I read through the scroll multiple times, and I didn't spot anything amiss with it. There were a few things that the old mage didn't mention, like me having to keep quiet about cooperation with a Silver Order, but they weren't anything deal-breaking.

"It looks good." I handed a scroll back to the mage.

He gave me another of his disturbing smiles. Then he brought a small silver knife and cut his finger, letting a few drops of blood hit the parchment.

"Please drop your blood on the top of the parchment."

With a worry, I asked, "Is this one of these magical contracts that would kill you when you break them?"

His laugh echoed through the throne room once again, "Hahaha, don't be absurd. Such a magical contract would be of an insanely great level. This one will only alert other side if it was broken."

I transformed one of my nails into a claw and made a small cut on my pinky, signing a contract with my blood. Parchment flew out of Aliford's hand and blazed into flames. Two sparks flew out of the burning parchment turning into two plain-looking copper coins that dropped on the ground.

Aliford immediately picked one coin and put it into his pocket. I did the same when I brought with [Telekinesis] a second coin to me. I immediately used [Analyze] on it.

Ding!

Analyze Result

Item Name: [Contract Coin]

Durability: 5/5

Item Type: Magical Symbol

Item effects:

Bursts into flames if the contract is broken

"We are done. I will contact you about my part of the bargain after I settle a new lab. I will find my way out myself." Mage left immediately after a contract was made. Even though he looked old, he walked with a vigour greater than young people while humming a weird melody.

'At least he is not wasting time with useless chitchat. That is something I must respect.'

One of the darks suddenly spoke, "You should have waited with that deal. He basically scammed you with a few trinkets. But we have a bigger problem. We received a message from a Leader that your prisoners escaped."

I was flabbergasted at that last part, but I disagreed about me getting scammed when I got exactly what I wanted, and that was more magic. Still, I wanted to punch something as another of my targets escaped today.

"That is impossible. I locked them into a cell."

Another dark replied on behalf of his colleague with a little bit of a sarcastic tone, "And wouldn't that been a cell under the cathedral? Have you checked if they had some key on them before you locked them into their own prison?.".

I had to clench my fists and suppress my urge to hit him. But I controlled myself as I knew he was right, and I again made a stupid mistake. My whole face probably turned red from embarrassment and rage. The only thing that I wanted to do was to get out of there to avoid my shame and breaking anything in my castle in a rage.

"I am going to the dungeon. I will return in three days. Announce it to others." I ordered as I walked out of the throne room.

I cast an [Camuflage] on me and dashed through the roof in the direction of the dungeon. The streets were still empty, but I spotted a group of darks that were on their way towards the castle. Soon I reached a city wall, but I simply blinked on top of them and then again down from them. I quickly passed through the dungeon as mobs were not aggressive towards me by default. Then I entered a secret room. It looked the same as before except for one of the giant glass tubes that contained an angel in the form of golden flames in some liquid like a pickle.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

'That looks weird to see flames in the liquid.'

"What do you want, this time?" The annoyed voice of a demon came. He was tinkering with some weird stick that made no sense. It was changing shapes, colours and even forms every moment.

"I just came here to evolve. I will not bother you."

"I counted for this eventuality, there" he pointed towards a door that I would swear weren't there just a moment ago, " I made you a private room so you will not bother me."

I had no mood to argue with him, so I walked inside, and I was surprised. It was just a regular room with a bed, sofa, and table, contrary to my expectation of some dark room full of demonic decorations. Wanting to start my evolution as soon as possible, I comfortably lay on a bed and opened my evolution menu.

Ding!

System Query

Evolution Options:  

Note: Same options will appear in the future. It's all only a matter of order.

Option 1: ??? Netheric bloodline manifestation stage:

Unlocked due to the presence of Netheric royal bloodline in the host. ??? will grow their first wings made out of the concentrated Nether element. Connection to the Nether, Darkness and Fire elements will deepen.

Option 2: ??? Aetheric bloodline manifestation stage:

Unlocked due to the presence of Aetheric royal bloodline in the host. ??? will grow their first wings made out of the concentrated Aether element. Connection to the Aether, Light and Lightning elements will deepen.

Option 3: ??? Dragonic bloodline manifestation stage:

Unlocked due to the presence of Dragonic royal bloodline in the host. ??? will grow their first wings made out of the concentrated Dragon element. Connection to a Dragon, Energy and Soul elements will deepen.

Option 4: ??? End bloodline manifestation stage:

Unlocked due to the presence of Lord of End bloodline in the host. ??? will grow their first wings made out of the concentrated Destruction element. Connection to the Destruction and Death elements will deepen.

'Did I just get multiple options? At least it doesn't really matter as it's just about the order I get this stuff. So what should I choose as a first? That netheric stuff looks like some demonic powers and aetheric like and angel stuff. Dragonic is pretty obvious, but the last choice is the weirdest as it mentions a specific being. Let's ignore their origins and just look at their effects. From what I saw, a nether element is potent, but my staff is giving me access to it already. Aether element looks... Who am I trying to convince the fourth option looks like the most interesting and what can go wrong with a destruction element, and I am already using a death element with most of my magic. There is even a bonus as it sounds most neutral. It doesn't sound like some faction which would probably drag me into some shits.'

I chose the last option, and my body instantly stopped moving. My consciousness drifted into emptiness filled with light. I was watching from the sky as seven young people appeared in a flash of light. They were even younger than me, probably sixteen years old at the max. They were looking around in confusion until another flash of light came. That time seven massive thrones appeared.

In comparison with the people under them, they were like high rise buildings. Seven beings made out of different elements were sitting in them. In the middle throne was a being made out of pure light, and it spoke with a thundering voice, "Welcome chosen heroes. You were summoned to fight off three great evils and save the world."

One of the boys in glasses was overzealous, "I promise that I will save this world. So ooo mighty beings tell me what are these evils?".

"First one is a Demon King rising in northern land covered in snows. He is gathering demonic armies to bring a world into the darkness. And for the other evils? They are twins, spawns of death that are hidden even from us, so you have to identify and destroy by yourself."

'What is with these dramatic speeches? It all feels like some kind of third class scenario for a very bad movie. And why am I even watching this, is this supposed to be some kind of a cutscene? And why would anyone summon some kids to be heroes? Wouldn't it be better to summon some soldiers.'.

My consciousness finally faded.