Chapter 043: Dekan’s Amazement
Dekan helplessly glanced at Trecia, his expression subtly pleading for assistance.
This was the first time he had encountered royalty from this nation.
Every word he spoke next could influence his peaceful life.
“Alice, Your Highness, may I have a quick word with Dekan?”
Trecia hastily threw this sentence out there, pulling Dekan aside.
She quietly told Dekan, “Alice is actually a good person; she’s just a little headstrong and likes to be the center of attention. Just play along to make her happy.”
Dekan nodded slightly and looked toward Alice.
“Alice, Your Highness, by chance, our team needs a fourth-rank group purification spell card. Could we possibly commission you to help us make one?”
Dekan was still unable to craft fourth-rank magic cards; for spells like “Group Purification,” he typically purchased them directly.
One of the purposes of this trip to the Card Crafters’ Association was to buy this particular card.
The second-year students from the Alchemy Academy should be able to craft fourth-rank spell cards.
“Hmph! You have an eye for talent! My card-making skills are sure to astound you! There’s no time to waste—watch closely as I create this card for you!”
Alice’s face lit up with joy as she saw Dekan’s attitude, her voice filled with delight.
It seemed she was eager to make this young “Demon King” admire her even more.
The senior steward waiting nearby immediately caught the hint.
He swiftly approached the three of them, bowed respectfully, and slightly inclined his body. “Your Highness Alice, and your friends, please follow me.”
Under the steward’s guidance, they bypassed half the association grounds. By a floating staircase, they ascended to the fourth floor of the association.
The third floor of the association was the venue for the certification exams of fifth-rank and below card makers; going further up was clearly not accessible to regular visitors.
The corridor on the fourth floor seemed to have the appearance of being over a hundred years old, but in order to preserve some historical relics, it was not excessively renovated.
At the end of the corridor, a room with a white sign hanging by its door came into view. The steward opened the door for them, then moved aside to gesture for them to enter.
Dekan immediately recognized that this spacious room, resembling an ancient workshop, was a master card crafting room.
It was undoubtedly more luxurious than the makeshift workshop he had in his dormitory.
The room was fully equipped with the finest instruments and devices.
Soon, more staff began to bring in materials.
They had already heard that the princess wanted to craft the “Group Purification” card, so they had brought every possible material.
In addition to blank cards, mana crystals, and magical core liquids, there were a few scrolls.
The main materials required for making different types of magic cards varied.
Equipment cards needed equipment prototypes and enchantment-sealing tools.
Summoning cards required monster core crystals or soul gems.
Spell cards, however, needed magic scrolls as their main material, to be processed and rewritten.
For example, Dekan’s “Hydrogen Explosion” required scrolls for Fireball, Waterball, and Shock spells.
The production steps for the different types of cards varied significantly, and the higher the rank of the card, the more pronounced this difference became.
Therefore, after reaching higher ranks, most card makers chose a specialized direction.
…
After the staff gathered the materials, Alice talked casually with Dekan for a while.
The steward locked the door and subsequently Alice opened the storage cabinet.
Sure enough, the cabinet was stocked with various materials.
Alice carefully counted the materials, then took out a divided tray and retrieved the necessary ones from the storage cabinet.
She placed them individually in the slots of the tray.
She appeared to have visited this room quite a few times, familiar with the locations of the materials.
Dekan watched her selection of materials, subtly furrowing his eyebrows.
Why was she taking so many materials?
While Dekan was puzzled, Alice had already completed her preparations.
“Pay attention, Dekan! You don’t get to see a cardmaker create a magic card very often.”
Alice rolled up her sleeves, her radiant smile full of anticipation, as if eagerly awaiting Dekan’s admiration.
“…”
Dekan decided he would watch and learn carefully.
It might even be necessary to take some notes.
After all, besides Master, he hadn’t heard of any other “extremely powerful magic card makers.”
What if she managed to create an epic fourth-rank purification spell card?
Alice’s expression grew serious.
