Okay I have to admit this is quite amazing. I am not quite sure how ‘they’ coded such complicated emotions or figured out to transmit these ‘feelings’ but the feat sure is impressive. Maybe I should dismantle the capsule and check the underlying technology.

“This…” I paused as I searched for the right words to communicate my thoughts. “medium of communication is normal in the game?” I asked as I simplified the many questions I had.

Tinkerbell excitedly nodded. “It is the only game that can achieve such great detailing of emotions and that too with such clarity. Even Royal Road cannot compare with it.” Her tone was filled with pride – I guess anyone would react like this when they share their hidden gem?

I have to agree with her. I can’t think of any game that can compare with Valor on this front. As I was lost in my thoughts, Tinkerbell pushed another card in my hand.

“Try summoning this one as well!” She said as she answered the questioning expression on my face.

“This is a light blue card…what tier is it?” I asked as I examined the card that she handed me. It read ‘Holy Paladin – General of the Great Northern Armies’: consumed 100SP / day, 500 MP upon summoning, and 10 Gold / day. Compared to the Fire Sprite, the Holy Paladin General had absurd costs. However, it had similarly absurd attributes - over 3000 HP and a single attack did 500 damage. If I had to guess this was a top tier summoning card…

“It’s diamond tier card!” Tinkerbell replied.

I thought so.

She continued talking with impatience pouring out from her voice, “Of all the cards discovered or crafted till now, Diamond is the highest tier. It’s like ULTRA-RARE!”

She shouted the last bit right into my ear – she is hyperactive…save me.

“Then why am I summoning it?” These things have limited uses. I didn’t see it before but after using the Fire Sprite card, the durability of the card now displayed ¾. I guess the durability attribute doesn’t show up if you don’t use the card… “I mean, what if it’s a one-time use?” Don’t rare cards usually have strict requirements.

It seems as though my question surprised Tinkerbell or at the very least caught her off-guard. However, she didn’t seem troubled at all.

“Good point…” Tinkerbell took the diamond tier out of my hand and placed it on the table. She began explaining, “There are four basic spells – Summon, Dispel, Examine, and Update. You know the first two, so we can skip those. I’ll explain the last two – they aren’t used as often but are still pretty important. If you want to know detailed information about a summon just use the ‘Examine’ spell. This will show you the underlying complex code of your spell, which includes the terms of contract. When a contract is about to expire or if your summon has morphed – use update to update the information in your card.”

She could see I had questions but ignored me. Then she took out a small blue gem stone from her pocket and placed it directly on top of the card. “Normally, I don’t need to use mana stones. However, if you want to project information. You need these…”

“Examine!” She whispered.

The blue color drained from the gem stone and the card began shining….no it would be better to say the card turned into a hologram projector, displaying many panels of continuously changing data.

I guess this is what she meant by – ‘underlying complex code of your spell’. It’s like staring at the matrix screen: weird random blue glowing alien characters constantly raining down. Tinkerbell ignored most of the panels and only focused on those with the English language. Her eyes were darting from one panel to another till she reached what she was looking for. “Unbelievable…” she muttered.

I followed her eyes to the text panel and read:

Contract Term 14

Duration of the Contract is to be followed as agreed by the terms described in this clause.

This contract is valid as long as the Summoner fulfills the terms of summoning. However, the duration of this validity is determined by the agreed duration between the Summoned and Summoner.

It should be noted that the agreed duration between the parties cannot exceed the duration limit set by the ‘Heavenly Laws’.

In this case, the contract is between HUMAN (Summoner) and HUMAN (Summoned) for a period of 5 years.

The typical duration of such a contract set by the ‘Heavenly Laws’ is 5 years unless the parties have explicitly agreed to set durations lower than this. There was no explicit duration set within the contract and hence Heavenly Laws have been applied.

In addition to the above, it should be noted that if the contract is not valid or if the terms of the contract are breached - the contract will be considered voided and the Summoned has no obligation to follow through. In this case the duration of the contract comes to an end prematurely.

Furthermore, Exceptions Clause takes precedence over all core terms of contract (Terms 01 - 68). Specific to this case, Summoned Beings, who do not meet the exceptions criteria, will automatically void the contract and hence, terminate all remaining duration immediately.

Wow…that was quite legally worded…. anyway, long story short as long as I can pay for my summon this summon is valid for 5 years. This card is indeed quite good and vastly superior to the silver tiered fire sprite.

“Summon Holy Paladin – General of the Great Northern Armies.” I spoke out as I held the card up in the air. The animations were a bit different this time – instead of burst into flames, the card slowly began to dematerialize (evaporate), followed by a hologram of four magic circles appearing on the ground, and finally intense white light slowly forming into the silhouette of a person.

As the image materialized, there was a young woman clad in silver armour standing with her sword drawn. With all her armour and helmet, I couldn’t make out her features other than she was a woman.

“You summoned?” The Holy Paladin asked as she bowed towards me, awaiting my instructions.

“You finally appeared!” Tinkerbell squealed as she shook the Paladin’s hand while jumping.

“I can only be summoned by my Contractor.” The Paladin replied with a strict tone as though she were looking down on the little girl. The Paladin freed her hand from Tinkerbell’s grip.

Tinkerbell seemed to be pouting, “Really…that’s a high level summon for you.”

“Should I dispel her?” I asked. Unlike the fire sprite, I feel no telepathic connection with this summon. You’d think that a higher tier card would be more amazing but she doesn’t give off any such vibe.

Before Tinkerbell could say anything, the Paladin took a step closer to me and lifted me into the air by the collar. “You summoned me all the way here for absolutely no reason?”

I think she is pissed – now I feel bad…. Wait! This kind of thinking is just wrong. Why are my cards always so pissed at me when I summon them? Do they need to have a reason to be summoned?

“Is it a problem?” I meekly ask.

I think she raised me higher with that question.

“A problem you ask? I left everything I was doing to answer your summon and now I find out it was for absolutely nothing….and you dare ask me a high ranking general – is it a problem? You tell me, do you think I have a problem?” The Paladin asked as she shook me in mid air.

What’s with this ridiculous strength and comical shakedown!!

“No!” Tinkerbell snapped. “We have a reason!”

“We—ee-e-e-e-e- Doo-oo-o-o-o-o-o?” I asked as I limply went back forth in mid air.

“Did he summon you a week or ten days ago?” Tinkerbell asked.

“I only answer to my summoner.” The Paladin replied.

“Yee-ssssss. Peh Leezzzzz Aaaaanswer Herrrrr quesssstionnnnssss.” I quickly replied.

The paladin took a deep breath and stopped shaking me like a milk shake. She slowly placed me down and released her grip.

“No. He did not.”

Well, that disappointing to know. Looks like it’s another dead-end. However, not necessarily a bad outcome. I can summon my cards just to see if Audicious-Lee used them right before his disappearance and gleam some information on what mission was he on or where was he last in the game.

Tinkerbell passed me the guide book. “Audicious-lee, read the guide. I have some questions for your Paladin.”

I quietly take the book and run away – I’ll happily read the book than deal with the Paladin giving me the death glare!