Magic_Smithing
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Ch: 70
🕑 Added 2020-12-24 19:35:02 +0000 UTC“So, how does this work?” I lean across Mr. Grey’s desk, watching his every movement with an excited smile on my face while bouncing on the tips of my toes.
Mr. Grey recoils away from me and drops his skill, but Acting helps me keep up my happy façade. He must have thought his skill was working too well on me and wants me to back off.
I stop acting like I just ate a bag of sugar and back up a bit, but just enough that I’m still considered quite close to Mr. Grey.
"First, you need a proper piece of parchment," Mr. Grey tells me while pulling a tan sheet of parchment out of his desk.
Back on Earth, most people have known nothing but plant basted paper, but here on Yurilia, parchment made from plants isn't always the go-to. If a village needs to send a message for whatever reason, chances are they'll use animal hide for their parchment. Mother told me plant-based paper is more common in cities but is only used in daily messages.
Looking at the beautiful piece of parchment, I can immediately tell it’s a piece of hide from a magic beast. The parchment practically glows in my eyes with earth mana and must have come from a strong beast.
Mr. Grey smooths out any creases on the hide and places a small weight on each of its corners. He then reaches into another drawer and withdraws a pen and container of green ink. The ink itself is also magical, but it possesses a neutral flow of mana, which is interesting to see. All mana is a mishmash of elements; even when I force the fire mana out of my work when I craft, it inevitably draws out traces of air and earth mana with it.
Every person absorbs ambient mana and converts it into their own, even those who don't have any magic talent. The converted mana mages wield itself is a combination of all traces of mana a person naturally absorbs, allowing them to cast spells with entirely different elements. However, people like magic beasts have an affinity for certain types of mana, allowing them to easily absorb specific variants over others. In short, it's incredibly hard to have genuinely neutral mana.
So, to see this bottle of ink, which appears to have a perfect balance of wind, earth, fire, and water mana, is incredible in its own right. Is it like engraving ink?
"What is that ink made of?" I ask Mr. Grey as he removes the cork from the small glass container.
"It's a special solution made by alchemists," he tries to hide the annoyance in his voice but now that I'm looking for small tells, his reluctance to answer me is evident.
“Sooooo, that means you have no idea?” It’s fun to see Mr. Grey’s hand pause as he’s reaching for his pen when he hears my question.
He takes a second to compose himself before meeting my gaze. Mr. Grey has reformed his merchant smile. "It's not that I'm ill-informed, but just like engraving ink, almost all solutions are only privy to their maker. Do you wish for me to try and find you a simplified recipe like last time?”
Damn, it's hard to read him like this; I pushed too hard. "No, thanks," I try to get him to drop his guard again with a friendly smile and some reassurance. "The ink just reminded me of my own experiments back home with engraving ink. I already have too many projects on my plate as it is," I follow up with another soft chuckle.
“Are you sure? I can try if you want me to?” Mr. Grey offers an empty platitude, knowing I have no interest in alchemy besides engraving ink.
"No, it's fine, really," I insist. "I was just interested in the contract, is all," I try to turn his attention back to the parchment in front of us.
My plan works, and Mr. Grey finally turns his attention back to our contract. "I see, then I shall explain how it works before I start drafting it. It works by one of us drafting out the agreement, and both of us signing the contract. Then, we shake as usual, and our skills will finalize everything."
“It’s that simple?” I remark.
"Sure is; give me a minute to write everything out." Mr. Grey moves his pen over to the inkpot.
What is this; no discussion between us first? Does he think I’m that gullible, or is this a test of some kind?
I make a split-second decision as he moves to start writing. “Woah there!" I hold out my hand, and Mr. Grey stops right as he's about to put pen to parchment. "I don't believe we've talked over the terms yet," I point out to him with an accusing look.
Mr. Grey looks shocked for a moment, but he quickly starts laughing. "Couldn't blame me for trying," he says without a smidge of shame. "You seem a little off today; I was wondering if you'd even notice?"
So, it was a test! Does that mean he realizes I'm on to his game? Does he know that I know, that he knows? And if he does, does he still plan on trying to indenture me to him?
I puff out my cheeks and pout. "You see how tired I am from my run, and you try to take advantage of me," I accuse Mr. Grey in an over-the-top manner like a C grade actress might do on a soap-opera.
"I'm just making sure I'm talking to the girl that haggled me out of a fistful of gold coins the last time we spoke." It was subtle, but I see how he drew attention back to how much he helped me last time. He doesn't mention how it was Silver Herd's owner that gave me a discount from the start, only how much 'he' came down in price.
“Then you shouldn’t feel bad about me talking you down again,” I send him a challenging look. Both our merchant skills activate at the same time.
"I'll be fronting all your material costs, so I deserve a discount on the final goods." Mr. Grey gives me a cunning smile, "how about I buy all the goods you make at 60% market value."
“Including the arrows that we would’ve sold to the general,” I scoff at his offer. “Our previous deal already has you getting the last two for free.”
"Don't think I'm an unreasonable man, Aaliyah. This contract can replace our previous one as long as we include it in the details. I want us to come together and cement our relationship to both our needs.”
“And what about Kervin?” I ask.
“What about him?”
“I already have a contract with Kervin saying he’ll be buying all my goods. How does that factor into our contract?” I point out to him.
Mr. Grey laughs and gives me a dismissive wave with his hand. "Kervin works under me. He'll be given ample compensation for being our go-between."
