Chapter 18 – The future looks bright. Undercurrents.
Ewan, Urick, and Endezahr soon signed the contract, which turned into a white light surrounded by runes that split into three, entering each of them.
The moment it entered Ewan, he felt invisible chains binding him. He is bound to two powerful forces in this lifetime. But Ewan didn't feel bad about it. Only through such sacrifice could he realize the full potential of this lifetime and ensure the survival, continuation, and prosperity of his little dynasty.
Half an hour later, Ewan was escorted by Endezahr and Fladrinne to the Leminaing Clan's territory, with a spatial pouch at his side holding many goodies.
Yes, a spatial pouch with a 100m^3 pocket dimension. It couldn't hold anything alive- technically, save for seeds, but it was convenient nonetheless.
It was considered a Grade 3 pouch and was quite expensive. At least, most apprentices only had Grade 1 or 2 pouches with a 1m^3 to 10m^3 size. Even most bonafide Wizards only had a Grade 3 pouch, and 2nd-order Wizards had Grade 4 to Grade 5 spatial items. It is due to needing a Spatial Wizard with Enchanting abilities for anything above Grade 3, something exceedingly rare.
Either way, by selling his (current) life, Ewan acquired the privilege of receiving resources at a loan without interest:
First, he acquired the continuation of the Dragon-Horse Breathing Technique, called the Dragon Breathing Technique. Yes, it was not a different technique, but a continuation with 24 stances, adding ten stances to the previous 14. (He got this for free)
From what he heard, the Breathing Techniques provided to his kingdom were partial techniques casually handed over. Some focused on Agility, some on Strength, some on Physique, and some were balanced. The Dragon Breathing Technique was a balanced type.
With this, not only would Ewan gain another wave of stats, but he would also gain more experience in his Warrior and Knight classes, helping him obtain much-needed Skill Points to improve his Farmer and Wizard Apprentice classes. He was also allowed to teach his family the first 21 stances but not allowed to teach the last 3.
Second, Ewan obtained many insights on the meditation techniques he could review to improve his meditation speed. (Also free of charge).
Since he already started using this technique and it was the most stable and orthodox method, they deemed that changing his meditation method would only harm him, so they gave him notes from many seniors.
Third, Ewan obtained much-needed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-level apprentice spells(On the House). When he advances, he could also select a 1st-level Wizard spell as his Core Spell, forming his foundation as a Wizard.
Fourth, Ewan received a set of Grade 4 enchanted farming tools. (On an indefinite loan, to be returned upon death.)
To help him farm faster and more efficiently, they gave him the best set they had in their storage. As for it being a loan? It was just an excuse. They were essentially gifting it to him. They also commissioned a master to make a Grade 5 set custom-made for him!
Fifth, he received tonics and elixirs to help nourish his body and improve his foundation. He also got some for his family. (For this, he had to take a loan for anything above what he received as a Core Member)
Sixth, he got 1,000 Grade 1 Magic Stones as pocket money for himself and his family. It was the hard currency of the Wizard World, where mortal coins were scrap metal. A Grade 1 Magic Stone is worth 10 Gold Coins in the Wizard World, but many sell them for thrice that, and that is if they are even willing to sell.
For instance, among the apprentices that arrived with them on the ship, the wealthiest of them barely had 30 Magic Stones. So it could be imagined how mouth-watering were 1,000 Magic Stones.
As for their uses? They get used in rituals, enchanting, alchemy, smithing, powering magical technologies, etc. But Ewan, being a farmer, could only use them to trade for some goods he needed in the city.
And seventh, he got the Magic Bag itself(On an indefinite loan). He liked it very much, especially since it made carrying seeds and tools convenient! Only he knew how much time got wasted going back and forth.
He would also receive magically rich water, tamed magical farm animals, fertilizers, and seeds in the Leminaing Clan's Territory and have a temporary Grade 4 meditation circle until they build him a personalized Grade 5 Earth-Element Meditation Circle. (On the house)
They would also gift him a big mansion, installed with top-of-the-line magic technology, given trained servants and Grand Knight bodyguards, and they would even set up a grand array to protect his farm. The farm would be close to the primary household of the Leminaing Clan, so if anything happens, Leminaing Clan Wizards will rush over like agitated wasps, with reinforcements from the Academy rushing over as well. (Also free perks)
The lengths to which they went for a humble farmer astounded him. But apparently, it was for good reason. He could cultivate so-called Grade 3 soil, growing Grade 3 crops en mass. And when he advances, he could gradually improve the soil quality, producing even better crops.
In the Wizard World, crops were worth much less due to advanced agricultural methods and magic, making food more abundant. (It also made human lives cheaper due to overpopulation and made epidemics more common. But that is another story).
The genuine value of Grade 3 crops is 1,000 times as high as Grade 0 crops, but the market price is 10,000. Furthermore, there is little market and much demand for it! That is to say, you can sell it for more. So even if the crops here are worth a fifth of what they are worth in Ewan's kingdom, that is still 2,000 more!
If a ton of the most common wheat grains is worth around ten gold coins in the Wizard World, the most common Grade 3 Magic Wheat can be worth 200,000! But only Magic Stones can buy Grade 3 Crops. The lowest estimate would cost 20,000 Grade 1 Magic Stones a ton.
Even if only a ton would grow per acre, that is 300 tons for 300 acres or 6 million Grade 1 Magic Stones! And this is just the lowest estimate!
