Lanqi Felt Talia Was Messing with Him

"Serves you right for betting with Dean Loren back then, meow. Karma has come for you now, hasn't it?" Boss Cat looked at Lanqi and said. It still vaguely remembered when it first met Lanqi: he had stood with his hands behind his back, nodding and smiling, declaring that he would make the decision on Loren's behalf. The students of the School of Sages had cheered for him—he had been genuinely dashing. Nowadays, Lanqi seemed to be drifting further and further down the path of a comedy act. Boss Cat was even a little worried that when Sigrid arrived and saw that her Holy Son had turned into a clownish comedian, she would question her entire life. "Once I defeat that green tea phony, you had better tell her with your own mouth who your most beautiful and powerful teacher is." Talia had already released Lanqi's collar. Dragging a man around continuously wasn't a good look anyway; it easily drew strange stares from onlookers, making them look like a squabbling couple. "Wait a minute. While it's true you're my teacher, isn't that 'most beautiful and powerful' part you sneaking in your own bias?" Lanqi suddenly realized. "'Beautiful, powerful, ageless, and immortal'—didn't you say that to me back in South Vantina? If I hadn't heard you describe me like that, I might not have agreed to your request in the first place." Talia suspected Lanqi was looking to complete quests again. However, her primary target was now Karen, so for today, she wouldn't hold it against Lanqi. *Hiss.* When Lanqi thought about it carefully, he really had said that. Those were the exact words he had spoken when he crafted his first magic card, [Basic Etiquette], and asked Talia to become his teacher. Lanqi looked at Talia with a complicated expression. *So you really remembered, Tata.* "It was only a little over a year ago—how could I forget? I even remember that you've told me I look pretty seven times in total." Talia gazed at Lanqi, stating it as though it were the most natural fact in the world. "Did I say it that many times?" Lanqi was stunned. "Whenever you praise me normally, you always put on that teasing look. But when I actually want you to make an official declaration in front of another woman, you suddenly... can't bring yourself to say it? Are you shy?" Seeing Lanqi look away somewhat uncomfortably, Talia leaned in a little closer and murmured in his ear. *How adorable.* She tilted her chin up slightly, as if mocking him. "What is there to be afraid of? My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror." As though overcome by sudden defiance, Lanqi let out a thoroughly unconvinced scoff. "Meow..." Boss Cat was at a loss for words. It hoped Lanqi would still have this much confidence when Sigrid arrived around the winter season. Whether you praised Side in front of Tata or Tata in front of Side, the outcome was bound to be women fighting and the man crying. "We're here, meow." They were now on the eighth floor of the Palieu Card Makers Association. This was also the place where Lanqi and Tata had arranged to meet Countess Rosalinda. After Lanqi treated Tata and Boss Cat to cake on the fourth floor, it was nearly eight-thirty, the appointed time, so they came up to the top floor. "Honored guests, please follow me." Before they had even ventured deep onto the floor, they spotted the elderly butler waiting for them in the corridor. This was the very butler of Countess Rosalinda whom they had met at the Asturias count's manor on the night they first arrived in Palieu, the Flower Capital. Lanqi and Talia offered a polite nod to the old butler, then followed him toward a set of doors located at the innermost part of the floor. Upon stepping into the double-oval hall, the vast expanse of pure white space gave them a sense of renewal. The vaulted ceiling featured a central skylight, allowing an abundance of natural light to illuminate the interior. The long interior walls on either side were divided into trapezoidal exhibition bays, each displaying a monumental oil painting. "Please wait a moment. Lady Rosalinda will be here shortly." "Thank you, Mr. Butler." Lanqi bade the butler farewell, leaving just the two of them and the cat in the reception gallery. These paintings were magnificent in scale, some stretching several meters long, completely enveloping them. The vibrant blossoms, the crystal-clear pool, and the hazy interplay of sunlight and shadow gave one the impression of standing beside a peaceful, serene pond. With each shift in light, the painted scenery shifted between luminous and mesmerizing, offering an immersive sensation of standing right by the water's edge. "This is an eight-piece epic-grade work of art, and one of the Kingdom of Posen's modern national treasures," Lanqi remarked, gazing at the paintings. Merely standing in this space, one could feel a soothing, restorative aura seeping into one's body. The epic artwork housed in the hall where Countess Rosalinda was to meet them consisted of eight