Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1017 Regret

Chapter 1017  Regret

"I want a mana contract."

Carius remained silent for a moment, his eyes betraying nothing. Then, with a simple motion, a golden contract materialized in his hand.

The banquet would be held at night, and it seemed the others were already dressed and gathered, waiting for him.

Draktharion's massive body tensed.

Lucas was always carrying a particular emotion.

"Your deal has nothing to do with me."

Lucas stood there, the forest deathly silent around him. His fist clenched.

A flash of something.

Lucas's fingers dug into his palms, but he didn't argue.

Instead, his voice came out quietly.

The gleaming blade that had almost beheaded and ended his life.

Subtle, but there.

It shifted fluidly as he engraved clauses into it with the motion of his fingers. When he was done, he sent it forward.

Then, without another word, he shot into the skies, disappearing into the horizon.

Golden motes surged from its pages, splitting into twin streams of energy that sank into both of their chests.

His expression remained unchanged, like a god overseeing an ant colony, as though this entire exchange had been nothing more than a routine task.

From the foliage, a figure emerged.

A soft chuckle followed.

A connection.

"What do you plan on doing with him?"

Ozeroth erupted into laughter. 'It's good that you're choosing to learn from true greatness, Bond! You're making progress!'

"Said he had some class in rune engraving this afternoon. I haven't seen him since. It's on the same island, so he'll meet us there, I guess."

Then, Carius spoke, his tone eerily calm.

Didn't acknowledge his departure. Didn't turn his gaze toward the skies.

Lucas clenched his fists. His knuckles turned white.

He exhaled, his voice low.

He made a mental note to speak with him when the chance came.

His tone was final.

Carius didn't acknowledge him.

The sun was already dipping beyond the horizon, streaking the sky with warm hues of orange and violet.

Carius disappeared.

Like a fairy from the old myths, draped in soft purples and silvers, the hues complementing her vibrant violet hair and shimmering eyes.

"Still falls short of the great Ozeroth," the spirit scoffed, unimpressed.

Kael's expression remained unreadable, as always.

His fingers twitched as memories surged in.

Atticus shook his head, unable to suppress a smirk, before heading outside.

"Don't do anything to stand out."

Carius's expression didn't shift.

No, enchanting.

"Where's Lucas?"

His expression remained stormy, but his taloned hand pressed against the parchment.

His eyes sharpened.

Draktharion caught it midair, his fiery eyes quickly scanning the clauses. It was to the point. No excess wording. No hidden manipulation. It contained exactly what he needed, nothing more, nothing less.

He needed privacy.

He adjusted the bow tie at his neck, checking himself out in the mirror. The tuxedo fit perfectly, its dark fabric sleek and formal. He didn't particularly care for these kinds of events, but at the very least, he wouldn't embarrass himself.

Only, now it was far from small.

Carius remained dismissive.

It had been there since the very first day. Atticus exhaled slowly.

He had chosen this particular dense forest on the collective island where recruits met for their specializations.

His eyes drifted slightly, scanning the surroundings.

"You should know your place."

The key figures were all there. Aurora stood at the front, her usual fire barely contained as she crossed her arms.

Over the past few days, Ozeroth had turned what was meant to be a simple structure into a whole estate, designating different parts for things as absurd as the last.

Despite the sudden voice, Carius's gaze remained forward. His voice was placid.

"How cruel."

Carius didn't move.

The faint glow of spiritual energy around her only added to the effect, making her look otherworldly.

"Prepare to fulfill your duties at the banquet. Minimize contact."

"Are you ready for your fate?"

Draktharion exhaled sharply, his molten gaze boring into Carius. His massive, clawed hands clenched and unclenched as if battling an unseen war within himself.

"Greatness takes time." Atticus smiled.

So hard, blood ran down his fingers.

Regret.

He quickly scanned the rest of the group, until he realized something.

"What do you need him for?"

Anger. Disgust.

His voice carried a weight and an unseen force settled on Lucas's shoulders, pressing down like an invisible hand of the world itself.

The deal was done. Another step in his plan.

With a deep, guttural growl, fire erupted around him, shattering the darkened space and revealing the dense, emerald-green forest.

Since they had arrived at the training camp, Lucas had been distant, keeping to himself for most of their training.

Hair white as snow. Slender frame. Glasses gleaming under the faint light.

Their gazes met.

His eyes landed on Zoey.

Lucas Ravenstein.

Beautiful.

"What took you so long?" Aurora challenged.

"Avoid any and all contact with him."

For the first time, his expression cracked.

Then, Carius turned, finally looking at him.

A tether.

"Yes!" Ozeroth declared with absolute confidence. "I'm glad to see you're finally coming around to recognizing my greatness."

But as long as it didn't interfere with his training, Atticus had resolved to let it go.

For the first time, Carius's abyssal eyes flickered.

The moment the contract was complete, Draktharion felt it.

Atticus ignored him, instead letting his gaze sweep across the gathering.

There was a slight pause before Nate responded.

The cold crimson eyes staring through him.

His aura, while deep, sat only at Expert- rank. Far, far beneath Carius.

Then, his brow furrowed. 'Shit.' He grimaced inwardly. 'I'm starting to sound like Ozeroth.'

Among them were also a few representatives from different races, elves, dwarves, demons, and angels, all dressed in sharp, formal attire, waiting for their leader.

The week went by quickly, and the day of the banquet arrived.

The contract ignited.

"Put your head down and await orders."

Draktharion's fists clenched even tighter, his molten rage flaring. His jaw worked, his sharp teeth grinding together.

For a moment, time seemed to slow.

A slow, ominous pause.

Carius could feel his hold thickening, the air around the dragon becoming more distorted. But he didn't say anything. It was paramount that Draktharion came to this realization himself.

Atticus rolled his eyes. "Of course. You exist on a level that transcends us mere mortals."

But, he nodded.

His voice came out cold.

Lucas's throat dried up, but before he could speak—

Nate, as expected, was loud and energetic, exchanging jokes with some of the other leaders.

But his face… remained blank.

"Also," Carius continued, his voice dipping lower.

Vanishing like a blip.

"The weak have no right to a choice."

Atticus took his time scanning the group, adjusting the cuffs of his jacket.

"Shit."

Atticus remained quiet for a moment, processing the information. Something about it didn't sit right with him.

"He will be taught the way of the world."

"You make it sound like I have a choice."

He took a step forward, his teeth grinding.

"His perception of reality has long since been under my control."

Atticus got a grip on himself, shaking off the distraction. He had a banquet to attend, and a sudden appreciation for Zoey's beauty wouldn't change that.

Lucas's expression hardened.

…

So hard, his nails bit into his palms.

"Did you really sign a mana contract with him?"

"Will they be okay?"

'Damn him!'

The moment he stepped forward, he pushed his glasses up, his expression unreadable.

Carius didn't even turn his head.

'I wonder what he regrets…'

Lucas sighed.

Atticus had never pried, but now that he thought about it, he had noticed something.

Atticus stood in front of a full-body mirror inside the "small" building he had built on his first day in the military training camp.

There was only one word to describe her.