Sixth Birthday

It was Ranav's sixth birthday, the 7th day of Iris, the 9th month of the year. He had slept deeply the previous night, utterly exhausted after a week of rigorous training and practice. Regenesis, his miraculous self-recovery technique, had its limits. A fact he and Jessica had come to understand over time. Initially, Regenesis seemed unstoppable. Ranav could avoid sleep for days, replenishing his mana and energy effortlessly. But as the weeks turned into months, cracks in its perfection began to show.

After about fifty uses, the technique's effects became negligible, forcing Ranav to rely on regular sleep to restore its potency. Even more concerning was the intense hunger that followed each use. Regenesis burned through his physical energy reserves, leaving him ravenous. To counterbalance these side effects, Ranav adopted a strict routine: he would sleep at least one or two nights a week and limit himself to two uses of Regenesis in a single day.

There was, however, a silver lining. Through constant practice of Lifebreath, the breathing technique Jessica had developed, Ranav discovered he could strengthen his dantian over time. By infusing his normal breathing with Lifebreath, every inhale brought in mana, subtly enhancing his core. After practicing for past months, Ranav has no normal breathing now, all Lifebreath. His dantian is getting stronger by the day. Jessica, too, benefited from their shared connection, absorbing a portion of the mana he gathered.

When Ranav opened the door to his room, he was startled to find his entire family gathered around the dining table. Blinking in confusion, he wondered why everyone was awake so early.

"Jessica," he asked silently, "what time is it?"

"The day started just thirty minutes ago," she replied.

"Then why is everyone up?" Ranav mused.

Before Jessica could answer, Camilla spotted him exiting his room and called out, "Happy Birthday, Ranav!"

Her voice was like a spark, igniting a chorus of warm wishes from the rest of the family.

"Happy Birthday!"

Ranav's face lit up with surprise and delight. "I almost forgot it's my birthday. Thank you, everyone!"

In this world, the day begins at sunrise, and birthday celebrations traditionally start in the morning. As Ranav's gaze swept across the room, he noticed the table laden with sweet dishes and a large, beautifully decorated cake. This was no ordinary morning, and he was certain it was Camilla's doing. Such elaborate celebrations were rare in their household. In the past, birthdays were marked simply, his mother would prepare a sweet dish, and the day would pass quietly.

Emotion welled up in Ranav as he realized how much effort his family had put into making this day special. Feeling a wave of gratitude, Ranav realized how much his family had bonded over the winter months. Between magic lessons and being snowed in, they had grown closer. Vivita and Camilla had become not just his sisters but also his pupils in magic. Their dedication to their training had impressed him, and though they hadn't awakened their elements yet, he felt they were on the verge of it. His mind wondered aloud and Jessica heard all his thoughts.

Jessica's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I'm happy with their progress too. Their mana cores have developed noticeably, even if the colors haven't changed. And by the way, your core has shifted from dark green to green."

Ranav grinned. "So, your Lifebreath theory is working. Congratulations, oh wise one!"

"Don't tease me," Jessica retorted. "Go spend time with your family. They're waiting for you."

After freshening up, Ranav returned to the dining area, his heart full of gratitude. "Thank you, everyone," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

He hugged his mother tightly. "Thank you, Mom… and Dad. Without you, I wouldn't be here celebrating this day. You've given me a happy childhood. Even though I'm considered an adolescent now, I hope you'll always see me as your baby for the rest of my life."

Vivita, ever the playful sister, chimed in with a dramatic pout. "What about me? I changed your pees, fed you, and carried you around. But nobody loves me!"

Ranav couldn't help but laugh. Letting go of his mother, he wrapped his arms around Vivita from behind. "Sis, you're the best. I love you."

Vivita's face lit up with a radiant smile. "I knew it!" she declared triumphantly, earning a round of chuckles from the family.

Ranav turned to Camilla next. "Big Sis, thank you for being part of our family."

Camilla blushed, a shy smile spreading across her face.

Finally, Ranav looked at his father. "Dad, I love you too. Please guide me to become a good man."

Trinav chuckled, his voice warm and reassuring. "You've already surpassed me in knowledge, son. I only attended the village school… how could I guide someone as bright as you? But I'll always be here if you need me."

Naveena interjected with a playful tone, "Alright, enough serious talk. Let's cut the cake and have breakfast. We're all starving."

As if on cue, Ranav's stomach growled loudly, drawing laughter from everyone. The house was filled with joy, warmth, and love as they celebrated together.

After the celebration, Ranav retreated to his room, feeling content. Jessica's voice broke the silence. "You ate a lot. How about a walk? The weather's nice, and we can check out our favorite hill. It's been a few months we didn't go there."

Ranav nodded. "Good idea. Let me grab my snow boots and some clothes."

An hour later, Ranav was at the hillside, taking in the beauty of the changing season. The snow had mostly melted, leaving patches scattered across the ground. Trees that had shed their leaves during winter now bore tiny buds, promising the return of vibrant greenery. Evergreen trees, like the Ashoka, stood tall and radiant, their leaves gleaming under the clear sunlight.

As Ranav climbed higher, the wind grew colder, biting at his face. But when he reached the top, the view took his breath away. Around him stretched a sea of treetops in varying hues… greens, grays, fiery reds, and oranges… spreading out like waves of color across the landscape.

"Life is returning to the woods," he thought, marveling at the scene.

Jessica agreed. "It's beautiful. Moments like these remind us of the cycles of nature. We also should be prepared for this year. Staying at home for a long time hindered your dark magic development. Although you formed the star circle for the summoning element, without reaching level one there will be no summon for you. You also should reach level one with your darkness star circle to become a proper healer as soon as possible."

"Stop worrying about the future. Let's enjoy this moment. You, me, and the world!" Ranav said almost inaudibly.

Ranav lingered at the top of the hill, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over him. The world seemed vast and full of possibilities, just like his journey ahead.