The entrance to the space was, of course, guarded by certified Cardcasters from the Association.
When they saw Russell emerge, they were visibly surprised—was the field training already over?
Before they could say anything, Russell approached at a brisk pace, his expression grave.
"Something went wrong," he stated flatly.
Soon, Ms. Song and the base supervisor, Director Graves, arrived after receiving the report.
Ms. Song could hardly believe her ears when she heard Russell was the first to exit the space. In her mind, Russell would've been the last student to come out, if at all.
Seeing him safe and sound, she exhaled in relief but quickly asked, "What happened?"
Russell recounted everything that occurred inside the space.
However, he was cautious—he suspected the involvement of the group known as the Pact of the Begging Spirits, but with so many Association members around (and the possibility of spies), he left out the part involving Mr. Walker's transformation. Instead, he described an unknown creature that had killed the stationed Cardcaster.
Director Graves was visibly shaken. The idea that a rogue creature had somehow emerged in a zone under full surveillance was almost unthinkable.
Still, Graves didn't question Russell's account. The student had nothing to gain from fabricating something this extreme. He immediately ordered the Cardcasters around him to head into the space for emergency support.
As they departed, Russell hesitated. Then, turning to Ms. Song and Director Graves, he quietly added, "There's one more thing... The attacker wasn't a creature."
"What do you mean?" Director Graves stiffened.
"It was a Cardcaster. One stationed inside the space."
Director Graves's expression darkened. His first reaction nearly exploded into a curse, but he composed himself just in time. "That's a serious claim. Do you have evidence?"
Russell shook his head. "No footage. I deliberately blocked the monitoring system from catching the attacker's face. But..."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shimmering card.
"This came from the creature. Tell me, would this space normally produce something like a [Flesh Demon]—and a gold-tier one at that?"
Graves stared at the gold card, his jaw tightening. Even at the black-iron level, gold-tier materials were extremely rare, barely ever appearing even in online marketplaces.
He took a breath. "I'll report this to my superiors. Ms. Song, please remain here with the student."
Then he turned and left in a hurry.
One by one, students from the elite class were escorted out of the space by Cardcasters. Confused murmurs spread among them.
"That's it? I just got my first material!"
"Man, I was halfway up the mountain!"
Ms. Song clapped her hands to bring order. "Everyone, that concludes today's training. I trust you've all had a taste of how dangerous the spaces can be. Return to the bus and wait."
There was no way she'd reveal what really happened. Based on Russell's account, the attack was clearly premeditated. The fewer people who knew the full truth, the better.
A short while later, Nancy and Darren were escorted out as well, along with Liam—who was unconscious and being carried on a stretcher.
Thankfully, the attending Cardcaster confirmed that while Liam was badly hurt, his life wasn't in danger. With proper healing, he'd recover soon enough.
As Liam was carried away, Ms. Song turned to tell Nancy and Darren to return to the bus. That's when Darren, pale-faced and trembling, blurted out, "Ms. Song, I'm sorry—I panicked earlier and... pushed Nancy out of the way."
Russell, standing nearby, snorted inwardly. Now that the mess hit the fan, he suddenly knows how to be scared.
Ms. Song frowned in confusion. "Pushed her?"
Nancy stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "He abandoned Liam and tried to use me as a shield."
The expression on Ms. Song's face turned ice cold.
"This matter will be reported to Principal Shepherd. You'll receive a formal explanation, Nancy."
Then she turned to Darren, her voice sharp as steel.
"Darren, return to the bus. When we're back at school, your parents and I will be having a serious conversation."
Every school drilled into its students the rules of survival: never abandon your team. Especially never put another Cardcaster in harm's way to save yourself.
Darren's face turned ashen as he trudged back to the bus like a zombie.
Given his age, he'd almost certainly be expelled from New Metro First High. Whether any other school would take him in after this? That was another question entirely.
And even worse consequences could follow—his registration as a Cardcaster might be revoked, and his access to any cardcasting resources locked.
Russell, watching this unfold, felt no sympathy. Darren had made his choices. This was justice.
That's when Director Graves rushed back, breathless. "Russell, Grandmaster White wants to see you."
"Grandmaster White?"
"Damien White, the one they call The Warden."