Chapter 5 - The Blood Contract

"Phew, this farce is finally over, guess getting beaten was worth it in the end. Acquiring an airship ticket is the best I could have hoped for, as those cost a fortune to purchase." The trial ended, all parties present left to their respective classes or to attend their duties. Hearing Staxius's request, Sophie was deeply shocked. He was adamant about leaving Claireville academy, seeing his yet to be apprentice leave the room was kind of heartbreaking.

One by one, the room got emptier by the second, "Sophie, what are you going to do now? Have you already given up on making him your student? Where is all that confidence you showed while fighting for his admission, don't be afraid just speak to him." Josiah gave his niece some advice before leaving as well.

"Should I make him my student? At first, I thought that I was going to help him, but today, I've personally experienced his genius. Even my attempts to help him were in vain, he swooped in like a hero and solved the problem by himself. His eyes looked so emotionless, despite that, people seem to not pay attention, they were persuaded by his idiosyncrasy alone. Staxius Haggard, what is your secret, why do you wish to become a sorcerer?" Instructor Sophie was debating with herself.

Opposite to her, Julius was in utter incertitude about what transpired. Did he get fooled, or was he saved? Autumn was by his side, trying to snap him out of his stupor. In hopes of getting answers, Sophie decided to converse with the Garnet siblings.

"Hello Autumn and Julius, I was wondering if I could speak with you?" Sophie asked with a friendly smile on her face.

"Hi, before you do anything, could you please snap my brother out of his daydream?" Autumn requested.

*CLAP.* "Snap out of it Julius, your sister is calling you."

"Instructor Sophie, I'm terribly sorry, how may I help you?"

"Big brother, I told you that Staxius was a good person, he told the judge to reduce your punishment even though you hurt him," Autumn added once his brother was back to himself.

"Hey there Autumn, I have a question, what happened the moment you met up with Staxius?"

"Oh that, you've clearly forgotten the part where you practically beat me every night, however, I know that you weren't yourself thanks to Staxius, he told me about how you hit your head and went insane."

"Is that so, what did he say, do you remember?" Sophie asked with her interest piqued.

"Ok, when I ran away from home, I went straight to the hospital. I knew Staxius was there, I had to warn him about your plan. Before I reached the academy, I saw him near the entrance looking for something, without even realizing it, he hugged me tightly and asked what happened. After that, he took me to the hospital to treat my wounds, on the way there, he asked me if I wanted to take revenge on you. Obviously, I said no, but he asked once again, he wanted me to be honest with myself. Confused, I just replied with I don't know. It was then that he told me if there came a time when I needed to run away from home, he would help me. Then we reached the hospital, all the doctors were super friendly, Staxius's face felt as if something was bothering him. It was then that I told him I wanted to run away and live with him. Sadly, he said no, instead he told me that big brother was just being overprotective and got injured while beating him, so his mind was a bit shaken." Autumn finally concluded her story.

"Ha-ha, what a guy, I completely misjudged him, he's a hero among heroes, I wish I could do something more to compensate for my actions. When I saw him bring out that invention of his, I was mesmerized. There was something magical, almost god-like to him, I wanted to be his friend. Alas, my dreams can't be fulfilled." Julius spoke as a tear ran down his cheek.

"Julius and Autumn Garnet, this is a very serious question, I want you to tell me if by any chance Staxius got the opportunity to enroll in Claireville Academy, how would you feel?" Sophie asked with a serious tone.

"I would love to see big brother Julius and Staxius get along," Autumn gave her answer with the biggest smile ever.

"He's an enigma and if given the chance, I'm completely sure that he may alter the world of magic on his own. This may be selfish of me, but I want to be a part of that world as a companion or even a friend."

"Excellent, thank you, I've made up my mind."

"Why such a question, don't tell me you're going to make him your app.." Before Julius could finish his sentence, Sophie ran out of the room.

"Autumn, I'm sorry for being such a bad brother, I hope you forgive me. Listen closely, in the next four years, I want you to grow up and become as strong as you can if you want to have a chance of making Staxius your boyfriend." Julius teased about her crush, after hearing that, she blushed, her rosy cheeks were even redder."

