The floor clock in the study room rhythmically ticked and tocked, the sound of its gears clearly audible.
Coupled with it was the soothing scent of old books from the elaborately carved bookcase in the corner.
Gazing at the magic table lamp on the desk, which emitted a soothing amber light, Noe took off his glasses, closed his eyes, and gradually relaxed his furrowed brows.
Regardless of whether Lanci was acting or not, at least his unhurried attitude provided him with some comfort.
"But Father, I will need some money before the exam. Can you ensure that I have ample funds for these three months?"
Just when Noe thought Lanci was about to leave, Lanci's words made him open his eyes again.
"What do you need it for?"
Noe asked warily.
He seemed to suspect that Lanci wanted to extract as much money as possible before the entrance exam, perhaps to indulge in some final extravagance.
"Making Magic Cards requires a lot of money for materials, and I need to hire a suitable teacher."
Lanci's expression and tone remained calm.
Not at all as if he was lying.
He was indeed telling the truth.
Because after reading the code, he would begin researching Magic Cards.
"You know how to make Magic Cards?"
Noe asked in surprise.
This time, Lanci did not reply right away.
Actually, he still didn't know how.
He needed a perfect speech to gain his father's trust, and persuade him wholeheartedly to invest.
However, at that moment,
"I assure you, Master, he will make excellent Magic Cards."
The butler standing behind Noe spoke up.
He bowed slightly, spoke beside Noe,
"If you could see the painting in young master's room, you would no longer worry about him."
"Oh?"
Noe turned his head to look at the butler upon hearing these words.
Surprised by the butler's words, he soon realized something and felt joyous.
Then looked at Lanci with interest:
"Lanci, have you started painting again recently? If Hans speaks so highly of it, it must be a good painting."
Hans is the butler's name, but his predecessor rarely called him by his name, and Lanci, adopting his predecessor's habit, referred to the butler only as "you" when communicating with him.
"More than just…"
The butler shook his head with a smile.
Apparently, the master had not realized the level of the young master's painting skills yet.
Anyone could tell that Noe was speaking in a tone indulging a child.
"Hans has always taken good care of me, I think he overpraises me."
Lanci merely pursed his lips briefly and interrupted the butler before he could finish.
The portrait of Talia hanging in his bedroom will be better off not seen by Noe.
Otherwise, should Noe run into Talia in town by chance, who knows what ridiculous misunderstandings might arise.
"Is that so."
Noe didn't pay much attention.
The only thing that surprised Noe was Lanci's modesty.
Normally, Lanci should have seized this opportunity to flaunt his talent, seeking investment.
After hearing Lanci's words, the butler did not plan to say anything more.
He backed away with an ambiguous smile and returned to Noe's side.
"Alright, I hope you can pass the Alchemy College exam successfully. Hans..."
Noe encouraged Lanci with a sighing tone, then ordered the butler Hans to provide Lanci with the money he required.
In consideration of the old butler, as well as Lanci's excellent attitude today, Noe agreed to Lanci's request without hesitation.
Anyway, what he had given to this stupid son of his hadn't been small amounts.
He hoped he would come to his senses. May the Lady Goddess bless him.
If only he genuinely maintained such grace and respectful manners, instead of pretending, how wonderful that would have been.
...
As the night deepens, the wall lamps along the spacious corridor of the mansion spread a soft glow, submerging the entire premises in tranquility and peace.
Most servants in the mansion had finished their day's work and had retired for the night.
Of course, some were still on duty.
As soon as Lanci opened the door of his study, he saw the waiting maid outside -
Frances, the understanding maid, who wasn't as afraid of him as the other servants and always managed to decipher his emotions.
Lanci found that in the mansion, only she and the butler took him seriously.
After a quick formal greeting,
"Master, are you sure you're not deceiving the old lord?"
Frances followed Lanci out of the study, her voice carrying a hint of concern.
She had heard the conversation in the study earlier, and was too aware of how Lanci had spent his previous days.
The entrance exam for the Alchemy College includes written tests across a range of subjects including Kingdom arithmetic, pharmacology, materials processing, basic magic engineering, and alchemy principles.
Even if Lanci hires the best tutors now and begins to study like a man possessed, he wouldn't be able to catch up.
"A mere entrance exam."
Lanci laughed lightly and closed his eyes. His calm demeanor gave the impression that he didn't care about the difficulty of the exam or feel the need to study intensely.
"Uh..."
Seeing him like this, Frances began to question if Lanci had given up already and was simply enjoying some last frenzy.
However, she did know that even if Lanci didn't pass, he wouldn't be scolded or end up a destitute on the streets of the Royal Capital.
The young master could struggle in the Royal Capital.
Just by selling his paintings, he would certainly earn a lot.
"Do not worry, I will study the exam rules tonight."
Sensing Frances' concern, Lanci smiled revealing a touch of certainty in his voice, his eyes clear as if facing the legal code.
"That's good..."
"Hmmm? Exam rules?"
Frances suddenly realized.
She had a feeling that there was more to Lanci's words.
Reading the instructions carefully before the exams is certainly a good habit...
But what was there to study about the entrance exam rules of the Alchemy College?
Soon after, Lanci bid her goodbye, quickening his steps towards his bedroom, leaving Frances alone in the corridor, her face mirroring her confusion.
...
Back in his room, he closed the door.
Lanci took out the entrance exam reference book for the Ichrite Academy from the bookshelf.
He walked towards the desk, leisurely settling into the chair, picked up a pen, gazed at the book in his hands and gradually began mapping out his schedule for the coming three months.
When it came to admission, he was serious.
He had indeed promised his father that he would succeed in securing admission.
But he didn't specify which sub-college he would be admitted to.
"Although I'm a peace-loving person, I appreciate a good fight... and I don't think I'd lose if I prepare."
Lanci murmured, his eyes scanning the prospectus of the Ichrite Academy.
The academy had colleges that focused on theoretical research and backup support, like the Alchemy College and Magic Engineering College, which were hard to get into without a rigorous study.
Of course, they also had the Sage Academy and Knight College that emphasized direct combat and tactical application.
His solution was simple.
That was, admission via a roundabout way.
When the time came, he could just change his preference from the Alchemy College to another sub-college.
The Law Knight academy focuses on spontaneous adaptability, character and heart, and practical combat ability.
This is closely related to the "Shadow World", the most challenging instance in this world.
In the next three months,
As long as he can successfully produce a few 'Lanci-special' magic cards, and purchase a few commercially available magic cards to pair with them,
He might even be able to handle the admissions in such a way that leaves all the college heads in the dark!