Hello! Mark Alex here!
And... it's the 4th chapter! Thank you guys for the support! Special mention to Aria, Abacus, Chrona and Hina! I am thankful that you are loving the story. No promises though, but there might be a ship. Also to Abacus, thanks for pointing out! I will be editing the chapter.
Thank you also to those who messaged me! I love all of you guys.
By the way, I forgot to tell you but each chapter up to now coincides with the story of NEXT. Chapter 1 happens before episode 1, Chapter 2 and 3 happens after episode 1 and before episode 2 while this chapter happens during episode 2.
So, this chapter isn't exactly the same as episode 2. I made some changes.
So, without further ado, let's start the chapter!
Chapter 4:
Sigh... I still feel excitement running through my veins... That fight is surely too amazing! Being able to fight someone as strong as Shindou-kun feels surreal.
I really felt the determination and passion from him, something I don't feel always. Throughout all of my fights, I believe this is the best game yet.
Vanguard is amazing, isn't it?
It's really amazing how one fight is able to inspire me... Vanguard is truly a blessing for me.
I entered my house to see my brother preparing the dinner as usual.
"Hi Sis! How's school? And also, how's the job-hunting?" he asked.
The smell of the food he's cooking is very tantalizing... Ryuu really has a good touch with cooking!
"Oh, hi Ryuu! And yes, I was able to find a good part-time job. And good thing is, it's a cardshop!" I said.
"Cardshop? As in a Vanguard cardshop?"
"Yeah!"
"I didn't know there were cardshops here... But still, congratulations, sis! Eat up, I know you have a tiring day," he said as he pushed me to a seat.
Having a cute little brother serve you a very delicious dinner after a tiring day, this is really the best prize!
"A-ah, thank you."
He then served the dinner and sat with me.
"Thank you for the food."
I know I have said this many times but I will say it again. These are the days I want to treasure. Being able to eat silently with you brother, without thinking of anything.
And with this new chapter of my life, I want to be able to walk with everyone... In this journey to the future.
It's after classes again. We're in Card Capital 2, working in our part-time jobs.
Shindou-kun was on the counter, taking an inventory of cards. I was the one in charge of giving newbies an introduction to Vanguard.
I want to tell them how amazing Vanguard can be in their lives.
Many hours passed and the amount of people lessened. I then decided to switch with Shindou-kun. I took an inventory of cards while he cleaned the place.
When almost all people dissipated, a question crossed my mind...
"Shindou-kun, why did you decide to work on Card Capital?" I asked.
"Hmm..." he said and stopped mopping, putting his chin on the edge of the handle.
I swear, he should stop making himself cute everytime.
"It's because I love this place. This is where I met Vanguard and where I met many people who changed my life," he said and smiled a bit.
That answer really sounds like Shindou-kun.
"What about you, Aika? Why did you decide to work here?" he asked.
Calling me on the first name... Well, not that I mind.
I was about to answer when the sound of the glass door opening rang all over the place.
Dang. I wasn't able to answer his question. But our jobs are our first priority.
"Welcome!" I said and made Shindou-kun look at the door.
When I looked at the door, I don't know but... something rushed in my mind.
"That's a promise?" a young girl said.
"Mhm, it is a promise," a young boy said and smiled.
"Don't forget or I will hate you," the girl said with a bit of tears on her eyes.
"Of course, I won't forget," the boy said and wiped off the girl's tears.
Wait, what was that? Sigh... My mind is playing games with me. Better ignore it.
A boy with teal hair and is wearing the Harumi High uniform entered. He has gray eyes and has a single white strand on his hair.
"Welcome," Shindou-kun said and ran to the counter.
"I would like to know the rules of Vanguard," the teal-haired guy said.
So he wants to learn how to play Vanguard huh. I would like to teach this guy, but he isn't a kid like those I taught Vanguard to. I guess Shindou-kun can handle this guy.
Well, to be honest, I'm a bit bad around other people especially those around my age.
"Shin-san, may Aika teach him?" Shindou-kun said.
"Sure," Shin-san said as he did some things here and there.
Well, I will have to teach him.
"What, you?" the guy said.
... I felt like something was triggered inside me. What did he just say?
This guy seems to like starting problems, doesn't he. Calm down, Aika, it will be a waste of time if you get angry now.
"Don't worry, Aika is strong. I'm sure she can teach you very well," Shindou-kun said.
Man, that feels flattering.