"Please don't hide your trail, come on Staxius, give me this opportunity." Sophie was outside frantically looking for her apprentice. Near the front gate, she caught a glimpse of his black hair,

"WAIT UP STAX." She shouted trying to get his attention.

It worked, after catching up with him, they had an awkward stare-off.

"Allow me to break the ice ma'am, the trial is over, I don't have any business here. Did I perhaps offend you in some way?" He bowed his head as a sign of repentance.

"No-no-no, I should be the one apologizing," She unconsciously bowed her head as well. *Boaw.* They both collided and laughed

"Staxius, why not take a walk with me? I have some errands to run in town, we can maybe go there together." She asked casually.

"Anything that may please you, ma'am." He graciously accepted her invitation.

"Drop the formalities will you, I'm only six years older." Sophie asked while slowly walking into town."

"As you wish, being formal is just an act of politeness, but it can also be perceived as an act of showboating if misused, so I'll gladly oblige your humble request, my lady."

"You're a tough nut to crack, fine speak as you wish, I've got something I want to ask you."

"I'm all ears."

"Do you still wish to enroll here at Claireville Academy?" She asked while cautiously observing his face for any opening.

"Who doesn't want to be enrolled here, I mean, the moment you step foot inside those doors, your life is completely changed for the better," He calmly replied.

"Yes, I know that, but how do you feel about it?" Her gaze became more intense.

"Personally, it'd be an honor for me to graduate here, but I've failed the entrance exams so I don't have the right to stand among the elite. Also, would you kindly stop staring at me so intently, try as hard as you may, but you will never see an opening just by observing my facial or body movement, instructor." He replied with a c.o.c.ky tone.

"Someone is being smug about it, but I guess you're right. Sigh, you're an enigma you know that?

Even the deepest grimoires aren't shrouded with such mystery as you are."

"I'll gladly take that as a compliment."

"Alright, enough small talk," Sophie took two steps forward and blocked Staxius's path.

"Wha..."

"Listen to me closely, I've taken a liking to you. I'm offering you a chance to become a true sorcerer, if you choose to accept, I will help you out as hard as it's physically possible for me."

"A chance to clear my dad's name, she seems trustworthy, I mean she did believe my story when I took the entrance exam, this is a golden opportunity, fine I'll bite." Staxius's brain was already thinking about possible outcomes and how he could take full advantage of this.

"I… fine, I'll be selfish for once, I want to be enrolled at Claireville academy, please instructor, help me." He bowed his head once again, his voice changed to a defenseless young a.d.u.l.t.

"Phew, thank you Staxius, you've lifted a heavy burden off my chest. Listen up, the first semester has already begun, getting admitted now is close to impossible. However, there are exceptions to that rule. It's uncommon so people don't usually pick this option, it's too much work for the parties involved. Let me ask once again, do you wish to be a mage? It's going to be hard, very hard." She asked sternly.

"You said hard on both parties, which means that you've already decided to undertake this burden by yourself. I can see it in your eyes, you will bear the burden for both of us, unacceptable." Staxius seemed as if he was going to refuse her offer, but it was the other way around, he placed his right hand over her shoulder,

"We will bear the burden together, instructor." He replied with a genuine smile on his face. Sophie's heart was touched, she, in turn, placed her hand over his and smiled.

"So, what do I have to do, instructor?"

Her daydream was broken the moment he spoke, "Oh, it's simple, as I said earlier, high ranking sorcerers have the right to take in an apprentice and enroll them in whatever school or academy they want, there is no catch to it, people will need to know that you're a sorcerer's apprentice. To that end, you will be ordered to wear a uniform which has my insignia on it. Before that, we need to form a blood contract, so give me your palm."

Blood contract, a high-tier magic spell which binds two people together, it is often used when taking in an apprentice or acquiring a slave. No one has to obey any orders, the only thing it accomplishes is linking both people together mentally. With this, both parties can sense what and where the other one is, also they can sense each party's magical strength.

Putting his right palm forward, Staxius was ready. Concurrently, Sophie took out a knife,

"Is that a scythe on your palm?" She asked.

"Yes, is it a problem?"