She began to mix holy attribute crystal powder, which had been ground finely, with the magical core fluid to create the ink, feeling the magical flow as she mixed them.
She adjusted her own magical energy to synchronize it, making it easier to infuse magic power when drawing the magic array.
After concocting the magical ink, Alice filled it into the magic pen. She then began to unravel, extract, and engrave the magic spells from the scroll onto the white card.
The crucial next step would soon begin.
This was when the card maker rewrote and finalized the magical structure and circuits.
It required the maker’s full, undivided attention, focusing all their spirit on this process.
As Alice’s magic pen moved, she steadily infused her magical power into every circuit on the card.
The magical structure on the card was not something any wizard could merely draw. This was a process of understanding, creation, and spellcasting.
Without extraordinary talent and thorough comprehension, one might be able to replicate the appearance, but could never endow it with the proper strength.
Alice held her breath, as if entering the most challenging moment.
The greatest challenge in inscribing was the circle of intricate magical runes that had to be engraved on the card.
These twisted markings, resembling ants crawling around, were incomprehensible to anyone without advanced knowledge, let alone someone attempting to write them.
She frowned deeply as she meticulously carved the runes.
She looked like a great artist painting a stunning masterpiece, each stroke so delicate, each line full of strength.
There was a sacred and noble aura about her, making one wonder how accomplished she was.
After dozens of minutes passed,
The magic card began to emit a faint, radiant glow.
It seemed successful, and Alice sighed with relief.
The next step followed.
The best medium for magic was mithril and adamantine. The magic array needed to be carefully drawn onto the blank card’s surface, then a small amount of holy crystal powder, used to activate saintly attributes magic, fused onto the card.
This formed a framework, locking the energy within the magic card.
Alice began to fine-tune and process the card, linking several magic seals simultaneously to form a magical energy loop. This allowed the magic card to recharge and be reused after suffering magical energy depletion.
Even though nearing its successful creation, this second-last step was still rather intricate. Each magic array needed to partially overlap with others.
Not only did each array need to ensure proper functioning when activated but also ensure they didn’t conflict with any other structures.
Failure in any part would cause the card to collapse or even explode if handled improperly.
Alice’s hands moved with great proficiency, smoothly completing this procedure.
At this point, the creation was basically complete, with just the step of sealing the magic card remaining.
She boiled various alchemical materials into a paste and coated it onto the surface of the magic card.
After using a magical device to quickly solidify it, it formed a transparent film.
Alice frowned, her expression highly focused, like a craftsman completing a work that would last for generations.
Finally, a fourth-rank spell card, “Mass Purification,” emerged successfully, accompanied by mist!
Alice revealed a satisfied smile and stared at the card face.
She seemed to be very pleased with the quality of the card, even taking extra time to admire it, even as its maker.
She glanced at Dekan, and her lips curved into a perfect smile, as if she already foresaw the astonished expression that was about to appear on Dekan’s face.
This caused Dekan to involuntarily swallow.
Was it a purple rarity?
Given Alice’s manner, it wasn’t impossible it was even an epic.
“Hmph.”
Alice chuckled softly, handed the spell card to Dekan, and lightly wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
Dekan took the card.
He immediately couldn’t contain his amazed expression as the card shone with a deep blue light.
Alice was satisfied with Dekan’s expression and proudly said: “Dekan, did you see that? A masterpiece is born this way, isn’t it amazing!”
Dekan: “…”
He was quiet for a moment, as if trying to calm himself.
Spending so much effort to craft a fourth-rank blue spell card.
Was this what a super talented magic card maker was?
How dare you!
Dekan: “Wow! That’s so cool!” (said in a stiff tone)
After confirming Dekan’s reaction, Alice placed her hands on her hips and laughed happily.
“Ho ho ho, I’m glad you like it!”
Thinking about the next time Dekan was massacring in the Shadow World, Alice could already boast to others: “Dekan used a card made by me.”
She struggled to control her smile even more.
She even indulged in a daydream for a moment.
…
The three of them reached the appraisal room on the fourth floor.
