Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 92: Lan Qi’s Talent Type
May 22, 2024 — Author: Poor Xixi
Lan Qi followed Talia into the room—her bedroom.
She switched on the floor lamp by the plush carpet near the bed. The soft white light reflected off the walls, instantly making the space feel brighter and more open.
From the doorway, Lan Qi spotted an oak cabinet stacked with sealed containers. Through the clear lids he could see cream puffs, cheese pastries, mango pancakes, and other desserts—likely her after-breakfast, after-lunch, after-dinner, and even after-midnight indulgences.
The moment his gaze lingered, he felt a sharp killing intent pierce into him.
“Don’t look around.”
Her voice was cold. Clearly, she hadn’t intended for him to see these uncharacteristic sweets, so unlike her usual demeanor.
Talia bent down and drew a small case from under the bed.
With a crisp click of metal hinges, she opened it, revealing a set of high-grade portable card-making tools. From the cabinet she also gathered several stacks of materials.
“Sit.”
She gestured toward the desk against the wall.
Lan Qi sat where instructed, while she settled across from him—on the edge of her bed, long legs crossed, expression composed.
“I’ll create a set of first-tier, basic half-finished magic cards of various schools. I’ll teach you a universal inscription principle. All you’ll need to do is complete a single, very simple step. I’ll finish the rest. From the deviation in completion, we can measure your affinity with each magic type.”
As she explained, her hands were already at work, swiftly arranging tools and materials with fluid precision.
“Uh… if I blow up the card, what happens?”
Lan Qi’s eyes darted about the room, already checking for fire extinguishers.
If he wrecked Talia’s bedroom… he didn’t even want to imagine the consequences. And downstairs was still open for business—he couldn’t risk collateral damage.
“Try it,” Talia said evenly.
Her gaze rose to meet his—cold and sharp as moonlight.
Lan Qi felt an icy chill crawl down his spine. This time, she meant it.
“…I won’t blow it up,” he said firmly, tightening his grip on the card-making tool.
No matter how harsh she looked right now, Lan Qi always adhered to the noble virtue of respecting his elders. To him, a lady of several hundred years was an elder deserving courtesy.
Talia ignored his nervous chatter and focused fully on her preparations.
Demons taught their apprentices this way: if they taught, they taught seriously.
Though she lacked much experience as a teacher, she knew exactly how to handle Lan Qi. From his very first attempts at card-making, she had been observing him—his strengths, his flaws, and how to shape him into a true cardmaker.
His greatest problem was simple—
Aside from his bizarre gift for blowing cards up, his approach to card-making was far too relaxed. Unnaturally so.
A calm mind was desirable, yes, something most cardmakers envied. But if he always remained too calm—too detached—his success rate would forever hover in the low range.
To Talia, a cardmaker’s state of mind was determined by two key factors: challenge target and skill level.
If the challenge was too great, anxiety or failure would crush the attempt.
If it was too low, boredom would dull interest, leading to sloppy results.
The ideal state of full immersion only arose when challenge and skill were in balance.
But Lan Qi? He always coasted, choosing an easy state where his skills outstripped the challenge. No pressure, no care—even if the card exploded.
So Talia would train him the demon way—push him to the brink of death, beyond even death itself, until pressure and ability finally balanced.
She completed her first demonstration card—a basic [Mental] half-finished card—and held it out for him.
“I’ve inscribed the core mental influence structure. What you need to do is add one auxiliary inscription. Think of it as an enhancement, or a mana filter—shaping it to add targeting or ally-enemy recognition.”
Her fingers traced the design with calm precision, showing him exactly how to finish the work.
“This card is for demonstration. Every one after this is entirely up to you.”
“…Got it.”
Lan Qi nodded solemnly.
Her current patience and gentleness were conditional—hinging on him following every instruction perfectly.
The moment he slipped up, he suspected he’d truly be done for.
And yet—
Through this, he was beginning to glimpse the true essence of demon-style teaching he had only brushed against at the Demon Academy:
Forcing potential out through life-and-death pressure.
Maybe someday, if he taught students at his own academy, he could apply the same principle.
His duties as “Principal Lan Qi” felt a little more complete.
From then on, silence fell.
Both of them focused completely on their work. No unnecessary talk. No wasted gestures. And whenever they passed a card between them, a quiet rhythm, a tacit understanding emerged.
