As the days passed, I studied relentlessly, never letting my success get to me. I shall not diminish all my efforts due to my own ego.
One day–a day I have long awaited for. I stood inside the Hall of Paths. The room was dim beyond belief, the only things that allowed me to even see were the sliver of light that came from the metallic lamps. Grand grey walls stood meters across the center–where I stood. My gaze was firm and decisive.
I held a golden token in my right hand, the same one the judge from the Literature Bloodline had previously given me.
With my decision set, I clenched my fist, signaling the start of my Promotion.
Within a few seconds, the token escaped my grasp, flying high above me. Soon, it melted into a bright, golden liquid. One that made me feel my heart beating like drums sounding a great era.
And soon, my heart nearly stopped when it formed words, words that sent me into confusion.
"Your future lies not in your hands, but theirs."
Just after I finished reading those words, the metallic liquid split into two. One shone with brilliant golden light while the other was dark, like an abyss. The abyss-like liquid swirled before flying towards me. This liquid soon created a small wound on my chest and entered through it. I felt intense warmth coursing through my body. Then, I fell to the ground, my vision blurred before returning to normal.
And before I knew it, the other liquid had already turned into a token that lay before me. I took a few deep breaths before regaining my composure.
I let out a deep sigh, a little confused but excited. I smiled, happy to see my dream finally becoming a reality, one that I chose.
…
I laid myself down, trying to relax after what had just occurred. A stupid smile was plastered across my face, one that showed my endless joy.
While lying down, I noticed the silver book that I used to study, the one that I borrowed years before. I remembered to always return it, but because I kept borrowing, I was practically the second owner. It sat at the edge of my desk, giving off a calm and cool aura. But strangely enough, I started seeing a faint purple glow coming from it.
I first rubbed my eyes, confused beyond reason. I rose to my feet, taking it into my hands, and flipping its pages open. I found nothing out of the ordinary, so I closed the book, placing it back at my desk.
I sat back down on my bed, stretching one last time before falling into a deep sleep. I felt my body relaxing, letting down my guard. I unconsciously hugged one of my pillows, falling deeper into sleep.
Hours passed while I slept, and when I awoke, I noticed a ray of sunlight piercing through my window. I turned to look, only to be met by the beautiful sunset. I unknowingly smiled, maybe I felt hopeful or maybe I just felt sentimental, whatever it is, I feel happy–ready to see the next sunrise.
I stepped out of my room and saw Cael sitting on the couch, with a calm and composed expression. Once he turned to look at me, that composed expression of his transformed into a bitter smile. I didn't understand it at the time but it may have been a sign.
He invited me to sit with him, and so I did. We sat opposite one another as his smile brightened, almost as if the smile I previously saw had never happened.
He said with the same usual tone of joy, "Elmer, do you feel like playing a game tonight?"
I inquired, "What game? I'm up for it, I just want to know."
Cael's smile widened as he explained, "It's a contract-making game! We make a Contract and the goal is to make one that we can use as a reference material for our future conduct."
"That doesn't sound that fun," I commented, trying to probe a little.
"Is that so? Then, how about… changing the goal to creating a Contract we would be willing to use on one another?"
"Isn't that a kind of odd? Can't we just ask each other for a favor?"
"Well… that's the thing, we don't have control over the events that may occur, causing us to be unable to help each other. This is a forceful Contract, one that we two will only use at critical moments." Cael explained, his tone slowly calming down.
Cael coughed, then started, "I suppose it's my turn to make my terms of conditions? First, I want to be the first to be able to ask for a favor. And second, I demand that you can only ask me for a favor after I've already asked you."
I wondered and pondered for a moment before speaking, "I agree with your conditions. So, the conditions I want are simple. I want us to be specific about the favors we give to each other, no vague favors!"
The memories of when my Professor taught us about Contracts then surfaced in my mind.
…
At the board, our Professor wrote down the basic principles regarding Contracts.
He explained, gesturing at us to speak if we have questions, "Contracts are in essence, very simple. It is an artificial connection that binds multiple individuals into completing their aim."
When he saw one of the students, my classmate, raise her hand, he gently told her to speak, "Speak up."
The student raised her voice, sounding a little nervous, "How do we form one?"
The Professor smiled, and explained further, "Forming a Contract is actually very simple. It only needs a person who forms the connection or binding, a person we call the Developer. Developers are usually Soul or Law Holders, the concepts that give the easiest access to Contracts. As for the person who agreed with the terms and helped make it, they are called a Performer, because they are the ones acting upon it."
"If you are asking how the Performer can ensure a fair Contract, it is simple. Most if not all, contracts are written upon a parchment that both participants can read. So, both parties need to pay careful attention to the words written on it."
"And as a last piece of advice or… warning. Remember that Contracts are merely a tool, so never harbor hate toward them."
…
After my short reminiscing came to an end, I sighed, fully trusting the friend who had helped me get to this point, harbouring no suspicions.
And before I knew it, we had already completed our contract. We decided not to write it down since this is simply a minimal contract.
He gestured for us to shake hands, and so I took hold of his hand and shook it.
Cael's smile flickered for that one single moment, making me a little confused.
Suddenly, I felt as if I were a string being tied with another string. The feeling was odd, as if I could feel my whole body. My eyes widened, but soon closed themselves after the feeling subsided.
When I opened my eyes, Cael started asking for my favor, "Ehem… Uh… My favor would be two parts, and since we agreed to be specific, I will be handing you a notebook with detailed instructions."
After hearing Cael sound somewhat puzzled, my heart calmed. I almost thought that I was making a stupid mistake, but how could that be? Cael is my most trusted friend, one that I would cherish forever.
He explained just as he handed me the notebook, "My favor would be two parts. This one notebook would be the instructions for the first part."
I immediately gave him a deadpan look, "Really now? Making use of a loophole this early?"
Cael laughed my comment off, and said with an exaggerated tone, "Early? It's already nighttime."
I laughed awkwardly, already used to Cael's odd shenanigans.
Cael soon left me alone in our dorm.
I sighed, deciding to read the details of the so-called instructions.
The moment I opened the first page, my smile twitched. There were too many details to memorize.
I muttered, "Cael really does know how to get under my skin."