quietly.
The rain from last night had stopped.
Only droplets remained, hanging from leaves and falling occasionally onto the damp ground below. Thin sunlight filtered through the trees of Emberreach, breaking apart into soft beams that reached the camp in scattered patches.
The forest felt calmer.
Too calm.
Arthur hated it.
Because calm meant thinking.
And thinking meant—
the problem.
Arthur sat outside one of the houses with his elbows on his knees, staring into absolutely nothing.
His breakfast sat untouched.
Again.
His eyes looked serious.
Focused.
Like he was preparing for battle.
Which was ridiculous.
Because he wasn't thinking about combat.
He was thinking about—
What do people even buy for birthdays?
Two days.
Layla's birthday was in two days.
And Arthur had somehow convinced himself he needed to do something.
The issue—
they were in a forest.
No shops.
No stalls.
No markets.
No normal people.
The nearest proper town—
five days on foot.
And that was only the main town.
A real city would take even longer.
Arthur stared at the ground.
"…I'm finished."
He said quietly.
A few seconds later—
Sunny sat beside him.
No warning.
No sound.
Arthur didn't even react.
Sunny looked ahead.
"…You look troubled."
Arthur answered immediately.
"…I have a problem."
Sunny nodded.
"…You usually do."
Arthur ignored him.
Sunny sat quietly.
Then—
"…Layla's birthday."
Arthur froze.
Slowly turned.
"…How do you know?"
Sunny looked ahead.
"…You have been thinking loudly."
Arthur closed his eyes.
Of course.
Sunny looked at him.
"…What is the issue?"
Arthur stared ahead again.
"…I don't know what to get her."
Sunny nodded.
"…Understandable."
Arthur blinked.
He expected teasing.
Sunny continued.
"…You cannot go shopping."
Arthur looked at him.
Sunny counted calmly.
"…Five days to town."
"…Ten days round trip."
"…I assume that is inefficient."
Arthur looked offended.
"…That's not helping."
Sunny thought.
Then quietly said—
"…Why buy something?"
Arthur looked at him.
Sunny remained calm.
"…You build things."
Arthur blinked.
Sunny looked toward camp.
"…You train."
"…You survive."
"…You create."
Arthur frowned.
Sunny looked at him.
"…Why does the gift have to come from somewhere else?"
Arthur stared.
Sunny stood up.
Then—
"…Do not overcomplicate simple things."
And walked away.
Arthur sat there.
Thinking.
Then—
Rivien appeared.
No warning.
Holding logs.
For some reason.
He looked at Arthur.
"…What's wrong with you?"
Arthur sighed.
"…Nothing."
Rivien looked suspicious.
Then suddenly—
"…OH."
Arthur immediately regretted existing.
Rivien pointed dramatically.
"…Birthday gift."
Arthur slowly looked at him.
"…How do all of you know."
Rivien crossed his arms.
"…Brother."
He leaned closer.
"…You left a rose."
Arthur closed his eyes.
Right.
He forgot.
Rivien nodded wisely.
"…Anyway."
He pointed upward.
"…Make something."
Arthur stared.
Rivien continued confidently.
"…Women like meaningful things."
Arthur blinked.
"…How do you know?"
Rivien immediately answered—
"…I don't."
Arthur looked away.
That made sense.
Rivien walked off.
Arthur stayed sitting.
Then looked around camp.
The houses.
The trees.
The clock Sunny made.
Training marks.
Wood.
Stone.
Rain.
His eyes slowly narrowed.
Sunny's words repeated.
Why does the gift have to come from somewhere else?
Arthur slowly stood.
Looked toward the forest.
Then quietly said—
"…Maybe…"
His eyes shifted.
A thought forming.
Not bought.
Not expensive.
Not perfect.
But—
made.
And for the first time that morning—
Arthur smiled slightly.
Now he just had to figure out what.
Which—
unfortunately—
was still impossible.
(One hour later)
Morning continued quietly over Emberreach.
