121 Elder

Date 24 Mar 2321

Time 9:03

Location Sky Blossom City, Whiteburn Manor, East Wing, Family Arena

Seeing the Humongous golem slowly lose height and fall under the gravity of the White Dwarf sun core field card Paul had a satisfied grin on his face… 

Paul was a 23-year-old Card soldier with an active soul control of 38% not that far from stepping into the card master realm but 2% difference may seem less only Paul knew considering his talent and without any external help, he would be lucky if he broke through to card master realm within a year or two. Being born average in a family where talents are dime a dozen Paul had a serious and twisted inferiority complex, the only way he knew to deal with it was to gain strength no matter the cost… So when opportunity knocked on his doorstep he did not hesitate, as long as he got stronger he did not give a damn even if he had to screw over the progeny of the family head. 

Paul had 76-stars available at the hand of which Field card White Dwarf Sun Terra occupied 7-stars, Trap card Nine White Dwarf Sun occupied 9-stars and Field card White Dwarf Sun Core occupied 49-stars and the remaining 11-stars remained a mystery and yet to be revealed. Seeing the arrangement of Paul's cards one could tell that he had bet everything on his shameful tactics… And if everything went accordingly Paul may have already won the match, alas the reality was harsh and cruel. Considering the current situation trajectory Paul did not plan on revealing his last stars until or unless the situation demanded him to. 

Just when Paul was counting seconds to his victory two limbs in the shape of cylinders popped out of the falling golem's back while its chest armour retracted as 6 masses of energy in a circular arrangement could be seen on it, his senses total him they were aiming at him. And his senses were right as he saw the two cylindrical limbs and the golem's chest shot strong energy projectiles aiming at him covering all his escape routes, it was at that moment he knew he was done for… But he remained calm and mouthed, "Skill card: Tele-Switch" 

[Card Name: Tele-Switch

Card Type: Skill Card (active)

Card Rank: C-rank, uncommon 

Card Rating: 11-stars

Card Durability: [84/100]

Card Effect: When activated the user can switch places with the predetermined object of equal mass within 1000 km. 

Additional Effect: The host can spy on the 3-meter radius surroundings of the predetermined marked object.]

Though Paul had a serious inferiority complex it stemmed from his knowledge of how weak and incapable he was compared to his sibling, because of this Paul had a thorough understanding of his capacity which stopped him from making silly mistakes like underestimating Pax because of his age or his origin. Knowing Pax the young genius's capabilities well, Paul decided on betting everything on his shameless tactic. Paul was not arrogant enough to believe his tactic was 100% foolproof, he was confident in his plan but he still chose to have a way out if things go sideways… this contingency was not because he was over-cautious towards Pax but mostly because he believed the people who paid him would try to tie up the loose ends after the job was done and blame it on the subordinates of the family head.

Right now Paul was grateful and pleased that he had prepared a contingency plan, Pax turned out to be worthy of the title the young genius. But alas Pax had to die, why did a bastard of the Whiteburn family have to be more talented and fortunate than himself a pure Whiteburn… everyone more talented than him had to die! Yes! They all had to die.

…

"Boom!" 

The energy projectile's made contact with their target burning everything in their path and destination, an acrid smell filled the arena conforming that whatever the target of the projectiles was had been burnt to ashes. But sadly there was no visual proof as the arena was covered in smoke. 

Surprisingly, when the smoke clears the giant mech or Paul were nowhere to be seen… but the two field cards activated by Paul were no longer in effect indicating Paul was unable to battle. But the Pax in his Gaint golem was also nowhere to be seen... 

'What the fuck happened?' 

'Is it a draw did both of them end up killing each other.' 

'Damn you heretic shut your meat hole, Our Demigod and his messenger are undefeatable and always victorious!' 

'Shut it! you damned nutbag! Believe it or not, I will kill you right here and right now.' 

'Shut up you fools! It cannot be drawn I bet all my money on the young genius's victory … where the fuck is he!' 

'Up in the sky, look! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Pax!' 

'Pax is alive… which means he won! I am rich! I am rich!' 

'Not so fast buddy, Is it Pax though? After all his golem was 21meters tall… this one is barely 3 meters tall.' 

'Open your eyes heretics! The armour and the wings of the small golem are similar in design to lord Pax's homogenous golem.' 

'It is similar to Pax's golem! But where is Pax.' 

'No! It cannot be… he is inside it! It's not a golem! It more like a hollow Puppet!' 

'That is ingenious! Who thought of it?'

'It's nothing new many Puppet card creationist use this form but this design seems more sophisticated.' 

'Wait! You damn card creation loon! Pax's golem was 21 meters tall how did it become so small.' 

'Maybe he just switched the cards after firing the energy projectiles..' 

'What about Paul? Where are his remains? if he is dead that is.'

'Come dude he is clearly burnt to ashes in the attack earlier… wait by any chance did you bet on Paul's victory?' 

'No! I just don't want to rush to a conclusion.' 

When the smoke cleared the results were obvious but still those who bet on Paul's victory debated the results of the duel as they were not able to see the remains of Paul's corpses. While the card creationists in the crowd admired the sophisticated design of both the giant and small golem. Right then the crowd heard the referee announce, 

"Well, folks the deathmatch reaches its conclusion as challenger Paul has fled the arena… So by default, Pax Godson is the Victor."

Hearing the announcement the crowd was in an uproar as many had bet their savings on Paul's victory… 

'Wait! What?'

'This is against the rules!' 

'The rules dictate that only one person can leave the arena alive.'

'This is a fraud! give us back our money!'

'Yes! Paul isn't dead this a fraud! Give us back our money!' 

The crowd was rowdy and claimed fraud as Paul escaped the arena but the Whiteburn's were not the ones to be messed with. One of the elders used his soul energy and with the amplified voice he shouted, "Silence!" 

The crowd grew rowdier with the elder's intervention, 

'What! Is the prestigious Whiteburn family trying to silence us with your might! We will not stop! We want justice! What do you say my friends!' 

'Friend? Who is your friend? You illiterate buffoon! Don't drag me down with you…'

'Shut up you ignorant fool! That's the Whiteburn family 3rd elder known for his quick temper and barbaric means… I can earn money again but not my life.' 

'Yes! My life is more important!' 

Finally taking care of the ignorant schmuck the crowd quietened down waiting for 3rd elder to say his piece, 

"There is a Whiteburn family rule since age's and we elders make sure to implement it throughout the family and new generation yet to come, that rule is 'No negotiations with weak!'. Those who think they are stronger than this old man can come forward to negotiate but let me warn you I may have grown old but my blood is as hot as the day I was born… don't expect mercy from me." 

Hearing the 3rd elder's arrogant words the crowd was speechless. They had heard Whiteburn's were the definition of brutes and today they had finally experienced it. There were many younger generations of other prominent families in the audience but they did not utter a beep ever since 3rd elder made an entrance as they knew their family would rather abandon them than negotiate with this mad old man. 

Seeing that nobody uttered a beep 3rd elder nodded in satisfaction and said, "And one more thing Paul Whiteburn is excommunicado and a bounty of 1 soul jade will be awarded by the Whiteburn family to anyone offering Paul's head. 

Good now that all misunderstandings are cleared deactivate the barrier and receive today's brave victor." 

The crowd felt that 1 soul jade bounty for a late period card soldier was too much but soon they grew enthusiastic as who would hate rich rewards. When everyone was looking forward to the Victory ceremony as the staff deactivated the arena barrier they heard a loud alarming shout, 

"Wait! Do not deactivate the barrier!....