The next day. Norelia Seashore Avenue.
This street was claimed to be the most artistic place in the entire city. It stretched from the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts in the east to the Municipal Art Museum in the west, lined with theaters and galleries on both sides. Throughout history, countless famous artists had left their footprints here, making it a favorite haunt for creators and a holy land for art enthusiasts.
Inside the "City in the Clouds" café on Seashore Avenue.
"Waiter!"
Hearing the shout, Luca put down the book in his hand, hurried to Table 5, and pulled a pencil from his apron. "Miss, what would you like to order?"
"An espresso, no sugar."
The guest at Table 5 was a black-haired girl wearing the badge of Norelia University. She was a regular; almost everyone in the shop knew her because every Saturday afternoon, she would order a coffee and kill time—always with her magic slate.
Several guests had once tried to buy the slate from her for a high price, only to be ruthlessly rejected. The waiters mocked those guests behind their backs for being blind; the girl's dress and manner were clearly that of a noble lady. How could such a small amount of money move her?
Luca soon brought the girl's coffee. He noticed a newspaper lying by her hand—today's Herald. A line of bold text caught his eye.
"Recruitment Notice—Game Artist," Luca read softly. "What is a game artist?"
Then, the rarest thing happened. The girl, who usually kept her head buried in games and ignored the world, suddenly looked up. "It's drawing for magic games. See, aren't there characters and scenery in the games? A game artist draws those things—at least, that's my guess."
She turned the slate around so Luca could see clearly. Although he had caught glimpses of the glowing slate many times, this was the first time he had seen it up close. The moving little figures on the screen truly astonished him.
He understood drawing, but how did one put a drawing into a slate? And how did one make it move?
Luca continued reading: "...Job Responsibilities: 1. Participate in the design of the game's art style, draw concept art, and control overall art quality; 2. Responsible for the original design of characters, scenes, and props as required; 3. Communicate with other team members and departments to integrate project resources.
"Job Requirements: 1. Solid foundation in art, keen sense of color, rich imagination, and alignment with public aesthetic tastes; 2. Strong learning and research abilities, constantly pursuing self-improvement; 3. Team spirit and cooperation, responsible, able to complete tasks on time; 4. Experience in related industries is preferred.
"Salary and Benefits: 1. Eight-hour workday + weekends off, statutory holidays, 13th-month salary at the end of the year..."
"Why? Do you want to apply?" the girl asked while sipping her coffee. "Dungeon Entertainment offers pretty good benefits, and the notice says they take interns too. If you want to go, I'd actually support you."
Luca snapped back to reality and quickly bowed. "I was just looking. They're hiring artists; someone like me couldn't possibly..."
The girl studied him thoughtfully. "There's paint on your collar," she said suddenly. Luca immediately fumbled with his collar in a panic.
"I saw you wearing a very special pair of gloves once, with the thumb, index, and middle fingers exposed. Those are specialized gloves for painters to prevent smudging while sketching. Also, the latte art you make is better than anyone else's." She smiled. "So, I deduce you are a student at the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts, working here to earn some tuition. Am I right?"
A sharp burst of laughter interrupted her.
"Miss, you think too highly of this fellow! The gap between 'knowing how to draw' and being an 'Academy student' is massive!"
Luca recognized that voice. There were only two people in the world he never wanted to see: the boss who caused his father to lose a finger, and the owner of that voice.
A young man with a ponytail swaggered over. He was tall, dressed in a decent suit, and carried art supplies, followed by four or five men and women of similar age. He gave Luca a mocking smile, but when he turned to the girl, his expression instantly shifted between ethereal and dazed. He ignored his friends and walked straight to the girl, fervently taking her hand for a kiss.
"Beautiful lady, your radiance is like the nectar of the Spring Goddess, nourishing my parched heart," he said. "I am Giuseppe Montari. May I ask your name?"
"Yvette Hornbury." The girl pulled her hand back, looking suspiciously at the back of her hand as if an invisible smudge were stuck there.
"Hornbury?" Giuseppe savored the surname. "Is Marshal Hornbury perhaps your...?"
Yvette didn't answer, simply raising her coffee cup to hide her face. Giuseppe didn't press her, instead bowing and asking, "May I have the honor of doing a quick sketch of you? I mean nothing else; I simply wish to freeze your beauty on paper forever..."
