Anime Card System

"Do you know why Principal Shepherd fought so hard to get your class into that secret realm for training, even if it was just the most basic one?" Seeing Russell's lingering confusion, Jonathan Whitemore didn't answer his unspoken question directly, but instead posed a new one.

Russell had assumed it was all for the joint exam. "Wasn't it to prepare for the joint examination of the four schools in the Evergrove District?"

Jonathan laughed softly. "Yes, you're right. But that's only half the reason. The more important reason is to prepare for the secret realm you can enter after winning the joint examination."

Another secret realm? Russell thought. Is there something special about it?

As if reading his mind, Jonathan continued, "This second secret realm is just an ordinary bronze-level one. But for high school students like you, access to a bronze-level secret realm is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Russell scratched his head. Even so, the level of importance everyone was placing on it seemed excessive. Jonathan looked at the boy. If he hadn't saved his daughter, and if he hadn't shown such extraordinary talent, he never would have explained so much to a mere high school student.

"Once you enter that bronze-level secret realm," Jonathan said, his tone growing serious, "you'll have the opportunity to advance your own rank far ahead of your peers. You'll also have a significant advantage in the Riverview Province Unified Examination at the end of this year." Generally, most students were still at the Iron level when they graduated high school; only a select few from wealthy families or with exceptional talent reached the Bronze level before university.

"The Riverview Province Unified Examination?" Russell asked. He searched his memory but found nothing.

"That's right," Jonathan confirmed, no longer being cryptic. "It's a new system, started only this year. Students who perform well in the unified examination can be admitted to the top universities in the Federation in advance."

Russell finally understood. No wonder Jonathan had been so invested. Even if Nancy didn't win the joint exam, her father could still provide her with resources. But Russell wasn't so lucky. As an orphan, he had to fight for every single step forward.

A new question surfaced in his mind. Why was the unified examination only started this year? And in his memory, the Spirit Begging Society had never been so brazenly active before. Is something wrong with the Federation itself? He silently suppressed the doubts in his heart. Those were questions far too big for him to answer right now.

Seeing that Russell understood, Jonathan smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Keep it up, Russell. I'm optimistic about you." It wasn't just an empty compliment; he truly had high hopes for the boy. When he himself was at the Iron level, the best he had ever produced was a gold-quality card, and that had taken him more than half a year. Russell had gathered his materials yesterday and created a red-quality card today.

"Thank you, Uncle . I'll do my best," Russell replied, not letting the praise go to his head. He knew he was able to create Kaneki only by standing on the shoulders of giants. He would have to thank Kubo and Kishimoto in his heart for their future protection as well.

As they were talking, several Association vehicles with flashing red and blue lights arrived at the Happy Home Complex. A young man who was very familiar to Russell got out of the lead car. It was Zephyr Flynn, the junior from the New Metro University cardmaking department.

"Zephyr? What are you doing here?" Russell asked, surprised.

Zephyr looked at him for a few moments before recognizing him. "Oh, it's you, Russell." He sighed dramatically. "There's no way around it. The school arranged this internship for me." Most third and fourth-year students in the university's cardmaking department had to go out for internships. Zephyr would have much preferred to stay in his air-conditioned dorm room and play games.

Jonathan then spoke up. "Zephyr, it turns out you and Russell know each other. That makes things easier."

Zephyr only then noticed the high-ranking director standing next to Russell and was shocked. "Director Whitemore! What are you doing here?"

"Russell is a classmate of my daughter's," Jonathan said, smoothly reciting the cover story they had agreed upon. "I happened to be giving him a ride home today when we ran into some scum from the Spirit Begging Society."

Zephyr was stunned. He was sure the emergency call had said it was only Russell who was on the scene. He looked from Russell to Jonathan's smiling face and instantly understood. "Director Whitemore did a good job!" he said quickly, changing his tune. "Everyone has a duty to punish the scum of the Spirit Begging Society." Zephyr was lazy, not stupid. With a high-ranking director providing an endorsement, and as long as the dead were confirmed to be Society members, he wasn't about to dig any deeper into the matter.

After a moment, he asked tentatively, "Then, Director Whitemore, would it be convenient for you to come back with us and give a formal statement?"

Jonathan had come here for this very reason, so he certainly wouldn't refuse. He turned to Russell. "Russell, I'm afraid you can't live in this place anymore after the mess I've made. You had better find another place to live."

Russell understood his meaning. He was reminding him that even if he could fool the Association, with so many witnesses today, this apartment was no longer safe. He nodded slightly. "I understand, Uncle . I'll go find a new house later."

Seeing that Russell understood, Jonathan said no more and got into the back of Zephyr's car.

At this time, Russell hesitated, then asked, "Zephyr, I was wondering, how is Auntie May from next door?" Because neither he nor Jonathan had any healing cards, she had been lying on the ground until the Association's medical team had arrived.

"Don't worry," Zephyr said, seeing his concern. "Our people checked on her. She just has a few broken bones and fainted from the shock. Her life is not in danger."

Hearing that his neighbor wasn't seriously injured, Russell couldn't help but feel relieved. She had already suffered enough because of him.

"Well then, Russell, we'll be leaving first," Zephyr said, seeing that the scene had been handled. He gave a nod and led his team away. Generally, the Association would reimburse for any damages caused by illegal cardmakers like this, so Russell didn't have to worry about paying out of his own pocket.

Returning to his old and run-down home, Russell looked at the mess—the shattered door, the bloodstains—and sighed silently. He had only been in this world for about half a month, and he was already being targeted by a dangerous organization. He felt that his life was bleak.

However, the most urgent task right now was to find a new residence. He definitely could not live in the Happy Home Complex anymore.

(End of this chapter)

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