全城危机

"Dragon." Alexander repeated in a voice sodden with shock. He was absolutely dumbfounded. This sudden turn of events had definitely given his plans a massive twist.

Alexander and Flamewing remained silent for a few moments as each digested the information in their own ways.

"So… What exactly happened? And what will happen next?" Alexander finally asked.

"It\'s all very sketchy at the moment, so many details are not clear yet. But one thing is for sure, those images are definitely my memories. The feelings that arose when those images flashed by are unmistakable."

"What are those images about?"

"It was me before my soul left my body. I was captured by a powerful group of people. They… They were torturing me and trying to force me to agree to a fusion with one of them. But somehow, I reluctantly agreed? Why? And how did I end up in your soul? I remember coming awake and somehow merging with the AI function in your soul when you came to this world. But how did I end up in your soul back on earth?"

"That\'s true. According to what you said and all the things you know about my life back on earth, you were somehow attached to me then. Did you say that you remember everything about my life? Even from birth?" Alexander asked to clarify.

"Yes. I remember your childhood, probably even the things you don\'t remember. But I do not remember being fully awake when you were still on earth. It was like I was a silent and unemotional observer. But more importantly right now, why do I feel so... sad? And angry?" Flamewing said haltingly as she struggled to remember more and make sense of the memories she had uncovered.

"Hostages maybe? A bab…"

"Yes.. Hostages.. That\'s… THAT\'S RIGHT! Those bastards… They... THEY GOT MY MOTHER!! DAMN!! DAMN IT ALL!! CURSE THEM!! GAAAAHH!!!!" A deluge of emotions finally burst through the wall of frustration over missing memories as the truth finally surfaced.

Flamewing howled in deep anguish and wailed in deep remorse.

The unknown burden she had been carrying all these while was finally clear. Her physical body and her mother was in the hands of a group of evil people.

Alexander stood there with a grim expression as he listened to Flamewing\'s mournful wails. He didn\'t want to say anything, but a sinking feeling of helplessness was slowly forming in his heart.

The possibility of Flamewing\'s mother being forced to fuse with a person from that evil group under threat of Flamewing\'s life was extremely high. In fact, after so many years, the fusion might already be complete. And what of her own body? It has been left without a soul for so long, he simply couldn\'t imagine the state it would be in now.

"Hey, what\'s with the scary expression?" Aleyria\'s face suddenly appeared in front of Alexander.

"Ah, hey! You\'re back! I didn\'t realize you\'d landed." Alexander quickly rearranged his face into a casual smile.

"Yes. It was an incredible experience. Would you like to try?" Aleyria offered.

"No thank you very much." Alexander replied hastily as he directed his mind away from Flamewing to focus on Aleyria. "I am not yet comfortable with the idea of being so far away from the ground. Especially without magic to soften my landing should I somehow fall from that evil-looking Wyvern."

Aleyria gave a hearty laugh at Alexander\'s reply.

"You don\'t have to worry about that. I\'ll make sure I do my best to catch you if you somehow fall from the Wyvern. I think my meagre magical powers are still enough to save someone falling from the lofty height of twenty meters." She said wryly.

"Still, I would like to maintain my strong connection with the ground for the time being. Maybe next time." Alexander ignored her mocking tone completely. "Anyway, the Wyvern is now… tamed? Is it under Fluff-fluff\'s control?" Alexander quickly changed the subject.

"Ah yes, that. Fluff-fluff gave me this." Aleyria stretched out her hand and produced a glimmering and translucent parchment. "Beast Contract. The Wyvern\'s soul mark and blood is already upon it. It is a permanent slave contract."

Alexander\'s mind was aswirl with conflicting emotions and thoughts. Flamewing was still sobbing quietly somewhere at the back of his mind, and his heart went out to her. However, he was also excited at finally getting a Beast Contract for such a powerful Wyvern! And not just any contract, it was a permanent Slave Contract!

"Do you know which generation this Wyvern is?" Alexander asked.

