Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Rituals

They had even attempted to claim credit for the operation. If it hadn’t been for Monica’s sharp judgment and refusal to yield, they might have taken everything.

Thankfully, Monica handled it smartly.

Meanwhile, Lana returned to her university life. Her practical exams were scheduled for the day after tomorrow. During this time, she managed to unlock several new talismans.

Among them was one she had been yearning for.

The teleportation talisman.

The moment she realized it, Lana nearly jumped in excitement.

’This is huge,’ she thought, heart racing.

With this talisman, distance would no longer be a limitation. She would finally be able to reach places instantly, and that alone changed everything.

After practicing for a long time and repeatedly refining the formation, Lana was finally able to produce a few teleportation talismans.

Yet when she tested them, disappointment crept into her chest like cold water.

The room smelled faintly of ink and burnt paper as the talisman activated. In the blink of an eye, her surroundings shifted… but only slightly.

She had barely moved ten meters.

’This is it?’ she thought bitterly.

At most, the talisman could shift her position within a ten-meter radius.

The difference was negligible. Worse still, the reaction speed was painfully slow.

Even when she placed the most basic teleportation talisman on herself, it took at least three full seconds to activate.

Three seconds.

’Three seconds is enough for someone to die.’

Her mood darkened instantly.

Mr. Crow, who had been watching quietly from the side, couldn’t help interrupting.

“That’s already impressive,” he said. “Most talisman practitioners can only teleport five meters, and their activation takes at least six seconds.”

He paused, then added pointedly, “You’re already far ahead of them.”

Lana shook her head.

“If you keep saying that,” she replied calmly, “I’ll stay mediocre forever.”

She looked straight at him.

“You should criticize me instead. That way, I’ll know how to climb higher.”

Mr. Crow rolled his eyes.

“I truly don’t understand you,” he muttered. “When I praise you, you ask me to criticize you. When I criticize you, you ask me to praise you. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with you.”

Lana puffed out her cheeks slightly, a rare playful expression crossing her face.

“That’s my way of making sure you’re always worried about me.”

Mr. Crow shook his head helplessly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The tension dissolved as the two exchanged a few lighthearted remarks.

Just then, Lucy called from downstairs.

“Lana, dinner’s ready.”

Lana responded and headed down. As soon as she reached the living room, the sound of the television filled the space. The faint smell of food mixed with the static hum of the broadcast.

The case was being replayed on the news.

The reporters discussed the mastermind behind the crime, exposing how he had repeatedly delved into forbidden arts. Speculation spread wildly.

“One of the rituals,” the anchor stated, “was rumored to grant immortality through the sacrifice of children.”

Some guests scoffed.

“That’s nonsense,” one expert dismissed. “Pure superstition.”

Lana watched silently.

She knew the truth.

When Monica completed her investigation, even she had been shocked.

There truly existed a way to pursue immortality.

The ritual required the sacrifice of twelve children, each born at the exact same moment, each possessing an auspicious destiny, all within a specific birth range.

However, even then, immortality was impossible.

The ritual itself was incomplete.

Half of it was missing.

To prevent others from repeating the same steps, the information had been completely sealed. Lana knew, however, that some higher-ups would inevitably grow greedy and attempt to uncover the missing half.

A bold smirk crossed her face.

Before Monica could submit the details or let the information circulate among those officials, Lana had already tampered with the ritual.

Instead of twelve children, she replaced the requirement with twelve chickens.

No matter how hard they tried, it would never succeed.

And in case someone thought they were clever enough to substitute chickens with children, Lana had altered half the formation itself. Even if the missing half of the ritual were ever discovered, it would lead nowhere.

Exhaling slowly, Lana sank into the sofa.

Lucy noticed her distracted expression and glanced over.

“What’s wrong?”

Lana chuckled lightly.

“I’m just interested in this case.”

She turned her attention back to the screen. Monica’s private force had gained considerable fame. They were now handling numerous high-profile cases.

’If this continues,’ Lana thought, ’Monica will soon establish herself firmly in Xila City.’

With enough money and connections, Monica could expand into other states, eventually gaining influence nearly equal to that of a high-ranking political figure.

Lana narrowed her eyes.

She didn’t know who her biological parents were. Ever since Axel stopped her from investigating, she had forced herself not to dig deeper. But there was that girl… the one who had taken her place.

’She has to be behind my misfortune.’

It was an instinct she had developed over the past few weeks. Every time Lana hinted at revealing information about herself, Axel reacted strongly.

“Don’t,” he had warned her repeatedly. “As long as I tell you to stay hidden, you stay hidden. That girl will definitely act against you.”

At the time, Lana had only narrowed her eyes, realization dawning.

There were enemies in the shadows.

And it wasn’t just the Almond family.

Taking a deep breath, she recalled the investigation report Lucian had sent her. Two individuals, Yuna and Loco, had been constantly digging into her background. Then, suddenly, their focus shifted entirely to Luke.

Knowing the connection between Lana and Luke, Lucian hadn’t hesitated to assign protection.

Yet that information unsettled Lana deeply.

She had never imagined that Mr. and Mrs. Almond could be so blinded by superstition that they would abandon logic entirely.

The realization sent a chill down her spine.

Even though Luke had long distanced himself from them and the company was steadily sinking toward bankruptcy, the signs of internal corruption were obvious.

Yet instead of confronting their own failures, they chose the easiest target.

They blamed everything on Luke.

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