The air still carried moisture from last night's rain, and the camp slowly woke up one person at a time.
Arthur had been thinking.
Which unfortunately led to an idea.
And ideas—
were dangerous.
Especially his.
He stood up abruptly.
Turned.
And immediately started searching.
A few minutes later—
he found Sunny.
Sunny was sitting outside near one of the houses.
Eyes closed.
Doing absolutely nothing.
Or—
what looked like nothing.
Arthur walked over.
Sunny opened one eye.
"…What."
Arthur sat down.
Straight to the point.
"…Help me make something."
Sunny looked at him.
Then closed his eye again.
"…No."
Arthur blinked.
That was immediate.
"…You didn't even ask what."
Sunny remained still.
"…The answer is still no."
Arthur frowned.
"…Come on."
Sunny looked at him again.
Arthur pointed vaguely.
"…Your ability literally creates things."
Sunny stared.
"…Incorrect."
Arthur paused.
Sunny continued calmly.
"…My ability converts, shapes, and constructs."
Arthur waved his hand.
"…Same thing."
Sunny looked disappointed.
Then looked away.
Arthur leaned slightly.
"…I need help."
Sunny stared ahead.
"…No."
Arthur frowned.
"…Why not?"
Sunny became quiet.
Then after a moment—
he looked at his hand.
Tiny traces of pale grey aether appeared.
Then disappeared immediately.
Arthur noticed.
Sunny spoke.
"…I cannot."
Arthur blinked.
Sunny looked toward the houses.
"…Building these consumed too much."
Arthur followed his gaze.
The houses.
Right.
Sunny built them.
Separate rooms.
Separate structures.
No sharing.
Wood.
Support.
Insulation.
Layout.
Storage.
Everything.
Arthur blinked.
He forgot.
Sunny continued calmly—
"…Then training."
A pause.
"…Then repairs."
Another pause.
"…Then the clock."
Arthur stared.
Sunny looked away.
"…My reserves are low."
Arthur frowned slightly.
Sunny continued.
"…I am waiting."
Arthur looked at him.
"…For?"
Sunny answered immediately.
"…Recovery."
Arthur blinked.
Sunny closed his eyes again.
"…Internal aether recovers naturally."
"…Outside aether cannot replace it."
Arthur remembered.
Right.
Their internal aether—
their purified aether—
was identity.
Outside only boosted.
Sunny sighed quietly.
"…If I force more output…"
He looked at Arthur.
"…My control becomes worse."
Arthur became quieter.
He looked around.
The houses.
The walls.
The structures.
Sunny built all of this.
And never mentioned it.
Arthur looked back.
"…You should've said something."
Sunny looked confused.
"…Why?"
Arthur stared.
Sunny answered normally—
"…Everyone needed places to stay."
Arthur looked away.
That somehow annoyed him.
Sunny reopened one eye.
Then calmly added—
"…Also."
Arthur looked.
Sunny looked directly at him.
"…If I make the gift."
A pause.
"…Then it would not be yours."
Arthur froze.
Sunny closed his eye again.
"…That defeats the purpose."
Arthur stared.
Then frowned.
"…You sound experienced."
Sunny immediately answered—
"…I am not."
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
Sunny added—
"…I simply think."
Arthur stared another few seconds.
Then sighed.
"…You're annoying."
Sunny nodded.
"…I know."
Silence.
Then Arthur stood.
Sunny spoke without opening his eyes—
"…Use your hands."
Arthur looked at him.
Sunny remained still.
"…You always try to win with power."
A pause.
"…Try making something badly."
Arthur stared.
Sunny added quietly—
"…Sometimes effort survives longer than perfection."
Arthur stood there.
Thinking.
Then looked at his hands.
Then at the forest.
Then back at Sunny.
Sunny looked half asleep.
Arthur shook his head.
"…Fine."
He turned.
Started walking away.
Sunny quietly said—
"…And bring me food later."
Arthur looked back.
