A few weeks had passed since my encounter with Rei, fortunately I hadn't seen him since. It was a typically warm morning. I got up and glanced at my bed.
Maybe I should try again, but I'm so afraid, I turned my head and left the room, no, I don't need the truth, I said firmly.
When I stepped into the kitchen, strangely no one was there, even though I was sure I'd come down in time for breakfast. Yet, oddly, my breakfast was already set on the table. I didn't make much of it I assumed they were busy so I sat and began to eat.
-At least this house and village don't resemble the one from my previous life at all (I said aloud while chewing).
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. I went and opened it, but strangely nobody was there, so I closed the door. I had barely taken a few steps when someone knocked again. I opened it as quickly as I could, but again there was nothing.
-Am I imagining things or what is happening? (I said to myself as confusion spread across my face).
I closed the door and decided to stay by it, waiting for the next knock.
It didn't take long, but to me it felt like an eternity. I tried to focus on any human presence. I felt nothing only a mana orb approaching the door.
-Why is this mana coming here? This explains everything. (I hesitated while the mana knocked, then I opened the door).
The mana began to run off, and I followed it. It led behind the house, I followed closely, hoping it was just some prank and nothing more.
When we reached the back, it stopped, It turned toward me, raised its middle finger in a mocking gesture, and then vanished. I stood there stunned, trying to process what my eyes had just seen. Laughter came from behind me.
-Hahaha, this is fantastic. (my mother laughed as though she had never had more fun in her life)
-I told you this was a good idea. (my father said proudly as if he had come up with the greatest plan of his life)
-I see you're having a lot of fun. (I managed a small smile) So what did I do to deserve this game?
-What day is it today?
-I had no idea at first, then I started thinking about the fuss and realized, my birthday? (I tightened my hand and answered uncertainly).
-No, it's the neighbor lady's dog's birthday today. (my father joked)
-Well, you never know when your birthday is. (my mother said with a teasing smile)
-You never made a big deal out of it before, and it was enough for me to eat together and receive a gift from you. (I said in a slightly hoarse voice, pressing my hand to my chest)
-We know, son, and that's exactly what your mother and I talked about it's time to do something different from the usual.
I really hadn't paid attention to when my birthday was for a long time, to me it was just a number and a date. Yet now I felt a warmth at the thought that someone cared about that particular day. I squeezed my hand harder against my heart and my eyes filled with tears. Probably what I missed most was having someone to celebrate this "meaningless" number with.
-T...h...a (the tears swelled into much bigger ones no matter how I tried to wipe them, I couldn't) y....o...u
-Oh my little son, you're still so small, my little crying boy. (my mother hugged me my parents looked at one another, neither understanding why I was crying)
-Feeling better now, son? (my father asked)
-Yes, I'm better now.
-Here's a napkin if you need it. (my mother said)
-Shall we begin, son? (my father stood up out of nowhere, full of excitement)
-Begin what? (I asked, surprised)
-The gift-giving for our little birthday boy. (my mother answered with a big smile)
My father produced a sword hidden behind his back.
-So, son, can you guess what I have? (he asked with a sly grin?
-A sword? (I asked, my face betraying that I didn't understand the situation did he think I was stupid, or did he really believe I couldn't see the sword sticking out from behind him?)
-Well, my son, you are something else (he said as he brought the sword out from behind his back)
The sword was strangely familiar; then I remembered where I had seen it.
-Father, this sword is yours, isn't it?(I asked him, confused)
-No, son. (his expression said he knew exactly what he was doing)
-But this sword is yours, you've used it your whole life. I can't take it from you.
-Son, I want you to carry on this sword's story. This sword is not ordinary, it's made of a material infused with mana, which is why it has lasted and remains lethally powerful. My father gave it to me, and if I recall correctly, he said he found it among the mountains of Virell, surrounded by a mana-protective barrier.
-I never imagined the sword was so special.
-See, son, you come from a remarkable family. (he said with a cunning smile)
-I will take care of it, Father, and I promise I will be worthy of wielding it.
My father was surprised, he placed his hand on my head.
-Damn, son, are you really only thirte—
-Now it's my turn. (my mother couldn't wait any longer)
She handed me a box which I opened to find a necklace inside.
-(She picked up the necklace and placed it on me) It looks beautiful on you, (her face radiated true warmth) But son, this is not an ordinary necklace. That orb is a mana orb containing a small amount of mana you can use in an emergency. I hope you never have to use it, but your father and I agreed that you could go only with this.
-Go? I'm not going anywhere, Mother, don't worry.
-This is our final surprise. (they said together) We will enroll you in a school not just any school, but the continent's best academy for magic and swordsmanship. You will move to Asterin.
-What? But I don't want to go. I want to stay with you. (I said, feeling as if they were about to throw me away, even though I knew that wasn't their intention)
-It would be a waste to let your talent go unused, and the world is not safe right now, we want you to be protected. (they said with bittersweet faces)
-Mother, Father! Can we talk about this later? I want to enjoy my birthday. (I said, voice sad and eyes downcast)
After that they didn't bring up the subject again, and I enjoyed the best birthday of my life. I didn't want to think about having to go far away from them and not being able to stay with them.