Following Kazien's instructions, Allen stepped back, moving about two meters away from the dining table. He looked for a spacious enough spot among the furniture in the dining room. Once he felt his position was right, he stood tall, looking at Kazien's face, which now appeared serious and authoritative.
Allen smiled faintly, a smile of surrender and full trust, before finally closing his eyes slowly. He regulated his breathing to calm his still-thundering heartbeat.
Once Allen was in position and ready, Kazien extended his right hand forward, his palm open facing his cousin's chest. Without wasting time, the mana around Kazien's body began to turbulent, and he immediately commenced the ritual of the eternal contract. His voice sounded heavy and echoing, as if it wasn't just his own voice speaking, but supported by a power that was not of human origin.
"O soul whom I have chosen, I am Kazien Altavis! If you acknowledge me, answer my call, come to me with a sincere heart without regret or betrayal! If you are willing, tell me your name!"
Kazien's voice vibrated through the air in the dining room. Allen, with eyes still closed, felt the call touch his deepest soul. Without a shred of hesitation, he answered loudly.
"Allenzi Altavis!"
Right after Allen spoke his full name, a magical phenomenon occurred. Elisa, watching with bated breath, could clearly see an intricate magic circle glowing golden yellow appear right beneath Kazien's feet, while another similar magic circle appeared beneath her son's feet.
However, the miracle didn't stop there. Suddenly, specks of reddish-golden light appeared. The light was so beautiful, dancing and flying around Kazien's body for a moment before shooting off, gliding toward Allen like a small comet, as if pulled by an invisible magnet right after he mentioned his name.
The reddish-golden light flew swirling around Allen's right hand which was by his side. Slowly but surely, the light began to condense and approach the back of Allen's right hand.
Elisa stared seriously from her seat, her unblinking eyes watching intently as the reddish-golden light began to touch her son's skin. She witnessed how the magic worked.
And then, the light attached itself completely to the back of Allen's right hand. For a moment, the light shone blindingly bright, before finally dimming and leaving a permanent mark. An intricate and artistic unique symbol was perfectly engraved on the back of his right hand, as if the symbol had been there since he was born.
"It's done!" said Kazien while lowering his hand, and the magic circles at their feet faded. "Look at the back of your hand."
Allen opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he did was lift his right hand. His eyes widened in amazement as he saw the unique reddish-golden symbol beautifully engraved there. The skin around the symbol felt warm, not a burning heat, but a comforting warmth.
So this is what it feels like to form an eternal contract with Kazien? Allen thought in amazement.
Not just a physical mark, Allen felt something else. There was an invisible connecting thread now woven between them.
I can feel his presence... so close, as if he is inside me, Allen thought. And... I can also know his feelings right now.
Allen looked at Kazien. Through that bond, Kazien's emotions flowed to him like river water. Right now, he is feeling shocked, in a heavy dilemma, but at the same time... there is a sincere happiness.
Allen looked at Kazien's handsome face in front of him with a gentle smile. At least that is enough! He didn't accept me forcefully. If he feels happy after accepting me, that is more than everything. And in the future, I will marry him and officially be his forever. I am so happy!
The joy overflowed until he couldn't contain it. Allen immediately trotted over to his mother, showing the back of his hand with a proud and happy expression.
"Mother, look at this unique symbol! He and I are already bound by an eternal contract! That means I will live forever with Kazien. You will bless our relationship, right?"
Elisa fell silent. Her eyes were fixed on the unique reddish-golden symbol engraved on her son's skin. She could feel the remnant of strong and majestic mana radiating from the symbol. It wasn't ordinary magic. It was high-level magic that was difficult even for a Guild Master's logic to comprehend.
Her gaze was filled with disbelief. She was still shocked by the real sight in front of her.
My son... has really become an immortal human? Elisa thought, shaken. This is like a dream! I never expected my nephew could turn someone immortal as easily as turning the palm of a hand.
Elisa looked at Allen's face. The blush of happiness radiating from her son's face was so real, something she rarely saw lately.
It seems I indeed have to bless their relationship. The wheat flour has become bread, and the bread turned out to be delicious for my child. He looks very happy after forming an eternal contract with my nephew.
Elisa sighed deeply, a resigned yet sincere smile finally etched on her lips.
"As I said before, since you have proven it... I bless your relationship!"
Hearing those sacred words, a heavy burden seemed to be lifted from their shoulders. Kazien smiled in relief after hearing his aunt's words. Meanwhile, Alvin and Allen smiled happily after hearing the answer from the beautiful woman with long purple hair.
"However..." Elisa added suddenly with a much more serious tone.
Instantly, the smiles on their faces vanished. The expressions of the three of them turned tense again. None of them dared to speak or interrupt. As if time had stopped turning in that room, waiting for the next verdict.
They looked at Elisa warily and eagerly awaited her to continue her sentence.
Elisa looked at Kazien straight on. "However, I must speak with my brother about this relationship of yours! I cannot hide something this big from him."
Gasp!
Kazien's face instantly turned pale. He who was gallant during the ritual now looked shrunk. Kazien was shocked by his aunt's words. His body started to feel hot and cold remembering what would happen to him for having someone else besides Alvin.
My father will definitely be furious with me. Kazien thought in horror. The image of his father's stern face appeared in his mind. Not only will he be angry. My mother and older siblings will also be angry with me because I am considered unfaithful to Alvin.
Elisa, who knew her brother's nature and also saw the change in her nephew's face, realized that Kazien was frightened.
"Are you afraid of being scolded by your family?" Elisa asked investigatingly.
Kazien couldn't lie. He swallowed and nodded slightly, exactly like a little child caught being naughty.
Elisa shook her head firmly. She walked over and patted Kazien's shoulder.
"You must be a brave man. Because you dared to act, you must also dare to take responsibility! Don't be a cowardly man, Kazien!"
Elisa's words struck his heart. Instantly, a past memory flashed. He remembered his mother's words who had said something similar in the past.
My aunt is right! I must not be a cowardly man and must admit everything to my family.
Slowly, the fear was replaced by courage. His determination was set. Kazien lifted his face and looked at his aunt's beautiful face with full conviction.
"I am ready!" said Kazien loudly. "After my business with the woman named Marina is finished at the academy, we will go to the Altavis territory with the assassins! I will face Father and explain everything."
Elisa smiled satisfied seeing her nephew's change of attitude.
"Good! That is the answer I wanted to hear from you. Now, hurry up and have breakfast so you aren't late for the academy! The food will get cold."
The tense atmosphere finally melted completely. The three of them walked to the dining table and sat in their respective chairs.
But this time, their seating formation changed. Kazien sat in the middle chair, while Alvin sat on his right side and Allen sat on his left side. A position that depicted their new status.
Allen felt his heart so light. He was very happy because his relationship with Kazien had been blessed and he now had an eternal bond with the man he loved. He looked at his mother with sparkling eyes.
"Mother, thank you for blessing our relationship. I love you!" exclaimed Allen full of happiness.