Rou's question surprised Shiela and Dominic slightly. "Someone who could… use contracts to grant wishes at the price of ones soul? I'm sorry, Rou, but I don't believe someone like that exists. Souls are in the domain of the gods, right?"

  Dominic was the one who responded. It didn't sound plausible to him.

  "Why are you asking? It's not like you're going to trade your soul for something, right?" Shiela asked, teasing him slightly at the absurdity of it.

  "No, no, just… something I heard that left me a bit worried, and wanting to see about nipping something in the bud. Affection won't answer me, insisting some things truly are simply in the affairs of mortals." The frustration in Rou's voice as he added that last bit revealed a lot to his parents.

  Shiela suddenly had an idea. "What about going to speak with Chosen Borgain?"

  "Borgain again? I have… heard that name before somewhere I feel like."

  "Yes, we mentioned him to you a couple years ago before your Class Ceremony, explaining what a Chosen was."

  "Oh right, the sil Krum that the servant invited me to speak with. …I wonder why he wanted to see me. Perhaps it would be a good time to speak with him, but… why do you mention Borgain?"

  "Oh, his class. I don't know the details, but supposedly he is… a contract mage?"

  Shiela looked towards Dominic who nodded and elaborated.

  "He has a unique class, from what we know. He can create contracts and grant things in exchange for other things, but souls? I can't imagine it's him. No way mortals can manipulate souls after all, so perhaps you just misunderstood? Chosen Borgain is a great fellow from what we know."

  "Mm." Shiela affirmed, "When I was injured while young, my mother consulted Chosen Borgain to try and have me healed. Unfortunately even with his powers at the time, he was unable to and was uncertain why. He didn't even charge my mother for his time."

  Hearing the glowing praises of his parents, Rou was a bit surprised. Perhaps this Borgain fellow wasn't that bad and the association with contracts was simply a coincidence?

  –

  Corpulent.

  It was a word.

  An apt word.

  One that perfectly described this 'Chosen Borgain' that Rou had heard so much about. Finally going to visit the sil Krum family and specifically Borgain, upon finally seeing the fellow, Rou was… caught between disgust and a sense of familiarity.

  He could feel Affection's unfettered disgust and hatred of the man, which surprised him, but once more she refused to elaborate other than saying she found him gross and ugly. Which was completely within her personality but he suspected there was more to it.

  But also that… in his past life, even Rou was rather overweight. Not /quite/ this bad, but still. He wouldn't judge others for being fat.

  But there was a difference between fat, and… this fellow.

  Chosen Borgain sil Krum. A fox who from what he could tell, was once young, attractive, a hero with his feats and seen as a hope of the Kingdom to achieve great things. But the man in front of him? Was halfway between a slug and a fox from the looks of it.

  "So, you finally come to see me. After such a long time spent waiting."

  Borgain's voice was a bit strained, sounding both a little annoyed, but also as if he was trying to remain civil. Clearly he didn't enjoy being made to wait.

  "Yes, well, the same day your servant approached me, was the same day the ordeal at the Church went down and let's simply say I have had other things on my mind since. I assume you can understand that?"

  The lardy fox laughed at the notion. "Oh, I can understand. Though perhaps none of that would have happened if you had come to see me immediately, isn't that right?"

  "There is no way to know that. But all the same, what was it you had asked to see me about?" The way Borgain had phrased that briefly made Rou suspect that he had a hand in things, but that was surely paranoia on his part. Surely.

  "Oh. Rather simply, my cousin Vitor, Vitor sil Krum, he is rather enamored with you. But given his nobility, it would look bad upon us if he sought you out in public to attain a bit of your time. I was going to pay you a fee to entertain him a while and satisfy his curiosity, but… it would seem that opportunity is in the past. He is a bit too soft-hearted and I cannot imagine him wanting to trouble you after your… return from everything that took place."

  Affection and Rou both felt a bit disguised at the way that was phrased. It was entirely possible Vitor's interest in him was benign from the sound of it. Perhaps a true fan of him as the Sage of Fluff. But the way Borgain phrased it was if he was paying a whore to entertain his cousin a while.

  Rou closed his eyes and tried to steady himself emotionally before Affection said to him softly, "Keep in mind, he was your grandmother's equal in strength at the least, perhaps greater by this point. Despite this foul things appearance… his power is real. Please don't anger him, Rou. Even when you were whole you would not have been able to survive a confrontation with him, let alone now."

  The concern in her voice did calm Rou slightly who said, "I have never taken payment for speaking with others, or giving blessings if they sought such, and I do not believe in starting now."

  "Perfect, perfect, I will save myself a few coins then. Well, begone with you, do have a pleasant day." And with that, Borgain turned as simply as not, ignoring Rou once more as if he simply wasn't there. Going back to a pile of sweets and casually picking one up to suck on and savor.

  Rou crinkled his nose. Even at his worst he was never like… this.

  "Before I go, I had a question. Perhaps one only you could answer."

