Chapter 8 – About us: TCG
Aether's thoughts about Navia
I didn't expect to be this good at a card game. Genius Invokation TCG has a surprising amount of strategy, and after all the battles I've been through, it just clicked. The dice rolls, the character synergies, timing the skills—it's like navigating a battlefield, only with cards. So when she challenged me, I thought, Alright, this should be fun. But, to be honest, I wasn't worried.
At first, I tried to keep things light, maybe even let her win a round or two. After all, it's not really about winning, right? Well, that was the plan until she laid down a move that completely threw me off. She had this innocent look on her face, as if she wasn't about to wipe out one of my best cards in a single turn. I blinked, trying to figure out how she pulled that off, and she just smiled, sweet as ever. That's when I knew—she was serious.
From then on, it was game on.
I'd play a perfect combo, thinking I had her, and she'd somehow counter it with the most unexpected card. It wasn't like she didn't know what she was doing—she definitely did. And every time I thought I'd figured out her strategy, she'd surprise me with something I hadn't seen coming. There's something almost dangerous about how quickly she adapts, turning what should be a clear win into a nail-biter.
But that's what makes it fun. The best part is her reactions when things don't go her way. The dramatic sighs, the way she throws her hands up like the dice have personally betrayed her. She'll look at me, narrowing her eyes, and say something like, "Are you sure you're not cheating?" And I'll just laugh because she knows I'm not. I'm just that good—most of the time, anyway.
Then, there are those moments when I slip up. Maybe I get a little too confident, maybe I miscalculate a roll, or maybe she's just that clever, but suddenly, I'm the one staring at the board, wondering how I lost control. And that's when she really lets loose. The grin on her face when she realizes she's turned the tide? Priceless. It's like she's savoring every second of my downfall, and honestly, I can't even be mad. It's too much fun watching her celebrate every small victory.
So yeah, I might win most of the time, but those moments when she gets the better of me? They're the best part of the game. Because it's not about who wins or loses—it's about the way she lights up when she finally lands that perfect move, and the way we both end up laughing at how ridiculously competitive we've gotten over a few cards.
Navia's thoughts about Aether
He's way too good at this game. Like, way too good. I thought it would be fun, you know? A little friendly competition, maybe throw in some teasing when I inevitably beat him. But the first few rounds? Let's just say they didn't exactly go according to plan.
He's annoyingly calm when we play. Like he's in control of every single move, just sitting there with this casual expression, while I'm over here frantically trying to figure out how he's one step ahead of me every time. I mean, how does he always know the perfect card to play? It's like he can read my mind—or my cards, which would explain a lot.
But here's the thing—he doesn't gloat. Not even a little. He'll play this insane combo, wipe out half my board in one go, and just nod like it's nothing. And it drives me crazy. I'm over here with my jaw on the floor, trying to figure out how I'm supposed to recover, and he's already thinking about his next move. Where's the victory dance? The smug look? Nothing. Just that calm, infuriating smile.
At first, I thought I had no chance. But then, something magical happened. He got too comfortable. Maybe it was the way he relaxed in his chair, or the fact that he assumed he had me cornered—whatever it was, I saw an opening. And I took it. Played the perfect card, caught him completely off-guard, and for the first time, he looked… shocked.
It was glorious. I swear, he blinked at the board like he couldn't believe what just happened. And I? I had never felt so powerful. "Guess the Traveler can't win everything," I teased, and the way he laughed—genuinely laughed—made the whole thing even better.
Of course, that didn't last long. He recovered way too quickly, coming back with a vengeance in the next few rounds. But at that point, the game had shifted. It wasn't about who won or lost anymore—it was about the back-and-forth, the little victories on both sides, and the way we'd crack up at each other's reactions.
The best part? Watching him try to keep that cool demeanor, only to crack the moment I pulled off a sneaky move. And every time he won, he'd just give me that quiet, humble smile, which somehow made me want to beat him even more. But at the end of it all, we'd both be laughing, our supposed rivalry melting into something else entirely.
Maybe I don't win as often as I'd like, but seeing him so focused, so into it? That's a win in itself. Besides, there's always next time. And who knows? Maybe I'll surprise him again.