“I told you not to bet with Dean Loren back then, meow. Now you're getting your comeuppance.”

The cat boss said, looking at Lan Qi.

It vaguely remembered when it first met Lan Qi, he had his hands behind his back, nodded and smiled, saying he would vouch for Loren.

The students of the Sage Academy cheered for him; he was really handsome.

Now, Lan Qi seemed to be going further and further down the path of a comedian.

The cat boss was a little worried that when Sigrid arrived and discovered her Holy Son had become a funny man, she would have a crisis of faith.

“Once I win against that green tea bitch, you'll tell her in person who your most beautiful and most powerful teacher is.”

Talia had already released Lan Qi's collar.

It wasn't good to keep dragging a man around, as it easily drew strange looks, making it seem like they were a quarreling couple.

“Wait, it's true you're my teacher, but isn't 'most beautiful and most powerful' something you're slipping in there?”

Lan Qi realized with a start.

"'Beautiful, powerful, immortal,' didn't you tell me that back in the South Wan Tyna Territory? If I hadn't heard you say that, I might not have agreed to your request back then."

Talia suspected that Lan Qi wanted to do a task again.

But her primary goal now was Karen, so she wouldn't bother with Lan Qi for the time being.

“Hiss.”

Lan Qi thought carefully, and he really had said those words.

It was exactly what he had said when he created the first magic card, "Basic Etiquette," and asked Talia to be his teacher.

Lan Qi looked at Talia with a complicated expression.

So you really remember, Tata.

“It was only a little over a year ago; how could I not remember? I even remember you said I was good-looking a total of seven times.”

Talia looked at Lan Qi and said matter-of-factly.

“I said it that many times?”

Lan Qi was stunned.

“When you praise me, you always act like you're teasing me. But when I really want you to formally declare it in front of other women, you… can't say it? Are you shy?”

Talia saw Lan Qi shifting his gaze uncomfortably and leaned in a little, asking him in his ear.

So cute.

She raised her chin slightly, as if mocking Lan Qi.

“What's there to be afraid of? My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror.”

Lan Qi immediately felt a rebellious impulse and chuckled dismissively.

“Meow…”

The cat boss didn't want to say anything.

It hoped that Lan Qi would still be so confident on the day Sigrid arrived, sometime around winter.

Whether you praise Sid in front of Tata or praise Tata in front of Sid, the ending would probably be women fighting and men crying.

“We're here, meow.”

They were now on the eighth floor of the Paliuer Card Maker Association.

It was also where Lan Qi and Tata had arranged to meet Countess Rosalinda.

After Lan Qi treated Tata and the cat boss to cake on the fourth floor, it was almost eight-thirty, the agreed time, so they came to the top floor.

“The three of you, please follow me.”

Before they even went deep into this level, they saw the old butler waiting for them in the corridor.

This was the butler of Countess Rosalinda they had seen at the Count Asturias's mansion on their first night in the Flower Capital Paliuer.

Lan Qi and Talia greeted the old butler briefly and followed him to a door at the innermost part of this level.

When they entered the double-oval hall, the wide, pure-white space gave them a sense of innovation.

The ceiling had an arched design with a skylight in the center, allowing plenty of natural light into the room.

The long interior walls on both sides were divided into trapezoidal display areas, each with a large oil painting hanging in it.

“Please wait a moment; Lady Rosalinda will be here soon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Butler.”

Lan Qi bid farewell to the butler, and only the two of them and a cat were left in the reception room.

The paintings were large in scale, some as long as several meters, surrounding them completely.

The splendid flowers, clear pond water, and hazy light and shadows projected by the sunlight made them feel as if they were by a peaceful pond.

As the light changed, the scenery in the brushstrokes was sometimes bright and sometimes captivating, giving them an immersive experience by the water.

“These are eight epic paintings in one, one of the national treasures of the Borson Kingdom in modern times.”

Lan Qi said, looking at the paintings.

Just being in this space made them feel like their bodies were soaking in healing energy.

Countess Rosalinda had arranged for the epic paintings in the room where she would meet them to consist of eight huge paintings, arranged in two oval rooms forming an infinity symbol. The two of them walked through it, admiring the paintings in sequence.

