The Games We Play: Deck of Cards c3

Raynor continued to circulate magic in his body as he listened to the teacher.

Normally he doesn't give much care about what she is teaching. But this was training. He wanted to train his mind and magic at the same time.

It was the perfect opportunity to just do that!

"Mate…what happened? This is the second day when you pay attention in class!"

"Hmm? I guess."

"Did something happen?"

"In a way?"

"Oh?" The blonde was curious.

"I will show you after classes."

"Cool. Can't wait!" Arno thought that his friend got a new phone or something, now he needs to have adequate grades, or something similar.

~~~~~~After Classes~~~~~~

Raynor pulled out his black leather deck holder and opened it up and pulled out several cards.

More specifically he pulled out a wooden club card.

"Manifest."

The card glowed and turned into a wooden club.

"Whoa!!! What the actual fuck!?! I thought your dad brought a PC from Germany and now you working your ass to get good grades! But this!!! What is this!?" Arno exclaimed as he looked at the wooden club.

"This is my power. Remember those Korean novels where MC gets game-related stuff and can visit the dungeon?"

"...No…way! Those usually happen when the world gets fucked up and everyone goes to the dungeons to get strong so that they resist extradimensional beings!"

"...fuck…you kinda right…" Raynor enthusiasm deflated. But then…again…he is making the dungeons…

"But I am the one who is making those dungeons."

"Bro…are you for real?"

"Yeah? These dungeons lead to verses…or something like that."

"...Does this mean you could go to RWBY?" The blonde absentmindedly said with a hopeful tone.

"...RWBY? What is that?" The teen asked his blonde friend.

"it's a webtoon which takes ideas from animes and anime-like plots. But it's made by Americans. I heard they made anime with 12 episodes."

"Oh… okay… any specific reason?"

"Duh… it's girls beating up monsters and saving the world kinda thing."

"...I see…you had my curiosity but now you have my attention," Raynor said sagely as he fished out his phone and started web surfing.

"...Hmm…Hmm…I see…"

The teen instantly realised where Arno is aiming, his eyes went to the blonde chick, she had long lush blonde hair. Arno has a thing for these.

"So…you think WE could visit RWBY?" The teen suggested as he was thinking if this was possible.

"...If your powers work like that. We could." Arno nodded there was some excitement there.

"Hmm…I don't know  if it's possible to make a party, and I don't want to make you into a card or something."

"...What? Make me into a card?"

"Yeah…" As Raynor said that he pulled out another card and showed it to Arno.

"...Holy…fuck… you can DO THAT!?"

Raynor smirked before air solidified in front of him becoming something like a duelling table from Yu-Gi-Oh.

"Bruh…" Arno's eyes bulged when he saw this! It's so nostalgically iconic.

That moment he placed the card on it and a massive version of the card appeared in a vertical position, Arno could see what this was! It was Kiana Kaslana from Honkai Impact 3rd. He knows his best friend has been playing this thing for a couple of months now!

Moments later the card glowed and a girl with white hair walked out from the card.

'Holy…fuck…'

"Mmm? Where are we?"

'Even her voice! Like seriously…she has an identical voice to the voice actress!' Arno was stupefied! This girl is the real deal!

"You asked to summon you when I was done with school. We are outside. This road here is most of the time empty." Raynor explained to the girl. Who nodded and started to look around like a curious kitten.

"...wow… so much vegetation… THIS IS A small town!" There was awe in her voice as she walked over and touched the trees.

"...Damn…bro…what the hell! You can use Yu-Gi-Oh powers and summon people like how duelers summon monsters!?"

The blonde exclaimed with disbelief and pure shock. It was a shock which made him question the very reality he is living in!

"I know! Right! I was thinking the same thing! This system even has upkeep things like in FGO."

As the pair were talking Kiana only now noticed that Raynor was not alone. Like she somehow didn't even register this other guy's existence!

"...Mmm…and you are?" The white head appeared in front of Arno.

"...Ummm…Arno…his best friend."

"Ohh…I see! So…do you know me? Like he does?" She pointed her finger at Raynor.

"...Ahh…no…I am weak against Salt and Tragedy…so I kinda skipped your game… I know Raynor's only persevered because of music, the clips, and the girls."

This made her blush and look at Raynor as if he is guilty of something!

"Perv!"

"...What?" The teen looked baffled for being called 'perv'!

"...Nothing!" Kiana snorted and looked away. The thing was she effortlessly is keeping up walking backwards as she was in front of Arno. The way this girl operates her balance and self-awareness is at the master level.

"Wow…so she is tsundere. From the videos I saw she like always on offence. Remember that manga?"

"...hmm? Escape from Nagazora?" Raynor pointed the one out.

"Yeah…she was like on offence."

"Gahhh!!! Stop talking about ancient history! That was like years ago!" Kiana ended up right between them. Not wanting them to keep on talking.

"...Damn such a cat." The teen pointed out which made Kiana start heating up. It's like… they can pick her up and dissect effortlessly! All her embarrassing stuff!