After being appraised and tested, the card was of excellent quality and fully met Dekan’s needs.
Alice was still immersed in the joy of having gained Dekan’s admiration.
Trecia had already understood Dakan’s thoughts by now and felt a bit awkward.
Alice did indeed have normal fourth-rank card maker capabilities.
But she really had been boasting a bit too much.
After all, Dekan, who had recently become famous in the Capital City, was an extremely meaningful person to boast to.
She lost control in the moment, and Trecia could understand it.
But.
She really couldn’t keep boasting.
My princess,
you are looking at a genuine card-making genius!
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Dekan put the card away and handed Alice 20 gold coins.
The market price of this card was approximately 25 gold coins, but Alice had agreed to charge him only 20, a very friendly price.
Considering the material loss, she practically didn’t make any profit.
She only crafted it to show off in front of Dekan.
“Then, I’ll take it.”
Alice didn’t make Dekan uncomfortable and quickly took the gold coins he handed over.
After all, at this point, if she refused the money, he might feel as if he owed a huge favor.
For most people, owing a favor to the royal family was not a good thing.
“Let’s head back to school. My carriage is outside.”
Alice seemed to find Dekan very conversational and wanted to keep chatting with him on the road.
She really enjoyed showing off.
Just then, she noticed that Dekan and Trecia’s expressions seemed difficult, as if they were exchanging glances.
“Do you have other plans?”
Alice asked.
Dekan sighed and answered honestly: “Actually, I came to take the third-rank card maker certification exam.”
Since everyone would eventually know, there was no reason to hide.
“Did you know, Dekan, you make cards too?”
Alice asked in surprise.
“Somewhat.”
“Ho ho, then meeting me was truly lucky, third-rank card maker certification isn’t that easy. I’ll tell you the key points of the exam…”
Alice smiled even brighter.
She knew the Knight Academy had a few card makers, too.
For warriors, maintaining their equipment was a good skill.
However, these card makers from the Knight Academy mostly made equipment cards.
It was still difficult for them to pass a professional card maker exam.
Alice felt she had even more topics to boast about in front of Dekan.
“Um, um.”
One was willing to teach, the other willing to learn.
Alice poured out all her knowledge, trying to pass all her life’s skills to Dekan within a short time.
Dekan listened patiently.
Every so often, he looked at Alice with a thirst for knowledge.
…
“By coincidence, I have nothing planned for the morning anyway. Let me and Trecia watch your performance next!”
Alice patted Dekan on the shoulder, smiling at him.
She looked like a teacher sending her student to the exam.
The three had already arrived at the exam hall on the third floor of the Card Makers’ Association.
Dekan was about to enter and participate in the certification exam, and there was the viewing area in the hall, which was open for the entire process.
“Um, alright.”
Dekan was humble.
“Dekan, if you need any guidance about making magic cards, feel free to visit me at the Alchemy Academy. Though I’m a student, teaching you should be no issue!”
“Phew!”
Dekan finally couldn’t resist laughing at Alice’s antics.
It brought a genuine smile to his face.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness Alice.”
“Ho ho, just to make it clear, not long ago, I made a second-rank purple card! This is something an ordinary card maker can’t do, isn’t it impressive?”
Alice was clearly getting more carried away, not noticing Trecia’s peculiar expression.
“Too amazing! If Alice weren’t born, Norton would’ve remained in eternal darkness.”
Dekan felt like he’d found his entertainment.
Flattery and praise were all he needed.
This princess, it would be funny to see her cry.
“What?! Say that sentence again!”
But the sentence seemed to shock Alice, her eyes wide open looking at Dekan.
“… The peak of card making who can be considered, fades in comparison when meeting the Princess.”
Dekan tried another sentence.
“!!!”
Alice’s mouth hung open for a second.
“You, you let me write down those two sentences!”
Alice’s voice quivered with excitement.
Trecia had already turned her gaze completely away, looking off into the distance.
Princess, please, stop talking.
If you continue, you’re really going to be embarrassed next!
