Mage Manual
Chapter 328 - Chapter 328 Chapter 278 Art Rankings

Chapter 328: Chapter 278: Art Rankings Chapter 328: Chapter 278: Art Rankings Gospel Time, May 10 at 23:59:59!

The first future ranking was announced!

The six people in the living room turned to the bookmarked page, only to see the pages rapidly transforming into images and text–no, into a video player!

“Video?”

“The last time it was still in the form of images,” the young housekeeper said. “However, the release method of each Weaving Festival changes with the era, and the predominant media recently has indeed been video.”

During his talk, the scenes within the Gospel Book quickly changed, showing young men, elves, beastmen, and goblins. Some were handsome, some were old-fashioned, some were fierce and robust, some were elegantly indifferent, but without exception, they were all painting.

As a stroke of heavy ink flashed by, the title of the first list was grandly announced–

“Art Rankings.”

“I’m not included,” Harvey yawned.

“If only I were there,” Banjee laughed. “I quite enjoy painting… perhaps Miss, you are included.”

“My painting skills are not even as good as yours, Banjee,” Hanna laughed.

Igula thought for a moment. “Although I quite enjoy painting, I have no interest in pursuing it…”

The Swindler looked towards Ash, Ash cleared his throat ready to say something, but Igula’s gaze skipped him and looked toward the white-haired little girl. “Liss, do you like painting?”

“Umm–” Liss checked her Magic Mirror before answering, “Very much!”

Ash: “Why don’t you ask me?”

Igula said, “Look, the tenth-ranked painting is about to be announced.”

“Don’t avoid my question!”

The scene in the book began to change, an elaborately dressed male elf was buried in his work, apparently in a basement, his clothes somewhat dirty. On the light screen in front of him, a comic was rapidly taking shape with each stroke of his pen.

“Art Ranking 10th place: ‘From the Old Age'”

“Synopsis: A comic depicting the transition from the old Gospel era to the new Wasteland era. The creator blends his personal experiences into it, portraying individuals, society, destiny, and diaspora under historical changes.”

“Creator: Bluebai Dongbei.”

“The Dongbei family!” Hanna immediately said. “This is a member of the Elf Dongbei family!”

Rather than the creator’s identity, everyone was captivated by the description of the painting–Old Gospel era? New Wasteland era? What did this mean?

And why, as a member of an elf family, was Bluebai living in a dirty basement, wearing tattered clothes, creating in such harsh conditions?

Even the poorest commoner could afford mechanical spiders, not living a life that resembled a sewer!

Compared to the painting and the creator himself, the historical backdrop of the creation was even more intriguing.

“Bluebai Dongbei receives the reward ‘Pen of Dialogue’.”

“Pen of Dialogue: Any character created with this pen can converse with the creator, and only the creator can hear their inner voice. Treat fictional characters well, or they will curse you!”

“‘From the Old Age’ receives the reward ‘You Must Watch’.”

“You Must Watch: The moment this work is completed, every household will receive a copy of this work, and simultaneously, the creator will receive the equivalent in royalties. The royalty funds will be extracted from those listed on the Slaughter List.”

There’s such a rule!?

Everyone couldn’t help but comment internally.

The Pen of Dialogue, although seemingly magical and definitely a useful tool for a cartoonist, held little appeal to this group who had never planned to contribute to cultural endeavors.

Ash could think of no use for the Pen of Dialogue–draw a paper figure and then fall in love with it?

And if one wanted to chat with a virtual character, there were many simpler alternatives: asking Igula for hypnosis, seeking Harvey for sweets, or even asking Ash for games–there were plenty of virtual characters in online games.

But the reward that followed was truly bizarre.

Not only did the work receive awards, but being published instantly nationwide and each household having to own a copy was one thing, but the royalties being extracted from the top ten on the Slaughter List?

Should the Evangelist people, who suddenly receive a set of deluxe comic books, thank ‘number one on the Slaughter List’?

“No,” Hanna suddenly said, “Although it makes sense to target the Slaughter List, usually such cash rewards are deducted from the treasury, there has never been a precedent to demand money from the Slaughter List unless…”

“Unless there is no treasury anymore,” Igula finished Hanna’s thought she held in her throat. “It’s even possible that the Evangelism might not exist anymore.”

The three foreign workers naturally didn’t take it to heart–it wasn’t just the destruction of the Evangelism; even if it were the Kingdom of Blood Moon being destroyed, they would just say, ‘What a good deal.’

Banjee and Hanna’s expressions turned quite unpleasant; after all, this was the land they were born and raised in, unlike the orphans of the Blood Moon. They still had feelings for this country.

However, no one noticed that Liss, tucked in a corner, had the corners of her mouth slightly raised.

At this moment, the video in the Gospel Book continued to play. The scene showed the elf painter, Bluebai, suddenly picking up a frame from the table. Inside the frame was a small goblin mage painting under an obelisk, then the scene transitioned from the basement to the Obelisk Square.

The goblin mage painted very rapidly and intensely–each of his strokes was extremely forceful, just watching his painting process felt like watching a life burning fiercely.

As the goblin mage made his final stroke, the tip of the obelisk emitted a shining light, and a visible energy shield quickly unfolded, enveloping the entire city. At the city’s edge, one could faintly see the surging waves of darkness…

However, after completing the work, the goblin mage’s body turned into ash and dispersed–this was actually a ritual miracle that used life as the price!

“Art Ranking 9th place: ‘Guardian Monument'”

“Synopsis: A mage inscribes his wisdom, soul, and magic power onto the obelisk through painting, thereby leveraging the power of the Void Realm to protect the city from calamity.”

“Creator: Mantouso Cheno.”

“That obelisk is a landmark of Hemera…” Hanna murmured, “Hemera is a plain city, also known as the ‘Land of Divine Favor’, the second largest city group in the Evangelism, which has never encountered any disasters for thousands of years…”

Now, there was no need for further discussion–if once could be a coincidence, twice could only indicate that in the future depicted by the Gospel Book, this country would face an earth-shattering disaster.

Art, merely a shadow on the side of this grim history.