Sunny looked completely serious.
"…Recovery."
Arthur stared.
Then walked away.
And for the first time—
Arthur stopped thinking about what Sunny could make—
and started wondering what he could.
The morning settled slowly over Emberreach.
The forest felt quieter than usual.
Not empty.
Just peaceful.
Mist still lingered between trees after last night's rain, and cool air drifted through camp while sunlight slowly replaced the grey morning sky.
Most people were still waking up.
Some weren't.
Arthur walked back toward his house with his hands in his pockets.
His expression looked serious.
Too serious.
Which was unfortunate.
Because the thing occupying his entire mind right now—
was not combat.
Not training.
Not Flow State.
Not Void Resonance.
It was—
Layla's birthday.
Two days.
Two days left.
Arthur entered his room and shut the door behind him.
Immediately—
he sat down.
Then stared at the table.
Nothing.
No ideas.
He looked around.
Bed.
Window.
Chair.
Wood.
Then he started thinking.
What does she like?
Books?
They had none.
Jewelry?
Impossible.
Food?
Alexi cooks.
Flowers?
Already did that.
Weapons?
Too weird.
Training equipment?
That sounded offensive.
Arthur leaned back.
"…Why is this harder than fighting?"
His fingers tapped the table.
Then he started making mental lists.
Things Layla said.
Things she smiled at.
Things she kept.
Things she never talked about.
His expression softened slightly.
Then—
his eyes drifted toward the window.
Her house.
Curtains closed.
Still asleep.
Arthur stared quietly.
Then looked away immediately.
"…Focus."
---
Elsewhere—
Tom was outside.
Training.
Or—
attempting to.
He stood in the clearing with his arms crossed.
Then moved.
Slow.
Controlled.
Footwork.
Balance.
Rotation.
Simple things.
Nothing flashy.
No abilities.
No aether.
Just movement.
Then—
he stopped.
His hand slowly moved to his lower back.
His expression didn't change.
But he stood still.
Quietly.
"…Hm."
He straightened.
Then immediately regretted it.
His face remained calm.
His back did not.
Tom slowly stretched.
Small crack.
Another.
He sighed.
"…Unfortunate."
He looked toward the younger group's houses.
Then quietly muttered—
"…This body is becoming annoying."
His knees were fine.
His breathing was fine.
His control was excellent.
But—
time.
Time had started speaking.
Not loudly.
Just enough.
Tom looked upward.
Then laughed once.
"…Conceding was the correct decision."
He rolled one shoulder.
Then quietly added—
"…I'd rather leave the dramatic tournaments to people who still recover overnight."
Still—
he didn't stop.
He adjusted his posture.
Started again.
Slower.
More deliberate.
Training.
Not to get stronger.
But to stay capable.
---
Kierran's room remained silent.
Still asleep.
No movement.
Last night's decision remained locked away inside him.
No one knew.
---
Lucas—
also asleep.
Blanket halfway on.
Probably dreaming about winning arguments.
---
Layla—
asleep.
Rose still nearby.
---
Sunny—
recovering.
Meditating.
Which somehow looked identical to sleeping.
---
Alex—
missing.
Again.
Nobody knew where he went.
Nobody questioned it anymore.
Which was somehow more concerning.
---
And then—
Alexi walked through camp.
Carrying something.
Not food.
Not training supplies.
She looked around quietly.
Then—
toward Arthur's house.
She smiled slightly.
Adjusted what she was carrying.
And walked over.
Meanwhile—
inside—
Arthur was still sitting.
Thinking.
Completely unaware.
That his mother—
was coming to ruin his attempt at being mysterious. Arthur sat at the table in his room.
Still thinking.
Still failing.
His face looked serious enough that someone passing by would think he was planning battle strategy.
Unfortunately—
he was trying to figure out birthday gifts.
His fingers tapped against the wood.
He looked at the window.
Then the table.
Then the ceiling.
Nothing.
His thoughts kept circling.
