Yang made his way through the streets that had become familiar due to his visits to the library. The Cardwright Association was located along the same route, although a bit further in toward the more affluent area of Markech. He hadn't seen it before because the library was closer, so it would be his first time going that far and seeing the building.

  Thankfully, the very lacking instruction book had not been without the address of the local association chapter in the city. Apparently this was an official release, Yang thought, and it had dropped his opinion of the association considerably after seeing the kind of instruction book they were willing to put their seal of approval on.

  Yang walked at a smooth pace through the rather unpleasant city. Markech was as opposite to White Cloud Sect as possible. The whole place was muted, a shade of gray cast over everything. The sky was filled with smoke leaking from the factories. An overall very unpleasant city to live in.

  The five cards in his coat pocket were a comfortable weight against his body as he walked. It took almost an hour to reach the Cardwright Association building. Yang really missed his beast core enhanced body. He'd barely noticed the advantage before after the initial changes, but now that he was stuck in this godforsaken world, he really realized how much he'd taken it for granted. The ache in his legs from the long walk was annoying. He cursed and missed White Cloud Sect even more, how he'd used to walk along the peaks and bridges without a thought to pesky little issues like getting tired.

  The Cardwright Association Hall was a massive stone building that dominated its street.

  The exterior was constructed from pale limestone. The front facade was dominated by a broad central section that projected outward, framed by pairs of thick columns rising from the ground to the upper stories. These columns were fluted and capped with heavy stone capitals carved with repeating geometric patterns and card-shaped motifs.

  The main entrance sat at the top of a short stairway. Above it, a large sculpted crest was set into the stone, depicting the Association's emblem in high relief.

  Yang climbed the short stairs and entered and looked around.

  Inside, the entrance hall was expansive, with a high ceiling supported by thick columns arranged in pairs. The columns were carved with shallow relief patterns that repeated throughout the building. Walls were faced with polished stone panels separated by decorative molding. The floor was laid with large stone tiles in a repeating geometric pattern.

  Staircases curved upward from both sides of the hall, their stone steps wide and shallow, bordered by carved balustrades. A large marble desk sat in the center in a similar architectural style, with two men in old-fashioned suits sitting behind it. Their backs were straight and superior sneering expressions crossed their faces as they noticed Yang.

  The building was certainly very grand and magnificent. If Yang had actually been Lucien, the expressions on the faces of the men at the desk and the ostentatiousness of the building would have made him very uncomfortable if not outright terrified.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  But Yang was from a world where anything was possible and even immortality existed. Being part of White Cloud Sect had broadened his view considerably. Before, he might have been embarrassed at looking poor or unkempt. But after joining the sect, he'd gained a quiet sort of confidence. Which mainly resulted in him not caring what others thought of him.

  So he couldn't care less what these glorified receptionists thought.

  He approached the desk and said, "Excuse me."

  One of them, the nearest to Yang, turned to him with a condescending expression. "Coachmen aren't allowed inside the building. Please wait outside for your master."

  Yang very well knew the man was aware he was no coachman. Actual coachmen were well-dressed and wore uniforms given by their employers. This man was just trying to make him uncomfortable.

  But Yang was no scared, shivering peasant who would lose his confidence at such a pathetic show of power. He was a rather self-confident peasant.

  "I am here to submit completed cards for registration as a card creator," Yang said evenly.

  The man turned to him fully this time, looking displeased that Yang hadn't flown away like the insect he clearly thought Yang was. "Look, this is no place for the likes of you. Card creation is a prestigious and difficult skill. Not just anyone can make a few scribbles and call themselves a card creator."

  Yang gave the man a sardonic smile. "Oh, are you one? I wasn't aware that you were the one to approve new members and make the decisions."

  The man sputtered, and his colleague interceded with an uncomfortable smile, playing the good cop. "Look, he doesn't mean any offense. We just want to save you the trouble. The registration process requires…."

  Yang cut him off. "I am here to register as a card creator. Tell me the procedure, or I can find someone else in this big building myself."

  Yang was bluffing. He wasn't stupid enough to actually go barging through the building uninvited and risk having his legs broken for trespassing. But there was nothing to say he couldn't make them think he would become unruly and ruin the peace of their grand and prestigious association.

  The second man's smile became more strained. He stood quickly. "Please, follow me. We have a waiting room for applicants."

  He led Yang to a door off the main hall where a small desk and chair were situated in a plain room. "Please wait here. Someone will be with you in a moment."

  Yang didn't want to be left waiting for hours, so he looked around curiously and said, "Take your time. This room looks interesting. I'll take a look around while I wait."

  "Please sit," the man said quickly, alarm entering his voice. "Someone will be with you shortly. And please don't touch anything."

  The man hurried away, now eager to call anyone available to see Yang before he had an opportunity to touch and steal anything with his poor, grubby hands.

  Yang let out a smile of satisfaction and sat down in the chair.

  Huh, I enjoyed that, he thought. White Cloud Sect is just too nice. Sometimes a man needs some variety in life.

  He settled in to wait, the five cards still safely in his coat pocket.

  The room was small and plainly furnished compared to the grandness of the rest of the building. Just the desk, chair, and a few wooden cabinets against the walls. Probably where they stored registration forms and other administrative materials. The walls were bare except for a single painting of what appeared to be the Association's founder, looking stern and judgmental.

  Yang ignored it and focused on keeping calm. This was the first real test. If his cards weren't good enough, if they failed inspection, he'd wasted ten weeks and a significant portion of Lucien's energy stones.

  But Yang was confident. His cards were well-made. The inscriptions clean and complete. The energy flow stable. He'd tested each one multiple times. Especially after the disappointing realisation that the basic cards were really basic.

  They would pass. They had to.

  Footsteps approached from the hallway. Yang straightened slightly, preparing to meet whoever would be examining his work.

  The door opened.