As the rampage left behind, the war had been cleaned up and people began their normal lives. Traditions came back at full swing as well.
Although a bit different with the presence of mana, the Christmas Day became special. While said to be still alive and that he would one day return.
Magnus' impact on the world has not been forgotten. Some used his image for good and others for money. On 23rd, a tradition to honor his status and stability, he brought during the forthcoming of mana a festival was held in the Beacon capital.
There was even a group of people wishing to turn him into the Mana Saint, but that was quickly stopped because he was not yet 'dead'.
For many on the Beacon Island it became a day to celebrate, however not everyone was in the mood to do so...
...
[Oliver]
"Your highness, will you attend the festival?" Said one of his close aides.
Oliver had been swamped with work after the war ended and the stress showed. He'd rather fight another 100 wars than to waste his time on useless politics that were back in full swing.
"Sure, notify me a day before." Oliver replied and got back to his work. In his heart he thanked for the mana, which helped him deal with this nonsense 100x faster.
The attendant nodded and quietly withdrew from the office. Hours ticked by and the outside became dark.
Oliver finished most of the work for the day by the time and stretched his body. A hobby which Magnus forced upon him because he was too 'rigid'.
'Good times...' He thought as he watched the pollution free sky. One of the greatest gifts mana ever brought.
Just as he wanted to go home and relax alone as he didn't even have time to establish his harem, he noticed a letter lying on his desk.
Interested, he picked it up to see who it was.
[Dear Oliver,
This is your fellow disciple, Sophia. Want to unwind a bit? Perhaps you'd enjoy this occasion with others... ... ...
Kind regards Sophia]
Some time when he was reading the letter, a smile bloomed, one that was not seen for months...
...
[Han]
With the Roc gone, Han spent his time honing his martial arts deep within the Himalayan mountains when the war ended.
As far away from politics as he could be. He brought along some mana beasts he resonated with as they sparred and grew stronger together quietly deep within mountains.
After one such day, where they almost broke part of a mountain on an accident. Han returned to his small cottage he built himself.
It was apparently a must have skill. At least, that's what Magnus said to him when he was but a porter.
He opened the door inside as cold air invaded the warm inside and finished the last embers of a fire.
It was a basic place with a small kitchen, fireplace and bed all in one room. Though Han wouldn't trade it for a villa in Beacon Capital.
When he was taking off his clothes to let them dry, he noticed that a letter was sitting on his chair.
[Dear Han
How are you doing? I couldn't imagine training every day in that freezing place ugh. Would you like to reunite with the group for a day or two?... ... ...
Best wishes Sophia]
Han smiled and looked at the sole calendar sitting above his bed. Today marked 22nd.
The next day, a rumbling sound could be heard as Han's voice reverberated throughout the wilderness.
"I'll be back in a few days!"
...
[Aki]
After the war ended, Aki spent most of her time in peace. She frequented places around the world filled with nature and its wonders.
One of those she liked the most were the Niagara Falls, which, due to the expansion of Earth, became much more majestic.
The heavy sound of water calmed her down, as she liked to scribble and take inspiration from the surrounding nature.
The mist around the falls during winter was especially a sight to see. Unbeknownst to almost everyone, she could see small elementals playing with each other.
On such occasion she was scribbling something in her notebook as her face sometimes reddened. Just as she was about to 'faint'. Something bonked her head.
Alerted, she found out that it was a letter from Sophia. An invitation, something she wasn't used to, but welcomed it with open hands.
Her mood affected the surroundings a bit as elementals curiously approached her and began playing around her.
She joined in and people passing by could hear ethereal laughter, which made their world just a tad more colourful.
After a while, she bid them goodbye and looked at the starry skies filled with stars and northern lights, making it an incredible sight.
...
[Caroline]
Compared to the former three, her situation was similar to Oliver's. Like a well-oiled machine, she never stopped with her work and it showed.
Under her lead North American continent began developing at blaze like speed, infrastructure like important roads were being made at all times.
Marvels impossible in the modern times were erected in a matter of weeks and prosperity was at all times high. Of course, such work drained her, but one look at a picture brought her dying motivation back to life.
A letter appeared before her as she grabbed it out of curiosity. When she saw who it was from her eyes lit up and she cancelled all the plans she had.
Giggles from her office could be heard in the hallway for almost an hour, as it brought relief to her butler. For him, his lady kept overworking herself and never enjoyed life properly. This change was a very welcomed one.
...
[Sophia]
She finished writing the final letter as she used the system to locate them before teleporting those letters in.
With her work done, she puffed herself up and headed to her most favourite place.
[Lagoon Hot springs]
Her body shivered in joy as she entered the hot water, as she began to wonder how many of her friends would show up.
Sometimes she began splashing water around as people around her looked at her with a weird eye before they returned to their thing.
Her place was in the more non populated area. She looked almost lonely as she sighed to herself after 30 minutes and left the hot springs.
...
23rd of December
As the Sun began to rise, the festival was already in full swing. Children watched in awe as famous S and SS rank heroes created a synchronised show.
Smell of food and sounds of people enjoying themselves filled the entire capital to the brim. In the midst of people, were the ex porters quietly enjoying themselves.
Hours flew by as the final show of the day began. Two SSS rankers appeared as they played out the battle between Magnus and Tighearna.
Of course, it was much slower and flashy in order for children to watch, but it followed a similar path compared to the original.
With the grand defeat of Tighearna, mana infused fireworks flew into the sky and lit up the entire place.
Once they ended, with the help of all the S rankers and above, an aurora appeared in the sky. Signalling the end of the festival.
Parents brought their children back to sleep as they talked about the day and what they enjoyed. Couples went home together and families got ready for Christmas.
Silence returned to the Capital...
...
24th of December (Evening)
Sophia looked at her homemade food as the steam drifted into the air, bringing an incredible aroma with it.
Her downcast expression turned into one of joy when she heard a doorbell.
"Coming~." She yelled out loud and opened the door.
With a creak, the cold wind welcomed itself into the house as Sophia looked at everyone with a smile.
"Hi Sophia! I've brought you a gift!" Caroline said as she hugged Sophia, almost knocking her over.
"Hey! Don't squeeze there!" Sophia said as she got rid of the koala on her body and welcomed everyone in.
Snowflakes coloured the world in white as everyone sat in the group together. They sang, laughed, and talked about their adventures.
Once drunk, as they suppressed their mana, games began. From innocent board games to truth or dare.
Han, Oliver, and Aki watched as they sat near the table with a carpet below it. Fire occasionally produced a spark or two as it crackled.
They watched as Sophia was desperately running away from the drunk Caroline. Han and Oliver decided to arm wrestle as they almost broke the table when they nearly activated their mana.
Aki watched with a smile as Sophia berated them and they hung their heads low like two puppies before Caroline appeared and booped her on the nose.
"Tag you're it!" She said and hiccuped before running away, almost knocking a vase over. Aki's eyes burned as she targeted Han.
The house was bursting with vitality as a meteor shower livened up the atmosphere even more. Gradually, one by one, they began to fall asleep.
Han and Oliver were on the floor, Aki was dangerously asleep on a chair and Caroline bent over the sofa.
Sophia, the only one awake as she drank a bit less. Threw blankets at them before she, too, went to sleep.
And thus the night ended, the fire long gone as the blanket became much thicker.
...
...
Happy Christmas everyone! ^_^