Ric sensed the energy before, understanding that keeping a wisp of it was a demon trait, akin to goblins claiming gold or dragons hoarding artifacts. Once they honed in on an energy signature, demons transformed into bloodhounds, reputed to track their prey across realms. Few had heard of them except Ric, yet he resonated with the story and believed it to be true.

At the culmination of his initiation, Ric was summoned to the Arcane Sanctum. He relaxed, not resisting the summon, as he comprehended the process, reminiscent of his previous world. He focused on sensing the energy, a task he regretted not pursuing in his former life.

Arcane energy pervaded this new reality, its core aspect being contracts—an equal exchange of power to maintain balance, the “good guy” in his tale. By relaxing and absorbing every sensation—from the itch on his skin, the pressure on his eardrums, to the aroma of death, even the warning itch behind his neck urging caution—Ric allowed his senses to become overwhelmed. Once the sensation subsided, it became easier to trace it back to its true source.

This omnipresent energy permeated every nook and cranny of the universe, at least in this realm. In his old world, Ric never detected a trace of it, leading him to doubt its existence.

With the energy already present, Ric’s task was to sense and accumulate it. The initial part was easy, as the potent energy bent to his will and gathered around him. The challenge lay in the next step: he did not know what to do next. Ravi never provided guidance, and Ric never bothered to ask.

Running out of options and time, Ric experimented with the energy, attempting to contain it within himself, the Kagaz he made, Henzo, his arm, and even Debbie, but nothing produced any results. He could tell because Henzo’s bond hadn’t attempted to kill him yet. Ric had implemented a clause blocking it from acting against him, let alone attacking, but he wasn’t an expert and had no clue about the extent of the Arcane contract.

“Any luck!?” Ric asked, opening one eye and glancing at Henzo.

“How should I know?” Henzo replied.

“That’s a no, then.”

Before Ric delved deeper into the energy, a voice interrupted him. “What are you doing? No, scratch that. How are you doing it?”

“What exactly is it?” Debbie raised a suspicious eyebrow at Ric.

Ignoring her, Ric beamed at Ravi. “Ah, my... Zone man. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“You forgot his name again, didn’t you?” Debbie and Henzo muttered in unison. The only difference was that Henzo muttered while Debbie stated it outright for Ravi to hear.

“Names, pst,” Ric waved off the accusation.

“Ravi,” Henzo said in a low register.

“Zone guy...” Ric glances at Debbie. “Ravi... what does it matter?” He disregarded Debbie’s societal standards and addressed Ravi. “Good timing. You forgot to mention some basics of the technique.”

“I never started giving you any in the first place,” Ravi retorted. “And why is the kid’s hand already in yours?”

Ravi aimed to sow the seed of doubt, perhaps to gain more points in his favor, for some obscure reason Ric cared little about. All Ric perceived was a missed opportunity on Ravi’s part, where he failed to gain points while decreasing his own credibility.

“Making sure he accepts the contract as soon as it’s made,” Ric admitted.

“Humans can’t make contracts,” Debbie scoffed at Ric, but with the others glaring at each other, she reconsidered her statement. “Can they?” She turned to Ravi, her face becoming a bigger puzzle the longer the conversation went.

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“We are short on time; we got to return and check on the infiltration process,” Ric reminded.

“So you forced the contract onto him,” Ravi glared.

‘A loophole is always there,’ Ric smiled to himself. “I thought one cannot do that with the Arcane energy overseeing the process,” Ric countered.

“Yes…”

“Are you saying there is a way to circumvent the Arcane energy?” The words stuck in Ravi’s mouth were all the clarification Ric needed, yet he pressed on; he needed more information after all. “You had the chance to do it to me, then? A warning you conveniently forgot.”

“What? No!”

“I don’t sense the Kagaz like how I am connected to my affinity.”

“They are stored in a different space within your soul,” Ravi said and pulled his out.

Except for the parties involved, the others could not sense or see the unique silver Kagaz, placed in a golden tomb.

