43 - Alon's Homework
"Sketch?"
As mentioned, this Lord Game included a plethora of languages and items from Earth.
And the NPCs perceived these Earth items as naturally existing in their own world.
Alon pulled three pencils from the basic drawing set Arthur had laid out.
"They're called HB, 2B, and 4B pencils. HB is the lightest shade, 2B is medium, and 4B is the darkest."
Arthur listened intently, absorbing every word without missing a beat.
"Let me explain how to hold the pencil. For precise, detailed work, grip it close to the tip. For loose, free-flowing sketches, hold it about midway."
Alon's sketching lesson continued.
Arthur started sketching, referencing Alon's guidance.
"It's definitely easier when you've roughed out a sketch first."
"Right?"
Even as he replied, Alon was astonished.
'Teach one thing, and he grasps ten.'
His learning speed was insanely fast.
Alon didn't know it, but it was due to Arthur's dexterity stat, which was overwhelmingly high compared to his level.
Alon's basic lesson went on, and finally, with his help, Arthur tried Memory of Art.
The drawing was of the moment Arthur placed his hand on the ice trapping Aris in the dungeon.
"Memory of Art."
Memory of Art is evaluating the score.
Your efforts to create a better work contribute to the artwork's grade.
Art Score: 62%!
A mediocre work has been created.
Please name the mediocre work.
Mysterious Woman.
The woman with buff abilities trapped in ice.
Arthur was pleased that his efforts had contributed to the artwork's grade.
Of course, he'd only learned for a single day to draw better, but achieving this was still gratifying.
Mediocre work. Mysterious Woman has been registered in the sketchbook and can be viewed anytime.
Those who view the mediocre work Mysterious Woman gain +1 to all stats for 3 hours.
All stats +1.
For soldiers, that meant the basic four stats.
A buff ability that money couldn't buy.
Arthur was surprised.
He hadn't expected the skills to level up this quickly just from practice.
Checking Creation Painting, he could now draw something the size of a bird or a puppy.
Arthur felt inwardly satisfied.
But he kept his composure and chatted with Alon.
Arthur discussed his Memory of Art, consulting on how to produce higher-grade works.
"I think it's when you truly draw your own picture."
"My own picture?"
"When you draw with genuine joy, when you're immersed in the accomplishment of having created it, when you feel you've improved—there are many factors. But with daily practice, better works will come eventually."
Alon's words rang true.
His own picture...
Yes, Arthur might not be at the stage of drawing his true picture yet.
He was just taking his first toddling steps.
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Arthur gave him a faint smile.
Leaving the castle, Alon glanced back.
'Incredible focus...'
Alon was amazed.
Fast learner? No, it was something else.
Arthur seemed unaware, but his concentration was astonishingly sharp.
'Teaching him is actually fun...'
Alon headed home late at night, looking forward to each day.
A hologram floated before Lord Brock.
There sat Kyle, leader of the Valkyrie Federation and one of the five challenging lords.
-Is there no lord worth recommending among you all?
Kyle's mood was foul. The other lords, excluding Brock, squirmed uncomfortably.
Bam!
Kyle slammed his fist on the table.
'No wonder he's pissed.'
It was a dire situation.
About four months ago, the Valkyrie Federation and other grand alliances had been on the brink of collision, tensions ready to erupt.
That was around when it happened.
Golden light scattered across the War Plaza of every lord on the continent.
Like the Tower of Records, the War Plaza could be built at level 1.
In simple terms, it was a structure prepared for 'events.'
To summarize the announcement in the War Plaza:
Conflicts between grand alliances were inevitable.
Thus, an event for lords was prepared.
It would start in three months.
Each grand alliance could send only two participants.
For smaller alliances, the system would select 'impossible' or 'possible,' totaling 1,000 lords.
Moreover, all participants' territories must have a total level below 10.
The key point: 'without losing the alliance's main forces.'
Notifying three months in advance was the operator's subtle hint.
Select candidates below territory total level 10, integrate them into the alliance, intensively nurture them for massive growth, and compete using them.
But the Valkyrie Federation had a problem.
'Kasha died.'
Participants would soon warp from the War Plaza.
Yet one of the Valkyrie Federation's two prepared lords was dead.
The lords nurtured intensively for three months hadn't raised building levels.
But their personal prowess far exceeded what territory total level below 10 suggested.
Every grand alliance's elite-of-elites, two per alliance, pairing up.
But Valkyrie was down one.
Scrambling for a replacement was futile—no one could match three months of focused care in that time.
'Ah, why am I thinking of our little charmer now.'
Lord Brock gave a wry smile.
Arthur de Press. That boy came to mind.
'Madman. He's probably not even level 1 yet.'
He was surely still diligently building structures.
Yet the thought lingered.
It had been ten days since Arthur started lessons with Alon.
Arthur's drawing skills had improved by leaps and bounds, leaving Alon inwardly amazed each time.
In reality, Arthur lived a steady life of change, and his territory ran smoothly over those ten days.
"How is it?"
"Not bad."
Arthur smiled faintly at Alon's words. He'd drawn a sky filled with clouds.
When he first used the drawing set, his tree looked like it could be grass. Now, he drew quite well.
No, more than well.
'At this rate, it's like a year of training.'
Arthur was too fast.
Alon, unaware of the dexterity stat's influence, could only marvel.
In ten days, Creation Painting rose another level to 3, and Accelerated Drawing gained one too.
Accelerated Drawing now let him draw six times faster.
Tremendous speed.
As Creation Painting leveled, the creatable numbers within 100% expanded dramatically, restrictions loosening.
For example, initially, illusory birds were 5%, entities 25%.
Now, illusory birds: about 500.
Entity birds: easily 100.
And he could draw beings larger than dogs.
"Today, I have homework for you, my lord."
Alon smiled softly.
After ten days together, mutual fondness had grown significantly.
The word 'homework' sparked unexpected excitement in Arthur.
He was one who enjoyed learning.
"How about going outside the territory today and freely drawing whatever inspires you?"
"You mean draw whatever?"
Alon nodded with a gentle smile.
"Below 60 points, keep drawing until you exceed it. Humph!"
Alon chuckled playfully.
(Alon's Homework)
📍 Grade: B
📍 Gold Reward: 2,000
📍 Rewards: Dexterity +2, Charisma +1
📍 Failure Condition: Repeat until 60 points.
📍 Description: Your drawing teacher Alon has given his first homework. Satisfy him.
Arthur's Specialized Lord Nurturing Device quest differed from regular ones.
Regular quests gave 'gold'; device quests gave 'cash.'
This was a regular quest born between Arthur and Alon.
Arthur headed out of the castle with Alon.
"See you tomorrow."
Parting ways, Arthur wandered the territory.
Residents bowed their heads whenever they saw him.
'How can I draw faster, better...'
Arthur pondered.
Better works, superior ones!
That would accelerate his growth as Creator Lord and aid tactics.
Spotting soldiers marching in formation, he decided to draw them.
He sat in a suitable spot and began.
'What you draw affects skill proficiency variably.'
Mindset and subject influence proficiency gain.
After drawing the marching soldiers, Arthur checked proficiency.
'Hmm... Why so low?'
Arthur frowned, standing.
He stowed the parchment in his inventory and roamed, drawing everywhere.
After five drawings, Arthur furrowed his brow.
'Even I don't like them while drawing. Why...'
Why? Proficiency rose slightly, skills improved.
But Arthur wasn't enjoying it.
Why?
That question arose just then.