"This is a contract, offered to you by the eastern city council. You can think of them as the institution that controls the eastern half of the citadel.

You are not forced in any way to agree to the contract, if you refuse you'll be free to go after a few psychological examinations. Of course, I don't advise such a choice, since for a clueless soul to aimlessly wander these lands isn't very safe.

Also, the contract will provide you with enough benefits so that you may later join one of the two churches. Knowledge and experience are fundamental while searching for an occupation.

Given the fact that you don't strive for becoming a miner or a low-paid laborer, living in poor conditions in the slums. If you value your freedom this much you could also enjoy becoming a ruin explorer, although going unprepared will probably lead to your death.

The contract limits your freedom greatly, you'll become a subordinate of the system set up by the council. With certain duties and obligations, however, its duration is quite short, while the knowledge you'll acquire will be permanent.

It is a good opportunity for you, at least in my opinion. Read it thoroughly, you'll encounter many other bargains during your stay in this city.

You can call me Lenard, I'm a teacher here at the academy, I'll clear any doubts you may have. Obviously within the scope of the contract."

Lenard was quite clear, surprisingly enough he didn't try to sugar coat the details of the contract. He then quickly handed Nestor a clean white paper filled with strange letters.

Soon after, the scholar stood up and performed a strange but quick movement with his fingers. Nestor was then found rapidly bewildered in front of the thick volume that appeared in Lenard's hands out of thin air.

The scholar had decided to busy himself with the book, detaching himself from Nestor and his troubles.

'It's as he said, they are offering me a total of six months' worth of tutoring and education in exchange for me enlisting in their army for a year.

The six months that the council offer covers all living expenses too. They'll have someone teach me common knowledge to help me integrate into the city, as well as combat-oriented classes.

Reaching the third level of soul coalescence, whatever that is, or the six months they promised would end said period and start my military life for about a year.

It is indeed quite tempting, after all, I am but a total stranger here, while I still have to think about a purpose for this second life of mine.

From what I've seen and heard, here mysterious and incredible powers exist, they don't seem as unreachable either. Also, Lenard spoke about religious organizations too, maybe as a former monk, I'll find myself more comfortable there.

However, the idea of wasting my second chance at life behind a monastery pains me. This time I'll be free and see the world for myself, I want to experience the vicissitudes of life.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

I want to discover what love is and travel beyond what can be seen by normal humans, beyond the stars.

Yet achieving such freedom won't be easy, it'll require strength to break free from external influences.

I believe I need to accept this contract, otherwise, I'd just be giving myself up to fate. Still, I'll ask a few questions before accepting, I already died once while blindly believing in an institution.'

Having made up his mind, Nestor started to ponder about what he could ask the scholar, to make sure that this wasn't any kind of hidden clause in the contract.

"You don't seem to be an official member of the council, from how you spoke about 'them'. Then why are you the one delivering their papers?

Furthermore, this contract, even if it partially restricts my freedom it is simply too good. You are giving me too much for what I'll be able to offer for one year.

Also, I'd like for you to clarify how you count the passing of time here, as it might answer the question I just asked you."

While Nestor was almost sure that accepting the contract was the right decision, the more he thought about it, the more questions started to pop up in his mind.

" You are not as dumb as you seem. You've lived your past life in total complacency, a kind yet naive human being. This second chance you received seemed to have changed you greatly.

I like your spirit, here at Ceres you could indeed experience an exciting second wind. As full of opportunities as it is, the citadel still holds a substantial amount of dangers too.

I don't recommend poking your nose where you shouldn't, yet. Here the strong trample over the weak, it is different from Earth, in these lands quality beats quantity.

Thus I cannot tell you why they made the contract as appealing as it is, it could put you in danger if known too early. However, I can surely tell you why it is me that is talking to you right now, and not some cleric under the council.

This is place is called 'the academy of the forgotten scholars' for a reason. we do not truly matter anymore. The bookworms that inhabit this place are all like me, in search of the truths of the world. We gave up our ambitions and locked ourselves inside these walls.

We cast our eyes upon the ancient manuals and texts found below the ground, across the great fracture.

You can imagine that nonetheless, we need money to maintain ourselves. The council provides us with that and in exchange, we nurture their new soldiers, of course not all of them. Only the most promising ones."

The long speech had stressed Lenard's throat. As an introvert and dedicated studious, he only sporadically spoke with his peers. Only once every decade he was called by the council to take care of a few students.

"I understand. Thank you for your sincerity, also you still haven't answered about the time-related issue."

Nestor was quite satisfied with the answer that the scholar gave him.

'At least I am now certain that this council has indeed ulterior moves about the contract. However, it either doesn't concern me individually or it will become a problem only in the far future.

Also, I am pleased to have him as a teacher, he's a true scholar, he advised me without trying to rope me in the system.'

Lenard took a few seconds of respite until his aged voice resounded once again.

"The origin of this phenomenon is unknown even to me, however, I can still tell you what is general knowledge. The city has screened the text you just read in the papers for you and transformed said information into something that you could properly understand.

It simply transmuted the amount of time described in the paper into the equivalent you would associate it with.

It works the same with speech too, we call this soul language. However, it is true that in this city there isn't a clear distinction between day and night, as the white star hovering above our heads is never changing. It is fixated high above the sky at all times, immovable yet it doesn't emit light.

I won't delve too deep into it, you get what I meant. In short, if you wish to count the time you could find various tools that might fit the job. The valley of avarice is the right place if you need to buy such things, you can imagine it as the commercial zone of our district.

Cough... I've said enough, sign the contract with this apposite quill or either simply tear it apart if you refuse."

Then Lenard handed a dark, long quill to Nestor, it apparently didn't need any ink to properly function.