Even a Dog Would Kick Lanqi

Saturday. Early morning. Count Batiste's estate stood on a stunning prime parcel of land on the north bank of the Selena River, built from hand-carved beige limestone and roofed with brownish-blue swallowtail tiles. The manor's private grounds featured shaded gardens planted thick with broadleaf evergreens, as well as a small glass conservatory where masters and guests alike could admire exotic flowers and rare plants. At that moment, inside this very glass conservatory, the butler was holding a writing board, noting down the cultivation status of the precious flora. Tentative footsteps approached behind him. Yet he did not turn around, remaining absorbed in his work. "Hey, Butler, want to come with us at noon to watch the Platinum-rank card maker exam?" Christina patted Lanqi on the back and asked. At eleven o'clock that morning, the eastern regional Platinum-rank card maker exam would commence. As the longest segment, the first round of testing would continue until nine in the evening. Spectators who bought venue tickets could enter the Sacred Silver Vine Arena to watch the action live, while other residents could tune in to the broadcasts. "How rare. You're actually inviting me, Miss?" Lanqi turned his head and looked at the count's blonde eldest daughter. "Mostly, Inoan thought it'd be better if you went along too," Christina sighed. Though she no longer found Rocky all that terrifying, she would still prefer to avoid this brainwashing butler whenever possible. "Would she really say something like that?" Lanqi paused for half a second in doubt. "Heh heh." Christina raised an index finger, wagging it before Lanqi as if it were obvious. "When I asked her to go, she refused. But when I said, 'What if Rocky comes along too?' she wavered." She chuckled slyly, explaining, "Clearly, relying on me alone doesn't give her enough of a sense of security. She needs you there too." Ever since Inoan lost her edge and was floored multiple times by Rocky during sparring tests in the courtyard, her confidence had completely collapsed. Even though her injuries had mostly healed and Christina was letting her use the family's treasured secret medicines every day, Inoan was still somewhat timid. In Inoan's mind, Butler Rocky was simply an absurdly powerful existence. "Then I am quite sorry. I've already taken leave for this afternoon. I happen to have other work to attend to and won't be able to accompany you." Lanqi glanced helplessly at an Ice Ghost Sunflower imported from the Posen Demon Realm, making notes as he spoke. "Ah..." Christina let out a disappointed sound. "I thought you had plenty of free time outside of work. Who knew you worked multiple jobs?" She looked at him with an expression suggesting she suspected he had financial woes—he was making so much money here, yet was still working himself to the bone. "Alas." Lanqi's myriad thoughts converged into a single sigh. Every family had a hard-to-read scripture. If he didn't work hard to earn money, how could he possibly support *that one*? "Just what do you take me for?" Talia picked up his thought inside Lanqi's mind the very instant it formed. Lanqi didn't even have to mention her name for her to know he was courting death again. "A card that carries immense risk, demands an astronomical price, and constantly requires monstrous amounts of mana and food to sustain..." "...?" "...My most treasured soulbound card." "Shut your mouth..." After transmitting her thought, Talia fell silent, as though lapsing into sleep. Their mental exchange concluded. Snapping back to his senses, Lanqi looked toward Christina inside the conservatory. "Allow me to persuade her on your behalf," he suggested, setting down the writing board and pen. "Sounds like a plan." Christina immediately turned and headed for the courtyard. She had been waiting for Rocky to say those exact words. "Were you waiting for me to say that all along?" the butler asked, sounding a little hurt. "No, no, I actually really hoped you could accompany me." Christina whistled and stared at the trees in her family's garden, delivering her line in a flat, deadpan voice. The two followed the garden path for over a hundred meters, pushed open the heavy oak double doors of the main estate, and soon arrived at the grand reception hall where Christina often spent her time. The room boasted a three-story-high ceiling from which hung a crystal stalactite chandelier nearly two meters in diameter, while the floor was covered in hand-woven silk carpets. Ascending the black marble staircase lined with brass handrails, they reached a corridor extending dozens of meters, flanked on both sides by studies, small salons, and other elaborately decorated rooms. At the far end of the third-floor corridor stood a pair of magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows offering an unobstructed panoramic view of the Selena River and the sprawling cityscape. Inside one of the guest rooms, Inoan was tidying up. "Who is it!" The sudden appearance of silhouettes at the doorway made her tense reflexively, her spine stiffening as she stepped back half a pace. Gradually, once she made out Miss Christina and Butler Rocky, she relaxed. She curtsied in a maid's greeting. "Inoan, put your work on hold for a moment and come chat in the sitting room," Lanqi said, his hand resting against the doorframe. He then walked into the small third-floor salon, arranged three chairs around a low mahogany tea table, and within a dozen seconds, swiftly prepared three cups of black tea. When Inoan stepped inside, she found everything ready for them to sit and relax. Her eyes held a faint trace of admiration for Butler Rocky. She wanted to be like that too. This was true professionalism—working with such brisk efficiency that, given sixty seconds, he could probably set up an entire tea party. "Seriously, Rocky, what line of work were you in before?" Christina tapped the seat beside her to signal Inoan to sit, then asked the butler, who was already leisurely sipping his tea opposite them. "I have dabbled across various industries. My primary proficiencies lie in education and management," Lanqi replied between sips of tea. "Your background is certainly colorful." Christina was satisfied with a cursory answer and did not pry further. Even if this guy claimed he had been in the Resurrection Church, she would probably believe it. "Let's get down to business, then. Inoan, Miss Christina plans to go to the Sacred Silver Vine Arena today to watch the Platinum-rank card maker exam. Could you accompany her and protect her?" Lanqi asked, looking at Inoan. "...Could another maid in the estate accompany the young lady instead?" Inoan kept her head down, staring at her reflection in the crimson surface of the tea. "First, you are Miss Christina's personal maid. Rather than working for this estate, you are her private employee," Lanqi said to Inoan in a measured tone. "Second, although the estate's kitchen maids, parlor maids, and study maids are all powerful demons, none of them are actually stronger