"Uh... whatever."
Giuseppe didn't feel his behavior was a nuisance at all, casually sitting in a seat near Yvette. His friends were forced to move with him.
"Are you students at the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts?" Yvette asked with feigned nonchalance. "What year?"
"How keen of you! We are in our second year. Oh, when I say 'we,' I mean my friends and I—not him." Giuseppe glanced at Luca, a sneer curling his lip. "He isn't our classmate. He didn't even pass the entrance exam."
"Failed twice!" the other students giggled like a flock of noisy hens.
The sharp laughter made Luca barely able to lift his head. Giuseppe usually mocked him like this, but this was different—this was humilating him in front of Miss Yvette. He clenched his fists, wanting to punch Giuseppe in the face, but he desperately suppressed the urge. If he injured someone, he couldn't afford the compensation.
Luca wasn't a local, nor even a citizen of the Coastal Kingdom. He came from a small village on the border of the Mountain Kingdom, the son of a sawmill worker. His father had always hoped he'd become a civil servant or a teacher, but Luca had loved drawing since childhood and dreamed of studying art.
The only thing related to "art" in his village was an old sanctuary with murals covering the dome and walls. It was said a wealthy, pious lord had hired a painter for a fortune centuries ago. Luca still remembered the first time he entered that church, holding his parents' hands. His father was missing a finger from a logging accident; his mother's palms were rough from years of washing clothes. But their hands were large and warm.
When Luca looked up at the murals on the dome, he felt he was seeing the most beautiful thing in the world. Although the murals were mottled and peeling, they were still vivid. He locked eyes with the goddess in the painting, and in that moment, it felt like a hammer had struck his heart, causing his soul to spark with light. Since that day, he knew which path he would take.
His father spent all his money on art supplies. It started with crude charcoal, then chalk, crayons, and paint. Young Luca would lie on the cold marble floor of the church, copying the gods, angels, and heroes. Years passed, and he grew better. At sixteen, his father told him: "Go to the City of Academics."
So he left home for Norelia, hoping to enter the world's greatest temple of art. Countless teenagers held the same ambition, and the Academy decided admission by examination. Luca submitted his work with confidence, only to receive a cruel critique from the examiner.
"Religious paintings? Where are you from? A museum? If you had come two hundred years ago, you might have passed, but now?" The examiner's expression of surprise and contempt was something he would never forget.
Naturally, he failed. He later learned that most students came to Norelia to audit classes or practice in local studios first to familiarize themselves with the Academy's current favored styles and build networks before testing. The art world was a circle; without noble birth, a wealthy background, or letters of recommendation from celebrities, entering was incredibly difficult.
Moreover, Luca's style didn't fit the current trends at all. Religious paintings had been out of fashion for centuries; anyone still drawing goddesses and heroes would be laughed at as a "living fossil."
Luca met Giuseppe during the exams. Giuseppe was from the capital, and his family owned an art gallery. Unlike Luca, who was from the countryside and had never received formal art education, Giuseppe had tutors since childhood. After arriving in Norelia, Giuseppe quickly met several Academy teachers and famous local painters through family connections, passing the exam smoothly.
Luca refused to give up and decided to try again the next year. He worked in the café while auditing master lectures, buying staggeringly expensive books, and learning about various movements he had never heard of. But the second year, while Giuseppe moved up to his second year of study, Luca failed again.
His family's finances couldn't support his studies anymore. An insect plague earlier in the year had devastated the forestry industry back home; his father lost his job, and his mother's health was declining. His brother needed money for school, and his sister was approaching marriageable age and needed a dowry, or she would be looked down upon by her in-laws.
Perhaps Luca should give up his dream and find a stable job or join the army. Just as he was hesitating, he saw the recruitment notice in the paper. Magic games were currently taking the city by storm, and Luca had heard of them. A guest with a magic slate had visited the shop once, and that day the whole shop was as lively as a festival.
Dungeon Entertainment should be very wealthy, right? If he were hired, he could at least make a living. Of course, he would be despised by Giuseppe's group—or rather, by all the Academy students.
