Through life we go, and like a river, it flows. Whether we flow with it or are drawn into it determines our reality…
The sound of the stereo boomed in the car, causing the teenager in the passenger seat to frown. With silver eyes and black hair, he appeared to be part of a card painting—the details of his face mimicking fine lines drawn by hand.
This was Kairo Veyne. And next to him was a slightly older figure—a rare copy of Kairo, but much more mature and stern. His face was so serious, Kairo wondered when was the last time he saw him smile. However, given the type of job he did, Kairo didn't find it strange.
'After Mother left, he changed quite a lot. Still more protective than a mother chicken, but never seems to express anything on his face,' Kairo said in his mind. His father was the last vestige of what family looked like for him. Seven years ago, their mother had left, never to return—shattering Kairo's fairy tale of the perfect family.
Although there had been no apparent problem, Kairo was certain something had gone wrong at some point. As he grew older, he even questioned whether he had been the cause of the separation. Sighing deeply, he leaned back in his chair. No matter the case, his father had always been there for him, and he was glad to be here. Although what awaited him might decide the entire course of his life.
"I'm not stressed. Not at all," he laughed at himself, hiding his slightly trembling hands.
"It is perfectly normal to be worried, Kairo. Don't be afraid to acknowledge things as they are. You are ready for this," Magnus Veyne said—his voice powerful but reassuring.
Kairo smiled. His father was too keen with such things. After all, he was part of the Card Mage Police, and Kairo was soon to be one of them. Straightening his shoulders, he added, "You're right. I can't fail. I've never failed in my entire life. With the level of training you gave me, it's a miracle I'm still alive."
Magnus's face blended with silence—neither a smirk nor a smile. Keeping his eyes on the wheel, he said, "Mediocrity isn't part of us. Always strive for the best, Kairo. Even if you don't reach the moon, you will at least see the stars."
As his words faded into the noise, the car finally parked in front of a magnificent gymnasium. As Kairo stepped out, he couldn't help but gasp in awe. The building was shaped like a card standing on its edge—tall and proud in the area. Its detailed edges reminded him of those fantastic items born only in fairy tales of magic and adventure.
"This building was designed with card magic in mind. A pure monument of our history. I wonder how they even achieved such a feat. If powerful winds were to crash here, wouldn't it be blown away?" Kairo asked in his mind, daring not to say it out loud. His father might actually force him into reading another encyclopedia—he was done with those for now. He didn't even want one near him.
Magnus glanced in his direction, his eyes wondering what Kairo had in mind. "Any problem?"
"Not at all," Kairo shook his head, a smile shining on his face like the powerful rays radiating from the sun.
Magnus, on his side, shook his head. As Kairo walked down the road to the building with his father, he noticed the venue was crowded with youths just like him—some alone, some walking in groups, and others with their families.
Among the groups was a man guiding another and explaining things while pointing with his finger.
"This building is older than all of us. Built by the very first people who discovered card magic— the great Archmage Donatelo. It has over seven thousand years of history and…"
Kairo, although curious, was more eager to meet his best friend. This was the reason he was actually scrutinizing the crowd. He couldn't care less about anything else. But as they moved, people stepped slightly to the side with a polite nod to his father.
This wasn't anything new to Kairo. After all, his father was the head of the Card Mage Police. Kairo's heart roared with pride walking beside his father. Although for now he was still just his shadow, he sincerely hoped to be like him one day. The road would be arduous, but he balled his fist. He was ready for that.
At the entrance waited a group of people dressed in flawless suits, reminiscent of extremely disciplined soldiers. Like automated machines, they guided the youths to different parts of the building.
"Good morning, Captain Magnus. This year, the youths are cracking open the deck. We don't even have enough volunteers to help here anymore," a figure approached with a smile. Despite his overly formal suit, his tone was way too casual.
"Good morning, Kairo. You've grown quite a few inches. There—can you still remember me? It's your good old Uncle Fabian," he glanced in Kairo's direction.
Kairo politely greeted him, although he had absolutely no clue who this man was.
"Nice to see you, Uncle Fabian," he said. But just as he was about to say more, his father simply brushed past the figure like he had never existed, his voice cold and methodical.
"This way, Kairo. Your selection room is in Room 7."
Kairo's eyes flashed back and forth as he gave a last look at Fabian, wondering what was wrong with his father today. Although he didn't smile a lot, he wasn't known to act like this.
"This guy probably pissed him off really badly. That's the only explanation," he murmured.
"It is always a pleasure to meet old partners. See you at the testing. I'm curious to see what cards this little version of you can get," Fabian's voice echoed as they moved in.
---
Within Testing Hall 7, Kairo joined the other youths. The hall was spacious, able to accommodate a hundred or so people. The youths waited at the forefront, eagerly chatting and discussing with each other.
Rows of perfectly lined seats waited to the side, their edges carved in subtle gold that shimmered like lost treasures in the room. Kairo left his father after receiving a meaningful glance.
Joining the rowdy crowd of youths, Kairo's eyes scanned through them with eagle-like precision, sniping out the position of his best friend in a matter of seconds.
"There you are. Hey, Rellion!" he called out.
Rellion was a lively young teenager, moving with vigorous steps that leaked his excitement for the upcoming event. His jawline was tightly arched in a disarming smile—the type to make his enemies think twice before they acted.
Rellion was always mocked for having a villain's face because of that smile, but he kept it all the time just to annoy everyone else.
"Are you ready to impress all of them, Kai? We got this down. I can't wait to become a Card Mage Police officer and start beating the crap out of criminals. Hihihihi... they'll suffer their punishment," Rellion spoke like he had already passed and everything here was just a formality.
Kairo smiled. This was his best friend.
"You're right, but Card Mage officers aren't all about beating criminals. We first use our card magic to help, protect, and maintain order. That's the motto written on our future badges."
"Yeah, you're probably right. But we do get the right to beat criminals," Rellion insisted.
Kairo shook his shoulder, unwilling to enter a mindless debate this time again.
"Repeating everything exactly like Daddy said. How are you, Kairo Veyne?" another smirk echoed from within the depths of the crowd.
Kairo and Rellion frowned, like their minds were connected. How could they not know? It was still that bastard—one of the Chancellor's sons.
"Leave my father out of this, Jed," Kairo groaned.
"Shut up, Jed. If you can't speak up directly, you better keep your long nose to yourself," Rellion wasn't that polite.
The crowd started laughing in muffled breaths, hiding from Jed's fury. His aura of wealth and prestige suddenly dwindled to nothing. Jed held his nose with a frustrated glare at them. It was slightly longer than average, giving his face a funny look. Kairo held back his laughter so as not to escalate things.
"You—let's just wait and see if any of you laughing even get a single card. By the time you see the difference between us, you'll understand your positions," Jed said, turning to the stage.
Before Kairo and the others could react, a figure arrived—his every step marking the hall with silence. A smile on his face, he said, "Welcome."
This was the Chancellor, and the event was about to start.