"No! You cheat! I might like cats—"

"Nya-Nya-Nya" Raynor showed his phone where he was pressing on Kiana's battle suit. The girl was making cat-like sounds…

"..."

"...*Snort*..."

"...I give up…" Kiana just sighed…and decided to stop resisting… this was painful… and something she will lose. Nope… these guys are like…hackers and cheaters…and she supposes to play without those.

It's utterly and completely not fair!

"Right…sorry… though…hard to control my excitement with OG being here." This was where Raynor just pockets his phone and pulled the white head into one arm hug.

This made her feel better as she could feel how he feels. So it had much more weight than a regular apology would usually get.

"...So…got any other waifus?" Arno's words made Kiana instantly get on edge. Like… this blonde just opened a can of worms!

"...Hmm? No. Like…I only got this power night before."

"I see. How does it even—" Before the blond can even continue the white head hand got in his face.

"Explain! What is a 'waifu'? Why it sounds like a 'wife'?" She asked that her blue eyes were narrowed down. The girl was ignoring Raynor!

"... well…I guess… it's like… each Franchise has characters. Like… people, the audience has their favourites, the average ones. The bad guys they don't like.

The usual…thing you get when you watch or play a game."

To his explanation, she slowly nodded. This so far is something she understands.

"But then there is the cream of the crop. Waifus for guys and Husbandos for girls.

It's like… the characters you don't mind marrying. Like your favourites among favourites."

THIS…made her brain stop functioning. Now she gets it… the whole emphatic link… her cheeks erupted extremely red as smoke started to come out from her ears.

However, she ruthlessly slammed this down. She needs… answers!!!

"YOU said that Raynor—" She pointed at her 'partner' with her finger. "Has 'Waifus'...how MANY?"

"...You know you can just ask me…"

"SHHH! I don't trust you to tell ME about girls you like. For that kind of thing… I need to torme— I mean question your best friend!"

"...Did she just say torment!?"

"...No…why would I say such a thing?" The white-haired girl 'sweetly' said to the blonde who was feeling danger to his life.

He is pretty sure she is genetically enchanted…or more like her family genes are…

*Sigh*

"Does it even matter? Kiana? Don't you like your Mei-senpai?"

This made the white-haired girl stop in her tracks and look at him, for a few moments. She then bites her lower lip. He IS…kinda right… BUT…

The white beings' words reverberate through her mind. Telling her how her journey so far was extremely small compared to the one she will experience now.

And how…well…she is like sealed away for eternity with Honkai! It's not like she can just leave and return to the normal world of hers!

"Hmm… well… it does? I kinda…tried to get Mei-senpai for a while. But…well…you know… it never worked out. So…"

"...So?"

"...So…"

"...So…" Raynor just deadpanned at her.

"...She is a Tsundere. Use your weeb powers." Arno came to assist his best friend.

To this, Kiana just pushed Arno away and looked at Raynor.

"It's not that simple. I am sealed away with Honkai I CAN'T be in my world anymore."

"...Regardless you are Mei's number one simp. I don't need that especially when I could potentially summon Mei." He said with an eye roll.

"Gahhh! Don't say it like that!"

Kiana internally panicked when she sensed that his affection towards her just dropped. It's like he just came to some sort of realisation!

"...And how should I say it?"

"...Umm…"

"...anyway! I am totally going to give 120% effort! So that you could get over the fact that I am Mei's number one simp!" She said with a serious look. Which made him look baffled.

"...Right… wouldn't it be better if you lower the appreciation you have for Raiden Mei? From my understanding, she is a classic woman. Likes classic things…has classic attractions?"

"..."

Once again Kiana's mind was in chaos. She can feel his affection which she was bathing in for hours before is now shrinking. Like it's still there but the force behind it is getting lower.

'...I am getting Friend-zoned!?' She thought with horror as this was NOT what she wants for the remainder of her existence!

So swiftly she decided to switch her tactics!

Since the pair have passed her she swiftly caught up and ended up hugging Raynor from behind.

"I am not going to give up that easily!"

Raynor just rolled his eyes and ended up grabbing her by the legs.

This made her eyes widen as she swiftly let go of him!

The White Haired girl didn't expect him to adjust this swiftly! What a tough foe!

"As always, Kiana is cute."

"Grrrr…"

'He is not like Mei-senpai!'

Though that moment she recalled what Raynor said…if he is going to summon Mei…

'...Wait! Won't Mei-senpai get the same link with him!?'

At that moment Kiana paled. If this is the case…

'...Holy… this thing is dangerous!'

'How WILL she react to this!?'

She then realised that he has his other 'waifus' and who knows what they can do and how easily they embrace the link.

'This is it! Kiana's mission is to be number one! Sorry, Mei-senpai but I will be winning this!'

"Are you coming? I can unsummon you, Kiana!"

"Eh? No! I am coming!" The white head swiftly caught up.

Like hell, she wants to be unsummoned! She still needs to explore his house!

