A few days later.

  After finally managing to work out a custom security inscription for himself, Yang had spent the next few days improving on it and trying to add it to other types of cards he'd created.

  Once he got the hang of it, it became easier to make it work with almost all his inscriptions. A few required some extra time and experimentation before he managed to get them functioning as they should. The key was understanding how the security layer interacted with different energy flow patterns. Some inscriptions were naturally more compatible with the overlay than others.

  He'd reached a threshold where he could confidently create all the card designs he had access to, both public domain and proprietary, with or without security inscriptions as needed.

  In all that time, Yang had managed to avoid going to the Cardwright Association. But now the time had come that he must venture there again and have the delight of once more suffering the condescending presence of the association's employees.

  He's at a point where he had access to no new card inscriptions. If he wanted to keep increasing the status bar in his Sea of Consciousness, he needed to get access to higher grade card patterns. Or keep continuously creating new designs of his own, which wasn't sustainable. Innovation couldn't be forced. It came from understanding, experimentation, and sometimes luck. He couldn't rely on breakthroughs happening fast enough to maintain progress.

  Yang made his way to the Cardwright Association building through the familiar streets of Markech. The city looked the same as always. Gray and smoky.

  As he reached the imposing stone building, Yang saw two people sitting at the entrance desk. He vaguely remembered that they were different from the men manning the desk the last time he was here. New staff, or perhaps just a different shift.

  He approached the desk, and before either could say anything, Yang took out his Cardwright Association card that showed his identity as a Grade One Cardwright. He placed it forward and slid it toward them.

  "I'm here to register as a Grade Two Cardwright," Yang said simply.

  The man on the left immediately took his card, his eyes going from bored to attentive in an instant. "Right away, sir. Mr. Valemore."

  His eyes widened slightly while reading the certificate, noting the date of Yang's Grade One certification over a year ago.

  "The registration testing fee for Grade two cardwright certification test is one hundred shillings, please."

  Yang paid the amount. The man took the money and filled Yang's information into a form, then stood and gestured for Yang to follow.

  "This way, Mr. Valemore. I'll escort you to the testing room."

  The man led him through a door Yang hadn't entered before, up a flight of stairs to the first floor, and into a much better appointed room than the small waiting area he'd been placed in last time.

  This room had proper furniture. A large desk. Comfortable chairs. Windows that actually let in light. The walls were decorated with framed examples of notable card designs. Everything spoke of respect and status.

  Yang was impressed with the effect of the Cardwright Association identification card. After all, due to isolating himself in his flat for the past year, he'd had no chance to enjoy the respect and regard that came with being a registered Cardwright in this world.

  "Please wait here. The examiner will be with you shortly," the man said, bowing slightly before leaving.

  Yang had to wait barely five minutes before the same man who'd conducted his Grade One test entered with a wide smile on his face. His expression was pleasant, warm, like they were long-lost family reuniting after years apart.

  "Mr. Valemore! So glad to see you back here. You just disappeared after your Grade One certification." The man's tone was friendly, concerned even, as if Yang's absence had been a personal loss.

  Yang just smiled back politely. "I had to work hard practicing so I could be here today to get my Second Grade Cardwright certification."

  The man let out a laugh as if Yang had said something particularly witty. "Of course, of course! Dedication to the craft. That's what we like to see."

  Yang was no fool. He knew it wasn't a coincidence this man was the exact person assigned to test him again. There had to be multiple examiners in this building. But Yang had no reason to refuse the situation, and frankly, it didn't matter who conducted the test.

  As the man took his seat behind the desk, Yang leaned back in his chair and said, "This time I've brought my own blank cards and inscription pen, so I can demonstrate my skills since I still lack someone to vouch for me."

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  The man's smile became slightly uncomfortable. A flash of something crossed his expression, too quick to read clearly.

  Yang pushed a blank card and his inscription pen forward across the desk. "Please check them to ensure they haven't been tampered with or enhanced in any way."

  The man quickly shook his head and pushed them back toward Yang. "Of course there's no need to check that, Mr. Valemore. You are a member of the Cardwright Association. That itself makes you trustworthy." He spread his hands magnanimously. "Just create whatever inscription you want, and I'll have your Grade Two certification created in an instant."

  He was unable to hide the calculating look in his eyes as he said this, though. Clearly expecting Yang to create something impressive. Something worth noting and reporting to whoever had been watching Yang since his first registration.

  Yang, not particularly caring about showing off the full extent of his skills, decided on a barrier card. It required triple inscriptions to function properly. He'd found the best method was using the continuous inscription technique, where he would start with the first pattern and continue through the second and third inscriptions before locking the endpoint of the third inscription to the starting point of the first, creating one unified whole.

