Babara waited patiently to make sure Armad had gotten what he said before he went on to explain further, "you won't understand what a contract is until you understand the relationship between djinns and humans. Djinns are arrogant beings and do not want humans to use their abilities. That's why we use pol to suppress them.

"The relationship between us and them is divided into six levels. The first level provides the weakest bond while the sixth level has the strongest bond. A Bender using the first level bond can't use Bends that require the second or higher levels.

"We call the first three levels enslavement and the last three levels possession. In other words, you can enslave or possess a djinn. The difference in power between the two is wide. Anyone who possesses their djinn can summon and command them, as I commanded my djinn to teach you, which is something that can't be done by simple enslavement. There are many other benefits but explaining them will take time. For now, let's focus on the contract.

"The contract is a technique that can only be used by those who have reached the sixth level. Whoever possesses their djinn at this level will not only possess the djinn but will also possess the djinn's ability. And whoever wants to use that ability will have to pay for it in pol. When you first start using lightning, I'm sure your djinn has paid for it with its pol or yours. You may not realize it since you didn't have much experience interacting with djinns, and from what you told me, you weren't quite close with your djinn before it died.

"It's with the contract that the five great empires were built. The Han empire in the third world was built by King Han who owns fire. Whoever uses fire will have to pay him for it. The Denizens in Seerish are ruled by King Deniz Iluru who owns lightning. Sisiya was built by King Bihanzin of the perpetual damage who owns the wind. And Mikironomada is ruled by King Miki Abbas who owns water and ice. And finally King Rafiyan Daljari of Infiria who owns the earth.

"Imagine the millions of people who use djinns and imagine that each of them has to pay a certain amount of pol before they can use their djinns, then think about how much pol these empires have ever since the foundation of the contract system. That's why they are so powerful. The people support them because they depend on them to control their powers.

"The reason I'm telling you this is you can ask Nostalgia to help you. To give your mother a cut from their longevity reserve. It will be a trivial thing to do for her family. And from what you told me, I don't think they will refuse. I just didn't want you to be anywhere near them right now, that's why I didn't suggest it earlier. But how long will it take before we find your soul fragment? I honestly don't know. And your mother may not last that long. Although, we can still try finding it and then come back afterward to continue the training. It's your decision. What do you want to do?"

Armad listened in silence. He took a deep breath and shook his head. "Nostalgia... Yes, she may help but I don't want to burden her. This contract thing is scary. Can't I just create my contract system? I'm using lightning without djinn and I don't have to pay for it."

Babara gritted his teeth. "Armad, that's why your ability to turn into lightning is the greatest blessing you can have. You don't have to obey the contract system and all the things that bind demons like the white bead and the Great Cold won't work on you. A djinn user will have to wait for their djinn to collect essence for them, but you do not need such a thing because you are like a djinn. You create your lightning. That's the power you have now. As for creating a contract, I... don't think it will be possible since lightning is already owned by King Deniz Iluru."

Getting the Sikai was a major step forward for Armad. Now fighting people like Ikenga would be child's play. Even without his massive pol reserve, he could easily win against many higher-level opponents.

Babara informed him about other benefits of the Sikai for a while before Armad finally decided to leave the prison. Either he found his soul fragment or ask Nostalgia for help. They read the incantations provided by Lamrud and the exit door opened for them.

The first thing they saw after coming out made them retreat. The prisoners had lined up in front of the exit door, kneeling on both knees and raising their hands in the air.

Armad pulled back with a frown.

"They are praying for you," Babara said. "They still practiced the old religion of Wilberforce."

The old religion of Wilberforce? This was the first time Armad heard about it. Nowadays, only the minority had any religion in the seven worlds and even they worshiped swords and Bends.

Looking at them closely, Armad discovered that many of them were children, and as Babara said, despite their apparent strength they relied on him to save them ever since seeing the Sikai.

Armad turned to Babara. "I command you to enter the old empire in my place. Give these people hope while I'm away."

Armad pulled Ubbaru out of the ring and rode away. He was getting attached to the prisoners, and if he stayed any longer, they might prevent him from going out to seek treatment for his mother.