“And what happens when I break my contract with Kervin and sell directly to you?" I enquire about any ramifications I could possibly suffer. I can void our contract if I wanted to, but Mr. Grey doesn't know that.
"It depends on the type of contract and the levels of the people involved. Based on what I've heard, the contract between you and Kervin was only verbal, and you out level him by a wide margin. You would be the one breaking the contract, so you might suffer a bad headache for a day." Mr. Grey tells me.
"A headache, that's it? You break a Contract skill, and that's all you suffer from?" I'm shocked, that's all that happens.
Mr. Grey chuckles, "you would only get a headache because neither of you specified the details should your contract be broken. The fact that you're stronger than him helps you resist the backlash. If you were weaker than Kervin, then you could've been bedridden for several days after the skill was broken.”
I breathe out a small sigh, "another example of might makes right," I mumble.
"That's how our world works," Mr. Grey confirms. "Levels, money, status, these are the principles that drive everything, and with the two of us working together, we might just obtain all three!" For just a second, I see Mr. Grey's mask drop, and I can clearly see the fanatic ambition he hides.
I want to refute him and say it’s love, friendship, and loyalty that real wealth is obtained, but I can see these concepts don't matter much to the man. Feigning understanding, I nod along with Mr. grey. If we stay on this topic any longer, I might give myself away, so I lead us back to our discussion on prices.
"Speaking of wealth, there's no way I'm selling my work for only 60%," I tell Mr. Grey. "I plan on forging solid tier 3 magic swords and other weapons. And if I'm lucky, I'll be able to put some basic enchantments on them as well. We're talking goods worth tens of gold for each piece.”
“But you’re forgetting I’m paying for all the materials. I’m only taking 40% despite agreeing to front you nearly 300 gold coins worth of ore. “Mr. Grey points out to me.
"Funny, I didn't know you were paying for the steel we'll be using," I cross my arms in front of me. "Other than the arrow shafts, the other stuff I make will include our village's steel, and there's the mithril if you want even better-quality gear."
"Then that means you need more mithril as well. The goods I was about to front you just went from 300 gold coins to 450 gold coins. I'm afraid I'll have to be quite insistent with 60%. You won’t get any better from another merchant.”
Now I got him! “Ah, but I do. Kervin easily pays me 60% and gives me more depending on how much he can sell my stuff for.” I send Mr. Grey a challenging sneer.
“He does all that?" Mr. Grey is stunned upon hearing how well Kervin treats me. That's right, you crafty old man, how are you going to top that? Kervin is aware I can terminate Contract skills without any backlash or consent from the other person, so he offers me more than generous terms knowing I can find a new partner anytime I want.
Mr. Grey is forced to lean back into his chair and take a minute to think over his offer.
The amount of money we're discussing is leagues above any deal I've done in the past. I don't mind going along with Mr. Grey's plans because it would supply me with enough material to keep me busy until the new year. I'd have more than enough time to figure out how I would want to deal with Mr. Grey no matter what the paper in front of him says.
Mr. Grey anxiously rubs his face with his hand. “70%, that’s the best I can do,” he tells me.
I let a predatory smile form on my face. "That's better; I can work with 70%. How much Kaglese do you have available?"
“8,000 pounds. And before you ask, yes, my earlier price factored in the bulk price. How many weapons can you forge with that?”
"A lot," I confidently tell Mr. Grey. "I only need time; can you pick everything up after the new year when summer begins?"
"That's more than reasonable; anything else you feel we should discuss?" Mr. Grey asks, appearing ready to answer any of my questions, but I can see in his eyes how much he wants me to sign whatever he writes down.
“Business with Kervin, what you’re giving me, how much my percentage is,” I count off each point with my fingers. “Yeah, I think we covered all the big details. Now you just have to draft the contract, right?”
"That's correct; it won't take long." Mr. Grey dips his pen into the inkpot. I follow along as he smoothly writes out our new contract. It starts out rather formal.
This contract is between Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village and Lennard Grey.
I quickly notice he includes where I grew up but not that he’s working under Silver Herd.
This contract terminates and replaces the former contract between Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village and Lennard Grey. Lennard Grey will provide Aaliyah with 300 gold worth of Kaglese ore and 150 gold in mithril ingots. Lennard Grey will use Kervin of Silver Herd to deliver said goods in a timely fashion to Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village.
I see that Mr. Grey is making sure to specify exactly who is performing each action, leaving no room for someone to interpret the contract in any other way.
Leonard Grey will handle the pickup of finished goods produced by Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village four months from the date this contract is signed after the new year begins. All goods produced by Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village, minus products meant for Spotted Creek Village, will be bought at 70% market value to Lennard Grey.
According to this new contract, Mr. Grey will be paying me for all the arrows I make, including the ones we previously agreed would be free.
While I’m trying to find any hidden meaning or loopholes in what he wrote, I notice Mr. Grey has paused his writing.
“Is something the matter?” I ask.
“Forgive me, but I forgot the last part we need to discuss.” Yeah, I’m sure you did, I chastise the man in my head. “The last part of a contract specifies what should happen to either of us should we break the terms written.”
I raise my eyebrow at the man. “Do we need such a clause? It sort of sounds like you don’t trust me,” I say accusingly.
Mr. Grey waves his hands and shakes his head. "Not at all; I'm sure neither of us wishes to back out of such a profitable deal." Mr. Grey tries to reassure me.
