"??? What kind of dumb logic is that?! You're a damn blade, you're meant to cut people, right?! Are you saying that you're can go around and make contracts left and right, then?!"
"No! If it was normal blood, nothing would've happened. The fact that a pact was formed using your blood confirms your special identity."
"My blood? Special identity? Now, just what are you talking about?" Louis' began to harbor some interest, although he pretended not to be.
He had wondered time and time again.
Who he was. The reason he was different from the rest of the world.
If this blade could truly provide him with an answer to the question he had been harboring for a long time.. Then he wouldn't mind paying a quick listen.
He still wouldn't help her, though.
"You possess what's called an Ancient Bloodline. Blood from the far past, where Egos ran rampant and 'Masters' of them existed, using their blood to resonate and form contracts with the blades."
"Wait, wait, wait. Slow down! What is an Ego?"
"Living swords. Swords like me, who was created by the best blacksmiths in existence. Swords that possesses special abilities and a consciousness of their own."
"Woah.. So you're like, a thousand years old?"
"Far more than that! My legacy spans far and wide. But.. the memories of those times are now.. useless." The sword lamented with a grave tone.
Louis sensed that the atmosphere had turned heavy all of a sudden and sought to cheer the mood up.
Unfortunately, since he lacked proper social skills, he was unable to do so. Curse the world.
"So, the blood I possess is supposed to be the key to forming a contract with you guys? What does a contract do anyway?"
"It creates a bond and allows the master to wield the Ego the way it's meant to. Egos come in many different shapes and sizes, along with different attributes and uses. Upon usage, these attributes will fuse with the owner and aid them."
"Can this contract be dispelled, then?"
"No! Unless you are willing to risk your life. Contracts are not trivial things that you can break whenever you want. It's akin to an oath you take and swear your life by!"
The sword even sounded insulted that Louis dared to bring up such a thing.
"If it's that serious, then why is it formed so easily?! Shouldn't there be more qualifications other than sharing blood?!" Louis protested.
Everything didn't make sense! From the sword chasing him, down to the sudden contract, the weird bloodline thingy, and Egos?!
Louis wished that he could just shut his eyes off, sleep, and forget about this the next day, but he was sure that the sword would not let him go no matter what.
The sword's words just made him plunge into a fit of rage. Now, he can't even back away from this arrangement because the contract had already been formed.
"It's not simple at all! Well- actually, no. It is quite simple, but it is also not.."
Even the sword was confused. What about Louis?
The sword continued her explanation after receiving a piercing glare from Louis.
Turns out, only two conditions were needed.
First, for the Ego and the Master to have suitable ranks.
Egos and bloodlines have ranks attached to them that determines how strong they are.
The ranking scaled from Lord - King - Emperor - Transcendent
It was possible for the ranks to differ, but the 'cost' to pay for the contract will be much higher.
Apparently, both the sword and Louis had the 'Transcendent' rank, so it was a perfect fit.
The second rule was that the Ego had to be willing.
Once an Ego gets contracted, it was essentially tied down to the Master. Since a Master could form a contract with more than one Ego, the losses a sword would incur was much higher.
Egos were prideful creatures since they knew that they were the best swords in existence.
An Ego can take up to thousands of years to find a suitable owner that they were willing to form a contract with, but in this case, since the Celestial Azure Star sought Louis by herself, there was no doubt that she was completely willing.
Since those two conditions were fulfilled, the contract between Louis and the sword was formed with ease.
"Please, can't you help me?" The sword pleaded one more time after finishing her story.
"...You said that you had many uses. Can you heal my wound?"
"Of course! Such a simple wound.. Unless you're on the brink to see the Devil, I can heal you!" The sword boasted.
Light started shining from the sword, and the wound that was once bleeding closed back up in seconds.
It disappeared without a scar, as if it never existed in the first place.
"Hmm.. Then, can you change my appearance, perhaps?" Louis asked once more.
His appearance was always one of his insecurities. When he was just a child, he was told again and again that he was the spawn of Hell, the incarnation of the Devil, et cetera. His features, which belonged solely to him had to be hidden if he wanted to travel around the world.
The sword gleamed in delight, sensing that Louis was about to agree.
"Certainly! All you need to do is will for it. You can alter your features with no problems!"
Louis' eyes widened.
His features were publicized in every corner of the world. The Unwanted child, Louis Fraser.
If he truly had the power to alter it, can't he just go into town and... be a normal human being?
Freedom out of the mountains. Although he was a bit scared, he was also expectant of it.
Perhaps.. a taste of revenge would also be sweeter than the honey he pillaged from the bees.
He gulped a mouthful of saliva, imagining his future plans.
"One more thing. It's certain that you're not going to stop bothering me unless I give in, right?"
"Hehe, it's only been such a short period of time, but you already understand how I am. As expected of my master!"
"If you get annoying in the future, I'm going to throw you into the garbage bin and lock you up forever." Louis commented.
"Ehh? How cruel! Just when I thought you had a change of mind!"
The two walked back to Louis' makeshift cabin. The new addition to Louis' life was very loud.
With each step, his wish that she would lose her ability to speak grew stronger and stronger.