Lanqi felt an invisible hand lightly brush against his neck. What happened next would likely depend on his subsequent behavior.
Only after Lanqi showed his utmost contrition in his thoughts did the sensation against his throat slowly fade away.
*If you dare entertain such wild thoughts about me in your head again, prepare to serve as my footstool.*
Talia withdrew her mana, her cool mental voice echoing within Lanqi's mind.
Even in her unsummoned state, she could still use mental magic to keep Lanqi in check.
This fellow had been getting more and more out of hand lately.
Sooner or later, she would have to teach him an unforgettable lesson!
*Why are you so obsessed with grappling me?*
Lanqi really couldn't understand it. Every time Talia grew angry, she took him down without a single word, giving him no chance to reason with her.
She never offered anyone a chance to speak.
*In the Demon Realm, that represents status. In this lifetime, our hierarchy is precisely what I demonstrate to you every time. If you object, feel free to pin me to the ground yourself someday—if you're capable of it.*
Talia let out a fearless chuckle, seemingly mocking Lanqi's weakness.
In the span of an instant, the two exchanged several volleys within their minds.
A bickering session without having to speak—telepathic communication was undeniably convenient in some respects.
Ever since they arrived in the Kingdom of Posen together, the long hours spent on transit made maintaining Talia's summoned form too taxing of a burden on Lanqi.
This city was enormous. Situated in the southern part of the Kingdom of Posen and straddling the Selena River, the City of Flowers and its surrounding outskirts made up the Greater Palieu Area. With a population of roughly twelve million, it stood as one of the largest metropolises on the Southern Continent.
After Lanqi and Talia arrived in the Greater Palieu Area by coach, they still had to transfer to an airship to truly reach the heart of Palieu, the City of Flowers.
Recovering from his momentary daze, Lanqi looked back at Lisanci, who wore a puzzled expression across the table.
He had cut off mid-sentence a moment ago.
"Anyway, I once saw the kind of magical cuisine that could boost one's mana and strength by a wide margin for twenty-four hours. Back then, I thought it was incredible. I've heard that magical cuisine is immensely popular here in Palieu, the City of Flowers, and that chefs from many other cities can't even compare to those here," Lanqi resumed.
According to the book Professor Borao had given him to read beforehand, the history of Palieu, the City of Flowers, contained multilayered shifts. Built during the ancient wars of the Southern Continent, it grew prosperous thousands of years ago, weathered the turn-of-the-century tempest of demon integration a hundred years ago, and experienced explosive prosperity in the modern era. Every period had etched a distinct mark upon the streets, architecture, and parks of Palieu, the City of Flowers, shaping the city's unique cultural heritage.
Palieu was divided by the Selena River into the North Bank and the South Bank. The North Bank was traditionally regarded as the hub of scholarship and art, and was likewise where the Posen Demon Realm was situated. The South Bank was more commercialized, housing both the Flower City Royal Palace and the Senate.
The City of Flowers comprised twenty administrative districts, each boasting its own distinct character and atmosphere. For instance, the Marais District was renowned for its historic architecture and vibrant church activities, while the Mingti District was celebrated for its museums, artist studios, and avant-garde atmosphere. A tourist who had just set foot in Palieu, the City of Flowers, could easily spend half a year without fully wrapping their head around this colossal metropolis.
Consequently, having just arrived and still being unfamiliar with Palieu, Talia spent most of her time as a magic card resting within Lanqi's soul space, allowing him to maintain sufficient mana to handle any unforeseen circumstances.
Inside the hall, the pleasant, melodious plucking of the harp lingered beside Lanqi and Lisanci's ears.
"I could never make anything like that. I'm a complete novice; I can only occasionally make attribute-boosting dishes by sheer luck," Lisanci said, waving her hands in protest.
A magical chef capable of reliably preparing dishes that granted significant attribute boosts would probably be considered Gold rank if compared to card makers.
"You aren't weak, are you?" Lanqi observed her with a puzzled look.
Compared to ordinary citizens who had no tier or were only Tier 1, Lisanci was far stronger.
To his eyes, the mana intensity on Lisanci was already comparable to many second-year students at Ikerite Academy.
