Chapter 737: Mentally Draining

Ezra placed the hard copy of the contract on the table inside the pavilion.

The document had several pages, with the terms of their agreement clearly written out.

He had already prepared it before their meeting, so most of what remained was for Selena to examine the contents and complete the signing procedure.

The two had already discussed the contract in detail.

Under the agreement, Selena would take over the music genre known as Orchestra Funk House. She would be responsible for developing it and introducing its music to the public.

Ezra, on the other hand, would teach her everything he knew about the genre.

This included its musical structure, techniques, and the knowledge he had accumulated while developing it.

He would also provide her with the musical pieces he had already composed.

In return, Ezra would receive sixty percent of the revenue Selena earned from performing every musical piece he provided.

However, that arrangement applied strictly to the pieces supplied by Ezra.

Any musical piece Selena composed herself using the Orchestra Funk House genre would belong entirely to her.

She would retain all the revenue generated from those compositions, without having to share it with Ezra.

The distinction was written clearly in the contract.

Ezra would receive his agreed share from the pieces he provided, while Selena would have full rights to the pieces she created independently.

Neither arrangement would interfere with the other’s share.

The document also contained the terms both parties had agreed to follow.

Once the required blood signatures were completed, the contract would be sealed through a recognized Alchemical legal procedure, making the written agreement binding on both parties.

It wasn’t merely a record of their discussion.

It was a legal agreement.

"I really don’t like the fact that you won’t be taking a lot of gains from this, Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke."

Selena said calmly.

She looked down at the contract, reading through its contents again.

Her emerald eyes moved from one section to another, occasionally pausing to examine the wording.

She understood the arrangement, but that didn’t mean she was satisfied with how little Ezra would receive from it.

After all, he was the one who had introduced her to the Orchestra Funk House genre.

He was also the one providing the knowledge and musical pieces that would allow her to develop it.

Yet, the agreement gave her a much larger share of the overall opportunity.

"I already explained that I don’t want any awareness of this to be traced back to me. Constantly taking a share of your gains would easily lead back to me."

Ezra replied calmly.

His reason hadn’t changed.

He didn’t want his involvement in the Orchestra Funk House genre to become public knowledge.

If his name became connected to the revenue Selena earned from performing his compositions, people might eventually begin asking questions about where the music came from.

That was something he wanted to avoid.

"I know, but..."

Selena paused.

She looked at the contract again, then raised her eyes towards Ezra.

There was still something she wanted to say, but she couldn’t find a convincing argument against his explanation.

"Ahh."

She sighed.

"The Orchestra Funk House is truly an amazing music genre. I played the piece we played together in the first semester ending party during my private training time, both back at home and in my Academy residence."

She said with a pleased smile.

Her expression softened as she recalled the experience.

Since their last meeting, she had played the music several times.

She had even continued practicing it after returning to her residence.

The composition had left a good impression on her.

It was different from the music she was accustomed to playing, and there was something about its structure that made her want to explore it further.

"You have a Grand Piano in your residence?"

Ezra asked.

"Yes, I do. As a musician, I have to keep my fingers warm by playing the piano often. I also gain inspiration from it, so I sometimes use my time to work on my own pieces."

Selena replied calmly.

She held the contract with one hand while speaking, her other hand resting near the edge of the table.

A Grand Piano was something she made regular use of.

It wasn’t only for practicing existing compositions.

She also used it whenever she wanted to experiment with melodies or develop an idea that had come to mind.

"I even started working on a piece that aligns with the Orchestra Funk House."

She added.

"As expected of a music genius."

Ezra replied calmly.

"Are you teasing me?"

Selena asked, feeling a little flustered by his sudden praise.

She looked away from his gaze and began fanning herself with her hand fan.

The movement was gentle at first, but she continued for a few moments before lowering it slightly.

She then looked back at him, having regained her composure.

"I’m being serious, though."

Ezra replied straightforwardly.

He looked at her plainly.

There was no teasing expression on his face.

His words were direct, and he appeared just as serious as he sounded.

Selena wanted to speak.

However, with the way her heart was beating, she knew she might end up saying something that would be out of character for her usual elegant self.

She held back the words that came to mind.

Instead, she lowered her gaze towards the contract.

"Okay, let me sign."

She said, taking the document.

She adjusted the pages on the table and found the designated space for her signature.

However, after looking over the signing section, she realized something.

"Ahh, I don’t have a needle to use."

She said to herself, almost sounding nervous.

The signing procedure required a drop of blood from each party.

It wasn’t an ordinary signature that could simply be written with ink.

In Britannia, certain legal agreements used blood signatures to authenticate the people involved and establish the Alchemy seal of the contract.

The procedure was more than a symbolic gesture.

Once both parties completed their signatures, the Alchemy system within the contract would recognize their blood and bind the agreement to them.

The written terms would then carry legal force, making the contract enforceable.

It was the reason the signing procedure had to be completed properly.

"Here."

Ezra handed her a thin needle.

Selena looked at his hand.

"Oh, thank you."

She replied, accepting it.

"You came prepared."

She said, examining the needle briefly.

Selena held the thin needle between her fingers.

She then brought it towards her thumb and carefully pricked the skin.

A small drop of blood appeared.

She pressed her thumb against the designated signature spot on the contract.

For a brief moment, the blood remained on the paper.

Then the Alchemy Circle responded.

The blood was recognized by the contract, and the signing process was completed.

The agreement had now been authenticated by Selena’s blood, binding her to the terms written within the document.

She lifted her thumb.

Ezra waited until she was done before taking the contract.

He checked the completed signing section and confirmed that everything was in order.

Then he placed the document inside his space bag.

