Life in the village flowed with the quiet regularity of the seasons, marked by work in the fields and hunting in the woods. Each day passed without significant changes.
For Kael, however, the only change was his growth and the increasing intensity of his training. After a quick breakfast, he would undergo training under the stern but patient watch of Ronald. Running, weightlifting, archery, and swordplay had become as much a part of his daily life as helping with the village chores. If he wasn't training with Ronald, he would spend his days at the academy.
During breaks, he would enjoy some leisure time with his family, finding lightness and fun, especially when Alice was around. Her pranks and energy always managed to bring a smile to his face, making the hours feel carefree.
And so, almost without realizing it, Kael found himself on the eve of a special day: his fifteenth birthday, which coincided with the summer solstice.
That evening, the small house was illuminated by the warm light of candles, enveloped in an intimate and familial atmosphere. Around the table sat Ronald, Beatrice, Luke, Angela, and Alice, the only people Kael truly considered family.
"Happy fifteenth birthday, Kael!" They all exclaimed, and Angela, with a sweet smile, handed him a small plate with a simple but lovingly made cake.
It was a rare luxury, but it was worth it, as that age marked the transition into adulthood.
Kael looked at the faces of those around him, a genuine warmth spreading through his chest.
"Thank you all, really."
Beatrice placed a hand on his, squeezing it affectionately. "Fifteen... You've grown so much. It feels like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms."
"Yeah, you grow up so fast," Alice added, touched, but the others shot her a confused look.
Kael rolled his eyes. Alice had celebrated her birthday a few months before his, and her obsession with seeing herself as an older sister had only grown. Kael hoped that, at least after today, she would start acting a little more normally, but knowing her, he doubted it would happen.
Angela chuckled, nudging Alice to step back. "Forget it, Alice. It's his birthday, don't embarrass him more."
Kael felt relieved but couldn't help smiling. Despite the embarrassment, he was happy to be surrounded by these people. They were more than family; they were his support, and in these simple yet meaningful moments, he felt a deep sense of gratitude.
"Now, how about we move on to the presents?" Angela asked, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention and gesturing to Alice.
"Here you go. This is from me, mom, and grandma Beatrice, but I'm not bragging, the idea was mine."
Alice handed him a package, smiling as she urged him to open it, revealing a pair of leather gloves with a layer of protective metal.
Kael looked at the gloves with a surprised expression. The metal on the tops of the hands and knuckles was finely engraved as if forged with great care. It was clear that this was a gift thoughtfully chosen.
"Thank you, Alice," he said, trying not to seem too moved. "They're nice. I'll definitely use them."
Alice gave him a satisfied smile. "Again, happy birthday, Kael."
Alice hugged him, and Kael returned it warmly.
"Anyway, now I understand why you always wanted to hold my hand recently, it was to take measurements, wasn't it? They fit perfectly."
Kael smiled as he continued to hug her, unaware that Alice's expression froze, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Y-Yeah! So you better thank me properly!"
Alice pulled away, hiding her embarrassment with a laugh. While the three men didn't find anything odd, the two women exchanged suspicious glances at Alice.
Luke stepped forward with a fond smile, holding a long package wrapped in soft fabric. "Here's my gift," he said, handing it to Kael.
Kael looked at it curiously, carefully unwrapping the package.
"A bow?" Kael asked, surprised.
Luke nodded, smiling. "I know you're improving every day, and I thought this might help you take the next step."
Kael took the bow, feeling the right weight for his hands. He raised it, testing the string, and immediately noticed how it responded well. It was perfect. "It's amazing, Uncle Luke. I can't wait to try it out for real."
Luke smiled and ruffled his head.
Then Kael turned to Ronald, who raised an eyebrow at him.
"What? You want this old man to get you a gift too?"
"Stop acting like an idiot," Beatrice said coldly, giving Ronald a smack on the head. He grumbled some complaints before going to fetch his gift.
"For you, kid."
With a smile, Ronald handed the long package to Kael, who, upon opening it, was left speechless. Inside was a sword, a real sword.
"This is a sword I chose for you," said Ronald. "It's not the most beautiful, nor the most powerful, but it's sturdy and will help you in the toughest moments. Every time you wield it, remember what it means to hold a weapon and the consequences it can bring."
Kael felt his heart pounding in his chest, but instead of responding with words, he raised the sword. "I won't disappoint you, Ronald."
Ronald nodded, satisfied. "I know."
Then, with a more mischievous look, he approached Kael, passing a bottle of alcohol between his hands. "A final gift, if you're up for it since you've already experienced your first hunt last year," he said, raising a glass.
Kael eyed the bottle, noticing its strong smell. "Alcohol?"
"Just a little celebration of your birthday," Ronald replied with a smile. "No boy becoming a man should pass up the chance to try this at least once. Now that I think about it, Alice, you join in too."
"Really?" Alice exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.
Luke, who had been watching, recognized the drink and shook his head resignedly. Angela and Beatrice exchanged amused glances, trying to hold back their laughter.
Kael and Alice exchanged a suspicious look, both aware that something was off. However, the curiosity to taste the mysterious liquid overpowered any doubts… but their expectations quickly vanished.
"Ptfff! Cough-cough!"
"Ugh! It tastes like piss!" Kael exclaimed, his face contorted in disgust.
"HAHAHAHAH!"
The laughter of the four echoed in the room as Kael and Alice struggled not to vomit, their eyes full of disgust and horror. As tradition goes, the first glass of alcohol was always a specially fermented drink designed to have the most disgusting taste possible.
The party continued with laughter and chatter, but soon it was time to leave. Kael and Ronald thanked everyone once again and exited.
By now, night had fallen over the village, and the few lanterns lighting the road cast a soft, almost magical light. The cool air, typical of a summer evening, offered relief from the heat that had enveloped the day, creating a pleasant and relaxing sensation.
"Did you have fun?" Ronald asked, a smile betraying his satisfaction.
"Very much. I feel lucky to have all of you by my side." Kael smiled a sincere grin that reflected the gratitude in his heart.
Ronald responded with a knowing smile and a pat on the back. "How about we extend our walk a little longer?"
"Okay." Kael, though a bit confused by the proposal, didn't give it much thought and accepted it; the clear sky and fresh air were too inviting to refuse.
The village was fading behind them as the night stretched silently around the two. The only sound that broke the silence was the rustle of their footsteps on the soft grass, while above them, the clear sky was a sea of stars.
They continued walking, and their path led them further from the village. Once they arrived, Kael stopped and looked at Ronald, confused. "Hmm... What are we doing here?"
Ronald said little. He slipped his hand into his jacket, pulling out a package which he handed to Kael.
"Another gift?" Kael looked at him with a puzzled expression, but curiosity won, and he opened the package with a hesitant smile.
Inside, he found a book with unusual features. The cover was adorned with a golden frame, etched with scarlet patterns, and it seemed to almost radiate a subtle warmth as if it were something alive.
"A book?" Kael asked, looking up at Ronald, uncertain about the meaning behind the gesture.
"This, my boy, isn't my gift," Ronald said with a strange expression.
"Come on, don't keep me in suspense." Kael tried to joke, but seeing the seriousness in Ronald's face, he decided to remain silent.
"This comes from your parents."
The bombshell of information made Kael's eyes widen, and he gripped the book more tightly.
"In the past, I told you that I'd tell you everything once you were older, and I think that time has come," Ronald said with a nostalgic sigh. "Let me tell you how, in the New World, I found an infant in the most absurd place one could imagine."