NOVPUBThe art gallery is known for its collection of Impressionist paintings, with the first two floors being popular public areas welcomed by visitors; it is from the third floor onward that registration is required to enter the Card Maker’s Association area.
After several renovations, the latest overhaul was completed five years ago, restoring natural lighting to the art gallery and adding an underground exhibition room, temporary exhibition space, auditorium, educational area, and library.
As the two entered the building, they quickly found themselves moving along clear signs and upwards through layers of artwork.
"What time is your appointment with Countess Rosalinda?"
Talia asked Lanci, who was by her side.
"Half-past eight, we still have plenty of time, we can wander around a bit first."
Lanci looked around, estimating that it was just before eight o’clock.
Designed to allow many works to be displayed in natural light, the building offers visitors an immersive viewing experience.
"Okay."
Even before reaching the third floor, they encountered numerous promotional posters for the Platinum Level Card Maker examination.
Even in the morning, the Southern Continent Cardmaker’s Association branch was bustling with people for card making commissions, business collaborations, material procurement, official consultations, and even some Registered Card-making Masters with badges or nameplates on their chests indicating their high authority were conversing on the third floor.
This year, several Gold-level Card Makers, particularly famous in the eastern countries of the South Continent, were said to be participating, hot contenders for the Platinum Level Card Maker title in the eastern region.
This international event, held only once every two or three years, naturally received great attention from the Poseen Kingdom. On the final day of testing, a portion of the Senate’s nobles would attend to watch, with the Senate Execution Squad and executioners maintaining order.
Parriet Cardmaker’s Association branch, third level.
A central atrium surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the liberal amount of natural light made the entire floor as bright as day.
"Speaking of which, how long has it been since you’ve made a new Magic Card?"
Talia wandered with Lanci and noticed that he seemed to have little interest in the new materials in the display cases, quickly glancing over them, so she asked him.
She felt that Lanci was becoming increasingly disinterested in card making.
Perhaps after a while, he might not even request her to teach him anymore.
"Speaking of new cards, it seems I haven’t really made any in the past half year."
Lanci was taken aback by her question, thinking carefully; since the Nuclear Fusion Wolf Transformation, all his card making had been the same old thing—he was practically idling in terms of card making.
The two walked on the deep brown carpet, cutting straight through the inner side of the atrium with many classified goods displayed in windows on both sides, as well as service counters and meeting areas.
"Do you still plan to continue learning card making from me in the future?"
Talia asked him, looking at the merchandise behind the glass showcase.
"If you think it’s troublesome... then forget it. I can make do by learning some humanity language magic text techniques from Professor Bolao."
Lanci hesitated for a while before answering.
"You were the one begging me to teach you card making at the beginning, so why are you acting like this now?"
Talia’s words revealed no emotion, but the look in her eyes seemed to carry a hint of dissatisfaction with Lanci’s lack of perseverance.
"Because, I feel like it’s tiring for you to teach me, and you’ve been getting meaner to me... you never used to scold me while teaching me before."
Lanci looked away and mumbled.
"That’s because you messed up that step again last night; you’ve made the same mistake several times in almost the same spot."
Talia frowned at Lanci’s persistently nonchalant demeanor.
They were still practicing card making, or one could say that it was part of their daily routine.
"At that time, I didn’t think it was a big deal; I could have fixed it, but you wouldn’t listen to me."
Lanci said, lowering his head.
"If I got influenced by you, I wouldn’t know whether you could save it or not, but I would also get messed up because of you."
Talia took a deep breath, keeping her temper in check as she spoke to him.
She wasn’t sure if she was a bit high-strung due to yesterday’s card making debacle or if it was because this guy didn’t want to maintain a mentor-student relationship with her anymore, causing a sense of frustration to build up inside her—either way, she was slightly irritated.
"I think this falls within the scope of normal mistakes... when I was making cards with Lan Fu before, she helped me fix them..."
Lanci grumbled.
"Who do you think you are to talk back to me, you can’t accept a single mistake?"
Talia became upset at his words,
"Was I too gentle before, or are you just going through your rebellious phase?"
She felt a surge of anger rising within her.
What does it mean that Lan Fu could fix it for you? Do you think she’s better than me?
"Meow meow, stop arguing, you’re in the Cardmaker’s Association, don’t start fighting at the test site later."
The Cat Boss jumped in fear, sensing that Lanci was unusually aggrieved, which continued to aggravate Tata.
"We won’t argue!"
Both exclaimed to the Little Black Cat. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
The cowed Cat Boss shrunk into a ball.
Although accustomed to the bickering between Lanci and Tata, it always seemed that their most heated arguments occurred during card making and reviewing card making processes.
It now realized, there was a game called ’Breakup Card-making Room’, and if these two were truly in a relationship, they would probably end up fighting over card making and breaking up one day!
"Couple’s argument."
"It’s all too normal, that’s what love is like."
The Cat Boss, hearing the spectating customers’ murmurs from the passing glances, made itself even rounder.
