Chapter 7: A surprise for the ages

"One month into his intense training, Kael's command over his mana has vastly improved, his hair has reached shoulder length and his body now carries the strength of his efforts. Yet, as he caught his breath after his morning sparring session with Davit, Jesp's sharp voice rang out, signaling the start of another grueling exercise. There was no room for complacency. Every day brought new challenges, and Kael had learned quickly that Jesp never allowed him to stagnate.

Kael wiped the sweat from his brow and shifted his gaze to Liana, who approached with her signature grin. 'Still standing? I'm impressed,' she teased, tossing him a water flask. 'Jesp wasn't holding back, huh?'

'Not one bit,' Kael muttered, though a small smile tugged at his lips. He felt a sense of camaraderie he hadn't known before joining the guild. These moments, however fleeting, reminded him why he pushed himself so hard—to stand beside them as equals.

"By the way, Orin is sending me for a job in the city and told me to take you with me, is that okay with you?" Liana asked

"Sure, let me go clean myself up first and then we can go" Kael replied

"Of course" Liana replied

Kael hurried to the guild's washroom, the cool water a welcome relief against his flushed skin. He changed into a clean set of clothes, opting for something comfortable yet practical, knowing he'd likely need to stay on his toes. The prospect of venturing into the city with Liana was a mix of excitement and nerves—this was his second outing since joining.

When Kael returned to the main hall, Liana was waiting, leaning casually against the doorframe. She waved him over. "Ready to go?"

Kael nodded, slinging a small satchel over his shoulder. "What's the job about, anyway?"

"Nothing too dangerous," Liana assured him, though her tone carried a hint of mischief. "Orin got a request from a merchant—someone's been messing with their supply routes. We're supposed to check it out, maybe scare off whoever's causing trouble."

"Sounds straightforward enough," Kael said, trying to hide his curiosity. He hadn't worked alongside Liana before, and her reputation for creative tactics intrigued him.

As they walked, the gentle sea breeze carried the faint scent of salt and fish, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby stall. Seagulls cried overhead, swooping down to scavenge scraps from the bustling marketplace. Eldoria was alive in every sense of the word, and Kael felt a strange comfort in its vibrant energy.

"You've been here before. How come you're still so surprised?" Liana asked, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she noticed Kael's wide-eyed fascination.

Kael chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Lock yourself inside for ten years, and then you'll understand, sis.". Over the past month, Kael had learned how to push her buttons—especially since she liked being called "big sister".

Liana's laughter faltered, her expression turning contemplative. "I kinda get it," she said softly. "I'm from a noble family, so, unfortunately, I was trapped inside my own house for a long time."

Kael glanced at her, surprised by the shift in her tone. "Really? You don't seem like the type to stay cooped up."

She shrugged, her grin returning but tinged with something more subdued. "Oh, I wasn't by choice. My parents were protective to the point of smothering. It wasn't until I joined the guild that I finally got to see the world outside those walls."

Kael nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "Guess we've both had our share of being caged, huh?"

"Looks like it," Liana replied, her green eyes meeting his with a spark of empathy. "But at least now we're out, and we get to face all this craziness together."

Kael smirked. "Yeah, craziness is right. Between Jesp's drills and Davit's sparring, I think I'm getting more chaos than I bargained for."

Liana laughed, the sound light and infectious. "Don't worry, today's mission might be a nice break from all that... or it could be another level of chaos. Guess we'll find out."

As they reached the heart of the marketplace, Kael's gaze lingered on a familiar storefront. The gilded letters above the entrance read, "The Golden Charm", and a faint memory surfaced.

"That's the store from my first quest," Kael said, pointing toward the jewelry shop. "Jesp sent met after a thief who stole from this store. Hopefully, nothing else has been stolen since then."

Liana followed his gaze, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "I hope not, but even if it has, you know, it's our job to step in. That's what we're here for, right?" She crossed her arms, clearly proud of her answer.

Kael gave her an approving nod, a small smile forming. "Good point there. Hard to argue with that logic."

After weaving through the bustling marketplace, they stopped in front of a small but tidy barber shop. The sign above the door read The Coastal Cut, its bold letters painted in a rich navy blue with white trimming that mimicked ocean waves. A smaller sign on the door cheerfully announced, "OPEN," swinging slightly in the breeze.