What was the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts? It was the cradle of future art masters! Students came here not to find a job after graduation, but to "pursue the essence of art." They created not to please the public, but to show individuality, express their inner selves, and explore world truths. "Commercial art" was beneath the dignity of the academic elite. Those who drew specific pictures according to others' instructions to earn money weren't "artists," but merely "illustrators," "craftsmen," or "decorators."
Luca didn't want to be mocked. But when a person can't even afford bread, they don't have the leisure to discuss high art. His skill might not catch the boss's eye, but there was no harm in trying.
He suppressed his anger and turned toward the kitchen. Giuseppe, however, was relentless and grabbed him. "Hey, I think I heard you say you're going somewhere for an interview?"
He noticed the newspaper on Yvette's table, craned his neck to read the notice, and let out a smug laugh. "It actually suits you! You can't pass our school anyway. Might as well find a factory to work in early; it'll save your parents some money!"
His friends laughed along. "Exactly, this company is just looking for a 'decorator.' Anyone who can hold a brush can do it!"
"It's a perfect match for a dropout! You can't pass our school, but drawing for this company should be more than enough for you, right? You won't fail at this too, will you?"
Luca's face turned pale, then red. "I'm not like some people. I know what self-reliance means. I don't have a 'good daddy' to give me food, clothes, pocket money, and celebrity recommendations..."
Giuseppe's smile vanished instantly. He grabbed Luca's collar, forcing Luca onto his tiptoes to keep from being strangled by his own clothes. "I got in on my own merit!"
Giuseppe's friends were stunned. No one expected their bickering to turn physical. Before, whenever Marco mocked Luca, the latter never dared to talk back. Where did he get the courage today?
"Enough!" Yvette couldn't watch anymore. She stood up and pulled Giuseppe away. He didn't expect a woman to have such strength and instinctively let go.
Luca was finally freed, falling to the ground and coughing violently. All the customers' eyes were drawn to the conflict. The manager hurried over, bowing and apologizing to Giuseppe, promising a free meal, and dragging Luca into the kitchen to prevent further escalation.
Yvette called out to them: "Whatever happens, go try and submit a resume! If you truly have talent, Dungeon Entertainment won't reject you!"
Luca rubbed his neck, gave her a grateful look, and was ruthlessly pushed into the back by the manager.
Giuseppe sat down angrily, waving away the compensatory coffee the manager sent. His friends fanned him and poured tea, more attentive than servants. But this didn't dispel Giuseppe's rage. He hated people saying he only became famous through his father's influence. Not only did Luca step on his landmine, but he also gained Miss Yvette's sympathy! Why should he get the favor of a beauty? With his vulgar work?
"I apologize for the spectacle, Miss Yvette." Giuseppe forced a smile. "Don't listen to that kid's nonsense. He's just jealous of my achievements. My work has won awards; many art critics say I'm a rising star. You needn't mind the barking of a loser. I'll draw your sketch now!"
He pulled his supplies from his bag. His model, however, was done.
Miss Yvette stood up abruptly, put her magic slate back in her bag, and tossed a bill on the table. "Waiter, check! Keep the change as a tip!" With that, she walked out of the café without looking back.
Giuseppe was stunned, not understanding where he had offended the lady. She surely wouldn't get angry with him over that mediocre Luca, right?
The name Hornbury was famous. The Army Marshal of the Coastal Kingdom was named Hornbury. This lady spoke with a capital accent; she was likely related to the Marshal. He couldn't afford to offend her! He dropped his supplies and hurried after Yvette.
"Please wait! If I have done anything to displease you, I sincerely apologize..." He tried to block Yvette's path, but every time, Yvette simply tilted her body or stepped aside, easily avoiding him like a nimble dancer, then continued walking with long strides.
She said crossly as she walked: "Sir, you study art; how is your eyesight so bad? Didn't you see me playing a magic game? Magic games are one of my favorite things in the world, and the people who make them are respected masters in my heart. They've brought so much joy to this world through their hard work and ingenuity!
"But you belittled Dungeon Entertainment as a mediocre factory and belittled all the staff along with it. And you ask where you offended me? Is the problem with you or me?"
Giuseppe's face turned a deep purple. When he entered the shop, he was only looking at Yvette's face and arguing with Luca; how could he have noticed a magic slate?
