Lanqi's Status as a Card Maker

Across the entire Southern Continent, a Platinum-rank card maker possessed no small amount of prestige. Sometimes, if one requested an audience to study a slate from slate bearers in allied nations, they might agree without any conditions attached! For this was no longer a trial for a student or junior, but rather forging goodwill or making an investment in a card maker of great potential. After all, no one would mind getting on good terms with a human card maker who had the potential to craft Orange Epic cards. "As long as someone crafts an Orange Epic in the registered card maker exam, do they automatically get assigned Platinum rank?" Lanqi murmured. At the same time, he began wondering whether this meant he could go fleece Dean Loren once he got back to school. Even though he wasn't skilled at crafting [Wind]-element magic cards, finding and studying a slate came with credits and vacation time! Besides, he also wanted to see what studying a slate felt like, as preparation for appraising [Original Slate - Seal] in the future. "Not necessarily. Going by the theoretical score brackets, crafting an Orange Epic doesn't guarantee a Platinum rank. Most likely, it would just result in a Gold rank with a huge surplus of promotion points... The reason you were placed in Platinum from a single Epic is that your overall evaluation scored at the absolute peak in artistry, pushing you right past the Platinum promotion threshold." Lawrence answered Lanqi's question while tracing numbers in the air with his finger to outline Lanqi's approximate score. These scoring details displayed on the back-end terminal were strictly confidential for a chief examiner according to regulations. However, dropping a slight hint to Lanqi wasn't much of an issue. They were both people of the Hutton Kingdom, after all. Lanqi nodded silently, keeping his eyes on Lawrence's hand as he listened quietly. "However, Student Lanqi, card makers above Gold rank must undergo a tedious vetting process by the Card Makers Association headquarters before official certification, and the headquarters must craft and confer your Platinum-rank insignia, license, and other credentials," Lawrence explained further. The standard promotion process for a Platinum-rank card maker included an exceptionally difficult qualification exam. Although Lanqi's extraordinary direct ranking exempted him from the Platinum promotion exam, the corresponding paperwork and in-person interviews could not be skipped under any circumstances. "Years ago, a serious incident occurred where a top card maker from the Northern Continent's Resurrection Church quickly infiltrated the upper echelons of the Card Makers Association. Ever since, the vetting process for Platinum and Magic Crystal ranks has become extraordinarily strict. "The highest authority our Ikerite branch possesses right now is to grant you a provisional Gold rank certification, which will be sent to your residence within three business days. "Which means that unofficially speaking, Student Lanqi, you are currently considered a quasi-Platinum rank. Of course, no one will actually treat you as merely Gold rank." Lawrence and Lanqi stood on the staircase, their figures casting hazy shadows upon the transparent steps, their voices echoing faintly in midair. "Thank you, Mr. Lawrence," Lanqi expressed his thanks after hearing Lawrence's dedicated explanation. Lawrence meant that a world of difference now separated him from the Gold rank. Yet becoming an official Platinum rank still required numerous tedious procedures and waiting periods. Lanqi had never anticipated that he would leap straight into becoming an extraordinary Platinum-rank card maker in a single bound. The purchasing priority and discounts for Platinum rank alone were on an entirely different level compared to Gold-rank card makers. Furthermore, Platinum- and Magic Crystal-rank card makers held seats at the Card Makers Association's high-level assemblies. Attaining Platinum rank also meant achieving genuine fame. He would likely receive commissions from many great nobles both domestic and abroad, and simply registering his card maker license with a large commercial enterprise would yield a hefty regular retainer. Similarly, he would be invited as an honored guest to major events and high-society banquets hosted by the Southern Continent United Kingdom Council. If possible, Lanqi hoped he could clear the certification before heading to the Northern Continent. Otherwise, if something left behind clues and caused a misunderstanding, it might be impossible to clear his name. "Mr. Lawrence, generally speaking, how long does this vetting process take?" Lanqi couldn't help asking. "The average duration is three months, but in an exceptional case like yours, where the jump in card maker rank is so immense, six months or more is entirely possible. In truth, Duke Micah's bizarre disappearance once led the Association to suspect he was inclined toward defecting. Because all manner of clues pointed to the Resurrection Church, a preposterous rumor even began to spread... that Duke Micah Aransal might himself be a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church... That is why headquarters is exceptionally strict when reviewing candidates from the Hutton Kingdom..." Lawrence's voice lowered gradually. Since it touched upon sensitive secrets and rumors disrespectful to the Duke, his words grew increasingly concise. "Still, those voices mainly stem from other nations that have never gotten along with the Hutton Kingdom fanning the flames. You don't need to worry, though, as they wouldn't be so absurd as to fabricate news claiming that you, Lanqi Wilford, are secretly a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church just to hinder your Platinum-rank card maker background check." On the floating staircase, the two conversed as they descended. Lawrence was clearly indignant toward those unscrupulous reporters and media outlets. He had dealt with Duke Micah for a very long time. To say this kind-hearted duke was a Cardinal was utter nonsense that inverted black and white. The only time Duke Micah had ever surprised Lawrence was back when the duke had harbored a demon and married a demon wife. "Although headquarters' screening has grown increasingly strict, please rest assured that our Ikerite branch will handle most of the procedures on your behalf and collaborate with the School of Magic Engineering to settle everything properly so as not to trouble you personally," Lawrence smiled and added to Lanqi. The Ikerite Card Makers Association had collaborated with the School of Magic Engineering for years, and both sides were thoroughly familiar with one another. Lawrence remembered that Lanqi's application information clearly stated he was from the Ikerite Magic Academy. He believed that when this wonderful news was delivered to the Dean of the School of Magic Engineering, Professor Borao, today, the professors throughout the School of Magic Engineering would be ecstatic enough to lose sleep. "..." Lanqi hesitated. If he were indeed an outstanding student of the School of Magic Engineering, its instructors would surely take pride in him. Except... he belonged to the School of Sages. He hardly had any dealings with the School of Magic Engineering in the first place. His only prior intersection with them was probably during the entrance exam, when he had helped the School of Magic Engineering uncover a safety hazard in the artificial Shadow World launch terminal, prompting Professor Borao to rush over with his research team and perform emergency overnight repairs. "Would that... be a bit troublesome for the professors of the School of Magic Engineering?" Lanqi asked, feeling slightly sheepish.