In the sparsely populated forest, Luke finished a session teaching magic to Third, just as he always did, and took a moment to chat.
“Ah, it seems you have no choice in this matter.”
“Yes, I’m truly sorry, Master. It happens to be my ‘welcome party’ at that time. They say nobody else can find the time except then.”
Third lowered his head, looking apologetic.
Coincidentally, it appeared that Third’s welcome party coincided with his own birthday.
It couldn’t be helped; after all, it was he himself who had told Third to get closer to his friends.
Luke patted Third’s shoulder gently and said, “Don’t hold it against yourself. I have no intention of blaming you at all. By the way, how’s your accommodation situation? Isn’t that the more pressing matter? If you need help…”
“I don’t need you to worry. I found a place to stay again quickly. You don’t have to pay attention to me on purpose, Master.”
“Then that’s a relief. This time, you found a place that you paid for properly, right?”
“Of course.”
Luke nodded, feeling reassured by Third’s words.
Third was quite a good child in this regard.
Having lived a difficult life, he still did not beg for help from others and was genuinely trying to manage on his own. It was truly commendable.
He would likely be able to live well by himself even as an adult.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. You’ll be able to practice the things I taught you today, won’t you?”
“Yes, I will definitely achieve it in a short time. Seeing that child made me realize how lacking I must have appeared to you until now.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”
As Luke got up from his seat, Third’s enthusiasm ignited, and he clenched his fist.
A faint blue current flickered around his fist.
It seemed he couldn’t suppress his strong desire for improvement, with circles spinning around.
Perhaps he was inspired by seeing Shirud, who was still younger than him, achieving things.
In the past, he would have ordered Third to quell that urge, but now he didn’t want to extinguish such emotional turmoil unnecessarily.
For the direction of those feelings was undoubtedly positive.
He knew from experience that having several disciples in the same situation could stimulate competitiveness, helping with motivation, but to be honest, he had no intention of bringing Third and Shirud together.
The worlds they lived in were so different that he was worried Third might feel uncomfortable.
The academy where he had been the dean in the past had struggled with such issues because it was something he couldn’t ignore.
The appearance of someone superior to oneself often induced jealousy rather than friendly competition in some individuals.
On the other hand, Third was, in many ways, an excellent mage.
“I feel great knowing both of my disciples have such wonderful mindsets.”
——-
“I’m home!”
“Welcome back, Lu.”
Yerna warmly greeted Luke as he entered through the door.
However, Luke, who had returned from school, looked unusually bright compared to usual.
Could it be because his birthday was tomorrow?
Seeing him smile made her feel happy too.
“Are you that excited about your birthday?”
“Birthday? Ah, of course, I’m excited. You mentioned you would be coming.”
“Yes, it’s your first birthday, so I can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.”
Being appreciated by Yerna made him feel a bit shy.
He hadn’t prepared anything that extravagant for the party.
He had cut the scale of the party down to about half of what he initially anticipated.
Still, he had done his best, so he hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed.
At that moment, Pyris came rushing in and shouted, “Sister’s birthday party! I’m super excited! Diana and Dayton are going too!”
“Good, that’s great news.”
While petting Pyris’s head, she suddenly tilted her head and asked.
“But, sister, what’s a party?”
“Huh? You didn’t know what it was all along?”
“Yeah! I just liked it because everyone else did!”
“Why didn’t you ask someone else about it?”
“I wanted to hear it from you!”
“Ha ha, that’s amusing.”
Luke chuckled lightly at Pyris’s words.
After all, spirits do not usually converse well with beings other than their spirit masters.
Did she really find joy in him, ‘Ere’?
Even though she had gained a body and could interact with others without issue.
‘Ere’ means a precious being intertwined by fate, almost like a doppelgänger.
While he didn’t quite understand how a part of him was intertwined with spirits, there might be a connection to the goddess or Renie.
Even if he asked Pyris, ‘Ere’ would only respond with ‘Ere.’
‘There’s also the similarity between the spirit language and the divine language…’
As Luke recalled the relationship between spirits and gods, he loosened the neck scarf of his uniform and explained.
