Elior trudged through the narrow alleys of Galdoria, Mina at his side. The weight of the crowd's whispers lingered in his mind, heavy and suffocating.
"A crafting talent," he muttered under his breath, staring at his hand as if it could explain the anomaly. "Rare, but still…"
Mina tugged at his sleeve, her bright eyes brimming with confidence. "Eli, you don't need to listen to them. I know you'll do something amazing with your talent."
Her unwavering faith sparked a faint smile. "Thanks, Mina. Let's just get home for now."
-----
Their house, a crumbling structure barely standing at the city's edge, was far from welcoming. The roof sagged, and the walls were patched with whatever scraps Elior could find. Still, it was home, the only remnant of their family's sacrifice.
As they stepped inside, Mina rushed to her small wooden table, pulling out a sketchbook filled with crude drawings of fantastical creatures. She had always loved imagining beasts that didn't exist—or at least, ones she hadn't yet seen.
"Maybe your cards can look like these!" she said, holding up a drawing of a fox with blazing tails.
Elior chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Maybe. But first, I need to figure out how my talent even works."
He sat on the floor, closing his eyes. The awakening ceremony had triggered something deep within him—a connection he could feel, faint but present. Concentrating, he reached inward, letting his thoughts drift.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind:
[System Activation: Card Maker]
Welcome, Elior Vayne. Initializing abilities…
Inventory unlocked. Crafting menu unlocked. Starter Pack available.
His eyes snapped open, a glowing interface hovering in front of him.
"What's wrong, Eli?" Mina asked, tilting her head.
"It's… my talent," he said, still stunned. "It has a system."
The interface displayed several options:
Inventory
Crafting Menu
Starter Pack
Without hesitation, Elior selected the Starter Pack. The screen flickered before producing a shimmering card in his hand.
The card was simple, its surface blank except for the faint outline of a beast. Beneath it was a description:
Empty Capture Card
Use this card to imprison a low-tier beast.
Mina gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "That's so cool! What does it do?"
"I think…" Elior hesitated, turning the card over. "I can capture beasts with this."
"But how?"
-----
Determined to test his new ability, Elior grabbed his old wooden dagger, the only weapon he owned, and strapped it to his belt.
"Stay here, Mina. I'll be back soon."
Her face fell. "You're going out to fight, aren't you?"
"I have to. If I can capture even one beast, we might have a chance to change everything."
Mina nodded reluctantly. "Be careful."
-----
The outskirts of Galdoria were riddled with danger. Small abyssal beasts roamed the abandoned fields, hunting for scraps and weak prey. Most were low-tier, manageable for novice awakeners but still deadly for the unprepared.
Elior gripped the Empty Capture Card tightly, his heart pounding. A rustling sound caught his attention, and he spun around to see a Shadow Wolf, its black fur blending with the twilight. The beast growled, its glowing red eyes fixed on him.
"A low-tier beast," he murmured. "This might work."
The wolf lunged, and Elior barely dodged, rolling to the side. He swung his dagger, grazing its flank. The beast howled in anger, circling him.
"Stay calm," he told himself, eyes locked on the wolf. "The card… how do I use the card?"
As the wolf charged again, the answer came instinctively. Elior raised the card, and it glowed with a golden light. A surge of energy erupted from it, enveloping the wolf mid-leap.
The beast snarled, thrashing as the light consumed it. Then, with a final howl, it vanished, leaving behind a single glowing card in Elior's hand.
Breathing heavily, he examined the card:
Shadow Wolf (Level 1)
Type: Beast
Skills: Shadow Claw, Enhanced Agility
Elior's lips parted in disbelief. "It worked…"
The realization hit him like a wave. He hadn't just captured a beast—he had gained an ally.
-----
As Elior returned home, Mina ran to greet him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Did you do it?" she asked eagerly.
He held up the glowing card, grinning despite his exhaustion. "Meet our new protector, the Shadow Wolf."
Mina gasped in awe. "It's amazing! Can you summon it?"
Elior nodded, focusing on the card. It glowed once more, and the Shadow Wolf materialized before them. Though smaller than before, it stood obediently, its red eyes no longer menacing. Mina squealed in delight, reaching out to pet it.
"Eli, this is incredible! You can capture more beasts and build a whole army!"
Her excitement was infectious, and for the first time in years, Elior felt a spark of hope.
"Yeah," he said, his voice firm. "This is just the beginning."
.
.