My Ability Is the 78 Tarot Transformations

After seeing a tarot-reading video on a platform, Ning Xiang's curiosity got the better of her and she bought a tarot deck. The day her package arrived, she opened the box, and a big-eyed ball of light suddenly popped out in front of her, declaring that it wanted her to be its master.

Ning Xiang asked, "What's in it for me if I become your master?"

The ball of light said proudly, "You'll become the greatest tarot reader in the entire universe, of course!"

Ning Xiang said, "I refuse."

The ball of light said, "Ha ha, too late! The moment you bought me, we entered into a contract."

Ning Xiang said, "Oh. I want to cancel the contract."

Ning Xiang had expected it to threaten her with something like, "If you cancel the contract, you'll die." That's how it worked in anime and novels, right?

Instead, the ball of light broke into endless tears. This thing cried like a faucet and nearly flooded her house in just three hours.

Watching water gush out through her front door and wash over her slippers, she sighed. "Fine, I agree."

*

As a beginner who had barely gotten her feet wet, Ning Xiang could hardly tell the twenty-two Major Arcana cards apart, let alone read tarot for other people.

The ball of light said, "Don't worry. Practice makes perfect. Starting today, you'll experience the life of a different tarot card every day. Wow, today's card is the Fool. Begin your adventure, Master!"

Ning Xiang said, "Wait, what adventure? Where is this? Why am I in outer space?!"

The ball of light said, "If you're going on an adventure, you can't limit it to Earth."

"Oops, I forgot to mention that aliens exist in this world, Master. And three days from now, at this very time, aliens will land on Earth. Isn't that exciting?"

Ning Xiang said, "...Exciting my ass!"

Inspired by the 78 Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

Content warning: The tarot interpretations and readings in this story are limited to the author's knowledge, so don't take them too seriously. Just have fun reading.

Setting: The 2030s.

Blurb written: June 25, 2026

Theme: If aliens land on Earth, will someone still be happy to hide behind you?