Although Kairo couldn't accept the result, he had no way to deny it. He couldn't prove Rellion's words, and it was their voice against that of the whole crowd. There was nothing to be done. A resigned sigh echoed in his mind.
"It's fine, Kairo. It's not over for me yet. You saw it yourself. My aura is there, and no one will prevent me from using card magic," Rellion said in Magnus' direction.
"What makes reality hard to accept is denial. Continue on that path and the only thing you will get is more suffering for yourself and those around you," Magnus was unyielding, like a monarch imparting his wisdom. The stare between Magnus and Rellion was electric, as if their auras would start going wild at any moment.
"I'm sorry, Rellion," Kairo said before descending the platform.
"Don't worry about me. Just keep going, Kairo. I'll wait just around the corner with our prepared snacks. We'll use them to celebrate your success," Rellion forced a smile before descending in his turn, patiently waiting in the corner for Kairo.
Time ticked by slowly; one candidate after the other went, most of whom activated no more than a single card—causing Jed to shine even more. Finally, it was Kairo's turn, and once more all the stares returned his way.
Kairo glanced back and forth as he stepped onto the platform, his heart strangely calm, like the gentle waves flowing on the shore. The earlier excitement with the machine was gone, as if he were questioning everything around him—everything that had happened here.
Kairo was so lost in thought he hadn't noticed the expressions of others. Mouths agape, they stared nervously at him. Shaken, Kairo jumped out of his thoughts and drank in the scene in the sky. His face flashed with uncertainty.
"Is this my aura?" he asked, his voice dripping with shock. In the sky, there was a dazzling white wave—so soothing it seemed to reflect Kairo's state. The waves looked like fine threads of perfectly woven silk, forming an interconnected halo of lines like particles of light connecting to each other.
There was no aggressiveness in the aura—nothing wild like the previous candidates—more like the unmatched calmness of truth itself. Kairo found the scene fascinating, eyes blinking in awe. But as he stared, the scenery changed again.
Exactly like Rellion, three cards descended from the ceiling, spiraling next to each other like they were born a trio. The process was lightning fast. The white line moved with unmatched precision, drawing beautiful arcs in the sky before landing onto the holders.
Kairo's eyes stared intensely at the three cards now in his shaking hands. He had done it—Kairo had achieved the maximum limit.
"Impossible!" Jed's voice broke the silence, his eyes almost floating out of their orbits. With a staggering voice, he blabbered senseless words stuck in his throat.
"Wonderful, Kairo. You are indeed worthy of your father. I'm looking forward to your future accomplishments," the Chancellor spoke with enthusiasm.
"Great, Kairo. You did a good job."
"Congratulations, Mr. Magnus. You have a terrific son."
One after another, praises rained his way. Kairo finally flashed a smile—not from all their words, but from what he had just accomplished. He was dying to understand the cards he had in hand, but right now wasn't the best moment for that.
Kairo descended from the platform, joining his father and best friend. Rellion's eyes were beaming with pride. Despite the dried tears in them, he said, "As expected of you, Kai. Now you're on your way to realize your dream."
Kairo's heart twitched a little. This wasn't just his, but their dream. However, right now probably wasn't the best time to talk about it.
"Rellion, there is probably something that can be done. I promise I'll do everything I can to help you," Kairo vowed.
''I definitely know about that. You're too sentimental, Kairo. That's why I forbid you from doing anything and spoiling your career. Promise me you wouldn't try something stupid,'' Rellion urged. In his deep eyes, Kairo saw the familiar burning fire. He too had not given up. ''Okay, promised I wouldn't do anything harsh. But I can bet my last card something was off for your turn,'' Kairo said. ''Might be.'' Rellion shook his shoulder, his gaze dancing for the last time at Jed before they exited the hall.
Kairo played with his fingers, eager to test out his cards with his best friend. ''Kairo, this way.'' Unfortunately, his father's voice drew him away. Frowning deeply, Kairo was dragged into the sea of people around his father, all eager to learn about his card and ask about him.
''I have a friend in the Reeper team. If you don't mind, I could recommend Kairo there. What do you think, Magnus?''
''You know about Fabian from the espionage team. He is the most skilled hunter of his age. Kairo could learn quite a lot with him. Don't you think, Magnus?''
One after another, the proposals fell like waves. Kairo's head started spinning from all the noise and chatter around him. An annoyed stare plastered on his face.
''They are discoursing about me like I was some sort of tool. The fools. I am going to the police department, you can all waste your time. Father hates Fabian, there is no way I'm going there. As for the Reeper team...'' Kairo slowed a little in his thoughts. These people were reputable for...
''Kairo, let's leave,'' his father said, stepping forward. The crowd split like the clouds before the winds, leaving him the way. Kairo smiled, amused by the scene. His father commanded so much respect it felt absurd sometimes. Some said he was so popular because of one of his special cards — The Flares of Victory.
Unknown to Kairo, Rellion had been stuck behind, blocked by the sea of people, creating an impenetrable wall between him and Kairo. In his eyes there was nothing more than joy for his friend, but deep within that smile, usually said to be villainous, something gleamed. Perhaps a speck of envy, or might be pride...
Few minutes later, Kairo and his father exited the building once more.
''Rellion shouldn't be far behind, let's wait for him,'' he said to his father.
''Today I am the one offering. You can take everything you want from your favourite places. You have worked hard enough. Rellion can come too if he wants,'' Magnus said, his voice a tinge softer than usual. Clearly he was beaming with pride within.
Kairo smiled, excited, waving at Rellion from afar to join them.
''Sorry, Mr. Magnus, but I guess I will be going back now. Think about my options on how to accomplish my dream,'' Rellion said.
''Then I guess we will be going back too. Might be next time, Father. We will all leave together,'' Kairo too declined the invitation. Everything that had happened had taken a great toll on them.
''Whatever you say. Don't push yourself too hard. You will never become a Card Mage officer. It was probably the best thing for you,'' Magnus spoke with sincerity — nothing haughty nor insulting. But his words were knife-sharp to Rellion.
''This system is rigged. I know there was something wrong with that machine. And you know it too, Mr. Magnus. If things don't change, one day we will all suffer from it. It has ripped so many dreams... but never will it take mine. Never,'' Rellion spoke with so much faith, his hands had already balled into fists.
''The system might not be the only problem, might be the people within is— Rellion, wait for me—'' Before Kairo could finish his words, Rellion waved, disappearing into the crowd.
The day had been long, and the journey home was as silent as always. Kairo observed silently the houses flashing through the windows. The villa was located in one of the most wealthy parts of the city — Card Paradise.
The impressive houses and massive buildings towered into the sky. The roads ghost-quiet, as just the most luxurious BM cars drove the way. Kairo's house was located on a little hill. Once inside, Kairo left immediately.
''I will be taking a look at my cards in my room,'' he said to his father.
''You're dying of impatience to learn more. Good—this curiosity about cards will be helpful when you start facing things that make your mind run backward. Go now,'' Magnus waved nonchalantly and left for his office.