Let them print cards, not slay gods 122

Chapter 122: Reaching the Top Eight is a Success

“I lost.”

Xu Tianzhi gave a wry smile, readily admitting his defeat.

The surrounding audience erupted in a series of gasps.

After all, Xu Tianzhi wasn’t just any ordinary fifth-rank Fate Card Master; he was a star player for Sky One Club.

“Just lucky, just lucky.” Shen Sui was also humble. Since his opponent was so gracious in defeat, he didn’t need to taunt him excessively.

“But don’t get arrogant and complacent because of your performance in the ranking tournament,” Xu Tianzhi said earnestly to Shen Sui. Since Shen Sui was now also a fifth-rank Fate Card Master, it wasn’t so much instruction as sharing experience. “If you intend to make a name for yourself in professional tournaments in the future, never dwell on present glory. Fate Card duels have an element of luck. Even now, I’m not sure if you won because of good luck and lucky draws, or if your skill truly surpasses mine. Don’t let your luck deceive you.”

Xu Tianzhi had seen too many players achieve good results through luck, only to fail to recognize their own limitations, suffering a series of defeats that led to mental breakdowns and early retirement.

“I look forward to our next duel.” Xu Tianzhi glanced at Shen Sui, suddenly remembering that this young man might join the same club as him in the future.

If that were the case, the next duel wouldn’t be far off; after all, they could frequently schedule practice matches as members of the same club.

“I look forward to it too,” Shen Sui said.

Although he had already defeated Xu Tianzhi twice, each time offered a new experience, and there were cool mechas to watch, so Shen Sui didn’t mind at all.

“Here’s your professional certification.”

In a short while, Shen Sui received his professional certificate from Ye Qing’s hand.

The Exploration Bureau’s efficiency was as swift as ever. Shen Sui had originally thought that after passing the ranking tournament, it would take about half a month to receive his professional certificate. After all, that was the usual efficiency of the Fate Card Association when they were in charge of the professional certification system.

While it was only half a month earlier, for many Fate Card Masters, it meant a significant loss of prize money.

Nowadays, Fate Card duels are frequently held across China, and many professional Fate Card Masters travel the country participating in competitions to earn more prize money.

Unlike amateur competitions where the winner takes all, as long as you enter the main tournament of a professional competition, you receive prize money. Although it’s far less than the champion’s prize money, it’s still a decent income.

“Very impressive, Shen Sui,” Dean Liang, who was also present, said with a chuckle.

He hadn’t expected that in the first year of the academy’s operation, he would encounter such an excellent student. This experience added a glorious stroke to his life’s resume.

Since the inception of China’s professional Fate Card Master certification system, the number of newcomers who directly ascended to fifth rank after passing the ranking tournament could be counted on one hand, and without exception, they all went on to achieve great fame.

This year’s academy PK tournament brought Sky One Academy two professional Fate Card Masters.

This exceeded Dean Liang’s expectations. He had originally thought that at most, one or two first-rank Fate Card Masters would emerge.

With this, the previously shelved plans could be put on the agenda.

At this thought, the wrinkles on Dean Liang’s face practically collided; his inner thoughts were practically written all over his face.

Shen Sui looked at Dean Liang’s smiling face and felt a chill.

That smile was definitely not benevolent.

“Shen Sui, you’re now a professional Fate Card Master,” Dean Liang said, rubbing his hands. Despite being the dean, he seemed rather humble. “Theoretically, you can participate in professional tournaments.”

Shen Sui immediately understood Dean Liang’s meaning.

Duel Academy students, upon becoming professional Fate Card Masters, could participate in professional tournaments.

Theoretically, at this stage, students haven’t applied for graduation and don’t belong to any professional club; they compete as individual players.

However, clubs establish duel academies to improve their youth training systems and replenish their rosters with new professional players.

At this point, the attitudes of many professional Fate Card duel clubs become subtle.

Especially since Sky One Academy’s admission requirements include preferential treatment for Sky One Club members.

Shen Sui didn’t care which club he joined; after all, professional Fate Card duels are 1v1, and there’s no need to consider teammates.

The prerequisite is that they don’t give him an unfair contract.

“In October, major duel academies across the country will hold the new session of the National College Tournament. Shen Sui, are you interested?”

Initially, Dean Liang had no expectations for this year’s National College Tournament. After all, only a few months had passed since the first intake of students at Sky One Academy.

Whether any students could even pass the ranking tournament to become professional Fate Card Masters was questionable, let alone compete for rankings.

However, the emergence of Shen Sui and Song Feiyu gave Dean Liang an unexpected surprise, especially Shen Sui, who gave him the idea of aiming for a ranking.

“National College Tournament?” Shen Sui had indeed heard of the Chinese National College Tournament.

This was a competition similar to the National University Games, one of the few officially organized Fate Card duel tournaments.

Although the Fate Card Association classified it as a C-level tournament, its gold content and honor were comparable to top-tier B-level tournaments.

Unlike most professional tournaments that are primarily individual-based, the National College Tournament is primarily for duel academies.

The results of the National College Tournament directly affect the academies’ recruitment for the following year, making it a highly important event for all duel academies.

Since there was an opportunity to compete for a ranking in the National College Tournament, Dean Liang naturally didn’t want to miss it, and neither did Sky One Club.

Therefore, the club gave Dean Liang extensive authority, and Dean Liang offered Shen Sui very favorable conditions.

Prize money aside, the main focus was Sky One Club’s customized contract.

Under typical contracts between professional players and clubs, endorsements for clothing and card deck peripherals have a 60/40 split, with the club responsible for various aspects of the player’s participation, including the development of card deck IPs.

Some clubs that solely rely on Fate Card duels for profit place great importance on this aspect. However, Sky One Club is different. Tianyi Group’s investment in this club is primarily for promoting the group itself. While the development of player card deck peripherals is involved, it is not Tianyi Group’s primary source of revenue.

The National College Tournament is undoubtedly an opportunity for advertising.

With this opportunity, Tianyi Group didn’t hesitate to offer generous terms.

If Shen Sui could reach the top sixteen nationally, Sky One Club would award him one million in prize money, plus a customized contract with a 70/30 split.

If Shen Sui reached the top eight, the prize money would double, and he would no longer be required to join Sky One Club after graduation. A customized contract with a 90/10 split would also be offered.

Top four?

Sky One Club hadn’t even dared to dream of the top four.

Reaching the top eight was already the best imaginable outcome.

(End of Chapter)

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