NOVPUBRight next to the city’s river, the water was sparkling, but it was no ordinary river coursing through Herram - what flowed there was liquid mineral springs imbued with magic energy.
As a Magic Artisan, whenever Lanci came around, he couldn’t help but unconsciously walk closer to the river, staring at the surface, analysing it, almost getting carried away into the river due to the abrupt swerves Sikder made.
"Don’t mess around with the Magic Artisan."
Lanci protested sternly.
"Don’t worry, even if you fall in, I’ll catch you."
Sikder hummed, crossing her arms with a smug look on her face as if waiting for Lanci to thank her.
Every time she held Lanci, she was always gentle and didn’t harm him.
They, who were familiar with the paths, knew they had to avoid the old district with its spatiotemporal distortions, but this course meant they had to pass by this river.
The two of them chatted along the way, occasionally bickering, and then carefully skirted past Herram Zoo.
The zoo was too strange, and without Sigrid in her prime, they dared not set foot in it. Then, the Endless Library and the Starry Sky Theatre passed by their sides and over their heads, and they could see the main gate of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in the distance.
When Lanci came to the imperial capital, Herram, for the first time with Zestira, the deepest impression Protoss Royal Magic Academy left on him was that he could actually walk there from the station.
After a long absence from school, the two saw that the spacious square outside the school was full of buds from the Demon World. In the centre of that square stood the new gate of the Royal Magic Academy.
It didn’t resemble the traditional Herram classical architectural style but resonated more with the long-lost charm of the ancient Demon World, combined with the divine era wilderness fairyland and temple construction method from the Original Slabs’ space. A psychedelic colour palette of heaven and underworld meeting seemed to be dominant.
Now, many residents of the imperial capital were beginning to check-in and take souvenir photos at the entrance of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
As she quickly entered the school’s inner area with Lanci, Sigrid only knew that the school’s new refurbishment plan for the season was personally overseen by the Principal.
No one could tell what kind of impact this work he left in Herram would cause.
The only thing for sure was that there was a high probability that in the future, it would become one of Herram’s iconic buildings, that would be included in books, and might even reach the South Continent, bearing the name of the legendary artisan Rocky McCarthy.
"Were you not any famous artist back home?"
Sigrid looked at the scenery, then at Lanci, her gaze holding a bit of confusion.
"No, aside from the Prince, very few people have seen my paintings."
Lanci said, shaking his head with a smile.
At that time, he had just stepped out as a Second-order. He didn’t think it was a good idea to put his talents under the spotlight too much, so he kept a low profile in the Hutton Kingdom.
As the saying goes, ’no harm comes to an innocent man who harbours guilt.’ He proved himself to be correct. As soon as his intimidation dwindled, just about anyone could try killing them.
It was only after blending well in the Northern Continent and developing his own business foundation, and having a father figure to protect him that provoked him.
When he returned to the South Continent, with Tata, a cheap bodyguard, he wasn’t as reliable as one-millionth of Sikder. He should keep a low profile until entering into the real Seventh-order transcendent realm just to be safe. Even if he was targeted, even the powerful Duke Migaya could disappear.
Sigrid knitted her brows in confusion.
Did the Prince not only love her as the Saint Heir’s paintings but also loved the person as well?
"Are you better at drawing?"
Sigrid, who had always been a fan of collecting various pieces of art, resided in a residence that even resembled an art museum. As a collector, she believed that the Saint Heir’s best works were his sculptures and the way he used them in card making, and his landscape designs were equally impressive.
Aside from him painting seriously, she remembered him being involved in just about everything, but drawing purely for the sake of it... She had even never seen the guy put diamond focus onto the paintbrush.
If he really wanted to become a top-tier painter, he should be working hard and nurturing his love for painting at this age.
"Just a little bit, mostly just following my interest."
Whenever others asked him, this would be his answer.
"So how many paintings have you seriously made in South Continent?"
Sigrid inquired further.
This little guy wasn’t devoid of painting, he just did it too casually, like he was going through the motions. Earlier, in the Xue Yuan Province, she had seen his drafts that he had shown the nobles.
"Just one, I think."
"..."
It seemed that this little guy really didn’t like painting.
"Great, I’ve thought of how to punish you now."
Tugging at the corners of her mouth to reveal a slight smile, Sikder said to Lanci.
"You aren’t going to have me draw a picture, are you?"
Lanci looked at Sikder with surprise.
He knew what Sikder meant by "punish". As soon as they reached an agreement to infiltrate the Nirvana Branch, Sikder had mentioned that if she needed to expose her identity and make an all-out effort, there would need to be a punishment for Lanci. Sure enough, she remembered.
"When everything is resolved and I no longer need to hide your identity, I want you to paint a picture for me. We’ll call it ’Lanci McCarthy’s gift to Archbishop Sigrid’, and then I’ll publicly execute you. Let everyone see that there are things that even Principal Rocky McCarthy isn’t good at."
Sigrid laughed cunningly.
Punishment is supposed to make the recipient do something they dislike the most. Otherwise, it would just be a reward.
"Yes, understood."
Lanci didn’t resist much, just nodded. He naturally intended to fulfil his agreed side of the rules.
The two of them walked through the bustling main road of the school and entered an area lined with courtyards and residences on both sides, the atmosphere here was notably calmer.
"We’re almost there."
Following Sigrid, they soon found Gloria’s mansion by the door number and rang the doorbell.
Right now, not only did Sigrid switch to a first-year student identity from the Xue Yuan Province in Chinston City, but Lanci also temporarily didn’t use Rocky McCarthy’s face.
After all, if a principal and a female student returned from the outside together and walked all the way together in the school, it could possibly attract attention or even misunderstandings.
The sound of the doorbell echoed for a moment within Gloria’s mansion. Soon after, with the sound of approaching footsteps, the door opened and a young girl appeared at the entrance. She had a clearly puzzled look on her face.
Gloria blinked her eyes.
"You two are...?"
In Gloria’s voice was a mix of caution and curiosity as her gaze alternated between the two visitors.
"It’s me."
Sigrid looked at Gloria in the eye and nodded.
"!"
Even though Gloria had shown a puzzled expression earlier, instantly, she knew who had come to see her.
