To maintain her persona, Luxanna ultimately had no choice but to use her pocket money to establish an "Art Support Association" for these struggling artists.
The purpose of the "Art Support Association" was to support artists who were talented but unappreciated. To conceal her identity as a mage, Luxanna truly gave her all. Under Klein's guidance, she diligently portrayed herself as an enlightened noble who loved and supported art.
And she was even more fervent than nobles who genuinely loved art.
An enlightened noble who loved art spending some money for art… was naturally to be expected.
Upon receiving news of the association Luxanna had formed, Augatha not only didn't object but actively provided a sum of money. In her view, establishing this association was nothing short of a stroke of genius!
Augatha might not understand art very well, but she understood politics.
In her opinion, through this association, Luxanna could win over many struggling artists. And out of trust in her daughter's ability and judgment, she believed that within this association, many truly great artists would emerge.
Unlike art brokers who merely sought to exploit noble connections, great artists with genuine talent had a huge influence on Demacia, and as their patron, Luxanna could naturally share in this influence.
Hmm, she truly is my daughter; she has inherited her mother's political wisdom. She's far more astute than her stubborn father.
Just like that, during dinner that evening, Augatha praised Luxanna and formally offered to provide some funding for the association's operations.
She then began to meticulously instruct Luxanna on how to run an association, using her experiences when forming her own ladies' tea parties as examples.
Luxanna, however, was completely bewildered.
Why do I need to learn this stuff?
Wait, I just wanted to create a persona as an art enthusiast. I didn't intend to expand my influence through art!
But looking at her mother, who was beaming with pride and satisfaction, Luxanna couldn't bring herself to deny any of it. In the end, she could only nod awkwardly and say that she "understood, understood."
After dinner, using the excuse that she needed to "digest this knowledge," Luxanna went alone to the garden.
"Klein, what is going on?" Luxanna pressed her hand to her sword hilt, standing by the pond. "Mother… the association… what exactly is going on?"
"She believes you are very good at handling these matters, and she views the association you formed as a place to expand the Crownguard Family's influence and engage in noble social circles," Klein replied matter-of-factly. "Isn't that obvious? She's always been happy for you to manage these things."
"That's not what I'm asking," Luxanna snorted. "Don't play dumb with me, my dear teacher. Everything at the banquet was directed by you!"
"Ah, that was to maintain your art enthusiast image to the greatest extent possible!" Klein said innocently. "I merely managed to handle those people full of artistic fervor…"
"Don't try to confuse things with me!" Luxanna raised her voice. "You wouldn't know the impact this association will have? You knew what this meant from the very beginning!"
"Ah, how touching!" Unfortunately, Klein still maintained an overly exaggerated demeanor. "My dear student, the image of your teacher in your mind is finally growing. It seems you believe I should see through all political tricks—"
"It's not what I believe, it's a fact," Luxanna interrupted Klein's operatic performance, then sighed helplessly. "Why would you do this? Why pull me completely into the vortex?"
"Vortex? This is clearly the pinnacle," Klein said lightly. "The pinnacle of Demacia's power!"
"But I don't want this!" Luxanna made a gesture as if to unfasten her sword. "You know very well that I never wanted to stay in Demacia Capital and play boring political games with those masked nobles, bound by the framework of etiquette!"
"Then what do you like?" Klein retorted. "Tell me, Luxanna, if you don't like politics, then what do you like?"
"I want adventure, I like stories, I like traveling, I like seeing a wider world!" Luxanna looked up at the brilliant starry sky. "I like everything new!"
"Yes, everything new, that is the desire of youth," Klein's tone finally held a hint of emotion. "But unfortunately, besides your inner desires, you also need to shoulder your responsibilities to your family, your country, and Runeterra."
"I do not refuse this responsibility," Luxanna sat directly by the pond. "I hope to be a good daughter of the Crownguard Family, able to make my parents happy, and able to supervise my simple-minded brother; I hope to be a good warrior of Demacia. If my country needs me, I can put on my armor…"
"However, a good daughter of the Crownguard Family must become a political creature," Klein ruthlessly interrupted Luxanna's reverie. "And being a good warrior of Demacia is not your role at the moment. If you truly consider your country, then what you should do most is to promote the normalization of magic."
