After what could only be described as a polite threat wrapped in noble composure, Shadow had to accept it for now.

Yeldez finally spoke again, her voice calm, controlled—like nothing unusual had just happened.

"Talia, bring it to me."

Talia, who had been standing silently in the corner like a decorative object no one questioned, nodded once. Without a word, she stepped forward and extended a carefully wrapped scroll, placing it into Yeldez’s hands.

Yeldez unfolded it slowly.

Then she placed it in front of Shadow.

The moment his eyes landed on it, something about it immediately felt... wrong.

Not visibly. Not obviously.

But there was a weight to it. A quiet pressure.

’Yeah... this doesn’t look good.’

The scroll was covered in intricate rune markings, glowing faintly, like something alive beneath the surface.

"This," Yeldez began smoothly, "is a slave contract made with rune magic."

Straight to the point.

No attempt to sugarcoat it.

A brief silence followed.

Even the air felt awkward for a second.

’...She really said that out loud with confidence.’ Shadow thought.

"It serves as insurance. You will never act against Jane or our family—not in thought, nor in action. The moment you harbor malicious intent..."

She paused briefly.

"...your heart will begin to fail."

Patrick looked away slightly, as if pretending this was completely normal.

’Yeah, no, this family is insane.’

Shadow stared at the contract.

Calm on the outside.

Inside—

’Right. So slavery... it is.’

"It is a rare artifact," she continued, her tone almost casual. "Irreversible. Not even the rune master who created it can undo it."

For a brief moment, a faint smirk appeared on her lips.

It vanished just as quickly.

But Shadow saw it.

’...You bitch.’

"Place a drop of your blood on the central symbol."

There it was.

The "choice."

He looked at the contract again, then inwardly called out—

’System.’

[Analyzing rune magic artifact...]

A brief pause.

[Slavery Contract: A binding agreement between master and subordinate. The subordinate is unable to harm, disobey, or even hold hostile intent toward the master. Violation results in escalating cardiac failure leading to death.]

’Yeah... sounds about right.’

[Analysis complete. The system can neutralize the contract’s binding algorithm. Host does not need to be concerned.]

Shadow’s eyes didn’t change, but internally—

’Good. I could’ve done it myself... probably. Eventually. Maybe.’

He paused for a moment, then asked:

’Can you reverse the roles?’

A short silence followed.

[Requirement not met. Feature available for purchase in System Store upon reaching Level 10.]

’...Of course it is.’

Still, that was more than enough.

’Fine. I’ll play along for now.’

Without hesitation, Shadow raised his hand and bit down on his thumb. A drop of blood formed, dark and steady, before falling onto the center of the contract.

Yeldez followed immediately, placing her own blood onto a separate rune.

The moment both drops touched—

The entire scroll lit up.

A deep red glow spread across the runes, pulsing once... twice...

Then fading.

For the briefest moment, the air around him stilled—

like something unseen had tried to take hold...

and failed.

[Slavery Contract activating...]

[Overriding...]

[Canceling...]

[The contract has been nullified.]

Shadow felt nothing.

No restriction. No pressure.

Nothing binding him.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

It was small.

Subtle.

But enough.

Yeldez noticed.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"To be honest," she said, observing him carefully, "I’m a bit surprised."

She crossed her arms lightly.

"I expected you to collapse in pain the moment the contract activated. I thought someone like you should’ve struggled because of his ill intent."

Her gaze sharpened.

"But it seems you understand what’s best for you."

Shadow met her gaze calmly.

"I’d be stupid to refuse working for such a... dignified family."

The words came out smoothly.

Too smoothly.

For a brief moment, silence lingered.

Then Patrick cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

"Now that this is settled... let’s proceed with the mana transfer."

---

Jane’s room was spacious, elegant—far too peaceful for what it was meant to contain.

Shadow stepped inside alongside the others.

Soon, both he and Jane were seated on the bed in the lotus form.

Jane faced forward.

Shadow seated behind her.

