The morning light streamed through the gss skylight, casting a gentle glow on the wooden beams and bookshelves. The subtle scent of wood mingled with the aroma from the diffuser Talia had pced on the dresser, filling the room with a vanil and rum fragrance that was elegant yet not overpowering.

  "Ugh..."

  Lanqi didn't seem to anticipate that Talia's attitude towards him was worsening.

  But he didn't mind, because he had brought something that he was sure Talia would like.

  "I'm here to pay the tuition."

  Lanqi's lips curved into his signature smile, innocent yet with a hint of mischief.

  He handed a Magic Card to Talia.

  **[Shadow World Recording Program]**

  - **Type:** Spell Card

  - **Grade:** Purple Rare

  - **Level:** 1

  - **Passive Effect:** Records the challenger's information in the Shadow World, which can be turned on or off at any time.

  - **Note:** Issued by the South Continent Shadow World Management Association, registered challenger: Lanqi Wilford.

  Talia gnced at it coldly, seemingly uninterested in the card.

  "What do I need it for?"

  The words slipped out of her mouth, but her heart beat slightly faster.

  Originally, Talia hadn't figured out how to subtly hint at Lanqi to ask for this item.

  She didn't expect him to hand over a Magic Card containing the complete demonic Shadow World content so directly!

  This made Talia wonder—how did Lanqi know she wanted this? He had no way of knowing she was a demon.

  "Tata, this time the Shadow World I challenged was extraordinary. Guess what I discovered inside?"

  Lanqi said confidently, as if certain that his next words would pique Talia's interest.

  "What."

  Talia crossed her arms, gncing at Lanqi's expression with a bit of curiosity.

  She had seen the tter part of Lanqi's challenge content and felt that apart from the complete demonic history information recorded in the program, there wasn't anything more valuable.

  "A magic that can alter the fur of magical beasts!"

  Lanqi snapped his fingers, revealing the answer.

  Upon hearing this, Talia's face turned cold, and her initial interest was completely dispelled.

  She felt Lanqi was joking with her again without any sense of propriety.

  This guy was becoming more and more annoying.

  However, seemingly anticipating Talia's reaction, Lanqi leaned a little closer to her chair, bending down to whisper:

  "If we team up, combining our strengths, we could research a magic to alter human hair. Imagine, during a fight, being able to style your opponent's hair—wouldn't that be a dispy of 'friendship first, respect for the opponent'?"

  "...?!!"

  Talia immediately looked at Lanqi's smiling face.

  She realized this newcomer seemed to be opening another forbidden door!

  Fighting while messing with the enemy's hair.

  The enemy wouldn't rest until Lanqi was dead.

  Yet, knowing this was a magic more dangerous than kneeling or silencing spells, Talia, after witnessing Lanqi's previous Magic Card creations, couldn't help but be intrigued again.

  "So, Tata," Lanqi locked eyes with Talia's golden pupils, knowing she was tempted.

  "Although the content about 'magical beast fur modification magic' is all in my head and not recorded in the [Shadow World Recording Program] to prevent this core technology prototype from being seen by others or the management association, this [Shadow World Recording Program] also recorded my entire Shadow World challenge process. I think before developing new magic, you should understand the relevant process and background, just in case there's something I overlooked."

  He continued to speak slowly by Talia's ear.

  Appealing to her emotions and reasoning, it was nothing like a demon's whisper.

  "…"

  Talia pressed her fingers to her brow.

  She felt as if she had fallen under Lanqi's mental magic, unable to refuse him every time.

  The complete demonic historical intelligence in the recording program was just a bonus, yet it was precisely what she wanted most.

  The "magical beast fur modification magic" as the main trade item also deeply intrigued her.

  Once again, Lanqi seemed to know her sweet spot, allowing her to obtain everything beneficial to her without worries or troubles.

  Originally feeling she wouldn't bother with Lanqi today, Talia now thought she should be a bit nicer to him.

  A human's life is short, and this young man is full of immeasurable value.

  She might stay by his side for decades, fully realizing his potential.

  So instead of constantly doubting him, she might as well treat him a little better, making him more willing to work for her.

  "These are only enough for me to teach you up to the fourth tier."

  Talia didn't immediately take the Magic Card from Lanqi, her tone softened as she spoke.

  Beyond that, Talia had no more general card-making techniques to teach unless she wildly taught Lanqi the complete demonic card-making techniques.

  But that was absolutely impossible.

  Teaching Lanqi up to the third tier was already the limit; no matter what Lanqi said afterward, she wouldn't teach him further.

  "No problem."

  Lanqi agreed decisively, and Talia took the [Shadow World Recording Program] from his hand:

  "I'll return it to you after I finish reviewing it."

  "Alright, no rush."

  Lanqi nodded. At least before his next Shadow World challenge, he didn't need to rush to get the card back, having a full two months.

  "Tata, before researching the 'hairstyle modification' magic, I've encountered another issue. If I want to maximize my card-making success rate and pass the registered card maker exam, could you help me test the magic type affinity you mentioned st time?"

  Besides reaching a new transaction with Talia, the next important thing was to find the direction for his future career as a card maker.

  "…Card maker exam."

  Talia knew Lanqi needed to obtain the registered card maker status in the South Continent to quickly earn money, and the higher his initial level as a card maker, the greater the benefits and exemptions he could receive.

  The money Lanqi earned was essentially hers, so she indeed needed to help Lanqi pass this slightly challenging exam for him.

  Currently, even if Lanqi, who had just reached the third tier, were to create his most proficient mental magic cards, the success rate of producing finished Magic Cards within the limited chances of the exam wasn't high. It wouldn't be surprising if it took a year or two to pass.

  She also needed to find out if Lanqi had a higher affinity with other types of magic.

  But Talia couldn't guarantee that the "better" affinity with mental magic wasn't already the best among all magic types for Lanqi.

  "Follow me."

  With those words, she stood up and led Lanqi to an adjacent inner room.

  (End of Chapter)

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