"Then, why do we need to include a punishment clause? Won't the backlash from breaking a Contract skill reinforced with an official document be enough?"
"Normally, yes," Mr. Grey points out. "But Contract skills are vastly stronger when both parties agree on a mutual punishment should the contract be broken." His smile warm, but I know this is where Mr. Grey is going to try and trip me up.
A part of me is curious where he’s going with this. “What do people usually agree to, then?”
"Most commonly contracts specify an amount of money one person would owe the other should they fail to follow the standards of the contract. However, both of us are quite wealthy, and we would need to agree on an astronomical amount that would pose any threat to either of us." Mr. Grey smiles widely at me.
“Don’t stop now,” I tell him. “I’m sure you already have an idea of what we could both ante up.”
“Contracts between people as strong as us need to be strong, so I suggest we both offer up 20 levels to the other should either of us happen to betray the other."
I don't need to feign shock. I was expecting something outrageous from the man, but I didn't expect that. "Is that even possible?" I ask in astonishment.
Mr. Grey slowly nods his head. "It is possible. Contracts with the same stakes were more common during the warring periods ensuring one party would never back out of a deal. Both of us could withstand the backlash from a contract skill, but neither of us could survive losing 20 levels."
"Is this really necessary?" I act nervous, but on the inside, I'm even more curious now how he plans to trap me.
"We both plan on following the contract. The penalty of losing 20 levels is merely there to make our partnership stronger." Mr. Grey has the smile of a fox trying to coax a hen out of the farm.
Fine, let’s see this to the end. I slowly change my unsure expression to a more reluctant agreeing look. “Fine, I agree to your terms. May our bonds be unbreakable.”
“I’m glad you see it my way,” Mr. grey re-dabs his pen in the ink and finishes drafting our contract.
Should either Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village or Lennard Grey not follow the contract to the letter, the offended party can take 20 levels from the other.
I expected him to try and add something vaguer at the end, but the terms stating what should happen if we forgo the contract are extremely clear. That means there must be a loophole in the contract that I missed, which explains why Mr. Grey is looking extremely pleased with himself.
“Now we just have to sign,” Mr. Grey informs me and doesn’t hesitate to write out his name at the bottom of the document.
He passes me the parchment and his pen. “Do I need to sign as Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village?” I ask.
"That would be preferable," Mr. Grey tells me. "You don't have a last name, so signing your village makes the contract stronger."
Does anything make this contract weaker, I wonder?
I start writing out my name, and as I finish, Mr. Grey offers me his hand. Confidently, I reach out and shake my opponents' hand over the contact.
The text Mr. Grey wrote down flashes, and both our Contract skills activate. Unlike the previous contracts I've formed with Kervin and Mr. Grey, this time is different. A more significant amount of experience is exchanged between the two of us, and it's all filtered through the parchment.
The hide and magic ink react to our skills, and I can see a change in the document's mana structure. The already strong hide our contract is written on looks even stronger than a few seconds ago.
“Which of us keeps the parchment?” I ask Mr. Grey.
"Do you have a secure place for it?" He questions me.
"Not really," I tell him. "But don't you think it would be safer in my village; I mean, an army is on its way here?"
"You don't need to worry," Mr. Grey assures me. "The parchment is only a physical representation of our contract. The hide it's made of is quite strong, and our skills have already reinforced it. I believe I should hold onto it; that way, should someone from Scholl try to force your cooperation, I can negotiate for both of us."
“And who says I need you to watch out for me?” I fold my arms in front of me.
"So, you want to be more involved now?" Mr. Grey smugly smiles, knowing I don't.
I ignore his bait and change the subject. “When can I expect my delivery?”
"Kervin should reach the city sometime tomorrow. But I'm sure he'll need some rest before I send him out again. Expect your order in six or seven days."
"Sounds good," I say, standing up. “Can I get a regular piece of paper and ink to copy the contract really quick?”
“Of course,” Mr. Grey readily hands me the supplies I need.
I copy everything over and pocket the paper. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I hope everything goes well with Scholl.”
Mr. Greys eyes widen as I turn around and head for the door. “Wait! That’s it? You don’t have to leave right away, you know. I can put you up in an inn for the night,” he offers.
I shake my head no and offer him a polite smile. "It's fine, really. Everyone back in the village is waiting for me, and honestly, the energy everyone is giving off doesn't allow me to relax here. I'd feel better camping in the woods rather than staying in an inn while the city is panicking."
"I understand; if that's how you feel, I won't try to keep you longer." Mr. Grey lightly bows his head. "Stay safe on your trip home."
“Mr. Grey,” I offer him a final nod and move towards the doors leading out of the office. “Thank you, Max,” I offer the bodyguard a parting smile as he holds the door open for me.
"Have a good day, miss Aaliyah," he politely returns my farewell.
I take stock of the man one last time as I leave. If my business with Mr. Grey turns sour, he's one of the most likely people I would have to look out for.
On that note, I hope I'm wrong about Mr. Grey. I understand he's a merchant and only looking out for his best interests, but for some reason, I kept getting bad vibes every time I looked into his eyes.
I’ll have mom help me go over the contract when I get back to the village and discuss everything with Kervin when he drops off my supplies. I might even include Reel if I can figure out where his intentions lie. It sounds like he works for the head of Silver Herd, but Mr. Grey made it sound like he could order him around as well.
Well, worrying over things that haven’t happened yet won’t get me anywhere.
