The Next Morning
Rami woke before his eyes had fully opened. His body moved on its own—he knew exactly what he needed to do.
Quietly, he walked to the back corner of the room. He pushed aside a wooden box and reached behind it until his fingers touched a familiar cover. He pulled out the book. He didn't open it.
Instead, he turned to the pile of gifts that had arrived the night before. A stack of decorated boxes lay scattered on his desk. One in particular caught his eye—its shape, size, and weight… a book. A small tag on the corner: "From Lily."
He grabbed a pair of scissors and opened the gift with extreme care. He glanced at the cover, then tossed the book aside. He picked up his own book—the one no one should ever see—and began wrapping it in the same fancy paper. He wasn't an expert, but the disguise was convincing enough.
He placed the "gift" back on the table and hid the real book at the bottom of another box. Then he sat on his bed and let out a long breath.
"This way, I can bring it to the capital... without attracting unwanted attention."
But there was still something else he had to do before leaving. And as he thought that—
He felt something.
A gaze.
He turned around.
Someone was sitting on his bed.
Strange. There was no sound. The door hadn't opened. He was just... there. Staring at him, like his presence was completely normal.
Rami didn't show fear, though his body prepared to fight.
He asked calmly, "Who are you? And what do you want?"
The stranger gave a subtle smile. "Impressive composure. A stranger appears in your room, and you respond with calm? That's rare."
Rami shot back sharply, "If you meant to kill me, you would've done it already. So... talk."
The man nodded, as if agreeing. "My name is Su Yun. A rare-class Hunter, investigator, and explorer from the Su Family. I came to offer you something: official sponsorship by our family."
Rami didn't smile. Didn't flinch.
He just asked, "And why sneak in?"
"A reckless promise made by our representative in this city prevents us from contacting you publicly. I had to... bend the rules a bit."
Rami paused, then replied firmly, "Rain is my foster father. I won't betray him."
Su Yun didn't get angry. He smiled—as if he'd heard something unexpected.
"Interesting... you say that, but your eyes tell me otherwise."
Rami froze. For a moment.
Su Yun continued, "I'm an A-Class. My ability is called Truth Eye. I read body language and eye movement. A mental internal class—just like yours."
Rami clenched his jaw. A mistake.
"You're wrong. Rain raised me, and I'll stay loyal to him."
"Another lie. Don't embarrass yourself."
Something shifted in the air. A thread of danger, invisible but clear.
"What do you want?" Rami said coldly, realizing he'd been exposed.
"To have you join our family. And if you refuse... we'll make sure you won't become a threat later."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. If you let me go now, I promise not to tell anyone."
Su Yun didn't seem surprised. But suddenly, killing intent filled the room.
"Maybe you're being honest now, but who can guarantee that in the future? Better to kill you now."
He reached toward Rami.
In that moment, Rami felt the fear of death for the first time. Not even when he faced Mortix had he felt this.
"Wait... I have a counteroffer."
The killing intent vanished like someone had pulled a fuse from a bomb.
"Oh? You've decided to accept?" he asked with a calm smile, as if the threat moments ago had never happened.
Rami shook his head. "No. I won't accept your offer."
He quickly raised his hand before Su Yun could respond.
"But... I have a deal."
Su Yun smirked, amused. "A proposal? From a twelve-year-old? Let me guess—you think you're some genius betting your future? Many thought the same. Most disappeared before they even matured."
"Not exactly. But I know something you care about." Rami stared him down.
"The Su Family is a contributor to the Global Alchemy Association, right?"
Su Yun's tone changed for the first time. "You know about that?"
Rami nodded slowly. "And I know your position there... is slipping."
The silence was so heavy it felt like the air thickened.
Then came the pressure.
Like the walls were closing in.
Breathing became harder.
Rami nearly buckled, but gritted his teeth and recalled the feeling of his awakening. He pushed mana out randomly to shield himself, which eased the pressure slightly.
"How do you know that?"
It wasn't a question. It was a warning.
"I have sources. Killing me... won't bury what I know. It might even speed up its spread."
Su Yun stared at him.
Then took a deep breath. The pressure faded as he realized the boy was at his limit.
"Fine. I'm listening. What's your offer?"
Rami inhaled, then said:
"I'll help you maintain your contributor status in the Association. In exchange... three conditions."
"Assuming what you say is true... what are the conditions?" Su Yun asked, skeptical—though his ability confirmed Rami wasn't lying. At least, Rami believed he was telling the truth.
Normally, a child from a backwater town wouldn't have access to such a secret. Only five or six of the Su family's highest knew it.
"You'll hear them later. After I keep my promise."
Su Yun raised an eyebrow. "And if you fail?"
"Then I'll become a servant of the Su family. For life."
He laughed—not aloud, but with a grin.
Then he pulled out a blank sheet of paper from his ring.
Rami didn't understand.
Su Yun explained, clearly enjoying his confusion:
"A Mana Oath contract. Breaking it... means death. Instantly."
Rami felt a bead of sweat form. But it changed nothing.
"Let me read it."
Five minutes passed as Su Yun wrote.
Rami took the paper and read aloud:
"Party B, named Rami, shall assist the Su Family in securing their position as contributors to the Global Alchemy Association.
If he fails within two months, he becomes a lifelong servant of the Su Family.
If he succeeds, he is entitled to three requests from Party A, named Su Yun, as long as their value doesn't exceed the benefit provided by Party B."
"Two months? That's too short."
"You're right. Normally this sort of thing would take at least a year. But unfortunately, the next shareholders' meeting is in two months. That's when your family's fate will be decided. So I made the deadline short. Will that be a problem?"
Rami thought for a moment.
"No problem. But add this: Any harm done to me by Party A or his family will void the contract immediately."
Su Yun paused, then nodded. "Fair enough."
He adjusted the clause. Then said:
"To activate the contract, you need to inject mana. Just like during your awakening."
Rami reached out.
He felt a gentle warmth... then the paper split. Half entered his head. The other half, Su Yun's body.
Rami eyed him warily.
Su Yun understood and clarified, "Don't worry. It entered your soul sea to guarantee our commitment. You can also check the contract anytime by focusing your mind."
"Alright. Now tell me—how do you plan to do what you promised?" Su Yun asked, hand on his chest, curiosity in his eyes.
"Not yet. I'll explain after I reach the capital and enroll in Star Academy."
"Fine. I won't rush you. I'm sure you're more nervous about this than I am," he said with a grin as he vanished.
"Goodbye, kid. This was... an entertaining encounter."
After confirming his departure, Rami thought:
He might be more important than he let on. To gamble with a Su family secret without consulting the head, and to know the meeting date... I doubt he's just an explorer.
But it doesn't matter. This ensures their commitment.
Especially since his ability is useful in the capital—where politics, deception, and conspiracies thrive.
They won't let him go easily.