What if she doesn't like it?
What if it's weird?
What if she already has something better?
Then—
knock.
Arthur blinked.
He looked toward the door.
Another knock.
"…Arthur?"
His expression softened slightly.
"…Come in."
The door opened.
Alexi stepped inside.
Arthur immediately sat straighter.
She looked around the room briefly.
Then smiled.
"…You look troubled."
Arthur looked away.
"…I'm thinking."
Alexi looked amused.
"…Dangerous."
Arthur sighed.
She quietly closed the door behind her and walked over.
Then—
she sat beside him.
Arthur noticed something.
She was holding something.
Small.
Wrapped carefully in cloth.
Arthur looked at it.
"…What's that?"
Alexi looked down at it quietly.
For a second—
her expression changed.
Softer.
Distant.
Then she slowly unfolded the cloth.
Inside—
was a necklace.
Simple.
Silver.
Not flashy.
No jewels.
No complicated design.
Just a thin chain with a small pendant.
A circular shape with a tiny line running through the middle.
Old.
But preserved.
Arthur looked at it.
Then looked at her.
Alexi stared at it for a few seconds.
Then quietly said—
"…Your father gave this to me."
Arthur became still.
The room became quieter.
Rain no longer filled the silence.
Only her voice.
She smiled faintly.
"…Back then…"
She laughed once.
"…We didn't have much."
Arthur listened.
She turned the necklace slightly.
"…And I remember thinking…"
Her smile became smaller.
"…That he should've bought something more useful."
Arthur looked at her.
She continued.
"…Then years passed."
She looked down.
"…And I realized…"
Her fingers lightly closed around it.
"…I never really cared what it was."
She looked at Arthur.
Her eyes softened.
"…Because it came from him."
Silence.
Then—
she held it out.
Arthur blinked.
"…What?"
Alexi smiled.
"…Give it to Layla."
Arthur immediately frowned.
"…Wait."
He looked at the necklace.
Then at her.
"…No."
Alexi blinked.
Arthur looked uncomfortable.
"…That's from Dad."
Alexi nodded.
Arthur looked confused.
"…And…"
He looked at the necklace again.
"…Would she even like jewelry?"
Alexi looked at him for a few seconds.
Then—
she smiled.
The kind of smile mothers had when they knew something someone else didn't.
She gently placed the necklace into Arthur's hand.
Then quietly said—
"…Arthur."
He looked at her.
She smiled softly.
"…Anything from you means more than you think."
Arthur looked at her.
Alexi continued—
"…Even things she normally wouldn't choose."
Arthur looked away.
"…That doesn't make sense."
Alexi laughed quietly.
"…It doesn't."
She stood up.
Then looked back.
"…People are strange like that."
Arthur looked down at the necklace.
Alexi smiled.
"…And for the record."
She started walking toward the door.
Then stopped.
Without turning—
she said—
"…Your father wasn't good at gifts either."
Arthur blinked.
She smiled.
"…But he tried."
Then she opened the door.
Paused.
And quietly added—
"…Sometimes trying becomes the part people remember."
Then she left.
The room became quiet.
Arthur sat there.
Looking at the necklace.
His fingers turned it slightly.
Simple.
Old.
Not expensive.
Nothing special.
And yet—
it felt strangely heavy.
Arthur looked out the window.
Toward Layla's house.
Then quietly muttered—
"…This is way too much pressure."
But—
he didn't put the necklace away.
Instead—
he held onto it a little longer.
Arthur remained sitting for a while after Alexi left.
The room felt quieter now.
Not because of silence—
but because something had been left behind.
The necklace rested in his hand.
Simple.
Old.
Not powerful.
Not rare.
Yet somehow—
it felt heavier than the system rewards he'd gotten.
Arthur looked at it for a few seconds.
Then carefully wrapped it again and placed it inside one of the drawers.
Not hidden.
Just…
safe.
He leaned back.
Exhaled.
Then quietly muttered—
"…I'll think about it later."