  While nothing special as far as advanced cards were considered, it demonstrated proficiency and expertise in card creation well enough. Double inscriptions were the minimum requirement for Grade Two certification along with showing your own customisation and innovation.

  Yang deliberately went slower than his usual pace to ensure no mistakes. He attached an energy stone to his pen, positioned the blank card carefully, and began inscribing.

  The first pattern formed smoothly. A circular design with radiating lines, establishing the barrier's foundation. Without lifting the pen, Yang transitioned into the second pattern. Interlocking triangles that defined the barrier's height and permeability.

  The energy flowed steadily from the stone through the crystal pen into the card. Yang maintained perfect control, each stroke precise and deliberate.

  The third pattern wove around the first two. Spiral elements that determined the barrier's strength and duration. Yang's hand moved with practiced confidence, connecting the complex design back to where he'd started.

  The final stroke locked the inscription. The card glowed bright green, the three patterns pulsing in harmony before settling into a steady, faint luminescence.

  Yang set down the pen and pushed the completed card toward the examiner.

  "It's a barrier card," Yang explained. "It creates a barrier of about four feet in height over a designated area. The barrier prevents anything inside from leaving but doesn't stop anything from entering. It can be used by people who keep animals to prevent them from running off. Parents can use them to keep children tethered to their yards and prevent them from wandering into trouble. It's basically a fence that can only be crossed one way."

  Yang paused, then added, "It can be customized with different heights and the size of the space it covers, so it's rather useful and has many different applications."

  The man, whose name Yang had never bothered to learn, looked genuinely pleased. He took the card in his hand, inspected it closely, then stood and moved to one empty side of the room.

  He activated the card.

  A shimmering wall of force appeared, forming a rectangular barrier about four feet high and spanning roughly six feet across. The man tossed a small object, a pen from the desk, at the barrier from the outside. It passed through easily. Then he placed the pen inside the barrier and tried to push it back out. The pen stopped at the barrier wall, unable to pass.

  "Well done, Mr. Valemore. You have achieved Second Grade Cardwright certification." The man deactivated the card and returned to the desk. "Let me get your new identification card and return this demonstration piece to you."

  It took a few minutes before the man returned with Yang's new card and the barrier card he'd created, along with a pile of books in his arm passing all of them to him with a congratulatory smile.

  The new identification card was similar to the Grade One version but with updated information showing his Second Grade status and today's date.

  "Congratulations, Mr. Valemore. This is quite an achievement for someone so young."

  Yang accepted both cards and tucked them away and placed the books on the desk near him. "Thank you. If that's all, I'll be going now."

  "Actually," the man said quickly, "there's one more thing. Mr. Valemore, you disappeared last time for more than a year. While dedication to practice is admirable, isolation can be limiting." He leaned forward, his expression taking on a mentoring quality. "In the journey to becoming a great Cardwright, guidance from senior practitioners can be invaluable. I must invite you come meet some of your seniors in the Cardwright Association. Let me introduce you to a few experienced Second and Third Grade Cardwrights. Their insights could greatly accelerate your development."

  Yang tried to refuse politely. "That's very kind, but I prefer to focus on my practice. I learn best through direct experimentation."

  But the man was insistent. "I understand your preference for independence, Mr. Valemore. Truly, I do. But the association functions as a community. We support each other. Share knowledge. Collaborate on innovations. You would benefit greatly from these connections, and frankly, your seniors would be very interested in meeting a young Cardwright of your evident talent."

  Yang could see refusing would burn bridges he might need later. The Cardwright Association controlled access to higher grade inscriptions. Antagonizing them by being stubbornly antisocial would only create problems.

  He reluctantly agreed. "Very well. A brief introduction would be acceptable."

  "Excellent!" The man stood eagerly. "Come, I'll take you to them now. You can leave the books here for now, I’ll have someone take them to the main desk at entrance so you can have them when you leave"

  Yang followed as the man led him out of the testing room and further into the building.

  As they walked through hallways Yang had never seen before, past rooms where other Cardwrights worked on inscriptions or studied designs, Yang thought to himself that he'd tried avoiding drama since arriving in this world.

  He'd kept his head down. Focused on card creation. Sold his work quietly. Avoided drawing attention.

  But it looked like his time of peace had run out.

  Whatever was waiting for him with these "senior Cardwrights," Yang suspected it wouldn't be a simple friendly introduction.

  Something about the calculating look in the examiner's eyes, the eagerness to connect Yang with these people, suggested ulterior motives.

  Yang steeled himself as they approached a set of ornate double doors. The examiner knocked twice and waited.

  "Come in," a voice called from inside.

  The examiner opened the doors and gestured for Yang to enter.

  Yang stepped through, his expression carefully neutral, ready to face whatever came next.