Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Axel’s Protection

Axel noticed the gratitude flickering across her face, the way her shoulders finally loosened, and he could not help but smile.

He spoke gently,

“You’re a good kid. Make sure you use those agreements properly, and only when they’re truly worth it.”

Lana understood what he meant immediately. ’Save it for the right moment.’

She nodded, her fingers curling slightly as if to seal the thought in place.

Axel’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he continued, his tone casual but curious,

“So, what are you planning to do with one point five billion?”

Lana paused. Her mind flashing with various ideas.

After a brief moment, she replied, “I think it would be good to make some proper investments.”

She hesitated, then added honestly, “But I don’t have the right connections.”

Axel raised an eyebrow, immediately following up,

“What kind of connections do you want? I can help, or you can use some of the ones listed in the agreement.”

She lowered her gaze and flipped through the documents, the pages rustling softly beneath her fingertips.

After scanning them carefully, she shook her head. “None of these are what I need.”

Axel leaned back slightly, studying her expression. “Then what are you planning?”

Lana inhaled, steadying herself before answering,

“I want to buy two or three apartments in this city.”

Hearing that, Axel smiled as if she had just mentioned the weather.

“That’s a small matter. I’ll do it.”

Without hesitation, Lana slid the card containing the one point five billion toward him.

Her movements were decisive, her voice calm but firm.

“From now on, whatever talismans I sell, you can buy property on my behalf. The only condition is that you show me the list before you finalize anything.”

Axel agreed almost instantly, his response so natural that it made Lana pause.

She had expected at least a hint of reluctance, some request in return, or even a flicker of emotion suggesting he wanted something more.

Instead, he accepted her condition as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world, as though she had every right to ask.

’How can he be so calm about this?’ she wondered, momentarily unsettled.

For Axel, however, it felt only natural. He looked at her with quiet pity, a strange sense of closeness tugging at him.

To him, she was just a child carrying far too much weight.

Lana smiled softly and said, “If you can do this for me, then one day, I’ll definitely repay you.”

Axel chuckled, waving the thought away. “If I need repayment from a child, I might as well dig my grave right now.”

Then his expression softened as he asked, “How have things been lately?”

“They’re going well,” Lana replied with a small smile. “I even brought talismans today to hand over to you.”

Axel nodded, and Lana slid the talismans across the table.

The faint fluctuation clung to them like warmth.

She then looked up at him and asked, “You took your cut, right?”

“I did,” Axel answered quickly.

Lana tilted her head. “Proof?”

Axel pressed his lips together, the smallest twitch betraying him. That was all the confirmation she needed.

Without a word, she pulled the talismans back toward herself.

Axel immediately panicked. “Wait, wait. I’ll take it from this order onward, I promise.”

Lana shook her head slowly, her expression calm but resolute.

“There’s no need. I can’t trust you anymore. If someone breaks my trust once, I can’t help doubting whether they’ll do it again.”

Axel sighed deeply, rubbing his face before replying,

“Fine, I messed up. But by not taking the card this time, I swear I won’t ever break your trust again.”

Lana laughed lightly, the tension easing from her shoulders.

“Since that’s the case, and since you’ve helped me so much, I’ll reluctantly listen to you.”

She slid the talismans back toward him, then paused, her eyes brightening slightly.

“Also… maybe soon I’ll be able to make intermediate-rank talismans. When that happens, you’ll finally be able to benefit properly from selling them.”

After all the higher the rank, the higher the price and the higher the commission.

Axel froze, staring at her as if he had misheard.

“Are you telling me you can make intermediate talismans soon?”

She nodded, her expression sincere and steady.

Silence stretched between them. Finally, curiosity overtook him.

“When did you start making talismans?”

Lana lowered her guard slightly, though a hint of paranoia still lingered. “About half a year ago.”

Axel pursed his lips, studying her carefully before saying, “You should enroll in the talisman department.”

Lana was taken aback. “Why?”

“Your talisman making talent is on par with most of your mystic cultivation,” Axel replied.

“If you join the talisman department, you’ll have more people who can protect you. Not to mention, this kind of monstrous talent could take you places you’ve never even dreamed of.”

She paused, then shook her head slowly. “I don’t want to.”

Axel waited patiently, and she explained, “I have too many enemies. It’s better if I keep some trump cards hidden, some leeway for myself.”

Axel sighed quietly, his heart heavy. ’How much has this child endured?’

Despite everything, she could still smile. He smiled softly and said, “Then I’ll protect you.”

Hearing those words, Lana looked at him with deep, complicated emotions swirling in her eyes.

’After Monk Anaro, Mr. Crow and Lucian…’ she thought, ’he’s the one who treated me best.’ They had no real connection, yet he had shown her nothing but kindness. To her, Axel had become someone genuinely close. Much closer than her own best friend.

She smiled and said, “If that’s the case, then I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Axel laughed. “Then I look forward to tasting your cooking.”

Lana realized he had misunderstood, but she chose not to correct him. ’If he wants a home-cooked meal, so be it.’

After everything he had done for her, this was the least she could offer.

Chuckling softly, she said, “I’ll decide the time and place.”

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