"Thank you," I said.
We stood on a fighting table and prepared our decks. Shindou-kun was on the counter while Shin-san went at the back.
"So you're from Tokyo Harumi High. What class are you in?"
"I am a first-year student."
"Nice. I am Aika Nishimura.'
"Kazuma Shouji."
"Well then, let's start, Shouji-san," I said after the brief introductions.
"First, take a grade 0 card from the deck and place it on the Vanguard circle face-down."
He followed what I instructed him to do.
"Then draw 5 cards. This is your chance to redraw. The trick is to get grades 1 to 3 in your hand."
He looked at his card and it seems he got them all.
"Now that we're all ready, let's start the fight. Stand up, Vanguard."
"Pencil Koala." [5000][Grade 0]
"Dragprince, Rute."[5000][Grade 0]
"Shadow Paladin huh. Right now, we're standing on the Planet Cray. Imagine it, yourself, progressing, evolving, till you reach you-"
"Now, now, stop. I have heard them before. Can you just continue to teach the rules?" he said.
...I feel like I'm going to explode anytime.
"...As you say, sir." I said while trying to compose myself.
God, I hate people like this.
"So for an easier lesson from me, I will start. Normally, we would decide who goes first by rock-paper-scissors, but I will go first for now."
"At the start of the turn, you will stand and draw. But since all the rearguards are in stand, you just draw."
I drew a card.
"Ride. Silver Wolf." [8000][Grade 1]
"In Vanguard, it is advised to always ride a grade higher than your past vanguard. Turn by turn, keep on riding, till you reach grade 3, where you will unlock a skill that will make you more powerful than before." I said.
"Now, next is main phase. You can call cards that are of the same grade as your Vanguard. Call. Silver Wolf." [8000][Grade 1]
"You can only call units with the equal or less grade as your vanguard. As per the rules, the first turn player cannot attack, so my turn ends here."
Aika:
Hand: 4
Damage: None
Soul: None
G-Zone: (16)
R | Silver Wolf | R
Silver Wolf | Pencil Koala| R
Kazuma:
Hand: 5
Damage: None
Soul: None
G-zone: (16)
R | Dragprince, Rute | R
R | R | R
"It's my turn now. Stand and draw, but the units are already stand so I only draw, right?" he said and drew.
"Ride. Dragwizard, Knies." [7000][Grade 1]
"Some units have skills. This unit can be moved to any rearguard circle if rode by a unit of the same clan. They are forerunners."
"Well then, Rute moves back."
"Now, to attack, you rest this unit. Grade 1 and Grade 0 units can boost the units in front of it." I explained.
"Rute boosts, Knies attacks your vanguard. [12000 atk.][1 Crit]
"When you attack the vanguard, you reveal the top card of your deck." I said as he does it.
Death Feather Eagle - CRITICAL TRIGGER
"Seems you got it. In Vanguard, there are 4 types of triggers. What you got is a critical trigger. It adds one more damage to your attack when it hits. When it hits the opponent's vanguard, he will damage check.'
"Also, you can split the effects of this trigger. You may put the power to another unit and the critical to another," I said.
"Hmm. Since there are no other units that could benefit the effect, I put all effects to Vanguard." he said.
"Damage check."
Special Appointment Professor, Arusha - NO TRIGGER
Stamp Sea Otter - NO TRIGGER
"I got no trigger. I put these cards to the damage zone. When 6 cards hit your opponent's damage zone, you win the game. That's basically the flow of the game." I said.
"I see. Thank you for the lesson, sensei." he said and smiled with an annoying face.
... I absolutely hate this guy.
"I end my turn."
Aika:
Hand: 5
* Damage: U | U | U
Soul: 2
G-Zone: (16)
Malicious Sabre | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | R
Silver Wolf | Pencil Koala| R
Kazuma:
Hand: 5
* Damage: U | U | U | U | U
Soul: 2
G-zone: (16)
Dragwizard, Morfessa | Dragwizard, Liafail | R
Abyssal Owl | Dragprince, Rute | R
I have rode my avatar. Basically, I put the damage 3-5 after pulling a heal last turn. I have 5 cards in hand.
"You turned the tables around. But thanks to that, I'm starting to remember. Stand and draw!" he said.
When he drew his next card, his face became a frown.
"Ride! Dragheart, Luard!" [11000][Grade 3]
That is his ace. I haven't seen it.