…
Klein's words made Luxanna fall silent.
This was also the source of her current dilemma.
Klein was absolutely right.
Luxanna's own dreams, and her family's and country's expectations and needs for her, seemed incompatible.
Luxanna longed to be a free and happy traveler.
But the Crownguard Family needed a capable and mature new mistress; Demacia also needed a savior to solve the Rune Stones problem.
"Are life's choices always so difficult?" After a long silence, Luxanna finally spoke again. "Or is it only when you're young and have naive wishes?"
"I would love to comfort you and say it gets better when you grow up," Klein responded softly. "Unfortunately, the truth is… it's always like this."
"That's terrible," Luxanna stood up. "However, hearing that answer, I don't know why, but I actually feel relieved."
"You should certainly feel relieved," Klein chuckled. "Because that means, even in the future, you won't become one of those political creatures you despise now."
"Well said, Teacher Klein," Luxanna raised her head again. "Now, tell me your next plan. I trust you've prepared a long, complete plan for me, one where I'll be happy to accept every step."
"Don't make me sound like a big villain, Luxanna," Klein said, sounding very wronged. "However, I do have a plan…"
…
Half a month later, the "Art Support Association," funded by the Crownguard Family, officially launched.
Many artists living in hardship and struggling with unfulfilled ambitions spread the word, and for a time, the temporarily set-up office was bustling with people.
However, Luxanna, as the patron, did not appear. She entrusted most of the operational work to specially selected professionals, while she herself remained in her sculpting studio, carving magic circuits onto smooth and stable Petricite with a chisel.
She carved for a year.
A year later, when the "Art Support Association" successfully organized its first art exhibition, a special sculpture in the exhibition attracted the attention of almost all visitors.
It was a miniature city. From the iconic city walls and the tall Dawn Fortress, it was clear that this miniature city was Demacia Capital.
The sculptor's skill was exquisite and precise, miniaturizing the vast city into a sculpture less than three feet in length and width, yet many details still impressed viewers—whether it was people cooling off on rooftops in the commoner district, or children chasing street vendors in the alleys, all were incredibly lifelike and vivid.
Objectively speaking, this sculpture didn't have much artistic thought or expression, but its unique realism allowed even those who knew nothing of art theory to feel the artist's love for the city.
Of course, what attracted everyone's attention was not just the quality of the sculpture itself—more importantly, on the sculpture's display plaque, under the artist's column, it clearly stated: Luxanna Crownguard & Sona Buvelle!
These two peerless beauties, without anyone realizing, had once again stirred up a major event for the nobles of Demacia!
For a time, Luxanna and Sona, who had originally faded from the center of attention, once again became a hot topic among the nobles.
Moreover, considering they were almost twelve years old, many families had already begun to entertain some rather 'criminal' ideas.
Most noble young ladies from other families were merely tools for marriage alliances.
But these two… they were different!
They were talents themselves!
Although Demacia's laws did not allow anything to be done to twelve-year-old girls, that didn't prevent some peers from "making friends" with them, did it?
Thus, Luxanna was startled to discover that, at some point, more and more lively, chuunibyou-like teenagers had begun appearing around her.
These fourteen or fifteen-year-old boys were either polite or full of energy, all appearing eager to build a good relationship with her.
If it were a normal twelve-year-old girl, even if she didn't develop some youthful romantic notions, she would at least be proud of her charm—but unfortunately, as a clear-headed and calm mage, when Luxanna looked at these peers, most of the time she felt like she was watching a group of monkeys.
Hmm, saying that might be impolite to these young people, but there's no helping it. Influenced by her teacher, Luxanna, though appearing as radiant as the sun, was completely devoid of naivety.
At first, it was just Klein complaining about these young people.
Later, Luxanna joined in the complaining.
Luxanna's attitude towards those who were merely admiring or defiant was still good—but for those with perverted intentions, or who were simply performing, Luxanna could see through their true nature almost instantly!
Performing?
Heh heh, Luxanna didn't believe there was anyone in this world better at performing than herself—for the past three years, she had always conversed with Klein on one hand, while flawlessly handling all social interactions on the other. You scrubs, how dare you compete with me in acting?