immense panels arranged within two oval rooms that together formed the shape of an infinity symbol. The two of them strolled through, admiring the paintings in sequence. "Originally, these paintings were created a century ago by a great Posen master painter for the Palieu municipal government. Later, on the suggestion of the mayor at the time, they were donated to this gallery and publicly exhibited when the museum opened a few months after the master's passing, becoming a major landmark of Palieu, the Flower Capital," Lanqi explained to Talia. "So that's how it is... Does this count as checking off another sightseeing spot?" Talia nodded, asking in her usual tone, as if mechanically clearing sightseeing objectives. "It does, and it's a hidden spot at that, since it's not currently open for public viewing," Lanqi replied with a smile. Much like the Headmaster's Office at school, where the vast majority of students never got the chance to enjoy the swimming pool inside before graduating. Talia was very meticulous and methodical; since they had agreed to travel together, she was constantly mindful of checking off every single sight. Lanqi couldn't help wondering whether Talia would have been thrilled if she had gone with him to the Purgatory Corridors Academy back then and he had led her to achieve full map completion. "I wouldn't have been. I didn't like you very much back then; staying with you was purely doing a job for money," Talia answered Lanqi's inner thoughts while gazing at the paintings. "Right, you were quite cold to me back then. But it seems your attitude toward me softened after I came back from the Purgatory Corridors Academy Shadow World?" Lanqi recalled coming to see Talia with the Shadow World recording device, asking her to help him investigate his affinity aptitude, and then falling asleep with his head on the desk. When he woke up, Talia had treated him much better. "...Do you remember what you said to Hyperion in the Shadow World?" Talia didn't want to give him the answer outright. "I said so many things; I have no idea which ones you mean." Lanqi pondered it for a moment, unable to arrive at an answer. "Never mind," Talia muttered to herself. While the two stood conversing before the paintings, the sound of an opening door suddenly reached their ears. Both Lanqi and Talia turned their gazes toward the entrance. "It seems I arrived at just the right time?" Countess Rosalinda approached them carrying a small folder of documents, gesturing for them to take a seat on the sofa. Today, she was no longer wearing the crimson evening gown from that night; instead, she wore a tailored Card Makers Association uniform patterned with roses. "Miss Rosalinda, thank you for inviting us to view these paintings." Both Lanqi and Talia greeted President Rosalinda and struck up a conversation with her. At this moment, Countess Rosalinda's more official title was President of the Palieu Branch of the Southern Continent Card Makers Association, as well as the supervisor in charge of this eastern region's Platinum-rank card maker exam. "I was worried I'd kept you waiting. There have been so many preparatory affairs lately that I was nearly delayed from making it back in time. Still, I had always intended to invite you to view these works—after all, you are my lovely junior apprentice brother and sister." Rosalinda was as warm as she had been during their first meeting, greeting the two with an affectionate smile. "The Southern Continent Card Makers Association headquarters released the exam schedule and chosen subject topics today. I've also brought along the proctor regulations for your roles as examiner and assistant. Feel free to look them over first, and ask me if anything is unclear." She handed a stack of documents across the coffee table to the two on the sofa. "Miss Rosalinda, regarding the matter of the examiner assistant, I would like to make an adjustment," Talia said, taking the papers and placing them in Lanqi's hands before addressing Rosalinda. "Oh?" Countess Rosalinda's eyes filled with curiosity and confusion. "I won't be acting as Lanqi's assistant this time. I am going to take the exam." Talia's voice was resolute. To take the Platinum-rank card maker exam through the conventional route, one needed not only to hold the Gold-rank registered card maker qualification from the Southern Continent Card Makers Association, but also a certain number of years of work experience and recognized contributions before being permitted to apply for the promotion exam. Alternatively, the second path allowed a candidate to make a special application if endorsed and recommended by an active Platinum-rank or Magic Crystal-rank card maker. Back in the day, Duke Mikhail had been able to take the Platinum-rank exam right upon entering the field precisely because his teacher, Dean of the School of Knights General Sphintos, secured a recommendation from an old friend among the Platinum-rank card makers of another nation. Likewise, Karen had been