“These paintings were originally commissioned by the Borson Kingdom's great painter a century ago for the Paliuer City Government. Eventually, at the suggestion of the mayor at the time, they were donated to this art gallery and publicly exhibited at the opening a few months after the great painter's death, becoming a major landmark in the Flower Capital Paliuer.”

Lan Qi explained to Talia.

“So that's how it is… Does this count as another tourist spot we've checked off?”

Talia nodded, still doing the tourist task without any emotion, and asked.

“It does, and it's a hidden spot because it's not during the public exhibition time for this painting recently.”

Lan Qi replied with a smile.

Like the principal's office at school, most students don't have the chance to enjoy the swimming pool in the principal's office before graduation.

Talia was very serious about things, paying attention to every detail. She had agreed to travel together, so she always remembered to check off all the tourist spots.

Lan Qi couldn't help but wonder if he had gone to the Purgatory Corridor Academy with Talia back then and helped her complete the full map exploration, would she have been very happy?

“No, I didn't like you very much back then. Being with you was just for money.”

Talia looked at the painting and answered Lan Qi's thoughts.

“That's right, you were very cold to me back then. But it seems like after returning from the shadow world of the Purgatory Corridor Academy, your attitude towards me improved a bit?”

Lan Qi remembered that he had come to Talia with the shadow world recording program, and at the same time asked her to help him explore his attribute suitability. Then he fell asleep on the table, and when he woke up, Talia was much nicer to him.

“…Do you remember what you said to Hyperion in the shadow world?”

Talia didn't want to tell Lan Qi the answer.

“I said too much; I don't know which ones you're referring to.”

Lan Qi thought for a while but couldn't get an answer.

“Never mind.”

Talia muttered to herself.

As the two were standing in front of the painting chatting, the sound of the door opening suddenly came.

Lan Qi and Talia's gazes both shifted towards the door.

“Looks like I'm just in time?”

Countess Rosalinda walked towards them with a small bag of documents and gestured for them to sit on the sofa.

Today, she was no longer wearing a bright red evening dress like that night, but a Card Maker Association work uniform with rose patterns.

“Miss Rosalinda, thank you for inviting us to see this painting.”

Lan Qi and Talia both greeted President Rosalinda and chatted with her.

At this moment, Countess Rosalinda's more official identity was the president of the South Continent Card Maker Association's Paliuer branch, and also the person in charge of this Eastern Region Platinum-level Card Maker exam.

“I was worried about keeping you waiting. There's been too much official preparation work recently, and I almost got held up again and couldn't get back on time. But I originally wanted to invite you to see this painting anyway; after all, you are my lovely junior brothers and sisters.”

Rosalinda was as enthusiastic as the last time they met, and showed a warm smile when she saw the two of them.

“The South Continent Card Maker Association headquarters has already released the exam schedule and exam questions for today. I've also brought the supervisory regulations for you as examiners and assistants. You can take a look first, and ask me anytime if you don't understand anything.”

She handed a stack of papers to the two people across the sofa.

“Miss Rosalinda, regarding this matter of being an examiner's assistant, I would like to make some modifications.”

Talia took the papers, put them in Lan Qi's hands, and said to Rosalinda.

“Oh?”

Countess Rosalinda's eyes were full of doubt.

“I'm not helping Lan Qi as an assistant this time; I want to take the exam.”

Talia's voice was full of determination.

The conventional way to participate in the Platinum-level Card Maker exam is to reach the Gold-level registered Card Maker qualification of the South Continent Card Maker Association, and also requires a certain number of years of work experience and contribution achievements. On this basis, you can apply for the Platinum-level exam.

Or, the second way is to get a guarantee recommendation from an active Platinum-level or Magic Crystal-level Card Maker, and you can also apply for the exam in a special way.

Back then, Duke Mi Gaia was able to participate in the Platinum-level Card Maker exam right after his debut because his teacher, General Sventos, the Dean of the Knights Academy, asked other Platinum-level Card Maker old friends in other countries for recommendations.

Karen being able to advance to the Gold-level in her second year and participate in the Platinum-level Card Maker exam in her third year was also because a Platinum-level Card Maker from the Arollan Kingdom gave her a recommendation.