‘Something only for the parties,’ Ric noted. “You get to keep it?” he continued, his voice quaking, feigning fear and innocence. “First you accuse me without any proper context while all along you never revealed any important details. I should have listened to the others. You are beyond cunning.”

“A similar one is within your soul space, too. Just search for it by following the arcane flow within the space.”

Ric did as instructed, simultaneously deceiving and extracting information. “And now you found it convenient to mention?”

“I got knocked out because of exhaustion, otherwise...” Ravi’s reply faltered, his words trailing off under the kid’s stares.

“Claim innocence or circumstance, the classics to evading the truth or the consequence.”

The tremor in Ravi’s voice hinted at potential tears but suppressed anger burned in his eyes. “I swear…”

Tuning out Ravi’s words, Ric mapped out the entire Arcane network within his soul's space. After experimenting with the energy, he connected the Kagaz to his soul and powered it with the Arcane energy. Once the connection crackled with power, his gut told him that linking the current empowered Kagaz to the ‘Acceptor’s’ soul who has a vague sense and wants the same deal in full conciouns would complete the process. But before that, he wished to play around with the fools to celebrate his recent discovery.

“I’m sorry, Debbie.” Ric bowed and remained in the position. “I should have listened to you from the start. He is not to be trusted. This one’s on me.”

Debbie was too flustered to respond, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. With Ric’s sudden confession, she directed her newfound vigor towards Ravi.

Ric then turned to Henzo, who had been engaged in a lengthy one-sided discussion with his bond.

“Have anything to ask?” Ric probed.

“Why me?” Henzo questioned.

Various strategies for deceiving Henzo flashed through Ric’s mind. However, when he spoke, the words that emerged shocked even himself. “Wanted to be my friend, didn’t you? Better keep up or I am going to drag you to the top. Never for once think I shall wait. Not when you’re down or growing.”

Before Henzo could muster a response, a message appeared in front of his eyes, visible only to him. A smile spread across Henzo’s lips, and without hesitation, he accepted. “Done.” They shook hands.

“No!” Ravi shrieked, startling Debbie. “What did you accept?” he asked Henzo.

“Nothing,” Henzo replied, while Ric simultaneously remarked, “It’s complicated.”

“What’s happening?” Debbie intervened.

“Nothing, just time to check up on our infiltration team,” Ric replied.

“I am famished,” Henzo agreed and followed behind Ric, who did walking squats, training the hardest muscles ever made, as they traveled back to Hope.

“Can I have some stamina too?” Henzo asked.

“That won’t be training then, would it?” Ric countered.

“But I am all out and can barely put one leg in front of the other.”

“Walk before you plan to climb the freaking mountain. If you push yourself more than yesterday, you are bound to improve.”

“Haha,” Henzo laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“My bond praised you for the first time. He has praised no one since I’ve known him, and he sucks.”

“What did he say?”

“Didn’t you hear…”

“For the love of the devil, I cannot—”

Their bickering grew distant, leaving Debbie still at their initial spot, standing still and staring at Ravi. “Is it bad?”

“Depends on the deal.”

“Can’t it be broken?”

“No. A done deal can’t. No one can break a done deal. No one can even see the Kagaz except for those two for us to even try,” Ravi explained, turning back to Debbie with a wary smile. “Don’t be concerned; I will try to find a way to help your friend. There has to be a way to circumvent an unfair deal, even if it’s claimed by Arcane as done.”

“Hmm, I am not worried.”

“What? Then why did you stay behind?”

“I need a piggyback ride back home. I am tired.”

Ravi glared at Debbie’s ironed dress, a clear sign she hadn’t even moved enough to wrinkle it, yet she claimed to be exhausted and demanded a ride home. He wanted to argue, but it seemed more energy-efficient to carry her to town than to waste time in an argument he knew he would lose. If only she understood that talking also required energy, then perhaps she would stop.

‘I need to trick this brat into a deal of silence.’

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