The contract ceremony took place in Shen Lao’s quarters shortly after dawn, with only Chen Xing present as a witness. Ancient scrolls covered the dragon’s desk, their symbols glowing faintly.
"Before we proceed," Shen Lao said, his expression serious, "I need you to understand exactly what you’re committing to. This isn’t simply a business arrangent—it’s a binding that will affect you and anyone who binds themselves to you."
"I understand," Grim replied.
"Do you?" the dragon asked with penetrating intensity. "Because I can sense sothing within you that concerns . There are energies in your system that feel... foreign."
Grim exchanged glances with Chen Xing.
"What kind of energies?" Grim asked carefully.
"Dark mana," Shen Lao said directly. "Corruption that’s been woven into your spiritual structure with remarkable sophistication. How did you acquire this... enhancent?"
The question hung in the air like a blade. Grim had known this conversation was inevitable, but actually facing it required a level of honesty he had been avoiding.
"I was exposed to it during a confrontation with Malaxis," he said finally. "It entered my system and has been... resistant to removal."
Shen Lao’s eyebrows rose with obvious alarm. "Malaxis put it inside you?"
"Yes," Grim confird. "When i was five he scarred my face and darj mana leaked into my body from what i can gather. It wasnt an ussue untik recebtly when he showed up. He actiavted it sohow and now i can feel it in my body but i can’t do anything about it."
"It would be," the dragon said grimly. "Malaxis’s corruption isn’t simply energy—it’s intelligent, adaptive, and designed to integrate permanently with its host."
The observation sent a chill through Grim’s body.
"Are you saying it can’t be removed?" he asked.
"I’m saying it doesn’t want to be removed," Shen Lao corrected. "And it will actively resist any attempts at purification. The question is whether you’re controlling it or whether it’s controlling you."
Grim considered the question with uncomfortable honesty. The distinction between his own thoughts and the corruption’s influence had beco increasingly blurred over recent weeks.
"Both," he said finally. "Sotis I can direct it, sotis it directs . The line isn’t always clear."
"At least you’re honest about it," Shen Lao said with grudging approval. "That suggests you retain so asure of independence."
"Will the corruption affect our contract?" Grim asked.
"It will complicate it slightly." Shen Lao said. "But, if you want to put a leash on it, I would suggest putting the mana into a mana heart. This would ne the easiest way to control it."
The prospect of gaining so asure of control over the corruption was enormously appealing.
"Very well. Moving on. If we are to make this contract, its nest if you have everyone in the sect submit to your bloodline. Use of the dragon magic is strong and hard. If they submit to you completely you will be able to control them."
"Agreed," Grim said without hesitation.
Shen Lao studied him for a long mont before nodding slowly. "Very well. The contract I’m proposing will bind dragon magic techniques to your bloodline and to anyone who has sworn formal allegiance to the Ambrose line."
"What kind of formal allegiance?"
"A binding oath that commits their life force to your family’s service," the dragon explained. "When soone swears this oath, I’ll use binding magic to create a permanent connection between their essence and the dragon techniques. Once bound, they’ll be able to train to use this magic."
The implications were staggering. Grim would effectively control access to extraordinarily powerful abilities, creating a level of loyalty that went beyond simple political allegiance.
"How many people can be bound this way?" he asked.
"There’s no limit," Shen Lao replied. "Though I should note that I’ll only teach the techniques to those who have completed the binding. Anyone who refuses to swear the oath remains powerless."
"And the oath itself—what exactly does it entail?"
"Complete loyalty to the Ambrose line, obedience to your commands, and willingness to sacrifice their life in defense of your family’s interests," the dragon said. "In exchange, they gain access to abilities that could make them among the most powerful individuals in the Empire."
Grim felt the dark mana pulse with eager approval at the prospect of commanding such absolute loyalty.
"What about the techniques themselves?" he asked. "What will the process be?"
"Initially, creating flas, controlling existing water sources, basic temperature manipulation. As their control improves, they’ll develop more advanced abilities—dragon fire that burns through magical defenses, water techniques that can freeze enemies solid, combination attacks that blend both elents."
The contract ceremony itself was surprisingly simple. Shen Lao produced an ancient scroll covered in draconic symbols, while Grim provided a few drops of blood to seal the binding.
"How do you feel?" Shen Lao asked, studying him with obvious concern.
"Clear," Grim replied with surprise.
"Good," the dragon said with satisfaction.
"And when I want to access the dragon techniques?"
"Focus on the water around you," Shen Lao instructed. "You have water affinity you should just focus on this."
Grim concentrated, and imdiately felt mana from his mana heart being used ti control water around him.
Water swirled around from the plants, a vase and condensation from the window. They swirled together around the room until he ford a prefect ball of water in the palm of his hand.
"Remarkable," Chen Xing observed with obvious awe.
"Indeed," Shen Lao agreed. "Have you ever had any formal magic training? To form a perfect circle is quite a challenge."
"No. I grew up learning the sword, among other tools."
As they concluded the ceremony, Grim felt a sense of completion that had been missing.
"When can we begin training others?" he asked.
"Whenever you’re ready," Shen Lao replied. "Though I suggest starting with a small group to ensure the binding process works correctly."
"I have several candidates in mind," Grim said with satisfaction.
"I’m certain you do," the dragon said with amusent. "Just rember—once soone swears the oath and receives the binding, they’re committed permanently. Choose your first disciples carefully."
As Grim departed, he felt anticipation building in his chest. The systematic destruction of House Luminaris’s support network had demonstrated his ability to wage political warfare.
The contract with Shen Lao had provided him with abilities that few humans ever accessed.
Now he could begin building an organization that would reshape the Empire itself.
[Are you certain this path leads where you want to go?] Caius asked quietly as Grim reviewed his plans for the sect’s first recruits.
"I’m certain it leads to power," Grim replied silently. "And power is what’s required to protect what matters."
[And what about protecting who you are underneath all that power?] Caius pressed.
"Stop worrying so much. My next focus is establishing the sect, and cultivating a new mana heart so I can control the dark mana efficiently."
[You know what?] Caius said after a long pause, his tone shifting from concern to sothing approaching resignation. [Perhaps I’ve been looking at this wrong.]
"What do you an?"
[I’ve been trying to preserve sothing that was already lost,] Caius admitted. [The innocent young man who wanted to rebuild our family through honor and nobility. But that person couldn’t survive what you’ve faced. Maybe the man you’re becoming is exactly what House Ambrose needs.]
"And what kind of man is that?"
[Soone who understands that power is the only true security,] Caius said with what sounded like acceptance. [Soone who doesn’t hesitate when decisive action is required. Soone who can inspire absolute loyalty and command respect through strength rather than sentint.]
"You sound different," Grim observed.
[I sound like soone who’s finally accepted reality,] Caius replied. [Our family fell because we were too noble, too trusting, too concerned with honor over survival. You won’t make those mistakes.]
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