Emperor-level potential? What the hell are you talking about?
Raziel's anger was still simmering, but he selected "Yes" to view the detailed information.
[The Contract Beast you have obtained is: An Emperor-level potential human, female.]
[According to predictions, this female human's talent is the strongest potential Contract Beast within a 200,000-square-kilometer radius. In the future, she will become a being known as [The Empress of Azure Flame].]
As the System explained, a phantom image appeared before Raziel's eyes. In it, a much older version of Avril stood in a city reduced to ruins, holding blue and white flames in her hands. With a casual wave, she incinerated an endless swarm of monsters from the horizon, burning them to ashes in an instant.
The monsters, terrifying as they appeared, were nothing more than ants in front of Avril!
The scene felt so vivid it was as if Raziel had lived through it. His blood surged with excitement.
"Is she really that powerful?"
Raziel swallowed hard.
He thought he understood what the System meant now. After all, Contractors weren't restricted to just animals. Humans were a higher form of life.
The System's choice didn't seem so wrong.
But...
"You really set me up for this, didn't you? Why didn't you just tell me from the start that I was going to Contract Avril?"
"I could've kept my distance!"
[Host need not worry, after the Contract is successful, a special seal will appear on the Contract Beast, engraved with the Host's name.]
"Ah?"
"That's why she instantly knew it was me."
Raziel sighed inwardly.
He wasn't sure if he should be happy or not. Theoretically, after signing the Contract, Avril shouldn't be able to harm him.
And as Raziel recalled the image of Avril wielding flames that could destroy the world, he had two main thoughts:
First, how powerful would the Talent she would return be, given her potential?
Second, Avril's future was too strong! With her as his Contract Beast, Raziel could pretty much just coast through life!
...
"But Avril's identity is complicated. I might have just made a huge mistake."
Raziel pondered.
Suddenly, Avril's gentle smile interrupted his thoughts.
"Sit down."
Raziel was caught off guard. He looked up and found that he had already been led into a quiet private room.
Avril closed the door behind them. She had initially planned to shout and demand that the Contract be undone, but...
However, as Avril thought about scolding Raziel, she instinctively felt a sense of fear and resistance.
She even found herself studying Raziel, feeling an inexplicable warmth emanating from him, which made it difficult for her to say anything harsh. "Can you explain to me what just happened?"
While speaking, Avril reassured him, "Don't worry, you don't seem like someone who would want to harm me."
"Maybe there's some misunderstanding?"
As she spoke, Avril casually picked up the tablet nearby and ordered a few dishes.
"We can talk while we eat."
"Raziel, if you're facing any difficulties, feel free to tell me. I'll help you."
Avril's words were half genuine, half calculating.
She had analyzed the situation and concluded that Raziel didn't seem to have any personal grudge against her. Perhaps someone had bribed him to target her.
It was also possible that Raziel himself had been manipulated.
Moreover, Avril could feel that she was subtly being controlled by the boy in front of her. Now, pushing Raziel too hard would be unwise, as it could make him act out of desperation.
The girl, driven by a combination of affection and rational analysis, decided the best approach was to keep Raziel calm for now.
If she truly wanted revenge, it would be better to wait until the mysterious restraints on her were lifted.
Avril instinctively didn't want to believe that Raziel was trying to harm her.
Raziel, on the other hand, was taken aback. He hadn't expected Avril to remain so composed. Even now, she could smile and speak to him in a calm manner.
After thinking for a moment, Raziel altered his story slightly and decided to be honest.
He explained that he had awakened his Talent ahead of time and received a Contract opportunity.
As for why the Contract Talisman had been placed on that table, it was simply because he had originally intended to capture a Goblin wandering the city.
Unfortunately, Avril had come by too early, causing Raziel's plan to fail, and the Contract Beast slot was already occupied.
Of course, Raziel couldn't reveal that Avril's future potential was so terrifying she might become The Empress of Azure Flame. He had to make it sound as though he was the one who had lost out.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interfere with you."
