"Betrayal?"
Wizard Leo's expression carried a faint smile as he spoke in a calm yet resolute tone. "Kress is Kress, and Merlin is Merlin. How can they be compared? If one Kress betrayed us, should the Dark Spirit Domain shun all geniuses?"
He paused, his voice turning steely. "Moreover, if Merlin ever dares betray the Dark Spirit Domain, I will personally hunt him down and end him!"
The quiet firmness in Leo's words silenced the room, though one Seventh-Level Spellcaster sneered.
"Heh, Wizard Leo, you speak of hunting him down now. But what if Merlin, like Kress, falls to Osium's schemes and betrays us? Under Osium's protection, would you truly be able to kill him so easily?"
Leo's eyes grew cold, and the blood-red vertical eye on his forehead flickered ominously. His hollow gaze locked onto the speaker.
"Wizard Sharman, are you doubting my words? Not long ago, Osium's prodigy Oxius doubted me too, and now he's dead."
The room tensed as Leo's icy tone cut through the air. All eyes briefly flicked to his empty sleeve—a grim reminder of the price he paid to kill the Seventh-Level prodigy from Osium. Even among seasoned spellcasters, few dared challenge the might of Leo, who had mastered the Dark Eye spell to such a terrifying degree.
Sharman, his face flushed with anger, seemed ready to retort, but Wizard Helcius intervened, raising a hand.
"Wizard Leo, Sharman wasn't questioning you. After Kress's betrayal, we've simply become more cautious," Helcius said diplomatically. He then turned to the others.
"The emergence of a Six-Element Spellcaster in our Domain is cause for celebration. Such talents are rare even in the largest spellcaster organizations. However, news of this could provoke Osium to act again. Despite the recent truce, Osium has never been known to honor agreements. If they decide to intervene, we must be prepared."
Helcius paused, then continued, "Therefore, I propose two measures. First, while the ten thousand contribution points Merlin deserves as a Six-Element Spellcaster are justified, they should be distributed over ten years—one thousand points annually. This staggered reward would prevent a repeat of Kress's betrayal, where he used his contribution points to amass spells and tools before defecting."
"Second, Merlin must sign the highest-grade contract we have—one that can even bind Seventh-Level Spellcasters. This would ensure that Osium cannot break it easily, even with their resources, without incurring a tremendous cost."
The group nodded thoughtfully at Helcius's proposal. Leo, too, seemed agreeable. "I accept these conditions. I believe Merlin will as well."
He turned to the door. "Merlin, come in."
Merlin, waiting patiently outside, straightened as he heard Leo's voice. He entered quickly, bowing slightly to Leo and the assembled spellcasters.
"Wizard Leo," Merlin greeted respectfully.
Leo nodded, his expression softening. "Merlin, we have reached a decision regarding your reward. When Kress advanced as a Five-Element Spellcaster, he received fifty thousand contribution points. You, as a Six-Element Spellcaster, will receive one hundred thousand contribution points."
Merlin's mind reeled. One hundred thousand contribution points! Such an astronomical sum could sustain his advancement to a Seventh-Level Spellcaster.
However, Leo's tone shifted as he continued, "Due to Kress's betrayal, your reward will be divided over ten years, with ten thousand points allocated annually. Additionally, you must sign the highest-grade contract with the Dark Spirit Domain. Do you accept?"
Merlin hesitated briefly. The contribution point arrangement was generous, but the contract gave him pause. "Wizard Leo, what does the highest-grade contract entail?" he asked cautiously.
Leo explained patiently, "The highest-grade contract binds the signer to the Dark Spirit Domain and is nearly impossible to break. Even Osium would require exorbitant resources to undo it."
Understanding the purpose behind the contract, Merlin nodded decisively. "I agree to the terms."
Leo's lips curled into a rare smile. "Good."
At his signal, Helcius retrieved a sheet of dark parchment tinged with golden light from his spatial ring. Handing it to Leo, Helcius said, "This is the contract paper—crafted with rare materials to ensure its strength."
Leo threw the parchment into the air. It hovered, emitting waves of magical energy, and glowing runes began circling it.
"Merlin," Leo said solemnly, "before you sign, let me remind you once more—if you betray the Dark Spirit Domain as Kress did, I will hunt you down, no matter where you are."
Merlin took a deep breath. His resolve firm, he extended his mental energy toward the parchment and began reciting the contract.
"In the name of Wilson Merlin, I swear upon this ancient contract never to betray the Dark Spirit Domain."
With each word, a rune leaped from the parchment, embedding itself into the paper. When Merlin finished, a force pulled a sliver of his mental energy into the parchment, signifying the contract's completion.
From that moment on, Merlin ceased to be a temporary member. He was now a full-fledged member of the Dark Spirit Domain—a status that came with immense resources and responsibilities.
The room quieted as the contract settled back into Leo's hands. Merlin looked at his mentor, who gave him an approving nod. Though the path ahead was daunting, Merlin knew he had taken a significant step forward.