Dekan's Repayment

"As for the other Special-Grade makers, although the timing of when they reached Special-Grade varies, it is truly rare to reach that level before the Fifth Rank."

Leren couldn't help but sigh.

Dekan: "Shouldn't it be harder to craft Epic-quality cards the higher the rank of the magic card?"

Leren: "That is correct. But the higher the rank, the harder it is to improve one's own tier. You might only stay at the Third Rank for a brief year, but you could remain at the Seventh Rank for decades."

Dekan nodded.

Leveling is fast in the early stages, so technical skill doesn't necessarily keep pace with one's rank.

In the later stages, when leveling stalls, one gradually relies on the accumulation of knowledge over time.

Of course, this all applies to talented Card Makers.

Without talent, one might not even be able to craft a Purple-quality card in their entire life.

For the next hour, Leren answered Dekan's questions.

Dekan also gained a significant understanding of Special-Grade Card Makers and the high-level structure of the Association.

Once Dekan passes the review and becomes an official Special-Grade Card Maker.

At that time, the Card Maker Association will not charge Dekan any service fees or processing fees, and he will be granted a fixed, large quota of all basic materials every year.

Furthermore, when purchasing high-rarity materials, Dekan will receive a substantial guarantee from the Association.

In other words, he can buy on credit!

Additionally, Dekan will be eligible to audit Special-Grade meetings.

The status of a Special-Grade Card Maker is equivalent to the highest echelon of the Card Maker Association.

However, one needs to be at least a Sixth-Rank Special-Grade to have voting rights.

Of course, there are also some miscellaneous, highly prestigious privileges.

"By the way, President, could you keep an eye out for Sixth-Rank or higher Epic-grade Demon-type materials for me?"

Dekan felt the conversation had reached a natural point and remembered there was one more important thing he came to the Card Maker Association for today.

He had originally intended to just register a purchase request.

But now it seemed he might be able to ask President Leren to help him with quite a bit.

"What do you need such materials for?"

President Leren asked with some confusion.

Even he, a Seventh-Rank Card Maker, finds it difficult to handle Sixth-Rank Epic materials.

"I have a concept for a super powerful card that I will craft in the future."

"Very well, I will post a purchase request in my own name for you. If something suitable comes up, do you need me to buy it on your behalf?"

Leren was still very considerate of Dekan.

After all, if Dekan were to post a request for Sixth-Rank Epic Demon-type materials under his own name, it would likely attract the attention of others.

It might even draw the notice of inspectors from headquarters.

"No, President, I don't have that much money right now. I'm afraid I can only offer this Third-Rank [Blood Purification] for trade."

"...Uh, generally speaking, a Third-Rank Epic card is not enough to trade for Sixth-Rank Epic materials. However, considering the unique nature of your card, someone might be willing to trade. If I can find a suitable trading partner, I will facilitate a meeting for you two to discuss it."

"Thank you, President!"

Setting aside whether the card [Blood Purification] is truly strong or not.

Its high versatility would make it an object of scramble; no matter the class, anyone could slot one into their deck.

Sometimes, it might even produce miraculous effects.

I'm afraid that if Dekan were to walk out of the Association normally right now, he would be surrounded by a crowd of merchants and big shots begging to buy this card from him.

Could this card be sold?

The answer is, of course, yes.

It's just that Dekan doesn't intend to sell it right now. For a Third-Rank like him, this card still has quite a lot of utility.

Once he reaches the Fifth or Sixth Rank, he can take this card to sell for money.

It just so happens that by then, he should be preparing to start repairing [Master].

Thinking about it carefully, for the sake of Master, he could be said to have exhausted his entire fortune.

Not only does the money he earned in the past have to be poured into it, but who knows how much of the money he earns in the future will have to be sunk into it as well.

Everything is just to repay a debt of gratitude.

What a truly moving bond between teacher and student.

He could have used this money to craft who knows how many girl-cards.

Oh? Master is also a girl-card, so that's fine then.

"What are you thinking about?"

Suddenly, a thought echoed within Dekan's mind, sending a chill down his spine.

Dekan pretended he hadn't heard anything and continued to chat and laugh with President Leren.

A brief silence settled in Dekan's heart.

It seemed his Master had temporarily fallen silent.

At that moment, Dekan's pupils suddenly showed signs of changing color.

He hurriedly covered his eyes.

Leren: "Dekan?"

Dekan: "It's nothing, I just got some dust in my eye. I'll just rub it out."

Then, Dekan hurriedly shouted in his mind: "Master! Let's talk this out, don't try to take over my body! I was just distracted and didn't notice you calling me!"

"You seem quite confident lately, don't you?"

"Not at all, it's all thanks to your excellent teaching."

"Is that truly what you think in your heart?"

The Master's voice was filled with disdain.

She had likely already read through Dekan's perfunctory meaning.

"...I suspect you haven't been sleeping at all, and have been eavesdropping on my inner thoughts every single day."

Since he couldn't hide it, Dekan stopped pretending.

His wings had already hardened a bit; it was time to talk back to his Master.

How could he be suppressed by her for his entire life?

"I am not as bored as a human."

The Master's voice remained cold and detached.

"Then tell me, what was I just thinking? Otherwise, I suspect you're fishing for information again."

Dekan's tone was quite provocative.

"...So I am a 'waifu card,' am I? Heh, your courage is truly growing larger by the day."

After years of interacting with Dekan, the Master had also learned many of Dekan's unique vocabulary.

"..."

Oh no, she really heard that.

However, Dekan had no intention of repenting: "As the saying goes, as long as you're bold enough, the teacher..."

"Continue?"

The Master's voice grew slightly colder.

Dekan felt the ominous sign that control over his body was being invaded once again.

"Teacher, rest... assured! My filial piety might go bankrupt, but it will never spoil!"

Dekan made his guarantee.

"..."

The Master judged for a moment and found that Dekan's words were sincere.

It seemed he truly had no intention of committing an act of insubordination.

Master: "I am going back to sleep. Do not wake me up again."

Dekan: "Understood." (Understood my foot, you're the one eavesdropping on my inner thoughts.)

Master: "?"

Dekan: "(✿＞◡❛)"

Only after confirming that his Master had fallen asleep did Dekan dare to breathe easily.

This old... teacher is truly difficult to coax.

"Dekan, are you feeling better?"

President Leren handed a handkerchief to Dekan.

"I'm fine, thank you."

Dekan blinked hard, seemingly having finally recovered.

"Studying hard is a good thing, but you must also take care of your eyes."

"Understood."

"I won't take up any more of your time. We will follow up on the review for the Special-Grade Card Creator and notify you."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Leren saw Dekan out of the office, escorting him all the way to the special exit of the Card Maker Association.

Dekan bid farewell to Leren with great delight.

Inside the Card Maker Association, he had a fleeting sensation of having become a big shot.

It was a feeling he had only ever experienced back at the Demon Academy.