Time blurred. When one immerses wholly in a task, the outside world fades.
Now and then, Talia glanced at him. His state had shifted. This was progress.
Yes. She would need to keep supervising him closely from now on.
…
Outside, the sky changed.
Bright morning gradually gave way to soft orange-red, clouds ignited like torches by the setting sun.
Blue deepened into violet, then sank into the indigo of night.
By the time darkness fully descended, they were still at work.
Inside her bedroom—
Amidst the quiet sound of breathing—
Lan Qi had collapsed face-first onto the desk, fast asleep, expression as unguarded as a child’s.
He hadn’t even noticed when he’d reached his limit. Whether from sheer focus or the crushing pressure she put on him, he’d endured until finishing the last card—and then succumbed to exhaustion.
Talia’s gaze shifted to the thick stack of cards on the desk—the test results.
Aside from [Mental], he showed promise in [Healing]. Among elemental schools, only [Light] was passable, but far from outstanding.
For minor schools—curses, poisons, and the like—his affinity was predictably poor.
Yet—
One card stood apart. Its runes shone with a pure, colorless brilliance, unlike any other.
This was proof of perfect affinity.
She had tested every possible school, and finally found the one that fit him best.
Talia lifted the card, eyes complicated.
“So this fool’s greatest affinity… is with [Sealing] magic?”
She looked at his sleeping face again. Natural, innocent.
It seemed his growth, once he passed the Cardmaker registration exam, would leap to a new stage altogether.
vChapter 93 – Talia’s Changed View of Lan Qi
Dusk deepened, the world outside the window was swallowed by night. Stars twinkled in Ikerite’s sky, a round moon hung high, spilling soft light, while streetlamps one by one lit up the capital’s night.
The glimmers reflected on the bedroom windowpane slowly faded, as if the whole world had sunk into dreams.
Seeing that Lan Qi had fallen asleep from mana exhaustion, Talia knew it was impossible to wake him up anytime soon. So she simply left him slumped by the desk and didn’t bother.
After finishing the duties she had promised Lan Qi, she finally pulled out the [Shadow World Recording Program].
She had long wanted to watch it the first chance she got—so much so that, compared to going out for dinner, this felt far more important.
More than the Shadow World content itself, what concerned her most was the silver-haired, amber-eyed half-demon girl who had joined the challenge with Lan Qi.
From the bottom drawer of her nightstand, Talia retrieved a magic projector she had modified herself. She slotted in the [Recording Program], turned the volume down so low it wouldn’t wake Lan Qi, and switched off the lights.
Instantly, the dim wall across from her bed lit up with projected images.
Darkness filled the room, except for the quiet glow of the projector.
Like someone watching a midnight film, Talia sat cross-legged on her bed, hugging her knees, silently watching.
Flickering shadows danced across her face, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, as Lan Qi and Huperion’s voices echoed in the room.
Gradually, she sank into the story, cut off from reality, staring at the girl’s figure on-screen as if recalling the closest kin among demons.
“Efatia… is she your daughter…?”
She whispered it so faintly it was almost inaudible.
Though their features weren’t exactly alike, the girl’s hair and eyes were far too similar.
When she had watched the later half of the Shadow World broadcast days ago, she had witnessed the cultists shouting that the duke’s daughter was half-demon. From that moment, suspicion took root—this girl might truly be her younger sister’s child.
If only she could see Huperion in person, she might be able to sense whether a blood tie existed between them.
But with the girl currently at the center of public scrutiny, Talia couldn’t easily approach her in such crowded places.
The more she watched, the more convinced she became.
She would probably need Lan Qi’s help—ask him to arrange a private meeting with the duke’s daughter.
But then, the recording showed Lan Qi in the Demon Exam grounds—merciless, brutal in his treatment of demons.
Talia’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
Though living with him for so long had made her gradually familiar with him, this moment brought her back to reality: the deep-seated hatred and rejection between humans and demons.
Humans and demons could never truly coexist in peace.
Lan Qi only dealt with her kindly now because he didn’t know she was a great demon.
The day he learned the truth, he would surely look at her with the same malice.
On-screen—
Lan Qi and Huperion had just left the exam, walking down the corridor with the other demon students.
At last, Huperion, hesitating for a long time, lowered her voice and asked:
“Lan Qi, what do you think of demons?”