"This is it," Liana exclaimed, her tone light and cheerful. She gestured toward the entrance, grinning.

Kael tilted his head, studying the shop. "A barber shop? Didn't think this was part of the job."

"Oh but it is" Liana replied, amused. "Now let's go in, we don't wanna be late"

Inside the shop, the scent of freshly polished wood and faint citrus greeted them. At the front counter sat a massive man, engrossed in a magazine far too small for his enormous hands. His muscles strained against the fabric of his shirt, and when he stood, the floor seemed to groan beneath his 212 cm frame.

"We're here. Hope we're not late," Liana said brightly.

The man looked up, his deep baritone voice rumbling like distant thunder. "You're right on time, young miss."

Kael craned his neck to meet the man's eyes, his own wide with disbelief. "Holy—"

"Language," Liana interrupted sharply, smirking.

The towering barber raised an eyebrow, glancing down at Kael. "Is this the young boy you mentioned?"

"That's the one," Liana confirmed with a mischievous grin. "Do whatever you think suits him."

Kael's eyes darted between them. "Wait, you traitor—!" he began, but before he could protest further, the barber effortlessly scooped him up as if he weighed nothing.

"Now, now, little one," the man said, his voice calm but firm. "The young miss was kind enough to bring you here to sort out the... situation on top of your head."

Kael found himself deposited unceremoniously into the barber chair, a cape draped over him before he could wiggle free. His reflection in the mirror showed a face caught between indignation and defeat.

"Forgive me, my dear big sister," Kael said dramatically, clasping his hands together in mock prayer as he glanced at Liana. "Can we forget this ever happened and just leave?"

Liana chuckled, leaning against the counter. "Nice try, little brother. But nope. You're staying put."

The barber's hearty laugh echoed through the shop. "I like this one. Don't worry, kid. By the time I'm done, you'll look sharp enough to impress even gods."

Kael groaned, slumping slightly in the chair. "Great. Just don't make me regret this."

After the barber finished cutting Kael's hair, "All done, looking good young man" he said with a nod of approval, "I believe I did a good job"

Kael opened his eyes and saw his black hair in a wonderful textured crop that he couldn't help but admire

"Ok, maybe I shouldn't have doubted you after all" Kael said apologetically.

"See, it wasn't that bad now was it?" Liana grinned.

"Yeah yeah, thanks a lot old man" Kael looked at the barber.

The barber laughed loudly "Glad you like it young man."

Liana chuckled at Kael's playful banter with the barber. "There you go, Kael. No need to be all grumpy about it. I told you he'd make you look good."

Kael gave her an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'll make sure to send you a thank-you card for the confidence boost." He turned to the barber, offering a genuine smile. "Thanks again, really. You did an amazing job."

The barber gave a hearty nod. "Glad I could help, young man. A fresh haircut does wonders for the soul."

As Kael and Liana stepped out of the shop, the sun seemed a little brighter, the breeze a little warmer. Kael ran a hand through his newly styled hair, still getting used to the feel.

Liana gave him a teasing look. "So, how's it feel to look like a proper wizard now?"

Kael shot her a smirk. "I don't know, I think I was always a proper wizard. Just needed a better haircut to match the talent."

Liana laughed, nudging him playfully. "Oh, you're going to be insufferable, aren't you?"

"You can blame Davit for that," Kael said with a grin.

"Now let's go to our final stop for the day, no sneaky surprises this time, I promise," Liana chuckled.

"Right... So where are we going?" Kael asked, giving Liana a skeptical look.

"We're going to pick up your school uniform from the noble district," Liana said casually.

"But it's still July. We still have two months before school starts," Kael replied, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Better early than last minute, you know?" Liana pointed, her grin widening.

Kael sighed. "Good point. Who knows how busy we might get these days."

"Exactly. Now, let's go!" Liana marched off, leading him through the bustling streets toward the noble district.

As they walked further, the lively energy of the marketplace faded into the refined, quieter ambiance of the noble district. Kael couldn't help but notice how the architecture here was more stately—manicured gardens, taller buildings, and polished marble paths.

When they reached the store, Kael felt a bit out of place. The large windows of the boutique displayed elegant robes, intricately designed canes, and ornamental accessories that screamed wealth and luxury. Everything looked expensive—like something out of a royal palace.

