When Cloud left Dukart, it had been in the silence of the morning, and when he returned it was in the dark of the night.
He would never know if a surprise welcome would have been waiting for him had the events at the awakening ceremony played out differently.
When he returned to the village, it had been to the smiling face of his mother, whatever feelings she had about his failure carefully covered.
The woman celebrated his return like he had been victorious, then filled his stomach with food she had personally cooked.
For the first time in years, when Cloud went to bed, he let himself sleep in, his eyes opening to the rays of the sun the next morning only because someone had woken him.
Sitting up, Cloud blinked his eyes to take in the image of his mother, and before she could even speak, his right hand went to her face.
"You looked stressed. Did you sleep last night?"
"I was in a meeting with Captain Gillian. The debrief lasted into the night," Elva replied, shrugging.
"How are you feeling? I can't remember when last you slept in.
The journey must have been tiring."
"It was," Cloud nodded.
Rubbing his mother's cheek and staring at the dark circles around her eyes, Cloud pulled back and looked at the woman keenly.
She might not have been his birth mother, but she had been a mother to him since he came to this world, and inheriting the memories of this body's previous owner, he very much loved her.
"You would have normally left me to sleep in.
What's the matter?"
Looking at Cloud, Elva felt both pride and disappointment. She was disappointed not in her son, but rather in herself, her inability to protect him, her failure to adequately pass him the blessings that were rightfully his, but maybe she was wrong…
"Mom," Cloud called, seeing his mother space out.
"Sorry," Elva replied, smiling, pride blooming through her at the man her son had become.
The universe had stabbed and cruelly turned the knife in him, but not for a moment did he back down.
"Dina tells me that despite the orb not lighting up during the ceremony, you've awakened a class.
Is that true?"
Perhaps it was due to the unranked nature of Cloud's class that the orb had failed to spot it, but it was the truth that he had awakened.
"Yes."
"Can I see it?"
"No."
Cloud's first answer brought hope, then tiredness. A strength that had been absent from Elva's gaze seemed rekindled, then Cloud swept her feet from beneath her.
Elva's expression in a second dissolved into confusion, her mind rapidly trying to understand the reason for Cloud's refusal.
"No matter the class, I'm okay with it. I just want to have a look."
"I know, but for now, I'm not showing it to anyone."
Stumped by her son's response, Elva's mind began rushing toward ridiculous conclusions, and Cloud noticed it.
"Don't think too far. I do have a class."
Elva frowned, then a thought popped into her head.
Hesitatingly, she leaned forward, bringing her face close to Cloud's.
"Can you see Dina's class?"
"Yes."
The hope Cloud had squashed was rekindled, and Elva eagerly asked,
"What's her Legendary skill?" she whispered, seeking confirmation.
"Devil Keeper."
Immediately, Elva let out a breath, leaning back with relief, much of the stress on her face fading.
"That's good."
"Yes, but what's happening? Seems there is something on the line."
Elva's face tightened, the woman obviously wanting to keep silent, but Cloud pushed.
"I'm not a kid, Mom. If you don't tell me what's happening, I'm going to be moving around like a fool in my own village."
There was hesitation on Elva's face, but Cloud's words were entirely true.
"When the news of your failure to awaken a class reached the village, the elders called a meeting, asking that I find another man and sire another prince."
The fiery gaze that was usually in Elva returned, and she spoke as she stood up, fist pumped.
"Well, their words are pointless because my baby is a genius."
Cloud nodded, looking like he had been swallowed by his mother's flow, but his eyes suddenly narrowed.
"What did you do to them?" His words made his mother freeze.
"Ehh, I beat up a few."
Cloud sighed, rubbing his head at Elva's words, and she immediately defended herself.
"Don't be like that, Cloud. How dare they think about taking from my baby what is rightfully his," she gritted.
Cloud was actually on the side of the elders, but he didn't voice his thoughts. Instead, his mind was on something more important, and he quickly got to his feet.
"Mom, I need a scroll to learn the fire throw spell."
"You still haven't told me what your class is.
Are you a fire mage?"
Elva's face brightened at the thought, but Cloud didn't give anything away.
"Where is Master?" He grabbed a shirt, already making for the door.