than you. Have a little confidence in yourself." "..." Inoan fell silent. She seemed unable to find any excuse or argument against the butler's words. "Inoan, are you afraid your enemies might spot you and bring harm to Christina?" Lanqi asked again. "..." Inoan appeared somewhat reluctant to admit it, but she ultimately clutched her skirt and nodded. "Rest assured. North Palieu has a secure city defense barrier. Unless the whole of Palieu falls or the barrier is overloaded, disabling it is impossible. Even an eighth-tier powerhouse would be suppressed and swiftly surrounded within the city limits. Although District 6, where the Sacred Silver Vine Arena is located, is relatively close to the Posen Demon Realm, it remains human territory. The enemies who want to harm you cannot simply act as they please." Lanqi explained the operating principles of Palieu's barrier in detail. In the capital of a major eastern power like Palieu, even a High Priest could not lightly enter combat inside the city; fighting was permitted only in the wilderness, designated venues, or artificial shadow worlds. "Miss Christina wants you to accompany her not merely because you are her personal maid, but more importantly because she is fond of you and considers you a unique friend and companion. Going with you is the only way she will be completely content. If you wish to return that kindness, won't you reconsider, Inoan?" Lanqi's tone and gaze carried subtle cues, causing Inoan's expression to waver. Trapped and unable to evade, she turned her head away to stare at the floorboards. "Then... I will go," Inoan muttered softly to herself, peering through the strands of red bangs at the blonde young lady. Lanqi leaned back in his chair and looked at Christina, his smug gaze practically asking: *See? Problem solved, wasn't it?* "..." Christina gave him a stealthy thumbs-up. She was honestly speechless at the butler's habitual way of speaking—the man had undeniably worked in multi-level marketing or scam operations before. "Still, what exactly is making you so wary, Inoan? You're actually afraid of dragging Miss Christina into danger, aren't you?" Lanqi pondered for a moment before asking her. He could roughly guess the reason for Inoan's hesitation. She feared her supposed enemies would track her down. That was why she was always reluctant to leave the count's manor if she could help it. "I have a vague feeling... that I might rank my hatred for my enemies on a list... And the top enemy who nearly killed me and caused me to lose my memories is extremely dangerous... certainly not someone easy to deal with..." Inoan racked her brain, but no specific information surfaced—only a deep, bone-chilling unease. "You do have that habit. You always list things out in a clear sequence," Lanqi remarked, consistently encouraging Inoan's strengths and good habits. "Based on your guess—or just your impression—who is stronger: me, or your enemy? After all, you seemed to hate me quite a bit back at the Sacred Silver Vine Arena. Maybe I'm on that ranking list too." He asked Inoan. "No, I don't know," Inoan shook her head. "But you are definitely not my enemy," she declared firmly. "Inoan, if you hadn't lost to me that day, you might not have been hunted by the Diamond Gang in the Posen Demon Realm later on," Lanqi chuckled with an easygoing smile. He and Christina had already explained how they first met her, as well as why Viscount Hammond harbored such deep hatred for Christina and Inoan—all of it had begun with that proxy duel in the Sacred Silver Vine Arena. "No. Christina and you are the top two people who have treated me the best," Inoan shook her head vigorously, seeming entirely certain on this one matter. "If you truly wanted to harm me or trick me, you wouldn't have been so forthright in letting me know the truth. I don't know what things were like before I lost my memories, but I understand the present clearly." She raised her eyes, gazing directly at Christina and Lanqi. "Oh! Inoan, you mean a favorites ranking?" Christina hugged Inoan in pleasant surprise, asking with delight. These past few days, she hadn't been able to read Inoan's shifting emotions, worrying that her own excessive enthusiasm might have made Inoan uncomfortable. Now it seemed Inoan was simply bad at expressing herself. "I'm going back to work." This time Inoan did not admit it. She squirmed out of Christina's embrace, offered an embarrassed curtsy, and hurried away. "Inoan, what if you regain your memories one day? Will you come furiously seeking revenge against me? To tell the truth, when I parted ways with you back when you were dressed as a hooded, red-haired youth, you looked like someone who would never let things go," Lanqi asked, as if struck by a curious hypothetical, watching her retreating back as she neared the door. According to the doctor, brain trauma could cause a drastic personality shift, but if memories returned, Inoan's temperament might revert to how it was before the injury. Her current life might feel like a dream to her, and recovering her memories would be like waking up. "Can't we just... sit down and chat peacefully like this...?" Inoan glanced back hesitantly, observing the butler. Her slightly frightened look made it seem as if she might burst into tears if Butler Rocky genuinely moved to strike her. "Rest assured. Go back to your duties." Lanqi raised a hand and waved to her with a smile, and only then did Inoan leave the salon, visibly relieved. The room fell quiet for a moment. Having finished his tea, Lanqi prepared to resume his work as well. "By the way, Miss, I know you are very fond of Inoan, but you should also be prepared to part ways with her at any time. After all, you know nothing of her past; you two might belong to entirely different worlds." Lanqi placed his teacup onto the tray, offering Christina a word of gentle caution. His earlier question to Inoan was also meant to help Christina understand this in advance. "I know," Christina answered nonchalantly. "No matter how she leaves me when the time comes, I'll let her go gracefully." Though her tone carried a trace of stubborn defiance, it was true that just as she didn't understand Rocky, she didn't truly understand Inoan either. The time spent together right now might amount to less than a single percent of Inoan's life, and she herself was merely a passing traveler on Inoan's journey. Christina held no delusions of tethering Inoan to her side. She had probably considered this when she first signed the employment contract with Inoan. "It is reassuring to see you possess such mature thoughts and demeanor." Lanqi took his leave with a satisfied expression, stepping out of the room. "Don't underestimate me! Do I look like the type to cry and cling to her?" Christina made a face toward the doorway where the butler had disappeared, puffing with indignation. That butler was a master of passive aggression—sometimes she couldn't even tell whether he was speaking in earnest or mockery. *** Several hours later. Palieu District 6, Sacred Silver Vine