Across the entire Southern Continent—
A Platinum-ranked Card Master already commands significant prestige.
At times, when they seek to observe certain Slate Holders in allied nations, such requests may be granted unconditionally.
For this is no longer considered a test for a student or junior, but rather an act of forming connections—or even making an investment—with a card master of immense potential.
After all, who would dislike befriending a human card master with the ability to create an Epic orange card?
“Does this mean… as long as you produce an orange Epic card during the Registered Card Master exam, you’ll automatically be rated Platinum?”
Lan Qi murmured.
At the same time, he began wondering—
Wouldn’t this mean he could go back to school and pester Dean Loran for some benefits?
Even though he wasn’t particularly skilled in crafting [Wind] element cards…Simply applying to observe a Slate earned both credits and vacation time.
And besides—he did want to experience what it felt like to view a Slate firsthand, as preparation for eventually examining the [Primal Slate – Sealing].
“Not necessarily,” Lawrence explained.
“According to the theoretical scoring system, creating an orange Epic doesn’t always guarantee a Platinum rating. In most cases, it would still place you at Gold
, albeit with a large surplus of promotion points.The reason you were pushed directly to Platinum was because your card’s artistic score reached its absolute peak, instantly raising your overall score past the Platinum threshold.”
As he spoke, Lawrence traced numbers in the air with his finger, roughly indicating Lan Qi’s scores.
Though he wasn’t supposed to reveal such details—
As chief examiner, he could bend the rules slightly when it came to one of Hedon Kingdom’s own.
Lan Qi simply nodded silently, eyes fixed on Lawrence’s hand, quietly listening.
“However, Student Lan Qi,” Lawrence continued, “for card masters at Gold rank and above, the Association Headquarters must conduct a rigorous review before final confirmation. Only after that will they grant you your Platinum accessories and official license.”
Ordinarily, the path to Platinum involved an additional, extremely difficult qualifying exam.
Although Lan Qi’s extraordinary leap allowed him to skip that step, the bureaucratic reviews and interviews could not be avoided.
“This is because, years ago, a top card master from the Northern Continent’s Resurrection Church infiltrated the Association’s upper ranks. After that incident, the reviews for Platinum and Crystal-tier became especially strict.”
“For now, our Ikerite branch can only issue you a temporary Gold certification. You’ll receive it by mail within three working days.”
“In other words, unofficially speaking—you’re a ‘provisional Platinum.’ Of course, no one is truly going to treat you as a Gold.”
Their shadows stretched faintly across the transparent floating steps, voices carrying lightly in the air.
“Thank you, Mr. Lawrence.”
Lan Qi expressed his gratitude.
From Lawrence’s explanation, it was clear—he was already far above Gold rank.
But to officially become Platinum, there remained a long list of formalities and waiting.
Lan Qi had never imagined reaching such an unreasonable level in one step.
After all, the priority rights and discounts available to Platinums were worlds apart from those of Gold.
What’s more, both Platinum and Crystal-tier card masters held seats at the Association’s high council meetings.
Becoming Platinum meant true fame.
He could expect commissions from nobles at home and abroad, or simply hang his license at a major enterprise to receive lavish stipends.
At royal gatherings or joint council events of the Southern Continent kingdoms, he would be invited as an honored guest.
If possible, Lan Qi hoped to complete the certification before traveling to the Northern Continent.
Otherwise, if any traces were left behind and misunderstood, explanations might be impossible.
“Mr. Lawrence, how long does this review usually take?” Lan Qi asked.
“On average, about three months. But in your case—since your promotion leap is so great—it could easily take six months or more.
To complicate things, Duke Migaya’s mysterious disappearance once led the Association to suspect him of defection. Some signs seemed to tie back to the Resurrection Church.
There’s even an absurd rumor… claiming that Duke Migaya Aransal himself was a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church.”
Lawrence’s voice lowered as he spoke, almost reluctant to touch on such disrespectful whispers about the duke. His words grew more clipped.
“But really, those rumors are mostly fueled by nations historically hostile to Hedon Kingdom. You needn’t worry—no one would go so far as to fabricate nonsense like you, Lan Qi Wilfort, secretly being a Cardinal, just to obstruct your Platinum review.”
The floating staircase descended slowly as the two conversed.
Lawrence’s tone carried clear indignation toward unscrupulous journalists and rumor-mongers.
He had known Duke Migaya for many years.
To accuse that kind-hearted man of being a church Cardinal was outright slander.
The only time Duke Migaya had ever surprised Lawrence was when he sheltered demons—and even married a demon wife.
“Although the reviews at Headquarters have become stricter, don’t worry. Our Ikerite branch will handle as much of the paperwork as possible on your behalf, working with the Magi-Engineering Institute to smooth the process. We’ll make sure you’re not overly burdened.”
Lawrence smiled, adding reassuringly.
The Ikerite Association had long cooperated closely with the Magi-Engineering Institute; their ties were deep.
And seeing Lan Qi’s application marked “Ikerite Magic Academy,” he was certain that Professor Polao, the Institute’s dean, would be overjoyed when he delivered today’s news—perhaps so thrilled he wouldn’t even be able to sleep.
“……”
Lan Qi fell silent, hesitant to speak.
If he truly were a proud student of the Magi-Engineering Institute, then indeed his teachers would be delighted.
But… he was from the Sage’s Academy.
He’d barely had any dealings with the Institute.
His only real connection was during the entrance exam, when he helped identify security flaws in their Shadow World terminal—forcing Professor Polao and his research team to spend a sleepless night repairing it.
“Wouldn’t this… trouble the Institute’s teachers a little?”
Lan Qi asked sheepishly.