Chapter 046: Dekan Begins to Blame the Rebirth Church
Trecia watched Alice flee and hesitated to chase after her, feeling that doing so might only embarrass her further.
But if she didn’t go after her, it might be a long while before she and Alice could speak again.
Trecia helplessly glanced at Dekan.
Dekan’s smile seemed to say, “Sorry for the poor hospitality.”
“Sigh.”
Trecia let out a deep sigh.
He was becoming more and more inhuman by the day.
When they first met at the border inn, he seemed perfectly normal…
Normal?
Ah, forget it, that Goblin Sheriff was obviously not something a normal person could handle.
As if realizing Trecia’s hesitation, Dekan shouted to her: “Trecia, go find Princess Alice. I’m afraid I’m stuck here for the time being.”
It seemed the chief examiner had important matters to discuss with him.
He also thought Alice might need a bit of comforting.
He had indeed been too harsh.
In fact, Dekan hadn’t initially intended to create an epic card.
He only planned to make a rare quality three-star card, considering it a success.
After all, they paid so much in registration fees. Even if he couldn’t reverse the electric meter, he couldn’t afford to lose money.
But as he worked, he got carried away.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if the card exploded during its creation.
After all, every step of it involved rewriting and reversing divine attributes.
But fortunately, his luck was quite good.
Not only did it not explode, but it also successfully reached epic quality.
What? You think I’ve always had good luck?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
“Well, see you at school!”
Trecia waved to Dekan and quickly ran off.
She was going to save Alice’s heart that looked like scorched earth.
……
The examination was over.
Now Dekan was surrounded by several examiners.
When Dekan produced an orange card earlier, the other candidates who were struggling obviously couldn’t withstand the dazzling and impressive special effects.
Without a doubt, they all lost sight of what they were doing and failed.
Or perhaps their minds were struck by the sight, losing the confidence to continue.
Nevertheless, being able to witness such a miracle up close was not entirely a loss.
“Mr. Dekan, it’s troubling you, but could you please follow us to meet with President Reilen?”
Even the chief examiner, being a sixth-rank cardmaker, was exceptionally courteous to Dekan.
Because of Dekan, he would become a top-tier cardmaker.
From third rank to first rank, one could go to the certification hall on the third floor after passing the examination to claim the corresponding license.
But there were no pre-made insignias for a top-tier cardmaker here.
It had to be reviewed and produced by the main office.
The specific details still needed to be discussed by the president with Dekan.
The worth of the title ‘top-tier’ was beyond what ranks could describe.
They also knew their place, clearly recognizing what level Dekan would reach in the future, so they began showing him peculiar respect.
“No problem.”
“Please follow us.”
“Alright.”
……
Following the examiners, Dekan left the examination room through an internal passage.
The chief examiner then led Dekan through floating staircases to the sixth floor.
The top floor of the building.
There were few people on the sixth floor, and Dekan was guided to the most conspicuous office entrance.
The chief examiner knocked gently on the door and pushed it open after receiving a response from inside. He motioned for Dekan to enter.
Inside the extravagantly spacious office sat an elderly man.
The man appeared over sixty years of age but had a straight back and sharp, vibrant eyes.
Clad in the highest-grade association uniform, his slightly grizzled hair fell naturally before his face, and a gentle smile rested on his lips.
He was clearly the branch president of the Cardmakers Association stationed in the Norton Kingdom.
What surprised Dekan was that even before he approached, the president stood up from behind the desk and came over to shake his hand.
This act left Dekan rather astonished.
“Dekan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello, President Reilen.”
Dekan noticed seven purple stars embroidered on the chest of the president’s uniform.
Clearly, the man was a seventh-rank first-class cardmaker.
A real big shot.
Even a seventh-rank scholar could pack a powerful punch, no problem taking down a third or fourth rank with a hammer.
After inviting Dekan to sit on the nearby sofa, Reilen said, “First of all, congratulations on becoming a top-tier cardmaker of the Cardmakers Association. This is a lifetime honor, but the review process is also very rigorous. You will need to participate in at least one more review meeting.”
“A top-tier cardmaker is the association’s highest core member. No matter what, the association will always have your back.”
“Neither your badge, uniform, nor license can be issued to you now because the symbols of top-tier status require headquarters’ approval before they can be specially made for you.”
Dekan was somewhat stunned; he didn’t expect that creating just one three-star epic card would get him such incredible treatment.
Though he had heard of top-tier cardmakers before, the Cardmakers Association rarely advertised the mechanisms and privileges of top-tier cardmakers to the outside world, so Dekan knew very little.
“So, what am I currently…?”
Dekan asked with some confusion.
“Before your review, you will temporarily receive the rights of a third-rank first-class cardmaker.”
“That’s fine.”
Dekan felt the Cardmakers Association was fairly well-coordinated.
The review process may sound a bit cumbersome, but the mechanism seemed reasonable.
“By the way, is the review difficult?”
“I haven’t heard of any top-tier cardmakers having difficulty during reviews. Though… considering you, headquarters might investigate whether you have any ties with the Rebirth Church, as your cardmaking style is… even surpassing their archbishops.”
President Reilen’s tone grew increasingly uncertain.
He had also heard about Dekan’s glorious exploits of trampling the Shadow World.
And his bizarre card designs.
“…”
Dekan remained silent for a moment.
He had a feeling his package might be stuck in customs for a long time.
And suddenly, he had this intense urge to completely eliminate the Rebirth Church.
It was because of these people that he, an innocent citizen, was mistaken for an evil cultist!
“Don’t worry, Dekan, I’ll actively communicate with headquarters for you. You will surely become the thirteenth top-tier cardmaker among all registered cardmakers on the continent! And the second top-tier cardmaker in the Norton Kingdom!”
Reilen was clearly thrilled by the prospect of the Norton Kingdom having two top-tier cardmakers.
“Even as a third-rank, can I be mentioned alongside the other twelve?”
“The title of top-tier doesn’t change regardless of your rank when you achieve it. Even if your rank rises later, it won’t change.”
Reilen explained to Dekan.
If you participate in a third-rank exam at the fourth-rank level, any cards made, regardless of quality, would still be considered third-tier.
To reach second or first rank, one has to make cards equal to their own rank.
First and second ranks are also honors.
Meaning one can create high-level cards of the same rank.
But top-tier completely surpasses the three conventional ranking concepts, serving as a symbol of the absolute strength of a cardmaker.
Those who can make epic cards are typically already renowned cardmakers.
And those who can create same-rank epic cards are exceedingly rare!
