Chapter 64
The duke and I began discussing the clauses to be included in the contract.
The foundational clauses were simple.
First, establish a solid foundation within the Eastern Magic Tower Association within three years.
Second, once that foundation was secured, work to keep the marquis and the Magic Tower Association’s forces in check to the greatest extent possible.
These were the two main points.
In addition, there was a condition requiring me to run for the chairman election, held every three years by each Magic Tower Association.
Since Marquis Houdini had recently been re-elected as chairman, I would need to participate in the chairman election three years from now.
Of course, the duke didn’t seem to expect me to actually become chairman, as there were no penalties for failing to get elected.
The contract period was set at a total of ten years.
As expected of an Archmage, the duke was exceptionally skilled at drafting magical contracts.
Each phrase felt as though it completely sealed off any potential loopholes.
‘It’s not bad for me either.’
If I had only made empty promises, it might have been different.
Either way, I had already planned to keep the marquis in check as soon as I began establishing my foundation.
So, I had no reason to hesitate simply because such details were included in the contract.
Whether I received support or not, it was one of the things I’d have to do anyway.
With the general framework established, it was time to negotiate the most crucial part—the support I would receive.
For anyone else, the clause about establishing a foundation within three years and opposing an Archmage would have been daunting.
Furthermore, the contract stipulated that failure to fulfill these clauses would require me to serve as a vassal to the duke for ten years.
‘If such conditions are in place,’
the support must be substantial.
“How will Your Grace provide support?”
“I will include a clause allowing you to request either goods or cash within a limit of fifty platinum coins per month. Does that sound acceptable?”
The contract period was a total of ten years.
Receiving such support monthly would amount to a total of 6 billion gold over ten years.
For an ordinary mage, this would be a condition worth agreeing to without hesitation.
‘Not good enough.’
The terms didn’t particularly appeal to me.
If I were to receive support, it would be far better to get a significant amount upfront.
How could I grow my forces with dribbles of support?
Even if the total amount was the same, receiving it in a lump sum early on would make an enormous difference compared to spreading it out over ten years.
Furthermore, in ten years, the central continent would be falling apart, according to the original game’s storyline.
If things went badly, a piece of bread might become more valuable than chunks of platinum coins.
What good was money if the nation collapsed?
Thus, I needed to secure as much support as possible within a short period.
Perhaps noticing my displeased expression,
the duke asked cautiously,
“Is the amount insufficient? Fifty platinum coins a month is by no means a small sum.”
“Do you think I should confront the marquis head-on for such a trivial amount? If I were to clash with him, I’d likely be putting my life on the line.”
“The White Magic Tower will back you.”
“They might, but the distance poses a problem.”
The Eastern and Western regions were over a month apart, even by mana-powered carriages.
Being based in different regions would naturally limit how effectively they could protect me.
Clashing with the marquis would lead to dangerously spectacular situations where even ten lives wouldn’t suffice.
An Archmage.
Such a being was by no means an easy opponent.
“Moreover, the fact that the White Magic Tower is supporting me is something that must remain a secret. Doesn’t that inherently limit the level of support I can receive?”
The White Magic Tower, directly governed by the chairman of the Western Magic Tower Association, couldn’t openly support me.
If word of their backing reached the Eastern Magic Tower Association,
the outcome was obvious.
‘I’d be isolated.’
The Eastern and Western Magic Tower Associations were already at odds with each other.
If it became known that I was receiving support from the West, instead of gaining allies, I’d find myself opposed by every Magic Tower in the East.
Marquis Houdini would gleefully spread rumors and mobilize public opinion against me.
Thus, the support had to be provided as discreetly as possible.
“Do you absolutely have to go to the East despite these risks? Wouldn’t it be better to establish your Magic Tower in the West?”
Establishing it in the West would indeed be safer for the time being.
But the problem lay in the future.
If I did that, I wouldn’t be able to stop the marquis from running rampant.
The storyline would proceed faithfully toward destruction.
I had no intention of abandoning the East for the sake of immediate safety.
The East was where the flames were burning the fiercest, and I needed to douse them as quickly as possible.
“That’s not an option I favor.
The East is my homeland.
Didn’t Your Grace agree to this deal because of my potential?”
“…”
“So I’d like you to provide more substantial support.
The sooner we can hold the marquis back, the better.”
“With the conditions we’ve discussed so far, I can’t justify increasing the support.
While you may become a rising star in the East, there’s no certainty you’ll grow into a true powerhouse.”
It seemed what I’d shown him so far wasn’t enough.
If that was the case, I just needed to toss him another incentive.
“Then let’s add another condition. I’ll provide the duke’s household with one new magic formula each month. What do you think?”
The duke’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“You mean that magic?”
“That’s right.
Each month, I’ll deliver a magic formula of a similar level to the one I demonstrated earlier.
Surely that would justify improving the terms of support?”
“Exclusively for the duke’s household?”
“Barring the duke’s household, I might share it with a select few individuals in confidence.”
Iris.
I was already teaching her about the operation methods.
If I only included that phrase in the contract,
there was a 100% chance the magical contract’s penalties would be enforced.
Naturally, some additional clauses had to be included.
“I plan to exclusively disclose my magic to a maximum of ten individuals outside of the duke’s household. However, when presenting it to the duke’s household, I will also transfer the rights to the operation methods.”
The duke’s expression turned stunned.
It must have been due to my unexpected statement.
