Silver woke to the sound of distant artillery. It wasn’t loud enough to alarm anyone in the sanctuary more like background noise.

A low tremor rolled faintly through the enormous wall of the sanctuary as the outer defense cannons fired somewhere beyond the wastelands clearly killing beasts that tried to approach the walls. There are always those who become too greedy or scouts sent by larger beasts.

This was a normal occurrence in the sanctuary even war became routine eventually.

Silver opened his eyes slowly, sunlight already filtering through the large windows of his room in pale strips of gold. For a few seconds, he simply stared up at the ceiling, half asleep.

This had been the most comfortable sleep he had had in forever. A soft bed to sink into, a well-conditioned room, and pure quietness.

He had gotten so used to the loud mornings in the Military camp that this felt like a King’s reception now.

The system appeared at that moment as though it had been waiting for him to wake up.

A blue transparent screen unfolded quickly across his vision.

[Quest completed]

First Connection.

Silver blinked once.

’Complete? I thought I failed’

He pushed himself upwards slightly, his hair falling messily over his eyes while the system continued.

[Target emotional state updated.]

Recent emotional fluctuations were detected during the post-interaction reflection period.

Changes observed:

• Reduced hostility

• Increased curiosity

• Lowered threat assessment

Another screen appeared beneath it.

[Affection Increase Detected.]

Current Impression:

From: Suspicious Noble

→ To: Strange but potentially harmless noble

Silver stared at the screen silently then laughed once under his breath.

"... Potentially harmless... haa."

Honestly, he’d take that.

The screens changed to the next interface.

[Contributing factors.]

• Medical supplies provided.

• Practical survival assistance.

• Lack of aggressive behaviour.

• Honest conversation patterns.

Silver leaned back slightly against the bed.

’So she thought about the interaction afterwards’

That felt... oddly satisfying. The thought that he had left an impression on her and hadn’t been fully dismissed was enough to make his day.

He had thought at first that he had completely botched it but it seems not. The points that he so much needed were also something for him to celebrate though it came as an afterthought.

[Quest rewards: Distributed.]

Rewards:

• 100 Affection Points.

• Beginner Shop Access.

• Random Weapon Technique.

• Minor Soul Stabilization Increase.

The moment that notification appeared Silver felt warmth spread faintly through his chest. It was an extremely comfortable feeling that felt almost orgasmic like an invisible pressure inside his soul had relaxed slightly.

[Soul stability increased.]

Current soul condition: Stable.

Synchronization efficiency improved.

Another notification appeared immediately afterward.

[Random Weapon Technique.]

Technique:

Phantom draw LV1

Classification:

Beginner firearm technique.

Effect:

Increases draw speed and firing precision during the first attack.

PS:

Level and proficiency increase lead to the upgrade of the technique.

Silver’s brow lifted slightly. The technique was extremely useful to him at the moment. Although he was proficient in guns the former Silver wasn’t. Although the guns looked almost the same, the differences were also fundamental.

The guns in this world were reinforced guns packed with more firepower than a normal gun which meant his body had to at least get used to it. While his mind was faster, his body might not be.

Another window unfolded.

[Shop Function: Beginner Access Unlocked.]

Silver ignored the prompt temporarily. Instead, his thoughts drifted briefly towards Ravenna.

Last night had been awkward enough to qualify as a public disaster, yet somehow she still accepted the medicine. It was clear she took it probably because she needed it

The injury on her side, even through the jacket, looked serious much worse than she wanted others to notice.

And despite her caution, she was practical which matched the novel. Ravenna distrusted people easily, but survival mattered more than anything.

Silver rubbed his eyes once before finally standing. Today mattered more anyway since it was the second Contractor examination.

The real awakening that was to happen outside the Walls.

Every newly awakened Contractor needed to integrate their first beast essence directly into the soul core. Without a complete integration, an awakened soul remains unstable and incomplete.

Someone with an awakened soul will have an increase in strength but they have to deal with the crippling feeling of something missing that becomes constant in their mind.

The test today, it meant people were going to die. Not many would die, but enough will.

Silver hurriedly took a bath and changed into the military clothes that had been brought to him the night before.

Black combat clothes with his family crest on his chest. Black combat shoes. Silver looked at himself in the mirror and smiled. He felt as though he had gone back to how it had been in the military but with fancier clothes.

"Let’s go," he mummbled to himself before heading to the door.

.

.

.

The estate was already awake by the time he entered the lower halls. Servants moved quickly, carrying breakfast trays while members of the younger generation gathered near the front entrance dressed in combat gear rather than elite clothing for once.

The atmosphere felt noticeably different compared to yesterday’s awakening ceremony. The tension in the air could be cut through by a knife, it was heavy enough that it seemed to be affecting anyone who entered the room.

Silver really got their perspective. They were going outside the walls for probably the first time and none of them knew if they would bind a beast essence, fail, or get eaten alive.

A soul capacity meant nothing if someone panicked outside the walls.

Silver descended the staircase silently, then immediately felt the shift in the atmosphere because someone important was already there.

Shawn Ruddington, the family’s golden child.

Shawn was his first uncle, Lucian’s, last born and only son. He was basically born with fortune from the start. Loved by his parents since he was young, and then became his grandfather’s most favoured grandson.

And unfortunately, one of the most talented younger contractors in the family. He was practically picture-perfect in almost everything. A dream child for all parents.

Silver could only shake his head at how unfair everything was.