Chapter 118: Lances Card Maker Certification

Chapter 118: Lance's Card Maker Certification

Across the entire Southern Continent, a Platinum Certified card maker commanded considerable prestige. Sometimes, if they asked a tablet holder in an allied nation for permission to study the artifact, the request might even be granted unconditionally!

This was because such an interaction was no longer merely a test for a student or junior. Instead, it was an investment, a way to build rapport with a card maker of immense potential. After all, no one would turn down the chance to befriend a human card maker capable of crafting an Epic grade card.

Lance asked, murmuring somewhat to himself, "So, does crafting an Epic card during the registration exam automatically qualify a person for Platinum Certification?"

At the same time, he wondered if he could now go and "fleece" Dean Lawrence once he returned to the university. Although he wasn't particularly skilled at crafting Wind attributed cards, coming into contact with a Primal Tablet would earn him academic credits and vacation time. Plus, he wanted to experience what it was like to study a Primal Tablet, preparing himself for the future task of viewing the Sealing Primal Tablet.

"Not necessarily. Based on the theoretical scoring range, crafting an Epic card doesn't guarantee Platinum Certification. You'd most likely end up as a Gold Certified card maker with a massive surplus of promotion points... The reason you qualified for Platinum Certification with a single Epic card is because your overall score maxed out the Artistry category, pushing you straight past the Platinum promotion threshold."

As Lawson answered Lance's question, he traced numbers in the air to illustrate the approximate score. As the chief examiner, he technically wasn’t supposed to reveal the detailed scores displayed on the backend terminals.

However, dropping a subtle hint to Lance wasn't a problem. They were, after all, on the same side, both citizens of the Kingdom of Hutton.

Lance nodded silently, his eyes fixed on Lawson's hand as he listened.

Lawson added by way of explanation, "However, Lance, card makers above Gold Certification require a rigorous review by the Card Maker's Association headquarters for final confirmation, as well as the production and issuance of your Platinum Certification insignia, license, and other official items."

The standard promotion process for Platinum Certified card makers usually involved an additional, extremely difficult qualification exam. Although an extraordinary direct ranking, like the one Lance received, allowed him to bypass the Platinum Certification promotion exam, the associated administrative procedures and interview steps were by no means dispensable.

Lawson then said, "Ever since a serious incident where an expert card maker from the Northern Continent's Church of Resurrection managed to infiltrate the upper echelons of the Card Maker's Association, the vetting process for Platinum and Crystal Certifications has become exceptionally strict."

He paused and then continued, "For now, our Ikerite branch can only grant you a temporary Gold Certification. The official notice will be sent to your residence within three working days. In other words, unofficially speaking, you are effectively a quasi-Platinum Certified card maker, though, of course, no one here would actually mistake you for a mere Gold Certified card maker."

Lawson and Lance stood on the crystal staircase. Their figures cast hazy shadows upon the translucent steps, and their voices echoed softly in the air.

Lance expressed his gratitude after hearing Lawson's detailed explanation, "Thank you, Mr. Lawson."

Lawson was implying that the gap between him and a standard Gold Certified card maker was already immense. However, achieving true Platinum status still required navigating a complex web of procedures and a significant waiting period.

Lance hadn't even considered the possibility of leaping straight to the extraordinary level of a Platinum Certified card maker. After all, the privileges enjoyed by Platinum Certified card makers, such as purchasing priority and steep discounts, were on a completely different level compared to those who were at Gold Certification.

Platinum and Crystal Certified card makers even held seats at the Association's high-level executive meetings. Attaining Platinum status also signified true renown. Such a card maker might receive commissions from prominent nobles, both domestic and foreign, or earn a handsome, regular income simply by associating their license to a major commercial enterprise.

Furthermore, a Platinum Certified card maker would be invited as a distinguished guest to high-profile events and exclusive banquets, such as those hosted by the Human Kingdom Alliance Council in the Southern Continent.

If possible, Lance hoped to secure the final certification before heading to the Northern Continent. Otherwise, if any telltale traces were left behind, misunderstandings could arise that would be difficult to explain away.

Lance couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Lawson, generally speaking, how long does this review process take?"

"The average timeframe is three months, but given your unique situation, where you are jumping up so drastically, it could easily take six months or more." Lawson’s voice then lowered significantly, becoming increasingly guarded and brief.

"In fact, Duke Michael Aransar's mysterious disappearance once led the Association to suspect him of harboring traitorous intent. Because various clues pointed toward the Church of Resurrection, an absurd rumor even began to circulate, claiming that the duke himself might be a cardinal of the Church of Resurrection. That is why the headquarters is being so exceptionally strict with the review process for the Hutton Kingdom...

"Of course, most of that noise is being stirred up by nations that have long been at odds with the Kingdom of Hutton. You don't need to worry about it, though. Surely they wouldn't go so far as to fabricate a story claiming that you, Lance Wilford, are secretly a cardinal of the Church of Resurrection just to block your Platinum Certified card maker confirmation."

The two of them continued to chat as they descended the floating staircase. Lawson was clearly incensed by the behavior of those unscrupulous journalists and media outlets.

He had dealt with Duke Michael for a long time. To call this kind-hearted duke a cardinal of a crazy cult would be a complete distortion of the truth. The only time the duke had ever surprised Lawson was back when he harbored a member of the Demon Race and subsequently married that demoness.

Lawson smiled and added this for Lance's benefit, "Although headquarters has tightened its vetting process, rest assured that our Ikerite branch will handle most of the formalities for you. We'll coordinate with the College of Magical Engineering to get everything sorted out properly, ensuring you face as little trouble as possible."

The Ikerite branch of the Card Maker's Association had a long-standing partnership with the College of Magical Engineering, and the two parties were very familiar with each other. Lawson recalled that Lance's application clearly listed Ikerite University as his institution.

He was certain that when he passed this good news on to Professor Boralo, the dean of the College of Magical Engineering, the professors there would be overjoyed, perhaps even too excited to sleep.

Lance hesitated, wanting to say something. If he were truly an outstanding student of the College of Magical Engineering, the teachers there would certainly be proud of him.

However... He belonged to the Sages' College. He hadn't really interacted much with the College of Magical Engineering. His only real connection to them was during the entrance exam, when he had helped identify a safety hazard in the Artificial Shadow Realm Activation Terminal, prompting Professor Boralo and his research team to rush over and carry out emergency repairs overnight.

Looking slightly embarrassed, Lance asked, "Wouldn't that... be a bit of a bother for the teachers at the College of Magical Engineering?"