Lan Qi froze a bit, then replied:
“They live forever. Hundreds of years old, but still look like little girls.”
“…!”
In the bedroom, Talia immediately glanced at the boy asleep at the desk.
Was he serious, or joking?
Either way, such a thought was enough to make her grit her teeth.
He was no different from other humans—prejudiced, treating demons as monsters.
But then, the dialogue continued—
“Then if you met a demon in the real world, would you do the same as just now?”
Huperion pressed, still nervous.
Lan Qi was silent for a while, then finally asked back:
“Do I look like some old man taking poison, looking to die early?”
Talia caught every nuance of his reaction.
Her dislike for him grew stronger.
Yet soon after, he said sincerely:
“Leaving aside whether it’s dangerous to provoke demons, who knows, there might even be good ones among them. Huperion, don’t discriminate against demons.”
Talia froze.
For a long while she just stared at the sleeping boy across the room.
No one could tell what flickered deep within those golden eyes—confusion, turmoil, hesitation.
A cool breeze slipped through the half-open window, brushing against Lan Qi’s body.
As though sensing her gaze, he shivered and slowly opened his eyes.
Instead of the cozy furniture, what drew his attention were the pair of golden eyes and the beautiful face staring at him from not far away—cold yet noble, but carrying a trace of vulnerability.
He rubbed his face, thinking perhaps something stuck to it in his sleep.
“Uh… Talia? Sorry, I dozed off. What time is it now?”
He asked cautiously, unsure if his nap had angered her.
“A little past midnight,” Talia said after glancing at the clock.
Relieved—she wasn’t mad. If she had been, she would have snapped at him, not answered plainly.
“Oh, you’re already watching the Shadow World recording?”
He noticed the only light source in the room.
“…”
Talia didn’t respond right away. She looked back at the projection, then finally asked,“That duke’s daughter who joined you in the challenge—what do you think of her?”
“She’s great,” Lan Qi replied instantly, knowing Talia was probing for news of her kind.
He had already planned to introduce Huperion to Talia once the company was established.
Talia, being far stronger, would surely see through Huperion’s half-demon nature at a glanced, though the reverse wouldn’t be possible.
But then Talia said calmly,“Don’t bully her. Demons have heavy killing intent. If you anger her, I might not have time to protect you.”
Her tone was neutral, as if merely fulfilling her duty of guarding Lan Qi. She revealed no hint of wanting to protect Huperion.
“What do you take me for! I’m not some school bully—I’m a model student!”
Lan Qi clutched his head in disbelief.
There was no way he’d bully someone as honest as Huperion.
Besides, her gentle nature was worlds apart from this sharp-tongued, hot-tempered “old hag” beside him!
“…Sorry.”
Talia believed him.
At the academy plaza, she had clearly sensed how the other students shunned the duke’s half-demon blood.
But throughout the Shadow World, Lan Qi had treated Huperion with genuine trust. Even after learning her identity, that sincerity had not wavered.
“Eh? Talia, what did you just say?”
Lan Qi blinked wide, cupping his ear as if doubting his hearing.
“Nothing.”
Her annoyance stirred again. His mind seemed far too lively.
“Don’t worry, Talia. I won’t tolerate discrimination against kind classmates in our academy!”
He grinned, flashing a peace sign.“My principle is to love all living beings equally!”
“…”
Talia stayed silent.
His “love” was terrifying—especially for those who crossed him.
But for those who were kind, even demons, he would treat them sincerely.
After decades wandering human lands, Talia had been certain no human like this existed—one who could genuinely, without prejudice, treat demons fairly.
Until she saw Lan Qi.
Her first.
Right before her eyes.
The room stayed quiet. Only the sound of curtains swaying in the night breeze filled the silence.
“…Are you hungry?”
Talia finally asked.
“Starving.”
Rubbing his stomach, Lan Qi realized his drowsiness was gone, replaced entirely by hunger.
“Let’s go eat. Tonight, it’s on me.”
Her voice was emotionless as she stepped down onto the soft carpet.
Humans rewarded students when they performed well—so, to better imitate them, she decided to reward him too. It would also keep him loyal.
“Eh? Talia, you’re treating me?”
He pointed at himself, incredulous.
“Ask again and you’ll get nothing.”
With a sidelong glanced, she strode out without looking back.