The two waited for a long time at the edge of the bustling hall, like sparrows misplaced at a magnificent ball, completely out of place amidst the dazzling surroundings.
It wasn't until a peak wave of people, composed of several richly dressed Elves and their powerful Contracted Spirits, passed that they finally gathered the courage to approach a temporarily vacant reception desk.
Behind the desk stood a female Elf Receptionist wearing a crisp platinum uniform, possessing long, pointed ears and a pleasant appearance.
She wore an impeccable professional smile, as if she had undergone the strictest etiquette training.
But when her gaze quickly swept over A Mi’s somewhat ethereal Spirit Body with faint energy fluctuations, and Xiao Ye’s faded, even patched, old clothes, that perfect smile stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment.
The corners of her mouth seemed to turn down ever so slightly, and an extremely faint 'tsk' sound, almost drowned out by the hall's background noise, escaped her lips, carrying a mixed feeling of helplessness and mild disdain.
However, years of professionalism allowed her to immediately cover up this minor lapse.
She stepped forward and asked in a tone that was sweet yet carried a hint of formulaic distance, "Good day, esteemed Contractors. How may I assist you?"
Her gaze lingered primarily on A Mi, clearly assuming the Contracted Spirit was the main party requiring communication and service.
As for the Spirit Master beside him, who looked timid and unnaturally small, she did not believe she could comprehend the complex Rules of the Contract Hall.
Xiao Ye nervously clutched the corner of her clothes, her fingers turning slightly white from the tension.
Sensing her unease, A Mi stepped forward, using his body to slightly shield them from the faint, scrutinizing looks, and spoke calmly.
"We wish to understand how to advance the Contracted Spirit's Level, and the basic operational methods here."
"Certainly." The Receptionist maintained her flawless smile and began explaining fluently, speaking slightly quickly, as if this standard script had been repeated thousands of times, practiced to the point of being almost devoid of emotion.
"The Contract Hall primarily provides the following services for all Contractors: Firstly, the Commission Area,"
She gestured toward one side of the hall, where scrolls emitting a faint glow and Light Screens constantly displaying information were hung, but the number of people observing or accepting them was sparse, contrasting with the busyness of other areas in the hall.
"Commissions posted by the City Hall or individuals are released here; upon completion, you will receive the corresponding Bounty."
"However,"
She shifted her tone, with an almost imperceptible understatement, as if stating the most obvious fact.
"The quantity of such Commissions is limited, and the rewards are usually... not high."
She deliberately paused slightly on the word "not high," her gaze sweeping over Xiao Ye fleetingly.
"After all, routine city matters, security maintenance, monster Clean up, and similar tasks are mostly handled casually by local Contractors; there are rarely 'difficult problems' that warrant posting high rewards."
...The implication was that relying on completing tasks to get rich, especially for novices like them, was almost unrealistic.
Xiao Ye, whose eyes had been bright as if seeing hope, instantly dimmed, like a Candle Flame blown out by the wind.
But quickly, she secretly clenched her small fists and rallied herself.
They couldn't earn big money... but at least there were Commissions!
Thinking back to the difficult days of scavenging discarded items and selling cheap herbs from the woods for a few copper coins, the rewards for tasks at the Contract Hall, no matter how low, couldn't possibly be worse than that, right?
Although the thought was somewhat mercenary, it truly concerned their livelihood moving forward.
Of course, the Elf Receptionist clearly did not care about the minor struggles and comparisons happening inside the poor Spirit Master's heart.
"The more core function of the Hall is to provide comprehensive resource support for Spirit Masters."
Her voice rose slightly, now carrying a hint of enthusiasm geared toward guiding consumption.
"We offer sales of various conventional Sacrifices and Mediums to assist with your next summoning; there are also services for the Transfer and appraisal of summoned Art Tools;
We can even customize exclusive Medium items to increase the probability of summoning specific types of Contracted Spirits; as well as consultation services related to Contracted Spirit Level breakthroughs and Skill enhancements..."
She listed the services as if recounting treasures, every sentence seeming to hint at the considerable expense required behind them, like invisible thresholds.
"Of course," she seemed to suddenly recall the situation of the two before her, glancing at the Spirit Master's ragged clothes—so out of place in the Hall—with a knowing 'meaning.'