Looking at Meleos, I added confidently,
“Of course, neither I nor the ten individuals will claim any rights to the operation methods.”
“You’re saying you’ll even transfer the rights?”
“Yes. On the condition that a clause is added requiring the operation methods I provide to be made public as magic books within six months, as well as a clause to transfer 30% of all profits generated from the magic.”
Transferring the rights to the operation methods.
This meant the duke’s household could announce my magic in their name without me being able to impose any restrictions.
It was akin to handing over a patent.
At first glance, it seemed like the most foolish contract possible.
‘But this itself is advantageous for me.’
The process of transforming magic through mixed operation methods.
For ordinary mages, creating a single new spell could take months, or even years.
But I could create dozens of operation methods within a single month.
For example, I could consistently create at least ten 2nd Circle spells each month.
After creating magic like that?
Someday, I would need to release these formulas to the world to enhance the power of mages. However, the problem was that it wouldn’t be easy.
If I revealed magic formulas as soon as I created them,
‘I’d quickly gain wealth and fame.’
But in exchange, leeches and powerful figures like Marquis Houdini would begin watching my every move.
That would inevitably restrict my freedom.
For now, things were still manageable.
I had only released five 1st Circle spells to the public. Of course, even with that, wolves would begin to gather, but I was prepared to endure it.
The title of Tower Master.
This position held that much value.
However, continuously releasing new spells was an entirely different matter.
If that happened, people would no longer think my magic creation was a coincidence but rather an inevitability.
‘If that happens now… it’d be the worst-case scenario.’
The fact that I alone knew what others didn’t.
That was my sharpest weapon.
If these parasites began clinging to me persistently,
‘It would clearly become difficult to leverage my knowledge.’
If the duke’s household released the operation methods on my behalf, I wouldn’t have to take on such risks.
Not only could the continent’s power be significantly enhanced, but with such favorable terms presented, I could also receive far more substantial support.
‘And the profits are a bonus.’
Thirty percent.
Since they would be profiting from selling my magic, it was only natural for them to provide a commission.
The duke’s household might take the fame instead, but that didn’t matter to me.
Fame could be built gradually by releasing the stockpile of magic formulas bit by bit.
Furthermore, as time passed and I handed over high-level mixed operation methods,
the profits the duke’s household earned would also increase significantly, bringing in additional gains.
“…Why on earth?”
The duke soon asked with a puzzled expression.
“Do you find it unappealing?”
“I’m asking because the terms are too good.”
“Then wouldn’t that be advantageous for you, Your Grace?”
I had no intention of explaining my reasoning.
If the duke discovered the number of spells I could create in a month, I’d end up stuck here indefinitely, unable to gain independence.
“Wouldn’t it make it harder for you to build fame or establish a foundation?”
Creating and announcing new spells.
This was one of the fastest ways for mages to build fame during what seemed like a peaceful era.
If I handed over one operation method each month, the duke must have thought it would become difficult for me to build fame.
At this point, the duke still barely scratched the surface of understanding me as a mage.
Looking at Meleos, I answered with a naive smile,
“If I work hard, I might be able to create more. I’ll figure it out somehow.”
“Goodness. Are you not being overly arrogant just because you’ve walked a path of success so far?”
The duke spoke, his gaze growing more serious.
“Creating magic is by no means an easy task. Those five spells you created might simply have been the result of luck.”
“Are you rejecting the offer, then?”
“No, I’ll accept. But I will add one more clause to the contract. The operation methods you provide must demonstrate an effect comparable to what you showed during the finals.”
“And the evaluation will be…”
“I’ll judge it myself, based on my conscience. If the effect is lacking, you will be required to serve as a vassal to my household for ten years.”
It seemed the duke was determined to keep me as a vassal for ten years if possible.
The clause he wanted to add wasn’t bad.
It stated that he would confirm the quality of the magic to ensure he didn’t receive subpar spells.
‘But that’s something the top-tier magical contract will decide on its own.’
Even as an Archmage, he couldn’t bypass the restrictions directly engraved into his heart by a magical contract.
With a top-tier magical contract, this was even more true.
To bypass it, one would need to be at the level of a 9th Circle mage, said to transcend the limits of humanity. There was no fear of being cheated.
“That sounds fine. I have no intention of providing subpar magic anyway. When you announce it, please exclude my name. I’ve transferred the rights to you, after all.”
“Because of Houdini, I assume?”
“Yes. If it becomes clear that I’m closely tied to the White Magic Tower, it could raise suspicion.”
“I had intended to do that anyway.”
“By providing one formula each month and transferring the rights, I trust you understand the significance of this.”
For six months, they would have an exclusive monopoly on powerful magic, and they could also make the announcements themselves.
The fame of the magical household would soar to unprecedented heights.
Moreover, producing magic books and distributing them would undoubtedly generate significant profits.
The duke nodded quietly at my words.
“My conditions are simple. I want to receive the maximum amount of support within the shortest period.”
“…The contract period is ten years, but I’ll shorten the support period from ten years to three years. For the next three years, you will receive either 200 platinum coins per month or an equivalent amount in goods. How does that sound?”
‘Not bad.’
Calculations showed I’d receive about 12 billion gold in total.
Instead of spreading it out over ten years, receiving it within three years made it a much better deal for me.
It would allow me to accelerate my initial growth.
After adjusting the clauses in the magical contract with the duke, we promptly signed it.
The lengthy negotiations had successfully concluded.
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