I need to turn my focus onto my problems in the here and now. Like, how am I going to get out of this building without being accosted by the head receptionist?
**********
Mr. grey’s Point of View:
"Has she left the building yet?" I ask Max.
"The head receptionist stopped her, but she managed to worm her way out eventually," my bodyguard informs me.
"Good, I don't need that woman getting her claws into our business any more than she already is. Not that it matters much now," I laugh. "Aaliyah signed the contract, and now she's practically dancing in the palm of my hand."
“I wouldn’t underestimate her, boss.” Max tramples all over my good mood.
“And why is that?” I ask my most trusted partner.
“Her growth rate is terrifying.”
“She may level fast, but she’s still a young girl that doesn’t know how the world works. By the time she realizes I basically own her, it will be too late.” I happily proclaim. “So, what if she gains a few levels!”
"It was more than a few; she leveled at least four times since she was last here."
Hearing that causes me to choke on my own saliva. When I clear my throat, I quickly demand clarification. “Four levels?!”
"At least. She was trying to hide it, but her physical stats have improved by leaps and bounds.”
“Can you still take her?” I hastily ask.
Max’s face scrunches, “I’m pretty sure. As you said, boss, she’s still young. Even if she somehow out levels me, I’m confident I can beat her in a fight.”
I rub my face with my hand; that's not good news. Max is already assuming she'll pass him soon. "It doesn't matter," I say aloud to reassure myself as much as Max. "She was focusing so hard on everything I wrote down; she didn't realize everything I left out of the contract."
I grab the magical document and lean back into my chair, putting my feet up onto my desk. “The contract states when I pick up the first order of goods but has nothing about it being a one-time deal. It even blatantly says all goods she produces other than what her village needs must be sold to me with no mention when our contract ends!"
“Even if Giovanni catches wind of our contract, he can’t break it without killing the girl.” I wish I could see his face when he does find out I snagged his most important contact ever.
“What do we do with Kervin and Reel, boss?”
"The contract only states Kervin needs to deliver the materials the first time. You know how crazy everything has been lately; no one would think twice about it if he has an accident during all the panic." I grin at Max.
“What about Reel?” Max asks me.
“If the chance presents itself, we’ll take him out, but we only need to kill Kervin. Then we’ll fill his position with our own people we trust,” I explain.
“Are you sure that will work?” Max asks me. “There’s no way word won’t get back to Giovanni that Aaliyah visited us today. If we make a move on Kervin, it would only confirm any suspicions he has about us."
I snicker at my aid. "You think Giovanni isn't already suspicious of us. That man assigned me out here to keep me at arm's length. The only reason he cares so much is that a once in a lifetime gem like Aaliyah was uncovered nearby. Like everything else we've done, we'll move slowly. After Kervin drops off the supplies I owe Aaliyah, we have months to figure out a way to get rid of him.”
"And Scholl?" Max looks at me, concerned.
"An unforeseen setback is all," I assure Max. "But one we can take advantage of. Silver herd will be split in half once Scholl takes the city, and Giovanni's grasp on his employees will falter. As soon as Scholl takes the city, we can re-establish our ties in Teeburn."
“You’re not worried about working with Scholl, boss?”
"That's the best part," I exclaim. "I'm only following the orders of Giovanni. Should our loyalty to Olebert be questioned, we can simply say we were working under Giovanni's orders, which will damage his reputation beyond repair. If we use Aaliyah to our advantage as well as deal a lethal blow to Silver Herd, the major trading companies will see us as heroes."
“Sounds complicated,” Max breathes out a tired sigh.
"Just you wait, my friend, in a years' time, we'll be living the good life with so much gold we won't know what to do with it all." A large smile crosses my lips, and Max can't help but smirk himself.
This is a dangerous game we're playing, but I've been preparing for this moment for years. And now that I have that ignorant girl under my thumb, my victory is all but assured.
Come, Scholl.
Come, Giovanni.
Both of you are merely stepping stones meant to propel me to greatness!
**********
Author’s Notes:
4,400 words.
I know it's shorter despite me taking so long to write it. But on a good note, I got a chest x-ray and blood work done yesterday, so hopefully, for Christmas, I'll find out what's making me feel so shitty.
But don’t let me spoil your holidays.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas,
A happy Hanukkah,
An amazing Kwanzaa,
That no evil finds you on Shabe-Yalda,
Or simply have a great Festivus with your family,
P.S. I had to look those last three up.
No matter what you celebrate or who you’re with, I wish you the greatest of times.
The next chapter should be out on the 31st. Until then, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and as always, stay safe.
Comments
Svish
after soo long, i still want to know... WHY is she not learning archery? or picked up a skill to hide?
Svish
that is overconfidence. She is assuming her control and skill lvel over the soul is high enough to defeat the contract strength... it was a bad deal all around. and not something she needed to agree to. she knows that the the guy above grey supports her. she could have simply told him that he did not need to "risk" his own money, and to ask the boss if risking the company's money was worth it.
AnonyGuy
She can dispel stuff in her soul, although she might find it harder to dispel with the stronger contract.
AnonyGuy
You forgot she can dispel any abnormality in her soul.
Bulwark
This was an awful chapter imo. She knew he was up to something, isn't very experienced with contracts and yet she let him add such a punishing clause and signed the contract with barely any analysis of it. Ridiculous. Our MC has shown far more caution on previous occasions. This feels massively forced.
