Black Solstice-Chapter 35: Performance Evaluation [2]

Tier III Spell Card.

Professor Olga had seen plenty of utility cards in that category, so the card itself was nothing remarkable.

Spell Cards were originally created to close the gap between talented and untalented individuals, giving them access to reliable, structured abilities. However, their predetermined output meant that they were never as impressive or flexible as true Magical Items.

For instance, a Tier I Spell Card would never match the potency of a Tier III Spell Card or any Magical Item of the same grade.

This was why creative effects were valued far more than raw strength when it came to Spell Cards.

Even so, crafting a Tier III Spell Card from scratch with absolutely no assistance was a genuine display of talent and ingenuity. It could not be dismissed as a fluke or a lucky mistake.

Olga felt that calling this incident anything less than a feat would be an insult to her pride as an Instructor!

Even if Cassius had spent a great deal of time practicing, there was no precedent in the Demon Race for such exaggerated talent.

A strange, unnameable emotion began to seep into her heart.

She could not fully grasp what it was, yet the thought flickered through her mind that if the new generation of devils possessed talent like this, the demon race would never lose to humans.

If only she knew the true identity of the one she was quietly admiring.

Perhaps she would have been the first to fall into despair instead.

"Instructor, instructor. Ahem, I mean, Professor Olga, take a look at this card!"

Cassius’ joyful voice lifted Olga’s downcast gaze by a fraction.

She felt conflicted.

Judging by the materials consumed in its creation, the value of the so-called Tier III Spell Card could not begin to offset the loss.

Observing the light emitted from the card, its quality leaned toward ’Purple Rarity,’ yet it did not appear to be particularly versatile or have a long AOE.

At best, a card like this could only be used to halt an enemy, it offered nothing beyond that.

However, while thinking this, Olga scanned the details of the newly created Spell Card using the monocle on her right eye, which in reality, was a magical item hat could appraise objects.

’This is...’

She frowned and felt her eyebrow twitch uncontrollably.

Because of the unorthodox Spell Card this fellow, with all his brilliance, had happily created.

Name: Pestilent Flow

Classification: Spell Card

Rank: Tier III

Rarity: Purple

Spell Card Description: [A tide that churns from the deep within. A tempest born of chaos and sin. Beware the rumble, the sudden plight, as the spirit quake with untimely fright.] 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Enchantment: [Gut of Plague]

Enchantment Description: [Inflicts sudden, uncontrollable intestinal distress upon the target. The affected target is overwhelmed by acute cramps, rapid digestive turmoil, and severe diarrhea.]

[Note: Please make sure to clean your back door before you are affected by this unholy spell!]

Olga’s eyes narrowed as she reread the Enchantment Description.

He had apparently made a diarrhea spell.

A total of three steps were involved in spell cardmaking.

"Imaginary," "Inscribing" and "Encapsulation."

The first step, Imaginary, was purely conceptual. It involved forming a clear mental image of the spell’s effect or the "blueprint" of the card. One had to envision what the card would do, how it would affect the target, and the flow of energy required to produce it.

Next came the delicate task of inscribing the spell onto a physical medium, usually a blank card. This step required careful alignment of runes, channels, and magical inscriptions so that the spell’s energy could flow correctly.

The final and most difficult step was encapsulation. Here, the mage bound their reishi into the card, stabilizing it and sealing the spell within.

If any of these steps were lacking in even the slightest way, the result would be failure, most often followed by a violent explosion as in Cassius’ previous attempts.

Yet the stubborn fool had managed to overcome his problem by lowering his output to a manageable level he could control, and the outcome was nothing short of historic.

In other words, he had successfully carried out all three steps flawlessly after countless failures.

But...

Her lips parted for a moment, then closed again.

There were many things she simply could not bring herself to say.

"Student Cassius, are you going to keep this card to your person or are you going to sell it?"

After gathering her thoughts for a time, Olga finally asked.

This was a serious matter.

She could not imagine what would happen if he decided to sell this card and it circulated through the market.

Imagine a scenario where this card was used against a high-ranking devil in the middle of a battle or a formal duel.

The humiliation alone could spark blood feuds lasting centuries.

If it were used during a diplomatic meeting between realms, it might even be misconstrued as an act of hostility. The Demon Realm had witnessed wars erupt over far pettier triggers than sudden explosive bowel failure!

Olga’s mind spun with scenarios she wished she could unsee. The potential political fallout of this ridiculous creation was far too immeasurable!

Its value was not about whether it was useful or not.

It was absolutely unacceptable to let others use it!

If it came down to it, she would purchase this card herself!

Cassius, however, simply tilted his head like someone unable to comprehend the magnitude of the catastrophe he had brewed.

With a touch of confusion, he asked,

"Huh? Why are you making such a scary face, Professor?"

Then, he added, raising a brow. "In the first place, why would I sell this card? It’s my first masterpiece, so of course I’m keeping it. Besides, it can serve as a good lifesaving card."

"..."

Olga slowly tilted her head.

A lifesaving card?

Did he truly believe this card could save his life?

On paper, she supposed it could.

But after unleashing a spell with such a profound taunting and humiliating effect, the victim’s rage alone might erase any hope of survival.

Especially when the poor soul on the receiving end would pursue the caster to the ends of the universe just to settle the score.