The X Guide-Chapter 129: Urgent

Ayen also hummed, indicating his agreement. He watched as Devion’s face became serious and a red hue flickered in his eyes. He cupped Ayen’s and Aegi’s joined hands together. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He did not know what the principles of the contract were, and Ayen could not sense or feel anything. Ayen watched closely, despite having no idea of what Devion was doing or anything.

As he said, he trusted them enough now that they would not harm him.

Seconds, then a minute, had passed. Suddenly, Ayen almost flinched and pulled his hand away when something came out at the back of his hand.

Looking closely, it was a drop of blood. It moved and circled in midair. Ayen’s mouth parted slightly. He wondered how Devion did it when he did not feel any pain, and there was no wound either.

Ayen glanced at Devion’s face, and he still had that solemn expression, and his gaze was almost blank.

"Ah!" Aegi exclaimed, blinking in surprise. Ayen turned to him and saw that a drop of blood floated in midair.

The difference was that it came off the child’s glabella instead.

"Quiet," Khal mumbled. "Concentrate," he instructed.

His expression was serious. Ayen also calmed himself. This might be the most critical stage of the contract process. Aegi also covered his lips with his other hand, afraid to disturb Devion and be punished for it.

Their blood then mixed midair, Ayen’s enveloping the child’s blood. Suddenly, his heart throbbed as though a connection reached out to him.

"Accept it," Khal glanced at Ayen and assured. "It’s okay. It’s the contract."

Ayen blinked and did not hesitate any longer and accepted it inside his mind. He actually did not know how to do it, and he only let his instincts guide him.

Aegi’s eyes widened, and he covered his mouth tightly. Ayen knew he felt something, too, but was too scared to say something.

Actually, the child only felt a sudden sting in his forehead, but it was gone too quickly. However, it was not too painful. While the two felt nothing from this sudden connection.

Khal was seeing something else. Devion’s back was already drenched with sweat, and his mana went chaotic for a second. He stood up immediately and supported Devion’s back.

Ayen could not help but turn to him.

"It’s fine. Just continue. I’m here to protect you both." Khal activated his ability, and the surrounding area instantly became cold.

Devion’s body was heating up, and he needed to lower the temperature.

The reason Ayen, especially Aegi, was not feeling anything was because of Devion. He was not only facilitating the contract process but also shouldering these costs from them.

The blood spun and continued to merge. The connection that Ayen was feeling became intense. Aegi’s emotions were also stirred. He was still a child and did not have an extensive vocabulary to explain.

He only knew that his impression of Ayen was becoming better and that he was treating Ayen as one of the closest to him. It was strange, but he was not resistant to it either.

Aegi was merely confused.

The temperature continued to drop, but it was mainly concentrated around Devion, and Ayen was not too affected. It was also purposely done by Khal.

Otherwise, a breath of the intense cold air was enough to make Ayen freeze into an ice block. That was the temperature that Devion needed right now.

Khal could not even blame Devion for shouldering all the consequences himself, since Ayen was involved. This also showed Devion’s trust in him. That no matter how reckless he could be, Khal was there to save the fall.

The blend of the blood became more perfect, and a golden hue could even be seen on its surface. Unfortunately, only Ayen could notice it at this point.

He assumed it had something to do with the contract and thought nothing of it. Khal was busy stabilizing Devion’s temperature, and the latter was completing the contract.

This took about ten minutes. Slowly, the blood, which had been completely merged, was cut into two pieces. The smaller one floated and entered the child’s glabella while the larger portion entered the back of Ayen’s hand again.

A circle tattoo flickered in Ayen’s hand before it dimmed and disappeared under his skin. The same happened with Aegi.

Aegi touched his forehead, confused as he felt its warmth, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He then looked at Ayen, and his wariness completely left him.

That was also a terrifying aspect of the contract. Despite not having an obvious effect on personality, the effect was stronger.

The moment that the contract had succeeded, Devion’s blank pupils with a red hue returned to the original color as he gasped for breath.

His knees also weakened, and he subconsciously let his body lean backwards. And as always, Khal was there to catch him. Devion’s body was quickly enveloped in a somewhat cold embrace.

He was not uncomfortable in the slightest and let his weight fall completely.

"Good work," Khal whispered and kissed the back of his head.

Devion curled his lips and then met Ayen’s eyes. He actually felt weak all over. He felt like all of his mana was spent. This had not happened before.

He assumed because Aegi, the anomaly, was special. But it could also be because of Ayen. Ayen was more special than Aegi, after all.

Without Devion saying anything, Aegi let go of Aegi’s hand and threw himself in Devion’s embrace. Now, Devion was the one being sandwiched by both Khal and Ayen.

Ayen’s body was warm, while Khal had a hint of chill. Devion sighed and reached out to wrap his arms around Ayen.

"Guide me?" Devion was not one to initiate guiding sessions. But he thought he needed it.

Seriously needed it. Khal also let out a chuckle.

"Me too," he gasped and tightly held Devion while his other hand stroked Ayen’s hair. "I’m exhausted."

This was the first time that Khal had admitted this. It was weird since they did not fight, but the exhaustion was more intense.

Ayen grew concerned. Of course, he did not immediately go on with the guiding session. He did not forget that there was a child with them. He withdrew slightly and turned to Aegi.

"Can you let us enter that world again, but with our bodies?"

He was in no hurry to leave, especially as his espers needed urgent guiding.