Xan
If she knows it is a trap and she doesn't see what the trap may be ... isn't it just common sense not to mess around with it and walk away? Surely the ore isn't worth the chance to risk a bad written contract. I mean there is a reason that contracts are linked with the devil: their powerful and will screw you in ways you couldn't have seen.
Alnatura
It makes no sense at all to sign this contract
Alnatura
What? Why would you give up 30%?
Roman
I agree, at least it would make a lot more sense in-world if the offending party simply loses levels. Otherwise you could just capture people and force them to sign and break a contract giving some of their experience in exchange for their lives, and that would by far be the most efficient way to level.
Randydandy
Would be interesting how the level handover works, i think it would be a common thing to demand levels if it was so easy. Powerful people can just force weaker people to give them levels. If there is no downsides to it it should be common
lenkite
Shrug, I did wonder about the end date myself. I guess Aaliyah is OK with losing 20 levels. Even if she breaks the contract, there is no guarantee she doesn't handover her levels.
Jachin Nelson
It appears at least that it will be a little later
Elsie Nnaji
No chapter ?
Jachin Nelson
*lurks*
Christoffer Gustafsson
I don't believe that there will be a level exchange if she invalidates the contract. But the feedback will probably be immense on Grays side. Enough to straight out kill him? Don't know.
Stylemys
I’m wondering if Grey has ever even had to deal with an overtly maliciously contract before. Reputation would be a big deal for merchants and craftsman back then, so they’d probably be inclined to honor the spirit of the contract even when it was open ended. Additionally anyone trying to utterly screw him would be picking a fight with Silver Herd, so it would probably be more trouble than it’s worth. This could be his first real attempt at this sort of thing.
Stephen Pearson
Pretty sure that she was the one who ended the contract and can end any additional contracts, by assembling all the skill hooks and expelling those bits / connection from her soul. She did that for Kervin's contract and before that the headman's 'protect the village' skill. She's very OP against any skill that forms a connection or lodges in a person's soul... like contracts. That said, it's not inevitable that she will break the contract. There are several scenarios where she might keep it in place, and reap his levels by forcing him to fail the conditions - I agree with you that with the connection broken there is no mechanism for the levels to flow to her. Most likely she'll give him a chance to do right, then when he doesn't, bring out far more than he has the gold to pay for. He'll probably have brought a high level team of warriors and a few assassins as he plans to finalize his control - not to mention carrying around a few thousand in gold - and have them attack to prevent the consequences. If she has Silver Herd send in reinforcements in the form of some of the Numbers, they can even take his stuff if he dies, so she doesn't get all bandit-y. Should get very exciting for a bit:-)
Timo Immig
It's not her that cancels the Skill but the protection meassures by the gods. Hard to conclude something. More likely if school is interested in her he will be the first to suffer. After all Panacore seem to still have the arrow for the general.
Scruffleupagas
Soooo when she broke her last contract the trader faced all the consequences. The question is, when she inevitably does the same to Grey will he lose 20 levels to the ether? I would assume so since she doesn't have a way for the skill to trace back to her to grant those levels.
Diego Morales-Heyser
Don’t forget she can break the contract
Josh Shaver
At the same token, she can produce everything for the village and they can then sell it if they want to go that route. ALSO she signed it of the town name (no last name bit) She does in fact have a last name. Her mom has one as well as her previous life which is part of her SOUL, and she remembers her last name. A bit she did not disclose on purpose perhaps? Not to mention it is high time she left the village of spotted creek anyways, this gives a way to do so. Since if she moves she will no longer be of that village, so another easy avenue of leaving. Basically she gets to use the materials level some skills and work on her enchanting with free materials then bounce. I mean she will likely be leading her village to safety somewhere after the town falls. Also who is to say that Mr. Grey wont do something stupid when the town falls and die from that?
Stylemys
It would be worse than that. When she got the 8 levels off the Soul Devourer, she said it was more experience than all of her previous levels combined. There’s no way Grey even has enough total experience to increase Aaliyah’s level by 20.
Todd Kloos
She should still be able to make items for herself and her family since they are part of the village. Another thing to note is that she has lots of other skills besides smithing, so if she doesn't want to make things for Mr. Grey or he tries to screw with her, she can just stop smithing and do something else (like explore the magic forest) until she is strong enough to kill him.
Max Scherer
ehh the contract is pretty bad for Aliyah. What people dont seem to get is that he gets EVERYTHING she produces that isnt for her village. Now it is important to note how this wording is interpreted in the contract, but he has the upperhand and she cant smith without selling her products to him even her enchanting stuff.
Patrick Schuldt
Ilea? I think you read to much AH 😂😅
MadGod
No, his greed couldn't be satisfied without screwing over Aaliyah. That's kinda the whole point of greed, it's the opposite of temperance, it always wants more.
Rui Lourenço
So Ilea can get the materials, tell Reed about the contract, cancel the contract and be in a better position with the main branch of the company. No wonder Aliyah did not notice the trap. The trap was about the contract having no end date and she was always planning on her ability to end it at any time. She came up so far ahead in this play that it is funny. Assuming she can break the skill, which should be even easier with her new skills.
Chemnerd263
The chapter was pretty great, though Mr. Gray is almost comic book evil at this point. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but his only real motivation seems to be greed, which he could have satisfied without trying to screw over Aaliyah.
Chemnerd263
Merry Christmas to me! I'm super excited for the newest chapter. Lol
TaylorTot
When he goes to pick up the goods, she should demand that he gets them properly appraised.
