Chapter 3 - Negotiations

Although Astler can be considered weak in cultivation, he has never lacked in effort. This also applied to his learning. One of the things he learnt was called the master-servant contract. If a beast deems it necessary, they can perform a master-servant contract with another being. Beasts can only do this once in their entire lives, because it means that the beast’s soul becomes bound to that of the master. It means that the beast would be compelled to follow the orders of the master.

“You…” Dreven’s voice became furious.

“HOW DARE YOU! I am the Beast King, not your servant! I have never and will never lower myself to a human. Especially one as weak and pathetic as you!” Dreven began to rave and vent his fury.

“If that’s the case, I won’t force you” Astler turns to leave.

He’s almost all the way out the castle before Dreven yells from behind him, it appears that Dreven is incredibly stubborn and Astler had truly enraged him.

“Boy, I’d be willing to allow you to become my servant. How about it?” Dreven inquires.

“No deal” Astler says flatly.

“You’re really pushing your luck boy!” Dreven once again became enraged.

“There’s no need for me to release you at all, if I don’t get something out of it, why would I take such a risk?” Astler says coldly.

Following this, everything is silent for a while. Dreven seemed to be pondering his options. Astler patiently waited by the castle entrance.

“Look kid, maybe all those beatings have warped your mind, but I’m a peak Legend realm expert! How can you possibly expect me to form a master-servant contract with you?” Dreven calmly asked.

“Because it’s you’re only option if you want your freedom returned. But how about this, I’m fairly reasonable after all. If you can suggest something to me that would be of equal value to this contract, we can do that instead” Astler replied.

Dreven pondered this for a while before speaking again. He hesitated before he began to speak.

“There…..There is something that I believe would still be a profitable exchange for you”

“Speak” Astler replied.

“I can sign a different contract with you. I’m not sure if you’re aware but those in the legend realm can make contracts with any stipulations. If the contract is ever broken then the one who violated the contract will be killed by the sovereigns themselves. We could draft such a contract” Dreven explains.

“Interesting, what do you suggest to be the stipulations?” Astler is intrigued by this idea.

“If you grant me my freedom from this box, in return I shall not harm you in anyway. I also guarantee that I can train you to the Origin realm in 5 years!” Dreven said confidently.

Astler is taken aback by this. The origin realm in 5 years? That was shockingly fast! Even the current grand elders of the clan were only in the 1st stage of the profound realm and they had trained for over 40 years! The Origin realm? Only senior teachers and junior elders were at this level.

But if there was anything Astler was good at, it was keeping his emotions hidden. He remained silent long enough for even Dreven to become nervous.

“Alright, alright, you shrewd child. I’ll sweeten the deal, not only will I train you to the Origin realm in 4 years! I’ll also teach you some secret beast skills that only I, the Beast King possess!” Dreven says even more arrogantly than before.

“Hmm, although I get some benefits. Compared to the master-servant contract, this much is nothing” Astler replies succinctly.

“Well, what do you want in exchange then?!” Dreven replies both panicked and angry. The amount he was offering was not small, he was basically offering to take him as a disciple, something he had outright refused to many before.

“Well, the contract will kill those who do not fulfill it correct? I wish to add some stipulations” Astler replies in his usual cold tone of voice.

Dreven actually becomes concerned by this, it seems this child is taking full advantage of the contract system that he described. Truthfully, Astler already knew about this contract system, it was something that his father had told him about before. That was why Astler so readily trusted this system of exchange.

“Firstly, from the way you immediately went from 5 years to 4 years, I imagine you would still not be training me wholeheartedly, thus I wish to simply add the stipulation that you must train me wholeheartedly for 5 years. You must not hold back in your teachings” Astler’s eyes flash with intelligence beyond his years. Evidently his experiences have matured him far too quickly.

Dreven curses in his mind. He was indeed holding back, truthfully, the trifling Origin realm could be reached in far less than 5 years. What’s more, to train Astler wholeheartedly, he would also have to provide techniques and skills, possibly even knowledge. This stipulation is a harsh one, but one that would prevent him from slacking off.

“Secondly, for the five year period, you cannot leave my soul realm without my express permission and you must leave it when I tell you to do so”

Dreven’s face sank, this meant he couldn’t just wander off on his own, nor would he have absolute freedom. However, it did mean that after the five year period, he could do whatever he wanted.

“Thirdly, I’m aware of the contracts ability for power transferal. When I ask for it, you must lend me your power”

Dreven did not expect Astler to know about this.

“Power transferal greatly weakens me and I would have to rest for a whole month afterwards…” Dreven starts.

“I’m aware of this. Finally, after the five year period, you are free to leave and do whatever you want. However, you are not to act against me in any way for the rest of time”

Dreven’s face was white at this point. These were extremely harsh stipulations but it did not provide any of the shame of a master-servant contract and it only lasted 5 years. He was willing to accept these terms. Dreven Sighed.

“Very well boy. Although you have greatly angered me, only you can release me from these bindings”

A contract then appears in front of Astler, he reads it through and confirms that all the stipulations he had just listed were there, worded exactly as he had worded them. He signed the contract in blood, as his father had told him these contracts were signed. Immediately afterwards, the contract dispersed into pure energy.

“The contract has been signed! Now boy, release me from this cage. All you have to do is place your hand on it and say release aloud” Dreven explains.

Astler does as told. The box crumbles and a ray of black light shoots upwards, forcing Astler to look away. When he looks back to the place where the box was, a wolf was in its place. The wolf had jet black fur and was about the size of a horse. Only its eyes were a deep blue.

It then transformed right before Astler’s eyes into a black haired, blue eyed young man. He was wearing black furred clothes and he actually had a golden crown on his head. He looked about the same age as Astler.

“You’re quite fortunate to be the first ever disciple of the Beast King!” The boy says.

“How old are you?” Astler replies.

“Do not be fooled by my appearance, I have lived for a thousand years!” The boy exclaims arrogantly.

“I’m going to call you Wolfy” Astler smiles.