"After studying for a few years, I might qualify as a Tier 4 blue mage, but I don't know how to fight at all," she said with a shake of her head.
Blue mages commanded a diverse array of spells. Rather than offensive magic, they were far better suited for intricate daily-life spells, support magic, and the like, which was why her career goal was to become a magical chef.
"Then you're still quite impressive. Dishes that grant attribute boosts hold an entirely different value. In terms of card makers, that's at least Silver rank. Of course, you'd only be an apprentice running errands if you went to the highest-rated star restaurants in the City of Flowers, but if you went to one just a tier lower, they'd be fighting over each other to hire you as a pastry chef," Lanqi offered a rough breakdown in terms of employment prospects and compensation.
For a moment, Lisanci wondered whether this young man worked in education consulting.
"...You flatter me. I'm nowhere near as amazing as a Silver-rank card maker," Lisanci said, lowering her gaze.
In truth, job hunting was not nearly so simple for her.
"By the way, what should I call you?"
"Lisanci."
"I'm Lanqi."
After chatting for so long, they realized they still didn't know each other's names, so they exchanged a brief introduction.
Perhaps because they were of similar age, and finding a peer to chat with on a long journey was rare, their conversation had already shifted into the ease of friends.
"Still, knowing so much about magic artificers, are you visiting Palieu, the City of Flowers, out of interest in the Platinum-rank card maker exam?" Lisanci didn't think he looked like someone on official business, nor did he seem like an examinee.
His demeanor truly looked like that of a tourist.
Unlike other annual local events, the Platinum-rank card maker exam for the eastern region of the Southern Continent was held only once every two to three years.
"I'm very interested," Lanqi admitted.
"I see. Me too! When I visited Palieu as a child, I saw Lord Mikhail once," Lisanci said with deep nostalgia.
"Mikhail of the Kingdom of Hutton?" Lanqi asked curiously.
"Yes! Didn't you know? Lord Mikhail is quite famous in Palieu. Even now, his paintings are kept in the collection of the Platinum Flower Palace. He often travels to the Kingdom of Posen on official duties for the Southern Continent Card Makers Association, and he presides over and invigilates every Platinum-rank card maker exam," Lisanci explained, her tone brightening by half an octave as though she had found a kindred spirit. "But... he won't be seen this year. Even so, I still bought a spectator ticket. Maybe it's just become a habit by now." Lisanci lowered her head, lightly clenching her hands.
"Uh."
It was clear that she was quite fond of Duke Mikhail.
Lanqi wasn't surprised. Duke Mikhail was indeed considered a flawless gentleman; many people even believed the phrase 'work of art' was the only description that did him justice.
After all, Hyperion always found other boys utterly ordinary, which was probably because she had grown up beside Duke Mikhail.
"Don't worry. Duke Mikhail will be back for the next Platinum-rank card maker exam," Lanqi consoled her.
Lisanci nodded with downcast eyes, knowing Lanqi was merely comforting her.
The more she dwelled on it, the more sorrowful she felt.
"Ever since Lord Mikhail went missing, some detestable, unscrupulous media outlets have started using him for bottomless sensationalism. There are even absurd rumors claiming he's the Night Bishop! How could that be possible? The Night Bishop is clearly a woman—the gender doesn't even match!"
Lisanci's voice grew agitated, visibly harboring long-standing resentment toward those rumor-mongers.
It was said that the Night Bishop was magnificent, rational, and breathtaking, able to captivate countless young women with a single backward glance—an exceedingly mysterious and dangerous beauty.
Their itineraries had merely coincided by happenstance on a few occasions. On what basis could anyone conclude Duke Mikhail was the Night Bishop?
"Indeed. Rather than spreading that sort of rumor, they might as well fabricate a rumor claiming the Night Bishop is the High Priest's fiancée. Since those outlets only want to smear the Kingdom of Hutton anyway, they could slander two people in one go," Lanqi chimed in with indignation.
"..."
Lisanci choked.
*It's a good thing you didn't go into news journalism.*
*Otherwise, even if Duke Mikhail could return to the Kingdom of Hutton, he probably wouldn't dare.*
Chapter 658