"Miss Yvette, you misunderstand me. I... I simply look down on those who can't pass the Academy but linger around, like that Luca! My work is a thousand times better than his! Next time I hold a solo exhibition, would you deign to visit? Consider it my apology to you!"
Giuseppe Montari... that name seems familiar... Yvette searched her memory. Right, the Montari Gallery, a well-known art dealer in the capital.
If he hadn't mentioned that, it might have been fine, but now Yvette was even angrier! Her family was a military one, worlds apart from artists. But once people have money, they like to pursue spiritual enrichment. Many of the artworks in her home were bought from the Montari Gallery. Honestly, she felt those art dealers treated her grandfather like a wealthy sucker, always selling him things at several times the market price.
"An amateur like me, who knows nothing of art, would likely defile your noble exhibition. I'm only fit for playing magic games," Yvette said sharply.
"I never meant to belittle your favorite thing! I mean, something a beautiful and lovely lady like you likes must be the most interesting thing in the world!" Giuseppe forced a flattering smile. "How about this: to show my respect for magic games, I'll submit a resume to Dungeon Entertainment too!"
"You?" Yvette stopped and looked at the young man suspiciously. "Aren't you an Academy student? Are you going to drop out to work?"
"Don't they also hire interns?"
He said it, but Giuseppe didn't actually want to intern. A student of the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts working in such a place was a self-degradation! If it weren't to win Miss Yvette's heart, he wouldn't submit a resume even if he had to cut off his own hand. Luca would never be selected, but he—needless to say, the other party would surely send him an offer with joy, and the boss might even visit him in person. When that happened, wouldn't the difference between him and Luca be obvious at a glance?
"As long as it wins your favor, let alone a game artist position, I'd be willing to paint a portrait for a dragon!"
"...That's really not necessary."
A week later.
Lorne sat behind his desk, staring in silence at two express envelopes the postman had just delivered.
The recruitment notice had been out for a full week, but the resumes received were pitifully few, many of them pranks—like someone sending a stick figure and asking for a job. Not a single one came from a formally trained artist. Lorne was puzzled; he had written the exact same notice on the Blue Star, and Academy graduates had nearly broken down the company's doors to apply. Why, in the Otherworld, were there so few people willing to apply? Was the salary too low?
Even when Lorne lowered the requirements—ignoring degrees and looking only at work—he couldn't find a single usable talent.
While questioning his life, he opened the two envelopes delivered today and took out the resumes and portfolios. The first applicant had an extremely distinct style. Was this called Expressionism, Surrealism, or Fauvism? Anyway, it was the kind of style art critics loved, but ordinary people looked at and thought, "What the heck is this?"
And the work sent by the second applicant...
When Selena brought coffee, she found the Demon King slumped over the desk, silently weeping.
"Lord Lorne, what's wrong?" the succubus shrieked. "Who made you unhappy! Tell me their name, I'll make them regret being born!"
Lorne wiped the tears from his eyes and waved her off. "It's nothing, I'm just... so moved... after waiting so long, I've finally found a talent with potential..."
Selena curiously looked at the resumes and portfolios on the desk. What kind of art master could earn such praise from the Demon King?
"Giuseppe Montari..." she read the self-introduction. "Student at the Norelia Academy of Fine Arts, winner of the 'Ambrella Memorial Award,' work described as... oh, pretty impressive!"
Although Selena felt hiring humans was redundant (what could a human do that a monster couldn't? Except bathe in holy water), she couldn't defy Lorne, nor did she want him to think she was jealous of a new employee.
"Congratulations, Lord Lorne, on gaining another talent."
"What?" Lorne looked up with teary eyes. "Oh, I wasn't talking about him. This one doesn't meet the requirements."
Selena turned to the other resume. "Luca Maxwell... Mountain Kingdom, dropped out of primary school?!" The succubus blinked, wondering if her eyes were failing her.
"Do you think this Giuseppe guy is better?" Lorne asked.
"At least he's had professional training." Although Selena looked down on "Art Academies," someone trained had to be better than an amateur, right?
"Selena, what do you think is the most important quality for a qualified commercial artist?"
"Uh, creativity?" Selena guessed. "Personality? Avant-garde? Trends?"
