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With Reshia’s name mentioned, the sharp tension in Leonid and Eugene’s expressions eased slightly. However, they couldn’t let their guard down until they confirmed the truth of Lukas’s words.

The scholars of the Ivory Tower generally didn’t view the central church favorably. While they toiled over the study of the prophecy, it was always the Pope who took the credit by publicly announcing the results. Naturally, they resented having their achievements overshadowed. Sometimes, even after the scholars had presented their findings, the temple would reject them, claiming they didn’t align with the will of the gods. This constant undermining left a lingering dissatisfaction. 

Since the saintess was part of the central church, many scholars distanced themselves from her, assuming she would ultimately side with them. This sentiment had only worsened when, not long ago, the saintess had stormed into the Ivory Tower, threatening, “If you don’t hand over the prophecy, there will be bloodshed!” Her reputation hit rock bottom after that incident.

However, Lukas was one of the few scholars who maintained a positive attitude toward the saintess. 

*He wasn’t always like that,* Leonid thought, furrowing his brow as he recalled their younger days. Lukas, being a younger scholar, had always felt a little more approachable than the others, but Leonid remembered him being somewhat distant in the past. At some point, though, Lukas had clearly become more friendly toward Reshia, Eugene, and even himself.

As Leonid rubbed his chin in puzzlement, Eugene stepped forward to question Lukas.

“Why would Reshia send you, Doctor?”

Lukas, realizing that Eugene was still suspicious of him, fumbled nervously and began digging through his pockets. “This!” he exclaimed.

He confidently pulled out a document and held it up in front of the two, or more precisely, in front of Eugene.

“She asked me to get your signature on this.”

“My signature?” Eugene raised an eyebrow as he took the document.

The paper appeared to be a simple contract. At the bottom, there were spaces for two signatures—one of which was already filled in. 

*This is…?* Eugene immediately recognized the mark.

It bore the seal of the Duke of Elpinard! The intricate emblem of the family was unmistakable, something only the head of the house had the authority to use. This meant the document was an official one, personally approved by the Duke of Elpinard.

But why would they need his signature on something like this?

Before Eugene could finish scanning the document, Leonid, who had peered over his shoulder, was the first to understand the situation.

“It’s a vassal contract. The Duke is offering you land and the title of count in exchange for your loyalty. It’s a short-term contract, just for three years…”

Even Leonid, born and raised in a noble family, had never seen such a limited-term vassal contract. Normally, vassalage lasted for life, and sometimes even passed down through generations. For the Duke of Elpinard to suddenly present a vassal contract to Eugene without prior discussion was highly unusual.

Both of them realized that something out of the ordinary was happening.

“Hurry up and sign it,” Leonid urged, jabbing Eugene lightly in the ribs with his elbow.

“No matter if it’s a limited-term contract, they’re giving you land and a title. It’s not a bad deal,” Leonid urged, clearly excited. In contrast, Eugene’s expression remained dark.

*Why is the Duke offering me such kindness?* Eugene had always wondered. At first, he thought the Duke of Elpinard was simply a generous man, acting on Reshia’s advice to protect him. But after spending more time in the Ivory Tower, he realized that wasn’t the case. 

The Duke wasn’t the kind of person who would engage in charity just out of pity for a poor child’s circumstances. He was a calculated, cold individual who drew clear lines, and Reshia was no different. Despite often appearing bright and cheerful, she was the most meticulous when it came to weighing pros and cons.

*Unlike the Duke, she does seem to pity a child who was abused by his father…* 

Eugene was an intelligent young man. It hadn’t taken him long to figure out that both the Duke and Reshia had specific reasons for protecting him. He hadn’t questioned it before, because no matter the reason, they had saved him from a life of torment. For that, he was grateful.

But now, Eugene was no longer the helpless boy he once was. He couldn’t remain in such a relationship forever. 

He glanced at Leonid, who looked at him expectantly, clearly wondering why Eugene hadn’t signed the contract yet. Leonid, despite his lack of awareness, was someone Eugene envied deeply. He had been born into a good family, with decent parents, and had an undeniable talent. Leonid had a relationship with Reshia that was one of equals, something Eugene desperately wanted for himself.

But having good parents and a supportive family weren’t things Eugene could choose. So, he needed to make up for it in ways that he could control.

*If I continue to be protected like this…* 

The fragile friendship he had with Reshia would shift into a permanent hierarchy, where he was always beneath her.

*But it’s not as if I can even bring this up unless I have a solution to change things.*

With that thought, Eugene tucked the unsigned contract into his coat.

“…Where is the Duke now?” he asked.

* * *

“You’ve arrived, young master!” 

A knight, who had been on guard, brightened as Eugene walked through the door. Though it had been some time since they’d last seen each other, the knight clearly recognized the person he was meant to escort.

“Please, return home quickly. The Duke has been waiting for you,” the knight said, bowing politely, though his gaze lacked true respect. In fact, it seemed more condescending than anything. Eugene’s calm demeanor betrayed no hint of offense, though Leonid, standing nearby, felt his own temper rising in response.

“I understand the situation,” Eugene said calmly, not even acknowledging the knight’s presence. He walked straight toward the Duke of Elpinard and bowed.

The knight’s face flushed red, having been neatly ignored by Eugene.

“The document?”

Though the Duke of Elpinard didn’t specify, everyone present, save for Kreutz’s knights and the former emperor’s attendants, knew that he was referring to the vassal contract. Eugene answered by pulling the document from his coat. 

Given the urgency of the situation, there hadn’t been time to explain everything in detail, but it seemed Eugene understood enough to sign the document on his own initiative. 

‘There was no need for him to bring it in person,’ I thought. Now that the target had appeared, it wouldn’t be surprising if things escalated. I glared at the knight, who was still seething. If things didn’t go as he expected, would he resort to violence? He might attempt something, though it would be hard to cause a scene in the presence of the Duke, Archmage Axel, and the saintess—who was once a black mage—and me.

Still, if Hazen, who possessed strange powers, was involved, he could create an unexpected upheaval. Axel must have had a similar thought, as he was closely watching the knight with sharp eyes.

“Eugene.” 

The Duke’s voice was heavy as he called out to Eugene after confirming the document on the table.

“Why did you… sign this?”

Just as the Duke began to question Eugene, an elderly man, whom no one had been paying attention to, suddenly reached out and grabbed Eugene by the arm.

“Such a strong aura you have, young lord Kreutz,” the old man said, pulling Eugene close. His eyes glinted dangerously as he looked directly at Eugene.

Sensing the immediate danger, I instinctively reached out toward Eugene.

Then, *bang!*

A massive force, as if from an explosion of pure magic, erupted. The sheer power blasted me backward.

“Reshia!” 

I was flying toward the wall when Axel caught me mid-air. Still in his arms, I squinted through the aftermath of the explosion, but my vision was blurred by the chaotic magic swirling in the room.

*What in the world just happened!?* 

Frustrated, I quickly steadied myself, pulling away from Axel’s grasp to get a better sense of the situation. 

Then, from the center of the explosion’s impact, Eugene’s voice rang out.

“I told you. I assessed the situation on my way here.”