Green Warbler Inn lobby corner.

Celestius sat across from Lilyrose, discreetly sliding over a small money pouch.

"As agreed, the proceeds from the painting sale. Six for you, four for me. There's 1 crown 8 krays inside, check for yourself."

Lilyrose lightly weighed the pouch, immediately recognizing Celestius wasn't lying. She was somewhat surprised, "This one painting sold for 3 crowns?"

In barely a morning's time, she had basically done nothing, just laid in bed striking some random poses. Yet she could earn close to 2 gold crowns, equivalent to a small town family's income for several months.

There were things like this in the world, unbelievable.

This Rosen was truly a money tree, she had better keep a close eye on him.

Celestius was also quite happy, the wrinkles on his forehead relaxing, the ever-present gloom in his eyes dissipating somewhat.

"I sold the painting at an antique shop nearby, the owner Horace told me this painting could sell for 3 crowns in town. But that doesn't mean it can only sell for that much. If we could take it to the big cities, at least 20 crowns. "

"Later, once his fame is established, and we get lucky finding wealthy patrons willing to support him, selling for over 100 crowns per painting would also be possible."

Lilyrose felt her heart thump violently. She immediately realized these profits were too substantial, with just her alone it would be difficult to hold onto it.

Once Rosen's abilities leaked out and reached Duke Moray's ears, the greedy duke would definitely seize it for himself.

Seemingly seeing through Lilyrose's thoughts, Celestius' mouth curled up slightly.

"I told Horace I was the one who painted it, in order to earn money to further my sorcery studies."

"So painting isn't my profession. We agreed, I can only paint 15 pieces a month, 5 crowns each. And he readily accepted."

"You painted it?"

Lilyrose's brows furrowed, instinctively feeling Celestius had taken unfair advantage somehow, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly how at the moment.

Celestius lightly rapped his fingers on the table, his smile growing thicker.

"I know you feel I've taken a huge advantage, but we both understand the absolute necessity of keeping Rosen's existence secret."

"Only I, a formally graduated sorcerer from the Golden Dawn Academy, can directly confront the outside world's greed, right?"

He wasn't wrong.

Although Lilyrose and the Nightingales behind her had leverage over Celestius, even backing from Duke Moray, they were ultimately a bunch of prostitutes selling their bodies for money.

The social status of prostitutes was extremely low. Usually it was fine, but when real trouble came, the duke would unhesitatingly sacrifice their interests.

But Celestius was different.

The Golden Empire treated sorcerers well. Every formally graduated sorcerer from an academy held a lofty social status.

Celestius had fallen low because of his own character flaws, offending major figures in his youth.

But actually he came from a noble family. Although unable to inherit the family business as a second son, even Duke Moray would have to address him as Mr. Celestius.

Therefore, having him be the public face as the painter was really best.

But Lilyrose still felt somewhat unwilling. Because this meant it would be very difficult for her to kick this detestable sorcerer out of the cooperation.

Celestius said gently, "Miss Lilyrose, excessive greed invites disaster. My goals are simple, I just want to earn more money to learn more sorcery. I won't interfere with anything you want to do."

Lilyrose sighed softly, agreeing with Celestius's approach. But she was a proud woman, unwilling to just give up the initiative like this.

She smiled faintly, "Mr. Sorcerer, then it's time you made good on your promise. As you know, Rosen is still eager to learn more sorcery."

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Celestius laughed, "Of course, of course. I will naturally continue providing some candy, to keep the boy's enthusiasm for sorcery burning."

Saying so, he got up and walked towards the stairwell. "I'll go teach him a magic trick right now."

Lilyrose immediately followed, "I'll be watching you closely."

"As you wish."

Soon the two arrived at the room.

Just as they entered, Rosen hurried up enthusiastically, "Teacher, you've returned."

His attitude was as respectfully well-behaved as always, leaving no openings for criticism.

Celestius nodded satisfactorily and went to sit in a chair off to the side. "Rosen, I've been very busy recently, time is precious, let's get right to it."

"Yes, Teacher."

"Earlier in the Twilight Forest, I saw you were very interested in Mage Hand. Today I will teach you Mage Hand."

Rosen was overjoyed, face full of 'excitement', "Thank you so much Teacher, I will certainly do my utmost to learn it."

Celestius nodded approvingly. "Alright, you take a seat as well and listen closely to what I say."

Rosen 'excitedly' trembling, carefully sat down in a chair nearby, but didn't dare sit fully, only half his butt, looking ready to stand up at any moment.

This obsequious appearance made Lilyrose secretly roll her eyes.

"The unfairness of the world, how can such an ignorant fool have such outstanding painting talent?"

But Celestius was very satisfied, because this meant he held a lofty position in the young apprentice's heart.

His expression grew increasingly benevolent.

