Chapter 57: The Soul Contract

[What...?! What kind of nonsense is this...?!] Allen exclaimed, his hand instinctively covering his mouth in shock. But it was too late to take his words back.

Although he was a spirit, whose words resonated in the mind rather than being spoken aloud, he had reflexively reacted as if he were still human.

Karyl, unfazed by Allen's astonishment, smirked in response.

[You dare to...?] Allen began, his indignation evident in his voice.

"It's not about insulting you. In fact, seeing you like this only convinces me more. As the saying goes, ‘Better a living dog than a dead lion.’ Why should I, who’s still alive, risk making a dangerous deal with the dead? Right? What would I do if I ended up like you?"

As Allen saw Karyl's audacity, a realization dawned on him.

"Well... if you tell me where the Freezing Talon is, I might consider your offer. Why even go to such lengths to hide something you can't use after death anyway?"

Allen was speechless, shaking his head in disbelief. [Has it been so long since I rested here? Not just a thousand, but ten thousand years? I knew fools birthed oddities, but never like this...]

"That can't be the case," Karyl retorted, his scoff barely hidden. He, too, had endured what felt like an eternity's worth of experiences.

With his arms crossed, he continued to probe Allen, "Let me guess what you want, or rather, why you're so fixated on me. You are trapped in here, aren’t you?"

Allen seemed momentarily shaken, his spectral form wavering. It seemed that even in death, emotions still held sway over him.

"Even the Assembly of Seven Elders, in all their greatness, were ultimately human. Conflict is inherent in any gathering. Perhaps you suffered from such conflict? Thus only you survived, but were ultimately trapped here in the Gray Training Ground."

[Huh.] Allen let out a dry chuckle at Karyl's speculation.

"Or maybe it was the other way around," Karyl continued. "You were the one who was trapped here."

In an instant, a chill spread through the air. "By Sir Gustav—the Hero and the other six."

Suddenly, the walls exploded in response to Allen's raging mana.

[Do not utter his name in my presence!]

Allen's fury was palpable, causing even Karyl to take a step back.

[A hero? Don't make me laugh. He was nothing more than the ringleader of a bunch of traitors!]

I was just making a guess... So it was true?

Karyl fell into deep thought seeing Allen's vehement reaction. The Assembly of Seven Elders was a legendary name in history, but Allen Zabius was an anomaly even among them.

Some called him

The Betrayer Allen

, though that title was never openly acknowledged by the Magic City of Azor. Though very few, there existed other perspectives within the Council of Magic who regarded him, someone acclaimed as a great sorcerer, differently.

However, it was dismissed as mere legend, and people didn't really pay much attention because the Seven Elders were likened to gods who descended at the dawn of time, bestowing magic upon humanity.

Or maybe it was because they didn't want to acknowledge a possible traitor among the Seven Elders. And was hidden as a result.

[To bestow the title of “Sir” upon that scoundrel... Are the future generations all fools!]

"It’s rather bold for you to say that, especially considering your defeat at the hands of said person. Some of their descendants even call you a traitor."

[Silence!]

"Calm down. If it weren’t for the Han family becoming the rulers of the Magic City, there might have been only six towers in Azor instead of seven."

Unlike Fasio Han, his ancestors were to my liking.

[The Han family... are the descendants of Celine Han still alive?!]

“Not only are they alive, but her descendants are now the rulers of Azor."

Allen's hand trembled at the mere mention of Celine Han, the only female sorcerer among the Assembly and an astonishing figure to him. His face displayed a mix of surprise and longing, but Karyl wouldn’t know what had happened between her and Allen Javius.

And quite frankly, I don’t care.

Keeping his gaze on Allen, Karyl asked. "Were you and Celine lovers? You were even speculated to be a dragon, but I guess you had emotions."

[Nonsense. Also, dragons? Who came up with that absurd idea?]

"It was just speculation. I happen to have some connections with the Platinum Dragon."

[That creature...] Allen’s voice trailed off, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Seems like there are many you are angry with. Well, you have been trapped for a thousand years. The resentment must have built up."

[You! You know nothing! Do you even know what Gustav, Narh Di Maug, and even that bitch Celine did to me?!]

Well, they were not lovers then.

"It's not my place to judge, but do you know what they call you? The Betrayer Allen. It was theorized from the traces of battle found in the ruins, the fact that it was all aimed at one person, and the presence of arcane tactics," Karyl replied with a calm expression while scratching his head.

[How can you interpret it that way? Are you all fools? Anyone who understands magic would understand how that battle went!!]

"Now I see. They weren’t merely denying the existence of the traitor, but also using it as an opportunity to erect your tower. Maybe Celine played some part in it. Well, she's dead now. Perhaps they were trying to make amends for their past mistakes by honoring you."

[Damn it...]

"What actually happened here?" Karyl asked patiently, not rushing him.

But the more he didn't, the more Allen Jarvius seemed desperate. It didn’t concern Karyl, though. Their positions were different from the very start. The Freezing Talon was undoubtedly here somewhere, waiting to be found. Without Karyl’s help, he would remain trapped in this place for eternity, until the training ground crumbled away.