That was when Ewan finally understood the insanity of the situation, of why they treated him so well. Even if his produce saturated the market and made a tenth of it, he would be wealthy. Too wealthy. Unrealistically wealthy. And he would make them wealthy along with him.
And this was when Ewan was not a Wizard. It would get even more ridiculous then.
"The future looks bright." Ewan smiled while looking out of the carriage.
Meanwhile, he couldn't hear the mental conversation between Fladrinne and Endezahr in the carriage.
[The future looks bright.] Endezahr said with a satisfied smile.
[It does. We would never need to grovel and beg for resources for the next few hundred years.] Fladrinne returned a smile, her eyes turning to crescents. [And about my request...]
[Granted. You have done enough merit. You don't need to marry that snake, Prabahn, from the Toronad Clan. I will make a random excuse and replace you with one of the less talented Inner Members.] Endezahr generously said.
[Thank you, Great Grandfather!] Fladrinne became even happier.
[But now that your marriage got canceled, you are single again. You are already in your early fifties, and it would be a shame not to have a child or two. How about this simple guy? He seems like a prime choice if there is any.] Endezahr said with a wily glint in his red eyes.
Fladrinne gave it a serious thought before nodding.
[If he is interested in an older girl like me, I wouldn't mind.] Fladrinne returned the look.
Ewan suddenly had a chill.
"I just had another ominous feeling..."
.
.
.
In a private room in the Academy-
Prabahn spoke through a communication crystal.
"Father, there were strange movements from the Leminaing Clan and Urick," Prabahn reported.
{Speak.} An ice-cold voice echoed.
"Endezahr arrived at the Academy and met with Urick at his office, the content unknown. By the end of it, he escorted some outsider to his Clan along with Fladrinne, a random Grand Knight out of a mortal kingdom." Prabahn said. He then thought and added, "Fladrinne said it is Official Business and was willing to attack me in public."
{Interesting. And?} The cold voice asked.
"Unfortunately, I don't know anything else. I was hoping you would perhaps know what is going on." Prabahn frowned and said, unsure what to make of it.
{I see. If Endezahr made a move, it is not a simple matter. But I am afraid I am as clueless as you are about this.} The cold voice said with a helpless tone.
"Father, do you think it would affect our plans?" Prabahn turned serious.
{Unlikely. No matter what they do, they can't stop the inevitable.} The cold voice said.
just then-
{Hm? Hold on, I just received a call from Oxeor.} The voice said.
Oxeor was Fladrinne's father.
"Oh, sure," Prabahn said and patiently waited.
But two minutes later-
{Those bastards.} The cold voice said with a hint of venom.
Prabahn suddenly had a bad premonition.
"What?" Prabahn tentatively asked.
{... They called off your engagement. Instead, they said they could arrange a young Inner Member if you insist.} The cold voice said with held-back rage.
"Bastards... Aren't they afraid they won't get our channels?!" Prabahn said with an ugly look.
The force behind the Toronad Clan helped cut off the importation supply chain of Magical Ingredients of the Leminaing Clan by raising prices to exorbitant rates. Since the Leminaing Clan was a renowned Alchemist Clan, that was the same as cutting their main artery, bleeding them to death.
Using this opportunity, the Toronad Clan wanted to slowly tie the Leminaing Clan to their chariot through the temptation of resources, further weakening the Gaxarths Wizard Academy. After all, there were no eternal friends or enemies, only interests. That is a lesson taught to all Wizards, and they never had a delusional sense of loyalty.
As for magical contracts? There were methods to bypass and even absolve them. They might be tricky and expensive, but they existed! Magical Contracts would cause a backlash when broken, depending on the contract. However, some methods could mitigate or even remove the contract. For example, if a contract backlash reduced 100 years of lifespan, some items could lower it to 50, 10, 1, or nothing.
And the force that supported them just so happened to have such items! Sure, it wouldn't thoroughly remove the backlash, but they were willing to accept it for the benefits they would receive!
But it got ruined. Years of planning are now down the drain. It would hinder the plans and delay things for possibly decades!
"Wait... Could it be related to that meeting- And that simple-looking man?!" Prabahn winced.
{Possibly. We will monitor the Leminaing Clan's next move. And we would give special attention to that man.} The cold voice calmed down and said.
"But what of my engagement?! Am I just supposed to suck it up?!" Prabahn was angered.
He had many concubines warming his bed, but none was a female Wizard. Many female Wizards choose a wild life with many male slaves, choosing to ignore their sexuality to focus on research or attach themselves to wealthy and powerful older men as their sugar daddies. As for romance? That is only in books and fairy tales. Sure, they can cultivate some affection, but real love without self-interests? Too rare. As for why one would go to such lengths to acquire such a troublesome creature? Genetics. Talent begets talent, and the children born from female Wizards are bound to be of higher quality.
It is challenging to convince one his age to be his fiancee, and it was through his Clan's connections and resources, not his merit. It was hard for him to accept this blow.
{I will try arranging someone else. In the meantime, focus on improving yourself and bide your time. With power comes women.} The father tried comforting his son.
"... Thank you, father." Prabahn calmed himself and said.
{Call me when anything comes up.} The father said, ending the call.
Prabahn remained motionless, his eyes radiating a bone-chilling glint. "You bastard... I will get you for this someday."