Chapter 62: Mezzanine

Alephs lips quivered from emotion as she stared at Tom with even higher shock than she had exhibited at his fast progress. It appeared as if her total physique was locked in place, her arms the one half that expressed movement within the type of a delicate quivering.

You, Her voice cracked, the pleased go fortunate facade she at all times maintained when she was with Tom cracking with it. …that isn’t a declare you’re allowed to make frivolously, she caught herself after which stared within the depths of Toms eyes, as if making an attempt to discern the veracity of his phrases.

There was a touch of warning in Alephs phrases, a stark juxtaposition to the primary time she had informed him of the inheritance. Her phrases again then had been spoken jovially and freely and though Tom hadnt acknowledged it again then, the trace of self-deprecation she cloaked together with her cheerful persona.

From Alephs response, Tom was fairly sure that she had by no means meant, or extra precisely, by no means thought it will be doable for her to unlock her familys inheritance.

Im not, Tom squarely met Alephs gaze and held it for just a few uncomfortable moments earlier than persevering with, Sick let you know how, however earlier than that, can I present you one thing?

Aleph appeared hesitant however she finally nodded in affirmative.

Slowly, Tom opened his clenched Revenant Claw, revealing the solitary card that was nestled within the palm of his arms.

Tom made no sudden actions as he plucked the cardboard along with his free hand, pinching it along with his thumb and index finger earlier than he raised it, back-first, in the direction of Aleph.

Alephs gaze was affixed to the raised card, the warning in her gaze fading at Toms willingness to brazenly expose a robust card.

Droplets of blood slid down the playing cards again, slowly slicking downwards in the direction of the playing cards backside periphery. An overview of the human coronary heart lay nestled within the heart, painted in neat strokes of purple. The blood droplets prevented the center define on their descent, but earlier than they might slide off the underside edge, a change occurred.

Within the blink of a watch, all of the blood droplets had been pulled inwards and the center define begun to glow a radiant gold.

Earlier than Aleph may look at the cardboard any additional, the method reset and as soon as once more, droplets of blood slicked down the playing cards floor.

Its high quality jade inexperienced border, nonetheless, informed her what she wanted to know.

Is that.. your Soul Card? Aleph mused aloud, solely to instantly shake her head after. No, that doesnt really feel like a Soul Card.

Tom raised an eyebrow at that.

Can you’re feeling soul playing cards? he requested.

No, not precisely, Aleph replied, giving him an odd look. It’s nonetheless part of your soul, so you possibly can really feel a way of, nicely, rejection I suppose, once you gaze upon anothers. Only a few individuals are silly sufficient to drag their Soul Playing cards out of their chest, as a result of whereas others cant use it so long as you’re alive, that wont cease you from dropping *all* your stats together with the flexibility to wield playing cards.

Nicely, youre proper. It isnt my soul card, Tom replied, letting the implication dangle within the air.

Dont inform me, Aleph gazed at Tom in what he may solely describe as sheer wonderment.

Yep, He supplied her a cheeky nod. Received it from the assassin-boss that nearly took my head off.

You haven’t any thought how impossibly onerous it’s to get an unusual card from this sector, Alephs tone virtually sounded aggrieved, earlier than she caught herself, Then once more, inconceivable issues appear to occur rather a lot round you.

Have you ever ever stolen someones Deck Playing cards with out killing them? Aleph requested, her voice devoid of any judgement.

I’ve, Tom replied.

Proper. Zakerans lot, Aleph nodded because the reminiscence got here to her. Nicely then, you understand that they reset to Stage 1 once you take them away out of your opponents Deck.

Tom nodded.

Did you ever ask your self why? She requested.

Not likely, I used to be too busy making an attempt to not die again then.

Authority, Aleph merely replied, as if that defined something.

Clarify.

Whenever you take playing cards from one other particular person, there’s a switch of authority. The Deck Card is keyed into its earlier house owners authority and when it finds a mis-match, which is when the brand new proprietor tries so as to add it to his deck, all of the collected expertise flows again to the System. That’s the reason it is best to by no means, ever, permit one other particular person to put arms in your Deck. Although for increased ranked playing cards, the switch of authority takes considerably longer.

Toms heartbeat accelerated somewhat, thrilled on the very precious data Aleph was providing.

I nonetheless dont see the correlation, although.

Everyone seems to be born with a Soul Card. The Commoners suppose that their Soul Card represents their standing in life and solely these of Noble Blood can ascend to a better Soul Card. That may be a lie.

Toms expression turned severe.

Why?

As a result of its not that troublesome to change to a better ranked Soul Card. And if the widespread individuals knew that

They’d rip the playing cards proper out of the Nobles hearts as an alternative of enjoying second fiddle? Tom supplied an informed guess, drawing from his high-school historical past classes.

Aleph winced, however nodded.

Severing the connection together with your Soul Card is extraordinarily painful. To not the bodily physique however.. one thing extra intimate. Meta-physical. But when I informed you to try this, you’ll by no means comply with it as a result of it will imply dropping all of your acquired stats, leaving you with nothing to defend your self.

Tom nodded vigorously.

However what if you happen to didnt must lose every part? Playing cards give us powers and statistics, however they’re much greater than that. The upper ranked Soul Card you soak up will heal the harm to your soul. And also you wont be weak, as a result of there was by no means any switch of authority. On a regular basis you spent leveling your Soul Card wont go to waste since you didnt lose it and also you werent killed.

No manner, Tom exclaimed in each alarm and wonderment. The upper ranked Soul Card’s SP will permit you to soak up your former Soul Card as a Deck Card.