Title: Reverse Draw – Chosen by the Black Vault
The very next day, Arven and Kael received summons from the Royal Council. The events of the banquet had spread across the kingdom. Rumors flew like birds — that a boy with a Black Vault reversed twenty nobles' magic in one breath. Some feared him. Some admired him. All were curious.
Instead of punishment, the Royal Council had sent them both to the Card Academy, the most elite training ground for future Card Masters and royal defenders. There, Arven would learn to control his power — and survive.
The academy gates were enormous, built from obsidian stone and glowing runes. As Arven stepped through them, a strange feeling ran down his spine.
Students filled the grounds — some practicing summoning, some dueling, others studying vault magic theory. Kael quickly joined a group of top-ranked students, but Arven wandered alone, eyes wide with wonder.
Then, he crashed headfirst into someone.
"Ow!" Arven rubbed his head.
"Watch it, dumbo!" said a girl with bright green hair tied in twin buns. She wore goggles and had grease on her sleeves. "You almost made me drop my card scanner!"
"Card scanner?" Arven blinked.
She looked him over. "Wait... YOU'RE the Black Vault guy?! That's insane! I'm Lyra, inventor genius. I build custom cards. You ever need a trap card with auto-tracking spell reflection? Call me."
Before Arven could respond, another boy walked over. He was tall, quiet, with a scar over one eye and a wind-themed cloak.
"That guy reversed a full-scale barrage?" he muttered. "Interesting."
"I'm Rei, wind class summoner. Don't make me regret introducing myself."
Arven scratched his head. "Uh, I'm Arven. Nice to meet you?"
Lyra laughed. "You're weird, I like you. Come on, the cafeteria serves exploding pies today."
For the first time, Arven felt something new.
Friends.
But as they headed to lunch, shadows stirred above the Academy. In a hidden tower, a masked figure watched a black crystal swirl with smoke.
"So… the Black Vault has returned," he whispered. "Let's see if he survives what's coming next."
---to be continued....