~~~~~~Later~~~~~~

Raynor and Arno spend the majority of the time after class talking about his power and the whole idea of possibly making a party.

After getting tired of just talking they went to do what they do best. They started playing games.

More specifically they tried to finish Mass Effect Trilogy on Nightmare difficulty.

While this was happening Kiana sneaked around the house and the room looking for clues! This was not her thing! But one still needs to expand one's arsenal.

Though this reminds her of the time she was in Arc City…

'Ugh…dark times, dark times… think of good things… good things!'

She focused on the link… it was not as strong as yesterday which made her nearly go mad!

'Friend-zoned!? I can't accept this!!!'

Flames of competitiveness ignited in her eyes. Like hell, she will allow this to end this way!

Eventually, she ended up sitting on his bed and looking at how they played the game.

'This stuff looks way too advanced! I thought my Earth has better technology…'

She then remembered her game…

'Oh… right…he knows me so…I can use that!'

Eventually, it was nighttime. And Arno had to go home which means they are all alone!

'Time for Kiana to move out!' The girl grinned to herself, she was like a cat ready to pounce!

"My mother is coming back soon…so…I am going to need to unsummon you soon."

At that moment Kiana in the most literal sense pulled him into bed and hugged him tightly.

"...Mission success!"

"...Hmm?"

"Yep! You made me think quite a lot! So now I need to explain!"

"...In this position?" She was hugging him like a Koala from behind… like… and the issue is that she has supernatural strength from her Kaslana genes.

Making him impossible to get out…

Well, he has a triumph card, but…he wants to keep it for now. Tickling is something he wants to keep to himself…for now.

"Yep! Anyways the whole thing with Mei-senpai."

"...right?"

"I do want to clarify that I will try very hard to get over it. Like truly hard."

"...Uh…I guess? I can help you a little bit. Since your Mei got quite close to another Herrscher…like they were flirty with each other."

His words instantly made her release him. There was an extremely shocked look on her face before she snapped out.

"...This…then it's okay? I want to be your number one waifu!" Kiana said with a straight face which made him get somewhat embarrassed! Like how can you say that with such a face!?

Honestly, she wanted to reveal the whole thing but the white being did something to her which makes her incapable to say the rest!

"...*Sigh*…"

"...Well!?"

"...is it that important to you?"

'You have no idea!'

"...Think it this way…How long do you think I will be stuck with you? AND don't forget my current situation!"

This made him realise that he didn't think about her situation…

Like…how long he will keep her card? Honesty…as long as he can…and her situation? She is sealed away WITH 99.99% of Honkai…

"...I see…You are right… fine… you can be my number one waifu…" Raynor had difficulty saying this… but he did…

The moment he said that a huge smile blossomed on Kiana's lips, she felt this through her connection with him! The affection power went up! Like it was more potent than ever before.