Arena. In this area bordering the Posen Demon Realm, warning signs from the Senate's enforcement division had already been posted, and patrol units were stationed at intervals along the one-kilometer perimeter. Because the Platinum-rank card maker exam was a major international event, the Kingdom of Posen had deployed massive security forces. Moreover, toward the late August exam dates, high-ranking nobles of Palieu and even Senate dukes and marquises frequently came to spectate, meaning the protective presence would only grow heavier as the event progressed. Many executioners stationed on the south bank had crossed over to the north bank as well. Of course, certain Palieu citizens working in government institutions had caught wind of recent rumors: the patrol troops near the Posen Demon Realm border were likely there for more than mere security. A deeper reason lay in recent developments concerning the ancient demon berserk curse, which had nearly erupted into crisis a short while ago. Over the past few days, berserk incidents had ceased entirely. It appeared the culprit suspected of spreading the curse in the Kingdom of Posen had temporarily gone into hiding following the Senate's thunderous investigations. Yet during this calm period surrounding the Platinum-rank card maker exam—a lull that felt very much like the calm before a storm—some suspected the instigator was currently concocting something far more terrifying. Even so, minor rumors and murmurs could hardly dampen the enthusiasm most life-loving Palieu citizens held for grand spectacles! Afternoon sunlight poured through the slowly retracting dome, blazing brightly into the ancient Sacred Silver Vine Arena. Spectators from across the Kingdom of Posen and neighboring nations of the eastern region had long since gathered, eagerly awaiting this annual festival of magical engineering. "Is there anyone with a good shot at advancing to Platinum rank this year?" "I think it'll be tough. Aside from Ascal, that super-magic artificer from a minor nation, and Valastin and Katrina, who are top Gold-rank card makers taking the test for the second time, there are a lot of mysterious newcomers I don't recognize. Are we supposed to bank on an elderly master like Balcon, or Karen, the rising star who just emerged from the Kingdom of Aloran this year?" "Still, a major highlight this time is the examiner. To think a Platinum-rank card maker actually took over Mikhail's post!" Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds filled the venue, the air humming with bustling discussions and laughter. Inside this ancient colosseum, modern renovations and fresh paintwork complemented high tiers of seating arrayed like winding, snow-white mountain ridges. Inside the Sky Sovereign Pavilion, reserved exclusively for powerful nobles, the seating was exceptionally spacious, with sofas wide enough for retinues to sit beside their masters. Even so, most attendants stood properly behind, choosing not to sit with their lords. Only exceptionally wealthy families could purchase these premium seats, and eligibility required a high point accumulation with the Sacred Silver Vine Arena, making this the most luxurious section of the entire venue. "Quiet down in a bit, you hear? Don't disturb the others," Christina said, having arrived early with her younger siblings, gently warning them. Her cousins and little sister were squirming restlessly, looking even more excited than she was. Her older brother Kyle, on the other hand, had lost interest upon hearing Rocky wouldn't be coming today; he had returned to the study to continue his research, remarking that he would only consider attending for the final round of testing. Thus, babysitting duty fell solely on her shoulders. "Inoan, help me watch the little ones," Christina had no choice but to seek Inoan's aid. "I..." Sitting beside Christina, Inoan felt thoroughly ill at ease. Looking at other families, she saw almost all attendants standing to the side. More importantly, she had no clue how to interact with children. She had been learning constantly over this period, discovering that some tasks came naturally to her while others were utterly foreign. The basic skill of "caring for and being kind to little children" was a complete void in her repertoire, fueling her growing suspicion that she must have been a wicked person in the past. "It's fine. You're clever; you'll pick it up in no time," Christina took Inoan's hands, speaking as if sensing her hesitation. "It's all that deserter Rocky's fault. If he were here, a single question about their homework would have silenced them instantly." Christina couldn't help grumbling. Calming children was supposed to be Rocky's specialty. "No, do not blame Mr. Rocky. It is my own inadequacy," Inoan murmured softly. Reluctant to see Christina place blame on Butler Rocky, she tentatively looked at the children and took the bold step of patting their heads one by one. All three little ones stared at Inoan in a daze, making her worry she had done something wrong. She was merely offering a clumsy imitation of Butler Rocky's natural demeanor. She remembered that whenever he did this, Rocky would add, "Children, I'm back." Clearly, that line was unfitting for the current setting. "Woah, Inoan, you're actually willing to play with us!" Yet the three children quickly broke into smiles and began chattering with this quiet, mysterious maid, leaving Inoan momentarily at a loss for words. "See? Just a little imitation does the trick," Christina let out a relieved breath with an easy smile. The butler was at least useful in one regard: motivating Inoan to step up in his absence. The Platinum-rank card maker exam had already been underway for some time, and the screens inside the Sky Sovereign Pavilion mirrored the feed from within the artificial shadow world. Right now, it was an intermission for preparation. The first round, Magical Engineering Principles, was an extensive seminar format. While connoisseurs examined the finer technicalities, laymen merely watched the spectacle; few sat through the entire process. Consequently, even within the Sacred Silver Vine Arena, spectators were frequently entering and exiting. Between examinees, the screens displayed the proctors conferring with staff, preparing to usher in the next candidate once the countdown elapsed. During these intervals, the spectators mostly chatted amongst themselves. As Christina leaned back against her sofa and gazed up at Palieu's clear blue sky, a stir in the distance caught her attention. It seemed the nobles in that section were all bowing to someone. She tilted her head to look and immediately sat up straighter. Arriving was none other than the true wielder of authority within the Kingdom of Posen's Senate—Duchess Tiffany. She wore a sumptuous silk gown whose deep crimson fabric shimmered against the seats, with a mink-fur cloak draped over her shoulders, fluttering softly with her movements. Duchess Tiffany held her back straight, her chin slightly raised, her bright eyes lazily drifting across