Chapter 35: Contract Signed, Howard's Gift

The moment Adrian finished speaking, Julian's eyes lit up.

He was no stranger to Adrian's "document" claims. During their Grade 10 year, the classmates and teachers of Class 9 had heard it at least ten times. At first, everyone had doubts, but later they gradually discovered that Adrian's directions always seemed correct. It was precisely because of this that his reputation had spread.

Not only that, Adrian genuinely read a lot of books. Every time Julian went to ask him a question, he could see Adrian studying some new book. That was another reason Julian admired him deeply.

So Julian believed what Adrian said, and his heart suddenly surged with excitement.

He actually knew Fortune only had two years left to live. Fortune was closer to him than his own father. If Adrian really had a way to let it live longer, that would make him happier than getting into a top ten university ten thousand times over.

Howard was half-believing, half-doubting. What he believed was that in Adrian's eyes, he read only sincerity and certainty. What he doubted was this: he had hired so many Three-Star and Four-Star Healers and Breeders before. Why had none of them ever mentioned this point?

At that moment, Fortune, who had still been gazing out the window, suddenly shook its head, then turned around and gave two soft "woofs" at Adrian.

This was different from its earlier hostile barking. It carried curiosity, goodwill, and expectation.

"Live a very, very long time, but its appearance never changes." This sentence was the first time in sixteen years that Fortune had heard anyone mention it.

It struck right at its heart and lit a small flame inside it.

Over the years, it had met too many people alongside Howard. Sometimes, it could tell what people were after just by their scent. When Adrian first asked about its "worries," there had been a calculating smell on him, so it had to make a stand.

Now, that calculating smell was still there, but much fainter. What was stronger was a "warm goodwill."

It could sense that Adrian was not lying. He truly knew.

The old dog walked toward Adrian, a little faster than before, its tail swaying. It looked into Adrian's eyes, tears still glimmering. And in its Status, a new detail appeared: Human, can you help me?

Adrian gave it a gentle nod.

Then it slowly sat down and leaned against Adrian's side. Only up close did it discover that Adrian gave off a very comfortable aura, and also a latent energy that attracted it.

Fortune nestled at Adrian's feet. This was its way of showing goodwill. It was also telling Howard that it trusted Adrian.

This old dog, when it first arrived today, had leaned against Howard's leg, as if everything around it had nothing to do with it. After Howard recalled it and summoned it again, it had nestled beside Julian, because it wanted to escape Howard's gaze. Now, it had come to Adrian's side, because it saw hope—hope that "Mom" could still recognize it, and that it could continue to accompany its other two family members.

Just like that beast called Violet, using its most comfortable form to continue embracing the past and the future.

Fortune's behavior left Howard momentarily speechless. For over a decade, it had only been this close to two people—him and Julian. Even the old butler at home, it never approached.

Actually, while he had been outside calming his emotions, he had also been thinking about what Adrian said regarding Fortune's worries. He was not stupid. Connecting the dots over the years—Fortune's reactions, and his own long misunderstanding—he could basically guess the reason.

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It was just that he had not yet gotten past his own hurdle.

And now, Fortune's closeness to Adrian also let him see hope. He did not want to think about documents or whether Adrian could really do it. Rather than trusting Adrian, he trusted Fortune's instincts.

"Adrian, you are very smart, but you are also warm and perceptive. Julian has much to learn from you." Howard smiled as he spoke, very naturally. "Can we finally talk about the contract now?"

"But before you give your opinion… let me revise a few terms first." Howard took out a fountain pen and began modifying the contract.

Half an hour later.

The two had drawn up the final version.

Adrian had simply told Howard his need to exchange part of the League crowns for equivalent goods, and explained the industrial structure he envisioned for Vale's Beast Feed once it reached Two-Star.

The core terms had also changed:

"Purchase the Exceptional-quality top product Spirit Dew from Vale's Beast Feed, for internal use only. It may not be resold in its raw Spirit Dew form."