Judging by Lorne's expression, she was wrong on all counts. "...Please enlighten me."
"The most important quality of a commercial artist," Lorne said earnestly, "is to meet the requirements of the 'Client'!"
Commercial art is called commercial art because it's meant to make money! If the Client tells you to make the logo bigger, don't make it smaller! If the Client tells you to use a 'colorful black,' don't use a 'radiant white'! Even if the design looks like a complete mess, as long as the Client is satisfied, it's a good piece of work!
The drawings sent by Luca were mainly sketches and watercolors, mostly portraits of religious subjects. Compared to Giuseppe, he was indeed very "un-artistic" and lacked "personality." But Lorne didn't want a timeless art master; he wanted someone who could cooperate with the team and draw pictures that met the requirements. Even if an artist's work is avant-garde and brilliant, if it doesn't meet the requirements and the client doesn't buy it, that person cannot be hired.
So, compared to the "fashionable and avant-garde" Giuseppe, this Luca—with his solid foundation but lack of "artistic flair"—might be better suited for the game artist position. Moreover, Luca was very good at religious themes: goddesses, angels, knights, and heroes. Didn't this coincide perfectly with the theme of The Legend of the Brave 2! With just a bit of style adjustment to make it more "anime-style," he could perfectly handle the concept art work!
Lorne blew his nose and immediately began writing a reply.
[Dear Applicant:
We have received your resume and portfolio. First, we wish to express our sincere praise and affirmation for your work...]
"...But we regret to inform you that your style does not quite align with our company's needs. We are returning your portfolio and wish you the best in your future endeavors..."
In the "City in the Clouds" café, Giuseppe read the letter from Dungeon Entertainment three or four times to make sure he hadn't misread it. With each reading, his face grew redder until his hands were shaking so much he couldn't even hold the paper.
"Impossible!" He crumpled the letter into a ball. "Just a mere commercial company, and they dare to look down on my work?!"
His classmates sitting around him stared at each other. Today they were gathered in the café as usual, and Giuseppe had pulled out the letter he received that morning for everyone to admire. Everyone thought the letter would be full of flowery praise and a sincere invitation to work. Giuseppe had even thought of his refusal, saying he "intended to continue exploring the path of art and had no plans for employment." But to his surprise, Dungeon Entertainment had returned all his work!
Giuseppe had never suffered such an insult! He had been raised with praise from parents, teachers, classmates, and critics. Who was this Dungeon Entertainment to look down on him?!
"Maybe their standards are just too high?" one classmate said timidly. "Probably only masters like Frederick could catch their eye?"
Giuseppe's anger calmed slightly. Though confident, he was still some distance from those long-established masters. "How could a master draw for them? They're aiming too high. No wonder they can't hire anyone."
He threw the reply into the trash and shouted, "Luca! Where's our coffee?"
A fresh-faced waiter came over with a tray. "Luca has resigned, gentlemen," he said politely.
"Oh, did he finally go home to chop wood?" Giuseppe leaned back comfortably. The eyesore was gone; there was finally some good news today.
"No." The waiter set down the coffee. "He changed jobs. He went to that magic game company to be some kind of game artist."
He bowed and turned to leave, not noticing the weird silence that fell over the table.
Giuseppe's face turned white, his fingers sinking deep into the sofa as if he were trying to gouge five holes in it. Others looked down at their noses and kept their mouths shut, fearing they would say the wrong thing. Giuseppe's father was a famous art dealer; if they wanted to make a name for themselves in the future, they had to stay on good terms with him. Who dared to offend the son of an industry mogul?
After a long time, Giuseppe squeezed a few words through his teeth: "There must be a mistake! Maybe the company got our letters mixed up!"
"Yes, that must be it!" the others hurriedly agreed.
"I'm going to go find out for sure!" Giuseppe threw on his coat and pointed at a classmate. "You, get me that letter!"
The classmate looked at the crumpled ball of paper in the trash, smiled bitterly, and nodded.
Sunset Boulevard.
The magic game experience store was packed as usual. Although he had heard of its popularity, Giuseppe was still stunned to see the long queues in person. Business is too good... are magic games really that interesting?
Looking around the shop, only the pretty boy behind the counter looked like staff. Giuseppe crudely pushed through the crowd to the front of the line and slammed the counter. "I want to see your boss!"