Sondadir
Mr.Grey is 75-76 years old, and level 57. It can be seen that he is not a very talented merchant, because the number of blind spots in this contract is mind-boggling!
Zerith
... Leonard Grey will handle the pickup of finished goods produced by Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village four months from the date this contract is signed after the new year begins. All goods produced by Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village, minus products meant for Spotted Creek Village, will be bought at 70% market value to Lenard Grey. Grey has to pick up all the goods in 4 months. What happens to those goods made after 4 months? What if Aaliyah just moves on him? He was to buy, She dos not have to sell.
Håvard
Well the Kervin thing can only harm him long before she understands how fucked she is so there is no reason to care. Afther all if you want to trick the naive viliger you cant write detailed saftey clauses for yourself and not her.
tibbish
Yup. Its a pretty crap contract but then the guy seems used to ripping off uneducated or inexperienced poor people and not someone who even knows what a loophole is in the 1st place. And he obviously doesn't really respect her or her intelligence. Given that he was trying to screw her over pretty badly he gets what he deserves!
Melting Sky
Grey has some pretty nasty body guards. It would not be trivial to have him killed.
Todd Kloos
“Even if Giovanni catches wind of our contract, he can’t break it without killing the girl.” The obvious way to break the contract is by killing Mr. Grey. I'm pretty sure Giovanni is both willing and able to have Mr. Grey assassinated. If any of the other major trading companies wants to work with Aaliyah they could also kill Mr. Grey. Aaliyah will also be strong enough to kill him soon, so I don't see how Mr. Grey expects to execute this scheme without being murdered.
Todd Kloos
It also says when Grey has to buy. If the city is under siege and he can't leave to go to Spotted Creek Village, that would also be a violation of the contract.
Mark Bird
is it just me or is "minus products meant for Spotted Creek Village" a massive loophole?
Loipers
I like the suggestions I see people making for Aaliyah to use the contract's wording. Aaliyah doesn't even have to do anything fancy with her skills to get out of this. Once she shows the contract to her mother or Kervin, they should recognize that Kervin is needed to uphold Grey's side of the bargain, but is seemingly not held accountable for the contract in any way. This contract replaces and nullifies his previous contract's obligations, and Kervin was already inclined to side with Aaliyah. Looking at all the reader suggestions puts into perspective how exploitable the contract is on both sides. I'm gonna chalk the weakness of the contract up to Grey avoiding suspicion by making it intentionally vague. If he started adding detailed instruction to clauses that might harm him, Aaliyah would rightfully suspect the vague sections to be harmful to herself. Or, well, I could be overthinking it and it could just be Grey being blinded by hubris and mercantile greed.
Braidborn
I have a feeling that is going to be the point, the way her village name is repeatedly mentioned, all She would have to do to safely break the contract is simply have the name of the village changed
Jacob Flaherty
If the village removes itself from the kingdom does that negate its current name, especially if they become a part of Schole, and if it does would that negate her part of the contract due to specifying that she is from spotted creek village?
Cyryl Chołodowski
Happy Winter Veil!
Imspinnennetz
I think the problems with the level transfer can be solved if it is interpreted as experience needed to transfer the levels rather than the level number. That way nobles can not compel others to transfer over levels to themselves for cash. i.e. 20 levels from someone around lvl 40 will not really raise the level of someone of lvl 60.
Imspinnennetz
I think the market value is set by the level system. If you recall, Kervin knew that he had undersold Aaliyah's work because he got less experience for selling the weapons. If this is the case, the market value stipulation can actually work in Aaliyah's favor as very few people have good mana sense to understand the value of her work. This makes her in control of key knowledge of the actual worth of her goods.
Imspinnennetz
I presume the different first names are a mistake.
Randall Klatt
Man, Lennard Grey is totally hosed if a Lenard Grey doesn't provide the ore and ingots and a Leonard Grey doesn't ensure that Aaliyah's products are not picked up four months after the new year. Furthermore, if the Leonard Grey doesn't pay 70% of Lenard Grey's market value of said goods, Lennard Grey is equally hosed. Lennard Grey better hope that Leonard Grey and Lenard Grey don't mess up! Additionally, Aaliyah can basically decide what is meant by a "delivered in a timely fashion." For her, anything beyond a couple days (given her rate of travel) is not "timely." Thus, she can claim to be "the offended party" and rip 20 levels out of Lennard Grey.
Jack Trowell
When she broke the contract with Kevin, Kevin immediately suffered the full combined effects of breaking the contract. I don't expect Mr Grey to survive if she does the same with this new contract, provided of course that she is still able to do it with such a stronger contract
Jack Trowell
Hence the question about Mac being able to handle her
A disgruntled nondescript squirrel
a shame I kinda liked him, I feel he might be hamming it up a bit much
Midjji
Actually will pick up goods in 4 months, deliver in timely fashion, use kervin, kinda screws grey more than her. Open ended is arguable, there is no delivery date after the first delivery, which also strongly implies an end date. The line which screws her over is 70% market value to grey. So he specifies market value. But she can also just not produce anything for sale, produce illegal stuff which if intended he is then required to buy, if arguably for free, or just waste products. Annoying to have to wait perhaps. But you may wish to consider spending a bit more time on the text of the contract. Nice otherwise though.
Fujite
Another possible loop hole is the "of Spotted Creek Village" identifier. She even explicitly asked how to sign it. So what happens if she moves? Or the village is gone?
