Magnus kept talking about a few things before moving to the next slide on the screen.
"The information I am about to reveal will soon go public. So you have nothing to fear for your life knowing it," he warned them first.
Kairo sat up, knowing something big was coming.
"Something wrong with Card Zero?" Nyx asked at his side. Kairo shook his head—he had just been distracted for a few seconds.
"Nothing big," he reassured her.
"The Deck of Origin is not myth. It exists," Magnus said plainly. Three cards appeared on the screen behind him.
The entire group fell silent, their breathing stuck in their throats. Kairo, albeit surprised, sat quietly. He had his doubts long ago. His father was now willing to confirm it.
"The Deck of Origin are the three original cards. The very first cards the Archmage Donatello created after establishing the rules of card magic. They all hold immense power—power that might have the ability to shape the entire system itself.
The first card is called The Born Miracle," Magnus said.
Born Miracle had a shining light moving out of an orb, like a baby being taken out of it. Like the other two cards, it had a golden frame around it, giving it a transcendent, almost divine-like feel.
"The second card is called The Chosen Destiny, while the last card is called Eye of Truth," Magnus finished.
Each of those cards had a unique flavor to it that left all the onlookers trembling in admiration.
"Donatello was incredible."
"I always told my daughter it was just a dream. And she would repeat, 'Maybe it exists, Dad.' Now I wonder which of us was actually dreamy."
"Any problem, Kairo?... Hey, Kairo, you listening to me?" Nyx nudged Kairo.
Only then did he snap out of his shock.
"Isn't that Eye of Truth? Or did I get it wrong?" Kairo wanted to scream out loud. But after the incident in the submarine, Kairo had learned that not everything was good to say out loud.
"But this is impossible. How can I possibly have the Eye of Truth? This might just be a similar name. After all, card magic is very vast and has many mysteries. It's not impossible that certain cards have similarities," Kairo said to himself.
But that was very unlikely when he remembered that card awakening was intricately linked to the person's inner self-state, which was unique to every individual.
"Don't want to talk to me? Fine," Nyx tilted her head away in frustration.
"No, that's not it. I'll explain everything later," Kairo said hurriedly.
How could he simply tell her he might possess one of the cards that made the Deck of Origin? Given the ICMA was willing to borderline intimidation, he dared not imagine what would happen if they found out he might possess one of those cards.
Still, Kairo was not very optimistic because his cards were well known to his higher-ups. If they had not said anything, that simply meant this wasn't the same Eye of Truth from the deck. Otherwise, they would not have allowed him to roam with it like it was a toy.
"We know very little about the magic of those cards, but we know about one of them, and it is the reason for the gold rush—the card called Chosen Destiny. This card is said to have the power to rewrite pacts established on card magic—breaking the rules and activating conditions. Essentially, freeing cards from their aura lock, making them usable by anyone.
If this card were to fall into bad hands, I dare not imagine what would happen to card magic and us card mages. It's not an issue of dominance nor control. It is an issue of survival for order in card magic."
"The obsession behind these cards is now justified," Kairo commented.
If something like that really existed, then it was like having the power to rewrite the rules of card magic. The simple thought made Kairo's head spin. If it fell into the wrong hands, the control that the Card Mage Police had on the good use of card magic would vanish. Any person with questionable intentions could get their hands on massive power and sow havoc and chaos everywhere.
"That's it for today. You are allowed to leave. And don't worry, the captains have assigned four-star officers to your protection. You will be safe until the Gold Rush starts and attention redirects away from you all," Magnus said.
The officers stood one after another, some having joyful and amazed expressions, others with a cloud of darkness above their heads—already imagining the chaos that was coming their way. Some even sent hateful stares at Kairo. After all, he was the one who forced the Seruth monster to reveal that in the chamber. Now they were all in danger thanks to him.
Kairo flashed an apologetic smile. He had been too impulsive on the spot, but what was done was done. All he could do now was handle the consequences. After most of the officers and captains left, Kairo stood to follow after them.
"Wait for me. I will be right back," he said to Nyx.
Before she could add anything, Kairo was gone—missing the fading smile on her face. These days, Kairo had only one obsession: understanding the truth about his mother. Little did he know how his attitude was reflecting on others.
---
"You both can't run away now. I want an answer," Kairo said out loud, disregarding Fabian and Danzan's presence. Now that he knew so much about the Deck of Origin, Kairo didn't know how things might change in the future. He was dying to know the answer.
"Boss, I have a few things to monitor," Fabian eclipsed himself as soon as he saw Kairo, as if he were trying to hide something.
"Whatever. Don't drag it long, kid," Danzan said nonchalantly before leaving them too.
"Perfect, Kairo. I was looking for you. The ceremony for your new stars will be arranged soon. After your feat at the submarine, you and Nyx will be getting a new one and a new card holder. I'd like you to awaken it with me," Magnus said.
"Looking for me in the opposite direction, huh?" Kairo was uncertain if his father was being genuine or just making a fool of him. It wasn't impossible, though, given how many things he had to deal with.
"I had a vision of my mother. Something that had never happened in the past. Then Camilla said you both would be proud of me. I want an answer. Finished with the lies. Be frank, Father," Kairo said seriously. No matter what he was about to hear, he was ready for it.
"Mirelle gave birth to you. That's the truth. But she is not your mother. You don't have any mother, nor do you need one. Now act like a man and follow me," Magnus said without a glance at Mirelle, as if there was something he was unwilling to forgive her for.
The look of Kairo on Mirelle changed.
Kairo mouth was closed but his lips were moving. All this time he had asked for his mother in the past, and his father said she was gone. However, all this time she had been in the Card Mage Police—never close, but never far from him. Now the look she had given him when they first met made sense. He was her son, but she couldn't talk to him. Until today. But why? Kairo wanted to ask.
Mirelle hesitated an instant as she lifted her hand to touch Kairo's jaw like a mother would have done. This was rare—far from the Captain Mirelle Dorothy he had seen at the cathedral incident. She was different. Although she wasn't smiling stupidly like Kairo, the subtle joy in her face made his heart rejoice. But Magnus was like a dream reaper, catching her hand midway.
"Kairo," he said sternly.
"Follow your father for now, Kairo. When things settle down, we will take time to talk about all of this. I am glad I can finally talk to you after so many years," Mirelle said, resuming her professional stance.
"Fine, let's talk later… Moth—Mirelle," Kairo said, unable to call her that way. He was happy to have learned the truth, but he had not grown up with her and knew very little of her past. She was just his mother… in name.