the screens. She tapped the armrest with her signet ring, rhythmically fanning a feathered folding fan, occasionally looking up with a faint smile to whisper a few words to the black-uniformed officer behind her. "I heard you nearly chopped him down by accident that day?" Using the fan to gesture toward the figure of a proctor in a corner of the screen, she covered her mouth and asked. "...My deepest apologies," the black-uniformed officer replied in a low, solemn voice, bowing his head. "I don't blame you. I was the one who gave you authorization; if an issue arose, the responsibility is mine," Duchess Tiffany said dismissively, tapping the side of his waist with her fan as if telling him to hold his head high and not dwell on self-blame. "Mr. Nigel!" On the other side, Christina spotted the black-uniformed officer and blurted out his name, then went ahead and waved at him. When she and Butler Rocky visited the Posen Demon Realm last time, they had encountered this executioner, and it was he who had entrusted Inoan to their care. Standing behind the duchess, Nigel noticed Count Batiste's box, shifted his gaze toward Christina, and offered a slight nod. "Inoan, Mr. Nigel was the one who saved you that day," Christina reminded Inoan beside her. In the Posen Demon Realm, had Nigel not arrived to subdue the berserk leader of the Diamond Gang, Inoan might have been beaten to death by that cursed demon. Hearing this, Inoan offered Nigel a slight curtsy as well. Nigel acknowledged her in turn. He recognized that the Batiste family had taken in the human he had rescued. "See, Inoan? The outside world isn't so dangerous. There are plenty of well-meaning people," Christina told Inoan gently. "You are right, Miss," Inoan nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. Before she could say anything more— "!" As though sensing sudden danger, Inoan sprang to her feet, shielding Christina with her body and holding out a hand to keep her from moving. Before them stood a tall figure that had appeared without warning, nearly blotting out the sunlight. "Miss, does your butler happen to have brown hair and green eyes?" The figure before the sofa had deep crimson eyes flickering with playful mockery. Ignoring Inoan, he addressed only Christina. He was clad in a black satin coat, with long, pitch-black hair spilling loosely over his shoulders, his pale, exquisite visage tinged with a wild, feral beauty. He was none other than the Demon Lord of Palieu District 7, Astaroth. "..." Christina looked away. She remembered that Butler Rocky had delivered a stealthy elbow to this very demon lord that day, allowing Master Sergeant Nigel to defeat him. Even though she had stood far off and likely escaped Demon Lord Astaroth's notice, Rocky had since become quite famous in the Sacred Silver Vine Arena. Anyone asking around about a powerful man in a butler's suit with brown hair and green eyes would quickly trace him to the Batiste estate. "I don't know where he went," Christina replied, sweat beading on her forehead as she played dumb. "Truly? Last time, I was simply careless. Next time I see him..." Just speaking of it caused veins to throb on Astaroth's brow. Never before had an opponent defeated him using such underhanded methods before he could even get a clear look at his assailant. "I really don't know where he is. He took the day off today," Christina repeated. "Are you lying to me? Tell me where he is. Don't let me catch him hiding inside this arena." "He really isn't here!" Meanwhile, on the other side of the Sky Sovereign Pavilion, Nigel noticed Christina's direction and furrowed his brows. "Duchess Tiffany, may I step away for a moment to speak with an acquaintance?" After a moment's consideration, Nigel bowed his head and requested permission from Duchess Tiffany. "Go ahead," Duchess Tiffany waved her fan casually, signaling that he was dismissed. Though Nigel served as her executioner and bodyguard, she possessed numerous life-saving artifacts; threatening her was no simple feat. Nigel nodded, striding across the long walkways to reach the right side of the pavilion where Christina was seated. "Oh? Quite a capable maid you have here. You might withstand two... no, three of my moves? As expected of a wealthy count's estate." Astaroth, watching Inoan's escalating hostility, finally shifted his gaze from Christina to her. "..." Like a bristling wolfhound, Inoan's quivering pupils flashed a vicious warning, bidding Astaroth to step away from Christina, or else she would strike. The air turned instantly frigid. Before Christina could devise a way to defuse Astaroth's provocation— "Astaroth. Return to your seat." Nigel stepped between them, holding his scabbard vertically before Astaroth, signaling him not to harass human nobles. "Tsk. Understood, Nigel. You don't think I'm foolish enough to lay a hand on a noble lady in human territory, do you?" Seeing Nigel arrive, and catching the icy gaze behind Duchess Tiffany's fan in the distance, Astaroth waved his hand in concession. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets, then withdrew an envelope and extended it toward Nigel. Nigel's hostile gaze did not soften, and he made no move to accept the letter. "Lord Polman's invitation. I've delivered it to you, Nigel," Astaroth said, sounding as though he were simply executing a chore. "..." Upon hearing that name, Nigel looked away with an uncomfortable expression. A prolonged silence followed before his stiff, slow movements finally accepted the black envelope. Demon Lord Polman, administrator of District 10 and the strongest figure in the Kingdom of Posen today. He was also the mentor who had adopted Nigel. Nigel had grown up alongside his mentor's twin daughters like siblings. Now, only the elder sister remained. Nigel was all the more terrified of seeing her, for laying eyes on her would only remind him of the younger sister he had slain with his own hands. "Whether you go or not is up to you," Astaroth shrugged indifferently. Nigel was hardly welcome among the demons anyway—after all, he was an executioner acting as a dog for humans. Lord Polman's birthday banquet for his daughter was set for next Sunday evening—the very night the Platinum-rank card maker exam would conclude. "Theoretically, you could bring a friend, though I doubt you have any trustworthy companions on the human side. After all, you are a traitor through and through." Astaroth's voice held a tinge of pity, as if he couldn't fathom why Nigel had wasted so many years among humans. "Think what you will," Nigel said, staring down at the envelope. "Nigel, I hear you've been conducting inquiries behind the Senate's back lately. A little bird told me that the Record of Palroni's Grudges might very well be in the Senate's hands. Don't forget which side your kin are on. Don't let the humans play you for a fool." As Astaroth brushed past, he patted Nigel on the shoulder and whispered into his ear. "..." Nigel remained silent, offering no response to Demon Lord Astaroth. "Um... what if I overheard that?" Christina shrank her neck back timidly, worried she had heard something forbidden. "And what could you possibly do with what you heard?" Astaroth's chilling glance sent a shiver through Christina, freezing her in place. With those parting words, he strolled down the aisle until he disappeared from sight. "It's fine. Pay no mind to what that fellow says; he's talking nonsense," Nigel said to Christina, his voice softening slightly. "Thank you for intervening, Mr. Nigel," Christina curtsied hurriedly. Inoan followed suit with another bow. Before they could converse further, faint murmurs drifted from the distance: *"To think the Batiste family's daughter associates with both Demon Lord Astaroth and Executioner Nigel. She really does intend to wipe out Viscount Hammond's line..."