Chapter 23

“Second Miss Aivana sure loves eating melons.”

Aivana was pinned to the ground, unable to move. Her short skirt, originally reaching her knees, had been flipped up due to her fall, revealing a fluffy pure white petticoat embroidered with toy rabbit patterns inside.

Xia’er straddled her body, one hand controlling her right wrist while the other choked her throat. They stared at each other without either speaking first.

It wasn’t that Xia’er didn’t want to speak. At this moment, she was also quite nervous.

The only extraordinary person she had ever seen was the mysterious and powerful Yulis. As for Thomas, he hadn’t fully digested the potion yet, so he wasn’t considered by Xia’er.

Xia’er didn’t know what abilities other extraordinary persons possessed, fearing they might instantly counteract with strange powers. Therefore, she maintained this posture to stay alert.

Aivana lay calmly on the ground, not making any resistance. She looked at Xia’er expressionlessly, showing no emotional fluctuations.

Her calmness made Xia’er even more vigilant.

One minute later, Aivana’s originally fair face gradually turned ruddy, already showing signs of oxygen deprivation.

Xia’er slightly loosened her left hand, giving Aivana some breathing space to avoid knocking her out.

After Xia’er relaxed her grip, Aivana on the ground began to breathe heavily, accompanied by mild coughs, indicating that Xia’er had indeed choked her quite severely.

When Aivana finally recovered, she finally spoke.

“Miss Xia’er, killing me might not be a wise choice,” Aivana’s tone remained unchanged as she calmly explained the pros and cons. “Even disregarding my current affiliation with the Order Association, if I disappear, my family will conduct an investigation.”

“This goes against your desire to hide your identity.”

Hearing the words, Xia’er couldn’t help but admire Aivana’s composure.

In such a situation, she could still remain so calm and analyze the pros and cons so rationally. This young girl was truly strong-hearted, and her lack of resistance lowered Xia’er’s guard significantly.

“Are you an extraordinary person?” Xia’er asked.

“No,” Aivana replied. “But strictly speaking, after experiencing a few more replication rituals and drinking potions, I will be.”

“Then why did you dare knock on my door?” Xia’er asked in confusion. “You know you would face an extraordinary person.”

“The four dead people outside were all unworthy of pity. Judging from the methods of murder and framing, Miss Xia’er hasn’t killed many people,” Aivana paused and continued. “Moreover, a criminal who wants to hide their identity wouldn’t choose to commit a crime at their own doorstep. Considering what was recorded in the diary, I’m more inclined to believe this was a necessary defensive counterattack.”

“Under this consideration, I think it’s safe to directly confront the murderer.”

Aivana had investigated outside for less than ten minutes, right?

Her analysis was almost spot-on.

“Since you’ve guessed almost correctly, why risk knocking on the door?” Xia’er asked, a point of confusion.

“Because I wanted to confirm my deduction,” Aivana said here, and the dark purple pupils that had remained emotionless finally flickered with interest. “And, I’m curious.”

“I’m curious about what happened to Miss Xia’er that led you to kill these four people despite the risks of exposure. What is the truth? If there was a grudge, there were safer and risk-free solutions.”

Aivana continued talking non-stop. She seemed to notice Xia’er’s silence and, despite still being pinned down, directly said, “I can guarantee that I won’t tell anyone after listening. I’ll use gang-related killings to conclude the case when I return home.”

Aivana blinked, looking expectantly at Xia’er.

Curious about the truth behind… Just because of this, she alone came to the murderer’s doorstep?

You’re invincible, kid.

Xia’er was momentarily speechless.

It was hard to describe the overly curious young girl standing before him.

“How can you guarantee that you won’t break your word after you leave?” Xia’er shook her head, clearly not trusting the girl’s promise.

“We can sign an Order Contract, witnessed by the Order Eye,” Aivana quickly interjected.

“Order Contract?” Xia’er was somewhat puzzled.

Although Xia’er had become an Extraordinary Person, she remained a true novice, knowing little about other terms related to the extraordinary. The term “Order Contract” was completely foreign to her.

“You don’t know?” Aivana blinked, seemingly surprised that Xia’er wasn’t familiar with this term.

In Aivana’s eyes, Xia’er was already a powerful Extraordinary Person, having undergone at least one complete Replication Ritual and successfully assimilating a Potion. She must have been taught or received some formula and inheritance, so basic knowledge like this should be known to her.

What Aivana didn’t know was that Xia’er had only been in contact with the extraordinary for less than twelve hours before becoming an Extraordinary Person herself.

Her curiosity about Xia’er grew, but she patiently began to explain: “An Order Contract allows both parties to sign a mutually recognized pact under the witness of the Order Eye. If either party breaches the contract, they will be punished by the Order Eye. All Extraordinary Persons can use this; if you memorize the prayer, you can draft the contract yourself.”

To ensure Xia’er understood, she added, “The Order Eye is the concrete rune symbol of ‘Absolute Order’ that the Order Association believes in. You can think of it as… a seal?”

“Let me see,” Xia’er released Aivana’s neck and stood up.

Aivana also stood up, and behind her, Xia’er’s shadow loomed ominously, ready to snap her neck if she made any sudden moves.

“Can I have a piece of paper and a pen?” Aivana walked to the dining table and sat down, turning to look at Xia’er, seemingly indifferent to having been ridden earlier.

Xia’er fetched a pen and tore a sheet of paper from a notebook, handing it to Aivana.

Holding the paper and pen, Aivana started writing swiftly.

Her handwriting was elegant and graceful, similar to those of the noble ladies Xia’er had seen in the Academy. Soon, a drafted agreement was placed before Xia’er.

Xia’er glanced over it and understood its contents.

It was essentially a contract.

It listed the names of the contracting parties and the regulations they needed to follow.

For example, Aivana’s part stated that she could not reveal Xia’er’s identity in any form and must keep all secrets Xia’er shared.

On Xia’er’s side, it simply said, “Do not kill Aivana.”

Xia’er’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Change it to ‘harm,’ and add ‘provided life is not threatened,’” Xia’er pointed at the word ‘kill’ and said.

“Sure,” Aivana readily agreed and changed the wording.

She seemed confident that Xia’er wouldn’t kill her, so she wasn’t too worried about changing these terms.

Xia’er thought for a moment, then pointed at the previous words and continued, “Add another clause: do not generate any hostility or negative emotions towards Xia’er.”

“Uh…” Aivana hesitated briefly but ultimately prioritized the truth, nodding and adding the clause.

Xia’er nodded slightly, looking at the contract in her hand.

She must keep any secrets Xia’er disclosed and not generate any hostility towards her.

If this contract really worked, Xia’er would indeed not worry about Aivana betraying her.

However, this contract…

An idea suddenly popped into Xia’er’s mind.

In reality, could this contract be exchanged in the System Marketplace?

Would it still be effective if it were exchanged?