"I will send you the soft copy of it."

Ezra said calmly.

"Okay."

Selena replied.

She lowered her gaze towards her thumb.

The small puncture left by the needle had already begun healing under the influence of her Cognis.

The wound closed quickly, leaving little trace of what had happened.

She picked up a white napkin and used it to clean the needle before dropping it inside the dustbin.

With that, the contract was settled.

Both parties had completed their part of the signing procedure, and the agreement was now legally binding.

Selena adjusted herself in her seat before looking back at Ezra.

"Thank you for today, Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke."

She said lightly.

Her hand moved towards her hair, adjusting a few strands as she looked at him.

The date had been quite enjoyable for her.

They had visited several places, tried different activities, and now they had completed the business arrangement that had brought them together in the first place.

"Can you please remove the Mr. from my name? Sometimes, it sounds weird hearing you call me Mr."

Ezra replied calmly.

"Ehn, then Sir?"

Selena asked, slightly surprised.

She hadn’t expected him to bring that up.

"Ezra is fine."

Ezra said dryly.

Wait, wait...

Only Vera, Diane, Veda, Sir Cyrus, and the other people who are close to him have been able to call him that.

Selena thought to herself excitedly.

So, I have finally reached that level.

She was quite happy in her mind.

However, she didn’t allow that excitement to show too clearly on her face.

She was still Selena Galehart, after all.

"The issue is that, as an elegant lady, using the appropriate words when addressing someone close to you needs to be done with respect."

Selena said calmly.

Even though she wanted to call him by his first name, she still had to maintain her elegant status.

There was a certain way she was accustomed to addressing people, especially those she wasn’t particularly familiar with.

Changing that manner of speaking wasn’t something she could simply do without thinking about it.

"Elegant or not, you should let loose around people you’re comfortable communicating with. Otherwise, how are you meant to build a relationship when you speak formally all the time?"

Ezra replied plainly.

Selena looked at him.

She wasn’t able to say anything for a moment.

Build a relationship!!!

Calm down, Selena.

Let’s not get ahead of our thoughts.

Her mind had already taken his words somewhere else.

She quickly tried to settle her thoughts, keeping her expression composed.

"But elegance would be affected if I did something like that."

Selena replied, sounding more composed than her thoughts.

"You’re already doing it with your fellow Flowers, though."

Ezra replied directly.

"I... do."

Selena said, realizing that he was right.

She had already become accustomed to addressing her fellow Flowers by their names rather than always using their titles.

However, that didn’t mean she had abandoned her usual formal manner of speaking.

She still maintained her elegant way of expressing herself whenever she conversed with them.

Yet, when it came to Ezra, she was still thinking about how she should address him.

"Well, you do what you want."

Ezra said, standing up.

He didn’t seem particularly interested in arguing over the matter.

"Let’s head back home."

He said calmly as he opened the pavilion door.

The door swung open, allowing the outside air to enter.

Selena quietly looked at Ezra as he waited for her to exit.

She placed her hand fan away and stood up from her seat.

After making sure she had gathered her belongings, she walked towards the door.

Ezra allowed her to pass first before following behind.

"I guess we’re now close friends."

She muttered to herself.

Ezra heard her, but didn’t reply.

He knew that the definition of calling herself a friend was something she had decided for herself.

But to him...

Selena was a business partner and simply someone he had spent more time talking with.

It was the same with the others.

He didn’t particularly think much about the labels people used for their relationships.

His understanding of those connections was rather straightforward.

They could communicate, work together, and spend time around one another without any problems.

That was enough for him.

***

Outside the Light Spot...

The two had reached the area where the Cabs were waiting.

Selena entered the Royal Eclipse Cab she had ordered.

She had also arranged for a different one to take Ezra back to his residence.

The drivers were already prepared to depart.

Ezra stood beside Selena’s Cab.

"Bye, Selena."

He waved his hand once.

He was about to close the door when Selena spoke again.

"Goodbye, Ezra, and...and... I look forward to going on something like this again."

Selena replied with a faint, hopeful gaze.

She hesitated slightly before finishing her sentence.

Her fingers rested against the edge of the door as she looked at him.

She had enjoyed the day, and although the date had also involved their business discussion, she was already hoping they could do something similar again.

"I doubt."

Ezra replied honestly and bluntly.

Selena almost felt as though her heart had been pierced.

Her expression nearly froze.

However...

"But who knows the future."

He added, shrugging.

Selena’s expression changed again.

She had nearly been disappointed by his first response, but his final words gave her enough reason to smile warmly.

"See you later."

She said softly.

Ezra closed the door.

The Royal Eclipse Cab drove off.

He watched it leave before turning towards the other Cab that would take him home.

"Ahh."

Ezra sighed tiredly.

This somehow feels more mentally draining than my usual activities.

Although, not as draining as spending time with Vera.

He placed his hand against the side of his nose.

The date had lasted for several hours.

They had visited the Domestic Animal Farm, the Aquarium, the Game Center, and several other places within the Light Spot.

He had also spent time discussing the Orchestra Funk House contract with Selena.

None of those activities was particularly difficult on its own.

Yet, somehow, the entire experience had left him feeling mentally exhausted.

"This is not good for my health."

He muttered to himself plainly.

Then he straightened his clothes and loosened his tie.

The knot around his neck had started to feel uncomfortable, and he was more than ready to get rid of it.

"I really don’t like ties."

He said flatly as he entered the Royal Eclipse Cab taking him home.

The driver closed the door.

The Cab soon began moving, leaving the Light Spot behind.

One down.

One more to go.

Ezra thought to himself plainly as the Cab drove off.