The chief servant of Rin Elowen spoke, "Master, is that not a rhetorical question?"
Rin replied, "Indeed, it usually is, but there's an old saying that goes, 'There's no such thing as perfect because there is an exception to all.' "
The chief servant, named Sheng, inquired, "Master, I do not understand. Please forgive my ignorance."
Rin explained, "It means that, on rare occasions, a child born to such individuals possesses both qualities because their magibank and organs are equally formed. Though it's a mere legend, we witness the proof right before our eyes. Do you comprehend now, Sheng?"
Sheng lowered his head and replied, "Master, I am at a loss for words. I do not know what to say."
***Magibank*** is located in the middle of the stomach, though it remains invisible to the naked eye. It can be sensed or measured using mana and mana-fused equipment alone. The magibank is a circular storage unit that holds manacoal, granting us the ability to use, absorb, and manipulate mana and spells. Using this power naturally depletes our stored manacoal. An intriguing fact is that, when one's level is high enough, they can choose to absorb mana and convert it into fuel for different situations.
Magical mages have larger magibanks and smaller organs, allowing them to use magic spells more efficiently but making them vulnerable in close combat. On the other hand, brute mages have larger organs compared to their magibanks, which grants them inhuman strength and the ability to temporarily enhance their physical attributes through combat spells.
Meanwhile, a murmur of conversation emanated from the onlookers. ("He must truly be defective... This can't be real... Is he some kind of fraud? Why would a child so young lie like that?")
Suddenly, a voice from the crowd shouted, "Don't do it, kid!" Another voice chimed in, "Run away, kid!" A third voice added, "He never lost a game, run, kid!" Rin Elowen scanned the area and shouted, "Who dares to meddle in my affairs?"
Tatsuki took a step back, feigning fear, and spoke with a trembling voice, "Not a single game!"
Rin Elowen thought, "This is not good. If I don't do something, he might try to run. Obtaining a slave like this is no easy task." With complete confidence, Rin Elowen addressed the crowd, "As I was saying, children like that are said to create an unjust balance of power. Their existence is kept hidden, but there are a few more like this one in front of you. An fair price for someone like him would be 100 gold coins. So, I, Rin Elowen, bet 100 gold coins in this game. If he wins, he can take the gold along with his freedom. If he loses, I shall have my new slave."
Rin Elowen thought, "Money runs this world, and greed is a necessary part of it. Try avoiding it, kid."
Tatsuki, with determination in his eyes, thought, "What a fool he fell for it. No matter what anyone would have said, I wouldn't have run because I still need to take my revenge for what you did to me in my pre-life." Politely, Tatsuki said, "I shall do it, Master Elowen. Let's begin the game."
Rin Elowen chuckled inwardly, thinking, "What a moron. He didn't suspect a thing." Aloud, he said, "Then let me explain the rules."
Tatsuki replied confidently, "That won't be necessary, Master Rin. I'm already familiar with all the rules. It's a simple card game that depends on luck. Each card drawn represents a magic beast: Long Fang Tiger (rank 1-14), Multicolor Elephant (rank 1-14), Wing Troll (rank 1-14), and 16 Leg Spider (rank 1-14). There's a total of 56 cards. We'll play 6 rounds, and each of us gets 4 cards per round. The player with the highest number of cards at the end of the round wins. The first one to win four rounds is the victor."
Rin Elowen responded, "Well, well, for someone who came here not to play, you sure do know a lot."
Tatsuki realized he might have revealed too much and elowen said, "But you still left a minor detail. If both sides win three rounds, the whole game starts afresh."
Tatsuki, with a smirk, said, "Yes, yes, Master Elowen, you are absolutely correct. Now, shall we begin...?
Elowen seeing Tatsuki so eager spoke, It seems greed has a hold on your heart."
Tatsuki chuckled and said, "Hahaha, for a mere peasant to be able to win 100 gold coins is a dream of wonder. Who dares say no to greed, Master Elowen?"
Rin Elowen, his expression filled with disdain, retorted, "You certainly do like to speak your mind. Just wait and see where your big mouth takes you. Now, let us begin."
