My Deck Is Made Up Of OP Anime Characters

For his new residence, Azrael deliberately chose a location on the outskirts of Pixar, a quiet area with sparse population and easy access to the city's outskirts. While the tranquility appealed to him, his primary motivation was his obligations to the Crimson Oath Society.

When the organization assigned him missions, he couldn't risk exposure by operating in a densely populated downtown area where countless eyes might witness his comings and goings. The suburban location offered crucial tactical advantages. When darkness fell, he could use the Breathless Orb to find a secluded corner, don his Mark 3 armor, and escape undetected.

During the final days of the Provincial Trials, Azrael had already secured his new home through long-distance arrangements. Today, he could finally move in and establish his independence. His personal belongings were minimal, the truly valuable items being several silver-tier materials that never left his person. Everything else, from furniture to basic appliances, could be purchased as needed.

But first he had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Time to see what the Crimson Oath Society has planned," he muttered, making his way through the streets of Pixar toward a familiar destination.

"Well, well. What brings you here today?"

Sitting in her executive chair, Fredrika carefully applied crimson lipstick while studying her reflection in an ornate makeup mirror. Her wine-colored hair caught the office lights as she glanced at her unexpected visitor.

Azrael sat down on the familiar leather sofa and fixed her with an exasperated look. "Don't pretend you don't know what day it is."

Fredrika pursed her newly colored lips and turned to look at him with fox-like eyes that sparkled with amusement. "Who in all of Pixar doesn't know the name of our newest provincial champion?"

Her tone grew more curious as she put down her makeup. "So which university caught your attention in the end?"

Of course, Fredrika knew that today marked the end of the Greenridge Province Unified Examination. However, Azrael had never mentioned Master Lucian's previous offer to the Crimson Oath Society, so she remained unaware of his predetermined path to Pixar University. The dramatic events of today's recruitment battle hadn't yet spread through the city's networks, so Fredrika was unaware of the competition between two master-level Lore Cardians for a single student.

"Pixar University," Azrael replied without ceremony, seeing no point in playing games.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Fredrika's features. "Why not Peking University? That would have been the more... strategic choice."

"Though Pixar University certainly has its merits," she added diplomatically.

As the Crimson Oath Society hoped to see Azrael ascend to positions of real influence, Beijing University was the optimal route. After all, Pixar University's location in the southern capital, while impressive, paled in comparison to Beijing's status as the true seat of power in the Aetherlight Empire. Graduates of Beijing University's Cardian program typically secured positions in the imperial capital itself, where the Empire's most important decisions were made.

Hearing Fredrika's assessment, Azrael fell silent as he weighed whether to reveal his new status as Master Lucian's student. The hesitation lasted only a few moments before he realized that such momentous news could not be kept secret indefinitely. Better to reveal it now and see what benefits the Crimson Oath Society might offer in response.

As for future concerns about the organization asking him to spy on Master Lucian, those worries seemed manageable. After all, Azrael wasn't really bound by their mystical contracts. When the time came, he could simply fabricate plausible information to meet their expectations.

Putting aside his internal debate, Azrael spoke with deliberate precision. "Master Lucian has accepted me as his personal apprentice."

The effect was immediate and dramatic. Fredrika shot to her feet, shock replacing her usual calm demeanor. "Are we talking about this Master Lucian?"

Seeing Azrael's affirmative nod, her expression quickly changed from surprise to calculation and finally to something approaching awe mixed with concern.

"You have taken me by surprise," she said after a long pause, her voice carrying new weight. "I must inform the leadership immediately."

After another moment of pensive silence, Azrael decided to press his advantage. "The organization should give appropriate recognition for this development, shouldn't it?"

Fredrika's lips curved into a knowing smile at his directness. "You're learning to think strategically. Good."

"Don't worry," she continued with obvious satisfaction. "With that kind of leverage, the Organization won't let you die easily, they have far too much invested in your future now."

Then perhaps you should cancel the mystical contract before making such promises, Azrael thought cynically. As long as this supernatural bond remained in place, only Jin truly controlled whether any member lived or died, aside from Azrael himself, of course.