* causing Christina's brow to twitch. It was common knowledge that Duchess Tiffany's executioner was a ruthless enforcer of the law; virtually no crime escaped his iron grip. Christina admitted having a score to settle with Viscount Hammond, but how had noble gossip escalated to her planning a massacre? "Lady Batiste, take care of your safety lately," Nigel said, his gaze sweeping past the three oblivious Batiste children before resting on Christina. Terror flashed in Inoan's eyes, her gaze darting uneasily as if plunging into an abyss. "Rest easy. It is not because of you," Nigel shook his head, realizing Inoan had misunderstood. While offending the Diamond Gang in the Posen Demon Realm was certainly dangerous, that matter had been resolved; investigation showed the demons had attacked her first. This woman named Inoan was merely an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire, irrelevant to the broader picture. The one truly at risk of being targeted by the mastermind was Lanqi—or rather, his alias, Rocky McCarthy. Because no useful intelligence had been extracted from the berserk Diamond Gang leader that day, Nigel had deduced that the disturbance in District 7 was likely bait set by the mastermind to lure out the curse-breaker. Anyone tailing Nigel would inevitably uncover the curse-breaker's identity. "You mean Butler Rocky? He is indeed dangerous," Christina agreed. "Though what is your relationship with him? Has Butler Rocky been involved in illegal activities?" She peered curiously at Nigel's expression, suspecting he might know far more than she did. She had spent considerable time around Butler Rocky, yet the man remained an impenetrable enigma. "He is my collaborator, so he may be drawn into certain cases," Nigel answered simply. With that, he bid farewell to Christina and Inoan and walked back toward Duchess Tiffany's seat. Christina sat back on the sofa with a furrowed brow, lost in thought. Her mind began spinning wild theories. She had heard some whispers about potential unrest in the City of Flowers, Palieu. The Senate faction led by Duchess Tiffany was the foremost governing power in the Kingdom of Posen. The demon lords occupying northern Palieu had to negotiate with the Senate, effectively forming a separate faction with long-standing friction against the Senate. Executioner Nigel was an independent investigator who had defected from the demon lords to the Senate, seemingly possessing his own intelligence network and judgment. To the south, the Creti Empire applied external pressure, and there was no telling whether their spies within the Kingdom of Posen were plotting something. On top of that was the mastermind wielding the curse known as the Resentment of Archmage Palroni. And for reasons unknown, the Resurrection Church also appeared active within the Kingdom of Posen. The first three were loosely aligned, fractured friendly forces, while the latter three were inherently evil adversaries. Beneath the tranquil surface, no one knew how much intelligence each faction possessed, what objectives they pursued, or what moves they were advancing by the day, hour, and second. Unseen forces were nearing a boiling point, poised to erupt at any moment. Fortunately, the Batiste estate was an old-money family, dealing primarily in agricultural produce and winery businesses nationwide from south to north. If turmoil broke out, their business might shrink, but they wouldn't go bankrupt. Even so, Christina could only glimpse the tip of the iceberg. Master Sergeant Nigel felt like the central protagonist destined to break the deadlock. Viewed in that light, Rocky—who was on good terms with Executioner Nigel—must be a mysterious powerhouse shrouded in secrets, very likely a good person capable of turning the tides at a crucial juncture. "Miss, will Palieu become very dangerous in the future?" Inoan's voice broke Christina's train of thought, bringing her back to reality. Turning her head, Christina saw Inoan's purple eyes filled with worry beneath her crimson hair. "Don't worry. Unless the entire City of Flowers is on the verge of falling, no one can breach our manor," Christina patted Inoan's back, offering firm assurance. The manor still housed an ancient barrier passed down by their ancestors. As the two chatted, they noticed that on the holographic magitech screen suspended at the center of the Sky Sovereign Pavilion, the magical engineering seminar had begun for a new examinee. "Oh, Senior Karen is up!" Christina gripped Inoan's wrist in excitement, directing her attention to the artificial shadow world's broadcast. This Platinum-rank exam offered betting tickets on which examinees would pass. Christina had initially wanted a modest gamble for fun, but Butler Rocky had recommended she bet solely on a newcomer named Tata. When she asked why he recommended an unknown newcomer with no track record, Rocky hesitated before saying Tata was good-looking, which had left Christina utterly speechless. What was the use of being good-looking? Could beauty feed you? Could it grant all your wishes? Who would have guessed Rocky was such a shallow man? After weighing it over, Christina had still bet three hundred pounds on Tata passing; after all, Rocky had an uncanny knack for bizarre outcomes. If Tata truly passed, Christina would receive over sixty times her wager, which would give her enough to scrape together fifty thousand pounds and fire Butler Rocky for good. *** Inside the shadow world, circular steps in the middle of the lecture hall wound upward to the main seat. For this examination, the artificial shadow world simulated the third floor of the Colmton Library in the House of Evert at the Palieu University of Arts. This spacious seminar room was quiet and solemn, its heavy old oak floorboards inlaid with red carpet, the surrounding walls lined with dark brown bookshelves crammed with volumes. At the center stood a bronze-hued long table stretching over ten meters, flanked by a dozen classic Posen-style armchairs. An immortal crystal chandelier overhead flickered with magical illumination, while logs crackled in the fireplace behind. Under the barrier's protection, the only sound was the rustle of quills scratching against parchment. Six association clerical assistants sat at the far end