Tatsuki and Rin Elowen sat on opposite sides of a single table, ready to face off in their card match. The people who had been in the bar started to gather around the table, but Rin Elowen's minions prevented it from getting too congested. Some people were rooting for Tatsuki, while the nobles supported Elowen to emerge victoriously.
Rin Elowen reached into his pocket, producing a deck of cards, and placed it on the table with force, making a resounding "smash!" As he began to shuffle the cards, Tatsuki put his right hand over the deck and said, "Master Rin Elowen, there are rumors that suggest you cheat with the deck to ensure your opponent's complete defeat."
Rin Elowen, clearly angered, responded, "Who would dare spread such lies about me?"
Tatsuki replied, "Yes, Master Rin Elowen, I never trusted those rumors for even a single second. I had complete faith in the genius of the Brigsnil clan. That's why I propose that you let me handle the task of shuffling this deck and distributing cards each turn."
Rin Elowen, looking worried, questioned, "Nonsense, what would that accomplish?"
Tatsuki explained, "Master Rin Elowen, knowing that you defeated me even when I was handling the deck will undoubtedly prove your innocence."
Sheng interjected proudly, "Yes, that is a brilliant idea. You shall be the one handling the deck for this entire game." Rin Elowen was rendered speechless. Sheng continued, "Now, let the match begin."
Tatsuki quickly took the initiative, expertly shuffling the deck at a high speed. Rin Elowen began to sweat profusely as he watched how fast Tatsuki was shuffling. Suddenly, Tatsuki threw four cards to each player and said with a smile, "Master Elowen, the game is about to begin. I suggest you pick up your cards."
Rin Elowen clenched his teeth in frustration.
Tatsuki thought, "Well done, Sheng. You have outdone yourself this time. Never did I think fate would support me to this extent. You, lowly scum, have no hope. You've managed to cheat your way through so many matches with a clever trick, but this time, see what happens to you."
Rin Elowen picked up his cards and, upon seeing them, laughed, saying, "Oh dear peasant, I must thank you for such a wonderful hand. I've got a double pair of 9s."
As the match continued, everyone watching was surprised and began to speak, "He pulled off something like that on the first turn... he is the luckiest person ever born... the poor kid has no chance."
Tatsuki, with an expression of sadness, admitted, "I admit defeat. I have lost the first round."
The same scenario unfolded on the second turn, with everyone laughing at Tatsuki, and some of the onlookers pitying him, saying, "I knew he didn't stand a chance... people like us have no luck."
Tatsuki distributed the third set of cards, and Rin Elowen, with a crude expression, said, "What a lousy hand is this, a double pair of number 1, peasant? What do you hold in your hand?"
Tatsuki laughed heartily and said, "Hahaha! My luck is finally working. I got a double pair of number 2."
Rin Elowen responded, "No need to laugh too much; things like this happen in matters of luck. Pass the next hand."
Tatsuki won the next two rounds as well, and the final round began. The match had become breathtaking, and no one was ready to even blink. As sweat slid down Rin's face and reached the table, Tatsuki quickly passed the last hand.
Rin Elowen thought, "This is the last hand. Basically, all the major cards have been played. If somehow I win this round, the game will start afresh, and then I can easily cheat my way through it. I would have won already if it were not for Sheng's stupidity. Once we reach back at the mansion, I'll make sure you are disciplined properly if nothing else."
Rin Elowen picked up the cards and then suddenly burst into loud laughter. He stood up, smashed his hand on the table, and placed four cards before him, shouting, "See, peasant! I have a double pair of 11. This match shall be started afresh now, and this time your fellow mate won't be so lucky. Hahaha! Are you ready to begin the next game, peasant?"
Tatsuki, with tears in his eyes, said, "This can't be. Why now of all times?"
Rin Elowen responded sternly, "Peasant, I don't have time for your moaning. Let's put an end to this once and for all."
Tatsuki agreed, saying, "Yes, Master Rin Elowen Brigsnil, that's what we shall do." He tried to give his cards back to Rin Elowen so that the new game could begin. However, suddenly, Tatsuki slammed his hands on the table, revealing his cards and shouted, "Look, fellow peasants, it is unprecedented. I show you all the double pair of number 12."
Silence enveloped the entire bar.