NOVPUB"Calling you out on your bet with Dean Loren meow, now karma has caught up,"
the Cat Boss said to Lanci.
It vaguely remembered when it first met Lanci, he stood with his hands behind his back, nodding and smiling, saying he had made a decision on behalf of Loren.
Students at Sage Academy cheered for him; he really was handsome.
Now it seemed Lanci was straying further onto the path of becoming a comedian.
The Cat Boss was a bit worried that when Sigrid arrived and found her Saint Heir had turned into a funny man, she might question her life choices.
"Wait until I beat that green tea girl, then you’ll tell her in person who is your most beautiful and strongest teacher,"
Talia released Lanci’s collar.
It was not too good to keep tugging a man along; it easily drew strange gazes, making it look like they were a quarreling couple.
"Hold on, it’s true you’re my teacher, but this ’most beautiful and strongest’–aren’t you sneaking in your own agenda?"
Lanci realized.
’Beautiful and strong, immortal and undying,’ isn’t that what you told me back in Nanwantina? If not for those words, I might not have agreed to your request back then."
Talia suspected Lanci wanted to take on another task.
But her primary target had become Carlen, so today she decided not to squabble with Lanci.
"Hiss."
Upon further thought, Lanci realized he had indeed said those words.
It was exactly what he said when he made his first Magic Card [Basic Etiquette], asking Talia to be his teacher.
Lanci looked at Talia with a complex expression.
So you really remember, Tata.
"It was just over a year ago; how could I forget? I even remember you saying I looked good seven times," n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
Talia looked at Lanci and stated matter-of-factly.
"Did I say it that many times?"
Lanci was stunned.
"When you normally compliment me, you always do it in a teasing manner, but when it comes to formally declaring it in front of other women, you become... unable to speak? Are you shy?"
Talia, seeing Lanci’s slightly uncomfortable shift in gaze, leaned in a bit closer and whispered in his ear.
So adorable.
She tilted her chin up slightly, as if to mock Lanci.
"What’s there to fear, my heart and actions are as clear as a mirror."
Lanci immediately laughed with a defiant air.
"Meow..."
The Cat Boss didn’t know what to say.
It hoped that on the day Sigrid came in winter, Lanci would still have this confidence.
Whether you praise Sikder in front of Tata or praise Tata in front of Sikder, the outcome is likely to be women fighting and a man crying.
"We’ve arrived meow."
They were now on the eighth floor of the Cardmaker’s Association in Pariel.
It was where Lanci and Tata were supposed to meet Countess Rosalinda.
After Lanci treated Tata and Cat Boss to cake on the fourth floor, and the time was getting close to the appointed half-past eight, they headed to the top floor.
"The three of you, please follow me."
They hadn’t gone far into this level when they saw the old butler waiting for them in the corridor.
This was the butler of Countess Rosalinda’s Asturias’ Count’s Mansion they had met on their first night in Floral City Pariel.
Lanci and Talia greeted the butler briefly before following him through the innermost door of this level.
When they entered the double-oval hall, the broad expanse of white space gave them a sense of renewal.
The ceiling was designed with an arch dome, and the central skylight allowed the room to receive ample natural light.
On either side, the long inner walls were divided into trapezoid display areas, each with a massive oil painting hanging in it.
"Please wait, Countess Rosalinda will be here shortly,"
"Thank you, Mr. Butler,"
Lanci said as they bade the butler farewell, leaving just the two of them and the cat in the salon.
The scale of these artworks was enormous, some stretching several meters, enveloping them completely.
The brilliant flowers, the clear waters of the pond, and the soft play of light and shadow cast by the sun felt like standing beside a tranquil and serene pool.
As the light changed, the scenes painted shifted between brightness and absorption, offering an immersive waterside experience.
"These are part of an epic-level series of eight paintings, and also one of the national treasures of recent Poseen Kingdom,"
Lanci observed the paintings.
Just being in this space, one could feel a healing essence soaking into the body.
The room where Countess Rosalinda was to meet with them contained an epic-level series of paintings made up of eight massive pieces, arranged in two oval rooms that formed the infinity symbol; they both wandered through, admiring each painting in turn.
"These artworks were originally made a century ago by Poseen’s Master Painter for the city government of Pariel, and eventually donated to this art museum following the mayor’s suggestion at the time, being publicly displayed a few months after the grand painter’s death, becoming one of the important monuments in Floral City Pariel,"
Lanci explained to Talia.
"So that’s it... Does this count as another tourist spot we’ve checked in?"
Talia nodded, still seemingly emotionless as if on a tourist task, asking.
"It does, and this is a hidden gem, because it is not during the open exhibition time for these paintings,"
Lanci replied with a smile.
Like the Principal’s Office back at school, the majority of students wouldn’t get the chance to enjoy the swimming pool inside the office before graduation.
Talia was very serious about doing things by the book; having agreed to travel together, she was always mindful to complete the sightseeing check-ins.
Lanci couldn’t help but wonder if Talia would have been happy if they had gone to Purgatory Corridor Academy and achieved full map exploration together.