His eyes drifted downward.
Then—
another thought appeared.
He hadn't checked in a while.
Training.
Flow State attempts.
Devouring Ember.
The hidden memory.
His aether.
Arthur sat up slightly.
Then quietly said—
"…Status."
Immediately—
the air shifted.
Blue light gathered.
A familiar translucent window appeared.
---
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name:
Arthur Ravenheart
Given name :
Smile of heaven
Level: 23
Rank:
Awakened — Mid Stage
Path:
Path of Eternity
Age:
17
---
Core Attributes
Strength — 41
Agility — 39
Endurance — 45
Aether Control — 36
Perception — 44
Adaptability — 52
"This is new " he says while drinking a soda out of a can ."
---
Aether Status
Internal Aether Reserve: 68%
Internal Aether Purity: 97%
External Aether Tolerance: Moderate
Void Resonance Risk: LOW
Identity Stability: Stable
---
Ability List and description
Absolute Black
Status: Active
Description: A destructive attribute capable of consuming, suppressing, and reshaping nearby energy interactions.
Mastery: 27%
Fated
Status : active
Description: The Unknown are always tied by a string .
Elemental understudy
Status : inactive
Description: User has the potential to be able to control all five elements
---
Elemental Affinity
Fire — Intermediate
Ice — Intermediate
Wind — Locked
Earth — Locked
Lightning — Locked
Empathetic surge
Status: locked
Description:???
Limitless
Status :locked
Description:???
Presence
Status :unlocked
Description: the user has the ability to conceal their presence, erase their existence from an enemies mind
Mastery : 0%
Jadewalker
Status : locked
Description:???
---
◼ Devouring Ember
(New)
Status: Compatible
Mastery: 0%
Description: Consume released residual aether to temporarily restore stamina and reinforce future output.
WARNING: Overuse may influence emotional stabili
---
Hidden Memory
「The One That Continued Eating」
Status: SEALED
Progress: 0 / ???
---
Arthur stared quietly.
Then his eyes narrowed.
Flow State.
12%.
His expression immediately changed.
"…Only twelve?"
He stared.
He thought he did better.
His eyes moved lower.
Then stopped.
Internal Aether Purity.
97%.
Arthur blinked.
That looked…
high.
He frowned.
Then—
his eyes moved again.
Adaptability.
52.
Highest stat.
His expression became thoughtful.
Then—
he noticed something.
Very small.
At the bottom.
New.
---
Hidden Condition Detected
Reward Inheritance: 1%
---
Arthur froze.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Inheritance?"
No explanation.
No description.
Nothing. Arthur stared at the status window for a few seconds longer.
Then he closed it.
The blue light disappeared.
The room returned to normal.
Quiet.
His eyes drifted toward the drawer.
Inside—
wrapped carefully—
was the necklace.
The one Alexi had given him.
The one his father had once given her.
Arthur looked at the drawer for a while.
Then leaned back.
His thoughts drifted.
Birthday.
Gift.
Necklace.
Then—
his eyes widened slightly.
His expression changed.
And suddenly—
he stood.
"…Wait."
Why was he only thinking about the gift?
Why not—
something bigger?
His eyes narrowed.
Two days.
No markets.
No city.
No expensive presents.
But—
they had people.
Arthur looked toward the door.
Then immediately left.
---
Outside—
Sunny was exactly where Arthur expected him to be.
Sitting.
Recovering.
Doing what looked suspiciously like nothing.
Arthur walked over.
Sunny opened one eye.
"…What now."
Arthur sat beside him.
Sunny looked at him.
Arthur looked serious.
Too serious.
Sunny immediately became cautious.
Arthur spoke.
"…I need help."
Sunny stared.
"…No."
Arthur frowned.
"…You didn't even hear me."
Sunny closed his eye.
"…Experience."
Arthur ignored him.
Then said—
"…I want to plan a party."
Sunny opened one eye again.
Arthur looked away.
"…For Layla."
