The moment the magic contract activated, Baston felt it.
A faint pressure tightened around the puppet's existence like the invisible chains that were locking into place. The connection between the contract and the puppet was immediate and unmistakable.
It was a subtle force which was bound firmly to the agreement yet, Baston himself felt nothing.
Inside the quiet sanctuary of the old book, his true body remained untouched. That small difference changed everything.
If the contract were ever violated, the puppet would bear the consequences. The punishment, the backlash, and the responsibility which were all of it would fall upon the puppet's existence rather than the puppet master who controlled it.
Baston merely observed through borrowed eyes. He was the spectator and the puppet was the scapegoat.
A faint smile flickered across Baston's mind since this was how the world's so-called unbreakable magic contracts worked.
He had already studied such things before.
When he visited Alicia's residence in the past, he spent several hours inside the family library. Compared to the academy's restricted archives, the Xavierius family library contained far broader knowledge. It described the kingdom's laws, the mechanics of magical contracts, and the countless fragments about how power operated in the world.
The academy's library had disappointed him.
It was not that the knowledge did not exist there. Rather, the knowledge was divided by the status.
The students from powerful families could access deeper sections while the ordinary students were forced to remain within the shallow layers. Baston, who held the lowest possible background, was allowed only scraps of information.
It was like feeding crumbs to the beggars while the nobles enjoyed a full feast.
Fortunately, Baston had gained unexpected access through Alicia. Without her invitation to the estate, he would never have learned as much as he did.
Thinking about it now, he had to admit about something.
Alicia Xavierius had unknowingly become his greatest benefactor. The second would be Panto. One was the daughter of a noble family and the other one was the son of a wealthy merchant. Two very different backgrounds with two very useful connections.
He silently reminded himself that these relationships must be preserved carefully.
If the future turned dangerous and if it inevitably would, those two might become the earliest warning bells, especially Alicia. After all, her curiosity alone made her valuable.
The mysterious cult that Baston had mentioned before had already planted seeds inside her mind. She viewed it as a dangerous organization. It was such an evil entity that was hidden beneath the kingdom's surface. Such curiosity was a powerful hook.
If he arranged a few incidents related to the cult, Alicia would undoubtedly pursue the truth further.
Once she stepped deeper into that darkness, she would naturally return to him for the answers. It was a convenient chain of dependence.
As for Panto, the situation was different.
Convincing the merchant's son about the shadowy organizations was far more difficult. The merchants thought about the profit and stability above all else. Besides that, the danger that threatened the business was more urgent than anything.
When he first met Panto, he lied that someone was targeting the boy's life. At that time, the boy had been terrified.
He stayed close to him, treating him like a protection. However, the fear faded quickly since humans were the creatures who adapted.
Eventually, Panto would return to his natural state about someone who preferred the peaceful transactions rather than the life-threatening conspiracies.
Perhaps, he would need to create another incident.
Something subtle or something frightening that was enough to remind Panto that the danger still lingered nearby. Still, he knew such tricks could not continue forever.
Panto disliked chaos and too much danger would push him away rather than bind him closer. Eventually, he would need to be careful, very careful in planning such treatment.
However, another matter required his attention for now. Through the puppet's eyes, he watched Levan. The moment the contract finalized, the merchant burst into laughter.
"Ha… ha… ha…!"
His round face brightened with open delight. Even his assistant beside him could not hide a satisfied smile.
Baston merely allowed the puppet to smile politely. However, his thoughts were cold inside his mind. Several seconds passed before Levan calmed down.
"Ha… ha… Thank you, Baston…" the merchant said warmly, "You will not regret signing this contract."
"Yes, congratulations…" the assistant added smoothly, "Regarding your employment with our company, you may decide whether to announce it publicly or keep it private. Anyway, either option is acceptable. However, I personally recommend making it public since it would be an excellent news for the company."
Baston nodded modestly, "Thank you. I will consider it carefully."