However, he kept these thoughts carefully hidden, instead voicing his primary concern. "Recently, the organization has suddenly provided me with extensive materials. I assume there's a mission that requires my attention?"

To his surprise, Fredrika's confident demeanor faltered. After a long pause, she replied with obvious reluctance, "Originally, yes. A mission was planned for you."

"But now that you have become Master Lucian's disciple, that mission will require... reconsideration."

Azrael's analytical mind immediately drew conclusions from her hesitation. "Sounds like the original mission involved considerable danger."

Fredrika ignored his comment, instead rubbing her temples as if fighting a headache. "Return home for now. There will be rewards, we'll see what the leadership approves based on your new status."

"As for missions, wait for my notification."

Seeing Fredrika's obvious evasion, Azrael confirmed his suspicions about the dangerous nature of the mission. But he would waste no energy questioning an organization that had never pretended to be charitable. Their willingness to risk his life for their cause was hardly surprising.

"Then I'll head back," he said simply.

Without prolonging the conversation, Azrael left the Velvet Springhouse headquarters, leaving Fredrika alone on the top floor.

"Azrael," she murmured to the empty office, her voice full of speculation and possibility. "I never expected you to rise so high, so quickly."

"Perhaps there is a chance for this goal after all."

Leaving the Velvet Springhouse behind, Azrael returned to his hotel to gather his few personal belongings. The matter of the Crimson Oath Society was settled for now, leaving him free to focus on his immediate priorities. For the foreseeable future, he planned to maintain a simple routine of meditation, training, and... recreation.

Since he was carrying luggage, it wasn't practical to take Pidgeot directly home. He would have to rely on conventional transportation, despite the inconvenience.

When his summoned taxi arrived, Azrael felt a familiar pang of annoyance; the driver was the same man who had transported him from the Velvet Springhouse on his first visit to that establishment.

"Young man, are you on your way to the Velvet Springhouse again?" the driver asked with barely concealed amusement.

Azrael's expression darkened as he ignored the question and gave his new address instead.

The car moved steadily through Pixar's traffic, the silence stretching uncomfortably until the driver's voice broke through again.

"Last time I told you I was just visiting relatives, did you believe me?" Azrael asked with defensive irritation.

The driver wore the knowing grin that all men supposedly shared. "Sure, sure. Visiting relatives. I completely understand."

Hearing the obvious implication in the man's tone, Azrael's mood soured further. Does he really think I don't recognize his not-so-subtle innuendo?

At his new residence, Azrael paid the fare with obvious displeasure and escaped into his empty home.

Looking around the bare rooms, he sighed with relief. "Since I'm staying in Pixar, at least I shouldn't have any unexpected 'NPCs' showing up at my doorstep."

After ordering essential furniture and appliances from his phone, Azrael began to consider his next strategic moves.

Priority one was undoubtedly mapmaking. While he could feel the threshold of silver approaching, actual advancement would require more time and focused effort. In the meantime, Pidgeot was becoming increasingly outdated for his needs. Since Mark 3 could not be revealed during his student activities, he needed a new flying mount to match his public identity.

In addition to transportation, he desperately needed protective cards. The recent tournament had highlighted his vulnerability to area-of-effect attacks that could bypass his cards entirely. In structured duels, such concerns were minimal, but in wilderness encounters, there were no such limitations.

Fortunately, the six million Empyrean dollar scholarship from Pixar University had arrived in his account, finally providing the funds necessary for substantial improvements. If he had any money left over after essential purchases, he'd consider creating a storage card to overcome his logistical limitations.

While saving money for Silver level advancement seemed logical, few materials at that level could be purchased with conventional currency. Converting his current wealth directly into combat power offered a better immediate return. After all, wealth meant nothing if he didn't survive to spend it.

The pieces of his new life at Pixar began to take shape. With Master Lucian's guidance, the resources of Pixar University, and the backing of the Crimson Oath Society, however dubious its motives, Azrael had the foundation for unprecedented growth.

The question was whether he could balance these competing interests long enough to achieve his true goals. Each faction offered valuable benefits, but all came with dangerous strings attached. Navigating their expectations while pursuing his own agenda would require every ounce of cunning and strength he possessed.

But for now, he had a new home to furnish and maps to design. The future could wait until tomorrow.