NOVPUB...
In the Artificial Shadow World, inside the simulated meeting room of the Platinum Sen Palace.
"Very well, according to the rules, Rosalinda, you and the chief examiner will switch places. If his performance cannot exceed the minimum passing line of 87 that he set, then I will have the right to assert that the chief examiner’s practical skill level is insufficient and not fit for his position, and that he has recklessly interfered with the order of this examination,"
Lockins had already begun the procedure following his intervention as a scrutineer,
"Moreover, since a scrutineer has been involved, under scrutiny, my opinion will take precedence over the temporary chief examiner, so your final score will be determined by me."
Lockins added sternly.
"But you haven’t even accessed the honesty registration system on your side, even if he draws a good enough painting, you can just give him 70 points."
Countess Rosalinda could not sit still and raised an objection.
Although Lockins was a scrutineer, it was very possible he could do something shameless and infuriating.
Historically, as long as the Sacred Pink was undamaged, it would score no less than 70. If Lockins were to be even more shameless, he could even give a score of 69, which would trigger public outrage, but nobody could say much about it because not everyone understands art.
"Oh? Are you questioning me, Chairwoman Rosalinda?"
Lockins’s expression remained as cold as ever.
"No problem, I’ll show you a thing or two,"
On the contrary, Lanci said with a radiant smile, gesturing to Countess Rosalinda,
"Since I’m not quite comfortable drawing a self-portrait, I will change it to drawing the self-portrait of any one of the candidates, right?"
Lanci asked.
This was a decision agreed upon by the Cardmaker’s Association Headquarters and the Senate of the Poseen Kingdom due to the situation in the South Continent—Lanci did not need to reveal his face, and his identity information was of the highest priority.
"That’s correct."
Lockins was indifferent to whom Lanci planned to draw. According to the Association’s bylaws, it had been previously noted that if an examiner whose identity is confidential is challenged, the task would be adjusted to drawing a candidate, which could better contrast the levels between candidates and the examiner.
But it didn’t matter who was drawn.
"But..."
Rosalinda was panicked; she had calculated every possibility but had not anticipated a candidate would report Lanci at this time.
The truth was, if an examiner were reported, the examiner could find ways to access the candidate’s information; normally, unless the examiner was in the wrong, no candidate would do such a thing.
"I admit I didn’t handle the first round of assessment well, even though I was upset because my assistant was gone for some special reasons, but that’s no excuse,"
Lanci said to Countess Rosalinda with a hint of guilt, then his smile returned, becoming exceptionally serene,
"But the third round is the same with or without her; I believe my scoring is correct, and I do not allow any unfairness in this exam. If, Lockins, after you see my painting, you still want to give a lower score, that’s fine."
As long as Lockins dared to withstand the pressure of public opinion.
Lanci looked up at Lockis on the screen and said.
"Who do you think you are?"
Lockins mocked him with disdain.
Even if Hutton produced a second Migaya, he would not dare to exhibit such confidence.
All he wanted now was to see this chief examiner turn into a defeated clown.
No matter what, he would not give more than 70 points today, and it would suffice to utterly humiliate this bumpkin from the east.
Lanci said nothing more.
Outside the Shadow World.
"Wait, no matter what he draws, the scrutineer Lockins will tell bold-faced lies."
"And he’s still agreeing to Lockins’s scrutiny?"
"What can he do if he doesn’t agree?"
"Actually, not agreeing to the scrutiny would be better. By conceding a point now, at least they can send a more impartial scrutineer from the headquarters to review his case next time."
Under the watchful eyes of the audience at the Sacred Silvervine Arena, Lanci began to draw on one side of the meeting room in the image, not even needing time to prepare.
"Can you help me?"
Lanci looked up at Tata, who was still in the meeting room, and gestured slightly for her to come closer.
"..."
Talia nodded her head.
It seemed that Lanci had chosen her as the model.
She didn’t mind being drawn by Lanci.
Moreover, Lanci seemed to have taken her advice to heart this time, not secretly drawing her as before.
"Hmm."
Lanci watched Talia take a seat nearby, feeling a sense of wonder and smiled comfortably.
More than a year ago, he never thought that one day Talia would sit quietly in front of him, becoming his model so that he could draw her.
In the Skycrown Hall outside, Cat Boss from the Baptist family’s audience seat was already on edge.
It got a little scared whenever it saw Lanci with a paintbrush.
Recalling that Lanci was about to paint and not engage in card making, it realized it was perhaps being a bit too anxious.
The guy’s paintings at least wouldn’t explode.
Lanci finally chose a paintbrush with a slightly reddish handle from a set of brushes.
"A homage to the legendary artist, the tenth Ancestor Ulysses."
Lanci gazed at the brush in his hand, recalling a person of the past.
This was the second enemy, after Lausang, whom he found unforgettable.
"..."
Talia felt Lanci had a bad habit.
Every opponent he defeated from now on would be ceaselessly honoured by him.
On the other side, Lanci sketched confidently; he began his drawing.
The look in his eyes when glancing at her distant figure was unmistakably filled with mirth and joy.
Drawing Talia made him very happy.
Though it was who knows how many times he had painted her by now.
Yet he always felt that this time, while drawing her, was the most genuine.
