Art Support Association

To maintain her image, Lux eventually had to use her allowance to establish an "Art Support Association" for these unrecognized artists.

The main purpose of the "Art Support Association" was to support artists who were talented but unappreciated. To hide her identity as a mage, Lux went to great lengths. Under Karya's guidance, she diligently played the part of an enlightened noble who loved and supported art.

She was even more fervent about art than genuine art-loving nobles.

It was only natural for an enlightened noble who loved art to spend money on it.

When Ogesha heard about the association Lux had formed, she not only didn't object but also proactively funded it. In her eyes, establishing this association was a stroke of genius!

Ogesha might not understand art very well, but she understood politics perfectly.

In her view, through this association, Lux could win over many unrecognized artists. Trusting her daughter's abilities and judgment, she believed that many truly great artists would emerge from within the association.

Unlike art brokers who merely sought to ride the coattails of noble patronage, great artists with genuine talent held significant influence in Demacia. Lux, as their patron, could naturally share in this influence.

Hmm, my daughter indeed. She inherited my political acumen. She's far superior to her stubborn father.

And so, during dinner that day, Ogesha praised Lux and formally offered to contribute some funds for the association's operation.

She then proceeded to use her own experiences from organizing ladies' tea parties as examples, meticulously teaching Lux how to run an association.

Lux, however, was completely bewildered.

Why do I have to learn this?

Wait, I just wanted to build an image as an art enthusiast. I didn't intend to expand my influence through art!

But seeing her mother beaming with pride, Lux couldn't bring herself to deny anything. In the end, she could only nod awkwardly and declare that she had "learned it, learned it."

After dinner, using the excuse of needing to "digest this knowledge," Lux went alone to the garden.

"Karya, what's going on?" Lux asked, her hand resting on her sword hilt, standing by the pond. "Mother... the association... what is all this?"

"She believes you are adept at handling such matters and sees the association you've established as a place to expand the Crown Guard family's influence and engage in noble social circles," Karya replied matter-of-factly. "Isn't it obvious? She's happy for you to manage this, as she always has been."

"That's not what I'm asking," Lux huffed. "Don't play dumb with me, my dear teacher. Everything at the banquet was your doing!"

"Ah, that was to maintain your image as an art lover to the fullest!" Karya said innocently. "I was merely trying my best to deal with those art enthusiasts..."

"Don't try to confuse me!" Lux raised her voice. "You couldn't possibly not know the influence this association would bring! You knew what this meant from the very beginning!"

"Ah, how touching!" Unfortunately, Karya maintained his overly dramatic demeanor. "My dear student, my image in your heart is finally growing! It seems you believe I should have foresight into all political machinations--"

"It's not that I think so, it's a fact," Lux interrupted Karya's operatic performance and sighed helplessly. "Why are you doing this, dragging me completely into the vortex?"

"Vortex? This is clearly the pinnacle," Karya said lightly. "The pinnacle of Demacian power!"

"But I don't want this!" Lux made a move as if to draw her sword. "You know very well I never wanted to stay in the Imperial Capital of Demacia, playing boring political games with those masked nobles within the framework of etiquette!"

"Then what do you like?" Karya retorted. "Tell me, Lux, if you don't like politics, then what do you like?"

"I want to adventure, I like stories, I like to travel, I like to see a wider world!" Lux looked up at the brilliant Starry Sky. "I like everything new!"

"Yes, everything new. That is the desire of youth," Karya's tone finally held a hint of emotion. "But unfortunately, besides your inner desires, you also need to fulfill your responsibilities to your family, your country, and Runeterra."

"I don't refuse that responsibility," Lux said, sitting down by the pond. "I want to be a good daughter of the Crown Guard family, to make my parents happy, and to supervise my simple-minded brother. I want to be a good warrior of Demacia; if my country needs me, I can put on armor..."

"However, a good daughter of the Crown Guard family must become a political creature," Karya interrupted Lux's reverie mercilessly. "And Demacia's good warrior is not yet your role. If you truly consider your country, the most important thing you should do is promote the normalization of magic."

"..."

Karya's words silenced Lux.

This was her current dilemma.

Karya was completely right.

Lux's own dreams seemed incompatible with the expectations and needs of her family and country.

Lux longed to be a free and happy traveler.

But the Crown Guard family needed a capable and mature new matriarch; Demacia also needed a savior to solve the Rune Stone problem.

"Are life choices always this difficult?" Lux finally spoke after a long silence. "Or is it only when we are young with innocent wishes?"

"I wish I could comfort you by saying it gets better when you grow up," Karya replied softly. "Unfortunately, the truth is... it's always like this."

"That's terrible," Lux stood up. "But strangely, hearing that answer, I feel a sense of relief."

"You should indeed feel relieved," Karya chuckled. "Because that means, even in the future, you won't become the political creature you now despise."

"Well said, Teacher Karya," Lux raised her head again. "Now, tell me your next plan. I believe you must have a long, complete plan for me, a plan where I'll be happy to accept every step."

"Don't make me sound like a villain, Lux," Karya said, sounding quite aggrieved. "But, I do have a plan..."

Half a month later, the "Art Support Association," funded by the Crown Guard family, was officially launched.

Many struggling and unrecognized artists rejoiced, and the temporarily established office was bustling with activity.

Lux, as the financier, did not appear. She delegated most of the operational work to specially selected professionals and remained in her carving studio, using a chisel to carve Magic Circuits onto smooth, stable Nullstone.

She continued carving for a year.

A year later, when the "Art Support Association" successfully organized its first art exhibition, a special sculpture in the exhibition captured the attention of almost all visitors.

It was a miniature city. Judging by the iconic city walls and the tall Dawn Citadel, this miniature city was none other than the Imperial Capital of Demacia.

The sculptor's skill was exquisite and meticulous, miniaturizing a vast city onto a statue less than three feet wide and long. Yet, many details still caught the eye—whether it was the commoners cooling off on their rooftops or the children chasing merchants in the streets and alleys, all were lifelike and vivid.

Objectively speaking, the statue didn't contain much artistic contemplation or expression. However, its unique authenticity allowed even those without any art theory knowledge to feel the artist's love for the city.

Of course, what drew everyone's attention wasn't solely the quality of the sculpture itself. More importantly, on the display plaque, in the author's section, it clearly read Luxanna Crown Guard & Sona Buweier!

These two peerless beauties had, without anyone realizing it, once again stirred up a major event among the nobility of Demacia!

Suddenly, Lux and Sona, who had already faded from the center of attention, became hot topics among the nobility once more.

Furthermore, considering they would soon be twelve years old, many families began harboring some rather... interesting intentions.

Most other noble young ladies were, for the most part, mere tools for political marriage.

But these two... they were different!

They were talents in their own right!

Although Demacian law did not permit anything to be done to twelve-year-old girls, that didn't stop some of their peers from trying to "befriend" them, right?

Thus, Lux found herself bewildered as more and more lively, chuunibyou youths began appearing around her.

These fourteen or fifteen-year-old boys, whether polite or full of energy, all seemed eager to build a good relationship with her.

If it were a normal twelve-year-old girl, even if she didn't develop any adolescent romantic notions, she would at least be proud of her charm. But unfortunately, as a clear-headed and calm mage, Lux mostly felt like she was looking at a group of monkeys when she saw her peers.

Well, that might be impolite to these youngsters, but there was no helping it. Influenced by her teacher, Lux, despite appearing as radiant as sunshine, was far from naive.

In the beginning, it was just Karya who complained about these youngsters.

Later, Lux joined in the complaints.

Lux's attitude towards those who merely felt admiration or rivalry was alright. But towards