  "Hmm?" Borgain turned to look at Rou curiously. "As you are here, go on then, what is the question?"

  "I have heard your class is a unique one, Contract Mage or something of the sorts. Given the uniqueness of your class, are you familiar with anyone else who may be able to grant wishes through contracts at the cost of ones soul?"

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  Borgain's curiosity remained, looking at Rou more intently. "For souls, you say? Well… I cannot say I know anyone else who deals in contracts as you describe, at least, not by class. But I very well can. That is the way contracts work. The more you trade, the greater you benefit in turn. Was there something you desired?"

  Almost like a spider that heard a fly buzzing, Borgain's attention was suddenly fully on Rou again as if he had heard the jingle of coin.

  "No, no, not so much me. Someone I know mentioned that their parents once made a contract with someone, and in promise, their third child was the payment at least in part. Surely that wouldn't have been with you, now would it?"

  Borgain barked with laughter at the accusation, "Oh, I make a great many contracts with a great many peoples who come to me for a great many things. I cannot claim to remember every single trade and bargain I have made. But that… I do recall. A couple years ago came before me when I was young, begging for help in having offspring. The irony? I had a vision from another customer who had once came to me. A seeress. I asked whence I would find my destined partner, perhaps a love, or even a companion if not. Do you know what she said?"

  Rou didn't quite wish to hear it, but said nothing as Borgain's jowls shook from his laughter. "That she wasn't even born yet! That it would be in my 'best interest' to help set things up with a couple who would one day visit me. That destiny had such in store for me."

  Borgain stood up at that, leaning against his large, solid wooden desk carved out of a hunk of a tree in a single piece.

  "Celia is her name, yes? A beautiful thing. Though I am uncertain how you came to hear about that contract, yes, that would be me. Her parents, desperate as they were, traded even parts of their own soul for the task. So that when they were born, those parts that would create Celia upon conception would join, and her soul would ever be mine upon completion of the contract. I cannot wait, soon, soon~"

  The way he drooled caused Affection to scream and froth in rage from an entire dimension away, Rou equally feeling her fury. Not that he was angry so much as disgusted, but he was feeling /her/ anger.

  "Name the price to annul that contract." Rou declared, causing Borgain to stop, only to lean forward and laugh in his face as if he had just told the funniest joke. "ANNUL IT?! WHYEVER WOULD I DO THAT!! HAHAHAA!" Borgain laughed like he had just been a child tickled, practically shaking the room with it.

  "She is perfect, she is mine, or will be before long, and I will savor every moment I spend with her for the rest of my life. Nothing, no one, will prevent me from finally having my love. My one and only destined partner. Oh, but since you seem interested for some reason, rest assured, I will think of you as I enjoy her on our first evening together~"

  "ROU, DON'T!" Affection's yell snapped Rou out of it, he not having even realized just how close he was to attacking Borgain. Not only was he not strong enough, but if he attacked the man, Borgain would have an excuse to defend himself. And given his personality, he probably wouldn't just do so lightly.

  "What do you hold of equal value to Celia's contract? Do not lie to me, Borgain, you are the contract mage. Everyone wants something. Everyone wants something more. Looking at you, I know very well you are not unique. There is no way someone gets as rotund as you without craving more. Equal or greater value, Celia cannot be your ultimate prize in life, simply a step in the way, yes? What is it you actually want, Borgain?"

  The laughter eased off and a little surprised, Borgain actually came to respect Rou a little for acknowledging that side of mortal nature. "Fancy that. The great Sage of Fluff is actually quite the realist. You are correct, she is not my greatest desire in life, but she is a great desire. What would I hold of greater value than her? Hmm… Affection. Would you like to trade?"

  –

  Strangely, despite having been punched in the nose so hard that Borgain physically bounced backwards across the room and crashed into a library of books on the far side, the fat bastard of a fox was laughing and cackling in amusement. Clearly he had gotten under Rou's skin as the red panda seethed and very much wanted to choke the life out of him.

  "I can only imagine the contract will be null should you die first."

  "HAAAAAAA!"

  Borgain squawked in amusement even more as Rou seemed to think he could actually kill him, casually healing his nose with light magic as he pushed himself up gently and licked his lips. "Oh come now, Sage, you asked a question and I answered! My entire life, from my youth until now, the thing I have wanted the most is Affection! Ask her yourself! Do you know how classes work? We don't, but the current assumption? Ones greatest desire is manifested. Most everyone in this world has normal, mortal desires, and get those normal, mortal classes. Warrior, mage, perhaps a baker like their mother. But me, no… I wanted to become a god, how else could I obtain Affection's love?"

  Clearly 'Chosen' Borgain had long ago gone insane. "My soul is more and more close towards total sublimation. And when I achieve divinity, I will ascend, and then take her as my own!"

  "Even if you were to become a god here and now, Borgain, she wouldn't touch you even if you were the only other being in existence. You don't realize it, do you?" Borgain looked at him curiously, "Do not realize what?"

