"Yes, I think that sounds great. Thank you very much."
Esdras was not an idiot to waste such a great deal so he stood up immediately and accepted right there and then.
He wouldn't get a better offer than this from anyone else.
Some might think of it as sneaky, others, would say much worse about him for using the weakness of the Crimson faction to his advantage but he didn't care.
This is how life works, while he used them they also made use of him. But he didn't think it was anything to get worked up about.
In fact, it was better that way. If he had no value then he would be just a waste. Forget making demands he wouldn't even be able to set foot in this study.
"Good. I assume you understand that this not something that just anyone can get, right?"
"You expect something in return. I understand, that is only natural." Esdras nodded.
However, Meeralah surprised him as she burst into laughter for a moment.
"Aha, sure, sure. But, you really can't do much for me right now. I just meant for you to remember where your loyalties lay."
Suddenly the atmosphere went cold and Esdras felt his hair standing on ends. It was as if all the warmth in the world was gone replaced by an endless winter.
"I do not tolerate traitors."
"I… understand."
Esdras mustered all of his strength to say those words, fortunately the cold disappeared as Meeralah smile again.
"Great, great. I hope you can finish up your business and grow strong enough to be of use to me. Also, when the time comes please make sure to look after that idiot senior of mine. His disciples are with him but they're all cut from the same cloth, you see why I would be concerned."
"That is my duty, I will do my best with the esteemed guardian."
Esdras smiled warily and inwardly wondered if this Great mage had a problem with her mood swings. She could be as sweet as summer sun one minute and a glaring frost the next.
Actually, she really didn't need to threaten Esdras, he had no intention to renege on his words. And was very grateful that he got treated so well, he had a very high opinion of Meeralah.
While the other factions of the tower would make good offers and were stable, that was also the reason why he wouldn't get the same level of treatment.
Only, the crimson faction was willing to go to this extent. They were even willing to let him fool around for years before they called upon him.
Naturally, Esdras wasn't fooled, he knew that they would benefit greatly from touting his talent and name, raising their talent and prestige in the process as soon as he joined.
"Alright." Meeralah clapped her hands twice and the crystal ball on the other desk floated to where they were sitting. She put her hand on the ball and it started glowing for a moment before the image of a young woman was projected.
"Bring me the contract paper and the seal at once." She commanded.
"Yes, master. At once."
The young woman didn't blink as if it was a normal thing for her.
"We're going to sign now?" Esdras asked, stunned.
"What else are we going to do? Might as well get it over with before you can change your mind."
Esdras laughed he didn't expect her to have a sense of humor.
"But, shouldn't we wait until after I passed the Rite of passage? I am not considered an official member of the tower yet…"
"We both know it's just a formality. Besides I will be leaving for the celebration in Seorie before the Rite. You wouldn't want to sign with my representatives they're a pain in the rear. Unless… you plan on changing your mind?"
"No, no! I wouldn't dare. I think you have the right of it, better sign now and get it over with."
At the same time Esdras was sweating and thinking that this woman may have some serious abandonment issues.
"But, what celebration in Seorie are you talking about? The siege is still ongoing the last I heard. Do you have other news."
Of course, the truth was that Esdras wasn't getting any news of the siege, he was watching it live for the past week through a network of Spy eyes he spread in the city during hia stay. Things were getting crazy out there.
"Other news? Not really. I just got an invite for a victory celebration from Master mage Ashran, so it means it will be over by then." Meeralah's eyes gleamed in delight, "I happen to be the only one in the council to get an invite, if only you saw their faces whahaha."
Maybe it was because the negotiations were over but Meeralah's started being much more comfortable with him but he couldn't join her in badmouthing the council. She was going to be fine but that was not the case for him!
Also, was she the type of person to brag immediately after getting something good?
Soon the contract was delivered and Meeralah's stared dictating the terms, he had no objection and there weren't many details either, she didn't try to cheat or anything but he still paid attention to every word.
He nodded in satisfaction and signed his name while infusing the ink with his mana and spiritual energy.
"How did you draw out your spiritual energy that quickly?"
When he was done Meeralah suddenly asked, Esdras blinked and them realized he slipped up. The reason it was like drinking water to him was because of his progress in the negative energy gathering technique.
But, it was difficult for everyone else, this process wasn't so simple otherwise mages would use it all the time to authenticate documents and identities. It was only rarely used in important matters.
"W-was it supposed to be hard?" He asked in a fluster as if he didn't understand. He decided to throw this on his talent.
"I see, so there are things like that too?" Meeralah had an understanding expression.
Esdras return to his room and recounted the events of the war in Seorie. In his hand he had an ancient Elven language book, a gift from Meeralah's personal collection.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