August looked at them silently and instructed Edgar to retrieve a contract seal from the warehouse. A contract seal was a magic contract that forced two or more parties to agree to terms determined on a contract by using a sliver of their souls as collateral punished the party that reneges on the contract using the world's law.
After Edgar returned with one he said calmly to the rogue sorcerers. "You partook in an assault on the Brander clan's resource site and killed sorcerers of the clan. You have pleaded for mercy and hence I will grant it".
The rogue sorcerers were relieved and delighted in their hearts but it was short-lived as August laid down the gauntlet. "As the representative of the Brander clan, I grant you mercy instead of putting an end to your lives here by giving you a contract that will subject you to 20 years of servitude to the Brander clan and its interests after that you will be free. Anyone who goes against the terms will have their souls crushed by the world's laws! You either accept this choice or face death!"
The rogue sorcerers had grim expressions on their face at the thought of being a servant for 20 years but they had no choice but to bind themselves to the contract as it meant that they could keep their heads. Such was life, in the face of death not everyone takes the brave and honorable option. Sometimes survival was more important.
August place his palms on the contract scroll and felt a tiny portion of his soul attach to the contract which will return back to him after the contract had expired. He also made the rogue sorcerer do same which finalized the contract.
After settling this issue, August he went back to the fort. The apprentice sorcerers of the fort all came round to thank him and among them was a brown haired beauty, with a beautiful face and a body that was proportionate at the right places who introduced herself as Amyra.
"Senior Storm, I wanted to personally express my gratitude to you for saving me from Black Hands today. If not for your deeds today, I might have experienced a miserable fate. I don't know how to show you I'm grateful except offering my body," Amyra spoke in a soft and innocent tone that was hard to resist and could make the heart of any man beat wildly.
Sorcerers were known for their amorous relationships due to their longer lifespans and hence statements such as Amyra's were deemed as commonplace.
August was caught off guard with her comment but gave a light smile as he responded. "I don't do things that way, Amyra. You don't have to worry that I will be demanding sexual favors as an excuse for carrying out my mission. I think you are charming but I prefer knowing you more as a person."
Amyra said demurely. "One of the previous intermediate sorcerers used to visit my quarters every night to spend the night with me and I had no choice to comply. He said it was the least I could do for being under his protection. I assumed that…..that was the norm among you intermediate sorcerers, forgive my bluntness, Senior"
"It is alright.It is unfortunate what happened. That is how things are in this world…"
August did not look at her like she was a slut. Rather he felt sympathy for her for having such an attractive figure.
Amyra blushed. She saw August in different light now and respected him even more. She even lost her composure now seeing this dashing and stunning man overwhelm her expectations with every response and couldn't help but divert her gaze from him in shyness. "I see, you are different compared to many others. Thanks for being honest with me."
August even spent some time chatting with her and after the conversation went past formalities, he found out that she was quite friendly and had a likeable personality. She had a way of making people warm up to her and her social skills were impressive. They spoke extensively before he gave polite responses towards her and rest of the apprentices and excused himself returning to his room.
"Master August you were so cool today, and everyone was impressed with you" Rhea stated happily. "You don't have to call me Master you know? Yes everyone was very impressed, I could tell. But you and I know that I'm only as good as they say I am due to your presence, Rhea." August had a genuine expression when he said this.
"You have a way with words, you know, Master August." August sighed helplessly. This breaking the master-servant thing might take some more time and effort. He spoke again. "By the way, how long until the complete optimization of the wind spiral barrier and float sorceries?"
"It would require 11 days before complete optimization."
August was satisfied with the time as it once again meant that Rhea's abilities are improving anytime he also takes a leap in strength. Although he did not know of her origins and how and why he got her in the first place, he did not have the power nor time to find those answer and hence he needed to trust her fully in order to make the most out of her abilities
He also took out a pouch and placed a scroll on the table. This was the belongings of Black Hands. The pouch contained some spirit stones and the scroll contained knowledge with regards to the darkness sorcery: Black Devil Hands and the Black Devil Encompassing Hand.This was all that guy had-he must have been was really poor. Anyway, Rhea had already recorded the sorcery into her database and it might prove to be useful in the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In an unknown place southwards of Toledo Fort, two sorcerers with the Cadogan clan insignia on their breasts were speaking to a black clothed youth with green pupils that were vertical-shaped, identical to a snake, through a magic mirror.
"Osslow and Garlane, Is the job done?" The black clothed youth asked in a voice that almost sounded like a hissing sound of a snake. If any elite rank 0 sorcerers of the Brander clan saw this youth, they will be shocked as this person was Snake Gaze, a powerful elite rank 0 sorcerer that was known for single handedly killing four elite sorcerers of the Brander and hundreds of other apprentices and intermediates.
"We managed to get rid of the intermediate sorcerers were one step away but my pet that I sent to tail our 'allies' has witnessed that idiot Black Hands getting killed by another intermediate sorcerer who was sent to Toledo Fort as reinforcement from the Brander clan just now." One of the Cadogan sorcerers known as Osslow spoke we some hint of embarrassment and shame in his tone.
"I do not care what happened to the rogues." What I expect is the Toledo Fort being captured by our Cadogan clan. My movements are being closely monitored by the elite sorcerers of the Great Sorcerer Phelan tower. Hence I can't do this myself. You have two weeks. After your recovery, finish the mission or you can assured that I will finish you off!"
Osslow and Garlane gulped fearfully. They knew of Snake Gaze's ruthless and bloodthirsty nature and didn't doubt his words for a slightest moment.
"Yes you can be rest assured, Senior Snake Gaze,"They replied hurriedly.
.