Title: Reverse Draw – Chosen by the Black Vault
After the ceremony, Arven and Kael were summoned to the Royal Palace to attend a grand welcoming feast for the new card wielders. The palace was enormous — golden pillars, diamond chandeliers, magical guards floating through the air. It was everything Arven had dreamed of… and more.
The banquet table was overflowing. Dishes Arven had never seen before glimmered under the magical lights. Juicy roasted phoenix wings, golden rice soaked in spice, floating berry pies. Royals and nobles sat around the hall, dressed in shining cloaks.
Arven's stomach growled like a wild beast.
"Whoa... is all this for free?" he gasped.
Kael whispered beside him, "Just eat properly. Don't make a scene."
But Arven was already piling food on his plate like a hurricane.
He munched, crunched, and stuffed his face with both hands. He was sweating from joy. For him, it was heaven.
Across the hall, nobles stared.
"Who is that?" one royal sneered.
"Is he eating with his hands?"
"Hahaha! What a poor street dog!" another laughed.
"Why was someone like that invited?"
Kael's face turned red. He leaned toward Arven. "Everyone's watching. You're embarrassing us."
But Arven just grinned, mouth full. "I don't care! Kael, try this rice! It's like magic in your mouth!"
Before Kael could respond, a tall noble in a silver cloak stormed toward them. He had rings on every finger and a long blue crest hanging from his collar.
"You filthy mutts," the noble snapped. "You dropped rice on my cloak. Look at this filth."
Arven stood up and bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
SLAP.
The noble struck him across the cheek. Gasps echoed.
Kael rose in shock. "Hey! That's—"
The noble kicked Kael's plate, sending food flying.
"Learn your place. This isn't a dog kennel," he hissed.
Silence. Then… something changed.
Arven slowly lifted his head.
His Vault, still floating near him, began to glow dark red.
The three Reverse Cards inside began to hover around him, crackling with energy. Arven's eyes glowed with fury.
"You slapped me. Fine," he said, voice calm but burning. "But you kicked my brother's food. You humiliated him."
He stepped forward.
"You royals… You think poor people are weak. That we're trash. But I'll show you… I'll become the Card King — and crush that pride with my cards."
The nobles stood in shock. One shouted, "Attack him! Show him his place!"
Dozens of cards were drawn. Flames, ice shards, electric beasts — all launched toward Arven at once.
But the moment they touched him —
WHOOOM.
Every single spell twisted around him and blasted backward — at 3× speed and power.
BOOM! CRASH! ROOOAR!
Explosions rocked the hall. The nobles were thrown backward, chairs shattered, walls cracked.
Everyone stared in horror.
Arven stood in the middle, untouched, his Reverse Cards still glowing.
No one laughed now.
Even Kael stared, breathless.
Arven smiled.
"For the record... the rice was amazing."
To be continued.....