The dining room was no larger than two meters by two, yet that morning it felt warmer than any banquet hall in the grandest palace.
A modest round table stood at the center, encircled by children of the orphanage, their small hands cradling bowls of steaming broth.
The fragrant aroma of simmering stock mingled with the laughter and chatter of youthful voices, weaving a melody more beautiful than any harp.
Tak… tak… tak.
The sound of spoons striking bowls rang out like the percussion of a merry orchestra, filling the tiny room with cheerful rhythm.
Thomas, his eyes brimming with innocent curiosity, turned toward Edward, spoon still clutched awkwardly in his fist.
"Brother," he asked with childlike earnestness, "how do you make soup this delicious?"
Edward's lips curved into a humble smile. Pride gentle and quiet stirred in his chest as he glanced at the children savoring every spoonful.
"I cannot say I truly know how," he replied softly. "Once, I used to help Mrs. Selner in the kitchen. Now I merely follow the memory of her hands. If the flavor ever feels incomplete, I just add a little more… until it sings."
Alex, wide-eyed as if Edward had just revealed a divine secret, scratched his head.
"Wait, you can just… copy someone's movements and make taste like this?" His tone was so baffled it sent a ripple of laughter through the room.
The children chuckled; spoons clinked merrily; joy swelled like a rising tide. Soon, breakfast was done, and the children rose to wash their dishes.
Yet before they could scatter, Silvia ever the maternal figure stood with a gentle firmness, her gaze sweeping over each of them.
"Children," she asked, her voice low but clear, "have you forgotten that today is not an ordinary day?"
Alex, still chewing the last traces of broth, blinked and raised a brow.
"What's so special about today?"
Before Silvia could answer, Alice puffed her cheeks in indignation. She pinched Alex's cheek with merciless fingers.
"Alex! How could you forget? Today is Brother Edward's birthday!"
"Ouch! Ow, ow—stop, Alice! That hurts!" Alex squirmed, clutching his reddened cheek, his face a mixture of regret and playful mischief.
"I was only joking!"
Alice huffed, then turned toward Edward, her expression softening.
"Of course we didn't forget. Happy birthday, Brother Edward."
At that very moment, Silvia stepped forward carrying a modest cake—a single slice adorned with a tiny flickering candle.
The children's eyes sparkled as they gathered round Edward, who suddenly found himself the center of their small universe.
In unison, though hardly in harmony, they raised their voices:
"Happy birthday!"
"May you live long!"
"Prosperity, health, and joy!"
"And endless happiness!"
Edward could not contain his smile. His heart swelled until he feared it might overflow.
Silvia placed the cake before him, her expression tinged with sorrow.
"Forgive me, Edward. I could only prepare this small piece for your birthday," she murmured, guilt weighing down her voice, as though she had failed in her role as both sister and guardian.
Edward shook his head at once, fear flashing in his eyes not fear of the cake's size, but fear that Silvia might truly believe her love was insufficient.
"No, Sister. This is more than enough. You've done everything for me already."
Silvia's hand stroked his hair, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears that finally softened into a smile.
"Then I am glad… Perhaps someday, when fortune smiles upon us, we shall celebrate grandly."
Alice clapped her hands, impatient for ceremony.
"Brother Edward, blow the candle and make a wish!"
Edward closed his eyes. For a heartbeat, silence fell upon the room. Then he exhaled gently, the small flame extinguished, leaving behind a trail of smoke like a whispered prayer.
"May health and peace be with us all," he said, and the children erupted into claps and cheers.
Thomas whistled, earning laughter from the others, while Edward savored a bite of the sweet cake, its flavor enriched by the love surrounding him.
Before he could finish, Alex and Thomas approached with mock-serious expressions.
"Brother, we have gifts for you," Thomas declared, offering one of his precious toys.
Alex followed with a bear-shaped keychain.
"Take care of them. Don't break them."
Edward accepted both with gratitude that nearly broke his composure.
"Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Thomas. I shall treasure them."
Next came Alice, walking shyly with a handmade rabbit doll.
"This is for you, Brother. May you always stay healthy."
Edward's eyes widened. "Beautiful… Did you make this yourself?"
Alice blushed. "I....I had help from Sister Serly."
Edward's gaze shifted in astonishment toward Serly, the aloof girl who so often wore a mask of indifference.
"Don't misunderstand!" Serly snapped, her cheeks coloring faintly. "I only helped because I couldn't watch Alice prick her fingers."
