Chapter 72: Contract Proposal
The carriage wheels clattered softly against Bristol Street as it came to a halt in front of the Holmes Mansion. Raven's boots touched the cobblestones, silent and deliberate, his movements precise. Marcellus and Selene mirrored his pace, following close, like shadows tethered to him.
Inside the grand foyer, Raven paused, his gaze fixing on Selene.
"Do you want to become a fully-fledged wizard?"
Selene froze. Marcellus stiffened beside her, eyes narrowing in cautious anticipation.
Before Selene could answer, Marcellus spoke, voice measured. "You don't even need to ask such a question, My Lord. Our leader tried everything—noble connections, influence, petitions—but the nobles desire not her talent but her freedom. They demanded a lifetime contract with harsh terms. And only noble households with mage bloodlines and high rank possess the elemental circlet techniques and spell models necessary for proper training."
Raven's lips curved. "What if I ask my teacher for help and become her sponsor?"
Selene blinked, flustered. "I-I don't know… Please talk to our leader. Negotiations aren't my skill."
Raven raised an eyebrow, sighing. "Once Jacob returns, tell him to visit my study. I'll talk to him." Without another word, he strode down the left corridor toward the study, his steps silent yet purposeful.
Marcellus and Selene lingered in the foyer for a heartbeat. Marcellus finally broke the quiet.
"Selene, go to Jacob's house. Tell him what happened—and bring him here if possible. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If this Lord's teacher is a high-ranking wizard, you could become an Official Wizard within a decade."
Selene's eyes sparkled with hope. "Yes. I'll go immediately." She spun on her heels and disappeared from the mansion.
…
An hour later, Selene returned, guiding Jacob and Quincy.
"You go stay in the guest room. We'll do the talking," Quincy instructed gently. Selene nodded and silently walked away.
Jacob and Quincy approached the left corridor. Before Jacob could knock, a calm voice echoed from inside.
"Come in."
They stepped into the study. Raven sat in a wingback chair, eyes scanning a book. The second they entered, he snapped it shut and gestured to the chairs across from him.
"Please make yourselves comfortable."
Jacob and Quincy obeyed, tension visible in their postures. After a pause, Jacob's voice broke the quiet.
"Is it true? Can you help Selene become an Official Wizard, My Lord?"
Raven's smile was the only answer.
"Of course. It won't be easy, huh?" Quincy prompted, forcing a smile.
Raven leaned forward, tone deliberate. "I asked my teacher's permission. He will support her with resources, spell models, and techniques. He won't accept her as his disciple. In return, she must remain loyal to the Holmes House for 100 years. After that, she may choose to remain or leave."
Quincy's head shook in disbelief. "A 100-year contract is excessive!"
Raven's gaze remained steady. "By then, she could become an Expert Wizard. Their lifespan reaches 700 to 900 years. One hundred years of service is not unreasonable."
Jacob's frown deepened. "But that assumes she reaches Expert. What if she remains an Official Wizard?"
Raven considered briefly. "Let's adjust. She serves 30 more years if she reaches Official Wizard. Should she become an Expert later, she will serve 100 years, including the initial ten-year contract period."
Jacob's nod was firm. "Deal."
"Then I will tell Emanuel to prepare the contract. Also, my teacher requests that Selene accompany us to the capital. He wants to test her."
Jacob said nothing, silently approving the conditions. Compared to other nobles who demanded 250-year servitude—sometimes extending to descendants—this deal was merciful.
Quincy's voice broke the silence. "When do you leave?"
"Day after tomorrow. Emanuel will inform you. Prepare Selene as well," Raven answered, eyes calm, mind already elsewhere.
After Jacob and Quincy left, Raven leaned back in his chair.
So, why has Selene accompanied us to the capital?
[Hehe. She will be the key player to fool the Legendary Wizard Judith.] Zera's voice rang in his mind.
How?
[Enter the Memory Library. I'll show you.]
Raven furrowed his brows, closing his eyes. In an instant, he stood in a vast hall lined with towering bookshelves. He rotated slowly, drinking in the smell of aged parchment.
[Follow me.] A silver-haired, pointed-eared woman appeared and beckoned him toward the left aisle.
Raven's eyes traced the sections: Alchemy… Divination… Runology… Necromancy… Elementalism… Arcane Studies…
Zera glided past shelves, stopping at a collection of spellbooks. [Here are the rank-1 spellbooks. Each contains a spell model and creation instructions.]
Raven's gaze fixed on a small cupboard.
[This shelf holds Dream-related spell models.]
"Dream?" he asked, intrigued.
[Modified for Rebirth Tower students. Memorize Dream Walk, Dream Harvest, and Alter Dream. They will help Selene greatly.]
Raven paused. "But wouldn't a Legendary Mage detect Rank-1 spells easily?"
[Dream magic is exceptionally difficult. Even a Class Gem Mystic couldn't replicate these here. No Wizard can perceive the Dream World.]
He spent hours memorizing Rune Language and spell structures. By 6:30 P.M., his temples throbbed.
Too much… my head feels like it will explode.
"Emanuel!" he called.
A moment later, a young butler bowed. "You called, My Lord?"
"Arrange four train tickets to the Royal Capital on September 11th. Inform Stephanie that she will accompany us."
"Yes, My Lord. Anything else?"
"I will practice spearmanship daily. I require privacy. Is there a training space?"
Emanuel thought. "There's an empty hall on the second floor. Formerly a banquet hall, now vacant. Suitable for training."
"Good. Send dinner to the master bedroom; I'll eat late." Raven waved dismissively.
Emanuel paused, hesitated, then nodded and left.
Raven moved to the second floor, spear in hand. From 6:40 to 7:50 P.M., he drilled tirelessly in the empty hall, refining thrusts, parries, grips, and footwork. Then he retired to the bedroom, lying on the soft mattress, spear ready.
Activating Past Touch, he felt the familiar pull. Moments later, he opened his eyes to a vast grassland. A blue-skinned humanoid moved fluidly, spear slicing the air in a rhythmic pattern.
Raven mirrored the stance, creating his own spear from thin air, eyes tracking every motion. He began with basics—thrust, parry, grip, step, breathing. Hours passed as he adapted, corrected, and refined. Consecutive movements from the blue creature challenged him, but slowly, his form became almost indistinguishable.
Two hours later, Raven returned to the bedroom, spear in hand, the illusion fading. He moved to the empty hall and rehearsed the techniques learned, drilling for over three hours.
Finally, he bathed, ate the prepared meal, and lay on the bed, body exhausted but mind sharp. Sleep claimed him quietly, leaving the night in serene stillness.