Author's Note: I'm just breaking out chapters left and right right now aren't I?

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Null goes to the painting guild. The guild is, by far, larger than any other guild building. It looks like other than the castle which houses their Lord, this is the biggest building in the city.

'Suddenly, I'm not so sure about the plan to meet that famous painter.' Null thinks.

Null goes inside. He sees various people chatting and painting. There are some people who grab a key from the receptionist and go towards the back.

'The painting guild in Holdendale is nowhere near this luxurious. Even the lobby looks like something you see in a high class hotel.' Null thinks.

Null waits in line until it's his turn to see the receptionist.

“How can I be of service today?” She asks.

“I'm here to meet Raphael Witte.”

The receptionist there stares blankly at Null.

Everyone stops what they're doing. They look at Null and then laugh.

“I also want to meet the president. Receptionist can you help me with that?”

“I want to meet the emperor of the Goldcrest Empire. Receptionist please help!”

“While we're at it, let's take a field trip and go meet Ptah! Receptionist its all up to you!”

They laugh and then go back to what they're doing.

'Maybe asking for him directly was a dumb idea.' Null laments.

“Okay. What do I have to do in order to meet with him?”

The receptionist tries to humor him. “He has no interest in meeting anyone. Maybe if you were to make a painting that would draw his attention, maybe that would help, but so far only 3 foreigners have managed to draw his attention. All of them at intermediate in painting.”

Null gets a dejected look. He thanks her and starts walking away. Just when he was about to walk out the door, 2 people come in.

“It's them! The legendary couple!”

“They really do look like a dazzling picture.”

“I feel so insignificant around them.”

“Who are they?” Someone asks.

“You don't know? Well, you're new to this city so that's understandable. The guy you see is named Script and has intermediate in calligraphy, while the beautiful girl in the red beret is named Rouge and has intermediate in painting. She's the one that painted the picture, Blossoming Spring!”

“Blossoming Spring!? She was the one who painted it!?” The person who had asked the question was surprised. “Before I go to hunt, I always look at that picture. The buffs that it gives are incredible! Wow.” He sighs in admiration.

Null thinks he sees what's coming. 'Oh don't tell me. Somehow, I'm going to draw their attention, causing them to be angry at me due to no fault of my own. They'll challenge me somehow, then it will cause me to get unwanted fame through some sort of forced stupid plot. Fuck that! I'll leave through the back before that sort of contrived plot makes it to me.'

Meanwhile, the couple who was the center of attention whispered among themselves.

“Don't you think it is kind of annoying how we're the center of attention everywhere we go?” Script says to Rouge. The person has a friendly smile on his face and blond hair. He's waving to people who wave at him. He's wearing standard armor along with a bow and a quiver full of arrows.

“Yeah. At first it was pretty awesome, but now the novelty of it has worn itself down. The worst part is that people always assume we're terrible people just because we're famous. I missed the good old days when I was obscure.” She sighs. The lady is beautiful. She has on a pair of leggings and some fur boots along with her beret. Her clothes are mostly red. She possesses a shield that looks like a giant painting palette, a sword on her waist, and a fairly large scroll on her back attached to a giant paintbrush.

“Well it was thanks to us being famous that we happened to meet each other.” Script says as he looks into her eyes.

This causes her to blush. “I guess you're right. Since you put it that way, I don't regret a thing.”

Script then sees at the side of his eye someone hurrying towards the back exit. He recognizes the clothes that he's wearing even though he can't see the person's face.

'The clothes that he's wearing. He looks familiar.' He thinks then surprise shows on his face. 'Oh yeah! He's the one who the guild master came down to see. I'm still curious as to what that was about.'

“Hey Rouge, you remember the person I told you about? The one that caused the Calligraphy Guild master to personally come down and see him?”

“Him? Oh yeah. That was odd. Either his calligraphy skills must be exceptional for him to cause that stern, proud guild master to do that, or it was an emergency involving that guild master. Why do you bring him up now?”

“I think that's him over there.”

She looks over at the person going through the door.

“I am a bit curious. I know you wanted to go to your studio to paint, but do you mind if we meet him?” Script asks Rouge.

“I'm curious too. Let's go.”

They head out the door and call out to Null.

“Excuse me. Do you have a minute?” Script asks Null.

They call out to Null from behind. Unfortunately for them, Null has a policy of never replying back or even looking back to a person that calls out from behind him. He thinks that more likely than not, the person isn't even talking to him.

They call out again, but still no answer.

“Why is he ignoring us?” Rouge says sadly. “Does he truly not know who we are?”

“Either he's hard of hearing, he's arrogant, or he just doesn't want to be bothered by us.”

“Should we just leave?” Rouge asks. “If we have to pull out our hair just to talk to him, maybe we should just go.”

“You can go back if you want to. His nature just makes me more curious.”

Rogue says that she doesn't want to go. They go in front of Null. Null sees them running in front of him and recognizes them as the two famous people. He had left the area in the first place in order to avoid them, and yet they still followed after them.

