The Contract

“Then… Allen, have you ever hated your father?”
Luna asked softly.

Allen shook her head.

Her eyes, hollow from her unexpected blindness, stared straight at Luna.

“No… I have never blamed my father.
From the day I was locked in the wine cellar, I understood it.
Everything… everything happened because of me.
It all started because of me.
I never had any intention of blaming him.”

At this moment, Allen had already returned to calmness.

Her tone was as still as an ancient well.

As if she were narrating someone else’s emotions.

“But… I… hate my two brothers deeply.”

After arriving at Gryffindor, I learned that the old man named Michelangelo was the headmaster of the academy.

Compared to the genius-like talents of my two brothers, I was far too ordinary.

Like a muggle.

There was not even a trace of magic power in my body.

Magic power… was something even newborn infants should possess.

Yet I was born with a muggle constitution.

Based on my traits, Michelangelo did not despise me.

He allowed me to study martial techniques instead.

Since the incident of being locked in the wine cellar, I had buried a seed of revenge deep in my heart.

I wanted revenge.

Revenge against Charlotte and Alex.

For that purpose, I naturally began to train in martial techniques.

I longed to become stronger.

Strong enough to no longer be controlled by others.

Perhaps because of such terrifying thoughts, I became like a madman.

I spent every day thinking about how to use berserk force.

Because of this, I had no friends at Gryffindor.

In others’ eyes, I was just a weirdo.

Someone who did not fit in.

And because of that, I quickly learned how to use berserk force.

At a pace far faster than my peers.

In others’ eyes, this could be called talent.

Perhaps because of this, my only impression of Gryffindor Academy was that it was like a massive castle city.

Nothing more than that.

One day, Michelangelo asked me why I was pushing myself so hard.

I told him about my desire for revenge.

He was shocked.

He stared at me with wide eyes, unable to say a word.

After a long while, he used his old hands, covered in scars from magic and alchemy research, to gently stroke my head.

“Child, becoming strong is not for selfish desires.
It is to benefit more people.
You may not understand this.
So let me give you the simplest example.
Those who seek strength for revenge will ultimately fail to obtain certain things.”

I nodded and agreed.

But deep inside, I still secretly wanted revenge on my brothers.

Perhaps because of this mindset, my berserk force stopped progressing entirely.

My classmates had already learned to materialize berserk force.

Using it like an extra hand.

But I could only use it to reinforce my body.

To gain physical strength beyond ordinary limits.

As for my lack of progress, my teachers could only shake their heads.

I think this was what Michelangelo meant by “the things that cannot be obtained.”

Time passed quickly.

Three years of study at Gryffindor soon came to an end.

During those three years, I continuously explored how to further strengthen my body using berserk force.

To accumulate enough graduation credits, I constantly accepted commissions.

I continuously engaged in real combat.

Gradually, I developed astonishing martial arts and combat abilities.

Because I focused solely on the use of berserk force, my body reinforcement became far stronger than others’.

Combined with my combat skills, I gradually became a strong fighter.

In an academy-organized fighting tournament, I overwhelmed all competitors with pure physical technique.

I was personally awarded a medal by the Emperor.

“Then why did you later… become a hero?”

“That is another story…”

Not long after, the old Emperor of the Ostan Empire passed away.

The cause of death was unclear.

But he was truly dead.

Once the new Emperor ascended the throne, he sought to weaken the power of the nobles.

As a Grand Duke, my father was naturally targeted.

Because of my father’s bloodline, his children all possessed terrifying potential.

Each of us could become a rebel leader in the future.

Thus, the Emperor planned to send the Grand Duke’s children to participate in the Church’s demon-slaying expedition.

Using the title of hero, one of us would be granted death.

The Emperor demanded that my father choose one of his children.

To serve as the hero of the demon-slaying expedition.

According to the decree, any resistance would result in the extermination of our entire family.

That day, I had just completed my studies and returned from Gryffindor.

Upon hearing the news, my father, Alex, Charlotte, and I gathered in the same room for the first time in a long while.

Surprisingly, we were all calm.

We remained silent.

The orange-red flames danced in the fireplace.

They were slightly dazzling.

Yet unexpectedly warm.

I leaned back against the sofa chair, silent.

I was still a transparent person.

My father did not look at me even once.

