NOVPUB"..."
Lanci looked at Zestira, his prepared speech once again lodged in his throat.
You have a great misunderstanding about Talia, young lady.
Lanci couldn’t help but want to tell her that.
Zestira was actually quite similar to Talia. Both were combat-oriented, aside from their distinct types of magic and innate magic. Even their speech mannerism and demeanor were alike.
Perhaps she didn’t need to work so hard. If things developed naturally this way, she might end up being a member of the Demon Race like Talia.
However, Lanci always felt something was slightly off.
It seemed like Zestira was always thinking about making an effort to change herself...
"Such specialization is indeed possible, but usually demons who are adept at toying with minds and have vile personalities excel in this direction. Dragon Demons who excel in combat don’t often choose this."
Lanci gently informed Zestira of this.
This was a far cry from her idol.
Lanci felt torn. Whether he helped or not seemed to be the wrong choice. He was unsure about what Zestira ultimately wanted to become.
"..."
However, Zestira was rather obstinate.
Once she confirmed that Lanci agreed that such specialization was possible, she decided her path and expressed her decision clearly on her face.
"Keep up the hard work then."
Lanci said in relief.
He would only respect his student’s decisions. His concern was that Zestira would one day find her choices counter to her intentions and feel regret.
"In fact, such specialization may be simpler. Putting more effort into studying spiritual magic and regularly using your innate magic to seriously sense others’ emotions could help. I’m not certain how long it will take to fully evolve, but the culmination of talents of the Demon Race can even rival the powers of the Blood Clan. Even if they were transformed into spell cards, they would be of epic level. So, they are not easy to obtain. Don’t rush or get frustrated, and don’t be discouraged by slow progress."
Lanci explained to Zestira.
"Alright."
Zestira listened humbly, nodding her head.
However, she felt that the progress of innate magic might not be as difficult as the teacher had said?
"Thank you, teacher. I feel that under your guidance, I have moved a step closer to my goal."
"..."
After listening to Zestira’s response, after pondering it over, Lanci still felt something was off.
Why did Zestira believe that Talia was good at acting and smiling, and that her innate magic was of manipulating emotions and toying with minds?
When Lanci’s furrowed brows slightly eased up, he suddenly realized something.
"Wait, Zestira. Let me ask you, what is your image of Talia?"
Lanci made a gesture towards Zestira to get her attention.
Upon hearing the question, Zestira’s eyes brightened a bit.
She was very interested in this topic.
"She is grand, rational, and captivating. The epitome of absolute evil, madness-shared demonic beings. Her harm to the world even exceeds her talents. However, she can still control her own heart and desires. Instead of resolving problems using force, she’s more adept at breaking enemies from the inside, inflicting the most brutal curses and tortures!"
Zestira, who rarely gets excited, even clenched her fists as she spoke.
However, she quickly realized that she was being too animated and gave a light cough to regain her composure.
"It’s a pity that her true appearance remains unknown today. Only the ancient demons who have lived for hundreds of years and seen her in person can recognize her."
She sighed.
According to various recorded accounts of the final fates of the last remaining great demons, except for those whose whereabouts are unknown and the great demons in the Imperial Prison, the only person who can distinguish the authentic Talia from the counterfeit today is likely the Ice Snow Witch of Aestheland.
Unfortunately, the Aestheland Kingdom and the Protoss Empire are on the verge of war, with their borders locked down. There’s no way to go and see the Bingxue Witch and ask her about Talia.
"¿"
Lanci looked utterly perplexed and skeptical about life.
Only now did he realize a grave issue—
The Talia that Zestira adored was wholly of her own imagination!
And yet, there truly existed someone in the world who met all the criteria and looked exactly like the fictionalized Talia!
If this is what Talia looked like to the descendants of the Northern Continent, wouldn’t the Talia played by the Great Love Poet more fitting for the adolescent demons’ artistic impression of her?
Conversely, Talia herself, the old-timer, had been phased out by the times.
"Zestira, let me ask you, do you think the Talia of your imagination has leadership charisma?"
After contemplating to clarify the situation, Lanci asked seriously.
"She is the chosen Demon King!"
Zestira surprisingly showed some excitement.
"So that’s how it is...so that’s how it is!"
Lanci clenched his fists and slapped his palms together, his eyes gradually brightening with realization.
Actually, the first step to leading the Demon Race is to build a compelling and influential leader image for the legitimate Princess of the Demon Clan. 𝚗ov𝚙𝚞𝚋.c𝚘m
Lanci finally understood why his dream of rebuilding the Purgatory Corridor Academy felt like it’s stuck at the starting point, barely able to make any progress.
First, he needs to optimize Talia.
She is the most unnecessary existence in the initial work!
Once he helps Talia build the new image of the Northern Continent after the Holy War of a hundred years, he will stop at the establishment of the academy, letting the Demon Race become a peace-loving branch of the Aestheland Kingdom.
By then, even if Talia discovers it and returns to the Northern Continent only to find this image is already accepted by the demon folks, she will only have two choices to meet the expectations of her demon subjects.
Either accept this new persona, strive to play the Great Love Poet with abundance of girlish charm and a constant coy smile, to snatch the controlling rights from Lanci.
Or return to the South Continent to retire.
Lanci had already expected that Talia would certainly choose the latter.
He couldn’t imagine how Talia, a centuries-old demon old woman who never smiled, could possibly pose as a young girl.
Not unless she undergoes an unimaginable change of mindset.
If she really chooses to play the Great Love Poet, bearing all indignities to achieve national restoration, Lanci dare not imagine what kind of reprisal he would face once she succeeded.
But such things couldn’t possibly happen.
"..."
Zestira glanced at Lanci, continuing to walk alongside him on the road next to the Endless Library, passing under the Starry Sky Theatre and heading towards the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
For some reason, she felt that Lanci might have just been contemplating something equivalent to committing suicide.
But he himself didn’t seem to realize it, seemingly enjoying the whole thing.
Lanci’s mind came alive from time to time, something Zestira had noticed.
Being with him was beneficial for the evolution of her Innate Magic.
But Zestira didn’t want to let him know this, or else he probably wouldn’t be as naturally and frequently inventive.
She’d tell him about it when her Innate Magic fully evolved.
After all, it wouldn’t hurt him even if he knew about it later.
Zestira thought to herself confidently.