Sunny stared.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
"…Reasonable."
Arthur blinked.
Sunny looked ahead.
"…Continue."
Arthur nodded.
"…Gift is handled."
His eyes briefly drifted away.
Drawer.
Necklace.
Then back.
"…But I want to do something else."
Sunny listened.
Arthur continued—
"…I want everyone to help."
Sunny thought quietly.
Then nodded once.
"…Acceptable."
Arthur blinked.
"…That's it?"
Sunny looked at him.
"…You expected resistance?"
Arthur stared.
"…From you?"
Sunny looked offended.
Arthur ignored him.
Then stood.
"…Alright."
---
A little while later—
everyone gathered.
Tom.
Lucas.
Kierran.
Alexi.
Rivien.
Layla.
Eventually—
Alex appeared.
Nobody asked from where.
Arthur stood in front.
Then spoke.
"…Meeting."
Layla blinked.
Arthur immediately pointed—
"…Not for you."
Layla stared.
Everyone looked at Arthur.
Arthur recovered.
"…I mean—"
He pointed at Rivien.
"…Rivien."
Rivien stood proudly.
Arthur nodded.
"…You're responsible for keeping Layla away."
Layla blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Rivien immediately saluted.
"…Understood."
Arthur continued.
"…Until preparations are ready."
Rivien nodded seriously.
"…Mission accepted."
Layla looked suspicious.
Arthur avoided eye contact.
Then turned.
"…Sunny."
Sunny looked.
Arthur pointed.
"…Communication devices."
Sunny blinked.
Arthur crossed his arms.
"…Your constructs don't use much aether."
Sunny thought.
Then nodded.
"…Small devices are manageable."
Arthur looked relieved.
Sunny added—
"…Low range."
Arthur nodded.
Good enough.
Arthur turned.
"…Kierran."
Kierran looked up.
"…You."
Then Lucas.
"…And you."
Then pointed at himself.
"…Decorations."
Lucas stared.
"…Decorations?"
Arthur nodded.
Lucas looked disappointed.
Kierran looked even more disappointed.
Arthur ignored them.
Then—
"…Alex."
Alex looked.
Arthur pointed.
"…Cake."
Silence.
Alex stared.
Arthur looked at Tom.
"…And Tom."
Tom blinked.
"…Why me?"
Arthur looked confused.
"…You look like you can bake."
Tom stared.
Sunny quietly looked away.
Alexi covered her mouth.
Tom looked personally attacked.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
Alex looked at Tom.
Tom looked at Alex.
Alex looked calm.
Then quietly said—
"…I have never baked before."
Tom smiled.
"…Neither have I."
Arthur froze.
"…Wait what."
Tom crossed his arms.
"…How hard can it be?"
Sunny quietly muttered—
"…Famous last words."
Arthur ignored the sudden danger.
Then looked around.
Everyone had roles.
Then—
Layla raised her hand.
Everyone froze.
Layla looked confused.
"…What's happening?"
Silence.
Rivien immediately stepped forward.
"…Layla."
She blinked.
Rivien crossed his arms dramatically.
"…You and I are hunting wild boars."
Layla blinked.
"…Right now?"
Rivien nodded.
"…Adventure."
Layla looked confused.
Arthur looked away.
Sunny looked away.
Everyone looked away.
Layla narrowed her eyes.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
Rivien immediately pointed dramatically.
"…Avoid lesser beasts."
Arthur nodded.
"…And corrupted beings."
Rivien nodded seriously.
"…Run immediately."
Layla looked at everyone.
Still suspicious.
But eventually—
she agreed.
And just like that—
Operation:
Layla Birthday
officially began.
Arthur looked at everyone.
Then quietly said—
"…Please don't mess this up."
Immediately—
Alex said—
"…No promises."
Tom nodded.
Sunny closed his eyes.
Lucas sighed.
Kierran questioned his life choices.
And Arthur suddenly realized—
this may have been a terrible idea.