BXBX NOVEL Chapter 163 I Don’t Have Any Entanglements
Without delaying any further, Alicia and Collins engaged in a mana oath.
Fred, who stood as the witness, drew a small array in the air using a pale green mana. After finishing the array Alicia and Collins both touched the tip of the array and let their mana flow, fully lighting up the pale green array, making it glow into deep green.
Mana oath is a common way to carry out vows between two parties.
It requires less mana to the both parties and also the backlash is not as deadly as an oath overseen by the Guardians, like the oath of secrecy.
The backlash for the breaching of the oath would be decided by both parties. It could be any kind of stipulation other than the death of either parties or anyone related to them.
"I look forward to our cooperation." Collins held out his hands towards Alicia. In his palm, a miniature mark of the same array that Fred has drawn earlier.
"The task is hard, but of course, I'll do my best." Alicia gave a prudent smile as she shook Collins' hands, her palms also containing the same mark as the array earlier.
The moment they broke their handshake, the marks had already disappeared. Seemingly absorbed by their palms.
Collins and Fred politely sent Alicia to her family carriage, as she still had to report for her lecture in a few hours.
As all these were happening, Eli had long finished her lecture and already rushed back to the Farauld estate carrying Little Han in her arms.
"Kyaaaa!" Little Han, upon seeing Eli come back from the institute, became excessively excited.
In Aquilla's hands, he wiggled his chubby limbs and displayed his toothless gums in a wide heart melting smile, while his crystal blue eyes would capture all the people in the Farauld Estate in a daze.
As soon as he could determine that Eli was already near, he leaned his body forward while excitedly kicking his little legs and stretched out his wobbly arms.
Eli then reached out lovingly and hug him warmly in her embrace.
Little Han would giggle so happily and would try to reach his mommy's face with his little palms, then he would lean with his face nudging against hers.
Aquila, Janine, Grandpa Ben and Grandma Myrna, who were having an afternoon tea time in the living room, couldn't help but smile warmly upon watching the mother and son's interaction.
"Sigh… It's really a joy seeing a little one in the house." Grandpa Myrna smiled from ear to ear as she sipped her tea.
"I wonder when our sons will go back from their missions? They have to give birth to more children so that Little Han, Estella and the others would have more playmates!" Aquila lamented while Janine also nodded.
Both of them think that the Farauld Estate should have more children around. After Little Han, they felt that they couldn't have enough.
"Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Mami, I couldn't thank you enough for always looking after Little Han." Eli joined the elder's conversation with a grateful expression on her face.
"Don't mind! As I have always told you, it is really a joy to have Little Han with us, old folks!" Grandpa Ben replied with a happy smile.
"Besides, Dad has been in a good mood upon knowing the great progress you are making for the research branch! Sigh, I have been the dean for several years in that eccentric branch and had no idea how to make those people be obedient… I am really grateful that you are here with us, even helping the research branch get back on their feet!" Janine replied as she looked at Eli with a bright smile and a tone of approval.
"I'll do my best to help, we are family." Eli answered with a genuine smile. In the past few months, Eli's interaction with the two families became deeper and deeper.
She no longer felt like an outsider nor a benefactor, but a legitimate part of their family. So she didn't think that she was giving a favor to Janine and Grandpa Ben for taking the tricky position in the Farauld Magic Institute.
Instead she viewed it as something naturally should do as part of the family.
This was also the same with the Forgeworns.
If Eli's weekdays were spent on the matters of the Faraulds, the weekends was the time for Eli to interact with the members of the Forgeworn family.
She didn't hold back in sharing her business strategy to her god siblings and other members of the family.
It didn't take a long time before Eli's little cottage became a place for the Forgeworn's second and third generations to spend their afternoon tea and the plushie playground to be the mini kindergarten.
While the parents are busy discussing their concerns to Eli, the Forgeworn children would join Baobao and Wisey to be Little Han's babysitters.
Although it may seem that Eli was giving so much for the Faraulds and Forgeworns, Eli fully knew what kind of dangers and complications the two families faced everyday just by simply being connected to her.
Everyone could guess that Eli, as the Great Inventor, had a deep connection with the two legendary families because it was only through them would her works emerge.
Because of this, although the two families aren't saying anything, Eli knows that they are constantly being exposed to pressure by interested forces in disclosing her identity, either subtly or directly.
That's why Eli didn't let her guard down. As she built her reputation, she was also slowly building her own strength.
With the Blade's arrangement, she would have scheduled training sessions under their careful guidance. Soon Eli could already hold for an hour against five armed men, alone. With Baobao and Wisey's assistance, she would take on a dozen!
Even the Blades couldn't help but feel shocked! Their Madame was really talented, she could learn combat skills that fast!
As for her casting abilities, Leon strictly forbade her to attempt to practice such. After uttering blessings to the entire Crimson Blades, Leon confirmed Eli's aptitude before he went to his mission.
After determining that Eli had really opened up her second path, Leon gravely advised her to keep her second path hidden until he came back. Of course, Eli obediently complied.
Even after staying in Prasinos for so long, Eli's opinion for having an open path was still full of reservation. This constitution is a hot potato for her. So she actually wasn't eager to use her caster ability.
Yes, she would have more weapons on her sleeves but that would bring her more disasters than safety instead!
For now she only concentrated on increasing her chances of protecting herself through the means that are within her abilities and of course, do her very best to raise Little Han lovingly!
Eli couldn't help but feel a sweet sensation of happiness as she looked at hers and Little Han's daily lives.
The only one thing that would make their happiness complete was the presence of Leon.
That night, Eli was humming a melodic lullaby tune to coax Little Han to sleep. These days Little Han has been having a hard time going to sleep as he was already suffering discomfort due to teething.
Everyday, Eli examines Little Han's gums and she could already faintly see two little white lines slowly emerging from his lower gum.
She discovered that Little Han would have an easier time sleeping whenever he hears music. So she could only hum nightly in order to ensure Little Han would have a good sleep quality.
Finally seeing Little Han asleep, Eli let out a warm smile and gently placed him beside her.
She finds it convenient to let Little Han sleep beside her instead of his cradle since it would take her a lot of time to stand up and go to him whenever he wakes in the middle of the night.
Of course, she wouldn't mind it if Leon was there, as he moves so fast that he would already be on Little Han's side whenever he hears even a little rustle from his cradle. But now, she could only rely on herself.
Just as she was about to ready herself for sleep, she felt her communication stone vibrate.
Her eyes showed surprise, as she felt that it had been so long since she had heard the voice of the caller. Without delay, she answered in a gentle and soft tone, so as to not startle Little Han beside her.
"Leon."
"Eli.." The voice on the other side was like a bass note of a cello, low and striking, tugging Eli's heartstrings, causing waves of ripples in her heart.
"Is Little Han asleep?" As if sensing Eli's unusual volume, Leon guessed what Eli had been up to.
"Hmm.. I just finished coaxing him to sleep..." Eli replied with a faint smile on her face. She couldn't help but feel moved on Leon's asking of Little Han. Leon indeed is a good father.
"That's good…" Leon replied gently, also having a faint smile on his ever expressionless face.
"It's late. Are you out in the wilderness? Do you have a place to sleep? Are you eating well? Are you doing well in taking care of yourself?" Eli took the initiative to inquire about Leon's well-being.
"I am staying in the village right now, do not worry. I am eating well and sleeping well these days." Leon answered like an obedient husband.
Clearly sensing Eli's worry through the tone of her voice, Leon also added with a tinge of pride, "Rest assured, I have been good… I didn't have any entanglements with other women either!"