“A party is usually an event for socializing. You share joyful happenings while sharing food and drinks. It’s about building friendships through dancing and enjoying performances. Of course, there’s good music too.”
Upon hearing that explanation, Pyris’s eyes sparkled like constellations, and she exclaimed excitedly.
“Food! Dancing! Music! Performances! Those are all things I love!”
“Well, you are a spirit, after all.”
“I love parties! Now I’m super excited too!!”
“Ha ha ha, I hope I can meet your expectations.”
For a spirit who loves to play and enjoy, it is only natural that she would look forward to such things.
Moreover, since spirits are strongly influenced by the emotions of others, a party, which is a source of joyful emotions, must feel like heaven to them.
As Luke was gradually shedding his uniform layer by layer, Yerna suddenly asked.
“Oh right, I noticed a package had arrived earlier. Did you see it?”
“A package?”
Luke’s ears perked up slightly.
A package, what could possibly be in it?
He hadn’t ordered anything at all.
“Yeah, I thought it might be a birthday gift from someone, so I left it unopened.”
“Who sent it?”
“Well, I don’t know. There was no name on the sender’s label. Do you have any guesses?”
“Hmm…not really.”
If it were a birthday present from the kids, they would have likely hinted at it in school.
But he hadn’t heard a thing.
It was quite bulky and heavy.
When he shook it, he could feel the texture; it didn’t seem to be squishy or make a rattling sound but rather felt still, suggesting it was probably made of a fabric-like material.
Luke focused on magic sight and gently turned the box around.
Nothing particularly magical or explosive seemed to be present.
At least, it wasn’t a bomb.
Luke set the box down lightly and muttered, “There doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious…”
“Perhaps it’s a surprise gift? Why not open it? There might be something inside that could give us a clue about the sender.”
“That sounds good.”
As he cautiously opened the box, what was revealed was a dress.
“This is….”
“Oh my, this is a beautiful and luxurious dress.”
The ribbon and frill decorations were quite extravagant, making it appear to be a very expensive garment.
The problem was that it seemed to be woven in a traditional way from the shape alone.
However, it was also imbued with a modern, glamorous touch, creating a very beautiful platinum-colored dress.
Luke, surprised to find such clothing still existed in modern times, felt quite flustered.
“Such dresses are still being made now? I wonder where this came from…”
This was something that couldn’t possibly be found even after touring all the clothing shops.
The way of wearing it was complicated, and it would indeed be uncomfortable for daily use, so he thought it must have naturally vanished as beauty standards evolved.
“……”
Why was something like this sent to him?
He couldn’t comprehend it.
He wondered if it had been misdelivered, and just as he was about to put it back, the impact of having shaken it earlier seemed to have slightly crumpled it, so Luke picked up the dress to neatly fold it.
At that moment, a rather luxurious-looking golden envelope that had been wedged between the clothes fell right in front of him.
“What’s this? Is it something from the sender of this package?”
Setting the dress down again, Luke picked up the letter and quickly opened it, beginning to read it aloud slowly.
– To my dear Luke Ilrushi.
– Luke, happy birthday.
I heard you were preparing for your birthday party like a nobleman, and I think that’s a wonderful idea!
It really suits your name! Just writing your name makes me feel like I’m already at the party.
Sadly, I won’t be able to come myself due to time constraints.
Instead, Luke, I’ll send this gift ahead.
Congratulations on your 10th birthday! I hope it’s a happy birthday.
– From Serena Trisphind.
P.S. I heard you didn’t have a dress yet. Is that right? I think you’ll be happy going to the party in this!
P.P.S. And please take care of Shirud as well. It’s his first big party! He’s usually shy, but he has improved a lot thanks to you! Please continue to befriend him!
Once he finished reading the letter, Luke carefully folded it back up and placed it in the envelope, setting it aside.
“So, this was a birthday gift sent by Serena.”
“Really~! Where did she buy such a thing! I have to quickly call her to thank her.”
As Yerna excused herself to thank Serena on the phone, Luke stared at the dress with a somewhat astonished expression.
Now he had confirmed that this gift was indeed meant for him.
‘It was true that I didn’t have a dress…’
But he hadn’t exactly thought he would wear something like this.
It was quite confusing.
