The room returned to silence after their departure.
The attention of the remaining family now shifted to the center table. There, lay a dozen bottles containing Demigod blood emitting a mysterious aura.
Ritalia, who still felt sad being left by her brother, walked towards the table. Childish curiosity took over her. She looked at the 18 bottles containing Kazien's blood with an innocent gaze.
Without asking anyone, Ritalia's small hand took one of the bottles.
"Ritalia, don't you—" shouted Duchess Elara.
Too late. The bottle cap was already opened, and in one gulp, the blood inside was drunk until it was completely gone.
The whole family was shocked. Duke Elgard's eyes almost popped out seeing his adopted daughter's impulsive action.
And what happened next was a momentary nightmare.
Thud!
The empty bottle fell to the floor. Ritalia collapsed, kneeling while clutching her chest. Her face turned bright red, fine veins on her neck bulging.
"Aaaahhhh....!"
A screech of pain came out of her small mouth.
"Ritalia!" Duchess Elara screamed in panic and immediately ran to hug her daughter. "What happened to you?!"
"Mother... it hurts... sob... my body hurts so much! Hot! Aaaahhh...."
Ritalia's moans made the whole room panic. Duke Elgard was confused about what to do because he realized that what his daughter was experiencing was the effect of Kazien's blood.
"Endure, Ritalia! Endure!" whispered Duchess Larina who joined kneeling, wiping the sweat flooding Ritalia's face.
Two minutes passed like two hours. Ritalia writhed in pain as her bones and muscles were forcibly strengthened.
However, slowly, her breathing began to regulate. The pain receded as quickly as it came, replaced by a refreshing warm sensation.
Ritalia panted, her face and body soaked in sweat, but her eyes were wide open and clear.
"Ritalia, are you still in pain?" asked Duchess Larina anxiously while wiping Ritalia's forehead with her handkerchief.
Ritalia shook her head slowly, then looked at her own two hands in amazement.
"N-No, Mother. The pain is gone." she answered softly. "But... it feels strange. My body feels very light, and filled with overflowing power. I feel like I can do anything."
Curious, Ritalia tried to summon mana inside her body. She concentrated, trying to release basic wind magic like Alvin had taught her during the holidays.
Whoosh!
Not just an ordinary gust of wind, but a wind pressure large and strong enough like a mini tornado, spinning at high speed.
"By the Goddess..." muttered Davin.
The magic power became multiplied many times over the capacity of a child her age.
Not only that. Ritalia felt her body was very strong. She stood up, then looked at Duke Elgard. Innocently, she walked towards her adopted father whose body size was twice as big as hers.
"Father, I want to try my physical strength too." she said.
Before the Duke could forbid, Ritalia held Duke Elgard's waist and lifted him high into the air easily!
Duke Elgard floated in the air, his feet not touching the ground.
Duke Elgard and the others stared in horror as well as amazement. Ritalia had done something impossible for an ordinary human to do, let alone a small child like her.
Ritalia lowered her father back down slowly.
"Terrifying potion!" said Duke Elgard, straightening his clothes with a pale face. "Physical and magical strength soared drastically in just minutes. It would be very dangerous if Kazien's blood were used by others!"
"I agree with you, Dear." chimed in Duchess Elara seriously. "This must not be known by outsiders, especially those who are thirsty for strength and power. We must seal our lips about this."
Seeing the concrete evidence before their eyes, Davin and his wife, Karen, immediately approached the table. Without hesitation, they each took one bottle.
"What are you doing, Davin?" exclaimed Duke Elgard.
Davin gripped the bottle tightly. His eyes were full of determination. "I want to drink this potion, Father. I saw the proof on Ritalia. I want to be stronger so I can help Kazien and protect everyone in the future. I don't want to just be a burden when the dungeon appears."
Karen nodded in agreement. "Me too, father."
And then, one by one they took the bottle. Especially William, the eldest son and heir to the Duke title. He took one bottle with a gaze full of responsibility.
"As the future ruler and protector of the territory, it is my obligation to become stronger so I can protect many lives!" said William firmly. "A moment of pain means nothing compared to the safety of the people."
Almost all bottles had changed hands. However, there was one person who remained standing calmly and did not touch the table at all.
And that person was Selena.
Duke Elgard looked at his eldest daughter in surprise. "Selena, why don't you take it too? Aren't you the most protective of your younger siblings?"
Selena smiled faintly, a smile full of mystery and self-confidence.
"Father, I don't need it." answered Selena calmly.
"Why?"
"Because I have made an Eternity contract with Kazien a long time ago." revealed Selena calmly.
Selena raised her hand, showing a faint golden-red contract mark on her palm. "Thanks to that bond, my strength far exceeds that of ordinary humans. I also cannot die even if I commit suicide. Only Kazien is the only human who can take my life. So, there is no point in me drinking his blood again."
Hearing that explanation, Duke Elgard massaged his temples gently. "Ah... that's right. I forgot that you are already bound by an eternity contract with Kazien."
They understood why Selena was so calm.
Seeing the remaining bottles on the table, Duke Elgard sighed deeply. He took the remaining bottles and placed them on a piece of cloth.
With that cloth, Duke Elgard wrapped all the potions and intended to store them.
"Alright. I will keep the rest in our family's heirloom safe. No one is allowed to touch it without my permission!" decided Duke Elgard.
While walking out of the room, Duke Elgard massaged his throbbing temples.
Such a troublesome child! Always giving something dangerous and heart-stopping like this! complained Duke Elgard in his heart, even though his lips curved into a proud smile at his son's concern.