Raziel's words were half-truths, and no one would have believed him.
But, thanks to the Contract's influence, Avril naturally felt an overwhelming sense of trust and affection toward the boy.
Immediately, guilt stirred within her.
"I might have really wasted Raziel's Contract opportunity…"
"We're both victims here…"
Wait… did I actually fall for this?
Raziel, in turn, was completely confused.
However, the next moment, Avril's expression suddenly became serious.
"I'll ask you first, can you lift the Contract on your end?"
Raziel sighed and shook his head. "No, there's no way. At least, I don't have the ability right now."
"Alright then. I'll figure something out."
"Don't worry, my father has some influence. He should be able to break the normal effects of a Talent Contract."
"As for you, I'll make sure someone sends you a wild monster with higher potential so you can Contract it again."
Despite feeling the overwhelming warmth and affection toward Raziel, Avril, as the future Empress, and the proud young woman she was, could never allow herself to remain someone else's Contract Beast. Her pride would not allow it.
With the strong bond she felt, she was still resolute in her desire to break free from Raziel's control. She was merely considering offering some compensation in return.
Raziel raised an eyebrow, sensing that…
It was unlikely that this Contract would be broken.
The idea of breaking a God-tier Talent Contract with just a simple fix? Ridiculous.
"No problem. I don't want to make anyone my Contract Beast, either," Raziel replied, though it wasn't exactly a lie. If the System had told him from the start that the Emperor-level Contract Beast was Avril, he might have hesitated.
Contract Beasts sounded nice, but in essence, they were slaves.
If it had been some stranger, Raziel wouldn't have cared. But Avril had shown him kindness.
With his Talent, he could cultivate an Emperor-level potential Contract Beast. Why would he harm someone he had no reason to harm?
"Alright, then. Let's go with that. Let's eat first."
Just as Avril was about to say something else, there was a knock at the door.
She flashed a carefree smile, the brilliance of her face making Raziel's heart skip a beat. His initial tension was replaced by a sudden rush of excitement.
Avril wasn't just the future Empress with infinite potential. Her fame also came from her astonishing beauty, which had yet to fully awaken her Talent.
In the private room, under the influence of the Contract's charm, Avril's smile was so captivating that even the lights from the glass lanterns seemed to fade in comparison.
Raziel wasn't a romantic fool, but his biological instincts kicked in. He couldn't help but swallow hard.
He realized something: the goddess that countless men in the academy longed to touch but could never get close to had now become his slave.
Raziel, driven by his sense of morality and caution, had no intention of doing anything. But deep down, he knew that with just a command, he could make Avril submit—he could have her give up her body at his will… allowing him to indulge and dominate her without restraint.
"What's wrong? Are you thirsty?"
Once the waiter left and the door to the private room was closed, Avril asked with a hint of concern.
"No, it's nothing."
"It's nothing," Raziel muttered, feeling a bit restless. He loosened his collar slightly, then immediately realized he was being a bit rude.
But Avril seemed to not notice, remaining silent.
However, deep down, Avril felt a sense of unease. For some reason, when Raziel loosened his shirt just now, she inexplicably felt a strange desire rise within her.
This sudden feeling caught the usually composed Avril off guard. She, who was skilled in social pleasantries, fell into an unusual silence.
And so… the awkward atmosphere between them lingered as they silently ate their meal.
Raziel felt guilty, and Avril felt unsettled. They only focused on finishing their food in silence.
Until—
New words flashed before Raziel's eyes.
[You have successfully completed the Talent feedback with your first Contract Beast.]
[Would you like to extract the Talent? Yes/No]
At the same time, Raziel could feel a surge of energy stirring within him, waiting for him to activate it.
"Yes!"
"Extract Talent!"
Without hesitation, he made his choice.
In the next instant—
Boom!!
It felt as if something exploded!
A terrifying wave of energy erupted inside Raziel's body, surging wildly.
Before him, new prompt text began to slowly form.