The door creaked open slowly.
Ray turned his head just in time to see his younger sister, Lily, peek in, her wide eyes shimmering with curiosity. The golden-orange light that had leaked through the cracks moments ago had already faded, but the warmth it left behind still lingered in the air—like the afterglow of a fading campfire.
"Ray…?" Lily stepped inside barefoot, still in her pajamas, clutching a small plush bunny in one hand. Her gaze wandered across the room—until it locked onto the small creature standing in the center like a sentinel.
Behind her, both of Ray's parents entered the room. Their expressions were a mix of concern, curiosity, and quiet excitement. Richard's arms were crossed, his sharp gaze instantly analyzing the situation, while Amelia's eyes softened as soon as she saw what stood beside her son.
Charmander noticed them instantly.
Its tail gave a sharp flick, flames crackling gently at the tip as it stepped forward, placing itself between Ray and the new arrivals. Claws tensed. Muscles tight. Not hostile—but wary. Protective.
And then, with unexpected boldness, it let out a low growl.
"Chaarrrr…"
Ray blinked, momentarily surprised. "Hey, hey—it's okay. They're family, not enemies."
Charmander didn't back down immediately. Only when Ray gently placed a calming hand on its head did it ease up. The tension in its shoulders relaxed a little, though its amber eyes still tracked each movement cautiously. The flame on its tail flared a little higher—hot, but steady.
Lily's eyes sparkled with wonder.
"Oh my gosh, Ray!" she squealed, nearly dropping her plush bunny as she rushed forward. "Is that your card? It's sooo cute!" She crouched near Charmander, though paused as the fire lizard eyed her with quiet suspicion. "Can I pet it? It won't bite, right?"
Ray chuckled. "Go ahead. Just be gentle."
Charmander observed her for a beat longer, then snorted lightly and lowered its guard.
Encouraged, Lily reached out and ran her fingers over its smooth, warm scales. "It's warm!" she gasped. "And softer than I expected for a fire-type!"
Charmander gave a low rumble of approval. "Char..."
Amelia stepped forward, a hand on her hip, her lips curled in a warm smile. "So, this is the partner you chose, huh? I wasn't expecting something quite this... charming. Or adorable."
Richard cleared his throat, cutting through the moment with his typical no-nonsense tone. "Adorable is fine," he said, eyeing the card creature carefully, "but strength is what really matters." His gaze sharpened. "Have you checked its talents yet?"
Ray nodded. He bent down and gently patted Charmander's head. "Yeah, I have. It has two talents. One enhances the growth and power of its fire-based abilities—faster mastery and stronger damage output. The other improves its combat instincts—better reaction speed and natural evasion. It also gets stat boosts when fighting to protect someone."
Amelia's eyes lit up with delight. "Those are excellent talents. Especially for a beast with strong elemental alignment! And remember—talents can evolve over time. With training, those abilities can become something truly amazing."
Richard nodded slowly, clearly impressed. He paused for a moment, then spoke. "Since you've officially summoned your first card and will begin training tomorrow, there are a few things you should understand."
Ray straightened up, listening intently.
"Each card type grows differently," his father began. "There's no single right way to train. You need to understand your card's nature and adapt accordingly."
He raised a finger. "Beast-type cards—like your Charmander—grow through physical training. Exercise, movement drills, mock battles... You'll treat it like a sparring partner."
Another finger went up. "Mechanical-type cards, on the other hand, evolve by consuming special materials and learning new functions. It's more about upgrades and installations."
"Elemental types focus on controlling their specific elements. The deeper the mastery over fire, water, lightning, or whatever their core element is, the more their stats and skills will grow."
"Item-types," he continued, "grow as the card master improves control and usage. Think of them as weapons or artifacts—you have to synchronize with them, train with them, and refine how you use them."
He looked at Ray directly. "And finally, Mystic-types… they're the wild cards. Each one has its own rule set. Some may grow through emotions, others through knowledge or fulfilling certain conditions. No two are alike."
Ray's eyes sparkled with interest as he absorbed every word.
"One thing is common, though," Richard said, folding his arms again. "All cards grow fastest in battle. That's why the League emphasizes tournaments. Combat is the best forge for power."
Ray nodded, his resolve hardening. He looked down at Charmander, who met his gaze with fierce loyalty.
"Got it. I'll train him properly. I want to make sure he reaches his full potential—and more."
"Char!" the fire lizard agreed with a proud nod, its tail flame flaring again.
Amelia smiled softly. "I'm glad your first card reflects you so well, Ray. Fiery, determined, and full of heart."
Lily hugged her brother's arm, still grinning. "You two are gonna be awesome together!"
The room buzzed with a gentle warmth—not just from Charmander's tail, but from the bond forming between boy and beast… and the support of the family watching it all unfold.
This was just the beginning.