“Uh, these kinds of recommendations have a quota, limited to once per session, and are often difficult to get from Platinum-level or Magic Crystal-level Card Makers.”

Countess Rosalinda looked at Tata, then at Lan Qi, and said to Tata,

“Did you discuss this with Lan Qi?”

The Hutton Kingdom didn't want Lan Qi's recommendation this year because there were no suitable newly promoted Gold-level Card Makers who could exceptionally participate in the Platinum-level exam.

She probably knew that Tata wanted to participate, and should want to get the recommendation from Lan Qi.

“He has no objections.”

Tata replied.

The reason she dared to make a bet with Karen was that she could order Lan Qi to give her the recommendation.

Lan Qi: “……”

He really had no objections.

“Junior Sister Tata really isn't being an assistant anymore and wants to take the exam?”

Rosalinda not only didn't feel embarrassed when she heard this, but instead showed a happy expression,

“I knew that Junior Sister Tata looked like a talented magic artisan. How could she be willing to remain unknown?”

After all, even Professor Boraao was willing to let Tata work in the laboratory, which was enough to show her skills.

According to Rosalinda's guess, she originally thought that Tata was a craftsman who was better at other types of magic engineering research, but since she could be Lan Qi's examiner assistant, it meant that she was actually a Card Maker who could make cards.

“Talented woman…”

Lan Qi's face was ashen as he leaned against the sofa and muttered.

The accumulation of eight hundred years of knowledge was indeed a talented woman no matter what.

Most of his Card Maker strength was actually in Great Love.

Now that Great Love was eaten by Tata, and Tata wanted to use his mana to take the exam, he wasn't sure if he could be competent as an examiner now.

“You tell me, am I a talented woman or not.”

Talia questioned him in her heart.

She heard Lan Qi mention "eight hundred years" just now, but she decided to give Lan Qi a chance.

“Indeed, it's all talent that has been accumulated. Not only is she talented and virtuous, but she also has charm.”

Lan Qi sighed inwardly.

Immediately, Talia secretly pinched Lan Qi's side behind his back, making Lan Qi spirited in an instant.

“……”

Countess Rosalinda silently observed the two people's small movements across from them.

Actually, she had noticed it a bit at the Earl's Mansion last time, but she pretended not to see it.

She wasn't blind.

These two people seemed to think she hadn't seen it either and were now treating her as part of some game, making her even more embarrassed to expose them.

But it was okay; these two were a talented couple. The man didn't need to be said, and the woman wasn't a waste demon like Iphatia who was an old cow eating young grass and had no sense of shame at all. Unlike the pair of Mi Gaia and Iphatia, seeing them made her feel like she was covered in ants.

“Okay, I'll help you arrange the registration process for taking the exam. The recommender and the recommended person can each fill out a form. You don't need to submit your information again; I have a previous backup here.”

Rosalinda sighed softly, took out the communication magic device in the reception room, and asked the assistant to send another set of documents.

“You can take a look at the exam information first. Later, there will be some content that only examiners can hear, so please ask Junior Sister Tata to avoid it for a while.”

She said to the two while instructing the assistant.

Because the exam regulations were announced today, it was okay for the candidates to see the exam questions; it was within the normal procedure.

Since the South Continent Card Maker Association's modern new rules of the Solar Calendar were released, the Platinum-level Card Maker exam has a total of six dimensions of questions.

Each session is a choice of three out of six, depending on luck.

They are Magic Engineering Principles, Attribute Specialization, Deck Testing, Artistry, Theoretical Research, and Type Specialization.

“No problem.”

Talia agreed.

She knew that Lan Qi wouldn't help her cheat, and she didn't need Lan Qi to help with anything. This time, she would crush Karen with her strength and make her lose miserably.

Lan Qi picked up the documents and quickly skimmed through them.

The exam questions drawn this year were [Magic Engineering Principles], [Deck Testing], and [Artistry].

The exam is divided into three rounds, with each stage testing different skills and areas of knowledge.

The first round, Magic Engineering Principles, is more inclined towards theoretical knowledge testing, examining the candidates' theoretical knowledge and cognitive attainment of magic craftsmanship. It has a very high probability of being drawn every year. Card Makers who are good at this item are also powerful magic device masters or magic artisans.

