Chapter 679: Act 40 – All-Class Domination III
The Vanguard of White City, Divine Song, Group Charge, Inspire, Cavalry Preparation, Heavenly Armament – six cards sequentially fell into Brendel’s hands and stacked together. As Brendel collected them, all the cards transformed into countless white mystical symbols and lines of law, merging into his chest.
Tumen, witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but ask, “Is six cards as a standalone deck a bit too few?”
Brendel smiled confidently and shook his head.
“A bit interesting, I roughly understand your intention now.” The Elemental Emperor from the era of the Saints War pondered for a moment before realizing: “You wish to incorporate every profession’s abilities in this world into your deck, unifying them into one, using fate cards to simulate entirely different systems of power. Good idea! However, with the variety of professions on the Vaunte continent, can your card system encapsulate them all?”
“Of course,” Brendel replied confidently, having considered these questions long ago. “The Vaunte world has experienced thousands, even tens of thousands of years of history, producing thousands of professions. Different organizations might even evolve into entirely different careers. For instance, the Star Knight and Steel Scales of the Wind Elves both derive from the Star lineage but possess drastically different skills.”
“However—” he changed his tone, “there are fundamentally only twelve power systems in the Vaunte continent. Among them, the combat professions that seek the limits of martial techniques and explore personal potential can be divided into two: those based on strength, such as Warriors—Mercenaries, Swordsmen, and even Noble Knights can be categorized here. On the other side are the Archers and Assassins who pursue agility and lightness; in addition, the system includes Wizards, Law Mages, String Mages, and Spellcasters who explore the mysteries of the law; then there are the Elementalists, the masters of elemental forces, a profession you must be familiar with.”
“Next are those who manipulate chaos and dark magic, including Warlocks, Witches, Necromancers, and Cultists of Chaos, all of whom are the best in this category. Following them are the Druids and Treekeepers who maintain the balance of nature, though they are mortal enemies, they originate from the same root. Then there are the children of the twin goddesses Alice and Yilian, the interpreters of fate, the Astrologers stand as representatives.”
Hearing Brendel’s interpretations of the professions, Tumen’s eyes brightened slightly. In a thousand years, it was the first time he had heard someone categorize the power systems on the continent this way. Moreover, the more he listened, the more he felt Brendel was spot on; even the nearby Saint Ausoor was momentarily engrossed.
Legend has it that in an era long ago, when Babel Fortress had not yet fallen, and the Great Library still preserved intact the records from the Age of the Divine People, people indeed classified the powers in the world into several systems. However, after the catastrophe, all knowledge was lost to fragments, and these precious documents naturally vanished without a trace.
Tumen listened carefully to Brendel’s explanation, increasingly feeling that it might hold the truth of that time. He couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, puzzled as to why this young man before him could grasp the essence of power so clearly.
Of course, the Elemental Emperor may not know that what Brendel spoke of was actually the description of the Amber Sword’s powers from years ago on the official website. If there was someone unfamiliar with this description, it would likely be someone who had never played the game.
Brendel continued, “However, aside from the natural and lawful powers, and the chaotic magic, the Tiamat Law also promises sacred power to the world. The mundane Hirma pantheon holds the right to creation, and the priests of the Temple of Fire and the Shrine of Wind respect this pantheon, hence they wield healing powers. The proud Einhardt pantheon governs the World-Destruction Sword, with thunder and sacred fire under their domain; the knights of the Sanctuary worship the paths of arbitration and judgment.”
“Then there is the power of the mind, which arises from the spirit, language, and sound. Although Bard and Mind Sorcerers are rare, they are not mere legends. Additionally, the magical technology derived from magical power has brought forth Alchemists and Machinists.”
“Moreover, there is a rather unique power system,” Brendel suddenly said.
“Hmm?” Before Tumen could speak, Queen Wind couldn’t help but curiously interject. However, she seemed to feel a bit embarrassed and let out a cold snort.
Brendel, having been with this elven senior sister for a long time, understood her mindset and hurried to explain: “The reason this power system is special is not that it is weaker; rather, it is due to its past existence, or perhaps it only exists in fantasy.”
“What profession?” Saint Ausoor finally couldn’t help but speak up, “Damn it, Brendel, you can’t keep us in suspense.”
“You’re too impatient, Lady Wind—” Brendel was about to say but was met with her glare. He could only respond helplessly: “In fact, I don’t even know; I’ve only heard about it.”
“Heard about it?” Queen Wind looked at him suspiciously.
“Yes,” Brendel nodded, but he knew it wasn’t merely hearsay. It was the interpretation of a profession that couldn’t be explained—Reader of the Tablet, a gift from the Age of the Divine People. A profession forever unreachable by players—a thing that cannot be explained in this era.