Edward chuckled, teasing.
"Ha! Who would believe you made it for me?"
Their bickering drew knowing smiles. Everyone understood: theirs was a quarrel born not of hatred but of a bond too deep to admit.
At last Silvia intervened.
"Enough! Serly, don't you also have a gift for Edward?"
With a reluctant sigh, Serly produced a bracelet of braided cord. She thrust it at him almost threateningly.
"Take it. Guard it well. If you break it, you'll answer to me."
Edward blinked, then laughed.
"Ah, remarkable! In eight years together, this is your first birthday gift to me. For a moment I thought you'd been replaced… Perhaps by the reincarnation of the Demon Queen herself!"
Serly's face flushed crimson.
"Wretched boy! Instead of gratitude, you mock me!" She lunged, only to be restrained by Silvia and the others, laughter spilling over the moment like sunlight.
Later, Edward sat alone in the orphanage courtyard, his heart restless. Today he would be taken by carriage to the Awakening Hall in Lingbert City. The journey would take an hour, for their village lay far at the edge of Rawgle Forest.
Silvia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry, Edward. Destiny rests in God's hands."
Edward clenched his fists, summoning courage.
"I will become the best. I promise."
"Good," Silvia said with proud warmth. "That is the spirit."
From the distance, a figure appeared ...a graceful woman bearing a staff, her presence as luminous as moonlight. Edward's eyes brightened.
"Sister, look! Lucy is here!"
Lucy was no ordinary woman. Once Silvia's peer at the Academy of Zanei, she had risen to become a royal mage of Huinjou.
She commanded spells from the simplest flame to the rarest arcane arts, and her mastery of teleportation—an art almost lost—allowed her to visit often despite her duties.
Edward rushed to greet her.
"Welcome, Sister Lucy! How are you?"
She smiled gently. "Well, thank you. And where are the others?"
"They're still preparing. Please wait a moment."
Lucy embraced Silvia tightly, her voice playful with longing.
"My dear Silvia, how I have missed you! Forgive me for staying away. Without you I am like a bird without its nest."
Silvia raised a brow. "Bird, hm? Admit it—you were sent by that old tyrant to coax me back into service. What task occupies you now?"
Lucy giggled, unable to hide the truth.
"Hehe… I jest. At present I am assigned to patrol Rawgle Forest."
At once Silvia's expression darkened.
"The Rawgle Forest? That is but a low-ranked region. Why would the kingdom's forces intervene?"
Lucy's smile faded. She leaned closer, whispering urgently.
"Two weeks ago, His Majesty received reports. A Rank-A monster slaughtered villagers near here. Some whisper of the Demon King's army stirring."
Silvia paled, her breath catching in her throat. Before she could cry out, Lucy pressed a finger to her lips.
Edward, noticing their unease, stepped forward.
"What is it, Sister? What are you hiding?"
"Nothing," Silvia forced a smile, brushing his hair to calm him, though fear gnawed at her heart.
Lucy quickly shifted the subject.
"Now, who among you is bound for the Awakening Hall?"
"I am," Edward answered, his voice steady though doubt lingered.
Lucy's eyes sparkled. She clasped his hands with fervor.
"So it is you—the birthday boy. Congratulations! May strength and fortune favor you."
Edward flushed as Lucy drew close.
"T-thank you," he stammered, his ears burning red.
With a flourish, Lucy drew from her dimensional pouch a staff slender, gleaming with faint enchantment. Gasps echoed from the watching children.
"Take this, Edward. A gift for your new path. One day, I hope you shall surpass even me."
Edward's eyes widened, tears glimmering with gratitude.
"I swear it! I will become the greatest mage of all!"
Lucy laughed, embracing him tightly.
"Brave child! You already sound like a hero of legend."
"Lucy," Silvia chided, "release him. Look—he can hardly breathe."
Edward wriggled, gasping. "Yes...please...my ribs…"
Reluctantly, Lucy let go, pouting. "Fine. But next time, I won't."
Then she turned to the children.
"Come, little ones! Let us begin today's lesson with fire in our hearts!"
The courtyard rang with laughter and cheer. Yet, above them, unnoticed, a shadow passed swiftly across the treetops. It lingered for but a moment, then vanished into the depths of Rawgle Forest.
And though no one yet saw it, the sky to the east had begun to darken not with storm, but with wings.