After returning to the dorms, Alicia said, "Sir, I have two things to state."
Liebe sighed. "Umm… it's 11 PM. Can we talk about it tomorrow?"
"Unfortunately, we can't, sir," Alicia replied.
"Alright," Liebe said. "How long will it take?"
"A few hours," Alicia answered. "Firstly, Vice Principal Obsidian has requested your presence in his office. Secondly, since you are the Fleet Admiral now, you'll have your own luxury suite in the dorms. You no longer need to share your 700-square-foot room with Licht."
Liebe shook his head. "No need. I prefer to stay with my friends."
"Understood. I'll inform the authorities," Alicia said. "As for Professor Obsidian's request, how do we plan on getting to campus? All water taxis are closed."
"Please hold on to me," Liebe said. "I'll fly us there. It's more efficient."
"Understood."
They flew to Galahad Island. Liebe knocked on Obsidian's door, and a calm voice replied, "Enter."
As they stepped inside, Obsidian said, "It's 11:25 PM. You're early."
"Huh?" Liebe muttered, confused.
The lights flicked on—and everyone shouted, "Surprise!"
Liebe blinked. "Umm… Professor, what is this?"
There stood Mrs. Serena, Hedin, Lumos, M, Olivia, and Iris.
"Happy birthday, Liebe!" they all said in unison.
Obsidian smirked. "You're eleven minutes early."
Alicia bowed slightly. "Happy birthday, sir."
Liebe smiled softly. "Thank you, everyone."
Except for Licht, Yuna, Darel, and Alysa, everyone was there.
Obsidian said, "We all thought since you've been working so hard, you should celebrate and have fun for once. You're still a kid, after all."
"Thanks," Liebe said, touched.
Serena smiled. "We didn't know what flavor you liked most, so we got chocolate cake. Now blow out the candle."
"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it," Serena replied. "I'm not much of a baker, but I hope you like it."
They celebrated until 12:30.
"It's getting late," Iris said. "M, can you take me to the dorms?"
"Sure," M replied.
"Okay, guys, good night."
"Good night," Liebe said.
At 1 AM, Liebe and Alicia also returned to the dorms.
After landing, Liebe said, "Well, looks like it's late. Everyone must be asleep."
"It is 1:15 AM," Alicia said. "So it wouldn't be wrong to assume that."
"Let's not make noise and disturb them," Liebe whispered, quietly opening the door.
But as soon as he entered, the lights turned on—
"Happy birthday, Liebe!" everyone shouted.
Liebe froze. "Why are you guys up so late?"
Licht grinned. "It's your birthday, that's why."
Alysa smiled. "Happy birthday!"
Isurugi added, "Happy birthday, sir!"
"You guys remembered…" Liebe said, trying not to tear up.
Alysa said, "As if we could forget. We're all together because of you—and we all love you. Me and Licht love you more, but still, we all love you."
Hearing that, Liebe couldn't hold back his tears.
There stood Licht, Iris, Alysa, M, Darel, and Yuna.
"Happy birthday, new Fleet Admiral!" Yuna said cheerfully.
"Time for the presents!" Licht announced.
"Thanks," Liebe said with a warm smile.
Licht asked, "By the way, what happened with your meeting?"
"The Grandmaster gave me a title," Liebe replied, "but I couldn't accept it."
"What was it?" Licht asked curiously.
Liebe handed him the engraved tag from his shoulder.
"Let me see… what's it made of?"
"Titanium," Liebe said.
"The metal of a sword, huh? Damn… Sverð Keisarinnar Fástrar. That's cool," Licht said. "But I see why you couldn't accept it. So why do you still have it?"
"Because he told me to keep it until the day I realize I'm ready to wear it," Liebe replied.
Licht raised his glass. "Everyone! A toast—to my brother, and to Liebe Al Faust's new title from the Grandmaster: Sverð Keisarinnar Fástrar!"
"Cheers to Sverð Keisarinnar Fástrar!" everyone echoed.
"That was kind of unnecessary," Liebe laughed.
"Yeah," Licht admitted, "but it felt right."
As Licht and Iris talked, she asked, "You and Liebe seem close. How long have you known him?"
"Not much—three days," Licht replied.
"Wait, what? We've seen you hanging out together every day since classes started, and that was six months ago."
Licht chuckled. "I meant ever since I was three days old."
"Ohhh…" Iris said, laughing.
"Yeah. I don't remember it, but our parents do. They still joke about how in our first meeting, we fought—when we were babies."
"That's good to know," Iris said. "Do you have any siblings?"
"Yeah. My sister Rosi Vaude—she's in her third year of medical studies. But Liebe and I aren't biologically related. We've just always been like brothers."
"I have an older sister too," Iris said softly. "But I've been a burden to her for most of my life. She's a knight, but until recently, she spent all her weekends on blood transfusions… because I was too sick. I hate it. I hate that she had to waste her time on me."
Licht nodded. "I can understand. No matter how strong I am, I sometimes feel like I'm holding Liebe back. And at parties, he always introduces me because I'm too much of an introvert."
"Same here," Iris said with a faint smile. "We're at a party and still sitting in a corner."
"By the way," Licht asked, "what's your blood type? And why do you need transfusions?"
"It's B+. I require it due to a genetic defect. The donor needs to have the same blood type and a similar magical attribute."
"I'm also B+," Licht said. "And my light magic should be close to your mirror magic. Would it be okay if I gave you blood every weekend?"
"I mean, we'd need to get tested for compatibility first… but are you sure? You must be busy."
"Doesn't matter," Licht said. "I sleep till 5 PM on weekends anyway. Might as well donate blood while I sleep—then I'll have a good excuse."
Iris laughed. "Alright. Let's get tested whenever you're free."
"I'm free tomorrow at 7 PM. Is that okay?"
"Perfect. See you at 7."
The celebration carried on deep into the night, and around 4 AM, everyone finally went to bed.
The following day, after classes, they went to the Black Rose HQ. As Liebe entered for the third time that week, everyone shouted, "Happy birthday, Lord Liebe!"
Liebe laughed. "Damn, three parties in one year. Maybe I'll die from obesity."
"Yeah, probably," Licht said with a grin. "And I like that Iris was in two of them."
"You lucky dumbass," Liebe teased.
Lara walked up with a tray. "Captain, I got you this dark chocolate cake—99.99% pure dark chocolate. My husband and I handled all the tarts and sandwiches for the celebration."
Eldrie added, "Stal, David, and I did the decorations. Everyone else was on scouting duty to make sure you didn't show up early."
Liebe smiled. "Damn, you guys went all in."
From outside the door, Lilith quietly watched, tears welling in her eyes. She shed a single tear—because of how perfectly Liebe fit in, how much joy surrounded him, and how she knew deep down… it was never meant to be.
And worst of all, she felt she was the one responsible for breaking it.