The boy said absently, "Please get in line."
"I'm not here to buy anything! I want to see your boss!"
As soon as he finished, Giuseppe suddenly flew. He swung his legs, realizing he couldn't reach the ground even on tiptoes. No, he hadn't flown; someone had grabbed him by the collar and lifted him into mid-air.
"Sir, if you keep being a nuisance, I'll have to kick your butt." A deep, powerful voice came from behind.
Is this guy a giant?!
Cold sweat instantly soaked Giuseppe's clothes. Seeing him cowed, the giant behind him let go. Giuseppe landed with a thud, his legs numbed by the impact. He bared his teeth and glared at the muscular giant, then moved to a corner of the shop under the jeering of the crowd, rubbing his aching legs.
At that moment, a silver-haired, red-eyed man walked down the stairs and waved to the boy. "Selena, come up for a moment..."
Giuseppe had seen that man in the newspaper. Wasn't he the owner of this shop, Lorne Dungeon?
"Mr. Dungeon!" He ignored the pain and limped over. "I am Giuseppe Montari. I submitted a resume to you..."
"Ah, Mr. Montari, I have a deep impression of you." Lorne tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked curiously at Giuseppe's leg. "Is your leg..."
Giuseppe interrupted: "Why didn't you hire me?!"
"I believe I made it clear in the reply: you are excellent, but your style does not fit my company's needs."
"My style is the most favored in the Norelia School today!"
"...That's quite impressive." Lorne said without much conviction. "But I'm afraid the public would find that style a bit difficult to accept. If you are willing to create works that better align with public aesthetic tastes, I'd be happy to offer you a position..."
"What do you take me for?" Giuseppe gnashed his teeth. "I am an artist! You want me to degrade myself to cater to those philistines..."
"But Mr. Montari, our company's games are for the public. If we don't cater to them, who do we cater to?" Lorne looked at him strangely. "In fact, the vast majority of people don't understand your 'art.' They can't distinguish between Surrealism and Expressionism; they don't know the difference between Abstract and Fauvism. If you asked them to critique a painting's technique, they wouldn't be able to say much. They just like beautiful women, handsome men, lovely scenery, and cute animals—and they are willing to pay for them. You choose to stick to your guns and avoid the mundane; that is your choice, and I respect it. But there are also many people in the world who draw what the public likes, and earn money to support their families because of it. Do you look down on them?"
The color drained from Giuseppe's face. His lips moved, wanting to curse Lorne Dungeon for his low taste and vulgar aesthetic, but no words came out.
"Fine... fine. Even if my style doesn't fit your requirements," he said, his face burning, "why did you hire Luca Maxwell? Do you know he didn't even pass the Academy exam? Someone like that will only bring shame to your company!"
"He's a failed art student?" Lorne was surprised.
"Failed twice!" Giuseppe added gleefully.
If he was rejected by Lorne Dungeon, Luca shouldn't have a good life either! A guy who was inferior to him in every way had suddenly surpassed him in some aspect. At the thought, Giuseppe's stomach twisted like a towel. He thought Lorne would surely fire Luca in disgust, but what he saw on Lorne's face wasn't anger at being deceived, but a look of heartfelt respect.
"Oh my gods, I actually hired a failed art student! If he thinks the pay is bad and runs off to join the army in a rage, wouldn't I be the eternal sinner who destroyed the world?" he muttered to himself. "I must give him a raise!"
Giuseppe: "???"
The Evolution of Character Design
Luca's journey from a rural village to becoming a lead artist for The LHero's Legend 2 mirrors the real-world evolution of concept art. While the Academy students focus on abstract "Fine Art," Luca's foundation in religious painting is the perfect springboard for game design.
The transition from a raw sketch to a final render involves several key stages that Luca will now master:
Drafting: Capturing the anatomy and pose.
Line Art: Defining the boundaries and details.
Flat Colors: Setting the color palette.
Rendering: Adding light, shadow, and texture to bring the "Goddess" or "Hero" to life on the magic slate.
Lorne recognizes that Luca's technical skill, combined with his humility and willingness to follow a "Client Father's" vision, makes him more valuable than a dozen "masters" like Giuseppe.