A long silence followed. Then, Maera stretched out her hand. She grabbed the contract and signed it without any change in expression.
Lirae and Ae'ark moved next, doing the same. But neither of them smiled. Their expressions were tight, their movements rigid.
They stared at Atticus with cold gazes. If he felt any remorse for forcing them into this, he didn't show it.
Once the contract was signed, Atticus simply nodded. "I'd like to know what happened in your trials and see your arts."
The expressions of the apexes darkened further. But unlike before, refusal was no longer an option. Not with the mana contract in effect.
As they began narrating their fourth trials one by one, Atticus listened carefully, making sure not to miss anything.
He could feel the anger radiating off them, even from Maera, though not as much as Lirae and Ae'ark.
'They feel betrayed.'
Atticus could understand their feelings. But did he care? No.