Ranyaws Bluefire
Hmm, there's obviously many flaws with such a vaguely defined contract, but one of the biggest threats I see for Grey is, 20 levels for who? Level 50 does not have the same value as level 100. If Aaliyah gets "20 levels" from forcing the backlash onto Grey the same way she did with Kervin, (presumably becoming the beneficiary of the break-clause) does she drain experience from him until he has lost 20 levels, or until she has gained 20 levels? In the latter case, does grey even have that much experience? Would he die if he doesn't? If I wanted to play it save, I would have specified and absolute amount of experience instead. I'm also quite intrigues about how contract-magic is facilitated on a technical level. Is that another system gods put into place? So many questions. Also lets hope that Kervin manages fine with the hardships coming for him... Anyway, Merry Christmas :)
Straven
I think I'll enjoy this man's reaction to her ability to break that agreement without any issue on her part quite a bit if said day ever comes. Thanks for another enjoyable chapter, got my blood pumping and eyes widening when I saw the update notice! P.S. Hope your doing alright and whatever nailed your immune system gets knocked out sooner then later.
Malchome
Thanks, found one autocorrect typo, Damn, it's hard to reed him like this; I pushed too hard. "No, thanks," reed should be read.
Jiri Krivak
I believe the spelling is for weakining the contract not a loophole such as, just an insurance
Stephen Pearson
Very surprised she didn't ask about whether the 20 levels was for the increase on the receiving person's side, or the decrease on the providing person's side. Would be kinda funny if he went well below level 10 as a result of this:-p
Osprey36
Oh man I didn't even realize that! Kervin said ALL the backlash went to him without her receiving any, that means both sides of the contract. Holy crap Aaliyah's gonna get like 40 levels from this if she can break it effectively. I hope I'm reading into that right
Aezy Ken
They wouldn't go through with making a contract. They'd just kill the other person and get their xp that way.
Sergei
Hm, I was seriously expecting the loophole to be tied into Mr Grey's name being spelt a different way every time it occurs somehow, but he didn't monologue about it at all.
Evil Legend
I think a world where there is a level transfer between people with a relatively small gap between them would look a little different. This is not a cardinal difference, but the possibility itself is too obvious to abuse for it not to be widespread enough. At least among the nobility and quite rich people. This is too significant not to be reflected at least in the form of rumors, and what ordinary people think about the nobility. Obviously, this is not very effective with a significant difference in levels, given the requirements of experience, but it is effective enough that such a possibility has more significance, in addition to the little-known possibility of using it in contracts as a punishment. Or does the transfer of levels by such means have the same limitations as killing? So this is an inefficient process with low efficiency? Also quite interesting, how does the loss of levels affect a particular person? Is this experience removed from all the skills and characteristics of a person? If not, and it just cuts down on the amount of a person's soul shell consisting of their experience - does this mean that it reduces the rate of improvement of their skills? (according to Aliyah's theory that her greater learning rate is related to the initial size of her soul)
Melting Sky
Aaliyah was unwise to sign a new type of contract without any idea of whether she can still actually break it or not. She has some very powerful soul effecting skills but there is a huge difference between making a verbal agreement with with a much lower level merchant and forging a signed magically enhanced contract with someone like Grey. There is however a rather sneaky hole she could exploit in the contract even if it turns out to be binding which is that goods that her village buys from her are exempt. She could just have the village head do her a favor and declare that the village needs all the weapons she can make for the foreseeable future and then deal through the village leadership rather than Grey. Grey was also far too blinded by his greed in that he just made a promise to deliver the ore through Kervin during war time. Normally this wouldn't be too much of an issue, but with an imminent invasion going on the shipment could get stolen or Kervin could get killed or drafted, etc.
An_Amazing_Username
This is so funny. Now that she can actively manipulate her soul and find all of the pieces plus the 8? levels she got from the monster he is really stupid. It would have been funny if she told it to his face though it would be stupid.
Hayden Lux
Ya but she is more honorable and thus wouldn't cheat him in that way. Same reason she doesn't think about ending the contract the second she gets the material. But I do wonder what she could do with the contract. With soul sense, she can collect and expel them from her soul but with soul manipulation who knows what she can do. Hell, she may very well be able to alter the contract. After all, the contract is created and exists as a piece of soul so who's to say she can't alter contracts after she has made them with soul manipulation.
Blackmoon11
Chapters are getting shorter and the waits are getting longer :(. Food for thought, the contract says that the offended party gets 20 lvls from the other if the contract gets broken. I wonder if that accounts for the actual experience amount because the XP requirement for a lvl 50 to advance a level is only a fraction of the amount for someone who is in their 70's . I imagine it would have to be the case, or else high-level nobles could farm XP from commoners in debt. All of Greys XP is worth about 3 or 4 levels to her, so is the contract even valid at that point, if it promises something that's not his to give?.
B
She can just sell everything to the village after the initial order, there was no quota for her to fill, just said village needs. well the village needs a big shop of fancy enchanted gear. lol
Max Scherer
Yeah fuck that dude I hope she ducks him up good.
