Due to the unfortunate events he had experienced, Kael continued to train in secret even after his official sessions were over. Months passed. Zephyros sent Kael to the Eastern Kingdom to tour with his manservant.
When Elias and Kael arrived home, Kael opened the door to find a celebratory atmosphere inside. In fact, Zephyros had sent Kael to the kingdom as a ruse to prepare for his 15th birthday surprise. The moment Kael stepped through the manor doors, he froze. The exhaustion of months of secret, grueling training vanished instantly in the face of this warm welcome. Elias's usual dignified stance held a hidden smile; his masters, Pyros and Grimm, were bickering as always; and Varkas stood like a titan in the corner... For the first time in his life, Kael felt like he truly "belonged" somewhere. His eyes welled up at the sight before him.
Zephyros looked at his nephew standing in the doorway and smiled warmly. — "How much longer do you plan on standing there? Come and blow out your candles!"
Kael swallowed the lump in his throat and approached the table. The fifteen candles on the cake flickered like small stars in the dark. Pyros placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. — "Don't forget to make a wish before you blow them out, kid. Today is your day."
Kael closed his eyes. He whispered silently to himself: "I wish for everyone at this table to stay by my side, to be reunited with my mother, and to turn this darkness within me into a light that protects the ones I love."
As he took a deep breath and blew out the candles, the manor filled with applause and cheers. As the gift ceremony began, Grimm was the first to step forward. Maintaining his cold and distant demeanor, he handed Kael a velvet sword sheath. When the blade was drawn, the air in the room seemed to warm for a moment. The phoenix pattern inside the ruby on the hilt looked as if it were flapping its wings as the sword moved. Kael was mesmerized by its elegance.
"Master, this is beautiful!" he said in awe.
Pyros was surprised when he saw the sword: — "Oh, isn't this the Phoenix Fire, the soul blade? Grimm, I really didn't know you were such a softie, ha ha!"
Grimm shot him a sharp look and said, "It's just a small reward for enduring my training, no need to exaggerate."
Pyros leaned in and whispered to Kael: — "Kael, that 'small gift' Grimm mentioned is worth exactly 2 million Aureon in the kingdom! To put it in perspective, a normal family's monthly income is only about 1,000 to 5,000 Aureon."
When Kael heard the figure of 2 million Aureon, he panicked and nearly dropped the sword. Zephyros immediately used wind magic to levitate the blade and hand it back to Kael.
Kael stammered, "Oh, Master Grimm, I cannot accept such a precious treasure!"
Grimm replied: — "It's just a piece of metal. It was gifted to me by the kingdom. After a long time, I finally have a student. Don't look at it as a precious treasure; look at it as a piece of metal that protects you. Don't overthink it, Kael."
Pyros sighed, "Ah, how insensitive you are, Grimm! I don't know anyone else who would give a kid a royal treasure and call it a 'piece of metal'."
Kael asked curiously, "Master, what exactly is a soul weapon?"
Pyros began to explain: — "Soul weapons are arms that harbor the power of elemental spirits, Kael. That ruby you see at the center holds the power of a fire spirit. Blacksmiths capable of forging soul weapons can be counted on one hand. This one is perfectly suited for you to use your fire magic to its full potential. I heard that a 7th-Circle mage once summoned a phoenix made of fire with that sword; though no one knows what became of him. The sword was found years after he vanished and passed to the kingdom, then to Grimm. Now, it's yours. Cherish it. This blade might be too powerful for your current level, so don't use it elsewhere without enough practice."
Kael bowed deeply. "Master Grimm, I will carry this sword for the rest of my life. Thank you."
Grimm turned his face away. "Alright, alright, that's enough praise."
It was Pyros's turn. "Ah, it's my turn for the gift!" he said, opening an ornate velvet box. Inside was a glowing amber crystal necklace on a thin chain. At the very center of the crystal, a beam of golden-yellow light seemed trapped, resembling a tiny solar flare.