Before he left, he asked politely, "Is there anything else I can assist you with today, Sir Levan?"
Levan rubbed his chin, "Hmm… No, nothing urgent. You may return for now and I will contact you when necessary."
Baston rose from the chair before it happened. His foot slipped intentionally. With a clumsy motion, he crashed directly into the table.
The books and the documents scattered everywhere as the table tilted violently. The papers fluttered across the floor and the sudden chaos startled both of Levan and his assistant.
"Oh…!"
"Be careful!"
They rushed forward and helped Baston stand upright. The fat boy only scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm terribly sorry, Sir… I think I became too excited and lost my balance."
Levan laughed kindly, "Ha… ha… Do not worry about it... Sometimes, it happens..."
He waved a hand dismissively, "Just be careful on your way back. Falling twice in one day would be embarrassing."
"Yes, Sir Levan..."
Baston bowed politely then he left the office. However, he did not go far.
Hidden among the trees outside the building, he remained still. The moments later, he summoned another puppet. The small figure slipped silently while its body shrank and its limbs twisted. Within few seconds, a tiny gray rat appeared.
The rat darted back into the office through the half-open door and vanished among the scattered books that Baston had knocked over earlier.
It was a perfect condition to monitor the man.
The creature hid beneath a fallen document before scurrying quietly toward a wooden cabinet near the wall. At there, it waited in silent while listening to the surrounding.
He could only infiltrate this office in such a roundabout way.
Unlike the warehouse office he visited before, this room was protected by a magic barrier.
If he attempted direct infiltration, the barrier would alert Levan instantly. In the end, he created the chaos first before he could infiltrate. Now, the rat puppet was inside the office before the voices resumed.
"Congratulations, Sir…" the assistant said, "That boy will bring us many surprises."
Levan chuckled, "I can see that already. Not only is he talented in magic, but he also shows clever tactics during battle."
The assistant hesitated, "But… He seems to be careless..."
"Yes, indeed…"
"He signed the contract immediately without thinking further. Perhaps, your reputation convinced him completely."
Levan laughed loudly, "Exactly!"
He leaned back comfortably, "Throw enough money at anyone and they will agree sooner or later.
It seems it's true even for the talented boy."
The assistant nodded, "Your idea regarding the inheritance promise was brilliant."
Levan's smile widened, "We do not even need to pay such additional compensation."
The assistant snickered, "That fat boy probably believes he will inherit the entire company one day. I wonder what expression he will make when he realizes the truth."
Levan shrugged lazily, "It will not be our fault. He should have read the contract more carefully."
Behind the cabinet, the rat remained perfectly still. As for Baston who was listening through its senses, he felt no anger. He only felt the calm calculation.
Eventually, that was their plan in the end. They truly believed he had been fooled. It would be quite interesting to see what happened next.
He silently recorded every word.
He wanted the assassination to be flawless, making him required the information. More information would increase his awareness toward the surrounding. Inside the office, the conversation shifted.
"Sir…" the assistant said, "Lately, many workers have become inefficient. I suggest dismissing the older and the disabled ones."
Levan frowned slightly, "That may damage our reputation."
The assistant smiled thinly, "Not if we have the right excuse."
"Oh?"
"We can blame Baston..."
Levan leaned forward with interest, "Explain it more thoroughly…"
"Everyone knows that advancing in magic requires enormous resources…" the assistant folded his arms confidently, "We simply tell the workers that Baston requires the expensive materials for his training. Because of that, we must reduce the unnecessary labor costs."
Levan's eyes brightened, "What about the workers then?"
"They will react in two ways. First, they may work harder to avoid the dismissal. Second, they may resent Baston. Any outcome will only benefit us."
Levan laughed again, "Yes… Yes, that is excellent."
The assistant nodded calmly, "They will not dare challenge him either. After all, he is a talented wizard. Our kingdom protects such strength and the most they can do is grumble."