promoted to Gold rank in her second year and was able to sit for the Platinum-rank exam in her third year thanks to a recommendation granted by a Platinum-rank card maker in the Aloran Kingdom. "Well, because these recommendations are strictly limited to one per examiner per session, they're usually very hard to obtain from a Platinum-rank or Magic Crystal-rank card maker." Countess Rosalinda looked at Tata, then at Lanqi, before asking Tata, "Have you settled this with Lanqi?" The Hutton Kingdom hadn't requested Lanqi's recommendation this year, as there were no newly minted Gold-rank card makers suitable for an exceptional exemption to sit for the Platinum exam. She deduced that Tata's desire to participate meant she intended to get that recommendation from Lanqi. "He has no objection," Tata answered. The reason she had dared to make the wager with Karen was that she could simply order Lanqi to give her the recommendation. Lanqi: "..." He indeed had no objection. "Junior Tata, you really won't be an assistant and want to take the exam instead?" Upon hearing this, Rosalinda wasn't troubled in the slightest; instead, a delighted expression lit up her face. "I knew it! How could a magical engineer like Junior Tata, who clearly radiates talent, be content to remain unknown?" After all, even Professor Polao had been willing to let Tata work in his laboratory, which spoke volumes about her ability. According to Rosalinda's assumptions, she had originally figured Tata was an artisan specializing in other forms of magical engineering. But if Tata was qualified to serve as Lanqi's proctor assistant, it meant she was also a card maker capable of crafting cards. "Radiates talent..." Lanqi looked thoroughly dead inside as he leaned against the side of the sofa, muttering under his breath. With eight hundred years of accumulated knowledge, of course she was a prodigy in every sense. More than half of his own card-crafting ability had actually resided in Great Love. Now that Great Love had been devoured by Tata, and Tata was going to use his mana to take the exam, he wasn't even sure if he could handle his duties as an examiner anymore. *Just tell me: am I a talented woman or not?* Talia questioned him in her mind. She had heard Lanqi's silent mention of "eight hundred years," but she decided to give him a chance. *Indeed. It's talent steeped in centuries of refinement—not only gifted and virtuous, but also deeply seasoned,* Lanqi sighed inwardly. Instantly, Talia secretly reached behind Lanqi and gave his waist a sharp pinch, snapping him to full alertness. "..." Across from them, Countess Rosalinda quietly observed their little interplay. In fact, she had noticed subtle signs back at the count's manor, but had pretended not to see. She wasn't blind. The two of them seemed to think she hadn't noticed, and now treating her as part of their little game only made her feel more awkward about exposing them. Still, it wasn't bad. They were a well-matched, attractive pair. The young man went without saying, and the woman wasn't like Ephatia—a shameless, good-for-nothing demon who preyed on younger men. At least they weren't like Mikhail and Ephatia, whose relationship had driven Rosalinda up the wall with exasperation. "Alright then. I'll arrange the exam registration process for you. The recommender and the applicant just need to fill out one form each, and you won't need to resubmit your personal documentation since I already have copies on file." Rosalinda gave a soft sigh, produced the communication magic device in the parlor, and asked an assistant to bring over another set of documents. "You can review the exam details first. Later, when we cover information strictly reserved for examiners, I'll have to ask Junior Tata to step outside." She spoke to them while giving instructions to her assistant. Since the examination regulations were being published today, letting a candidate see the chosen topics posed no issue—it was part of the standard procedure. Ever since the Southern Continent Card Makers Association issued the modern Solar Calendar regulations, the Platinum-rank card maker exam drew from six subject dimensions. Each session selected three out of the six, depending on the luck of the draw: Magical Engineering Principles, Attribute Specialization, Deck Testing, Artistry, Theoretical Research, and Category Specialization. "No problem," Talia agreed. She knew Lanqi wouldn't help her cheat, nor did she need any help from him. This time, she would crush Karen with sheer ability and hand her a resounding defeat. Lanqi picked up the document and skimmed through it quickly. The topics drawn for this year were [Magical Engineering Principles], [Deck Testing], and [Artistry]. The examination was divided into three rounds, each testing a distinct domain of skill and knowledge. The first round, Magical Engineering Principles, leaned toward theoretical testing, evaluating the examinee's theoretical grasp and depth of knowledge regarding magical craft; it