"The Training Ground is open to all registered Contractors free of charge; it is the most fundamental and direct infrastructure for advancing a Contracted Spirit's Level and gaining combat experience."
A Mi and Xiao Ye exchanged a look, seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.
Their goal was clear and simple—to overcome all difficulties, upgrade A Mi, gain the most basic self-preservation ability, and survive first in the World of Contracts.
"We want to go to the Training Ground," A Mi stated directly, his tone showing no hesitation.
The standard smile on the Receptionist's face did not change; she continued in her sweet but impersonal voice, "The Training Ground is divided into Level One, Intermediate, and Advanced tiers, simulating different environments and enemy types to effectively accelerate the growth of Contracted Spirits.
The maximum Level for a Contracted Spirit is eighty, and every Level increase brings growth to the base attributes."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over A Mi again, carrying a hint of advice that seemed concerned but was actually meant as 'for your own good.'
"However, in your current... newly summoned, Level One state, even entering the Beginner Training Ground might present some difficulties, resulting in low efficiency and carrying a certain risk."
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing some inside information.
"Our Hall recommends that newly contracted Spirit Masters consider purchasing a 'Potential Activation Potion,' which can temporarily boost a newly summoned Contracted Spirit by 2-5 Levels for a short period.
Although the Level will revert after the effect wears off, the experience gained during that time will be fully retained. This can greatly improve the initial training experience, avoid... frustration, and allow you to see results faster."
She then skillfully recited the names and prices of several Potions...
Even the price of the cheapest and shortest-acting one, the "Level One Potential Potion," made Xiao Ye’s face pale; she instinctively lowered her head to touch her empty pockets, unable to find even a single copper coin.
"We... we don't have any money." Xiao Ye's voice was as faint as a mosquito's whine; her head sank lower, almost retracting into her neck, her ears burning red with shame and embarrassment.
A Mi gently patted her thin shoulder, signaling her not to worry about it, then said calmly and firmly to the Receptionist, "Thank you for the introduction; we have decided to go directly to the Beginner Training Ground."
The professional smile on the Receptionist's face did not change at all, as if she had long anticipated this outcome, though the meaning beneath the smile seemed even fainter, almost approaching transparent politeness.
"Very well, as you wish. The entrance to the Beginner Training Ground is at the end of the corridor on the left. I wish you successful training."
She pointed the way with her finger, her movement standard and elegant, like a programmed Magic Puppet.
She stopped looking at them and quickly shifted her attention to another richly dressed Dwarf Spirit Master who had just walked up, a bulging coin purse hanging at his waist, her face instantly blooming with a more genuine and enthusiastic smile.
"Don't worry about it, let's keep moving forward," A Mi said, taking Xiao Ye's hand and turning toward the deep corridor.
At the end of the corridor stood a massive 'door' made of energy, constantly fluctuating like a water curtain.
That was the entrance to the Beginner Training Ground.
Countless Contracted Spirits and their Spirit Masters were continuously passing through the half-open 'door crack,' their figures disappearing into the Light Screen.
The clang of clashing weapons, the roar of exploding spells, and the cries of unknown creatures could vaguely be heard from inside the door, and an Aura mixed with energy and fighting spirit washed over them.
Xiao Ye looked at the busy and oppressive entrance, then thought of herself being penniless, unable to even provide A Mi with the most basic Potion, and her eyes filled with guilt and anxiety.
"I'm sorry, Mr. A Mi... I can't help with anything..."
A Mi stopped walking, looked at her drooping little head and tightly pursed lips, and showed a gentle and reassuring smile, reaching out to lightly stroke the soft black hair and Down Feather on top of her head.
"It's alright," his voice was steady and full of Strength.
"We will definitely manage. As long as we are careful and take steady steps, finding a few weaker opponents first, we will gain something. Don't forget, we are Contract Partners."
His words were like a warm breeze, dispelling some of the gloom in Xiao Ye's heart.
She raised her head, met A Mi's determined gaze, nodded vigorously, and renewed her fighting spirit.
The two no longer hesitated, stepping side-by-side through that Bizarre and Fantastic energy door, heading toward their Trial Ground, full of unknowns and challenges.