And that made her feel goosebumps rushing through her spine.

'Wow…'

The white-haired girl swiftly ended up hugging him again.

"Hehehe… don't worry I will help you become the greatest dungeon diver in the World…Worlds!" Her words made him feel slightly strange…

Here he was… getting cuddled by Kiana Kaslana of all people. A weebs dream come true.

"Sure… now I am going to recall you. My mother is coming back soon."

Hearing that made her have a…nostalgic smile. She then thought about the possibility…could she potentially meet her mother!?

'But what about the link? What if he gets a guy? How does this work!?'

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah… I am thinking about how to become the best partner to you there is!"

"...Righ… I do know when you are lying… it's easy to read." With an eye roll, he then recalled her.

Once the white-haired beauty was gone he sighed with relief and stored the card away.

He never thought girls like her can be such a pain in the neck. Especially how heavy-handed she can be with everything.

'No…I should have expected that…such a character usually is the one which saves the universe and stuff…'

Raynor sighed to himself as he proceeded to do some homework…he kinda didn't do it last time…and he doesn't want to miss math homework…the teacher is a pain in the ass even worse than his favourite waifu…

'Yeah… that…'

With an eye roll, he started to do it.

Not long after this mother returned from work. She just like him rolled her eyes at his situation. He got another lecture about doing things last minute.

Once homework was done he ended up doing his before bedtime rituals like teeth brushing and a short shower before going to bed.

"...that reminds me…do I have any other windows?"

'Companions' summon the duelling desk, which allows him to organise his 'party', but what about the rest?

"Status?"

"Skills?"

"Inventory?"

"Options?"

"Deck?"

At that moment a window popped up.

It was similar to how decks are done in Yu-Gi-Oh…

However, this was not the fabled card game… as there was only one card in the 'Companion' portion of the deck. One card in the 'Template' portion…

Others were in 'Weapons' all of these were the clubs, magic staffs, daggers and lastly Mei's Katana…

Followed by 'Items' where the pair of books were.

But the last one… was 'Miscellaneous' all 24 Honkai cards were in this.

'Can I use these? Like…what is the purpose?' Raynor thought to himself…

He pressed on one.

[Honkai-verse Energy Card]

[Do you wish to empower another Honkai-verse character by using Honkai?]

[Yes] [No]

The teen's eyes widened…

'These…are exp cards!'

He swiftly pressed [Yes], and the cards which got highlighted were Mei's sword and Kiana's.

This was a no-brainer choice, he pressed on Kiana,

A pop-up appeared afterwards.

[0>>>1]

[99 Remaining Until Evolution]

'Nice! Can I multi-click!?'

Raynor started to experiment. Eventually, he learned to drag the cards and ended up picking the remaining 23.

[1>>>24]

[76 Remaining Until Evoliution]

'Nice! finally some progress! Now I know how to get access to Flamescion and Finality! Wait… won't she get Void form as well!?'

For a second he felt some dread, she won't change into her Herrscher persona, won't she?

Honestly, he slightly got hesitant here. But then again this is her after she got over her Herrscher side. So it should be fine.

After this, he checked other stuff…

'Hmm…what this…I can use those clubs to refine daggers! Hell yeah!'

Raynor casually burned the club cards…

[0>>>10]

[Rusted Dagger refined into Restored Knife]

'...'

'Motherfucker! It's still Bronze Card!'

~~~~~~~~

[-Card Deck-]

['Lancelot' Template Card] {Gold} (Tier 3)

[Club x2] {Bronze} (Tier 1)

[Rusted Dagger x5] {Bronze}(Tier 1)

[Restored Dagger] {Bronze} (Tier 1)

[Crude Staff x5] {Bronze} (Tier 1)

[Introduction to Sorcery x1] {Silver} (Tier 2)

[Mage Staff] {Silver} (Tier 2)

[Elementals] {Gold} (Tier 3)

[Honkai Katana] {Silver} (Tier 2)

~~~

[-Equipment-]

[Wristband] {Silver} (Tier 2)

~~~

[-Companions-]

[Kiana Kaslana] {Bronze} (Tier 1)(Cost 1)