Chapter 681 Lanqi thinks Talia is playing a prank on you.

"I told you to bet with Dean Loren. Now it's your retribution."

Boss Cat looked at Lanqi and said.

It vaguely remembered that when it first met Lanci, he put his hands behind his back, nodded and smiled, saying that he had made the decision for Loren.

The students of Sage Academy all cheered for him, he was really handsome.

Now Lanqi seems to be going further and further on the road of comedian.

The cat owner was a little worried that Sigrid would come and find that her son had turned into a funny man, and would start to doubt his life.

"When I defeat that green tea girl, you will tell her in person who is your most beautiful and powerful teacher."

Talia had already loosened Ranch's collar.

It's not a good idea to keep dragging a man along. It's easy for people to look at you strangely, as if they are a couple having a quarrel.

"Wait, you are my teacher, but aren't you the one who brought this title of the most beautiful and the most powerful?"

Lanqi was shocked.

"'Beautiful, powerful, immortal', didn't you tell me that when we were in Nanwantina? If I hadn't heard you say that to me, I might not have agreed to your request at that time."

Talia suspected that Ranch wanted to do another mission.

But her primary target now became Kallen, so she would not bother with Ranchi for the time being.

"hiss."

Lanqi thought about it carefully and realized that he had actually said this.

These were the exact words he had said to Talia when he created his first magic card [Basic Etiquette] and asked her to be his teacher.

Lanqi looked at Talia with a complicated expression.

So you really remember it, Tata.

"It was just over a year ago, how could I not remember it? I still remember you said I was pretty seven times in total."

Talia looked at Lanci and said as a matter of course.

"Have I said that so many times?"

Lanqi was stunned.

"When you usually praise me, you always act teasingly, but when I really want you to formally declare it in front of other women, you... can't say it? Are you shy?"

Seeing Lanqi looking away a little uncomfortably, Talia moved a little closer and asked in his ear.

So cute.

She raised her chin slightly, as if mocking Lanqi.

"What is there to be afraid of? My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror."

Lanqi immediately seemed to have a rebellious mentality and laughed in dissatisfaction.

"Meow……"

It’s hard to say about the cat boss.

It hoped that Lanci would still be so confident when Sigrid came around winter.

Whether you praise Sid in front of Tata or praise Tata in front of Sid, the end result will probably be women fighting and men crying.

"We're here, meow."

They are now on the eighth floor of the Pariel Card Makers Guild.

It is also where Lanci and Tata meet Countess Rosalinda.

After Lanqi treated Tata and Boss Cat to cake on the fourth floor, it was almost half past eight as agreed, so they went to the top floor.

"Three of you, please follow me."

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

This was the butler of Countess Rosalinda whom they had met in the palace of the Count of Asturias on the night they first arrived in Parieux, the capital of flowers.

Lanqi and Talia simply greeted the old butler and followed him to the innermost door of this level.

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

The ceiling is vaulted with a skylight in the center, allowing plenty of natural light into the room.

The long inner walls on both sides are divided into trapezoidal display areas, each of which has a giant oil painting hanging in it.

"Please wait a moment. Lady Rosalinda will be here soon."

"Thank you, Mr. Butler."

Lanqi said goodbye to the butler, and only the two of them and the cat were left in the living room.

The paintings were massive, some several meters long, completely surrounding them.

Those gorgeous flowers, clear pond water, and the hazy light and shadows cast by the sun make you feel as if you are standing beside a peaceful and tranquil pond.

As the light changes, the scenery depicted is sometimes bright and sometimes enchanting, giving people an immersive experience of being by the water.

“This is an epic painting of eight pieces in one, and one of the modern national treasures of the Kingdom of Persian.”

Lanqi said, looking at the paintings.

Just by being in this space, you can feel your body being soaked in the healing breath.

The room where Countess Rosalinda would meet them contained an epic painting composed of eight huge paintings arranged in two oval rooms forming an infinity symbol. The two of them strolled through the paintings and admired them one by one.

"These paintings were originally created by the great painter Boisson for the Parrieux City Government a hundred years ago. They were eventually donated to the art gallery at the suggestion of the mayor at the time. They were publicly exhibited when the gallery opened a few months after the great painter's death, and have become an important commemorative landmark in the city of flowers, Parrieux."

Lanqi explained to Talia.

"So that's how it is... Does this count as checking in at another tourist attraction?"

Talia nodded, still doing her tourist duties without any emotion, and asked.

“It is, and it is a hidden attraction because the painting is not on public display recently.”

Lanci replied with a smile.

Like the principal's office in school, the vast majority of students do not have the opportunity to enjoy the swimming pool in the principal's office before graduation.

Talia is very serious and methodical. If we agree to travel together, she will always remember to check in at all the attractions.

