Card Apprentice Daily Log

Date 24 Mar 2321

Time 9:03

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

By the time the first round of attack had been executed Iron flesh had descended to the height of 110 meters any further and it would be hard for Pax to attempt a mid-air take-off thanks to all the extra gravity due to Paul's two superimposed field cards. 

Ever since Pax had received the caution prompt regarding Iron Flesh's imbalance and flight duration, Pax was already prepared to bail out but he had to make use of the firepower that Iron Flesh was packing… together this firepower was had crossed the limits of C-rank weapon and ascended to B-rank which would trump C-rank defence card Paul had prepared for himself. 

Pax having just stepped into the Card soldier realm had 60-stars at the hand of which skill card FeatherWeight occupied 21-stars and skill card Float occupied 24-stars leaving Pax with 15-stars which after digging into Paul's devious past Pax and his sisters assigned to a Poison related skill card knowing that Paul had a history of using poison cards in his past card fights.

Preparing a 15-star card Poison related skill card Pax at the beginning of the deathmatch thought was unnecessary seeing Paul use field and trap cards but consoled himself thinking being prepared is not bad. Pax chose such a card lineup because of his new Origin card Iron Flesh which not only provided him with supernatural strength, speed etc but also impenetrable armour and limit breaking firepower, yes! Pax's card choice was heavily dependent on his origin card and research on Paul's battle style. 

Paul was smart and knew anybody who went through his history of card fights would know his use of Poison cards and especially someone with Pax's resources would be prepared with a counter to his poison cards… One of the reasons why Paul switched to Field and trap card using the loopholes in the Whiteburn family duel rules. 

Thankfully Pax's card choice still had a great impact on his battle with Paul and even gave him the edge for his victory… 

After the first round of attacks had been executed Pax did a quick sweep of the arena with his Iron Flesh's sensory system and then ordered, "Switch to tier2 angel form and ascend 900 meters height. " 

[Switch to Tier 2… 

Activating Tier 2 angle form…

Mid-air flight successful… ascending to 900 meters…] 

Even though the arena was filled with smoke thanks to his sensory system Pax knew that Paul's presence in the arena had vanished and both his field cards were losing their effect… While Iron Flesh had descended to the height of 100 meters… unable to find Paul's presence, Pax switched back to Tier2 exo-armour in mid-air and soared to the skies to maintain a safe distance from the arena in case Paul had any surprise in store for him. 

Not until the smoke had cleared and the referee had announced his victory and explained the sudden absence of Paul's presence in the arena did Pax dare to descend the sky and land on the arena ground. Yes, Pax was being too cautious but it was deserved considering the risk and high stakes involved if he lost Pax was bound to lose everything so his caution was deserved. 

Landing on the ground confirming his victory Pax deactivated his origin card, though the arena smelled funny Pax credited it to the burnt smell and began focusing on the crowd's commotion and 3rd Elders words, Just when the staff were about to deactivate the arena barrier Pax felt weak and suddenly huge information was dumped into his brain by one of his passive cards, turns out that the funny smell he neglected earlier was bad news, 

'Damn you, Paul!' Cursing Paul inwardly Pax hurriedly shouted, "Wait! Do not deactivate the barrier! The arena is filled with Firefox-bane poison vapours." 

Thanks to his 15-star '1000 poison physique passive' skill card Pax had avoided a huge crisis, Paul's final move Firefox-bane poison vapours. Right now Pax was really feeling very good about doing his homework on Paul's past card fights and preparing for it ahead. 

[Card Name: 1000 Poison Physique

Card Type: Skill Card (passive)

Card Rank: C-rank, uncommon 

Card Rating: 15-stars

Card Durability: [91/100]

Card Effect: Equipping this card user is immune to 1000 different Poisons and has enhanced Poison resistance.

Additional Effect: The host gains knowledge about all the 1000 poisons that the card gave the user immunity against.]

Turns out when Paul switched places with something of equal weight he had switched places with 160-pound Firefox-bane powder which in contact with high temperature vaporised and filled the complete arena with Firefox-bane poisonous vapours. 