“Can I help you?” Null was obviously annoyed.

To the two of them, its been a while since they had been treated like this. Rouge holds back her irritation.

“Hello. Allow us to introduce ourselves. My name is Rouge, and the guy next to me is my boyfriend, Script.”

Null thought, 'Yeah. Everybody in that building wouldn't shut up about you two.'

Null just stood there, waiting for them to just go.­

Seeing how uncooperative Null was being, Rouge asks, “Aren't you going to tell us your name?”

“Null.” That was all he said.

“Sorry for bothering you, we just wanted to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.” Script says.

At first Null was annoyed, but then he had a sudden insight. 'Wait. This could work out favorably for me if I think about it.'

“I wouldn't mind asking your questions, but you'll have to do something for me.” Null says.

Script speaks up. Since Null is suspected of being a calligrapher, he should be the person to talk to Null naturally.

“Well, that depends on what it is. It will also depend on if we find your answers satisfactory.”

'I have nothing else for a lead. This is as good as it will get.' Thinks Null. “Very well. Ask away.”

“The Calligraphy Guild master personally came down to see you. Why?” Script asks.

“I asked him to help me find a way to level up my calligraphy. I've been stuck in a rut.”

'He came down just for that? This must mean...'

“What level is your calligraphy in?”

“I refuse to answer that particular question.”

'Judging from the way he has been acting, I can guess he is a person who doesn't want to be noticed. I've known a lot of people like that. If he really does have intermediate in calligraphy, he wouldn't want to publicize it.' Script figures.

“Why did you go into the painting guild?”

“To find a way to get out of the rut of my painting class.”

'No... Don't tell me...'

“One last question. What level is your painting in?”

“I also refuse to answer that particular question.”

'Don't tell me he has intermediate in 2 classes! No, that impossible. People who have 2 classes at intermediate can be counted on two hands. I've never even heard of a Null who is famous at painting. Maybe he's trying to hide his skills, but its more than likely he's just an unsociable person. Maybe he doesn't even have one skill at intermediate. He's probably rich or something. That's probably why the guild master personally came down to see him.' Script reasons to himself.

“Thank you for answering my questions. A deal's a deal, so what do you want?”

“I want to meet Raphael Witte.”

Both Rouge and Script get a look on their faces that says that the guy in front of them is an idiot.

“...May I ask what for?” Rouge couldn't help but ask.

“To get out of the rut I have in my painting class.”

“That's a bit excessive. That's like going to meet Stephen Hawking because you're having trouble with addition...” Rouge says.

“It has to be someone with a high skill in painting.”

“Well, I have intermediate in my painting class. My class is the hidden class, Rapid Painter. Maybe I can help you.” Rouge is also very curious about this person.

'Should I? I do not want it publicized that I have intermediate in any skills. Well, maybe if I'm careful, she won't catch on.' Null thinks. 'They're also of little threat to me. I know of the Rapid Painter class. The other guy just has calligraphy at intermediate. Since they're painters and calligraphers at intermediate, they've probably spent most of their time working on their skills, so they probably don't have high levels. Most likely, they can do nothing to me.' “Thank you. I'll take you up on your offer.”

All 3 head back inside the painting guild. They are on their way to Rouge's studio. Everyone sees the famous couple and see someone walking behind them.

“Wait. Isn't that the guy who said that he wanted to see our guild master?”

“Hahaha! That guy was a riot!”

“Why are the famous couple walking with him?”

They make it to Rouge's studio. There's another person who was there. Judging from the way she looks, she looks like the hipsters of old.

“Rouge, I knew you were coming. I felt like, the synergy of the universe call out to me.” She says, sitting Indian style while moving her arms around slowly in a meditative position.

“Null, allow me to introduce Aurora. She also has intermediate in painting.”

“Oh wow! Null! Null! I'm feeling like, an incomprehensible aura from you! Your aura is like, so strong that's it's like, interfering with me sensing everything else! I've never felt like this with anyone else! It's like, it's like all the paths in the future will be determined by you!” Aurora exclaims while moving her hands in circles around Null.

'Damn hippies. Take your bullshit and go OD on some drugs elsewhere.' Thinks Null annoyed.

“Rouge, how did you find such an amazing person?”

“We saw him in the calligraphy guild and painting guild. He came with us because he wants to find a way to raise his painting class. It's been stuck in a rut.”

“Raise his painting class? Hmmm...” Aurora says. “I doubt you could like, help him. Judging from the massive amount of aura coming off him, he should have at least like, 4 classes in intermediate. Maybe more.”

This causes Null to stiffen. However, Script and Rouge laugh.

“Oh Aurora, you said the same thing to the last 10 people that came in here.” Rouge says.

“Yeah. You said the same thing about me.” Says Script.

“But I'm like, soooo serious this time guys!”

“Okay, that's enough. Null, what do you need help with?” Rouge asks.