"Not really, it's just pretty that's all, an unconventional place for a tattoo, but I'm not going to judge."

With the knife, Sophie lightly sliced her index finger and drew some strange magical formula on his palm then recited the incantation to finalize the pact.

*I, Sophie Mirabelle, an SSS-ranked mage, hereby enter a contract with Staxius Haggard, from today on, he will be known as my sole apprentice. I swear upon my blood that I shall pass down all the knowledge I've acquired throughout my life.*

The symbol began to light up, it burnt his hand, the pact was finalized, both he and Sophie got the symbol of a dragon breathing fire on their neck.

"Undrar, the Bringer of Death, it's his insignia, Staxius, do you realize what this means? You've received a blessing straight from the strongest dragon who ever lived." Sophie was in awe.

"But instructor you have a dragon on your neck too, surely this is your work isn't it?"

"This is where you're wrong, normally a blood contract only uses the symbol drawn with the blood as the mark which binds both parties, however, in your case, your real magical strength broke my symbol. Either way, we've entered a pact now, it's getting rather late, let's discuss this further tomorrow." Sophie spoke as the fatigue from the blood contract took its toll.

"Goodbye teach, I'll see you tomorrow," Both Sophie and Staxius left.

A few minutes went by, Sophie reached her house, it was big for someone who lived alone, trees and lovely plants made the view even more enjoyable. Inside, as soon as she reached her bedroom, she collapsed as she coughed blood.

*Cough, Cough.* "My body feels like it's about to break down, Staxius Haggard is truly a monster with strengths going beyond my imagination. Blood contract usually makes the strongest mage the leader, so I basically became his apprentice, talk about pathetic, anyways this normally doesn't affect anything. It's a question of pride but still, I'm one of the strongest mages inside Oxshield right now, this is completely preposterous, I'll just keep it a secret. After sensing a bit of his mana, my mind nearly broke, this is the only reason I had to rush home, I'm exhausted."

"Sophie Mirabelle, you've decided to take my heir as your apprentice, so far you stood firm despite my attempts to break your inner magical link. Congratulation you've passed the test, Staxius Haggard, the next death reaper or god of death is in your care, teach him well." A deep menacing yet soothing voice broke Sophie's sleep.

*Huff, Puff.* "It can't be a dream, this is no coincidence, getting marked by Undrar and now this, Staxius is truly the next god of death, he has the death element, this explains why he doesn't have any magical affinity, I'll have to teach him how to use shadow magic, it's a sub-class which is linked directly to the death element. Well today is a new day, next god of death or not, Staxius is a great guy to have in your company, I made the correct choice in making him my apprentice." As she opened the window to let the fresh morning breeze inside her room, Sophie reflected on the message which broke her sleep.

*Yawn.* "Sleeping as the starry night sky as my roof wasn't that bad after all, guess its morning already. Thinking about it, I entered a pact with Sophie yesterday but she never told me where to meet her. No matter, she'll probably seek me out once she's ready, I need food, too bad there are no fruit trees in this park."

While wiping his eyes, Staxius headed into town to find something to eat,

"Hello, mister baker, would you consider hiring me for a short time just so I can afford enough money to get breakfast?" Staxius politely asked the intimidating man who stood in front of him.

"Of course son, help me unload today's raw materials and I'll give you some bread." He kindly accepted his request; the baker possessed contradicting mannerism for someone of his stature.

Back at Sophie's house, she was calmly taking a shower when the realization that she didn't know how to contact her new apprentice crossed her mind. "SHIT, if I don't keep a close eye on him, he might just leave Oxshield on a whim, wash faster Sophie, you don't have all day." She was now furiously washing her armpits.

An hour went by, this was the fastest time in which Sophie Mirabelle managed to get ready. Using blood-contract, she was able to pinpoint her apprentice's exact location. It gave her a mental map; it was weird at first but she got used to it.

"What is he doing in the market at nine o'clock?" Sophie wondered as she approached the location.

Staxius was there, working for the baker as a helper, he was rushing all over the place, helping the owner serve customers, clean, and unload merchandise as it came in. Fascinated, the young instructor took a seat at the nearest pizza place and stared at her would-be prodigy diligently working.