Shuffle 2.2

Shuffle 2.2 is the second chapter of the Shuffle arc.

## Synopsis

It starts with Victor crying due to his survivors guilt as many of the people who were with him left the room to sit at a large table with various other people.

Meln mentions that out of the nine groups they originally believed stole the crown of flowing life, they can cut it down to five of them. This was assuming that none of the remaining four were able to figure out a ritual that is required for what has happened. He then points to Nell and asks her to share the information that she obtained about Victor and why she rushed bringing him in.

Nell starts to talk about the crown of flowing life with the people who were there and mentions that some specifics lead them to think it wasn't the groups Dellians blood right or Gorlum deceit.

Sharing that the crown of flowing life can only work by taking the life energy of people who volunteer to fuel it, they believe that it had to be the work of one of the larger groups they were concerned about since they could offer money and aid to those who agreed to sacrifice their lives.

From there they moved on to the topic of Victor.

It is said that they rushed bringing him in because he caught the eye of someone from the house of Cornet. The member of the house, named Jandes found him cute and wanted to make him his. The main concern was that this member of the Cornet house was known to sometimes have the ones he found cute die and they didn't feel they could risk Victors life ending like that.

Before she could continue, Nell was interrupted by Telli who verified where she left off and told her to continue.

After being allowed to continue, Nell shared how they managed to obtain most of what Victor had sold before she sat back down to get the stage to Telli.

Telli explains a bit more about Victor based on what he said while crying as well as what she got in reports.

She explains that when Nell tried to just take the artifact it caused her pain that no longer happened when she picked it up without that intent. She explains the design of the card by holding up a drawing approximating the card as they start to speculate about the jurex image. They speculate that the way the card works is that if he were to kill something he would able to claim it as a spoil of combat and use it to fight for him, the card being some form of catalyst for the summoning.

Telli then goes on to talk about what they should plan to do and why before saying her spell is going to fade soon and wishes to keep a proper eye on Victor once it is no longer working.

The scene then cuts to Victor and him trying to get out of the room, but found himself unable to. Because of this he took to trying to read until Telli showed up.

When Victor asked about being able to go, Telli started to explain what they needed and wanted which lead to him yelling that it was time for him to finally get some questions answered. This resulted in Victor being told he was, in part, taken in to prevent him from being framed, enslaved, and bought to be part of a noblemans harem.

After that he is told two, speculative, reasons why he wasn't dead. She also explains what she suspects the paper that his classmates put their blood on was.

Telli and Victor then discuss a deal where Victor will be able to leave after showing what his card can do and telling any information he has on his classmates artifacts.

Telli also explains that her and her group are people who find items that are to dangerous to be allowed in the world and keeps them away from the world to ensure it stays safe. She also says that, depending on who has the items and what they can do, she fears great chaos in the world for different reasons.

## Characters

Victor Atkins

Telli

Meln

Nell