"I don't lack money," Lanqi shrugged, speaking with an indifferent air.

"..."

Hearing this, Talia fell silent again.

Transactions always focused on meeting the needs of both parties.

Just as Talia had martial prowess that was difficult to utilize in human countries and lacked money, while Lanqi had more than enough money but urgently needed protection. They could satisfy each other's needs and achieve a perfect transaction.

So this time.

When Talia wanted to obtain something other than money from Lanqi, Lanqi naturally also hoped to get something of more value to him from Talia in return.

"I need to find a card-making teacher next, it's not going to work relying on just my own research for second-level magic cards."

The brief conversation had dispelled the drowsiness that was about to surge in Lanqi's mind.

He stood up absent-mindedly, clearing away the scattered card-making tools and pages filled with dense writing on the table, muttering to himself.

This period of immersive card-making training made him feel that his mental strength seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Perhaps before long, he would be able to break through to the second level that his original self had been very close to.

Also, next he wanted to borrow for a while the family's treasured ancient relic [Compassion Psalm] from home, which would have been taken by Talia in the original plot, to make into his own magic card.

But Lanqi had no confidence in successfully making a magic card with this secret treasure material in one go. He needed a highly skilled mentor and collaborator.

Then the demon master card maker Talia, who would have originally obtained the [Compassion Psalm] and made it into a magic card, was undoubtedly the best choice.

"Do you want me to teach you card making?"

Talia gazed at Lanqi's faintly visible emerald eyes from the side. Her words carried neither a "can" nor a "cannot" meaning.

Lanqi's earlier hint had been too direct.

Obviously, he hoped that Talia could teach him card-making knowledge as payment for obtaining an initial version of [Basic Etiquette].

During the days Lanqi and Talia spent together, Lanqi would intentionally or unintentionally ask Talia about magic card knowledge.

Sometimes Talia would casually tell him, and sometimes she would ignore him.

Talia didn't know how this human had figured out that she could make cards from the beginning, but she didn't want to delve into it or deny it.

Perhaps it was because of his unique eyesight, perhaps because he was good at guessing, perhaps his intuition was accurate, or perhaps because she shouldn't have stared at the card-making tools for too long, lost in thought. All were possible.

However, even though she later tacitly acknowledged that she knew how to make cards, Lanqi ultimately had no way of knowing her true level as a card maker.

"From the first moment I saw you, I was certain that you were an extremely capable person. At least, in all these years in the border city-state, I've never seen anyone with your aura. It even gave me a feeling of beauty, strength, and immortality."

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Lanqi put down the papers in his hand for a moment, meeting Talia's gaze and earnestly looking into her golden eyes,

"I've always trusted my intuition. So I'm just trying, what if you really are a card-making master that I'll only have the chance to meet once in my lifetime?"

He looked as if he had made the decision to confess to Talia, wanting her to know that with those first two transactions, compared to chance, there was also an element of inevitability.

"..."

Talia silently listened to Lanqi's words.

She clearly judged that this human was not being hypocritical, but was sincerely speaking his true feelings.

Moreover, this reverent attitude was as if even if she were a demon, he would willingly seek power from her.

"Anyway, Tata, since you've already chosen to stay by my side to protect me, don't you think it would be an excellent choice for both of us if you could teach me card making at the same time, and I share the cards I make with you?"

Lanqi added another sentence.

"..."

Originally, no matter what, she would never have taught a talented human, allowing them to grow wildly.

But there was one exception—

Unless this guy was more harmful than talented to humans.

And Lanqi clearly belonged to this type of card maker with great potential for harm.

So if he was still willing to pay a sufficient price, it was indeed worth considering teaching him.

It's just that Talia had never imagined she would take on a student, let alone a demon becoming a teacher for a human.

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

Talia responded after thinking for a moment.

Although she mastered the card-making techniques of demonic magic script and wasn't very familiar with making cards using human magic script.

But the magical engineering principles of magic cards were more universal, and compared to theory, practical skills were more important. She had no problem teaching Lanqi, a beginner.

Hearing Talia's response, Lanqi nodded decisively:

"Alright, that's completely fine with me."

At this point, the joy that had just risen on Lanqi's face disappeared somewhat, turning into concern,

"But I might have to go to the capital in a little over a month... Could I trouble you to continue protecting me while teaching me card making on the way and after arriving at the capital? I'll pay you the originally agreed compensation."

"What are you going to the capital for?"

Talia frowned upon hearing this.

For years, she had almost always traveled along the border provinces of various human countries towards the southern part of the continent.

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

"I'm going to take the entrance exam for the Icerite Academy, and I'm also very worried that assassins might follow me all the way and attack me on the road... so I need protection even more."

After saying this, Lanqi hurriedly added, as if remembering something:

"Oh right, since you're my secretly hired guard, for long-distance travel, we should also prepare an identity for you that's convenient for disguise. This way, it won't easily alert the assassins. I'll package you as someone from our household, allowing you to protect me better."

Seeing that Talia didn't express any doubts about these words, Lanqi revealed an even more sincere smile.

There was no sense of him being a big bluffer at all.

After all, every word he said was true.

Next.

Lanqi proudly explained to Talia how to use the trading company's connections to create a flawless new identity for her.

"..."

She, who had originally been inclined to refuse Lanqi, was suddenly stunned by his words again.

Once more.

Lanqi naturally proposed a condition that was perfectly suited to her wishes and impossible for her to refuse.

Just like... a demon's temptation.

The main reason for her current plight was that she didn't have a legal identity in human countries.

Work, transactions, and travel were all subject to numerous restrictions.

Even if it was just a temporary identity provided as an additional condition of the transaction.

It would still be a freedom and convenience she had never dared to imagine before!