At the outside, Baston sighed quietly. It was such wicked and vicious plan. Levan would exploit him for the reputation. The man would use him as a shield and as a scapegoat.
He was a human garbage indeed.
The merchant tried so hard to appear benevolent but he now saw the truth clearly which meant the merchant needed to die soon.
After several minutes, the office fell silent.
The footsteps echoed and the door was closed. Levan and the assistant had left while the rat puppet slipped from its hiding place before returning.
The moments later, Baston switched positions with it, replacing the puppet with his true body. He then left quietly but his mind continued working.
There had been another discovery.
The office room contained a control mechanism. Not only it could activate the defensive barrier, but it could also create a soundproof environment. If someone screamed inside, no one outside would hear it.
Baston suspected Levan had activated it during the contract signing.
Perhaps, the merchant had prepared for the unpleasant outcomes if he rejected the deal. Such method was interesting and useful.
Now that he had signed the contract, Levan's guard would naturally drop which meant the office itself might become the perfect execution chamber.
However, there was a complication.
After Levan died, someone needed to manage the company.
He could not do it personally since he was still a student at Prius Academy. Attending classes was mandatory so running a company daily was impossible.
It seemed he needed someone who was reliable and full with experience. A name soon surfaced immediately which was Panto. The merchant's son probably had a capable staff.
If he gained the control of the company, Panto might provide the temporary management. Truly, that would solve the problem. He nodded to himself while the plan would continue forming.
*****
The next day arrived quickly and the magic competition resumed as usual.
Baston had already decided something. He would surrender today so there was no need to advance further.
Since the contract had been signed, Levan had already taken the bait. Showing more talent would only attract the unnecessary attention.
Besides, the merchant did not deserve the glory.
Baston could have brought immense fame to the company but Levan wanted him only as a scapegoat. Such a man deserved a death soon.
Inside the waiting room, he sat quietly and he planned to lose the match immediately. Whoever his opponent was would become lucky today. Still, before the match began, someone suddenly sat beside him.
It was Alicia. The noble girl appeared without warning.
Immediately, Baston felt dozens of hostile gazes around them. The other boys in the waiting room were clearly unhappy.
Baston leaned closer and whispered, "What are you doing here?"
Alicia smiled calmly, "Didn't you check the match list? You are my opponent today."
Baston froze because of all people, he had to face her.
"At last…" she said softly, "We have the chance to fight each other."
Baston rubbed his forehead, "I actually planned to surrender."
"No..."
Her answer came instantly, "I refuse to win easily and I do not want such a pitiful victory."
Baston sighed, "Unfortunately, I have urgent matters today."
Alicia studied him, "What kind of urgent matter?"
Baston did not respond but Alicia understood immediately. It must be about the cult since he did not want to talk in the public. The mysterious organization he had warned her about that even she did not know its name.
He insisted that the name itself was dangerous. Perhaps, it was cursed. Perhaps, it was forbidden. Still, the mystery only deepened her curiosity.
She wanted to know more and she wanted to see the truth behind the shadows. She felt today was a rare opportunity since she could gain his trust in the arena. After all, her strength would be her own signature.
By facing him directly, she could then gauge the difference in their power.
Baston was the most unpredictable participant in the competition. His tactics, his magic, and his strange decisions fascinated her. Personally, she thought she could move further by experiencing such battle.
"I still want to fight," Alicia said firmly.
Apparently, she added something unexpected, "If you fight me today, I will grant you one wish."
Baston slowly turned his head because that was quite interesting coming from her.
He closed his eyes while pondering. Originally, he planned to surrender but Alicia's offer changed the things. A noble promise could be extremely valuable.
After several seconds, he opened his eyes again. He decided that he would fight but not seriously. He would lose eventually since he would initiate half-hearted battle.
It would be a carefully controlled defeat.
That way, she would gain her victory and he would gain her promise. It was a beautiful exchange.