of the long table, absorbed in their tasks—some resting their chins in thought, others writing and sketching. They remained silent, responding only when the proctors requested assistance or gave instructions. "Very well. Let the examination commence. Assistant Examiner, please discuss the eight drawn topics with the examinee," the chief examiner seated at the head announced. He was a middle-aged man in his fifties. A few streaks of white were visible in his short, dark brown hair, yet he carried an elegant yet commanding demeanor. Dressed in a wine-red formal suit, he watched the long table through crescent-shaped spectacles. He was Bruton Izainha, a Platinum-rank card maker from the Kingdom of Aloran and a master of magical engineering. His role today was to score each examinee's seminar performance, confer with the assistant examiner afterward, and determine the average difficulty and passing threshold based on the assistant examiner's scoring. "The floor is yours," Chief Examiner Bruton said, transferring the shadow world's proctoring authority to the young assistant examiner seated at his side. "Are you ready, Karen? According to the drawn topics, we will begin with exploratory research on thermal furnaces." In contrast, the youthful assistant examiner radiated a distinct aura of mystery. Appearing to be in his early twenties, he possessed a tall, slender build, draped in a tailored robe of midnight blue. Curiously, a silver metal mask concealed his face entirely, leaving only a pair of clear, tranquil blue eyes visible. Even his eye color was likely a disguise. Nonetheless, his voice was warm and charming, flowing pleasantly like a warm spring. "I am ready," Karen replied, nodding like a proper lady from across the table. "Our first topic of discussion: In a thermal furnace drive system, how can one achieve high-efficiency mana conversion with minimal loss? Please demonstrate a solution using techniques you have mastered. Several basic modular components are provided here for quick assembly." The assistant examiner articulated the question with clear logic, projecting a translucent three-dimensional magitech assembly before Karen. Without hesitation, Karen raised both hands, reshaping the projected components using her own mana. "First, ambient natural mana particles are gathered via mana-induction coils and synchronized to form a highly ordered, high-efficiency mana stream. Next, a specialized curvature focusing array directs the stream into an arched focus, substantially elevating energy density," she murmured. "Your arched focusing array reminds me of mana concentration techniques used in storage reservoirs. But how do you prevent mana particles from generating excessive thermal noise during overload?" the assistant examiner asked warmly, watching her practical demonstration. "The swirling ion cooling technology I independently developed is designed specifically to resolve that thermal noise," she explained. As she spoke, an alternate viewport magnified the internal components, revealing several circulating vortices. "By applying centrifugal force and introducing a specific mana field, the particles are guided into spiral vortices, effectively separating high-energy dense zones from low-heat dispersed zones. Consequently, when entering the subsequent mana amplification phase, only the output from high-energy zones is boosted." Karen explained with ease. Favoring wind over fire, she expertly steered even fire-attributed topics into her domain of expertise. At this point, the assistant examiner had virtually no further questions. He knew little of wind, though he had some grasp of fire. "It is evident you possess unique insights into both theory and practical application. However, during amplification, pure enhancement cannot eliminate heat loss without violating the principle that mana can neither be created nor destroyed. What are your thoughts?" the assistant examiner could only ask. "I anticipated that issue, which is why I designed a coupled wind-resonance cavity," Karen gestured with a fingertip, bringing a spherical chamber into view as she explained. "The cavity is woven from dozens of mana optical fibers, producing a wind-energy coupling effect upon the flowing particles to amplify mana. The coupling itself generates no new energy; it merely performs work to alter the particles' energy states and vibrational modes." "..." Chief Examiner Bruton spoke little throughout, quietly observing and scoring. He occasionally jotted notes on his slate with a mechanical felt-tipped pen or rotated the three-dimensional projections in the air for examination. "Examiner, do you have any thoughts?" Finishing her explanation, Karen turned to the masked assistant examiner with a smile. "I have no further questions," the assistant examiner replied. "Then might I ask: Have you considered whether such high-density mana output might cause field destabilization, even under theoretically lossless conditions? If such a risk exists, how would you ensure the output remains controllable and stable?" Karen inquired with earnest politeness. "..." The assistant examiner went quiet. He genuinely had no idea. "In my humble opinion, this constitutes the greatest challenge in this scenario. We seek more than mere numerical output. Exterior to the cavity, I propose designing a specialized mana grid polarization field, utilizing its unique cross-attribute properties to form a cage-like containment. Only when factors like amplitude and frequency attain precise equilibrium can a controlled 'outlet' be established at the interface between the containment and counter-containment fields." Sensing the assistant examiner's dilemma, Karen stepped in to explain, seemingly resolving his embarrassment. Chief Examiner Bruton nodded slightly in approval, seemingly awarding her extra points. Outside the shadow world, within the Sacred Silver Vine Arena, the spectators' furrowed brows relaxed. They realized Karen had found a loophole to farm points. This assistant examiner was noticeably green when it came to Magical Engineering Principles. Karen had likely deduced this from his discussions with earlier examinees. By steering the topic toward areas outside his expertise, she could interrogate the proctor and answer her own questions. While the assistant examiner looked miserable, this method was undeniably efficient for racking up points! On the screen, the assistant examiner was battered into weary silence. "Very well. Time for the first question has elapsed. The candidate's performance was flawless, demonstrating profound mastery in mana transmission and conversion. Let us proceed to the next topic," the assistant examiner finally spoke, transitioning to the next question. And so the cycle repeated. Karen completed her Magical Engineering Principles examination with composure. Even before the scores were officially announced, everyone knew hers would be extraordinarily high. *** Inside the Sky Sovereign Pavilion. "It would be wonderful to befriend Senior Karen. Regardless of whether she makes Platinum