"Now that we're both on grade 3s, you can now achieve 2 skills. One of them is Stride. To stride, you discard cards whose grades equal to 3 and put this unit to the Vanguard circle."
"Stride..." he said.
"Generation zone released! Stride Generation." he said.
"Dragdriver, Luard!" [26000][Grade 4]
"Dragheart, Luard stride skill!"
Wait, what?! He knows how to use stride skill?
"I retire Rute. I search my deck for 2 grade 1 units and call them to rearguard circle." [7000][Grade 1] , [7000][Grade 1]
"Rute's Generation Break. +5000 is added to Knies' power." he said.
Is this guy really a newbie?
"Huh, did I do something wrong?" he said when he saw my face.
I must have been giving a weird face. But most people, especially newbies, don't know about stride skills.
"No, you're doing good," I said and he smiled.
"I attack your vanguard!" [26000 atk.][1 Crit]
"G-units have the triple drive ability. They can reveal three cards from the deck when they attack the vanguard."
"So that means I can draw 3 cards, right? Let's go! Triple Drive!"
Dragwizard, Morfessa - NO TRIGGER
Dragheart, Luard - NO TRIGGER
Grim Reaper - CRITICAL TRIGGER
"Look, critical trigger! Power to Morfessa, critical to vanguard!"
"Tch!"
Cable Sheep - NO TRIGGER
Cable Sheep - NO TRIGGER
His imagination is so good. He's interesting. Plus he's a fast learner. He has lots of potential.
"Knies attacks your vanguard!" [19000][1 Crit]
"Ruler Chameleon guards." [10000 sld.]
"Morfessa attacks!" [21000 atk.][1 Crit]
"Generation guard. Immortality Professor, Kundalini." [15000 sld.]
"Huh?!"
"This is a G-guardian. To call this unit from G-zone, choose a heal trigger from hand and discard it. At the end of that battle, this unit returns face-up at your G-zone."
"At the end of your turn, this G-unit returns to the G-zone face-up."
Aika:
Hand: 3
Damage: U | U | U | U | U
Soul: 2
G-Zone: (16)
Malicious Sabre | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | R
Silver Wolf | Pencil Koala| R
Kazuma:
Hand: 7
Damage: U | U | U | U | U
Soul: 2
G-zone: (16)
Dragwizard, Morfessa | Dragheart, Luard | Dragwizard, Knies
Abyssal Owl | R | Dragwizard, Knies
I am impressed by this guy. He sure looks smart. He might have the potential to become a pro someday despite of his jerk-like attitude.
"Nice job, Shouji-san. Now it's my turn. Stand and draw."
"Stride Generation. Omniscience Dragon, Hrimthurs." [26000][Grade 4]
"Call, Coiling Duckbill, Binoculus Tiger." [7000][Grade 1] , [9000][Grade 2]
"Now, atta-"
"I lose."
Wait, what?! I haven't even started this turn and he's claiming he lost?
This is the kind of a person I will really hate. Not believing in your own future. I guess he really is a jerk.
But, I should try speaking to him. He might change his mind.
"The game's not over yet. You should keep trying," I said.
"What's the benefit in doing that?" he asked.
... This guy... I hate rage quitters who quit even when the game is not over yet.
I bet there's a heal trigger on top of the deck. I flipped the top card.
"Look, a heal trigger. If you have kept on, you would have the cha-"
"DON'T TOUCH THAT!" he shouted and took the card from my hand.
... What in the actual. He just pulled the trigger. I. Am. Going. To. Explode.
No. Inhale, exhale. Calm down, Aika. Don't get mad at him.
...Mission failed.
"...You are pretty disrespectful. You shouldn't return here. People with bad attitude deserves to rot in hell. Go, find a place where you can throw your shit, you jer-"
"Aika, calm down." Shindou-kun said and held me by the hand gently.
Man... Thank you Shindou-kun... If he didn't do that, I would have lashed out on the jerk. He's an annoying brat.
"Is something wrong?" Shin-san said as he returned to the lobby.
"N-no," Shindou-kun said.
"Nah, it's nothing. Nishimura, was it? Good luck on your job," the jerk said and walked away.
How dare you act like a close friend, jerk?
"Oi, wait!" Shindou-kun said as he tried to call on the bastard.
Good Lord... I hope I don't see him again.
* LEGEND:
U - Unflipped Damage
F - Flipped Damage
And that's our 4th chapter. I hope you stay tuned for the next chapter!