Null talks about everything he has done so far in painting, but doesn't mention how he has intermediate in painting, or the fact that he has Art Materialization.

“....I'm sorry Null. I don't think I can help you. In fact, I think you have actually helped me. I didn't know about many of those things.” Rouge says while looking at Null astonished.

'He helped Rouge with something she didn't know in painting!?' Script thinks surprised. 'He might actually have the painting class at intermediate!'

Null then saw a message that he gained a little experience in his librarian class.

“How about we paint and see if we can come up with some ideas? Have you painted a big picture before?” Rouge asks Null.

'I have, but it was for Art Materialization. She doesn't need to know that though.' “Yes I have.”

“When you reach a really high level in painting, sometimes only painting making big pictures will help. Painting in a studio would be best for that. Painting beautiful, big pictures anywhere else isn't really feasible, unlike sculpting. There aren't any empty rooms left in the small studios. The big studios are only for people who have gained intermediate in painting, so you can go ask the receptionist to lend you a room if you have it.”

Everyone stares at Null, wanting to see his reaction. It did not disappoint. It was slight, but it was there. Null cannot hide his emotions when he's under pressure. That's how it's always been with him.

“That's not necessary.”

“It's fine if you want to borrow this studio then. I usually go out to find inspiration mostly. People usually aren't in here.”

“Thank you.”

She hands Null a spare key, and they soon take their leave aside from Null. He takes out a huge sheet of paper that he made and lays it on the floor.

'They're doing far too much for me. They're definitely up to something. No matter. I'll use them and then leave.'

*************

The three who were with Null were walking and talking about him.

“I'm 99% sure that guy has intermediate in painting.” Rouge says.

“I like, told you guys but you didn't like, believe me!” Aurora exclaims.

“He also probably has intermediate in calligraphy as well.” Script says while sighing.

“What do we do? I wanted to paint, but letting him go away would definitely suck.” Says Rouge.

“Let's leave him for now. I want to see what he's capable of.” Says Script. “It isn't everyday that you meet another person who has intermediate, much less having two suspected intermediates.”

“I feel that that's only the tip of the iceberg.” Rouge says.

“Like duh! I was the one that told you guys!” Aurora yells out.

*****************

Null starts painting various pictures. He took Rouge's advice and started painting big pictures. He constantly had to go into the forest to make more paints. He sometimes went to the store and bought more paint when he wasn't in the mood to go all the way there and back.

'Making and buying the paint is what's taking the most time!' Null thinks frustrated.

When he was in the middle of nowhere right outside Holdendale, he had a garden where he could pick up plants to make paint at anytime. He can't do that here in this city. He made a small garden just outside Palperroth's gates, but making it too big would probably get him in trouble.

He paints many big pictures: Of people, of places, of different monsters that he's seen. However, none of them were giving him any experience points.

'What can I do? This is driving me crazy!' Thinks Null.

************

When Rouge, Script, and Aurora make it back to her studio three weeks later, they were beyond shocked. Every single picture there gave out an effect of some kind. There were even some pictures that had surpassed the effects of Rouge's picture, Blossoming Spring.

If it were known who had painted these pictures, they would undoubtedly be famous the world over. What shocked Rouge even more is that he was treating the pictures as if they were garbage. Some pictures were laid out on the floor as if they were dirty laundry. Some were hanging on the wall only being held by a single piece of sticky tape.

They see Null sitting cross legged on the floor, contemplating what to draw next.

“These pictures... They're- They're amazing!” Exclaims Rouge.

“Your paintings are like, totally putting me in the zone!” Says Aurora while moving her arms whimsically.

“What in the world...” Says Script shocked.

Null shakes his head. “It's still not good enough. I still haven't gained any experience.”

This shocks them even more.

'How high must his level be that even these pictures aren't good enough to gain experience!?' Thinks Rouge.

Currently she supposedly has the highest known level for painting in the entire city. Now, she's not so sure.

“Null, I might have an idea!” Yells Aurora.

Null looks at her skeptically. All Null has seen from her is being a good for nothing hippie. She starts getting up and dancing.

“You have to like, stir your emotional chakras. Feel the aura of the universe, for she loves you!”

She starts dancing even faster. She starts resembling a person who is losing their high and is about to crash. Needless to say, this badly frightens Null. He runs away from that building and keeps running until he's straight in the middle of the forest.

'That... Was terrifying.' Thinks Null.

'However, that is a good idea. There should've been a hint from the techniques I've gained and from what I've painted before. When I first started painting, I made a picture that resembled chicken shit. However, because it would bring people emotions of superiority, I got more experience from that picture than from other pictures that came later. I also gained the skill Art is Feeling. It was in front of my face the whole time! I need to paint something that will stir up someone's emotions... Hmm...'

“Dance with me!” Aurora says appearing out of nowhere running towards Null, her movements still showing that dance. “Dance the dance of life!”

Null has never ran away as fast as he did in that moment.

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Author's Note: What will Null paint? I doubt any of you care. How do I know this? Because even I don't care.