had an extremely high probability of being selected every year. Card makers who excelled in this area were typically formidable magitech artificers or magical engineers in their own right. The second round, Deck Testing, was a practical test requiring examinees to use designated materials and tools within a time limit to produce one or more high-quality works. It was also the most difficult stage, designed to closely simulate the duties of a battlefield card maker. Candidates with broader versatility across attributes and card types held a distinct advantage. Under specific constraints, card makers were required to craft a set of counter-cards, while an artificial Shadow World initiated combat simulations to determine whether the deck could help AI-projected creatures pass trials, or directly conduct simulated battles. The third round, Artistry, served as an innovation challenge where candidates had to demonstrate indispensable foundational mastery rich with boundless potential. "Junior Lanqi, you will serve as the deputy examiner for the first exam, Magical Engineering Principles, and the chief examiner for the third exam, Artistry," Countess Rosalinda leaned in, pointing to the scheduling section in Lanqi's document. This was as much information about the exam as Tata was permitted to hear. The Platinum-rank card maker exam consisted of three rounds and had three examiners. Each round featured one chief examiner and one deputy examiner, with the three examiners each serving once as chief examiner and once as deputy examiner. The chief examiner was chosen for their expertise in that particular domain, while the deputy examiner was designated for an area outside their specialty. For a candidate to pass, they had to at least outscore the deputy examiner to prove they met the baseline qualification for a Platinum-rank card maker. If an examinee couldn't even surpass another Platinum-rank card maker in their weaker field, they had no business being promoted at all. "The chief examiner for the first round is Master Bruton Izainha, a Platinum-rank card maker from the Aloran Kingdom. He's very kind, so proctoring with him won't be stressful at all. He was the one who gave Mikhail his recommendation back then. For the second round, he and I will partner up, and for the third round, it will be you and me," Countess Rosalinda explained to Lanqi. The first round was this Saturday, the second next Wednesday, and the third next Sunday. Between rounds, candidates had three days to adjust and prepare, while examiners also had ample time to rest. "Understood. Tomorrow, I'll put on the uniform and detection-shielding magic mask you gave me last time and arrive about two hours early. The location is Hall 1 of the Holy Silvervine Arena, right?" Lanqi confirmed the key details on the document with Rosalinda. He had already arranged leave in advance at Count Baptiste's estate. Tomorrow, he only needed to drop by the manor in the early morning to handle a few essential tasks, and could leave early in the morning. Talia gave Lanqi a quiet glance. She knew that for someone as dedicated as Lanqi, every job was equally important. He really was a master of time management, actually juggling two tracks in a single day. "Correct. We'll be using the venue that houses Palieu's largest artificial Shadow World launch terminal. Whenever an exam takes place, familiar battle tournaments for that day are suspended." Rosalinda figured Lanqi and Tata had already visited the Holy Silvervine Arena in District 6 over the past few days; it was, after all, a famous attraction. Inside the arena, each of the three rounds took a different format. The first round, [Magical Engineering Principles], functioned primarily in the style of a seminar. The Shadow World had its own mechanisms: the deputy examiner engaged in question-and-answer exchanges with the examinees, while the chief examiner evaluated and scored them. The passing line was determined by the score the chief examiner awarded when evaluating the deputy examiner at the end. At the same time, the chief examiner held the authority to adjust the passing threshold by up to ten percent up or down if it turned out too high or too low. Normally, if the deputy examiner performed reasonably, there was no need to invoke this authority. Moreover, once used, it could easily trigger an "Examiner Challenge" and scrutiny from headquarters. An Examiner Challenge meant that if a candidate questioned an examiner's judgment or competence, they could demand the chief examiner take the floor to personally demonstrate their ability, at which point the deputy examiner would publicly evaluate the chief examiner. The second round, [Deck Testing], had nothing to do with Lanqi, allowing him to take the day off. The third round, [Artistry], required the chief examiner to draw a prompt, and the examinees would craft works within a time limit. Aside from an objective score automatically assigned by the artificial Shadow World based on completion, the