“Look at this sword—it’s long and wide, just like this shield—it’s big and round~”

In a private room at a restaurant in Kantar Town, Yu Ge took out a Shield Armament Card and a Longsword Armament Card. One was the “Shield of Neptune,” which could block any attack; the other was the “Last Whisper,” a defense-piercing sword that could ignore any defense.

“Don’t like those? How about this magic? You can designate an area, then teleport around inside it as many times as you want.”

“Then take a look at this one: Phase Shift. While the magic is active, it automatically dodges attacks.”

“Still don’t like it? Then you’ll definitely like this one: Infinite Counter. The caster automatically counterattacks for a set amount of time.”

As Yu Ge kept trying to sell his cards to her, Saya just looked at him calmly. She didn’t know what to say, but she didn’t seem all that surprised, either.

Saya felt she’d already used up all the surprised expressions she had for one lifetime just moments ago. Even if this guy pulled out another Divine Card right now, she wouldn’t be surprised at all.

“Hey, miss, what kind of cards do you like, anyway? You don’t like this one, and you don’t like that one.”

Seeing that Saya didn’t seem very interested in his cards, Yu Ge looked puzzled. Were the cards he’d made just not to this world’s taste? He’d based their effects on the Divine Cards from the anime and movies he’d watched before, so why wouldn’t anyone buy them?

“I like all of these cards.”

Saya shook her head and spoke her mind.

“Then buy them! Buy three, get one free. If they’re fake, I’ll give you ten times your money back. If you want them all, I’ll give you a bundle deal—twenty percent off.”

“Listen, do you know what these Magic Armament Cards represent?”

Saya looked at Yu Ge, who was eagerly trying to sell her the cards, and sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. Did this guy really have no common sense?

“They represent my bright future.”

Yu Ge nodded earnestly. Once he sold these cards, he could buy a house, marry a wife, have kids, and live happily ever after.

“They represent the most powerful magic and equipment in the world.”

Saya took a deep breath, deciding to explain properly and make him understand how important these cards were.

“Honestly, any one of these Magic Cards or Armament Cards could cause a worldwide sensation. And with so many of them gathered together, do you know what that means? It means invincibility.”

Saya paused, then continued.

“I like all this magic and all these armaments. I want them, too. Who wouldn’t want great power? They say that when people grow stronger, their personalities change. Once they have unmatched power, greed and desire take hold—and that can affect the entire world.”

“Uh… You have a point.”

Yu Ge had no answer. He’d read plenty of novels and watched plenty of movies himself. He’d planned to make powerful cards and get rich, but he hadn’t considered this.

“So, who are you, really? Why do you have so many powerful cards?”

It had just occurred to Saya that she still hadn’t asked who this guy was, or why he possessed cards powerful enough to change the world.

“Uh… I’m an orphan. My master raised me in the mountains from when I was little. After he passed away, I came out to make my way in the world. These cards were all given to me by my master.”

Yu Ge figured that if he said he’d crossed over from another world, people would probably think he was an idiot. So he made up a stock backstory straight out of a novel. After saying it, he even pretended to wipe away a tear.

“That explains it.”

Saya nodded thoughtfully. It made sense that someone who’d grown up deep in the mountains would lack common sense about society. And if his master had left him so many Divine Cards, he must have been some kind of reclusive expert. Most of these cards should be rated S-rank, and a few might even reach the legendary S+ rank. At present, the only card in the entire world that surpassed S rank was a forbidden card kept by the Mage Association.

“So, do you want to buy a card or not? I’m really broke right now.”

Yu Ge spread his hands with a thoroughly hopeless look. He couldn’t help it—he had to make a living, and these cards were the only valuable things he owned. But it didn’t matter. He could make more after selling them. His special ability let him turn any card he imagined into reality, so he could make as many as he wanted. After all, the anime and novels he’d seen had more special abilities than he could ever use.

“I’m not buying your cards. And you can’t sell them to anyone else, either.”

Saya shook her head. She’d already made up her mind. This person didn’t seem bad at heart, and he’d helped her—and even the Empire—so much. As long as he could keep his desires in check and avoid harming the world, things would be fine. But given how little he knew about the world, someone would have to guide him to keep him from going down the wrong path.

“Huh?”

Yu Ge blinked. So you’re telling me I’ll have to live on air from now on?

“Yu Ge, you must’ve just come out of the mountains. You have no family or friends here, and no steady source of income. That’s why you thought of selling these cards, right?”

Saya thought for a moment, then asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then would you like to attend Saint Diyashi Academy?”

“Go to school? No, no, I don’t want to go to school.”

As soon as Yu Ge heard the word “school,” he hurriedly waved his hands. In his previous world, he’d been a miserable student, crushed by exam-oriented education. Now that he’d been reincarnated in this world, he was supposed to go to school again?

“Why not?”

Saya was puzzled. Saint Diyashi Academy was the Empire’s best combat academy. It had trained generation after generation of outstanding Mages, swordsmen, and summoners, and was renowned throughout the world. Countless people dreamed of studying there.

But Saya quickly figured it out. Maybe this guy hadn’t heard of Saint Diyashi Academy because he’d grown up in the mountains, cut off from the outside world.

“There’s no way I’m going to school. Not in this lifetime! I can’t even do the exams, so I’ll just have to scrape by selling a few Magic Cards.”

“Won’t you at least think about it? The academy has a great campus, and you can meet lots of friends there. It’ll be a big help for your future.”

Yu Ge’s answer was so firm that Saya started to feel a little anxious. With so many cards that could turn the world upside down, she really wanted him to attend the academy. It’d be even better if he joined her team.

“Even if nobody buys my cards and I have to become a beggar—even if I jump off right here—I’m still not going to school!”

Yu Ge shook his head like a rattle drum. Make him go to school? Not a chance.

“The academy provides room and board. I can apply to have your tuition fully waived. And… there are lots of pretty girls there, too.”

Suddenly, Saya realized what this young man really wanted.

“I’m in.”

Yu Ge nodded without hesitation. Humans really could never escape the “I’ll never do that—actually, this is great” rule.