"This is a magic artifact," Pyros said. "It contains a protective rune. If you ever take a fatal blow, the necklace will intercept the strike and surround you with a barrier. It should hold against anything up to a 7th-Circle spell. I'm not giving this to you so you can recklessly throw yourself into danger, of course, but as your master, I don't want to be constantly worrying about you."
Zephyros remarked, "How thoughtful of you, Pyros."
Pyros smirked: — "He he, a master should always think of his student,
Grimm:— Or do you not believe Kael can protect himself?"
Pyros: "Ha! No, of course I have full confidence in him. This is just a small precaution." Grimm: —"Right, I'm sure it is," he muttered.
Kael chuckled while watching their playful bickering. "Thank you, Master Pyros. I promise I will never take this necklace off."
Next was Zephyros. — "Well, it's been a year since you arrived! Look at you now—you were just a fledgling when you got here. In one year, you've become a 4th-Circle mage. Elias, bring it out!"
Elias replied, "Of course, Master Zephyros," and brought out a garment displayed on a mannequin. The outfit was a blend of midnight blue and silver-grey, made of a fabric that looked both flexible and durable. On the collar and the inside of the sleeves, fine enchantments were engraved—barely visible to the naked eye but glowing when viewed with mana.
"I had this specially prepared for you," Zephyros said. "It has various enchantments ranging from magic and physical resistance to mana absorption. I had to ask that grumpy Hestia to make it..." He sighed. "Ah, she wasn't easy to convince!"
Kael was mesmerized by the craftsmanship and the carefully engraved runes. — "Uncle, thank you! Thank you all so much for these gifts. I've never had a birthday celebration before; I don't know what to say. I'm so glad you're all in my life!"
As the mood became emotional, Pyros pulled out a bottle of liquor. — "The night is just beginning! I got this from the kingdom's finest tavern for a modest price."
Zephyros looked at the bottle. "Is that... Crimson Dawn Essence? Ha ha, you brought the good stuff!" He turned to Kael and added, "You can't drink this, of course!" The emotional atmosphere instantly shifted into laughter.
When the day ended, everyone dispersed. His uncle and Kael were left alone. — "You're fifteen now, Kael. You know academy registrations start next week. I've already signed you up. All you have to do is not fumble the entrance exam, ha ha!"
Kael said excitedly, "I'm so nervous, Uncle. I hope I don't panic."
Zephyros pulled a sealed envelope from his inner jacket pocket. — "By the way, a letter arrived from your mother. I almost forgot to give it to you. Here."
Kael's heart began to race. He took the envelope with trembling hands. As Zephyros walked out, he said, "Alright, goodnight. I think I overdid it with the drink, I'm heading off."
Before he left, Kael called out one last time: — "Uncle, thank you for everything. You are like a father figure to me."
Zephyros was deeply moved by these words. He paused, then smiled and said, "Now go to bed."
Kael placed the letter on the desk where the moonlight hit and opened it:
"My dearest son, Kael... Today is your 15th birthday. More than anything in the world, I wanted to be there to hold you and take your beautiful face in my hands. But as you know, this frail body and my relentless illness have kept me from you on your special day. Since I cannot find the strength to leave my bed, I write this letter to you with nothing but the love in my heart.
My boy, knowing that you are safe with your uncle and growing stronger every day is my only solace in this dark room. Please do not be sad or blame yourself for my condition. Your achievements and the news of your health are more precious to me than all the medicines in the world. You are my reason for holding onto life.
I heard you are starting at the academy. I have full faith that you will be very successful there. Kael, always use that great power within you for good, and never let anyone extinguish your light. I will be here waiting for the day you return, for the moment I can hold you again, as I try to recover.
May your new age bring you health and peace, my dear child. Your mother, who loves you more than anything...
P.S. Take care of your uncle; he may seem harsh at times, but his heart beats for you."
When Kael finished the letter, he could almost hear his mother's frail but tender voice in his ears. He pressed the paper tightly to his chest and made a silent promise to himself that one day, he would save his mother from this illness.