Simon had holed up in his shop since returning, completely unaware of the brewing storm outside—let alone that a bishop of the Luminous Order had even considered recruiting him.
Of course, it wasn’t that he ignored the world beyond his window. It was simply—
“Anyone! Please, save me!”
Yanking the curtain aside, Simon saw students pressed tightly against the glass, peering in. His sanity plummeted instantly.
He scrambled back upstairs, only exhaling after confirming Bread still lazily sprawled on the windowsill branch—unbreached, for now.
He *had* wanted fame as a Cardmaker… but this was overkill.
If Tidris were here, he might’ve steeled his nerves and let them in.
But Tidris had been summoned by the Academy today and couldn’t come, leaving him zero motivation to open the door.
Uh-oh.
Had he really been spoiled by Tidris?
Simon scratched his head in frustration.
Thankfully, the commotion wouldn’t last. The Duel Academy wouldn’t let students linger indefinitely, so he saw no need to shoo them off yet.
He closed the window, sat at his desk, then—remembering something—lifted the cage beside it.
Inside lay a bat: Anya, brought by Bread the previous night.
After the duel, a masked man from the Order had negotiated to take everyone and everything tied to the Demonology Sect. Simon hadn’t resisted, handing Schweil and Lei over without fuss.
But he’d firmly insisted on keeping the bat—Anya’s transformed form.
The masked man misinterpreted his resolve and even warned him about reproductive isolation between humans and vampires.
*Laughable.*
*That just makes it more convenient.*
(Though Simon was only indulging in idle thought—he genuinely had questions for the vampire lady. The score from the Dark Duel remained unsettled.)
Unfortunately, Anya seemed to have fainted the moment Bread bit her.
“Still not awake?”
Simon watched the bat for half an hour, even gently poking her.
No reaction. Utterly limp.
He was stuck.
*Could he really feed her blood?*
But Simon himself only accepted mana replenishment.
“Simon! Open the window! Eek! You bad cat!”
“Meow!”
Just as Simon turned away, a familiar girl’s voice rang out. Hearing her scuffle with Bread, he flung the window open—catching a blonde girl shielding her face as she leaped in. He recognized her and quickly let go.
“Sallya?”
She wore her white uniform with matching trousers, looking every bit a maid.
Bread hopped onto Simon’s shoulder, fur bristling, yowling indignantly.
Simon scooped the cat down and smoothed its fur. “Why climb through the window?”
“What choice did I have? The front door’s packed!” Sallya straightened her scratched clothes. “Is this your cat? It ambushed me the second I landed on the branch.”
“It was napping. *You* disturbed it.”
“Oh… sorry,” Sallya mumbled, awkwardly apologizing to the cat. Simon shot her a sidelong glance.
“When will you be this kind to *me*?”
“Annoying. A Goblin-deck user can’t compare to a cat.” Sallya turned her head away, sharp as ever.
Simon shook his head, set Bread down, and walked toward the door.
“Coffee or tea?”
“No time. Grandpa wants to treat you to a meal.”
Simon blinked. “Old Liszt? Why?”
“I… How would I know?” Sallya stammered, inwardly grumbling at her grandfather.
Surrounded by Duel Academy students—who’d instantly recognize their legendary senior Liszt—he’d had to arrange a discreet meeting. If only he’d just revealed his identity…
Unaware of their dilemma, Simon spread his hands. “Problem is, I can’t get out.”
“Try invoking the Cardmaker Guild?”
Sallya frowned. “Useless. Don’t you know how obsessed everyone is with you? Even Grandpa snuck out *without telling his Guild friends*.”
“Tch. So… no choice.” Simon ruffled his hair.
Guess he’d play the villain today.
“This move it is. Let’s go.”
They descended, opened the front door.
The crowd fell dead silent the moment Simon appeared. Polite masks on, eyes hungry for his attention.
“Listen,” Simon said earnestly. “The shop’s closed. Please disperse—it disrupts neighbors and traffic.”
They were *moved*…
…then didn’t budge an inch.
*Of course.* Every one of them was future nobility. Who feared a shopkeeper?
Simon added calmly, “Anyone remaining after one minute is permanently banned.”
Expressions shifted. The crowd vanished like smoke.
“Master Simon, we’re leaving! Don’t be upset!”
Sallya watched them flee. “Aren’t you afraid of making enemies? Even *I* wouldn’t dare.”
Nobles in the Royal Capital might lack border lords’ power, but they caused far messier scenes.
“Right now, *they’re* desperate not to offend *me*,” Simon said. “Lead the way.”
His words held. No shadows trailed them.
Following Sallya’s winding path, Simon’s expression shifted.
*This route feels familiar…*
Sallya stopped before a restaurant. “Here. You lived at the Academy—you know this place, right?”
Simon stared up at the “Golden Orchid Harp” signboard and went quiet.
*Do all Duel Academy grads love dining here?*
“Why silent?” Sallya turned, puzzled.
“Nothing. Upstairs.” Simon patted his cheeks.
*Don’t panic. What could possibly go wrong sharing a meal with an old man?*