Lanqi couldn't help but wonder if she would be very happy if she had gone to the Purgatory Corridor Academy with Talia and taken her to explore the entire map.

"No, I didn't like you very much at that time, and I stayed with you just to collect money and do things."

Talia looked at the words and answered Lanqi's inner voice.

"Yes, you were very cold to me at that time. But it seems that after returning from the Shadow World of Purgatory Corridor Academy, you treated me better?"

Lanqi remembered that he came to Talia with the Shadow World Recording Program and asked her to help him explore his attribute suitability. Then he fell asleep on the table. When he woke up, Talia treated him much better.

"…Do you remember what you said to Hyperion in the Shadow World?"

Talia didn't want to tell Lanci the answer.

"I've said so much, I don't know which ones you're referring to."

Lanqi thought about it, but couldn't get an answer.

"never mind."

Talia muttered to herself.

While the two were standing in front of the painting and chatting, the sound of a door opening was suddenly heard.

Ranta's eyes moved towards the gate.

"Looks like I came just in time?"

Countess Rosalinda came towards them, holding a small bag of documents, and motioned for them to sit on the sofa.

Today she was no longer wearing a scarlet evening gown like she had that night, but a tight-fitting Card Makers Association work outfit with a rose pattern printed on it.

"Thank you, Miss Rosalinda, for inviting us to see this painting."

Lanci and Talia both greeted President Rosalinda and started chatting with her.

At this moment, Countess Rosalinda's more formal identity is the president of the Southern Continent Card Creators Association's Pariel branch, and she is also the person in charge of the platinum-level card maker examination in the eastern region.

"I was worried that I had kept you waiting for a long time, because I had too many official duties recently and was almost delayed and didn't get back on time. But I wanted to invite you to see this painting anyway. After all, you are my lovely junior brothers and sisters."

Rosalinda was still as enthusiastic as she was the last time she saw them. She smiled at the two of them and said, "Today's exam schedule and exam topics have been announced by the Southern Continent Card Creators Association headquarters. I've also brought you the exam regulations for you as examiners and assistants. You can take a look at them first. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

She handed a sheaf of pages to the two men across the couch.

"Ms. Rosalinda, I would like to make some changes regarding the examiner's assistant this time."

Talia took the paper, placed it in Lanqi's hand, and said to Rosalinda.

"Huh?"

Countess Rosalinda's eyes were full of doubt.

"I won't be Lanqi's assistant this time. I want to take the exam."

Talia's voice was filled with determination.

To take the Platinum Card Creator Examination through the conventional route, one must not only meet the Gold Registered Card Creator qualification of the South Continent Card Creators Association, but also have a certain number of years of work experience and contribution results before being able to apply for the examination to advance to the Platinum level.

Or the second way is to get a recommendation from an active platinum or magic crystal card maker, or you can apply for a special exam.

The reason why Duke Migaiya was able to make his debut by taking the platinum-level card maker exam was because his teacher, General Sfintos, the dean of the Knight Academy, asked for the recommendation from his old friends who were platinum-level card makers from other countries.

For example, Karin was able to be promoted to gold level in the second year, and took the platinum card maker exam in the third year. It was also the platinum card maker from the Kingdom of Alolan who recommended her.

"Well, this kind of recommendation is limited and can only be obtained once per session. It is often difficult to get it from platinum or magic crystal level card makers."

Countess Rosalinda looked at Tata, then at Lanqi, and said to Tata, "Have you agreed with Lanqi?"

The Kingdom of Hutton did not ask for Lanqi's recommendation this year because there were no suitable new gold-level card makers who could make an exception and take the platinum-level exam.

She probably knew that Tata wanted to participate, and she probably wanted to get a recommendation from Lanqi.

"He has no objection."

Tata replied.

The reason why she dared to make a bet with Karen was that she could order Lanqi to recommend him to her.

Lanqi: “…”

He really had no objection.

"Junior Sister Tata, are you really not going to be an assistant anymore? Are you going to take the exam?"

Rosalinda was not embarrassed when she heard this, but showed a look of joy. "I was wondering why a talented magic craftsman like Junior Sister Tata would be content to remain unknown."

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

According to Rosalinda's conjecture, she originally thought that Tata was a craftsman who was better at other types of magic research, but since she could serve as Lanqi's examiner assistant, it meant that she was actually a card maker who could make cards.

"Talented woman..."

Lanqi looked ashen, leaning against the sofa and muttering.

With eight hundred years of accumulated knowledge, they are indeed talented women.

Most of his card-making abilities are actually in Da Ai.

Now Da Ai has been eaten by Tata, and Tata still has to use his magic power to take the exam. Now he is not sure whether he can be qualified for the job of examiner.

"Just tell me if I am a talented woman."

