Heaven's Greatest Professor

"Hmm, is that why other iron rankers are so weaker in comparison?" Warden couldn't help but ask.

"Yes and no," June said. "You're just abnormal."

"I would term that as my charm," Warden smiled. "And I believe you're the same. You have a fatemark too, right?"

June shot him a glance and smiled, which was an answer enough. She wears formal and full-sleeved clothing all the time and Warden failed to even guess that. But considering her powerful set of abilities, she was bound to have fatemark abilities.

"By the way, June, do you know what a Fatelock is?"

June narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. "Where have you heard of that term?"

"In my Status page, where else?"

"I don't know all the specifics," June said, "as it was a broad topic. I believe there are more detailed records on it, but my rank is too low to get access to them. Just know that Fatelocks are something related to the Fate domains. Getting access to one such domain will lock your fate with it and give you great benefits in abilities. It even marks your body with fate marks..."

June paused as her eyes went to the marks on his left palm.

"What domain does your fate belong to?" she asked, biting her lips. Warden was about to answer, but she added, "You know what, don't tell me. Let's go meet up with the Elder. She's free now."

Warden's guesses were similar to what she said, and he was willing to tell her more about it for all the help she got him. But from the look of it, it wasn't the time for it.

***

The elder's residence was another notch more lavish compared to June's, with more rooms and ornate decorations. It was a separate building, seemingly allocated only to her, with a sizeable herb garden in the front.

The individual who opened the elder Vess' door was obviously Gene De Rossi. Although his face looked somewhat younger, with his height a couple of inches lower, Warden made no mistake in recognising the aura. Gene appeared no older than Liam or Kiara, with the young naivety more prominent on his face.

"By the gods, Gene, what happened to you?" Warden asked.

Gene's cheek became red at the blatant piercing look he was getting. "This is my original look," he said. "Before, it was all a disguise."

Warden continued to study his face as if wanting to see through whatever it was all about.

Gene brought them inside and safely withdrew himself. "The elder is waiting for you."

Their meeting was arranged in the drawing room, as June had already explained the matters to her. So Elder Vess didn't waste a moment to take the contract for a check.

A servant came up to give them tea and other beverages they needed as the elder quickly read the pages of the contract.

"This is the standard contract I would expect from Dragonforge," the elder said. "It isn't the best, but it is very close to it. They must really want you in their organisation."

Warden shrugged. "Can you tell me all the liabilities and responsibilities would be on my shoulders if I sign this contract?"

"Well, this isn't a loose contract," Elder Vess said. "I do not know if you have read it, but it will bind you to Dragonforge for 20 years, with them having a clause to sign you for longer, of course then you can negotiate a better deal. The problem is that you won't be able to contract with any of their competing organisations."

Warden frowned upon hearing the last part. He had already read about the 20-year mark, but he had missed the other part, which he thought was quite unnecessary. 20 years was already a long time. People's minds changed, and significant changes happened in the world, the sole empire of Dragonforge might even fall in that time.

He wasn't ready to commit 20 years of his life, not to mention he needed the job as a part-timer.

"The fees and benefits are great, to be honest," Elder Vess continued. "Most people would agree to it immediately. You won't get anything better than this anywhere."

"Does the contract restrict me from forging weapons for myself or my friends and family?" Warden asked.

"That is left rather open to the question. I believe they won't mind if you do not sell your equipment in large numbers," Elder Vess replied.

"Anything else I need to be aware of?" Warden asked.

"There are a couple of small matters, such as the company setting the prices for equipment and the type and tier of scripts and the like, but nothing too overwhelming," Elder Bess explained. "The other organisation would want the same. With everything, I would say this is a good package. if you don't like the long commitment, you can ask them for a shortened period."

"Nah, I won't sign it," Warden said. "I would like to stay as a free agent and do my own thing. If they want my work, they need to negotiate with me."

"They do take a free runesmith, as far as I know," Elderly said. "Though the benefits they get lack compared to what you are offered. The commission would be almost similar or lower and you won't get other benefits, such as their secret facilities, access to their resources as heavily as the exclusive contract."

"Thankfully, I don't need them at this moment," Warden said.

"This is a good approach," the elder said. "Young people always tend to make rash decisions when they are offered great benefits. As your mastery of the art would only rises, you don't have to be worried about those benefits at all. They will offer them to you for free once you become a Tier-7 master."

Warden nodded.

"I must say, though, I didn't expect a Tier-5 runesmith to apply for the job of a combat instructor," the elder said. "Were you too enamoured by June's beauty that you could not help but agree to join?"

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