MagicWafflez
welp, his days are numbered now... last time she force cancelled a contract the backlash was pushed on the other person. so *WHEN* she decides to stop this contract, he's going to die. painfully
Vyktor
Best of luck to you, I pray they find the problem and help you easily. I really want her to find Kevin and show him the contract, and break it immediately. I'm sure with her Sense Soul Skill that let her control her soul she will find a way to break it fast and hard for the weasel... 🤔
Jonathan Seah
I wonder what happens to the contract if Kervin dies before he makes the first delivery? Also, another way it could backfire horribly is if Aaliyah ends up producing products of far higher quality than they expect and Mr Grey can't afford to buy... I notice the clause not only says Aaliyah will sell to Grey, but that Grey must buy. (I am imagining Aaliyah turning up at his office with a crazy Tier 5 artifact and saying "buy this, please?" when such a thing has no proper market price save that its worth can be designated in fractions of entire cities) EDIT: that said, 70% isn't that bad. When you factor in that Grey is doing sales and effectively taking on the political risk of an OP crafter if Aaliyah starts turning out strategically valuable weaponry, Grey might even be on the losing end.
Blady
I think that all you forget that this contract works both ways. She can just produce 1 arrow before 4th month and it will be enough. It doesnt say she needs to use all materials which were provided to her before time is up. She can even sell all stuff for village and then re-buy it... It is not even proper contract..... So many flaws from merchant side^^
Hazza Vanderbyl
The distinction between "will give 20 levels" and "can take 20 levels" is going to be fun when he finds out she has the capability to actually do so
Stephen Weinberg
Adding on, I bet Kervin immediately recognizes Mr Grey is signing his death warrant (via backlash) when he tells Kervin the contract isn't over and he needs to tell Aaliyah that. He will recommend cancelling the contract, but can't force it.
Stephen Weinberg
Wow, Mr Grey is an idiot. He left out so much. For example, what happens to the contract if he dies. Even if she can't end the contract with her soul sense, she can kill him. That isn't her style though, more likely is that Reel, the scary secretary, or someone else hired by Silver Herd kills him. Also quite possible Mr Grey gets death by backlash when she succeeds in ending the contract by force.
Drew Kerstens
I am confused about how the signing levels away works. I feel like if you could put that as a stipulation it would be exploited all the time by nobles in such to basically power level themselves by stealing the levels of others. I do like how she was so confident she could get out of any contract she rolled with the punches just to satisfy her curiousity.
Thundermike00
Damn that’s awful. But heck even I would fall for it when the contract didn’t mention when things would be over. But he underestimated her, thank goodness he doesn’t know she can break the contract without him knowing or does he know once someone breaks the contract?
Gyslain Desgagne
Actually there is nothing in the contract about not harming the opponent so she could just kill him and the contract would be void.
Moises Meza
Aww, the good wishes make up for the lack of chap
SFS
Thanks for the chapter, and happy holidays to you all. With that said, Ive noticed a little bit of a glaring weakness in this contract for Mr.Grey. 1) It doesn't specify her actually needing to sell him anything. 2) She can sell things to her village. So she could hypothetically sell the items she makes to her village, and then they can sell them to silver herd, or whoever.
Dopplerdee
Putting aside how I finde signing a dumb idea even with a way to break it. I wonder if hiw the levels are measured. 20 levels for her is alot more exp than 20 for him. If its based on the recever it would probably just take everything he has.
Bloodorange17
Change the name of the village, then she's no longer "Aaliyah of Spotted Creek Village" and therefore no longer bound by the contract
Space Cadet
I am not a contracts lawyer, so I am really interested to see the loophole. I am sure Kevin or her mum will tell her. Generally sentences in a paragraph are related, so the commitment to sell everything to Grey looks associated with the 4 month delivery. Anyway, thx for the chapter and merry christmas
Bonobo
Thanks for the chapter, and happy holidays to you and your family!
Andrew
Thank you!
Imspinnennetz
There is one loophole regarding the market value of Aaliyah's products. We have already seen Kervin underestimate the value of Aaliyah's work because of the inability to see the mana in the material to high level of detail.
Ungrave
Yeah, that's a brutally loose contract she just signed. Good thing she can just burn it up, or I'd have to assume she's a total idiot. I wonder if he'll have to send her the levels when the contract is destroyed, since kervin experienced the backlash last time she tore up a contact. Thanks for the chapter!
Imspinnennetz
I think that Grey is underestimating Reel. He is number four in terms of agent asset to the head of the Silver Herd and probably likely to remain loyal to the company.
Emma Carlin
Even without considering the 'selling all products' to him part I was so frustrated she didn't flush out the contract more to include clauses in case of the war. What if she's forced to flee her town or the ore/weapons get stolen by the invading military? Also, I noticed it wasn't explicitly stated under what name she chose to sign under. I wonder if her having a previous life/name would act as a sort of 'true name' and further weaken the contract?
Loki-L
Thanks for the chapter and good health and a merry Xmas to you. I expect that with her soul skills any attempt to actually enforce that penalty would backfire quite badly on this guy. She might even be able to remotely harvest experience from him if any of the many likely groups do kill him.
ZCochraine!%
Oh, I bet her Tier 6 and manipulation will help negate what Grey thinks of as an advantage, or at least consequences suffered on her part.
ZCochraine!%
Well, once she find out , he’s very dead. And probably level and skilless.
J3_Haustkottr
Ok, ouch. That's a mean contract. You made me want his ass dead very quickly, nicely done.
Thelon
"Damn, it's hard to reed him like this;" should be "read him"
Kosnik4
Corrections
roxurio10003
Thank you so much. Be healthy and don't worry
Patrick Schuldt
Nice chapter 😍😊
