The Warden of The Witches

Chapter 66:

Transfer of Contract

"Great news! This way, the child will have a chance to be released in the future, right?"

in the warden's office, Veronica looked delighted as she gazed at her superior sitting at the desk.

"We've merely created an opportunity for her. whether she can be released smoothly depends on her own fate," Aiden replied, glancing through the documents on his desk. "Firstly, her behavior in prison must be exemplary, and secondly, she needs to plan for her future as soon as possible."

"Future plans?"

"After her release, she needs a plan for how to live. Many inmates lack other job skills and resort to illegal activities. Some long-term prisoners can't adapt to life outside and may even intentionally commit crimes to return. Even if Evangeline sentence is at its shortest, she'll be an adult by the time she's out. She'll have to support herself. Her previous occupation was murder, and I assume you wouldn't want to see her become a murderer again after release, right?" Aiden glanced up at Veronica.

Veronica nodded thoughtfully. Aiden's considerations were far-sighted compared to hers. She only thought about giving Evangeline a chance to rebuild her life after Melusine capture, but Aiden was already thinking about what happens after her release.

(Tn: Meirujinu will be changed to Melusine)

"Thinking about living a normal life, that child has a long way to go. Let's focus on the immediate issues," Aiden said, placing the documents down. "Evangeline has two unusual characteristics that must be addressed: the toxicity in her blood and her shapeshifting ability. Once we resolve these two issues, her danger level will decrease to a point acceptable to the judiciary."

Law enforcement agencies are particularly wary of these two abilities in Evangeline.

Her blood and bodily fluids are highly poisonous. Even if she has no intention to kill, this trait could inadvertently lead to fatalities.

The issue with her shapeshifting ability lies in its criminal potential and the difficulty of monitoring it.

Even sanctioned magic users, recognized by authorities like the investigator from Inquisition Bureau, need the highest qualifications to be allowed to hold similar abilities.

"How does Inmate 3340's proposal address this?" Veronica craned her neck to look at the documents.

The information Aiden had been reviewing was, in fact, the general plan provided by Melusine to treat Evangeline.

"In the plan Melusine provided, the first part involves long-term intake of specific magical drugs to transform her constitution, gradually removing the toxins from her blood. This process will take at least five years," Aiden explained.

"Five years?" Veronica widened her eyes.

"That's already considered short. It took Melusine nearly a decade to transform Evangeline into her current state. Fortunately, Evangeline sentence is long enough, and if I manage to reduce Melusine's sentence, she'll likely be sentenced to life imprisonment. We have enough time. If we successfully eliminate the toxicity in Evangeline's blood, her lifespan can be significantly extended. Melusine's expertise in this area surpasses official medical technology."

"That's great... What about the shapeshifting ability?"

"Well, it seems it needs to be transferred to someone else," Aiden said, glancing at the documents on the table.

"Is that ability transferable?" Veronica was surprised.

"Yes, Evangeline's shapeshifting ability is obtained through a demonic contract, with the cost being the loss of pain sensitivity. Don't think losing pain sensitivity is a good thing; pain is the body's mechanism to sense harm. Evangeline often ends up with severe burns because she can't feel the pain. Also, when she falls ill, she hardly notices until the condition worsens. Additionally, the spiciness people taste in food is also a form of pain sensitivity, which Evangeline completely lacks."

"I see, it's indeed inconvenient," Veronica grasped the situation. "Is there a way to restore it?"

"No, once a demonic contract takes effect, it can't be undone. Demons aren't philanthropists; the cost they demand cannot be refunded unless you offer a higher value. However, as long as the person who paid the cost allows it, the beneficiary of the contract can be changed. Melusine can modify the demonic contract and transfer the shapeshifting ability to someone else," Aiden explained, pausing before adding, "But it's not something anyone can do."

"Why would you say that?"

"In official black magic management, this type of shapeshifting ability has the highest surveillance level, classified as level five. Only individuals with the corresponding qualifications are allowed to possess it." Aiden crossed his arms, contemplating as he spoke. "I plan to use my connections to inquire with the Inquisition Bureau, but I doubt anyone would be willing to accept."

"Why not? Isn't this a windfall?" Veronica was momentarily puzzled.

Listening to Aiden's description, Evangeline had already paid the demonic contract cost, and the person receiving the transferred contract essentially acquired a shapeshifting ability for free.

"According to official regulations, individuals with this level of surveillance on special abilities must report their daily activities to the Inquisition Bureau every three days. Each use of the ability must be reported immediately, and intentionally concealing or not reporting is considered a crime. Moreover, in any case suspected to be related to this ability, cooperation with investigations and evidence collection is mandatory," Aiden explained with a bitter smile. "You see, this treatment is on par with parolees."

"Can't Evangeline acquire the qualifications to possess the ability herself?" Veronica questioned.

"The Inquisition Bureau's regulation is that individuals currently serving sentences cannot obtain qualifications for black magic possession," Aiden shrugged.

If Evangeline doesn't get rid of the shapeshifting ability, it's almost impossible for her to be released early. However, to acquire the qualifications to possess this ability, she would need to be released first, creating an unsolvable contradiction.

Therefore, Evangeline has no choice but to transfer the ability to someone else.

"But what if we can't find someone?" Veronica looked puzzled.

"It's okay; I already have a backup candidate," Aiden reassured.

"Who is it?"

"Me," Aiden calmly replied.

"Huh?"

"I used to be a senior adjudicator at the Inquisition Bureau, and I have level-five surveillance qualifications for black magic possession," Aiden pointed to himself. "Although I'm no longer in the bureau, the qualifications remain. If we can't find anyone, I can apply to transfer Evangeline's ability to me." He paused for a moment and added with a candid expression, "Anyway, it's not really a loss for me."

Aiden was well aware that even in his changed position, he couldn't claim to be entirely safe in this world.

This recent riot was a vivid example, and having an additional ability would be beneficial for him.