He only stared at my brothers.

Silent.

His eyes dull.

“Father… I’ll go.”

Alex spoke slowly.

“As the older brother, I should bear the responsibility instead of Charlotte.
Besides, I have already reached the level of a Royal Swordsman.
Only I have a chance to survive.”

As Charlotte’s brother, he truly cared for him.

He knew his younger brother was timid.

Protecting him was his duty as an elder brother.

Alex had the same golden hair as my father and mother.

Compared to mother, both he and Charlotte resembled father more.

At that moment, his eyes shimmered like a star-filled sky.

Charlotte did not speak.

He lowered his head.

It was clear that he was deeply saddened.

Father remained silent.

He understood that this was perhaps the best choice.

At that moment, I saw something indescribable in my father’s eyes.

And just like that, my hatred vanished.

At that time, I had already obtained the title of Swordsmanship Instructor.

My rank was two levels higher than Alex’s.

Naturally, I was the strongest among us.

Perhaps because of Michelangelo’s words, I decided that I should bear this responsibility.

Even though I hated my two brothers.

“I’ll go.
You may not know this.
I am already a Swordsmanship Instructor.
Among us, only I have a high chance of surviving.”

After saying that, I looked at my two brothers.

They seemed shocked by the title I had obtained.

My father still did not say a single word.

I silently walked out of the small sitting room.

“And after that… I came here.”

Allen finished recounting her experiences in one breath.

Perhaps after finally confiding in someone, Allen no longer had any wishes.

Allen sat blankly on the bed.

“Luna…”

“Yes?”

“My life is already over.
I have reached the end of my path.
I should have died a few months ago.
But somehow, I survived until the age of twenty.
I no longer have any desire to live.
Rather than endless torment in the darkness, I would rather die early.”

Allen spoke softly to Luna.

“Death would be a release for me.
I want to die without too much pain.
I believe you can do that, Luna.”

“Please kill me.
I beg you.”

Tears flowed from Allen’s hollow eyes.

Tears without clear reason.

Some from unwillingness.

Some from regret.

“Allen, listen—”

Luna said anxiously.

“Whoosh—”

A sharp sword cry rang out.

A black longsword flew toward Allen.

Hearing this, Lilith immediately condensed black mist into a long sword.

She shot it toward Allen.

The blade cut across Allen’s neck.

It looked as if it intended to kill her.

Yet it narrowly missed her artery.

Allen was not surprised.

From the moment she finished speaking, she had already prepared herself for death at any time.

“I’m listening the whole time.”

Lilith said softly.

Luna saw that Lilith’s forehead was completely shrouded in black mist.

Her eyes were fully covered.

She knew the situation had turned bad.

“Wait, Lo—”

“Do you know how much it cost me to move that stone into this body?”

Lilith roared.

This was an expression she had never shown before.

“If you die, that would be irresponsible toward my work!”

Lilith shouted.

Her voice had never fluctuated so violently.

Perhaps due to her agitation, her voice carried a hint of sobbing.

“Smack—”

Lilith slapped Allen across the face.

Allen was completely stunned.

She covered her cheek with her left hand.

Holding back her tears.

“Freedom?
Not wanting to suffer endlessly in darkness?
Fine.
I’ll grant it to you.”

At this moment, Lilith truly broke down in tears.

She was completely different from her usual self.

Impulsive.

Irrational.

“Bring the contract.”

Lilith said softly to Luna.

“I’ll give you freedom.
I’ll give you light.
But you must work for me for two years to redeem yourself.
After those two years, you can go wherever you want.
I won’t interfere anymore.”

Allen sat frozen on the bed.

She only heard the rapid scratching of a quill across a scroll.

“I…”

Allen wanted to say something.

But no words came out.

Lilith quickly finished writing the scroll.

She had Luna help Allen sign it.

“Good.
From now on, work properly.”

Lilith returned to her cold demeanor.

Only faint tear marks remained on her face.

“To prevent you from escaping, I will restrict your mobility.”

Lilith said softly.

“Get up tomorrow and work properly.
Do not have any more thoughts of destroying this body.”

“I’m tired.
And I’ve waited far too long.”

Lilith walked alone into the corridor.

Allen vaguely heard her words.

Perhaps because the contract had taken effect.

Allen gradually drifted into sleep.