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Chapter 107: Field Cards
🕑 Added 2025-07-27 14:41:47 +0000 UTC"Russell, congratulations on becoming a core member!"
The twins' voices pulled Russell from his thoughts. Heath and Keith stood before him, their expressions a complex cocktail of awe, disbelief, and something that might have been envy if they weren't trying so hard to hide it.
"Just lucky, I guess." Russell shrugged, channeling the casual confidence of every famous cardmaker who'd ever downplayed their achievements.
Behind them, the mountaintop battle platform looked like a giant had taken a bite out of it. Half the summit had simply given up on existing, leaving jagged stone edges and a view that would've been scenic if it weren't so apocalyptic. The university's maintenance crew would have their work cut out for them—though Russell had seen sophomore practical classes leave worse destruction. At least he wouldn't be footing the repair bill.
News traveled fast in the card-making department. Within hours, everyone knew a freshman had toppled Grant from his main member throne. The details of Russell's cards—especially Unohana's terrifying transformation—spread like wildfire through group chats and hushed cafeteria conversations. Yet despite the gossip, no one stepped forward to challenge him.
Give it a week, Russell mused. Someone always gets brave after the shock wears off.
The following days brought a welcome shift to theoretical classes. Russell found himself leaning forward in his seat as Professor Chen introduced a concept he'd only heard whispers about: Field Cards.
"Field Cards represent a fundamental shift in combat dynamics," the professor explained, her voice carrying the weight of hard-won experience. "They're exclusive to silver-level cardmakers and above for good reason—their core materials only manifest in pocket dimensions of equal tier."
She tapped the board, where diagrams showed overlapping magical circles. "Unlike summoning cards that bring forth creatures or objects, Field Cards alter the battlefield itself. They don't transport you to another dimension—instead, they overlay reality with beneficial effects that amplify your cards' power."
Russell's pen flew across his notebook. This was the kind of advantage that could turn close battles into decisive victories.
"The synergy is critical," Professor Chen continued. "An 'Underworld' field paired with underworld-system cards creates exponential power increases. 'Dragon Palace' fields boost aquatic cards. The combinations are limited only by your imagination and material access."
A student raised her hand. "How do we create them? Do we need stories like regular cards?"
"Excellent question." The professor's smile held secrets. "Field Cards are unique. The mysterious space generates them automatically based on your materials and chosen system alignment. No story compilation required—but there's a catch."
She paused for effect, and Russell could feel the entire class holding its breath.
"Field Cards start weak and grow through continued investment. A silver-level cardmaker with two minor ghost cards won't generate a complete underworld realm just by throwing silver materials at it. The field reflects your current power and grows as you do."
Russell's mind raced with possibilities. His One Piece series could use the Going Merry or Thousand Sunny as fields, but with Luffy and Zoro still at bronze level, that seemed premature. The Bleach series offered more immediate options—the Seireitei fortress or even the Soul King's Palace, though the former seemed more achievable given his current story foundation.
Saturday morning arrived crisp and clear. Russell typed out a message while sipping coffee in his dorm.
[Russell]: Hazel, I'm using my school-provided dimension access today. Might be gone through Monday, so I'll miss some classes.
The response came instantly, surprising given the early hour.
[Hazel]: OK. (smiley_face.jpg)
She's probably been up reading all night, Russell thought fondly before switching to his next contact.
[Russell]: Mr. Stern, I'd like to use my welfare dimension entry. Who handles that?
[Mr. Stern]: Already? That was fast!
[Mr. Stern]: Oh right, you're silver now. Forgot how quickly Director Blake's students progress.
[Mr. Stern]: Come find me on campus. I'm here today.
[Mr. Stern]: [Location pin attached]
The administrative building smelled of old paper and fresh coffee. Russell found the right office and knocked three times.
"Enter."
Mr. Stern's office was exactly what Russell expected—organized chaos with stacks of documents threatening to topple but somehow maintaining perfect balance. The man himself looked up from behind reading glasses, setting aside what appeared to be admission forms.
"Russell! That was quick." His smile creased well-worn laugh lines. "No need to hover by the door—come, sit."
As Russell settled into the surprisingly comfortable guest chair, Mr. Stern handed him a tablet. "Every Association and government-controlled dimension is catalogued here. The search function's quite good."
The interface was intuitive, with filters for level, material type, and danger rating. Russell scrolled through the options—Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold—then paused.
"Mr. Stern, why aren't there any Emerald-level dimensions listed?"
"Sharp eye." Mr. Stern leaned back, chair creaking. "Truth is, the highest fully controlled dimension in the entire Daming Federation is Gold-level. There are two reasons: First, dimensions of that caliber rarely manifest in inland areas—they prefer remote, high-energy locations. Second, staffing becomes impossible at Emerald tier and above."
He gestured vaguely at the window, where the campus stretched out below. "We're chronically short on high-level cardmakers. Even maintaining control over Gold dimensions stretches our resources thin. Each Silver dimension requires at least one Gold-level cardmaker on permanent guard duty."
Russell nodded slowly. It made sense—he'd felt Unohana's power firsthand. If Silver-level cards could reshape mountains, Silver-level dimensions must be nightmarish to contain.
With his goal clear, Russell refined his search: Silver-level dimensions producing Field Card core materials. The list shrank dramatically.
[Filth Demon] Dimension - Produces [Wriggling Nest] Pass. The name alone...
[Omega] Dimension - Produces [City of Life] Interesting, but wrong energy for my needs.
Then he found it:
Silver-level [Night's End Banquet] Dimension - Produces [The Silent End]
Perfect. The death-aligned energy would resonate beautifully with his Bleach series, potentially manifesting as a Seireitei variant or something even more interesting.
"This one." Russell handed back the tablet, decision made.
Mr. Stern's expression shifted to knowing satisfaction. "Of course. Director Blake's apprentice would naturally gravitate toward death-system materials. Following in your master's footsteps, I see."
Russell kept his smile neutral. Let him think that—no need to explain that his goals diverged from his teacher's underworld focus. Sometimes assumptions were useful camouflage.
A few taps on the tablet later, Mr. Stern looked up. "All set. Take your cardmaker certification to the government office in Sunset District tomorrow. They'll handle the rest."
"Government office?" Russell's brow furrowed. "Not the Cardmakers Association?"
(End of this chapter)
Comments
Raphael Espinoza Angulo
Bureaucracy continues to attack.
