January 1st, New Year's Day.
9:05 p.m.
Jiuyou Academy, student residence, men's dormitory, Room 403.
The desk was piled with snacks and treats like popcorn chicken, crisscut fries, French fries, and cream puffs, along with a variety of drinks including Green Bee and Amber Light. Besides that, the ceiling was hung with garlands and streamers the elves had hastily put together, interspersed with several colorful balloons painted with funny faces.
All the members of the Sin Absolution Knight Order, including the rarely seen little monk Shi Yuan, had gathered in this not particularly spacious room, passionately discussing something.
There was only one topic: the Arcana list announced tonight.
Or, more specifically, the impact the new Arcana list would have on the Sin Absolution Knight Order.
"I have an absolutely reliable source," Fatty Xin declared. As a reporter for the school paper, he had obtained the news firsthand and became the host of tonight's meeting.
He held a small flowerpot in one hand, the Trumpet Flower inside wildly bobbing its head under the spray of his saliva.
With his other hand, he waved a rolled-up copy of the school paper. Looking proudly around the room, he raised his voice slightly. "This year, a total of twenty-two people have withdrawn from the 2008 Arcana list: two from the Great Arcana and twenty from the Minor Arcana... In other words, twenty-two new Arcana have been selected as well."
Everyone stared silently at the fat man, their eyes gleaming with joy and excitement.
Before the meeting began, everyone had vaguely heard some news, but nothing had been confirmed.
"Among them!" Fatty Xin swung the arm holding the rolled-up newspaper down hard and shouted, "Our Sin Absolution Knight Order has four of those twenty-two slots!"
"Hooray!"
The dormitory erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers, so