11. Paying Homage to the Contract Master

“How is he here? Could he be the new instructor from the Combat Department?”

Upon seeing a highly capable male stepping in, Ning Chuchu’s delicate face darkened instantly. Listening to the surrounding students’ whispers, she recognized the battle hero frequently reported by StarNet for his repeated military achievements.

However, recalling other rumors about him, Ning Chuchu’s heart settled somewhat. “Sir Chen Nan, as a high-level Executor, you must not touch a woman lightly—that violates the contract holder regulations!”

“I’ve heard your psychic powers frequently flare uncontrollably, yet you haven’t found a suitable Handler to help you manage them. I’m about to be promoted to B-level, but if your character is like this, I doubt any Handler would be willing to form a contract with you!” Ning Chuchu scrutinized Chen Nan critically from head to toe.

Chen Nan’s expression darkened under her gaze. He glanced down at Ning Xuan, seeing her complexion brighten a bit, then released one hand and tapped twice on the wrist-mounted holographic computer. Ning Xuan’s device immediately lit up.

Frowning, Ning Xuan stared at him, suspicion growing in her heart. She opened the holographic message and found a notice issued by the Central AI. Opening it, she read: “Your contract holder Chen Nan has canceled the protection of a high-level Spirit Handler. According to contract regulations, he must report to you within three days. If delayed, you may report to the Contract Management Center.”

A red dot flashed on her personal info interface, indicating updated information.

She opened it and saw:

Profile
Ordinary Citizen (Minor)
Name: Ning Xuan
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Mother: Ning Zhi Lan (Deceased)
Father: Bai Xiuwen (Deceased)
Registered Residence: D-level Star, D618 Planet, District 4 Residence, Xingluo Bay
School: Xingluo Bay Advanced Joint Academy
Major: Culinary Arts
Psychic Power: D-level (Score: 56)

Brain Domain Width: Not measured
Companion Spirit (Supernatural Entity): Unawakened
Supernatural Talent: Slasher
Contract Holders: 5 (Info hidden for 4)

Contract Holder: Chen Nan
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Mother: Chen Jingyu (S-level)
Father: Wang Mu (SS-level)
Registered Residence: A-level Star, A110 Planet, District 1 Residence, New Moon International
Alma Mater: Federal First Military Academy
Current Position: Major General, Federal First Legion
Gene Compatibility: 96%
Psychic Power: S-level (Score: 11,341)
Brain Domain Width: S-level
Physical Fitness Level: S-level (Overall Combat Power S+)
Companion Spirit: Golden-eyed Eagle
Supernatural Talent: Eagle Eye

“Sir Chen Nan, Ning Xuan is my elder sister. We sisters have private matters to attend to. Please release her!” Ning Chuchu, sensing something amiss from their interaction, hurriedly interjected.

Seeing Ning Xuan’s cold gaze, Chen Nan’s heart tightened. He knew that upon receiving the contract notification, he had immediately activated high-level Spirit Handler protection and concealed his information. Such action was sure to displease the contract holder. Originally, he had no intention of giving up this protection since at 17, just awakening her psychic power, Ning Xuan was unlikely to ever reach B-level in her lifetime.

A low-level female Spirit Handler contract holder was of no use to him and would only cause unpredictable trouble.

Yet, when Ning Xuan’s psychic power stirred just now, his mental sea immediately responded, and even his supernatural entity became active. That intense sense of compatibility made him resolve instantly that regardless of future circumstances, he would accept this contract holder.

He released Ning Xuan, straightened his posture, and carefully adjusted his clothing.

“Ning Xuan, come here!” Wu Di, seeing them separate and assuming Chen Nan was holding back out of consideration, quickly flashed in front of Ning Xuan and reached out to grab her, prompted by Ning Chuchu’s warning gaze.

Chen Nan’s sharp eyes lifted slightly. With a slight lift of his leg, a loud “bang” echoed as he kicked Wu Di flying over ten meters away with a single blow.

The onlooking students gaped in stunned silence.

After kicking Wu Di away, Chen Nan tidied his clothes and knelt on one knee before Ning Xuan, clasping his right fist to his chest and bowing his head respectfully. “Chen Nan pays respects to the esteemed contract holder!”

The crowd seemed frozen in time, enveloped in eerie silence. They stared at the two figures before them—a tall, handsome man and a calm, beautiful woman—who oddly looked well matched. But how could the man be an S-level double, and the woman, until recently an ordinary person? How could they possibly be contract holder and contractee?

Could this be a mistake?

“Sir Chen Nan, have you lost your mind? She’s just an ordinary person. Even if awakened, she’s only a low-level Spirit Handler. She can’t possibly soothe your psychic unrest. If you contract with her, your future is ruined! No Handler would accept a contractee who’s already contracted once,” Ning Chuchu said angrily, looking at Chen Nan with genuine concern.

“Oh my, he’s performing the formal kneel-and-greet! Are all high-level male Spirit Handlers this… so courteous?” A girl watching the man’s proper kneeling posture blushed deeply, gazing at Ning Xuan with fiery eyes, wishing she could take her place.

“Only contract relationships with psychic power above B-level are true contracts. Those without psychic power or with low-level female Spirit Handlers can’t solve the problems faced by contract holders and thus can’t demand much from them,” a male voice said coldly from the crowd.

“But Ning Xuan has been unable to awaken her psychic power all along. Even if she just awakened now, her level couldn’t be high!” The crowd buzzed with confusion, unable to understand how Ning Xuan could possibly be worthy of Chen Nan. They doubted the legitimacy of their contract.

Ignoring Ning Chuchu’s shouts and the crowd’s murmurs, Chen Nan remained focused, kneeling at Ning Xuan’s feet, head lowered, motionless.

At this moment, Ning Xuan felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside her. After a moment’s thought, she reached out a hand. Chen Nan took it willingly, looked up at her, and said, “Rise.”

“Yes!” Chen Nan stood up.