Isekai Adventure in the Dimensional Cube

——— "Contract".

This is a power that only Magicians can exercise.

Since Magicians generally need to chant and take time to prepare when casting Magic, the contract was born.

Originally, the purpose of contracts was to allow Magicians to recruit guards on certain conditions to protect them while they prepare their Magic, fending off enemies.

As time passed and history developed, contracts gradually evolved into various forms, being used to impose restrictions, agreements, or even to enslave others, among other things.

Once the rules set by a contract take effect, they must be executed, or a punishment mechanism will be triggered.

For example, slaves, who are deprived of human rights, are usually bound by enslavement contracts made by slavers with Magicians; once successful, the slave must unconditionally obey their master's commands or face the punishment mechanism, which could mean torment for minor offenses, or death for major ones.

The grandfather of the original owner was the slave of a rural merchant, utterly obedient, so without a second thought, he planned to offer the original owner, who was born with immense Magic Power, to his master.

Luckily, the original owner escaped; otherwise, once such a talent was known by that unworldly rural merchant, the merchant would have tried every means to exploit him, even binding him with an enslavement contract and reducing him to a slave forever.

Compared to these inhumane enslavement contracts, Attendant contracts are undoubtedly much more equitable.

When a Magician needs a guard, needs an Attendant to protect themselves, they often propose an Attendant contract to the other party.

The conditions for forming this type of contract are not as oppressive and disregardful of human rights as those of enslavement contracts; equality is essential. The proposing Magician must agree to fulfill a wish of the contract partner for the contract to be formed.

Under this contract, the proposing Magician must diligently fulfill the Attendant's wish, or the contract will become invalid.

Conversely, as long as the Magician diligently fulfills the Attendant's wish, the contract will take full effect, and the Attendant must, according to the contract, protect their master with all their might, or the contract's punishment will be triggered.

Therefore, Attendant contracts are the most commonly used contract method among Magicians who need to recruit guards.

Many powerful Magicians with great authority have many Attendants bound by Attendant contracts, which serve to protect them and ensure their safety.

Especially the nobility, who are not lacking in money or power, usually have the capacity to fulfill many people's wishes and can attract numerous Attendants.

Yuri, as a Marquis of the Kingdom of Ginas, a strategic Magician, and chief court magician, naturally has numerous strong Attendants under her command.

Marilyn was the first Attendant that Yuri took on, and has followed Yuri for a very long time, serving her closely and trusted deeply by Yuri.

And now, the two female knights who Marilyn had brought were also Attendants bound by contracts with Yuri.

Reiger merely glanced at them.

Whether it was Ai En or Ian, they both seemed to be only in their mid-twenties, quite young.

Among them, Ai En seemed older, her face slightly more mature, her eyes sharp and resolute, her purple hair tied into a side ponytail that draped over her shoulder, a large sword tied at her waist, giving off a more reliable impression.

Ian appeared younger than Ai En, but still several years older than Reiger, Yuri, and Marilyn; though not as mature as Ai En, she also had a petite figure, but her face was stern, her deep blue hair plaited into a braid hanging in front of her, seemingly equally reliable.

The weapons donned by the two differed, one carrying a large sword, the other a rapier-like slender sword; yet both were charismatic and beautiful, giving off an impression of reliability at first glance.

"Miss."

The two female knights, wearing minimal armor, saluted Yuri with great respect and reverence toward her.

"Ai En, Ian," Yuri nodded at the two Attendants and said, "I have a mission for you."

The two female knights simultaneously stepped forward.

"Please give your orders."

Ai En bowed her head, waiting for the command.

"As long as the Miss needs it."

Ian spoke earnestly.

"Do you know this man?" Yuri pointed at Reiger and said, "I need you to protect him and bring him back safely from outside."

Upon hearing this, Ai En and Ian both looked at Reiger simultaneously.

Reiger nodded at them as a greeting.

The two female knights glanced at each other and then looked back at Yuri.

"Yes!"

Without asking the reason, nor showing any objection, the two women accepted the task without hesitation.

Only then did Yuri turn back to Reiger and said, "Ai En and Ian have been my Attendants since a long time ago. They are quite powerful, ranking among the top five of all my Attendants. With their protection, your trip should be much safer."