The second round, Deck Testing, is a practical skill test that requires candidates to complete one or more high-quality products using the specified materials and tools within a limited time. It is also the most difficult level. It will simulate the functions of battlefield Card Makers even more. The more comprehensive the attributes and types, the more advantageous it is, that is, Card Makers are required to make a set of counter cards under certain conditions. At the same time, artificial shadow worlds are opened to simulate actual combat to determine whether this set of cards can help artificial intelligence projection creatures pass the test, or directly conduct simulated battles.

The third round, Artistry, serves as an innovative challenge, and candidates need to show their indispensable and potentially rich skills.

“Junior Brother Lan Qi, you will be responsible for the first Magic Engineering Principles exam as the deputy examiner, and the third Artistry exam as the chief examiner.”

Countess Rosalinda leaned over and pointed to the exam arrangement items in the documents in Lan Qi's hands.

This was also the most information about the exam that Tata could hear.

The Platinum-level Card Maker exam has three rounds and three examiners. Each round has a chief examiner and a deputy examiner. The three examiners will each serve as the chief examiner and deputy examiner once.

The chief examiner represents the item that they are best at, and the deputy examiner represents the item that they are not very good at. If candidates want to pass, they must at least win against the deputy examiner to prove that they have reached the qualified line for the Platinum-level Card Maker.

If they can't even beat the weaknesses of other Platinum-level Card Makers, then they are simply not qualified to advance.

“The chief examiner for the first exam is Professor Bruton Izaanha of the Arollan Kingdom's Platinum-level Card Maker. He is a very nice person, so there is no pressure to supervise the exam with him. He was the one who gave Mi Gaia the recommendation back then. I will partner with him for the second exam, and you and I will partner for the third exam.”

Countess Rosalinda explained to Lan Qi.

The first round is this Saturday, the second round is next Wednesday, and the third round is next Sunday.

Between the two exams, candidates will have three days to adjust, and examiners will also have more rest time.

“Understood. Tomorrow, I will wear the uniform and the magic device mask that shields detection that you gave me last time, Senior Sister, and arrive about two hours early. And the location is Hall 1 of the Holy Silver Vine Arena, right?”

Lan Qi confirmed the core items on the document with Rosalinda.

He had already asked for leave in advance from Earl Baptiste's family. Tomorrow, he only needed to go to the Earl's family in the morning to complete some necessary arrangements, and he could leave early in the morning.

Talia silently looked at Lan Qi.

She knew that for the dedicated Lan Qi, any job was equally important.

He was truly a master of time management, able to operate on two lines on the same day.

“That's right. We will borrow that venue with Paliuer's largest artificial shadow world launch terminal. Whenever there is an exam, the Familiar Arena competition will be suspended on that day.”

Rosalinda felt that Lan Qi and Tata had already been to the Holy Silver Vine Arena in District 6 these days, and that place was also a very famous tourist spot.

As for the arena, the exam formats for the three rounds are different.

The first round, [Magic Engineering Principles], is mainly in the form of a seminar. The shadow world has its own mechanism. The deputy examiner conducts question and answer exchanges with the candidates, and the chief examiner reviews and scores.

The passing line is the score of the chief examiner at the end of the deputy examiner's review.

At the same time, the chief examiner has the right to adjust the score line that is too high or too low by a maximum of plus or minus ten percent.

Generally speaking, if the deputy examiner is relatively normal, this permission is not needed.

And once it is used, it is easy to trigger an "examiner challenge" and a review from the headquarters.

The examiner challenge refers to when a candidate questions the examiner's judgment or strength, they can ask the chief examiner to personally prove their strength. At that time, the deputy examiner will publicly review the chief examiner.

The second round, [Deck Testing], has nothing to do with Lan Qi. He can rest for a day.

The third round, [Artistry], is drawn by the chief examiner, and the candidates create within a limited time. In addition to the objective points automatically judged by the artificial shadow world based on the degree of completion, another part of the score is given by the chief examiner.

Similarly, the chief examiner also has the right to adjust the score line by ten percent depending on the circumstances.