  "I have never met another being that Affection loathes more than you. Never met someone who disgusts her more than you. The moment I saw you, through my eyes she saw you too, and I could feel how much she wanted to vomit simply having to look at you. And you think you will, what, somehow charm my Goddess the moment you step into her realm?"

  "Your Goddess? She will never be Your Goddess." Borgain began to get angry, as Rou held up his right hand and showed off his miscolored fur on the ring finger. "Really? Then why am I wearing a ring she gave only to me?"

  Status Screen 1.04.1

  Name: Rou Erial

  Titles: [Affection's Betrothed]

  Rou shared his Screen with Borgain, and thus the title within.

  "Did you think my being Affection's consort was a rumor?" Now it was his turn to twist the knife into Borgain. He could feel Affection cackling as he used his ties with her like this. Her glee at seeing Borgain seethe and fume.

  "She will laugh at you later when I once again, as I do as often as I have the time, love her nice and deeply. Laugh at the notion you ever had a chance with Affection."

  Rou noticed Borgain began to summon aether to himself, to twist into mana and use against him but he stopped, calming himself. "Begone, I do not know how you have gained that fake title, but I know my beloved Affection would never waste her time on a fool like you."

  With Borgain clearly having deluded himself, Rou stated again, "I will leave when you have annulled the contract with Celia's parents, and in turn, Celia. Name your price, I know you have one."

  The fat fox sneered at that, about to dismiss Rou before a thought came to mind. "Perhaps there is something that I do value more than Celia, and less than Affection. You see, my whole life, contracts were simply a means to an end. To obtain souls to sublimate, power to gain. Complete sublimation to ascend to divinity. But if you were to offer me some other means to get there. You claim… to be loving on her regularly. That means you can… go there yourself?"

  –

  Suddenly Creation spoke in Rou's head. "I forbid you from letting that oaf into our realm."

  "Forbid me? If all it takes to save Celia from her fate is opening a node for him and letting him learn of his shortcomings on his own, why should you care?" Rou replied back in his mind.

  Only Rou suddenly found himself with a splitting headache. "Do not test me boy, I have my own reasons that I will not be sharing. Things are not always what they seem."

  "Then you give me a way to help Celia avoid her fate. Are you not Creation?"

  Creation sighed softly in Rou's mind at that. "Unfortunately, contracts and souls… in this fashion, are no longer in our dominion. Souls that Borgain obtains power over via contract are removed from the cycle of reincarnation, and thus from our control. He is, in a sense, his own cycle of reincarnation now. That detestable thing is a perversion of nature that was created on accident by our Class system. It acknowledged his desire to court Affection and came to the conclusion that the only way he could do that is if he became a god himself, and granted him a false hope. As you know, he cannot become a god through Aether sublimation. As for Celia… I am sorry boy, but we are unable to interfere with her. We can no easier touch her than a god from your old world could come to ours and steal someone from us."

  "So I must get her from Borgain, then? There is no other option?"

  "None. And he cannot come up here. If you try to skirt my stance on this, I am sorry Rou, but I will strike you down on the spot."

  –

  "Indeed I can, Borgain. But you cannot. Let me make an alternate offer."

  Borgain leaned forward as he returned to his seat, curious what Rou had to offer. "I will tell you a mistake you have made in your path towards divinity. Give you a chance to correct yourself, even if… your goal may be unobtainable. Whether you believe me or not is another matter, but I have no reason to lie about this as… I too desire to one day become a 'God'. So I can be with Affection forever in turn."

  Truly, /truly/ Borgain seemed to consider this. "So you think I am walking towards a dead-end? I will humor you, if that is true… indeed Celia would be a good trade. But how am I to expect you to be truthful about it? To be earnest, whole, and not try to screw me over? Clearly we do not see eye to eye."

  Rou closed his eyes before answering, "Because you tried to save my mother in the past from her injuries, when Archmage Dana, many years back, asked you for your help. You may not have thought about it, but for me… I feel I owe you a small debt for your efforts even if you never charged her."

  Borgain offered a toothy grin in exchange. "In that case… you can have Celia back, but only after I have had my fun with her once the contract is complete. I have waited too long to enjoy her. When I grow bored, you can have the scraps. Surely that will be acceptable even to her? What was once a lifetime with me, reduced simply until I get bored? She has three months remaining, or close."

  The fat bastard of a fox twirled his fingers and a small piece of paper appeared. "A display of good will, dear Sage. A countdown of days until she is mine." On the paper was the number that detailed just what he said. "And if you try to barter any further today, I will stay my ground even if it kills me. Not that you have the power for that. So shoo. A bastard I may be, but I truly value those who pay debts, and you have raised yourself in my eyes for trying to pay your grandmother's debt to me even if I said she needn't."

  Borgain's… seeming change of heart surprised Rou. Perhaps even a true monster has standards and some morals.

  And before Rou could complain, magic swept through the area and carried him out of the sil Krum estate, dropping him on his backside outside of the estates borders.