Chapter 12: Talia Never Thought She Would Take on an Apprentice
Chapter 12: Talia Never Thought She Would Take on an Apprentice
"I don't need money."
Lanci shrugged nonchalantly.
"..."
Talia fell silent once more.
In any transaction, the key was to satisfy the needs of both parties.
Just as Talia's physical strength was of little use in the human realm and she lacked money, Lanci had ample funds but was in dire need of protection. Thus, they could fulfill each other's needs and achieve a perfect exchange.
And so, this time...
As Talia sought something other than money from Lanci, it was only natural for Lanci to expect something of greater value from Talia in return.
"Next, I need to find a card-making teacher. It's not easy to research second-order magic cards on my own."
The brief conversation had driven away the drowsiness that had been clouding Lanci's mind.
He stood up absentmindedly, tidying up the messy card-making tools and papers filled with intricate notes on the table, muttering to himself.
The immersive card-making training he had undergone lately had led him to feel that his spiritual power seemed to be growing stronger. Perhaps, before long, he would be able to break through to the second order, a stage his previous self had closely approached.
Additionally, he planned to borrow a family heirloom from his home—the ancient artifact, the "Poem of Compassion," which was supposed to be taken by Talia in the original storyline—and use it to create his magic card.
However, Lanci had no confidence in successfully crafting a magic card from such a precious material on his first attempt. He needed a highly skilled mentor and collaborator.
And who better to turn to than Talia, the great demon card maker who was supposed to obtain the 'Poem of Compassion' and turn it into a magic card?
"Are you asking me to teach you how to make cards?"
Talia gazed at Lanci from the side, her eyes falling on his faintly visible emerald irises. Her words carried neither a promise of acceptance nor a hint of rejection.
Lanci's hint had been too blatant.
Clearly, he wanted Talia to teach him card-making knowledge in exchange for the first edition of the 'Basic Etiquette' card.
During the time Lanci and Talia had spent together, Lanci would often casually ask Talia about her knowledge of magic cards.
Sometimes Talia would answer him, and sometimes she would ignore him.
Talia didn't know how this human had initially guessed that she could make cards, but she didn't want to dwell on it or deny it.
Perhaps it was because of his unique insight, his skill in guessing, his accurate intuition, or simply because she shouldn't have stared at the card-making tools in a daze for too long—all were possibilities.
However, even after she had tacitly acknowledged her card-making skills, Lanci had no way of knowing her true prowess as a card maker.
"From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were an extraordinary individual. At the very least, in all my years in the border city, I've never encountered anyone with your kind of aura—it's almost as if you're beautiful, powerful, and immortal."
Lanci set down the papers in his hands and met Talia's gaze, looking directly into her golden eyes with a serious expression.
"I've always trusted my instincts. So, I thought I'd give it a shot. What if you're truly a master card maker, the likes of which I may only encounter once in my lifetime?"
He seemed to have made the decision to confide in Talia, wanting her to know that those first two transactions were not merely coincidental but also influenced by a sense of inevitability.
"..."
Talia listened quietly to Lanci's words.
She clearly discerned that this human was not being insincere or deceitful but was speaking from the heart.
And that reverent attitude, it was as if he would willingly seek power from her, even if she were a demon.
"Anyway, Tata, since you've chosen to stay by my side and protect me, wouldn't it be a great choice for both of us if you could teach me card-making while I share my best cards with you?"
Lanci added.
"..."
Originally, she would never have considered teaching a talented human and allowing them to grow unchecked.
But there was one exception—
Unless the harm this person could cause to humans far outweighed their talent.
And Lanci, clearly fell into this category of potentially harmful card makers.
So, if he was willing to pay an adequate price, she could consider teaching him.
However, Talia had never imagined that she would take on an apprentice, nor had she ever thought that a demon would become a human's teacher.
"I'll only teach you up to the second order. If that's acceptable, then we can make a deal."
Talia responded after a moment's thought.
While she possessed demon magic script card-making techniques, she wasn't very skilled in using human magic scripts.
However, the magical engineering principles behind magic cards were mostly universal, and practical skills were more important than theory. Teaching a beginner like Lanci wouldn't be a problem.
Hearing Talia's reply, Lanci nodded decisively:
"Okay, I have no problem with that."
However, just as a happy expression appeared on Lanci's face, it faded slightly as he continued with a worried tone,
"But I might have to go to the royal capital in a little over a month... Could you continue to teach me card-making and protect me during the journey and after we arrive in the royal capital? I'll pay you the agreed-upon reward."
"Why are you going to the royal capital?"
Talia frowned upon hearing this.
Over the years, she had mostly traveled along the border provinces of various human nations, heading south on the continent.
If possible, she didn't want to go to the royal capital, a human stronghold, for no reason.
"I'm going to take the entrance exam for the Academy of Ikelite, and I'm also worried that the assassin will follow me and try to kill me along the way... So I need even more protection."
After saying this, Lanci added as if he had just remembered something:
"By the way, since you're my secretly hired bodyguard, we'll need to give you a disguise that will make it harder for the assassin to recognize you. I'll present you as someone from our mansion, so you can better protect me."
Seeing that Talia didn't question any of this, Lanci showed an even more sincere smile.
He didn't seem like he was bluffing at all.
After all, every word he said was true.
Next.
Lanci proudly explained to Talia how he could use the chamber of commerce's connections to create a flawless new identity for her.
"..."
Talia, who had been leaning towards refusing Lanci's offer, was once again stunned by his words.
Once again.
Lanci naturally brought up a condition that was incredibly appealing to Talia, something she couldn't refuse.
Like... a demon's temptation.
The main reason she was in such a miserable state was that she lacked a legitimate identity in the human nations.
Her work, transactions, and travel were all restricted.
Even if it was just a temporary identity provided as an additional condition of the deal.
It would still offer her a freedom and convenience she had never dared to imagine before!
(End of Chapter)
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