"Yes, It\'s as we suspected. It\'s a third generation Wyvern, just a few years off full maturity. It will grow a few more meters in the next few years. Its magical powers would also grow slightly during that time. What would you like to do with it?"

Alexander gazed at the powerful Wyvern who was lying prone on the ground very obediently as a fat little furball lazed on top of its head. It truly was a sight to behold.

"I am assuming that you don\'t want this Wyvern as a beast contract?" Alexander asked Aleyria.

She shook her head and as her lips curled into a beautiful smile. "I do not feel anything for this Wyvern. I wouldn\'t want to have a contract beast which I do not care for."

Alexander turned around to look at the three girls. Kan-Dari was already edging backwards behind Shira, who was staring back at Alexander warily. Maybe not those two then, Alexander thought. He looked at Liz\'An, and he smiled. Liz\'An was so focused on staring at the Wyvern that she didn\'t even realized that Alexander had turned around to look at them.

"Liz\'An." Alexander called out to her.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Liz\'An immediately turned around and replied.

"That Wyvern is yours, if you want it." Alexander said.

"Whaa...t?" Liz\'An gave a surprised response.

Smiling widely at Liz\'An, Aleyria walked up to her and showed her the Slave Beast Contract. "Here is a Slave Beast Contract. If you sign it, the Wyvern would be your slave and would obey your instructions in everything."

"Well, uhhh.." Liz\'An was still hesitating and processing the information that was so unceremoniously shoved to her face. "What exactly is a Slave Beast Contract, Mistress?"

"A beast contract is one of the ways that an Archmage can grow in power. It is something that our little continent has no idea of at the moment. But in the main continent, most of the more powerful mages, Yellow and White Robes definitely, and a few Red Robes have their own contract beasts. In fact, the mages with more powerful souls have managed to sign two or even three Beast Contracts. It\'s completely safe." Aleyria reassured Liz\'An.

"Uhhh, well, the thing is, I am not too comfortable with the idea of owning a slave…" Liz\'An mumbled in a slightly embarrassed tone.

Aleyria smiled dotingly at Liz\'An. Liz\'An was probably the biggest and strongest mage physically in Rin-Turah, but she was also probably the gentlest as well.

"If you do not want a slave contract beast, then how about we change the contract to a subordinate contract? That way, the Wyvern would still have its own will." Aleyria offered.

"Really? If we can do that, it\'ll be great, Mistress! I would love to have this Wyvern as my subordinate. That way, the poor horse wouldn\'t have to carry me all over the place anymore!" Liz\'An gushed excitedly.

Alexander and Aleyria laughed out loud. What a pure and innocent reason to want to have a Wyvern as a subordinate contract beast!

Aleyria brought the contract to Fluff-fluff to have it modified before bringing it back to Liz\'An. "Here, I need a few drops of your blood and your soul imprint. Just look at this contract and read the words on it. As you read it though, you have to mean every word it says as it will record your soul\'s will, not the words coming out of your mouth."

Liz\'An did as she was told obediently. After she was done, the glimmering parchment suddenly burst into flames and disappeared. At that moment, the Wyvern suddenly turned to look at Liz\'An. Liz\'An turned to look at it in surprise as well.

"Come here." She said softly.

Immediately, the Wyvern went over to Liz\'An. She raised her hand and the Wyvern immediately leaned over to place its snout on Liz\'An\'s hand.

"My goodness, it worked! Liz\'An got a pet dragon!! Hurray!!" Kan-Dari squealed in surprise and happiness.

"It\'s not a dragon, dumbo. It\'s a Wyvern! Congrats Liz\'An!! It\'s wonderful!" Shira walked over to Liz\'An and congratulated her.

"Yes, it\'s so… unreal! I can actually sense its thoughts and feelings. It\'s feeling a huge sense of reverence towards that little cat on its head. And also a sense of… fear? Towards King Aloxandros?" Liz\'An turned to look at Alexander uncertainly.

He merely smiled back at her and motioned for her to continue.

Aleyria glanced at Alexander, knowing for certain that something was happening.