Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 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.