."

After congratulating him and giving advice related to the said concept, the dean left with a satisfied smile.

Whew!

Eric glanced at the fading figure of the dean and couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

'That was really nerve-wracking, I've only been here for a week but I already have to prove my worth…'

Then, an excited smile appeared on his face. Eric had long known that someone was observing him. I'm afraid, card makers would be very suspicious of everything in the world if they were left completely unaware of their surroundings in reality.

'I can finally focus on the matter at hand…'