In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

He comforted Anno, saying, "Just bear with it."

Anno: ...

The painful time lasted all afternoon, and as the sun was about to set, the three finally arrived in Florence.

As the most famous and largest city in the vicinity, Florence has high city walls.

Anno remained unmoved, only suffering from a sore buttock, and leaned against the carriage door, utterly dejected.

After a simple registration at the city gate, the carriage drove into the city and soon arrived at Verrocchio's residence.

After saying goodbye to the coachman, Verrocchio found a candle in the cabinet by the door, lit it in a dish, and then opened the door: "Come in, Mr. Lawrence."

As Anno entered Verrocchio's house, the first thing that caught his eye was the long carpet and the various artworks on both sides.

There are paintings and sculptures, both bronze and stone.

Anno was so engrossed in admiring the artworks that Verrocchio had already reached the end of the corridor.

“Mr. Lawrence? Your room is this way.” He waved to Anno.

"Ah, here it comes."

After jogging a few steps, Verrocchio led Anno to a room.

"This is a guest room. The servants usually tidy it up. You can stay in this room for now."

Anno nodded.

Verrocchio went back to his room, where there were no lights.

Anno put the two sets of clothes that Fedino had given him aside, pulled the blanket over, and glanced at the starless night sky.

What awaits me tomorrow?

Filled with anticipation and questions, Anno fell into a deep sleep.

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Chapter 157 Senior Brother Botticelli

Anno got up very early.

His bedroom was on the second floor. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Verrocchio, who was also up but still in his pajamas.

"Good morning, Mr. Verrocchio." He was very polite.

"Good morning, Lawrence." Verrocchio was very tall.

“Breakfast will be brought to the dining room by servants; go and wait there,” Verrocchio said, pointing in a direction. “After breakfast, I’ll take you to your workplace.”

"I understand." When a person is quiet enough, some things will seem incredibly polite.

Breakfast was porridge. Verrocchio, dressed, led Anno downstairs.

As a great artist, Verrocchio was of high status and naturally had a lot of money. His residence was a three-story duplex. He lived on the third floor, where his music room and precious works were stored. The second floor had two separate guest rooms and a reception hall, as well as a dining room and Verrocchio's private office.

As for the first floor, half of it was the servants' quarters, and the other half was naturally Verrocchio's studio. At the same time, some students' works and Verrocchio's ordinary works were also displayed here.

The two went downstairs, and Verrocchio explained to Anno, "There weren't many people in the studio today. It seems that apart from you, me, and one student, everyone else went out to the countryside to find inspiration."

“I understand that creating magnificent works of art always requires more inspiration,” Anno smiled.

“Hmm, your understanding is quite good.” Verrocchio was satisfied. “They can only go out in the next couple of days. It’s winter now, and it’s raining a lot. It’s been raining for a week now. Those kids must be very eager to go out.”

Verrocchio's house was magnificent, luxuriously decorated, and carpeted every inch of it.

The door to the workshop had already been opened by a servant.

A man with dark brown hair sat in the studio with his back to them, scribbling on a piece of paper.

Hearing the noise, he stood up and turned around.

"Good morning, Mr. Verrocchio." The man was rather thin and short, with curly hair, and could barely be described as handsome.

"Good morning, Botticelli." He walked over to the easel of the man named Botticelli and quietly admired Botticelli's new work.

"You still love portraits, Botticelli." The image shows a lifelike and charming sketch of a woman.

Botticelli smiled but didn't say anything.

Verrocchio pulled Anor over.

Anno was a little reserved, fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

“From now on, this gentleman is a new member of our studio.” He patted Anno on the back.

“Hello, Lawrence Anno Falgao.” Anno extended a hand in a friendly greeting.

“Hello, Sandro Botticelli.” Botticelli was also very friendly, taking Anno’s hand and shaking it.

"Lawrence can work as a model in the studio. If you want to continue honing your skills, you can ask him directly."

“Is that so? I understand, Professor Verrocchio.” Botticelli looked the thin Anno up and down and nodded.

“I have another order to process. You can show Lawrence around the furniture and tools first; he’s never touched any of these things before.” Verrocchio pulled over an easel covered with a cloth, under which lay one of his unfinished works.

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Chapter 158 Have you studied painting?

Verrocchio instructed Botticelli to show Lawrence around the studio.

The studio wasn't very big, about fifty square meters, with a pale yellow carpet and wallpaper in shades of light red and yellow on the walls. Combined with the sunlight streaming in from the east-facing window, it felt warm and peaceful.

There is a long sofa in the corner of the studio, presumably for a place to rest. Next to the sofa is a flower stand with a potted plant, a kind of vine, hanging down from it.

Five or six easels were scattered haphazardly, and one cabinet was dedicated to displaying brushes, canvases, and paints.

This room is cluttered yet appears orderly.

It may also be because many artists come and go, filling the place with a rich artistic atmosphere.

Perhaps it's the smell of paint.

Botticelli had never mentored a newcomer before. He stroked his brown curly hair and thought for a moment: "Mr. Lawrence, how about... you try drawing a square first?"

The cubes are a real test of basic skills, which is a good opportunity for Botticelli to see the level of someone who has never studied painting.

“Yes.” Anno found a stool and sat down in front of the easel, taking the things Botticelli handed him. “Thank you, Mr. Botticelli.”

“You’re welcome, you can begin.” Botticelli was also young, and he patted Anno’s arm.

Anno stared at the blank paper, rubbing the pencil between her fingertips.

Cubes...

Anno didn't hesitate and immediately started writing.

Botticelli watched Anno's brushstrokes, preparing to teach him.

But he was surprised.

Anno's hands were very steady.

He was completely absorbed in organizing his painting methods.

If it's a cube...

Without any reference points, Anno just drew it by brute force.

Botticelli sensed that something was wrong.

Because the shape of a cube has already clearly appeared on the paper.

Then, Anno unconsciously began to add highlights and shadows.

Anno looked at the square pattern and smacked his lips.

"Mr. Botticelli, is this cube suitable?"

Botticelli was somewhat surprised: "This...is very good. You studied painting before?"

Anno rubbed his knees, nodded, then shook his head.

"Huh?" Botticelli was taken aback. What did that mean?

“No, no, I should say, I don’t know,” Anno explained. “I… don’t remember anything from before.”

Verrocchio, on the other side, was drawn in: "Lawrence, let me see your cube."

He strode over and glanced at Anno's simple work.

As mentioned before, one can tell a lot about a person's basic skills by observing how well they draw squares.

"So...you might have studied painting before?" Verrocchio felt he had grasped a key point.

Anno's blocky artwork could not be described as professional, but he was certain that Anno had studied how to draw before.

That would make things a little easier for the Fedinos.

After all, painting is now considered a high-end profession, and not everyone can afford to learn it.

(Which modern high school student hasn't drawn a square sketch or two...? Although I've forgotten this part, I still have a bit of the instinct.)

Verrocchio said, "Lawrence, try drawing a ball, add lighting, and let the light shine from the top left corner."

"Understood, Professor Verrocchio."

Anno began painting again.

Keep your elbow still, move your wrist.

Verrocchio and Botticelli watched intently from the side.

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Chapter 159 Choosing a Specialized Subject

Anno first sketched it out, then thought for two seconds.

Then, he drew a circle in one stroke, almost perfectly.

The two remained silent, simply watching.

Anno was focused and didn't care about the two people's reactions.

His hand speed is very fast, and his pen strokes are very smooth.