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*****
When the lightning struck, Sakura screamed in fright and immediately began maneuvering the bird-head staff to dodge left and right.
However, she clearly didn't have much flying experience. Her erratic evasions made the staff unstable, and she almost fell off.
Fortunately, years of training had sharpened Syaoran's reflexes. He quickly released his magic sword, wrapped one arm tightly around Sakura's waist, and used his other hand to grab the staff and steady it again.
"Syaoran, that's all this ancestor can do to help you," George said with a satisfied smile as he witnessed the scene. Then, his body erupted with lightning far more intense than that of the Thunder Beast. He stepped forward and grabbed the Thunder God by the scruff of the neck.
"Seal!"
With a burst of sealing magic, he forcibly sealed the Thunder Beast's energy, turning it back into a regular Clow Card.
Given his power, sealing these nearly magic-depleted Clow Cards was no difficult task.
He hadn't done it before simply because he knew Clow Reed had intentionally left these cards for Sakura. His goal had always been research—not possession.
This intervention was an exception. Moving forward, he wouldn't interfere with the collection of the Clow Cards. At most, he would watch from the sidelines and, when Sakura and Syaoran completed the collection, borrow the cards for study if needed.
"Ancestor, are you alright?"
Still holding Sakura, Syaoran guided the bird-head staff and finally flew to George's side.
George looked at the two and smiled.
"Of course I'm fine. What about you two?"
"We… we're fine."
Only then did Syaoran realize he was still holding Sakura. He quickly let go, looked down, and his face turned red.
As for Sakura, her face was already as red as a monkey's bottom.
"Kids in this world sure mature early," George thought to himself, knowing that his goal had essentially been achieved.
Honestly, if the children in this world weren't so precocious, his actions would have been pointless.
After all, he remembered that when he was ten, he was still playing in the dirt, trading marbles, tossing firecrackers, and collecting the 108 Water Margin heroes from instant noodle packages—completely uninterested in girls.
But in this world, Sakura already had a crush on her brother's friend Yukito. Tomoyo's mental maturity rivaled that of a typical adult.
Even their classmate Rika Sasaki had a secret crush on their teacher, Mr. Terada.
The kicker? That couple actually ended up together.
It really proved that old saying: while you're at work, your future wife might still be in elementary school.
Back on the ground, George pulled out the Thunder Card he had just sealed and said:
"The sealing of the Clow Cards should be a contest between the two of you. What happened just now was an exception.
In a while, I'll release this card again. When that time comes, whoever reclaims it through their own abilities will get to keep it.
That's only fair. What do you think?"
"Mm-hmm," Sakura and Syaoran nodded in unison, their faces still flushed.
After explaining everything clearly, George took the Thunder Card and used phantom teleportation to return to the villa with Syaoran. Only then did Syaoran finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Syaoran, you don't blame your ancestor for not giving you the Clow Card directly, do you?"
"Ancestor, I understand that you want me to earn the Clow Cards' recognition through my own abilities. Otherwise, even if I manage to obtain them, I wouldn't be able to use them properly in the long run, let alone become a truly qualified magician.
I'll collect the Clow Cards with my own strength and become their rightful master!"
Syaoran replied with firm resolve.
George nodded.
"Not bad. You've got ambition. But honestly, I was just thinking—never mind. Go do your homework. Capturing the Clow Cards is important, but you can't neglect your studies either."
He had originally planned to share his thoughts with Syaoran, but after some consideration, decided against it.
At this age, if you speak too directly, the kid might rebel and refuse to cooperate. Sometimes it's better to let things unfold naturally.
Still, this was something he needed to discuss with the head of the family—Syaoran's mother.
After sending Syaoran off to do his homework, George returned to his room and made a long-distance call to Yelan Li, updating her on the general situation.
"I didn't expect the Guardian Beast to choose a successor to the Clow Cards before us. That really complicates things."
On the other end of the line, Yelan's tone revealed clear concern.
If the Guardian Beast didn't recognize Syaoran and acknowledged only its chosen successor, then even if Syaoran collected more Clow Cards in the end, he might still be unable to fully inherit them.
If that happened and the Clow Cards sealed themselves again, all their efforts would have been in vain.
"Yelan, you need to broaden your perspective a bit. I actually have a different view on the matter," George said, then shared his thoughts.
"I've observed Sakura myself. She's fine in terms of appearance. Her mother passed away early, her father's a university professor, and the fact that the Guardian Beast chose her shows she has a good character and strong spiritual potential.
Most importantly, she and Syaoran seem to have good chemistry and get along well.
From where I stand, if it comes to the point where the Guardian Beast insists on its chosen heir, then Syaoran can offer the Clow Cards he's collected as a dowry and give them to Sakura.
Once they grow up, Sakura can marry into the Li family. That way, we not only retain the Clow Cards but also gain a top-tier magician."
"Ancestor, your idea is brilliant!"
There was silence on the other end of the line for two minutes before Yelan responded in awe.
As expected of the elder—he had come up with such an elegant, two-birds-one-stone solution.
"It's a pity I can't leave Hong Kong. Otherwise, I'd definitely want to meet my future daughter-in-law in person."
"No worries. Let's wait for the winter break. I'll find a way to bring them to Hong Kong so you can meet them," George replied with a chuckle.
He recalled that Sakura did visit the Li family in Hong Kong during a past winter break and even captured a Clow Card there. She had encountered a female magician who had been harmed by Clow's mischief.
After hanging up the phone, George used family magic to prepare Syaoran's dinner in advance, then began his seclusion to study the Li family's thunder magic and the Thunder Card.
For a while after that, he rarely left the villa.
During this time, Sakura captured several new cards:
- The Sword Card, which grants the user mastery over swordsmanship and the ability to cut through anything.
- The Flower Card, a gentle, dance-loving young lady with curly hair who can conjure beautiful blossoms.
- The Shield Card, which can block all attacks and offers unparalleled defensive power.
George also made significant progress in his research on the Thunder Card. Until one day, while he was experimenting with thunder magic in his modified room, the entire town suddenly rang with the sound of a clock.
Immediately after, he distinctly sensed that the flow of time in the entire world had begun to reverse. The sensation was similar to using a Time-Turner, yet also fundamentally different.
And this time, time had been reversed by a full twenty-four hours.
(End of Chapter)