Yeldez’s voice came again, calm but firm:

"Remember. Transfer water mana—but coat it with fire. It must be indistinguishable."

Shadow nodded.

’Yeah, yeah. Balance the unstable human bomb. Got it.’

He placed both hands gently against Jane’s back.

Even through the thin fabric, he could feel the heat radiating from her body.

’Damn... she’s basically overheating from the inside.’

He focused.

Water mana began to flow.

Carefully.

Slowly.

Wrapped in a thin layer of fire mana.

The moment it entered her—

Jane’s body trembled.

"Aghh...~"

A soft moan escaped her lips.

Patrick coughed into his fist.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’...It’s definitely awkward with her family presence.’

"This is..." Jane’s voice trembled, "...the best feeling I’ve ever had..."

Her fingers clenched into the sheets.

Her body visibly relaxed.

For the first time—

She looked... at peace.

’...I’m just transferring mana.’

Patrick and Yeldez exchanged a glance.

A silent one.

’If I didn’t know better...’ Yeldez thought coldly, ’I would’ve killed him already for making me witness my daughter making such a face.’

Talia, standing nearby, watched quietly.

’Young lady... looks happy.’

The process continued.

Minutes turned into an hour.

Shadow’s breathing grew heavier.

’Yeah... this is tiring more than expected.’

But he didn’t stop.

Not until—

He finally pulled his hands away.

He exhaled sharply, his body slightly unsteady.

Jane slowly opened her eyes.

"...I feel amazing."

Her voice was softer now.

Clearer.

"It’s like... the pain is gone."

She looked at her hands, clenching them slightly.

"...Though it took longer than I expected."

"That’s normal," Yeldez replied. "You’re an A-rank. He’s only F-rank."

Her gaze shifted toward Shadow.

"And yet... he managed it in one session."

There was suspicion there.

Sharp. Quiet.

’Yeah, here we go.’

"You know," Shadow said, breathing heavily, "since I’m under a contract and all... I can’t lie to you."

A small pause.

"So how about we just... drop this from stretching any longer and just let me rest?"

A lie.

Delivered flawlessly.

Yeldez studied him for a moment—

Then let it go.

"For now."

Patrick stepped forward again.

"Well then, there’s one more thing."

Shadow closed his eyes briefly.

’Of course there is.’

’I swear... one more request and I might actually start torturing someone in this family.’

"To be honest," Patrick continued, "this is beneficial for you as well."

Shadow opened his eyes.

Listening.

"Jane couldn’t attend the magical academy before, due to her condition."

He gestured toward her.

"But now that it’s stabilized... she can finally enter."

A short pause.

"And you will go with her."

Shadow blinked once.

"...I see."

"You’ll assist her if her condition worsens," Patrick added. "And in return, you gain access to the academy. A place where only the elite awakeners gather to reach their true potential."

Shadow leaned slightly back.

Thinking.

’A place filled with awakened elites... resources... training...’

’And probably arrogant idiots with noble backgrounds.’

A small pause.

’...Yeah. Sounds about right.’

Still—

A good opportunity.

"I don’t know how to repay your generosity," Shadow said calmly.

And meant none of it.

"It’s settled then," Yeldez concluded. "In two days, you will depart for Velmora Academy."

Velmora Academy.

The name settled in the air.

Heavy.

Important.

A turning point.

And just as the moment lingered—

Talia spoke.

"...He’s cooked."

Silence.

Everyone turned to look at her.

Shadow frowned slightly.

"...What?"

Talia didn’t respond.

She simply stood there.

As if she hadn’t said anything at all.

Shadow stared at her for a moment longer.

Then looked away.

’...I’m not even going to question its meaning’

Somehow—

That felt like the right decision.

"Talia, you’ll be going with them too to assist Jane." Yeldez added.

Hearing this, Shadow had only one thought in his mind.

’Accompanying two beauties... yeah, this is how people get killed. I’m definitely becoming public enemy number one.’