"Purchase quantity at least 600 drops (30 ml) per month. Price: 100,000 crowns per 10 drops (0.5 ml), or equivalent goods or materials for trade."

"Yellow Crane Tower Shop will supply Vale's Beast Feed with the following five common-quality beast food products at A-rank partner prices: Common-Lower Falling Starvine, Common-Mid Goldfall Liquid, Cottonwood Cake, Spirit Heart Dew, and Common-Upper Soulcalm Fruit. Payment for these goods may be deducted directly from the Spirit Dew purchase amount."

"If more needs arise later, they can be added to the contract after negotiation."

"Vale's Beast Feed owner Adrian Vale may enjoy a 10% discount at any Yellow Crane Tower Shop auction house."

"If Spirit Dew is used as a raw material for secondary processing, the product and its source will be labeled, namely Vale's Beast Feed of Lumenhold, owner Adrian Vale."

"The contract is valid long-term. If during this period the quality of Spirit Dew improves or the market price rises, a new order price can be negotiated, but it will not be lower than 100,000 crowns per 10 drops. If either party wishes to terminate the contract, three months' notice is required."

After confirming, the two signed and stamped their copies, one each.

"Thank you, Uncle Howard, for finally purchasing Spirit Dew at such a high price." Adrian smiled. "And for making industrial structure suggestions based on both Vale's Beast Feed's structure and Yellow Crane Tower Shop's quality products."

"You're too polite." Howard said. "After all, Spirit Dew is important to Fortune, but you are more important to Fortune."

"Just the fact that it is willing to approach you is enough for me to sign this contract."

"As for the document research you saw, and what we need to do for Fortune in the future, we still have to work on it together."

"Mm, Uncle Howard. Regarding Fortune… as we discussed, I will visit your home twice a week to see it." Adrian said. "But as I said before, you and it also need to open your hearts to each other."

"I can only say, this is very important for whether it can truly survive and live on."

This time Adrian was no longer subtle.

He knew a middle-aged man in his forties could not, in just a few hours, tear open a scar he had avoided for over a decade. He could only use Fortune's health to put a little pressure on Howard.

Actually, earlier when Fortune had shown goodwill toward Adrian, when Adrian looked at its Status panel, he had already received a hint that its "heart knot" had loosened a little.

Fortune's "heartache" was not really about not wanting to evolve or change form on the surface. It was more the knot formed by its way of getting along with Howard over the past decade.

As long as it continued to "protect" Howard in this avoidant way, digesting all its thoughts alone, unwilling to show even a hint of missing "Mom" in front of Howard, it would never meet the standard for hidden evolution.

And the only ones who could solve this problem were the two of them—one man, one dog.

Adrian could only guide and point out the problem. The ones who could truly untie the heart knot were ultimately themselves.

"Mm…" Howard nodded. Then, a small silver ring appeared in his hand.

"Adrian, take this." Howard said. "A very ordinary spatial [Tamer Gear], an Exceptional-quality Spirit Cage Ring."

"Consider it a small gift from me. Don't refuse. I see you still carry a backpack for your things. It is really inconvenient. And you will be bringing Spirit Dew to see Fortune every week from now on."

"Just use this. It is not expensive."

Adrian looked at the ring.

It was very small, about the size of his little finger, but it gave off a faint silver halo. He knew this [Tamer Gear] too. It was on the first few pages of that illustrated guide.

After thinking, he did not refuse.

Indeed, according to the contract he had just obtained, with Spirit Dew alone, the money he earned in the first month would be more than enough to buy a Spirit Cage Ring.

This kind of ring, depending on Exceptional quality, cost between one million and two million crowns. It was just not as commonly circulated, so it might not be quickly obtainable.

That price was expensive and unaffordable for an ordinary beast tamer.

But he also knew that from today on, Vale's Beast Feed was going to start moving toward a better future.

"Thank you, Uncle Howard." Adrian slipped it onto his right pinky and immediately felt a cool sensation in his mind.