"Four cards totaling 8 or less to activate a special rule? Although changing the total to 21 is quite powerful, can this really be used?"
Little Mr. Wood beside him asked, while Viscount Gra smiled and displayed his four cards. Aside from the special Sun 1 card, the other three were Moon 3, Moon 1, and Flower 3, totaling exactly 8.
"A total of 8 across four cards has even lower odds than a total of 21 across four cards."
Shade did not mind losing the first round. He showed his total of 18, while Herman Wood also had 18. Thus, neither of them scored in the first round of the first game, while Viscount Gra gained 2 points.
"To be honest, I never expected to draw a special card in the first round and actually be able to use it. I have had this card for two years, and this is only the second time its effect could be activated."
The Viscount said with a smile. The three continued drawing cards, and this time all stopped after the third card. Shade flipped over his hole card and showed it to Miss Belinder. As she smiled, he announced:
"Moon 7, Flower Seven, Sun 7. Twenty-one points."
Herman Wood and Viscount Gra both tossed their cards onto the table. Losing under such circumstances was only natural.
Thus, the first game reached its final round. From the very beginning, all three became tense. Shade glanced at his hand, then lifted his hole card for another look. Only after confirming it was neither a king nor a Queen did he continue drawing.
Unexpectedly, the other two at the table both stopped after their second cards. That was hardly normal:
"Did you draw a king or Queen?"
Shade teased while probing them. Viscount Gra