The dancing motes of light from the teleportation magic flickered like fireflies between the window slats before gradually fading.

"Tch. I was hoping to play with the little one a bit longer."

Lilith sighed to herself, her gaze fixed on the door. "I ask you—have I, the Crown Princess, ever granted you permission to visit my chambers?"

"Oh dear, elder sister. That arrogance of yours hasn’t lessened one bit."

A girl of about fourteen stepped through the doorway, draped in a gossamer gown embroidered with golden phoenix patterns. In this kingdom, the phoenix symbolized imperial authority—but who dared to question Liliane, Third Princess of the Spiritsoar Kingdom?

Here, a person’s wealth and status were determined solely by their Contract Beast. Like Summoners, the stronger the beast, the higher one’s standing; the weaker the beast, the poorer one became—reduced to beggary. And before Lilith stood a Dragon Contractor.

Even the lowest-grade Earth Dragon was a near-millennial rarity in Spiritsoar. Yet Liliane had contracted a Crimson Dragon. True, Crimson Dragons weren’t the pinnacle among dragons—but it was still a dragon. The apex of the Contract Beast hierarchy.

"It’s been a while. How have you been lately?"

Though her words were polite, Liliane’s eyes held only disdain for the Crown Princess. Lilith, despite her royal blood, possessed a body rejected by all Contract Beasts—even the lowliest Slime had refused her years ago.

While Forced Contracts existed, they required the beast to be weaker than the contractor. And someone as fiercely proud as Lilith would never bind herself to an inferior creature.

Even if Lilith’s human magic prowess had reached its zenith, it was still merely human. No human strength could rival a Contract Beast—let alone a dragon. Against Liliane’s Crimson Dragon, Lilith couldn’t even force a contract with a Slime. That was the unbridgeable chasm between humans and Contract Beasts.

Only her royal lineage spared Lilith from being reduced to the lowest rung of society.

As Liliane’s mocking gaze settled on her, Lilith opened her mouth to retort—then felt Mier’s small hand tighten around hers. She turned to see the girl shaking her head slightly. *Control your temper*, the gesture warned. *Not yet.*

"I’m perfectly well," Lilith replied coolly. "But what ‘urgent business’ brings you to my chambers?"

"Nothing urgent. Just a reminder, elder sister—it’s time you found a Contract Beast. Don’t forget the Throne Struggle begins next month. Even a Slime would outclass you in strength. Ah—forgive me. I forgot even Slimes reject you. My apologies if I struck a nerve."

"Insolent!"

Lilith slammed her palm on the table, rising abruptly. "I’ve said it before: my Contract Beast will be the strongest. Creatures like Slimes aren’t worthy of my glance."

"Hmph. By then, you’ll likely have no beast at all—not even the weakest."

Liliane smirked at Lilith’s bluster and raised her hand. A hexagram seal materialized before her fluttering sleeves, its glowing points pulsing as they disturbed the lingering motes of light in the air.

A low, resonant growl echoed through the room. An invisible weight crashed down—Mier collapsed to her knees, face pale as paper. Lilith remained standing through sheer magical will, but sweat beaded on her forehead like peas.

"Hmph. Remember your place, elder sister."

Satisfied, Liliane lowered her hand. The hexagram dissolved, its light scattering like fading embers.

*And this was merely the dragon’s aura—not even the Crimson Dragon itself.* Summoned fully, it could reduce this room to ashes in a heartbeat.

"My warning’s delivered. I’ll take my leave. Though Father favored you, the throne will be mine. Only those bonded to dragons deserve to rule. Blood ties won’t spare you in the Throne Struggle."

"And you think bonding with a dragon guarantees victory over me next month?"

"Hmph. Let’s see what leverage a Slime-rejected sister has against me."

With a cold flick of her sleeve, Liliane cast one last disdainful glance at Lilith’s burning stare before sweeping out of the room.

Lilith dabbed her brow with a handkerchief, her eyes fixed on Liliane’s retreating figure—flames of resolve blazing within them. Her voice cut through the silence like a vow:

"I’ve said it once. I, and my Contract Beast, will be the strongest."