remainder of the score was given by the chief examiner. Likewise, the chief examiner had the authority to adjust the threshold by ten percent depending on the circumstances. "Furthermore, I must remind you that the artificial Shadow World for the examination incorporates an integrity monitoring system. Even though you know each other, you must not show the slightest intent to cheat. If detected, the candidate's qualification will be revoked, and the examiner will face severe penalties," Countess Rosalinda emphasized. It wasn't that she expected them to cheat. It was just that in the past, there had been cases where a teacher and student who knew each other too well participated as examiner and examinee in the Platinum exam; because they were so accustomed to their usual banter, they accidentally drifted into instruction during the exam, which was ruled as fraud. Although Lanqi and Tata weren't officially master and apprentice, they both studied under Professor Polao and were clearly very close in their daily life. Certain ingrained habits were hard to shake off, so they had to be careful. "Senior Rosalinda, rest assured. Integrity is more important to me than anything, and the same goes for Tata—she never violates an agreement," Lanqi smiled and told Rosalinda. Talia nodded in agreement as well. This snitching dog was indeed scrupulously honest. Back in the examination hall at Purgatory Corridors Academy, he hadn't let a single cheater off the hook, and even though he couldn't solve a single question himself, he refused to cheat. As for her, her pride as demonic royalty forbade her from breaking a pact. "I'll wait for you outside, then," Talia said to Lanqi, rising to her feet while holding the little black cat. "Miss Rosalinda, I'll step out first." Once she was some distance away from Lanqi, she would no longer be able to hear his thoughts. Before leaving, however, she didn't forget to take another look at the monumental paintings on the walls. Such non-public national treasures of Posen were rare treats—every glance was one to cherish. "No need to rush, Junior Tata. I wasn't trying to shoo you away," Rosalinda said, hoping to chat a bit more with Tata instead. She found Tata very easy to talk to. Though Tata appeared to be in her twenties, she gave off the composure and maturity of a peer. There were certain women's topics she had wanted to chat with Tata about in private. "Painting even one piece like this is enough to earn the title of grandmaster. Once in the past, while proctoring an exam, Mikhail casually painted a portrait of Ephatia that turned out to be epic grade. It is still preserved in Platinson Palace today." Following Tata's gaze, Rosalinda couldn't help reminiscing about the past. Yet as she spoke, the air began to fill with a sour jealousy, accompanied by Rosalinda's indignant tears and choked voice. Unlike the demons bound by citizen contracts in the Kingdom of Posen, Ephatia was an unidentified demon who had drifted down from the Northern Continent, completely unmonitored. Many Posen citizens had been displeased when Mikhail brought a demon duchess into the Kingdom of Posen to travel freely. That was until Mikhail painted that portrait, prompting the Senate to make an exception and recognize Ephatia's status as a Huttonian citizen and duchess. That work of art also led many more people to accept that this duchess, tranquil as a sleeping beauty, posed no threat at all, but was rather an incarnation of beauty itself. "A portrait... of Lady Ephatia?" Talia murmured. Lanqi glanced at Talia. He knew how much she cared about her younger sister—she had almost forgotten to append an honorific to her sister's name. Hearing about her sister's portrait, her immediate reaction was a desire to see it. "Yes. That painting, *Sleeping Beauty*, depicts Ephatia," Rosalinda said, pursing her lips. Hearing this, Talia sank into wistful melancholy, quietly gazing at another painting on the wall, as if she could already picture the adorable sleeping face of the sister she hadn't seen in a hundred years. Boss Cat had no idea what had gotten into Tata. It pawed at the hem of Lanqi's coat, hoping he would offer her some comfort. Lanqi looked down at the little black cat and nodded solemnly. "Tata, how about I paint a portrait of you called *Eating Beauty*? If it reaches epic grade, maybe it'll even be collected by Platinson Palace and hung right next to Ephatia's *Sleeping Beauty*." Lanqi spoke up. Hearing this, Talia whipped around instantly and pinned Lanqi down onto the sofa. She was so incensed she felt completely energized! "In all these years, this is the first time I've ever seen a candidate beat up an examiner," Countess Rosalinda murmured under her breath, watching the two. "..." Boss Cat felt that sometimes, Lanqi would be much better off if he just stayed mute. Sometimes, it couldn't even tell whether Lanqi did these things deliberately, or if he was simply as pure and holy as ever, truly embodying the rustic innocence of antiquity.