Card Apprentice Daily Log

Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Five Regions, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City

“A hundred years?” Dyke blurted in astonishment.

For someone who had already lived for several centuries and possessed enough lifespan to survive several more, a century wasn’t particularly long. That wasn’t what shocked him. The problem was what that century represented.

He had assumed he could earn an Unranked Grimoire by exchanging his services, creating a few, perhaps several dozen, custom cards for the New Empire. A difficult task, certainly. But manageable. He hadn’t expected to spend an entire century creating cards for the New Empire. That wasn’t an employment contract in his mind. That was practically indentured servitude.

Dyke wasn’t being presumptuous about the offer. He knew exactly where he stood. Aside from his talent in Card Creation, he wasn’t particularly exceptional compared to veteran Card Demigods. In terms of combat prowess, experience, and many other aspects of cultivation, he might even be weaker than some of them.

But Card Creation was different. That was the field where his talent had allowed him to reach the very limits of the Card World. And the False Ruler clearly understood that. Which meant Dyke had little doubt about what kind of work would be waiting for him if he accepted a century-long contract.

The New Empire wouldn’t simply ask him to make a few cards here and there. They would squeeze every drop of value out of his expertise: Research, Soul Crafting, Card Creation, Training younger Card Creationists, Developing new card recipes, and perhaps even experimenting with things he hadn’t considered before.

A hundred years of that? Dyke’s face twitched. But when he weighed the century of servitude against the Unranked Grimoire, he still felt it was worth it. Especially, considering the fact he would own a Unranked Grimoire as soon as he agreed to it.

“What? You feel the price is too much for you? You can always leave after you serve your sentence for trespassing,” Lorn asked sternly, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She then turned toward her young ruler. “Your Highness, he’s too ignorant to recognize your generosity.”

Dyke’s eyes widened. For the first time, he realized that no matter which option he chose, he might not be leaving today. Refuse the duel challenge and walk away empty-handed after serving a sentence for trespassing. The situation was becoming increasingly absurd.

For a fleeting moment, Dyke considered using his Teleportation Rune to escape, retreat somewhere safe, and return later with a better strategy or the weight of others to take action.

Then he felt Lorn’s starry gaze settle on him. Knowing what those eyes were capable of, he abandoned the idea. He wasn’t yet desperate enough to test whether one of the strongest Card Apprentices in the Five Regions could stop his teleportation.

Dyke sighed internally before looking back at the False Ruler checking his other options, “Your Highness, what if I were to join the New Empire?”

Lorn’s starry eyes immediately brightened. That was unexpected. The very man who had rejected marriage proposals from the Five Royal Families and numerous powerful noble clans was now asking about joining the New Empire. This wasn’t much, but a part of her heart was proud that trusted her loyalty to the right person.

I considered Dyke’s question before answering, “It doesn’t change much. The only difference is that you would no longer be treated as an outsider. You would become a citizen of the New Empire, gain the rights and protections that come with that status, and have a legitimate voice in its governance.”

I paused watching as Dyke’s expression stiffened, before adding, “But if you want to redeem an Unranked Grimoire immediately, you still need to sign the hundred-year employment contract.”

Dyke’s expression went blank. So joining the New Empire didn’t get him out of the contract. It merely changed the scenery around his prison. Lorn, meanwhile, looked like she was having the time of her life.

“Your Majesty, as a citizen, how do I earn merits?” Dyke asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

He was beginning to suspect the False Ruler was deliberately making things difficult, presenting one obstacle after another until he had no choice but to accept the hundred-year contract.

Lorn answered before I could with her arms folded tightly in anger, “You earn merits by contributing to the New Empire. A regular citizen can earn merits through community-wellness programs, public service, volunteering, helping maintain their communities, and other activities that benefit the Empire. In simple terms, you earn merits by being a productive and responsible citizen.”

She glanced at Dyke noting his expression brightened slightly before continuing, “With your Card Creation skills, the Card Creationist Association would welcome you with open arms. You could contribute by creating cards, researching new techniques, mentoring younger Card Creationists, or helping develop the Empire’s card industry.”

“Of course, those methods are painfully slow for the amount of merits you require,” Lorn said, pouring water on the fire she sparked. Her eyes subtly shone, noticing Dyke’s expression immediately fell again, reminding him, “Don’t forget we are the first to put a price tag on something priceless as the Unranked Grimoire.”

Seeing he understood what she was implying, Lorn began again, “The fastest legitimate way to accumulate merits is to contribute directly to the Empire’s major operations. Outside the Empire, that means serving on the frontlines. Within the Empire, first responders and those who undertake dangerous missions receive some of the highest merit rewards.”

“But even then, it could take several decades for you to accumulate enough merits to redeem an Unranked Grimoire.”

“And that’s assuming everything goes smoothly. It could take even longer if you don’t participate in high-risk operations. Unless a war suddenly breaks out and you somehow survive while making extraordinary contributions, you’ll be waiting a very long time.”

“So, in simple terms, you’re not getting an Unranked Grimoire anytime soon.”

Lorn gave him a pointed look while his face twitched and shoulders sank slightly. Her contemptuous expression returned as she gestured toward me.

“Honestly, considering you don’t even have any particular interest in serving the New Empire, the fact that you have multiple legitimate paths toward earning one is already generous. And top it His Highness offered you an immediate solution. A hundred years of employment in exchange for an Unranked Grimoire right now. That’s an extremely generous offer. Yet somehow, you still rejected it.”

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