rank this time, she is an outstanding talent among Gold-rank card makers," Christina marveled, watching Karen's confident finish. Though hiring a card maker of that caliber on a long-term contract was out of the question, making friends was always beneficial. If war broke out on the southern continent and magic artificers were drafted into military production, high-tier artificers would become even more sought after. "Why is this examiner... so good-tempered?" Inoan asked. Even she could tell that Karen's outwardly polite phrasing was actively stripping away the assistant examiner's dignity. Yet the proctor couldn't easily reprimand her, since she kept feigning modesty; criticizing her would only make him look like a bully picking on an examinee. An ordinary examiner might have flushed red with fury by now. Yet this one merely looked resigned. "I suppose the Kingdom of Hutton simply has more refined gentlemen. High Priest Loren is famous for his mild, courteous temperament as well," Christina pondered, continuing, "Two years ago, nobody expected the Kingdom of Hutton to produce another Platinum-rank card maker. People assumed Old Master Borao would have to be specially invited to assist." She remembered that many magical engineering textbooks used at the Aloran Royal Academy were authored by Borao. "Then why didn't they invite that Borao? Having a newly minted Platinum-rank card maker barely scrape by might even cost him his qualification," Inoan asked Christina in confusion. "A master of Borao's caliber wouldn't be allowed to leave even if he wanted to; the Kingdom of Hutton wouldn't permit it. If anything happened to him, no one in Posen could bear the responsibility. But I hear this Platinum-rank examiner was personally recommended by Borao himself." Christina had some grasp of international affairs. The moment Professor Borao left Hutton's capital, he would become a prime target for assassination by the Creti Empire. Yet Professor Borao's true strength remained an enigma. Most considered him a pure magic artificer with negligible combat capability, yet according to intelligence intercepted from the Creti Empire's Special Intelligence Bureau years ago, every elite operative sent to assassinate him had vanished without a trace. Thus, spectators understood why this Platinum-rank card maker wore a mask and acted so secretive. It was all to protect the magic artificer's safety. Naturally, this only deepened people's curiosity regarding his true identity. Christina knew Duchess Tiffany certainly knew who he was, but the duchess would never tell her, and Christina wouldn't dare approach her with such a foolish question. *** The Magical Engineering Principles exam in the shadow world progressed swiftly. Over the ensuing hours, candidates following Karen began emulating her approach, having discovered the secret to farming points by interrogating the examiner for extra credit. Only a handful of kind-hearted examinees spared him the ordeal. Even the audience gradually recognized that this assistant examiner was genuinely out of his depth; practically anyone could leave him stumped. Because the examination utilized an integrity monitoring system, examiners were strictly forbidden from helping candidates cheat. Karen had dealt the harshest beating of all, grilling the mysterious examiner until he was sweating profusely. "Seriously, what is the deal with this assistant examiner?" "Is he throwing the exam?" "He can't throw it. He seems to genuinely be at the bottom of the Gold-rank tier." "Then isn't having him serve as chief examiner in the third round a complete joke?" Spectators who had originally planned to leave after a brief look ended up staying precisely because of this year's comedic value. Some even returned after dinner to keep watching; the assistant examiner's bumbling performance made for prime entertainment. How could every single person who walked in take turns grilling him? Though he looked mysterious, the assistant examiner was genuinely good-natured, never making things difficult for candidates and remaining exceedingly polite. The spectators couldn't help wondering: *Aren't you afraid he'll slaughter every one of you in the third round for hazing him like this?* Today, it seemed even a stray dog would kick Lanqi on its way past. Passing the Platinum-rank card maker exam required clearing all three rounds, but failing to clear while scoring exceptionally high on a specific subject could still grant performance credits. Acquiring high credits across all six core subjects allowed one to apply to the Southern Continent Card Makers Association. Meeting certain supplementary requirements could then grant Platinum rank through the application pathway. Consequently, the temptation of extra credits was immense. Finally, it was time for a new examinee. An independent card maker from South Vantina in the Kingdom of Hutton—a young woman with grey hair and golden eyes. Inside the seminar room simulating the third floor of the Colmton Library, the assistant examiner looked thoroughly exhausted. Yet today, barring any surprises, he was slated for several more rounds of grilling. "Recommended candidates without prior credentials are either utterly mediocre or absolute monsters. Mikhail back in the day was one of them." "That grey-haired lady looks like an unyielding iceberg." Spectators in the arena lobby sighed with pity. "First, we will verify your personal information according to standard procedure," the assistant examiner said, picking up the profile sheet provided by the shadow world and addressing Talia, who was seated across the table. "Tata, recommended candidate from the Kingdom of Hutton, unmarried, age twenty-five." As he reached the end, he seemed to bite his lip beneath the mask. It was apparently so hilarious to him that it washed away an entire afternoon's worth of fatigue. "..." Talia lowered her head slightly. Had attacking examiners not been forbidden, she would have pinned Lanqi to the ground and beaten him senseless right then and there. *Seriously, is there something wrong with this guy? He's been tormented all afternoon, yet he still has the mood for this nonsense?* Talia felt she could no longer understand Lanqi. She had originally contemplated showing him some concern today, offering a few words of comfort after the exam. Now she realized she had vastly overthought it. "Miss Tata, you..." the assistant examiner continued. "..." Her luminous, gold-flecked eyes swept across both examiners. The assistant examiner moved to say something, but the shimmering intensity of Tata's glare choked the words in his throat. "Please begin the exam," she prompted. "Very well," the assistant examiner sat up straight immediately. Chief Examiner Bruton couldn't help shooting him a sidelong glance. *Do you really have to fear her this much? You are the examiner and she is the candidate. What kind of conditioned reflex is that?