Danmachi – Card Wizard - Chapter 23

As Aidan saw everything that happened, he was secretly happy that the man didn’t sign another contract with the familia. After all, his request was quite excessive.

As time went by, Aidan understood more about the contract signing and why they contracted the recruits at the end. They wanted to allow them to watch and learn what was happening instead of taking advantage of them.​​

With Ais by his side, they started to explain what they understood to each other. “So, the contract ceremony is divided into four parts. The first part is that we request our salary, extra benefits such as having a teacher and our position with Finn.” Said Aidan in a small voice to Ais next to him, who continued.

“Afterwards, Gareth reports our age, level, number of times we enter the dungeon and floor record. He is explaining our potential to Finn.” Added Ais as Aidan nodded his head as he had the same conclusion as she did.

“Thirdly, Riviera processes the request depending on our strength and potential and does her best to satisfy the demand but add conditions to make sure the familia doesn’t lose out.

The amount of money offered in the contract is the contract’s salary and is given directly at the signing. Afterwards, the members have to go into the dungeon to make more money. As for the conditions, they help maintain the familia, such as guard duties or teaching certain members. They are favours which the familia can use to complete the requests of others contract.” Continued Aidan after Ais with a nod of his head.

With the contract, the familia would pay a certain amount which was a lot for the adventurers but easily recoverable through an expedition or with taxes of the members. With simply a few materials brought back, they would make a considerable profit.

“Finally, Finn concludes the request with some changes so that the familia doesn’t lose anything.” Concluded Ais as she understood the purpose of the signing ceremony.

Looking at the room, Aidan noticed that amongst the members who had a newly signed contract, most were happy, with a few angry that they didn’t manage to get everything they wanted. However, it only meant that their strength and talent weren’t worth so much.

Moreover, they could still leave the familia but decided to stay. It meant that although angry, those members recognized that the executive and Loki-sama were right.

Finally, after three hours of contract signing, some chefs entered and brought some food so that the members could eat a little. It was worth mentioning that those who didn’t sign a new contract had already left the manor along with their belongings.

—-

After a quick meal which ended in less than ten minutes, Aidan looked at the remaining people who had to sign and noticed that they were all recruits which showed through their nervousness.

“Alright, now that everyone has eaten, it is time to start with the contract with the recruits.” Said Loki with a cunning smile on her face.

“Before everyone starts, I want to say a few words.” Said Finn as he garnered the attention with his small stature. “Amongst the forty-four recruits this time, three decided that they were not meant to be adventurers after their time in the dungeon. It is normal as not everyone is ready to bet his life every time they enter, especially since you will have to continue once you sign the contract.

Amongst the forty-one remaining recruits, thirteen of them have perished in the dungeon in the last week. They were recruits who thought they were better than everyone else and didn’t manage to come back to the surface. So, before signing the contract, I want all twenty-eight of you to reconsider if you wish to stay as an adventurer and if you have the drive to become stronger.” He said with a heavy tone as the atmosphere in the room turned cold after hearing his words.

This number had surprised Aidan who had thought that most of them had only quit being an adventurer, not that most of them were dead after overestimating themselves.

‘I guess it’s true then that Orario does its best to recruit citizens from outside with so many deaths in the dungeon each week.’ He contemplated as he didn’t bother to wonder if he wanted to continue being an adventurer.

—-

A minute later, two adventurers got up and left the room in a hurry. Whether it was due to shame, Aidan would never know, but he didn’t care much.

After the first two adventurers left, five more followed right after. They had probably not known that it was such a dangerous occupation and had only listened to the legends in and outside of Orario.

“Alright, since the twenty-one of you plan on continuing being an adventurer, we will start the contracts.” Said Finn as he started to call various members.

“Abril.” Said Finn as he started to call the recruits. “What are your requests?” He asked as he looked at the young man in front of him.

“I’d like to be a fighting member of the familia, receive your teachings once a month and receive five million Valis for a contract of ten years.” He requested in a tiny breath before looking at the familia’s captain.

At the same time, Gareth started to look at the information on the papers. “Abril, a new adventurer. Currently level one and nineteen years old. He entered the dungeon twice, both times staying on the first floor. He teamed up with two other recruits.” Said the dwarf as he took out his flask and took a big gulp, offering some to his goddess, who had to refuse under the glare of the elf princess next to them.

“According to the few pieces of data we have, he can receive three million Valis and receive the teaching of a level 3 once a month for a ten years contract. However, he will have to complete at least two tasks per month for the duration of the contract.” She said after glaring at the duo of goddess and dwarf.

Hearing this, Finn nodded as he thought back to the request and made some changes. “We will go with what Riviera just said. However, the moment you levels up to 2, you can get the teaching of a level 4 as long as you level up within three years.” He said after some considerations.

“Alright!” Said the adventurer with a huge smile on his face. It was evident that he had never thought that he would be taught by Finn or receive five million Valis. This contract was already pretty good to him.

His success and the tremendous amount of money seemed to motivate a few of them as they sat on the edge of their chairs, ready to make the most profit of it.

After the tenth member, Finn finally called Ais.

“Ais Wallenstein.” Called Finn as he looked at the two youngsters at the corner of the hall.

With Ais getting up and moving closer, she thought back to her conversation with Aidan and decided to follow his idea.

“I’d like to be the porter of Riviera when she goes to the dungeon until I level up to 3. I can accept a ten years contract. However, I do not want to have to do tasks which will stop me from going to the dungeon.” She said with a neutral face, not happy nor sad.

Turning to look at Gareth as it was the custom, the dwarf started to read the information. “Ain Wallenstein, a new adventurer, seven years old. Last week, she entered the dungeon four times and reached down to the fourth floor, where she trained. She should have the strength to enter the fifth floor. She is known to team up with Aidan.” Said Gareth as he wasn’t surprised by the information since he was aware of what had happened a few days prior.

While Gareth did not react to this, the new and old members were quite surprised at the statistics taken out. Not only was she seven years old, but she had gotten down to the fourth floor and went to the dungeon four times a week. It was two levels better than all the other recruits and two more dives than the others.

“Riviera?” Asked Finn as he looked at the elf.

“According to the data present and the time spent in the dungeon, in addition to agreeing to take a ten years contract, I see no problem agreeing to have her as my porter when I enter the dungeon.” She said with a slight smile before turning back to her taciturn self. “As for the money we can offer her, I cannot tell. From the information we possess, as long as she does not die early, she should become a level 4 or level 5 relatively easily.” She continued to the shock of the crowd.

“I would recommend giving her a salary every year on her contract with her level as the basis. As such, as long as she is level one, she gets one million per year, but if Ais levels up to two, she gets two million.” Explained Riviera as she looked at the young girl.

With the crowd’s shock, Finn looked contemplatively before looking at Loki, to which she happily nodded since having Ais in the familia meant Aidan as well.

‘Having them both in the familia is a good thing. Both possess the necessary qualities to become level five or more, especially Aidan, who possesses high-human bloodline and his card magic.’ She thought as she directed her gaze at Aidan, who was looking happily at Ais.

“Alright, we will go with this. Are you satisfied with this contract Ais?” He asked the young girl while handing her a contract.

Remembering the words of Aidan, she looked at every word carefully and confirmed that every point was clear and concise before signing her name on the contract, with the corners of her mouth slightly uplifted.