Azrean stood completely frozen, eyes wide, unable to blink. The eight glowing symbols continued to spin slowly above his head, casting shifting light across his face. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and from the looks on everyone else's faces, neither could anyone in the room.
'This... can't be real...'
Azrea's hands trembled as she looked at her son, all color drained from her face. Memei stood beside her, pale, one hand pressed tightly over her mouth. Dean hadn't moved at all—his massive frame stiff, jaw locked. Kumi's usual grin was gone without a trace, his expression blank with shock.
Even Invanne didn't look like herself anymore. Her gray eyes were wide—wider than Azrean had ever seen and something unfamiliar sat in them.
The three elders staggered back. The rounder one lost his footing completely and hit the marble floor with a dull thud. Haimen and the stern elder caught themselves against a pillar, breathing unevenly.
"This... this isn't real.. " Haimen's voice shook. "It has to be an illusion or a dream..."
Azrea took a step forward, unsteady. But Dean's hand came down on her shoulder, firm and grounding, stopping her before she could go any further.
"Sir Haimen," Dean said, his voice low and steady despite everything.
"Check it again. There has to be a mistake."
The elders slowly pulled themselves back together, though none of them looked steady.
"The Goddess does not make mistakes…" the stern one whispered, his voice tight. "But this… what is this supposed to be…?"
Haimen pushed himself upright, face pale, eyes shaken.
"He might be cursed by some type of devil… He should be killed."
Sumi's eyes flew wide open. Without thinking she lunged forward, grabbed Azrean's arm, and pulled him back toward her protectively.
Azrean looked back at her, completely speechless, mouth slightly open but no words coming out.
The rounder elder rushed forward and grabbed Haimen by the shoulder, shaking him.
"Have you lost your mind?!" he snapped. "If that were true, he wouldn't have even stepped inside this place!"
Haimen blinked, the words hitting him. His shoulders sagged slightly as he dragged both hands down his face.
"You're right…" he muttered. "I spoke without thinking."
He lowered his hands and looked at them again, still shaken.
"These two children… they possess multiple magic aptitudes. Having two has appeared before. It's extremely rare, but possible. But having all eight… that is impossible. Something like this has never happened in recorded history."
He sank onto the nearest bench, the weight of it all finally catching up to him. Both hands covered his face. Silence stretched. Then, quietly—
"How can this be possible? Only the one who blessed the world with magic should have all the aptitudes. And he's just a child of a duke... not even a god. I'm so confused… I don't know what to say."
Sumi swallowed, her grip on Azrean tightening slightly.
"But… isn't that a good thing?" she said softly. "Having all eigh—"
"Sumi!" Kumi's voice cracked through the room, sharp and loud.
She flinched hard, her whole body jerking. Her eyes snapped toward him, fear flashing across her face.
Kumi froze. The moment the sound left his mouth, regret followed. His expression tightened, and he looked away slightly.
Sumi held his gaze for a second longer… then slowly lowered her head, eyes dropping to the floor.
The room fell quiet again. Haimen stood up once more, though his movements were slower and unsteady now. He raised one hand, fingers trembling just slightly.
"Bring… the promise scroll."
Dean swallowed, his throat tight, voice coming out low and rough.
"Promise scroll…"
Invanne slowly stepped forward and spoke in a small voice.
"Are they… going to make Lord Azrean promise?"
Azrea's legs suddenly gave out beneath her. She dropped to her knees, the impact soft against the marble, tears already spilling down her cheeks.
The elders moved without delay. From behind the basin, they brought out a massive scroll—ancient parchment bound in heavy silver. Faint runes glowed along its edges, pulsing softly. Two of them carefully unrolled it across the floor in front of Azrean. The parchment stretched wide, nearly spanning the entire room.
Haimen gestured toward it.
"Come here, child."
Azrean slowly walked forward. Each step felt heavy. He stopped at the edge of the glowing scroll, staring at it.
Haimen spoke, his voice firm, though the weight in it hadn't faded.
"Make this promise. You will never reveal your true magic aptitude to anyone. You will choose only one to show the world. The rest… must remain hidden. You will never use them. You will never let anyone know they exist."
Azrea's breath hitched behind him. Tears kept falling, one after another. Azrean looked down at the scroll. Then he turned his head slightly, looking at his mother. Finally… he nodded.
"I promise."
Haimen watched him for a moment, eyes searching.
"It's for your own sake." His gaze shifted toward Invanne.
"If you do not wish to become nothing more than a weapon… then keep this promise. If you break it, divine punishment will follow."
Azrean lowered his eyes again and gave a small nod. "Okay."
Haimen exhaled, rubbing his forehead and said.
"You may all leave. I need time to study this. I have never encountered anything like it."
He turned, then paused for a brief second. His eyes moved to Sumi.
"You… have a bright future ahead of you, little one."
Then he walked away. The other two elders followed, their steps quieter and heavier than before. When they were gone, the room fell into silence.
Sumi stood where she was, staring at Azrean's back without moving. Memei and Kumi stepped closer to her slowly. She looked up at Kumi, her voice small and unsteady.
"I'm sorry…"
Kumi didn't hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "It's fine."
Azrea rushed forward the next second, wrapping her arms around Azrean, holding him close.
Dean stepped up beside them, placing his large, steady hand on his son's shoulder.
"Son… don't worry. You'll be fine."
Azrean lowered his head, staring at the floor.
"No… Dad…" His voice came out quiet. "You told me before… people who have to make promises on that scroll… they're either criminals… or devils."
Azrea shook her head quickly, tears falling harder.
"That's not true. That's not true at all. You only had to do it because none of this is your fault. No one expected that something like this would have happened."
Dean turned slightly, his voice firm again.
"Invanne. Prepare the carriage."
Invanne nodded once and left without a word. Azrean looked up at his father, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Dad… I'm sorry."
Dean let out a quiet breath, then gave a small, tired smile. He reached down and tapped Azrean's back gently.
"Why are you apologizing for something that isn't your fault?"
He straightened, his tone softening just a little.
"You should be happy. You inherited magic from both your mother and me." He glanced toward the exit. "Tonight, we'll hold a celebration."
"So… let's go home."