Her heart fluttered with excitement.
But Mr. Crow immediately splashed a bucket of cold water on her expectations.
He clicked his beak sharply.
"In theory, yes. Normally, the yellow rank can handle ghosts around 20–50 years of cultivation. But you..." he gestured emphatically, "...might someday reach the ability to deal with 100-year ghosts when you peak at this rank."
Lana's eyes sparkled.
She hugged Mr. Crow tightly.
"Mr. Crow… thank you!"
Mr. Crow stiffened, utterly confused.
"…Why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything."
But even while he looked baffled, Mr. Crow puffed his feathers outward in pride, and an unexpected warmth softened the edges of his heart.
Just moments ago, Lana had taken a stand for him... against Lucian, of all people.
He hadn't dared hope for that.
After all, he was acutely aware of his place in her heart. Lucian had always been her weakness, the lingering obsession born of regret from a previous life.
