CH372 Exchanging Wedding Trinkets II

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At the current iteration of the Access Gems, OmniRune would neither inform the ladies of its available functions nor create new ones to suit their needs as it often did for Alex.

Alex had hoped to also grant them OmniRune's Spellcasting Support ability, but that portion of the access formation refused to work.

He theorised that the spellcasting support—and several other advanced OmniRune functions—were likely bound to his unique Rune-Tech path, and his so-called Runemaster Class.

Since the women did not walk the same path, the formation simply could not integrate those aspects for them.

Still, Alex was satisfied. It was a good starting point—a tangible bridge between him and the people he cherished.

Meanwhile, the three women were overwhelmed. They quickly realised that Alex hadn't just given them a customary marriage token, but a part of himself—his creation, his legacy... and his trust.

Even so, this was neither the time nor place to draw attention to the true value of what they had received. They merely smiled and composed themselves, determined to keep that secret between them.

In turn, the women presented Alex with their own gifts.

Udara stepped forward first and handed Alex a box containing a short rod—something that looked remarkably like an athletic relay baton.

The moment his fingers brushed against it, Alex sensed the energy flowing through the weapon. It was a peak Tier III artefact, or rather a pseudo-Saint weapon.

Inside the box, nestled beside the rod, was a folded introduction leaflet detailing its properties.

The unnamed weapon was forged from a rare alchemical material— one formed from the fusion of Dragon bones with enchanted metals through an intricate alchemical smelting process.

"Schwa!"

Alex took hold of the weapon and it suddenly pulsed, drawing in some of his mana. In his hands, it extended into a full metre-long rod.

According to the leaflet, it could stretch from its hundred centimetres base length up to two metres. More impressively, its form could adapt based on how mana was channelled through it—allowing both blunt and sharp strikes as intended by its wielder.

Such usage reminded Alex strongly of the Dragon Kumite.

Essentially, the weapon could serve as a baton, dagger, sword, staff—and even a wand.

Its very theme was versatility, a mirror of the Dragon Kumite itself.

'…Fitting,' Alex mused.

He was certain this weapon had been arranged by either Merlin or his father. Merlin had undoubtedly provided the materials and the crafting notes, while Drake likely funded its crafting— because, knowing Merlin, he definitely wouldn't have paid for it himself.

Alex accepted the baton readily; it solved any need he might have had for a weapon in the short term.

From Eleanor, he received a box containing another pseudo-Saint artefact: the Shadow Walker Cloak.

The cloak enhanced the wearer's affinity with Darkness, making dark-based abilities, spells, and techniques—up to Grade 9 spells (Grand Mage level) and Tier IV battle techniques (Saint techniques)—easier to use.

Yet, the cloak was not Eleanor's only gift. Hidden beneath it lay a Second Chance Potion—a rare potion said to be capable of healing any injury in those below Sainthood.

For a non-Saint, it could fully restore the body, effectively granting a second life.

Even Saints would find it remarkably effective

Such a potion was a treasure anyone would covet, as it was one that was only ever truly useless at the legendary level and above –individuals who had shed their mortal frames to become beings of energy itself.

Its potency meant that revealing its existence could place Alex in danger, which explained why Eleanor had hidden it beneath the cloak.

Alex suspected the Shadow Walker Cloak was Eleanor's own thoughtful gift, while the Second Chance Potion was likely gifted to her by someone else—most plausibly Prince Caesar.

Among those present, only Drake, Merlin, or All Might else could have provided such a potion, but they would likely have given it directly to him due to its value. This made Caesar the most probable source for the potion, helping Eleanor provide a gift worthy of a member of the Imperial Clan.

Finally, there was Zora's gift.

Her box contained a Magic Rune Pen.

At first glance, the pen seemed ordinary, indistinguishable from a mundane writing instrument. That is, unless one noticed it emitted no item aura, making it impossible to determine its tier or power.

This was not something a low-level Rune Pen—or indeed, most magical items, could do. It indicated the pen was far from ordinary.

Yet no matter how Alex probed, the pen revealed nothing.

It became evident that, just as Alex had gifted Zora something symbolic of his view of her—the Ice Empress—she had returned something equally symbolic of her view of him: an enigma.

"With the gifts exchanged, let this union be formed," Prince Caesar spoke suddenly. "Do you bear witness?" he asked the assembled audience.

"We bear witness," the audience replied in unison.

"Then this union has been established before man, with providence." Prince Caesar continued. He turned solemnly to Alex and the brides. "Your Harmon has begun and will last for five years, as per your prior agreement. Do you understand?"

"Yes," the four of them nodded.

The Harmon referred to a grace period following the exchange of marriage vows and trinkets. Its length and conditions were agreed upon individually by the partners, often influenced by the nature of the marriage—arranged or otherwise.

During this Harmon period, either partner, provided they had a reasonable and valid reason, could unilaterally void the union without enduring any cumbersome divorce proceedings.

Certain conditions could nullify the Harmon, the most significant being that the marriage must not have been consummated. Once the partners had intercourse for the first time, the Harmon was waived, and the marriage became binding—until a lengthy divorce process could be undertaken.

ForFor nobles, the higher the rank, the more complex and costly such proceedings became, which explained the existence of the Harmon in the first place.

This was why the vows and trinket exchange ceremony was usually a low-key affair, with the main marriage celebration reserved for after the Harmon expired—or if it was intentionally voided.

Alex and the ladies opted for a median Harmon period of five years. This was not because they expected the marriage to fail, but because it allowed them to postpone the larger marriage celebration and depart on the Interplanar expedition without drawing societal scrutiny.

While such customs might seem trivial to commoners, in noble circles, they carried significant weight.

With the man and brides affirming their agreement, the formal ceremony was complete.

"Then rise, to the company of your family and friends, as man and wives," Prince Caesar said.

Alex and his three wives rose from their kneeling positions. They faced the assembled guests and curtsied politely in thanks for their presence.

With the final formality complete, the newly united man and brides descended from the podium into the company of friends and well-wishers, marking the beginning of a modest celebration.

**(22/70)**

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