The sorcerers of today can't deal with Tarak, finding a way to deal with them isn’t an easy task.

Allen knew this all too well. That’s why he couldn't simply let go of Karyl, the lifeline he had grasped.

But before that, I need to check there's nothing else of value here besides the Freezing Talon.

The silence was awkward. Unlike the confident Karyl, Allen Javius grew even more restless as time passed.

[Fine... I'll show you how to get the Freezing Talon.]

"And what else?"

[What do you mean by what else?]

“It's been so long. We should renegotiate. Surely there are other treasures left in the Gray Training Grounds."

[You, who can’t even use Gustav's magic, dare to seek the treasures of the Gray Training Grounds? How foolish. It’s a death sentence,] Allen sneered, his face contorted in disdain.

"Oh, so that’s his magic? But you underestimate me, I have my own methods."

As Allen felt the surge of mana flowing within Karyl, he couldn’t hide his surprise.

[W-What? What kind of mana is this?!] He stared at Karyl in disbelief. [Could it be...?]

"Let's start with the Freezing Talon for now."

[Y-You... are you a Dragon Slayer or something?]

To avoid revealing his thoughts, Karyl hardened his expression. Among humans, no one could surpass him in terms of mana. Additionally, his element was colorless. Though, Allen Javius instantly understood the depth of his power, that was all. There was no need for Karyl to reveal that he hadn't fully opened all his mana points. After all, in any deal, the one who holds the upper hand wins.

[Interesting. You've forced me to reveal my hand first. Okay, push the stone slab to the left there. Inside, you'll find a small bead. Take it and then place it in the brazier over there.]

"Hmm."

Karyl pushed the large stone slab without hesitation. He didn’t doubt Allen’s words as he wagered someone backed into a corner wouldn’t resort to tricks.

And really, within the vast empty space inside, there was one small bead. He tossed the bead into the brazier, where vibrant blue flames danced and flickered. As the bead shattered, sparks erupted, illuminating the surroundings.

[Now, take out the charcoal infused with Clear Distilled Water and pour it into the hole under the slab from where you got the bead.]

"What? That was Clear Distilled Water?"

[Yes. It's of the highest quality, compressed in a special manner. Its potency surpasses that of the ordinary variants by tenfold.]

Karyl, who had remained stoic throughout their exchange, finally showed a hint of surprise. Seeing this, Allen crossed his arms, a look of triumph in his eyes.

[Seems the prestige of the Clear Distilled Water endured through the ages. Well, even among the Elders, I'm the only one who can handle it like this. My methods of refining Clear Distilled Water may be surprising.]

However, Karyl’s surprise stemmed from a different reason. Since the descent of Oracle, Olivurn had been fervently searching for Clear Distilled Water. But finding a mineral that had been lost for centuries was no easy task.

Finding even a small, pure sample of Clear Distilled Water was extremely difficult now. Hence, swords made by mixing it are almost exclusively reserved for the royal family.

Recalling the fist-sized bead he had tossed earlier, Karyl pondered,

If its potency is truly tenfold... This could be an opportunity to shift the tide

. His focus on obtaining Clear Distilled Water stemmed from its effectiveness against the monsters of the Oracle.

"Where did you get this?" Karyl asked, looking puzzled.

[Are you implying that I, Allen Zavius, resorted to thievery?] came the indignant response.

"Sorry, my mistake. Can you procure more of this Clear Distilled Water?" Karyl corrected himself.

[It's not difficult,] Allen replied nonchalantly.

"Even though the deposits have likely changed since your time?" Karyl pressed on.

Allen scoffed at the notion. [What are you talking about? Do you think Clear Distilled Water is some mineral buried in the ground? It’s no ordinary magic stone.]

Phosphor isn't a mineral?

Karyl felt as if he had been struck by a hammer. Its existence had always been taken for granted. No one had ever questioned it.

[Clear Distilled Water is a moss that forms near the spring of visions and gradually hardens. You know my title, right? I was the guardian of that spring. It matters not if the spring has run dry. As long as I'm present, I can summon it at will.]

The reason we couldn't find the mineral was because Allen Zavius had died... This is so astonishing that it's almost ridiculous,

Karyl thought, unable to hide his surprise.

As the white smoke dissipated, a sword with a blade of brilliant blue lay exposed, nestled against the stone wall.

So, this is how it's done. If Narh Di Maug is connected to Allen Zavius, he must’ve known how to find the Freezing Talon,

Karyl mused.

Yet, Narh Di Maug hadn’t revealed anything more than that. Their conversation made him think that he was hiding something.

What could it be?

Karyl wondered what the secret could be.

[Will you listen to me now?] Allen interjected, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

"Hmm?" Karyl turned slowly, fixing his gaze upon Allen.

[After all this time, he is likely the sole survivor. Why don’t you lead me to the Platinum Dragon? In return, I shall help you,] Allen proposed.

Karyl's lips curled up ever so slightly. "That's welcome news," he replied, intrigued by the offer.