"Okay then." Reiger could only accept Yuri's arrangement and said, "I will bring them along."

"Good," Yuri first smiled, then became quite serious as she said to Reiger, "Be careful with everything. If you really encounter any insurmountable danger, retreat. Don't act recklessly; don't let your emotions guide your actions, understand?"

Yuri's advice sounded a bit nagging, but it clearly conveyed her concern.

"Don't worry." Reiger smiled lightly and said, "I know the measures."

Thus, Reiger turned and left Yuri's office.

"Go ahead."

Yuri also prompted Ai En and Ian, who gave another salute and followed behind Reiger as they left.

Only after the footsteps of the three had gradually faded away, entirely inaudible, did Marilyn speak.

"Is everything all right, Miss?"

Marilyn asked in a low voice.

"With Ai En and Ian around, his safety should be ensured," Yuri said, not looking at Marilyn but still staring in the direction of the door. "He's right, we can't keep him locked up here forever."

"He really isn't afraid of dying," Marilyn said in a very impolite tone, even harsh, "I heard that he used to be an ignorant countryside lad who was completely deceived by a bunch of young nobles, indulging in pleasure all day long. But looking at him now, it's hard to imagine he was ever like that."

"I was surprised myself at the beginning," Yuri smiled. "I thought he was pretending to be calm just to put on an act, but now it seems that this might just be his true nature."

At this point, Yuri couldn't help but recall the first time she met Reiger.

At that time, Reiger was already lying in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life.

When Yuri arrived and scared off the attacker, she saw intense wariness and hostility in Reiger's eyes.

Thinking back to Reiger's eyes at that time, Yuri had to admit that one reason she developed her current relationship with Reiger was because of that.

From those eyes, Yuri seemed to see a caged wild beast, a tiger that had lost its freedom and was venting its rage at everything around it.

It was at that moment that Yuri felt a sense of resonance.

That's why she brought Reiger back with her.

That's why she became interested in Reiger, personally checking on him and gradually seeing him as an important friend.

"Friend... huh?"

Yuri murmured softly, her gaze turning somewhat cold.

"He's the first friend I've made, I can't let some rats from the gutter harm him..."

...

At the same time, outside the mansion's main gate.

"Thank you both,"

Reiger said to Ai En and Ian who were following him out, expressing his gratitude.

"No need," Ai En replied indifferently, "It's the young lady's order; we are simply following commands."

"Yes," said Ian mechanically, "As long as it's the young lady's order, we'll do whatever it takes to fulfill it."

"Even so, I still want to thank you both," Reiger spoke calmly. "There might be some danger during this outing, and if we really encounter something unpleasant, you need not worry about me."

Leaving those words behind, Reiger did not give the two female knights a chance to respond and turned to leave again.

"What does he mean by that?"

Ian frowned.

"..."

Ai En said nothing, just watching Reiger's departing figure with a meaningful look.

Although each had their own thoughts, they followed Reiger's steps without any hesitation.

Despite not understanding Reiger's words, they knew their duty would not change.

...

The capital of the Kingdom of Janus is a large metropolis named Yerul.

This city is bustling, with most of the buildings resembling large chalk castles, and at first glance, they appear quite majestic, giving an authentic sense of entering a medieval Magic Kingdom.

Most of the people living in Yerul are wealthy and noble, their lifestyles more glamorous than those in other cities.

After all, as the capital of the kingdom, those who can live here permanently certainly have some means.

Naturally, it is mostly various types of nobles here.

Because the royal palace is situated at the center of the city, nobles often frequent this area—some are court nobles serving the King at the palace, others are territorial nobles with lands outside, and even honorary and local nobles are often seen here, making it a place where many kinds mingle.

In such circumstances, Reiger, having left the Fransel residence, arrived at a square in Yerul.

In front of the fountain of the square, a group of noble offspring gathered.

"Reiger! Over here!"

Someone shouted out to Reiger.

Reiger immediately lifted his eyes and looked over.

The next moment, Reiger saw the group of noble offspring he remembered.

They were dressed to the nines, with carriages stopped beside them and guards around them, gathering in a crowd that truly looked impressive.

The one leading the group recognized Reiger right away and waved at him.

It was indeed Aquil Rein.