Chapter 1294: Chapter 1294

"Business matters are finished," Amabelle’s expression relaxed, "Now it’s time for personal affairs."

"Since we’re already here, why not settle a few more things at once... right?"

The male researcher teased, "I suppose what you want to ask is about the child."

"You guessed correctly, Allen."

Amabelle furrowed his brows and earnestly asked, "I heard your child got into the Yawen Church this year?"

Allen, the male researcher, replied in a calm tone, though his expression clearly showed pride: "An overall evaluation score of 82, likely to be promoted to bishop within three years."

"Your child is only eighteen this year, right?"

"Nineteen, her birthday was just last month."

"Well, congratulations."

Amabelle hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your child studied at Xihui, right? What’s the teaching quality at Xihui Fine Arts Academy like? Is the tuition expensive?

"My child is about to enroll next year. She’s only interested in music and art and also has synesthetic talents. I noticed her innate ’color’ element depth is over 30%, so becoming a painter doesn’t seem far-fetched."

"Xihui, huh... how should I put it..."

Allen thought for a moment and answered carefully, "Xihui Academy focuses more on the direction of diligence. Among all integrated art academies in the empire that offer basic and advanced classes, Xihui Academy, originally established by Master Nigel, is known for its strictest standards."

"Strict enough that the criticisms from its tutors might resemble those of Yawen—they’re all criticisms, nearly no encouragement."

"...While I believe this could potentially harm students’ confidence, it’s also a unique educational philosophy. As long as the instructors’ critiques are fair enough, it could help students build a robust aesthetic framework."

Amabelle’s brows furrowed deeper: "But in that case, wouldn’t some children suffer mentally?"

Allen spoke with conviction: "Because Xihui Academy, from the very beginning, wasn’t designed for children who still have a fallback. Apart from essential knowledge and techniques, the rest consists of numerous practice sheets, with intense daily painting exceeding eight hours... Of course, nutrition and rest are adequately provided, ensuring no harm to their health.

"And there’s no need to worry about the instructors’ expertise. For over a century, those teaching at Xihui Academy have been bishops and archbishops from the Paper Princess Church."

"Even though Master Nigel never became the Pope of Paper Princess, among the four students he personally mentored in his later years, two became Popes of Paper Princess, one an archbishop of Paper Princess, and one the Pope of Yawen. To this day, the Paper Princess Church still adheres to the principles laid down by him:

"’Rationality and science are the crown jewels of civilization, but the flame of art brings forth its most brilliant radiance. It is through art that people can perceive how monumental the traces of civilization have been since ancient times.’

"’And the flame of art, passed down through the ages... This radiance never dims. The fire of art can also warm others; we must not create cold art but instead cultivate fiery artists with our own blood, sweat, and tears.’

"Sounds pretty good."

Amabelle nodded repeatedly: "Though I don’t understand much about art... it seems rather promising."

"Because back in the day, Master Nigel wasn’t extraordinarily gifted, nor did he receive exceptional professional training. At the time, painting wasn’t even considered a legitimate profession, and he practiced while working part-time... Yet he eventually taught four generations of renowned painters.

"He not only taught painting techniques but also imparted lessons on how to be a person, how to think critically, how to elevate oneself. His four students, each became a founding master in their own right, with different personalities and abilities, yet each earning the respect to be addressed as a true master."

"I think the aspect of teaching character is equally important."

Allen paused, then added, "And... didn’t you just ask about their tuition fees?"

"Let me tell you, they’re free."

Amabelle was startled and quickly grasped the implication: "Wouldn’t that cause students to devalue this knowledge?"

"The situation is this—the tuition itself is expensive, but it doesn’t need to be paid upfront before enrollment. Moreover, when tutors teach these students painting, the assignments they give aren’t merely wasted paper.

"After critiquing the mistakes students make, they use Divine Arts of the Paper Princess to evaluate how much heart and effort the students put in, along with added points for their thought processes... and then purchase these paintings at a price that’s significantly higher than mere waste paper. This money more than covers the tuition, and might even give students extra funds."

"Although worth criticizing for technique, attitudes deserving encouragement—I think that’s the philosophy."

Amabelle praised, "If it were purely strict criticism, it might foster overly utilitarian views—that is, believing any less-than-perfect art is trash. If they don’t value their work, they naturally won’t value the work of others.

"This approach seems to encourage ’artistic survival of the fittest.’ That hardly exudes any ’warm light.’ But if paintings are purchased based on their sincerity, it can make these children understand that every work has value..."

"Exactly, that’s what I think too."

Allen nodded repeatedly: "Because ’the intentions of an artist must never be cast aside or underestimated—they’re crystallizations of dreams, blood from the heart, tears of the young.’ My child said this to me."

"I heard that long ago, this responsibility was undertaken by the Paper Princess herself."

"...The Paper Princess?"

Amabelle was stunned: "Why would a deity do such things? Where did the Paper Princess’ money come from? Was it reimbursed directly?"

"No," Allen immediately denied, "I asked the same question. Back then, I even wondered if this might foster laziness or disrupt the market... But to my surprise, the Paper Princess earned her money by painting portraits."

"She traveled the world on foot, creating portrait paintings for prominent figures to earn money, which was then used to support impoverished painters. At that time, painters struggled just to eat, especially those whose skills hadn’t yet reached a professional level but who held fervent passion for art. Many of them had potential, but before they could awaken their talent, the hammer of reality blocked their path."

"Starting with Master Nigel—he and his apprentices vowed not to let the Paper Princess carry this burden forever. They voluntarily took up this responsibility, ensuring that the bishops of the Paper Princess Church would handle this instead."

"Through formal education, they nurtured and trained these students while strictly supervising their practice, providing them with the best living conditions... teaching them self-reliance and independence. So the divine wouldn’t need to personally earn money just to support aspiring artists."

Allen remarked thoughtfully, "The most commendable part is that these paintings are preserved. The money given to students isn’t charity, nor is it a gift... but more like a loan, which also preserves their dignity."

"Later, when students make something of themselves, they can buy back their stored works at the academy. As far as I know, these students often pay hundreds or even thousands of times the original price for them—partly to reminisce about their past life, and partly out of gratitude to the academy."

"Some of them join the Yawen Church, but the majority end up in the Paper Princess Church. If it’s the latter, they’ll become the mentors for the next generation of students... passing the torch onward."

Silently listening to all of this.

Annan’s mind drifted back to when he encountered Nigel on the subway years ago, remembering the words Nigel said to him:

[I won’t die. My life is still precious. When I near the end of my days, I will sponsor impoverished, passionate painting students and impart my life’s teachings to them.]

[—To pass on the kindness the Paper Princess once showed me.]