Chapter 94: Contract (1)

"Hmm, is that why other iron rankers are so weaker in comparison?" Warden couldn't help but ask.

"Yes and no," June said. "You're just abnormal."

"I would term that as my charm," Warden smiled. "And I believe you're the same. You have a fatemark too, right?"

June shot him a glance and smiled, which was an answer enough. She wears formal and full-sleeved clothing all the time and Warden failed to even guess that. But considering her powerful set of abilities, she was bound to have fatemark abilities.

"By the way, June, do you know what a Fatelock is?"

June narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. "Where have you heard of that term?"

"In my Status page, where else?"

"I don't know all the specifics," June said, "as it was a broad topic. I believe there are more detailed records on it, but my rank is too low to get access to them. Just know that Fatelocks are something related to the Fate domains. Getting access to one such domain will lock your fate with it and give you great benefits in abilities. It even marks your body with fate marks..."

June paused as her eyes went to the marks on his left palm.

"What domain does your fate belong to?" she asked, biting her lips. Warden was about to answer, but she added, "You know what, don't tell me. Let's go meet up with the Elder. She's free now."

Warden's guesses were similar to what she said, and he was willing to tell her more about it for all the help she got him. But from the look of it, it wasn't the time for it.

***

He wasn't ready to commit 20 years of his life, not to mention he needed the job as a part-timer.

"The fees and benefits are great, to be honest," Elder Vess continued. "Most people would agree to it immediately. You won't get anything better than this anywhere."

"Does the contract restrict me from forging weapons for myself or my friends and family?" Warden asked.

"That is left rather open to the question. I believe they won't mind if you do not sell your equipment in large numbers," Elder Vess replied.

"Anything else I need to be aware of?" Warden asked.

"There are a couple of small matters, such as the company setting the prices for equipment and the type and tier of scripts and the like, but nothing too overwhelming," Elder Bess explained. "The other organisation would want the same. With everything, I would say this is a good package. if you don't like the long commitment, you can ask them for a shortened period."

"Nah, I won't sign it," Warden said. "I would like to stay as a free agent and do my own thing. If they want my work, they need to negotiate with me."

"They do take a free runesmith, as far as I know," Elderly said. "Though the benefits they get lack compared to what you are offered. The commission would be almost similar or lower and you won't get other benefits, such as their secret facilities, access to their resources as heavily as the exclusive contract."

"Thankfully, I don't need them at this moment," Warden said.

"This is a good approach," the elder said. "Young people always tend to make rash decisions when they are offered great benefits. As your mastery of the art would only rises, you don't have to be worried about those benefits at all. They will offer them to you for free once you become a Tier-7 master."

Warden nodded.

"I must say, though, I didn't expect a Tier-5 runesmith to apply for the job of a combat instructor," the elder said. "Were you too enamoured by June's beauty that you could not help but agree to join?"