The sign above the door read "Vesper & Co. – Fine Attire for the Discerning Elite," its letters gilded in gold. As they entered, a soft chime rang, signaling their arrival.

Inside, the store was a world of opulence. The shelves were lined with robes of every color, from the finest silks to embroidered velvet, and display mannequins showcased meticulously crafted accessories. A floor-to-ceiling mirror in the back of the room reflected the rich hues of the fabrics, while an attendant in a sharply tailored suit approached them with a practiced smile.

"This must be the place for... rich people," Kael muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the store's lavish interior.

"Yep. Welcome to Vesper & Co., where all the nobles shop," Liana teased, clearly amused by his reaction. "Now, let's get you fitted for your school uniform. They're custom-made here, after all."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Custom-made? For a uniform?"

Liana grinned. "For the noble school? Of course! You can't just wear any old thing. It's all about appearances here."

"Right... Looks like I'm getting a crash course in nobility," Kael muttered.

As they were led to a fitting room by the attendant, Kael couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Even the fitting process was meticulous. Soon, the attendant returned with a perfectly tailored uniform in hand—dark robes adorned with silver trim and with the academy crest and the number IV on the left breast.

Liana gave Kael a teasing look. "You're about to look like you actually belong here. Try it on."

Kael shrugged and stepped into the changing room, already dreading the transformation into someone who might actually fit in among the elite.

Kael stepped into the changing room, the weight of the uniform in his hands feeling oddly heavy, as if it were a symbol of expectations he wasn't sure he wanted to meet. He carefully changed into the robes, adjusting the dark fabric as it fell around him. The silver trim caught the light in just the right way, and the academy crest with the number IV on the left breast was proudly displayed. It marked the year he would begin at the academy, the fourth year in their cycle of classes.

He stared at his reflection in the mirror. The fit was perfect, almost too perfect. The robe felt soft, like it had been made for someone who had always belonged in places like this. The polished look, with the academy's insignia on his chest, made him feel like he was stepping into an entirely different world—a world he didn't quite feel ready for.

After a moment, he stepped out of the changing room, his expression a mix of disbelief and awkwardness.

Liana raised an eyebrow as she took in his appearance, her lips twitching into a grin. "Well, well, look at you. I'd say you clean up pretty well for someone who was just training with Davit a few hours ago."

Kael said dryly "Yeah, yeah, I look like a walking coat with limbs."

Liana chuckled, walking around him to inspect the uniform. "You don't look bad, though. Honestly, the dark robes with the silver trim suit you. It's the kind of thing I could see you pulling off."

Kael ran a hand through his hair, now cropped neatly. "I'm starting to like playing dress-up but i don't think it's for me."

"It's only for school, Kael. You'll get used to it. Trust me, no one cares how uncomfortable you are as long as you look like you belong," Liana said, her tone teasing but with a hint of understanding.

Kael let out a breath, straightening his posture. "Guess I'll get used to it. But this whole thing still feels way too... much for me."

"You'll grow into it," Liana replied, flashing him a grin. "Now, let's get this paid for, and you can take it home to put in your wardrobe. And hey, at least you won't be the odd one out when school starts."

Kael smirked, feeling a little less tense. "Great. Can't wait to see how much more weird this gets."

As they walked to the counter to settle the payment, Kael couldn't help but wonder what the upcoming months would bring. If this was what he had to wear just to fit in, he wasn't sure if he was ready for the academy. But one thing was for sure: things were about to get a lot more complicated.

As they returned to the guild, the quiet atmosphere struck Kael first. The usual sounds of laughter, sparring, and chatter were gone. The beach that was normally a battleground was empty, and the garden, usually alive with the rustling of leaves and the hum of activity, was eerily still.

"Where is everyone?" Kael asked, his voice echoing in the silence as he glanced around, confusion creeping into his expression.

Liana gave him a puzzled look, her eyes scanning the area. "This is... weird. It's never this quiet." looking concerned "How about we go inside and investigate?"

"Good idea" Kael nodded

As they entered the guildhall, it only got stranger. The usual hustle and bustle inside was absent. The space felt unusually empty, with no one in sight, not even the typical guild members who were always hanging around. It was like they had all vanished.

Kael frowned, his instincts kicking in. "Liana, what's going on? This doesn't feel right."

