e's gaze shifted from the painting, his eyes gently falling upon Professor Mogut of the fine arts department. A subtle smile played on his lips, his eyes gleaming with the brilliance of starlight on a...Chapter 12: Talya hadn't expected to take on a student.

I'm not short of money.

Ranch shrugged and said nonchalantly.

"……"

Talya fell silent again.

Trade, as always, is about meeting the needs of both parties.

Just as Taliya, despite her military might in the human realm, lacked funds; while Ranchi, with his abundance of wealth, desperately needed protection. They could perfectly satisfy each other's needs, making for a mutually beneficial deal.

Then this time.

When Talia wanted something from Lance besides money, Lance naturally hoped to get something more valuable from Talia in return.

"Next, I need to find a card-making teacher. It's too difficult to research second-tier magic cards on my own."

A brief conversation, and all the drowsiness that was about to overwhelm Lance's mind vanished.

He absentmindedly rose to his feet, tidying up the scattered card-making tools on the table and the pages filled with densely packed writing. He muttered to himself as he worked.

This period of immersive card-making training has made him feel like his mental strength is growing stronger. Perhaps in just a short time, he'll be able to break through to the second rank, which his previous self was already very close to.

And then he also wanted to borrow the family heirloom, the ancient artifact [Book of Lamentations], which Talia would have taken from the original plot, for a while and make it into his own magic card.

But Lance had no confidence that he could successfully make a magic card using this treasure material on his own. He needed a skilled mentor and collaborator.

Then, the best choice to obtain 【Psalms of Compassion】 and turn it into a magical card would undoubtedly be Talia, the great demon cardmaster who specializes in crafting cards.

"Are you wanting me to teach you how to make cards"

Tallia gazed at Ranch's faintly visible emerald eyes from the side. Her words held neither "can" nor "cannot."

Ranch's implication just now was too direct.

He obviously wanted Talia to teach him card making in exchange for a first edition [Basic Etiquette] card.

Over these days spent together, Lanche would intentionally or unintentionally ask Talia about her knowledge of magic cards.

Sometimes Talya would casually tell him things, and other times she would ignore him.

Talia didn't know how this human had figured out she was a card maker in the first place, but she wasn't going to dwell on it or deny it.

Perhaps it was because of his unique insight, perhaps because he was good at guessing, perhaps because his intuition was sharp, or perhaps because he shouldn't have been staring too long at the magical card making tools and lost track of time.

However, even though she eventually accepted that she knew how to make cards, Ranchi could never truly know her real skill level as a card maker.

From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were something special. At least, in all my years in the border city-state, I've never met anyone with your aura. You even give me a sense of beauty, power, and immortality.

Lance set aside the pages in his hand and met Talia's gaze, intently focusing on her golden eyes.

I've always trusted my intuition. So, I'll just try it out. What if you are truly a card master that I only have the chance to encounter once in my lifetime

He looked as if he had made the decision to confess to Talia, to let her know that in the first two transactions, there was a certain inevitability about them besides chance.

"... "

" Please note: The "..." represents the content within the original quotation marks. I have preserved the HTML tags as instructed. Let me know if you'd like me to translate any specific text within those quotation marks.

Talya listened silently to Lance's words.

She could clearly tell that this human wasn't being insincere, but was genuinely speaking from the heart.

And this attitude of reverence, like even if she were a demon, he was willing to wholeheartedly pursue the power from her.

"Anyway, Tata, since you've already chosen to stay by my side and protect me, wouldn't it be a great choice for both of us if you could also teach me how to make cards, and I would share the finished cards with you"

Lanche added.

"...."

She would never, under any circumstances, instruct a gifted human and let them grow wild.

But there is an exception to that —

Unless this creature poses a greater danger to humanity than its potential benefits.

And Lan Qi, very obviously, belongs to this type of card maker with extremely harmful potential.

Then, if he is willing to pay the full price, it could certainly be considered teaching him.

But Talia had never expected to take on a student, let alone a demon teaching humans.

"I'm only responsible for teaching you up to the second level. If you accept, I'll make a deal with you."

After a moment's thought, Talia replied.

Although she mastered the technique of crafting cards with demon magic script, she wasn't very good at crafting cards with human magic script.

But the magical principles behind magic cards are more commonly shared, and compared to theory, practical skills are more important. She can teach Lance, a beginner, with no problem.

Hearing Talia's reply, Lance nodded decisively.

"Okay, I'm all good here."

Saying this, a trace of joy that had just appeared on Lance's face vanished again, replaced by worry.

"However, in a little over a month I might have to go to the capital... Would it be possible for you to teach me how to make cards on the way and after we reach the capital, while also continuing to protect me I'll pay you the original agreed-upon reward."

What are you going to the capital for

Talya frowned upon hearing this.

For years, she has almost always traveled south across the provinces bordering human nations.

If possible, she didn't want to go to the capital city of a large human nation for no reason.

"I'm going to take the entrance exam for Ektori Academy, and I'm worried that the assassin will follow me all the way there and attack me on the way... so I need protection even more."

After saying that, Ranch seemed to remember something and quickly added:

"By the way, since you're my privately hired secret bodyguard, I need to prepare a cover identity for your travels. That way, assassins won't be suspicious. I'll make it look like you belong to our household so you can protect me better."

Tallia didn't question the words, and Lance offered an even more genuine smile.

There is no sense of being arrogant or trying to mislead at all.

After all, every word he says is the truth.

Next.

Lancy proudly explained to Talia how to utilize the Chamber of Commerce's connections, crafting a seamless new identity for her.

..."

She, who was already leaning towards rejecting Lance, suddenly froze at his words.

Once again.

Ranch naturally put forward a condition that was incredibly agreeable to her, one she couldn't refuse.

Just like... the devil's temptation.

She's in such a state because she doesn't have legal citizenship in any human country.

Work, transactions, and travel have all been subjected to numerous restrictions.

Even if it were only provided as a temporary status as an add-on to a transaction.

It was also freedom and convenience she had never even dared to imagine before!

(The End)

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Let me know if you'd like me to translate anything else!blowing cards without much consequence.So Talia was going to begin training Lance in the ways of the demons—not doing well would mean death, even beyond death. This would push Lance's cardmaking stat...