Talia questioned him in her mind.

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

"Indeed, they are all precipitated talents. They are not only talented and virtuous, but also charming."

Lanqi sighed inwardly.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

Suddenly, Talia reached out and secretly pinched Lanqi's waist from behind, which instantly perked Lanqi up.

“…”

Countess Rosalinda silently observed the two people's little movements opposite.

In fact, she had already discovered something last time at the Earl's Mansion, but she just pretended not to see it.

She is not blind.

These two people seemed to think that she didn't see it, and now they treated her as part of some kind of game, which made her even more embarrassed to expose these two people.

But it's okay, these two are a perfect match, the man is needless to say, and the woman is not a useless demon like Ifatia who is an old cow eating young grass and has no sense of shame. Unlike Migaiya and Ifatia, the couple made her very anxious.

"Okay, I'll help you arrange the registration process for the exam. The recommender and the recommendee just need to fill out a form each. You don't need to submit your information repeatedly. I have a previous backup here."

Rosalinda sighed softly, took out the communication magic device in the living room, and asked her assistant to help deliver another set of documents.

"You can take a look at the exam information first. There will be some content that only the examiner can hear, so please step aside, Junior Sister Tata."

She spoke to the two of them while instructing her assistant.

Since the examination regulations have been made public today, it is okay for candidates to see the examination questions. It is part of the normal process.

Since the release of the new solar calendar regulations of the Southern Continent Card Creators Association, the Platinum Card Creators Examination has a total of six dimensions of questions.

Every session, three are chosen from six, depending on luck.

They are magic principles, attribute specialization, deck testing, artistry, theoretical research, and type specialization.

"no problem."

Talia agreed.

She knew that Lanqi would not help her cheat, and she didn't need Lanqi's help. This time, she would use her strength to crush Karen and make her lose miserably.

Lanqi picked up the document and quickly looked through it.

The questions drawn this year are [Principles of Magic], [Deck Test], and [Artistic Quality].

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

The first round of magic principles is more of a theoretical knowledge test, examining candidates' theoretical and cognitive attainments of magic craftsmanship. Every year, there is a high probability that a card maker who is good at this will also be a powerful magic instrument maker or magic craftsman.

The second round of deck testing is a practical skills test, requiring candidates to use designated materials and tools to complete one or more high-quality products within a limited time. It is also the most difficult level. It will more closely simulate the functions of a battlefield card maker. The more comprehensive the attributes and types, the more advantages. That is, under certain conditions, the card maker is ordered to make a set of countermeasure cards. At the same time, the artificial shadow world will start a real-combat simulation to determine whether this set of cards can help the artificial intelligence projection creature pass the test, or directly conduct a simulated battle.

The third round of artistry is an innovative challenge where candidates need to demonstrate their indispensable and potential skills.

"Brother Lanqi, you will be the deputy examiner of the first magic principle test and the chief examiner of the third artistic test."

Countess Rosalinda came over and pointed to the exam schedule entry on the document in Lanqi's hand.

This is also the most information about the exam that Tata can hear.

There are three rounds of Platinum Card Creator Examination, and there are three examiners. Each round has a chief examiner and a deputy examiner, and the three examiners will serve as the chief examiner and deputy examiner once respectively.

The chief examiner represents the subject he is best at, and the deputy examiner represents the subject he is not so good at. If the candidate wants to pass, he must at least beat the deputy examiner to prove that he has reached the qualification line of platinum-level card maker.

If he couldn't even overcome the weaknesses of other platinum-level card makers, he wouldn't be qualified for promotion at all.

"The examiner for the first exam is Mr. Bruton Izainha, a platinum-level card maker from the Kingdom of Alolan. He is a very nice person, and there is no pressure to supervise the exam with him. He was the one who recommended Miaiya. In the second exam, he and I will be partners, and in the third exam, you and I will be partners."

Countess Rosalinda explained for Lanci.

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 ample rest time.

"I understand. Tomorrow I will wear the uniform you gave me last time and the magic mask that can block detection. I will arrive about two hours early. The location is Hall 1 of the Holy Silver Vine Arena, right?"

Lanci confirmed the core items on the document with Rosalinda.

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

Talia glanced at Lanqi silently.

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

He is really a master of time management, he can operate two lines on the same day.

"Yes, we will borrow the venue with the largest artificial shadow world activation terminal in Pariel. Whenever there is an exam, the familiar competition will be suspended on that day."

Rosalinda felt that Ranci and Tata had been to the Holy Silver Vine Arena in District 6 these days, which was also a very famous tourist attraction.

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

The first session [Principles of Magical Engineering] is mainly in the form of a seminar. Shadow World has its own mechanism, with the deputy examiner conducting question-and-answer exchanges with the candidates, and the chief examiner reviewing and scoring them.

