The days flew by as Damian, Sam, and Einar gradually settled into their new duties; the cousins had left after converting their credits in the capital for their home town. Sam and Einar had also received a new list of rewards same as Damian had and were still thinking on what to choose.
Despite their busy schedules, they still made it a point to meet once a day in Damian's new room at the research facility. The open platform outside his quarters, far less crowded than the bustling marble castle below, offered a peaceful retreat. In the evenings, they gathered there to share stories of their day—how the new training, routines, and following the young princess were progressing.
Sam often complained, Einar explained his complaints, and Damian just listened while Toph darted around the wooden platform, his playful antics a welcome distraction. It was a good time, a simple moment of peace they all cherished. But Damian knew such evenings would grow rare once they signed their contracts and became fully entrenched in their roles.
Despite the challenges of adjusting to their routines and the occasionally frustrating (and, to Damian, amusing) demands of shadowing a young princess, they both appreciated their new instructors and training methods. The Eldians recognized their talents and treated them accordingly, providing upgraded gear, a salary, and quarters in the knights' headquarters located below in the capital city of Celestria. Their duties involved guarding the princess in shifts, mainly during the day, though nighttime responsibilities for special events like galas and stuff were also going to be in their job description. For those occasions, they were expected to dress formally and accompany her.
Damian had also settled into his new residence, where he had been granted a personal lab. Though he couldn't yet access resources for his experiments without signing the contract, it wasn't an immediate concern. The royals had even assigned him two assistants. After reviewing a pool of promising candidates of some 20-30 people—recent graduates from the scholar or mage academies, all between the ages of fifteen and eighteen—he selected two to work under him. One boy with glasses, clearly of noble lineage and another girl who was a mage and pretty knowledgeable in theories of mana and spells, she was a commoner. He selected them based on a little test he wrote and had them all take, and after that he did personal interviews.
They were obviously not exactly
to him since they were provided by the royals, most likely to keep an eye on his research but they could still be useful to him. He was reluctant to make weapons or any kind or tools of destruction but that was not the only thing an army needed. Damian had lots of plans that if successfully applied could give enough to offer the army so he will be able to do his own thing uninterrupted. Since he had signed his fate to this country, might as well help them as best as he could. If they fall it would not be easy to get this kind of situation with any other country again. The attack on Ashenvale he didn't care much about but the defense line against the empire, he could use his knowledge and new skills to give them a fighting chance.
Finally, the day arrived for them to officially receive their new titles. Unfortunately, it was also the day of Kazak's execution. Kazak had been charged with practicing a forbidden ritual, though the court cleverly withheld specifics about which ritual had been performed.
The inner throne room was packed with nobles and knights from across the capital. As an official read their names and new titles aloud, the crowd showed mixed reactions. Some showed mild interest, some surprise but mostly not many cared. It was just another report they had to hear in their regular court proceedings, they had other more politically inclined issues to discuss with each other. Also everyone already knew about it days ago, information gathering was the essential key for any politically active figure.
However Damian's title as an official royal researcher, rather than merely an assistant, did draw some attention. His age was noted, especially as he received the pre-signed contract from the queen and added his signature for all to witness.
This contract differed slightly from the one Vidalia had arranged months earlier. As Damian signed, he felt the distinct sensation of foreign mana—light and chaos—entering his chest and circling his heart. The previous contract spell with Vidalia had dissipated upon his arrival in the capital, As their agreement was of securely coming to the capital and be judged by the queen in exchange for his assistance, which was done. He assisted so good, they rewarded him instead.
Damian had spent an entire day meticulously reviewing the new contract before signing. He was now officially an employee of the crown and was paid accordingly. While he had the option to leave, it could only happen after a year, at which point the contract would be reviewed and potentially renewed based on his contributions. If his research proved valuable, the terms could be updated to include better conditions.
The contract also outlined a profit-sharing arrangement: Damian would receive a 50% royalty on any products he developed that could be sold wholesale, benefiting both the crown and himself. However, unlike Einar and Sam, he wasn't entitled to training resources or materials for leveling up. He didn't mind, as his needs were different. While gaining access to the main dungeons near the capital would have been ideal, it was a privilege reserved for those who swore fealty to the house ruling it—a commitment Damian had no intention of making.
Just like them he also wanted to see how this thing was going to go before putting all his eggs in one basket, and even after that he would never fully commit to one noble house. He would have too much of a difference of opinion to work with other nobles, and other than the royals or other third rankers no one would be mad enough to have him anyways.
Finishing up the little court day dressed ridiculously, Damian left his room after changing to his normal clothes and walked back to the castle below. His mood was somber, he knew there was no other way and yet he felt like something was really wrong here. His friend was to die today.. And there was nothing he could do about it.