* "The first topic concerns foundational theories of mental magic. Please begin from the core concept," the assistant examiner cleared his throat and asked Talia. "As is widely known, the core of mental magic lies not merely in the power of consciousness, but in the unity of mind and soul..." Talia began her explanation. The assistant examiner remained completely silent, appearing to have thrown in the towel. He looked as though he wouldn't resist even if someone used him to farm points. "The layered model of mental mana forms a trinity: consciousness, spirit, and soul. The caster must attain perfect harmony across all three for mental magic to achieve peak coherence." With that, she paused her exposition, looking up at the assistant examiner opposite her. "Examiner, regarding the points I just addressed, which aspects would you like to explore in greater depth?" Having asked, she waited quietly. "..." The assistant examiner froze. He had never been asked such a question before. Though candidates had directed questions at him throughout the day, this examinee had handed total discretion back to him. His bewildered gaze seemed to ask Talia: *You could just use me to farm points. Why ask such a thankless question?* "..." As Lanqi's eyes probed, Talia responded with a playful, faintly amused look: *The more you try to provoke me, the less I will treat you like a tool as you expect.* She would rather forfeit some points than let Lanqi's dignity be trampled. This time, the assistant examiner fell silent longer than ever before. "Regarding willpower, then. I would like to hear your perspective." "This pertains neither to pure psychology nor to the realm of life energy..." Tata spoke steadily, her confident gaze fixed upon Lanqi. Lanqi listened attentively, nodding from time to time. Outside the venue, the spectators exchanged puzzled glances. Just when everyone assumed this candidate named Tata would wring points from the examiner as well, she refrained. She chose to sacrifice numerous scoring opportunities, patiently accommodating the examiner to make their exchange remarkably relaxed. In a sense, onlookers could hardly tell if this was an examination at all. Their conversation flowed so naturally, resembling an everyday discussion on magical engineering, that even the assistant examiner's lips curved into a rare smile, as though thoroughly engrossed in the dialogue. "Their rapport feels surprisingly seamless." "Actually, in terms of scoring efficiency, they couldn't be less in sync." "It's completely impractical. Caring about the examiner's feelings achieves nothing; she's throwing away her own points." "Unless she's simply good-natured and didn't want to make things difficult for him." "Still, you have to admit she's formidable. Even like this, her score won't be low." The audience marveled at this seemingly tranquil yet subtly intense exchange. After a long while, Talia finally completed her examination and exited through the dedicated Void Gate corridor. "Tata, meow!" A little black cat bounded over from the floor. "I thought you would grill him," Boss Cat remarked. After all, nobody knew how to torment Lanqi better than her; from the moment Lanqi became a card maker, he had been molded by Tata's hands. "..." Talia picked up the cat without a word. "Where is Classmate Lanqi? Did he not even accompany you today?" Taking a few steps toward the rest area, Talia spotted Karen seated nearby in the audience section. Karen waved warmly at Talia, like greeting an old friend. "..." Talia had no desire to engage with this woman, sparing her only a glance before walking onward. "It seems you have no desire to win, Miss Tata," Karen spread her hands. She had been briefly startled by Tata's prowess, but seeing how she handled the exam brought Karen immense relief. From the first round alone, she had already established a substantial lead over Tata. "Surpass me in the second and third rounds before speaking," Talia turned and said to Karen. "Don't forget... that same examiner will oversee the third round. He really is rather adorable; I can hardly resist teasing him again. Fufu." Karen seemed to relish tormenting the examiner. Being able to trample even a Platinum-rank card maker underfoot only proved she was the true genius destined for Platinum rank. "You think you're worthy of teasing him?" A glint of cold fury flickered in Talia's golden eyes. For that single remark alone, she vowed to pick out a men's swimsuit for Karen down the line. "My, does that examiner belong to you? Are you defending him now?" Karen narrowed her eyes, asking with an amused smile. "I look forward to seeing your expression once you understand everything." Talia paid Karen no further heed, striding away. *** As the venue dimmed, the day's first round drew smoothly to a close. Only the staff remained, coordinating the final administrative tasks. Inside the artificial shadow world's seminar room, Chief Examiner Bruton Izainha tallied the scores. "Not bad." The candidates' scores were quite high this year. Yet Chief Examiner Bruton had felt something amiss earlier. Upon closer review, he realized the assistant examiner's proficiency was genuinely abysmal. The highest-scoring candidate stood at 82, while the lowest was 35. *Yet how is it that you, the assistant examiner, only scored 31?* Bruton had done his utmost to award Lanqi points, desperate to raise his score, but he simply couldn't bring himself to squeeze out any more without violating his conscience. Ultimately, Chief Examiner Bruton had no choice but to exercise his authority and set the passing mark at 41. Even so, this threshold set a historic low, bound to trigger an audit from the Southern Continent Card Makers Association headquarters in the Western Hub. External auditors would likely intervene to monitor the third round in its entirety. Bruton cast a complicated look at Lanqi, who was still seated nearby. Though he had heard this Platinum-rank card maker was entirely different from Mikhail—Mikhail was a well-rounded prodigy, whereas this fellow was a compass needle focused purely in one direction. Rumor had it his specialty lay in artistry. Thus, for the final exam, records indicated Lanqi's artistry slightly edged out Countess Rosalinda's, making him the chief examiner and Rosalinda the assistant. Yet with the conclusion of Magical Engineering Principles, he looked painfully like a counterfeit Platinum-rank card maker! His grasp of magical engineering was mediocre even by Gold-rank standards. All in all, his standing among Platinum ranks was utterly peculiar. If he served as chief examiner in the third round and continued letting anyone kick him around, a massive storm would certainly brew. Bruton recalled a certain Platinum-rank card maker at headquarters who deeply resented Mikhail. If that individual was assigned to audit Lanqi, things could turn exceedingly ugly given that Lanqi and Mikhail were both rising stars from the Kingdom of Hutton. "..." Bruton pinched the bridge of his nose. In the end, everything adhered to the Southern Continent Card Makers Association's regulations; there was nothing more to say. His shift was finished anyway. Public opinion was no longer his concern.