The passing score is the score given by the chief examiner during the final review of the deputy examiner.

At the same time, the examiner has the right to adjust the score by a maximum of plus or minus 10% if it is too high or too low.

Generally speaking, if the deputy examiner is normal, this authority is not necessary.

Furthermore, once used, it can easily trigger “examiner challenges” and scrutiny from the headquarters.

Examiner challenge means that when a candidate has doubts about the examiner's judgment or ability, he or she can ask the chief examiner to come out and prove his or her ability in person. At that time, the deputy examiner will publicly examine the chief examiner.

The second game [Deck Test] has nothing to do with Lanqi, so he can take a day off.

The third round [Artistic Quality], the examiner will randomly select the topic and the candidates will create within a limited time. Apart from the objective score which will be automatically determined by the Artificial Image World based on the degree of completion, the other part of the score will be graded by the examiner.

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

"Also, I still want to remind you that a trust 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 also be severely punished."

Countess Rosalinda emphasized.

She didn't think these two people would cheat.

It’s just that there was a case in the past where a familiar teacher and student took the Platinum Card Creator Examination as the examiner and candidate respectively. As a result, because the two were too accustomed to their usual way of communication, they accidentally started teaching in the examination room and were judged as cheating.

Although Lanci and Tata are not master and apprentice, they both study under Professor Bolao and seem to be quite close in their daily lives. It is inevitable that there are some habits of getting along that cannot be changed, so you must pay attention.

"Sister Rosalinda, don't worry. Honesty is more important to me than anything else. Tata is even more so. He will never violate a treaty."

Lanci said smiling at Rosalinda.

Talia nodded as well.

This whistleblower is indeed very honest.

Back then in the examination room of Purgatory Corridor College, he did not let off even a cheating candidate, and he would never cheat even though he could not answer a single question.

As a member of the demon royal family, she is proud and will not break the contract.

"Then I'll wait for you outside."

After Talia said this to Lanqi, she stood up holding the little black cat, "Ms. Rosalinda, I'm going to go out first."

After being separated from Lanqi for a distance, she could no longer hear Lanqi's voice.

But before leaving, she still took another look at the huge painting on the wall.

This non-public Bosen national treasure is one less thing to see.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister Tata, I don't mean to rush you to leave."

Rosalinda did not urge Tata to leave, but instead wanted to chat with Tata more.

She felt that she could get along well with Tata. Although she looked only in her twenties, she gave her a sense of calmness that was common among women of the same age.

She also wanted to talk to Tata alone about some women's topics.

"Just creating one of these paintings is enough to make one a master. Once, when Migaia was invigilating an exam, he casually created an epic portrait of Ifatia, which is now kept in the collection of the Perkins Palace."

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

But as they spoke, a sour feeling began to fill the air, along with Rosalinda's unwilling tears and sobbing voice.

Different from the demons in the Person Kingdom who were bound by the citizen contract, Ifatia, as an unidentified demon who drifted from the northern continent, was not under any control. Many Person people were dissatisfied with Migaiya bringing the demon duchess to the Person Kingdom for a free trip.

It was not until Migaia painted this picture that the Senate made an exception and recognized Ifatia's Huttonian identity as the Duchess. This work of art also made more people recognize that this Duchess, who was as quiet as Sleeping Beauty, was not harmful, but the embodiment of beauty.

"A portrait of Miss Ifatia..."

Talia murmured.

Lanqi glanced at Talia and knew that she cared about her sister very much and almost forgot to add a suffix to her sister's name. When she heard about her sister's portrait, her first reaction was to go and see it.

"Yes, that Sleeping Beauty is Ifatia."

Rosalinda said, pursing her lips.

Talia fell into melancholy upon hearing this, and looked quietly at another painting on the wall, as if she had already imagined the lovely appearance of her sister, whom she had not seen for a hundred years, when she was sleeping.

The cat boss didn't know what was wrong with Tata, so he pulled at Lanqi's clothes, hoping that he could comfort Tata.

Lanqi looked at the little black cat and nodded seriously.

"Tata, how about I help you paint a painting of 'Eating Beauty'? If it can be epic, it might be collected by the Platinum Palace and hung next to Ifatia's 'Sleeping Beauty'."

Lanqi began to speak.

Upon hearing this, Talia turned around and pressed Lanqi onto the sofa.

She was so angry! "This is the first time I've seen a candidate violently beat up an examiner in all these years."

Countess Rosalinda looked at the two and whispered.

“…”

The cat boss feels that sometimes it would be better for Lanqi to just be a mute.

Sometimes it is hard to tell whether Lanqi did it on purpose, or whether he is still as holy as before, with a very ancient style.

(End of this chapter)