Firefox-bane poisonous vapours are deadly poisons and can poison a person by just breathing in and coming into contact with eyes, ears, mouth and tongue. A person exposed to these poisonous vapours is bound to die within the next 120 seconds if the victim cannot get the appropriate antidote or treatment for the poison. This was Paul's final move enough to kill the employer in case he decides to tie up loose ends or Pax if he happens to be worthy of the title 'The Whiteburn family young genius'. This way anyone who was against him was bound to die a miserable death. 

…

Hearing Pax's alarmed shout the Whiteburn family staff stopped deactivating the arena barrier and turned to 3rd elder for guidance. 

To verify Pax's claims 3rd elder to everyone's astonishment passed through the barrier without any resistance and entered the arena. Entering the arena the wrinkly pale white skin of 3rd elder started to turn red coming in contact with the Firefox-bane vapours, with a sigh 3rd elder ordered, "*sign* to think that one of the Whiteburn family cubs has become so contaminated and poisonous... close the arena and call for family alchemists and poison masters to clean it up. 

The audience is advised to maintain discipline within the Whiteburn family premises and leave the family grounds in an orderly fashion, the award ceremony for the victor is cancelled due to the current turn of events.

Excommunicado Paul Whiteburn's bounty has been raised to 5 soul jades… caution is advised as the hunt is well versed and equipped with a large variety of poisons." 

Hearing the 3rd Elder conform to Pax's claims the crowd burst out in hushed discussions, if not for the 3rd elder's presence and warning they would have raised the roof in a panic.

'Wtf! Paul is too vicious.'

'I think Paul is smart, not only did he escape imminent death but also almost killed Pax but alas reality is not in his favour.' 

'Paul smart? Are you kidding me he was bound to die from the beginning… Though Pax is the family head's bastard son he still is the family head's only son and male heir. If this deathmatch was not suicidal on Paul's part then what?'

'What! The Whiteburn family head would not break the family rules which stops the loser's family from hurting or targeting the Victory.' 

'Buddy this is the Whiteburn family we are talking about, their family motto is 'Strong make the rules and break the rules'... You tell me if the family head dubbed as the strongest of the Whiteburn family is willing to break some rules as revenge for his only son.' 

'Whatever! But why involve us the innocent bystanders… if not for Pax's timely warning we all would be dead right now.' 

'Come on! Which fantasy era are you living in! Does killing require a reason in this era!' 

'But still, it is very scary knowing a wacko having a bad day could simply kill you for no reason at all on your way home or work.' 

'Isn't that why we card apprentices pursue strength constantly.'

… 

3rd Elder turned to Pax and said, "Not bad kid! Reaching card soldier realm at 16… even your father was not this talented!" 

Pax respectfully bowed to the 3rd elder and humbly said, "Elder is doting the younger generation…" 

The 3rd elder shook his head and said, "Kid! remember being too humble comes out as prideful… anyway was that giant golem your origin card which your siblings and you were running around to create." 

Hearing the 3rd Elder Pax fists clenched and suppressing his rage he said, "Yes elder!" 

"kid let me give it to you straight, Yes I knew some lesser elders were blocking you and your siblings from hiring a capable card creationist and Yes even though I knew all this I did not step up and turned a blind eye to it… I did the same when your Elder sister Elizabeth and your Father tried to step on their brother and sister to rise to their power. If I keep stepping in when every generation tried to gain power then all the deathmatches and our family tradition will lose meaning." Explained 3rd Elder patiently unlike his arrogance towards the audience earlier. 

"Thank you Elder for your guidance… And please forgive the younger generation for his mistakes." Hearing the elder's words Pax understood that his Father's and elder sister's rise to power was not as heroic as they made it sound.

"Don't sweat it, Kid, the only reason I am wasting my time on you is that I consider you strong. Don't let your talent get to your head and remember our family saying… 'Talents and Genius come and go only tough people last' keep that in your mind." Said the 3rd elder.