NOVPUBLanci first placed a deep purple cube loaded with information recording programs on a shelf in a corner of the workshop.
This device could record the entire cardmaking process and error parameters for debriefing. Certainly, when applying for patents and during promotion qualifications, if one were to create high-quality Magic Cards under non-official supervision, this could also serve as authoritative proof.
As always, considering the biased senior headquarters officials who might trouble Talia during the audit process, Lanci, being a mentor, knew precisely what preparations to make to have a strong bargaining chip when it mattered most.
Although the device allowed the core steps and the attributes of the finished cards to remain hidden, the final quality and rank evaluation under its certification were free from any possibility of fraud.
After everything was ready, Lanci and Talia sat down at the workstation.
Talia cleared a large workspace and took out three partitioned trays from the shelf beside her, filled with an array of materials.
She carefully checked the various pre-measured ingredients, arranging them on the tabletop.
With Lanci’s assistance, Talia began purifying and processing these materials, her gaze calm and her technique skilled.
"When will I ever reach your level of craftsmanship?"
Lanci never tired of marveling at how naturally Talia performed her procedures.
"It’s not realistic, but you can cling to my coattails in the future. Let me help you."
Talia responded.
"It seems quite true..."
Lanci thought about it carefully. If Talia could entirely replace the Great Love Poet, he wouldn’t need to put in extra effort in Magical Engineering.
The two chatted and collaborated.
To produce the Magic Card with Calila’s Shadow Weave Record as the core, Lanci had spent all his savings as well as the money he earned in Huadu. Even with the substantial discount from the Cardmaker’s Association, Countess Rosalinda had already sourced the most affordable auxiliary materials from various branches—the staggering cost was jaw-dropping.
Most cardmakers would struggle to keep a steady hand even for the final slight adjustments to the raw materials.
Lanci was merely born with a good-natured calm, able to maintain his composure even when walking a tightrope, whereas for Talia, it had long become second nature, so much so that she did not need to do much to maintain her mental state to perform optimally.
In silence, only the ticking of a clock could be heard within the Cardmaking Workshop.
More than ten minutes passed in a blink, and the basic preparation of the raw materials was complete.
They could attempt making a few cards.
"Let’s be serious."
Talia whispered, turning her gaze toward Lanci, who was mixing the Magic Ink beside her.
Her skill was stable enough, but to push the limits, she had to rely on her assistant Lanci performing well.
At such moments, she had to remind Lanci, to pressure him a bit, or else he could become too carefree.
"Could you be a bit colder? You seem gentler today. It’s missing something."
Lanci leaned in and scrutinized Talia’s face before speaking.
"You’re starting to enjoy this now, aren’t you?"
Talia truly felt Lanci might be seriously ill; her blood pressure skyrocketed.
"Aged eight hundred years, it indeed provides the ultimate enjoyment."
Before Lanci could finish his words, he felt Talia pinch his waist, her face slightly blushing.
"Is this better?"
Talia stared at Lanci, her face gradually taking on a stern expression.
Yet Lanci still looked somewhat puzzled.
"You don’t resemble Tata played by the Great Love Poet as much as Tata."
Lanci commented.
"..."
Talia couldn’t understand how she was different from before.
"It’s still not quite right, meow. You seem a bit more shy."
The Cat Boss from a distance added to Lanci’s opinion.
It indeed felt that Tata wasn’t as convincing as portrayed by the Great Love Poet.
"So, what should I do?"
Talia asked Lanci, her golden eyes carrying a trace of distraction.
"Just be very cold, like I owe you money, making me feel as if a strict teacher is watching me closely. Now you seem more like a big, huggable grey cat..."
As he spoke, Lanci felt the air grow colder, and he dared not make another sound, while a cool hand gently touched the back of his neck.
"Then I probably understand now. Is it this kind of feeling?"
Talia’s gaze warned him that if he brought up the cat call or the feeding again, she did not guarantee what might happen.
"...Yes."
Lanci nodded obediently.
"Let’s begin."
As soon as her words fell, Talia handed the prepared Magic Ink to Lanci.
This ink was carefully concocted with Enchanting Crystal Stone powder and Spiritual Attribute Magic Core Liquid, containing immense Magic Energy.
The moment Lanci’s fingertips touched the test tube, the Magic Power within him began to resonate as if attracted by the ink.
Without a need for testing, based on his intuition, Lanci could tell that Talia had mixed the proportions just right.
He cautiously filled the Magic Engraving Knife with ink, feeling the flow of Magic Power within it.
At the same time, Talia lifted the restrictions on the basic materials.
These included common ingredients used in Spiritual Magic tools, like Moonlight Stone Dust, harvested from Moonlight Stone on nights of the full moon, which could enhance the spiritual influence of jewelry materials; Psychic Divine Feather, often used in conjunction with abilities of the Spiritual or Telekinesis series; and Sage Vine, a vine that grows only on tree-like Demon Creatures in the Demon World, which can strengthen memory and comprehension when used in medicine.
In addition, following the advice of Professor Bolao, they matched a measure of Illusion Series Tool Ingredients, including Illusion Sand, special granules collected from the forests of Phantasmagoria in the Cerryti Empire, used to enhance the realism of Illusions; Mirror Flower Crystal, which can reflect the deep mental images of the user, augmenting the concreteness of Illusions; and finally Nightshade Petals as a catalyst, containing a natural Effect that induces hallucinations.
