Title: Reverse Draw – Chosen by the Black Vault
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The Academy of Vaults pulsed with energy. After only two days, Arven was already the center of attention — whether he liked it or not. Some students admired him. Others whispered behind his back. Many feared his Reverse Cards.
But one thing was clear: the instructors wanted to test him.
On the fourth morning, an announcement was made. "All first-year recruits must attend a combat assessment in the Practice Arena. Vaults ready. Cards drawn."
The arena was a massive stone ring, surrounded by rows of students. High above sat the instructors, watching every move. Arven stood awkwardly on the battlefield, next to Lyra and Rei.
"Why do I feel like a chicken in front of hungry hawks?" Arven muttered.
"Because you are," Lyra replied, strapping on a custom gauntlet full of tinkering gadgets. "Except this chicken has reverse lasers."
Rei narrowed his eyes. "Something's off today. The instructors look tense."
Suddenly, one of the top senior students dropped into the arena from above. He wore a crimson robe, lined with fire emblems. His Vault hovered beside him — glowing bright red.
"That's Varn," Lyra whispered. "Rank 5. Fire-class duelist. He burned down three trees in last year's test."
"Instructors must want to see what your Black Vault can do," Rei added.
Varn smirked. "So this is the famous poor kid with the spooky reverse cards?"
Arven frowned. "Do we really have to fight?"
Varn summoned his first card. A towering flame beast roared to life behind him, eyes blazing.
"Begin!" shouted the referee.
Varn didn't hesitate. "Flame Titan – Scorch Spiral!"
The beast launched a pillar of molten fire toward Arven.
He raised a black card.
Mirror Shield – Reverse Card!
The fire spiraled backward — even hotter, even faster — straight into Varn's own Titan. It exploded in a flash of smoke.
Gasps filled the arena.
Varn growled. "That's it! No more games!" He drew two cards at once.
Infernal Wall – formed a massive burning cage around Arven. Blazing Spear – a projectile spell aimed for Arven's chest.
But Arven didn't panic.
A new Reverse Card pulsed in his hand.
Card Name: Phase Rebounder – Reverse Card Effect: Reflects attacks through space, bending time to return from blind spots.
The spear disappeared… and reappeared behind Varn — hitting him in the back at triple force.
BOOM!
Varn dropped to his knees, coughing. His fire cards faded. The crowd was dead silent.
Instructor Bellos stood up slowly. "The Black Vault has… terrifying potential."
As Arven left the arena, a tall figure blocked his path.
A girl with icy blue hair and violet eyes.
"You don't belong here," she said coldly. "Your power doesn't make you a king. It makes you a target."
"Who are you?" Arven asked.
"Selene of the Moon Vault," she replied. "Try not to get in my way."
She turned and walked off.
Lyra appeared beside him. "Oh great. Now you've annoyed her too. She's ranked top of the year."
Rei raised a brow. "Your journey to become King of Cards just got harder."
Arven smiled anyway. "Good. Because I'm not here to take the easy path."
Above the arena, the masked villain watched through a crystal orb.
"So… he survived the first test. Let's see how he handles the next one."
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To be continued....