"Just give me fifteen minutes, I'll have the study spotless! And prepare all the tools you need! I guarantee it with my professional integrity!"
"I appreciate your help."
Lanci was not worried about waiting for a bit.
Talia's murderous intent did unsettle him, but not entirely.
Because he already had a coping strategy in mind.
No one could stop him from living a comfortable and leisurely life.
...
About ten minutes later, as promised, the maid had finished cleaning the study and brought Lanci the best painting tools in the mansion.
Lanci looked at the pens of this world.
Even though they were not quite the same as the ones he was used to in his previous life, he quickly figured out how to use them.
Then, he sat in front of the canvas, composed a layout, picked up his pen, and began to draw Talia's portrait with a relaxed expression.
Thinking that he had once painted the most perfect figure, the majestic Princess of the Demon Clan, Talia, yet now he had to portray her like a beggar, Lanci could barely suppress a chuckle.
He didn't need to contemplate for long. The pen in his hand began to move fluently.
He had drawn Talia too many times.
Lanci applied his years of honed skills, a faint smile playing on his lips as he calmly and proficiently painted.
He didn't look at all like a talented artist.
He looked relaxed, just like a homemaker preparing dinner.
But gradually, his attention was completely absorbed in the painting before him, as if he had lost all concept of time.
He didn't even notice that the maid waiting on the side was gradually widening her eyes in surprise, her mouth gently gaping.
As time slipped away.
Lanci's painting was almost complete.
On the canvas, the girl, although dressed in an old cloak, was as beautiful as a lone wolf in the snow.
A soft wind brushed her face, causing her grey hair under her hood to flutter slightly.
In her barely-visible golden eyes, beneath the thousand layers of ice, there was a blazing fire.
Her lonely silhouette did not make one mistake her for a weak creature. The dust on her body only served to underline the nobility and power flowing in her blood.
"It's completed."
Lanci smiled, finishing the last fine-tuning stroke.
It wasn't until then that he scrutinized the painting and felt like he might have painted it too passionately.
"My Lord, has your painting skill become so superb?"
The exclamation resounded from the side,
"I was pondering whether you were possessed by the God of Art, this is the first time I've seen such a moving painting!"
Even at this moment, the excitement in the maid's eyes couldn't be suppressed.
She had seen Lanci paint several years ago.
Back then, Lanci would show his warm smile, never lost his temper, and the scenery he painted was as beautiful as his soul.
Most of the servants in the mansion were hoping that Lanci would suddenly realize his mistakes one day.
Because they couldn't imagine that if Lanci continues to fall from grace, they will lead a miserable life when he truly becomes the master of the house, if they are not all driven out.
The maid wished fervently that the signs she saw today were not her illusions.
But they indicated that the young master had genuinely become polite, understanding, and gracious.
"Really?"
Lanci chuckled sheepishly.
He was indeed a skilled painter, but the way the maid looked at him with admiration almost made him feel like he was the reincarnation of Picasso or Van Gogh.
While painting just now, he felt like he got immersed, as if he had put his heart and soul into it, he even felt a bit dizzy at the completion of the painting.
But should he really be praised to this extent?
"I guarantee, you will definitely become a sensational painter in the kingdom. Even his Majesty the King will want your paintings, and even the most noble Cardmaker will want to discuss painting techniques with you!"
The maid said sincerely, clutching her hands tightly, and looking at Lanci.
After a moment of silence.
"Hiss——"
Lanci suddenly realized a fact.
That's right!
This originally was a game famed for real-time magic card battles!
And I was the lead artist!
Many things in this world could be said to have been drawn by him, including many prototypes of Magic Cards treasured by the world.
According to the game's setting, Magic Cards encapsulate skills, equipment, or summons, and feature portability, tradability, and customizable arrangements.
Compared with learning spells at a high cost, in this world, you can directly purchase a corresponding Magic Card, bind it to use the spell, and adjust your skill structure as needed for different powerful opponents.
In the final stages of the game, challengers are matched to random alternative time spaces with unique identities and situations, not being able to carry anything with them except for soul-bound Magic Cards.
Therefore, Magic Cards are essential assets for home travel, killing and plundering, and fighting in this world!
High-value Magic Cards, other than those obtained in copies of games, can also be made by Cardmakers.
And the skill of painting is intrinsically linked to the making of Magic Cards.
"It seems that I not only have the potential to be a great artist in this world but also show promising potential in card-making?"
Lanci stroked his chin, deep in thought.
He had long felt that the Magic Cards in this game were too flashy.
Whenever he suggested to the planners that they could design some cards that enrich the gaming experience without breaking the game balance, he was always rejected.