The elven senior sister seemed to trust Brendel moderately; she silently glanced at him before finally nodding. “So, the entire power system of the Vaunte world is divided into these twelve categories? Actually, it should be eleven; within the military, while Swordsmen and Archers seem distinct, there isn’t a fundamental difference in the essence of power.”
Saint Ausoor, with her vast knowledge, prompted Tumen to nod. Brendel also nodded in agreement, “You could say that; in conclusion, while there are thousands of professions in the Vaunte world, they fundamentally intertwine to form these twelve power systems.”
“For instance, the Rangers of the Sky Ring and the Raptor Ring are essentially warriors who have mastered both the archer and nature paths simultaneously. However, time treats everyone equally; those who balance multiple power systems often do not travel as far as those who pursue a single path, although there are certainly a few outstanding individuals among them.” Brendel explained, “To refine my card deck, I only need to select some representative professions from these categories. For example, the Knight of Fran or the Silver Sorcerer of Bud.”
After listening, Tumen furrowed his brow in contemplation, before finally sighing, “Well said. Although there might be some oversights in detail, this is largely correct. Whether it’s the Golden or Silver People, or the Black Iron mortals, they essentially operate under these power systems.”
“However, even so, have you considered another issue?” He looked at Brendel, growing serious, “While your deck can encompass all power systems and consolidate them into one, have you pondered that due to the limitations of the law regarding switching decks, you can only utilize one or two types of them at any given time?”
“And the powers of a Planeswalker are of a higher level than those of these power systems. Do you not think it would be too wasteful to squander it on simulating these low-end systems? Besides, because your hand cards are primarily spells, they are easily countered, which is one of the major taboos pursued by a Planeswalker.”
Tumen, being a seasoned and well-known Planeswalker, could discern the fatal weaknesses in Brendel’s card set with only a slight deliberation—at least from his perspective.
For any Planeswalker, the lifelong pursuit is a perfect deck cycle. Thus, the more a deck is restrained, the less significant its existence becomes in their eyes.
The utmost system is a lesson every Planeswalker apprentice must learn.
However, after hearing Tumen’s words, Brendel shook his head gently, “No, Lord Tumen, I don’t think that way. While Planeswalkers pursue extremity and perfection, has anyone succeeded in that over the millennium?”
“This…” Tumen paused, helplessly raising his head to look at the dull skies of Graham’s Mountain, where history repeated itself over countless years. But history is like a cycle; no one has ever broken free from that final outcome.
Has any Planeswalker succeeded?
Of course not; otherwise, why would they chase it tirelessly in their lives?
Brendel smiled, “I experienced a battle before.” He recalled the fierce clash with Williams, that last perilous moment eternally etched in his heart. He continued, “That battle taught me that no matter how perfect a cycle is, it can’t face all situations.”
“Thus, I believe perfection is merely a relative state,” he spoke eloquently, “the real question is how to attain a relatively more perfect state against an enemy in a battle; we’ve all been mistaken because the answer is simple—just become stronger than him.”
“To achieve this goal, all power can be borrowed; by concentrating advantages at a single moment, all tricks will fade away.”
Tumen looked at Brendel.
The Elemental Emperor from the era of the Saints War took a deep breath: “I know several old friends who share your thoughts; they pursue ultimate violence, believing that once the enemy is eliminated, everything becomes meaningless. But they failed; do you know why?”
“Because there’s always a higher mountain; someone will always be stronger than them. The idea of being the strongest is nothing but an ideal,” Brendel blurted out without even thinking.
“You know?” Tumen was slightly taken aback, looking curiously at the young man.
“Yes,” Brendel smiled, “but I’m different from them. Because I also know another saying: a person can never be stronger than a team.”
He articulated this phrase almost word for word: a person can never be stronger than a team!
This saying had repeatedly surfaced in his memory after a certain period. That distinct, familiar face, hands on hips, with long black hair cascading over her shoulders, also spoke these words to them word for word.
“Always remember, a person can never be stronger than a team! This is a game of cooperation; I do not welcome individual heroism! Especially you, Sue!”
As Brendel thought of this, he couldn’t help but smile slightly.
But Tumen was already furrowing his brows deeply in front of him. He suddenly thought of something and lifted his head in shock: “Wait a minute, that guy Chunximan… are you thinking of doing that?”
Seeing the expression of the Elemental Emperor, Brendel understood that the other party had completely grasped it. He nodded and replied, “Yes, Emperor—actually, even before this journey, I had already made my decision. When I accepted Lord Chunximan’s legacy, the most precious inheritance I gained was not his cards, but his knowledge.”
Tumen let out a sigh of relief. While Planeswalkers each have their traits, Chunximan’s specialty was not in his black-and-white adversarial paradise of cycles.
Instead, it lay in the theories he established in the twilight of his life.
Planeswalker Biology.
……(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and cast your recommendations and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation.)