“In addition, I still have to remind you that a integrity registration system has been added to the artificial shadow world of the exam. Even if you two know each other, you must not have any intention of cheating. Otherwise, once detected, the candidate's qualification will be cancelled, and the examiner will be severely punished.”

Countess Rosalinda emphasized.

She didn't think these two would cheat.

It's just that there have been cases in the past where teachers and students who were too familiar participated in the Platinum-level Card Maker exam as examiners and candidates respectively. As a result, because the two were too accustomed to their usual communication methods, they accidentally started teaching in the examination room and were judged to have cheated.

Although Lan Qi and Tata are not teachers and students, they are both studying under Professor Boraao, and they seem to be quite close in their daily lives, so it is inevitable that there will be some habits that they can't change, so they must pay attention.

“Senior Sister Rosalinda, don't worry, integrity is more important than anything to me, and Tata is even more so, and will never violate the treaty.”

Lan Qi said to Rosalinda with a smile.

Talia also nodded.

This snitch is indeed very trustworthy.

Back then, in the examination room of the Purgatory Corridor Academy, he didn't let go of a single cheating candidate, and he would never cheat even if he couldn't do a single question.

And she would not violate the contract as the pride of the Demon Royal family.

“Then I'll wait for you outside.”

After Talia finished speaking to Lan Qi, she stood up holding the little black cat,

“Miss Rosalinda, I'll go out first.”

After being a distance away from Lan Qi, she couldn't hear Lan Qi's inner voice.

But before leaving, she didn't forget to look at the huge paintings on the wall again.

This kind of non-public Borson national treasure, every look is one less.

“Don't be in a hurry, Junior Sister Tata, I didn't mean to rush you away.”

Rosalinda didn't urge Tata to leave, but hoped to chat with Tata more.

She felt that she could chat with Tata very well. Although the other party looked only in her twenties, she would give her a sense of calm that women of the same age had.

She wanted to chat with Tata alone about some female topics.

“Just making one of these paintings is enough to be called a master. Once, when Mi Gaia was supervising an exam, he offered a painting at random and made an epic portrait of Iphatia, which is now collected in the Platinum Forest Palace.”

Rosalinda followed Tata's gaze and looked over, and couldn't help but recall the past.

But as she spoke, a sourness began to permeate the air, as well as Rosalinda's unwilling tears and sobs.

Unlike the demons in the Borson Kingdom who are governed by citizen contracts, Iphatia, as a demon from the Northern Continent with an unknown identity, has no control over her. Many Borson people are dissatisfied with Mi Gaia bringing the demon duchess to the Borson Kingdom for free travel.

Until Mi Gaia painted this painting, which made the Senate exceptionally recognize Iphatia's Hutton identity as a duchess, and the painting of this artwork also made more people later recognize that this Sleeping Beauty-like quiet duchess would not have any harm, but was a embodiment of beauty.

“Iphatia… Miss's portrait?”

Talia murmured.

Lan Qi glanced at Talia, knowing that she cared about her sister, and almost forgot to add the suffix to her sister's name. Hearing about her sister's portrait, her first reaction was to want to see it.

“Yes, that "Sleeping Beauty" is Iphatia.”

Rosalinda said, pursing her lips.

Talia was saddened when she heard this, and quietly looked at another painting on the wall, as if she had already imagined the cute appearance of her sister whom she hadn't seen in a hundred years while she was asleep.

The cat boss didn't know what was wrong with Tata. It peeled at Lan Qi's clothes, hoping that he could comfort Tata.

Lan Qi looked at the little black cat and nodded seriously.

“Tata, how about I help you paint a "Eating Beauty"? If I can make it epic, maybe it will be collected by the Platinum Forest Palace and hung next to Iphatia's "Sleeping Beauty".”

Lan Qi said.

Talia immediately turned her head when she heard this and pressed Lan Qi on the sofa.

He made her angry!

“In all these years, it's the first time I've seen a candidate beating up an examiner.”

Countess Rosalinda watched the two people and said softly.

“……”

The cat boss felt that Lan Qi might as well be mute sometimes.

Sometimes it can't tell whether Lan Qi is doing it on purpose, or whether he is as pure as ever, with an ancient style.

(End of this chapter)