Right after Neil and Axel dropped their blood on the Black Parchment. A strange black fire ignited on the parchment, and the fire slowly grew larger and larger; they all could not help but take some steps back. The Slave Trader was the only one unsurprised by the situation.
Strange texts began to appear on the black flames, with characters in white, and it was written in the language of the Suncrest kingdom. Axel was unable to contain his shock, even though he partially knew about it.
[A contract request has been initiated to be administered by Prime Nexus.]
[Acknowledging conditions set on contract paper]
[The blood of both parties has been identified]
[Binding effect shall be applied between Axel Nomrad and Neil Croft]
One line appeared after another within the black flames. Even the Slave Trader, who had seen this scene countless times, could not help but keep his eyes locked on the fire. Axel had it worse since it was his first time seeing such a scene. A part of the Black flames separated from the whole, then it divided into two and shot into the chests of both Axel and Neil.
Axel could finally sense a subtle change within him somewhere. It was too vague, too difficult to put into simple words, but the strange feeling vanished a few moments later.
The Size of the Black Smoke grew smaller, and a new text appeared on it,
[The Slave ownership of 'Neil Croft' has been transferred to 'Axel Nomrad']
After that, the Black Smoke vanished into thin air with a mighty gale. Axel remained astonished for a few moments until he finally regained his composure. He could not help but murmur in slight excitement, "I can't wait to become a Seeker."
The two guards exchanged a glance; they understood their young masters' feelings all too well. Becoming a Seeker grants you access to the 'Prime Nexus'. That is something everyone desires, so it was understandable.
After that, Axel completed the payment and went on a quick exploration of the other parts of the market. He visited various types of shops, but in truth, he was searching for something else. A specific symbol, an underground organization that handles trades and information gathering. He only needed to find out where it was; then he could send Neil to do the rest of his work, provided Neil proves himself useful.
He finally saw the symbol, which was unexpected for a channel of a dark organization. An old lady who was selling fruits in broad daylight had a small symbol on her basket. He almost thought the old woman had probably gotten that basket from somewhere accidentally.
Yet, he felt a sense of incongruity from the Old woman.
He went towards her and bought some apples from her. She appeared utterly ordinary in every way. The only thing he found strange was that she wasn't too interested in selling the fruits. She was even selling the fruits at the lowest price. If someone new were to come and buy from her, they might think there was something wrong with the fruits.
But one of the two guards whispered something in his ears, "This lady is known throughout the whole market very well. She has a good reputation for consistently offering high-quality fruits at the lowest possible prices. She also grows the fruits in her garden with her own hands."
The guard added, "She doesn't sell too many fruits to the rich people. If you try to buy all the fruits, she won't sell them to you. She mostly does it to let the normal people buy her fruits and enjoy them, that is why she is well respected."
Axel nodded to the guard, and he went back to guarding him. he asked the old lady, "Would you sell me all the fruits if I want to buy them all?"
The old woman sighed and said, "The fact that you're asking me that question means the guard of yours told you about me, so why are you asking the obvious?"
Axel had a surprised expression, but his question wasn't over. "Aren't you afraid of offending important people?"
The old woman smiled. "I have no one related to me alive anymore, so what if I die trying to help a few more people? If I can die knowing that I have tried."
She added, "Sometimes satisfaction does not need to come from certainty or positive results but simply from trying your best."
Axel's eyebrows arched hearing those words; even the two guards and Neil had their expressions changed slightly. The words she spoke were nothing unique, but they seemed to come from the bottom of her heart, and a sense of sadness accompanied them, touching Axel and the three accompanying him slightly.
Axel put the fruits back, he nodded at her, and started going back. The old woman's words only made him more certain that she was the channel to the underground organization.
Yet, on his way back to the carriage, something happened. A strange voice called out to him from one side. Axel looked in that direction, and his eyes met with a boy whose features were sharp, and his eyes seemed to be a mixture of silver and brown, but mostly silver.
His attire seemed to be extremely expensive; there was a sense of superiority that automatically radiated from him.
Accompanying him were four more boys. Behind the group were two guards; both were in the 2nd phase, which spoke about the high status of the boy leading them. Well, he seems to be almost the same age as himself.
It did take Axel too long to understand that the one who called out to him was the next heir of the Dusker Dukedom, Ken Dusker. He had an extremely shocked expression on his face when he saw Axel, but it soon turned into a devious grin. He started walking towards him,
Axel immediately bowed, followed by his two guards and Neil. he immediately said in a polite tone, "I greet the renowned heir of Dusker Dukedom." Ken still kept that devious smile on his face and said, "Oh, Axel, I heard you were in a coma, and it was said that there was no hope for you ever waking up, and look at you."
"You're as good as new, despite what happened to you back then?"
Axel at first was very confused. Then, he could not help but think of the classic bullying scenario. Yet, when he heard his last words, a spine-chilling sensation ran through his spine. It was as if his body were reacting automatically without control. A boundless amount of fear and rage built up in him. He controlled himself with all his might, not letting those foreign feelings take control of his mind.
Ken patted his shoulder, and Axel straightened his posture. Axel could not help but notice the sinister gaze that Ken directed towards him. His body automatically tensed under that Gaze, but he still responded respectfully,
"Thank you for your concern, but thankfully, I have recovered."
But Ken's expression became very strange after hearing those words. Ken said, taunting him again, "Are you sure you're okay? What happened to you back then was truly too much."
"Wasn't it?" he whispered into Axel's ear. An even more petrifying feeling spread throughout him. His breathing quickened slightly, and his heart began to beat faster out of sheer terror. He clenched the fist of his left hand that he was holding on his back.
He could not help but wonder what had happened. What exactly happened to the original Axel for his body to have such an intense reaction? He replied respectfully again,
"Thank you for your concern, Young lord, but I think I am ok."
Ken wore a visibly disappointed expression this time as he thought of something else,
"Could it be that you have lost your memories or something?"
Axel's expression cracked for a moment, and that gesture did not escape the eyes of Ken, and his devious smile returned. He stated in a dark tone.
"So, why didn't you say that you had lost your memories? No wonder you were acting so out of character."
Axel hurriedly stated, "Young Lord I....."
Before he could finish, Ken cut him off, "You dare to lie in front of this young master?"
With no apparent warning, a powerful kick landed on Axel's face, which broke his nose, and a few of his teeth were also on the verge of breaking.
It was a powerful kick that he did not even see coming. He was almost about to fall to the ground, but he kept his balance; the brutal training of William did wonders for his body. He stood back straight and glared at the bastard, but he had to calm himself down forcefully. Unfortunately, as it may be, he could not do anything to the bastard.
If he harmed the heir of the Dusker Dukedom in public, that would give them the right to wipe out the entire Obsidian Trade with no hindrance, such was the difference between them. Ken wasn't finished with that one attack; this time, he attacked his leg and stated furiously, "You dare to glare at me? Lower your gaze, you trash."
Axel lost his balance and fell; he kept his gaze lowered this time. After cursing him a few more times, Ken said one last thing and left.
"Don't worry, you piece of trash, I'll let you know your place again when the time is right, since you forgot."