Liana raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, her curiosity piqued. She led the way deeper into the guildhall, heading toward the offices, but something seemed off. It wasn't just the quiet—there was an almost tangible stillness to the air, like everything had been frozen in time.

They continued walking, past the hall's common areas, when suddenly, the sound of laughter rang out from behind them.

"Gotcha!"

Kael's heart nearly stopped as he spun around, the sudden laughter hitting him like a wave. Jesp, Davit, Abel, and even Liana, who had been in on it all along, were grinning from ear to ear, standing in a huddle near the partition. They all shouted in unison, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAEL!"

His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he could only stare at them. His hand instinctively went to his chest, feeling the sudden rush of surprise and disbelief. "You... you guys?" he managed to stammer, his voice a mixture of confusion and awe.

Liana laughed, stepping forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bet you didn't see this one coming, huh?"

"Are you kidding?!" Kael exclaimed, shaking his head in amazement. "You've been messing with me all day, and now this? You all kept it a secret?!"

Abel chuckled, crossing his arms. "It wasn't easy keeping quiet, you know. But we had to make sure it was a surprise."

Jesp nodded with a grin. "You're officially sixteen now. Thought it'd be fun to shake things up a bit."

Kael was still processing the surprise, the realization slowly dawning on him. "I had no idea. Not even a clue. No wonder everything was so quiet. You were all hiding!", he laughed. He shot a look at Liana, who was trying to hide her grin behind her hand. "You were in on it too?!"

Liana winked. "I had to keep up the ruse, didn't I? You didn't think I'd give it away that easily, did you?"

"But that's not all," Orin said, "We also have a special guest today" 

"Surprise, happy birthday Kael", said a familiar voice

Kael turned around and saw Margaret standing behind him and hugged him

"Marg- mom what are you doing here?" Kael asked surprised

Margaret pulled back from the hug, her arms still resting on Kael's shoulders as she grinned warmly at him. "I couldn't let you have all the fun without me, now could I?" she teased, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Kael's eyes widened even more, his mind still trying to process the surprise. "But... How did you...?" He trailed off, still in disbelief at seeing her here.

Orin stepped forward, giving Kael a knowing look. "I thought it was time for her to make an appearance. You've been away for a while, and she wanted to make sure she could be here for your birthday."

"Mom, you really came all the way here for me?" Kael asked, his voice softening, a mix of surprise and warmth filling him.

Margaret smiled, her eyes softening. "Of course, I did. I might not have given birth to you but you're still my son, Kael. And even though you're off doing your own thing with the guild, I've been thinking about you every day. I couldn't miss this moment."

Kael felt a lump form in his throat, the unexpected emotion catching him off guard. It had been so long since he'd seen Margaret. His life had changed so much, and now here she was, standing in the middle of the guildhall with the same caring smile she always had.

"You've really come a long way, haven't you?" Margaret said, her voice full of pride. "I'm so proud of you, Kael."

Kael blinked away the sudden moisture in his eyes, not used to feeling so vulnerable. He cleared his throat and grinned, trying to lighten the moment. "Yeah, yeah, I'm starting to feel like I might actually be a grown-up now."

Liana chuckled from the side, arms crossed. "Definitely not a kid anymore, Kael. Look at you, all grown up and officially sixteen!"

Kael shot her a playful glare but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. The entire scene—his guildmates, his mother figure, and all the unexpected moments—felt surreal. He had never really celebrated his birthday before, and now, here he was, surrounded by people who cared about him. It was a feeling he couldn't quite describe, but it was one he never wanted to let go of.

"Thanks, everyone," Kael said, his voice thick with gratitude as he looked around at the people gathered around him. "This... this means more than you all know."

Davit stepped forward, nudging him with his elbow. "You're going to make me tear up, Fire boy. Come on, let's not ruin the surprise with all this mushy stuff."

Kael let out a half-laugh, wiping at his eyes, still trying to hide the unexpected rush of emotion. "Right. You're all here to celebrate, not watch me cry."

The room filled with laughter, and Kael finally felt like he was where he truly belonged—surrounded by people who cared about him, who would stand by him no matter what. The warmth in his chest was something he had never fully understood until now, and he was starting to realize that maybe this, more than anything, was what made him feel truly at home.