Raising his hand, he pointed to his own forehead, gently saying, "In the art of sorcery, the most important ability is imagination. You could say, the limits of imagination are the boundaries of sorcery."

Rosen had already deeply experienced this point during his contemplations, but of course he wouldn't show it. His face held a 'blankly confused' expression.

Celestius paid him no mind, continuing to speak, "Mage Hand, as the name implies, is a hand formed from condensed mana, an invisible hand that exists solely in the imagination."

"Oh~"

Rosen made a 'seemingly comprehending' sound, lowering his head to stare blankly at his own hands.

Celestius lightly patted Rosen's hand back, his face revealing a grandfatherly kind smile.

"Grasping Mage Hand is actually very simple."

"You just have to stare at something nearby, like this teapot for instance. Imagine reaching out your hand, grasping the handle, and lifting it up. That will cast Mage Hand."

As he spoke, the teapot on the table floated up. It tipped over the cup, pouring a cup of tea, then the cup floated to Celestius's mouth, feeding him the tea.

Rosen's eyes were wide open, his whole face full of 'incredulity'.

Then staring at the teapot on the table, he made faces struggling hard for half a day, but the teapot didn't move at all.

A few minutes later, he despondently gave up, "Teacher, I did as you said but nothing happened."

'Hahaha~'

Celestius laughed heartily, lightly patting Rosen's head.

"Don't rush, take it slowly. The reason the teapot didn't move wasn't because the method was wrong, but because your mana pool is too weak."

"Then how can I strengthen my mana?" Rosen 'knowingly asked'.

Celestius pointed to his own head again, smiling, "Have you forgotten the tranquil meditation I taught you? Meditate half an hour every day, one month at most, and you'll be able to move the teapot."

Rosen's heart stirred, 'Half an hour every day?'

He immediately said, "Then if I meditate two hours every day, will I grasp it faster?"

Celestius's expression immediately became stern, "Remember, no more than half an hour a day if you don't want to go insane!"

"I'll remember that, Teacher!"

Rosen knew that although Celestius didn't teach much today, it was real stuff.

"My child, learning sorcery is a long process. You must have adequate patience. Today's lesson ends here. Once you've grasped Mage Hand, I'll teach you more knowledge."

Saying so, he left the room.

After Celestius exited, Lilyrose came over, gently consoling, "Rosen, your teacher is right, don't rush, take it slowly. One day, you will become a powerful sorcerer."

"Mm, thank you Miss Lilyrose, I'll remember your words."

But deep down, Rosen was silently reflecting, "The attitudes of this man and woman towards me have gotten much better, looks like my paintings sold for a high price."

He reciprocated, getting up and walking to the corner to take out his painting tools, "Miss Lilyrose, as I've said, I won't let painting affect my schedule. Come, shall we do another painting?"

Lilyrose naturally had no objections, but she profoundly understood male psychology.

Men were novelty-seeking creatures. Even towards beautiful women, they would quickly lose interest in an unchanging situation.

Therefore, women had to constantly come up with new tricks to keep attracting men's attention.

This happened to be Lilyrose's original profession.

"Give me a moment."

She turned and walked into the dressing room.

Over a minute later, she emerged wearing only a thin veil of translucent gauze. Yet her posture was erect, expression aloof, gaze cold and stern, exuding an air of dignity and untouchability.

The clothing was that of a harlot, but the bearing was of a noble lady. This contradictory combination manifesting in one person produced a strange aesthetical appeal.

Rosen silently applauded, "This woman really knows how to play!"

He immediately chose a good angle and started painting.

...

The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye, the oil painting completed as scheduled. Lilyrose satisfyingly took the painting and left, leaving only Rosen alone in the room.

After eating a sumptuous dinner, Rosen as usual curled up next to the fireplace. But unlike before, he didn't meditate or study Mage Hand.

He looked towards the large mirror across the room, then turned to look at the hidden peephole in the wall behind him. He repeatedly adjusted his position.

Over ten minutes later, he found a suitable spot.

From this position, the light from Celestius's room next door shone directly into his eyes through the mirror.

The light was very faint, couldn't see anything clearly. But no matter.

Rosen entered [Rosen's Adventure Log], adjusted the angle, zoomed in.

Gradually, he could see the desk inside the next room. The view was very clear, could even see the woodgrain on the desk surface.

If Celestius sat at the desk looking over sorcery notes, he should be able to sneak glimpses of the book contents without the other detecting.

Rosen was very satisfied with this effect. 'In ancient times there was Kung Hsiang chiseling a hole in the wall to borrow light. Today there is me Rosen borrowing a crevice to secretly learn from Teacher, hehe~~'

But currently Celestius wasn't in the room, so Rosen didn't need to peep. He focused his mind, earnestly studying Mage Hand.