Chapter 43: Gift

It was the 17th of Eclipsera—or as I would've called it in my old world, December. Christmas was coming soon.

The kingdom was already getting into the spirit of the season. Snow had begun to pile along the cobblestone streets, blanketing the rooftops in sheets of white. Market vendors were layering on thicker coats, their breath visible in the cold air as they set up stalls selling spiced cider, roasted nuts, and holiday trinkets. In the heart of the capital, the townspeople had erected a Christmas tree the size of a skyscraper, decorated with thousands of golden lanterns and crystalline ornaments that sparkled under the wintry sun.

I paused for a moment, taking it all in.

Christmas… huh.

I never got to enjoy it in my past life.

Back then, there was no warmth, no holiday cheer. Just war. Just survival. Just me.

But in this world, I could have it.

God bless my new parents and their simple hearts, I thought, a rare smile tugging at my lips. I should send them a letter. They'd like that.

My gaze wandered over the bustling streets, the festive decorations, the children running around throwing snowballs at each other.

Then my mind drifted elsewhere.

I should probably buy Livia something for Christmas.

But… what?

I had no idea what twenty-year-olds like her actually wanted.

Books?

Weapons?

Makeup? Perfume?

Or were all those things that teenagers liked?

I frowned.

Damn it.

I'd never actually asked someone what they wanted for Christmas before.

The only gifts I ever gave in my old world were to my kingdom—stability, conquest, prosperity… and then destruction.

I exhaled, watching my breath form into mist. I'll just ask her directly.

My thoughts shifted again.

Aurimora Academy.

I wondered how they were doing.

Time flowed differently between worlds, but by my estimation, it had only been a few weeks, maybe a month since I'd left. The students were probably fine. Some other professor had likely taken over for me.

…And they probably hated me for dumping them with those kids.

Especially Callan.

That man never liked me to begin with—he was probably livid at my sudden disappearance.

Not my problem.

I shook my head and continued walking, my boots crunching over the snow.

Where's Livia?

I glanced around.

And there she was.

I had money.

Not a fortune, but enough.

Most of it came from the hunting jobs I took in the Azurelly Mountains near Aurimora. The rest was from my short-lived teaching career at the academy.

It wasn't much, but it was more than enough for someone like me—who, for most of his life, had grown up with nothing.

Of course, I knew the king had probably sent a spy to keep tabs on me.

A visitor from another world was… suspicious, after all.

And then there was Uhtem.

He was the one who sent me here—but for what purpose?

To keep me trapped in this world?

To make me save it?

To make me destroy it?

His intentions were unclear.

But until I saw a real problem, I wouldn't interfere in this kingdom's internal business.

Still, I'd heard some rumors about the king lately.

Apparently, he was some kind of womanizer?

That didn't seem like him.

Then again, he no longer had a queen. Maybe he was trying to remarry?

Or maybe these were just baseless rumors.

A man as powerful as him… he probably didn't have time for romance.

Or side hobbies.

Possibly.

I spotted Livia near a small market square, inspecting a stall filled with finely woven scarves. The snowflakes that had begun to fall landed gently on her dark hair, melting instantly. Her eyes, sharp yet contemplative, studied the fabrics as if evaluating not just their quality, but their history.

The vendor, an older woman bundled up in thick furs, smiled at her warmly. "Fine silk, imported from Vashraya. Woven by the finest hands in the east."

Livia nodded absentmindedly, running her fingers along the cloth.

I approached quietly, hands tucked into my coat pockets. "So, should I assume you're planning on wearing that?"

She turned at the sound of my voice, arching an eyebrow. "No. But it is always good to understand what a kingdom trades and imports."

Of course.

Livia was always thinking beyond the surface level.

I gestured at the bustling street around us. "Then why don't you enlighten me? How does Valdenor's economy work?"

She studied me for a moment, then sighed, brushing snow off her shoulder. "Fine. If you're truly curious…"

I listened as she began explaining.

Valdenor was one of the largest economic hubs in the region, primarily due to its central position in the continent. It was a trade-heavy kingdom, boasting merchant guilds that controlled everything from silk routes to iron shipments. The kingdom produced its own goods—textiles, timber, magical ores—but much of its wealth came from intermediary trade.

"Essentially, Valdenor is the bridge," Livia continued, walking with me down the snowy streets. "Kingdoms like Drathorne to the north produce war machines and siege equipment, while Vashraya in the east has an economy based on luxury goods—silks, dyes, spices, perfumes. Then you have Therondel in the west, which specializes in maritime trade and shipbuilding."

"And Valdenor?" I asked.

She smirked. "Valdenor takes a cut of everything."

Smart.

Instead of competing directly with its neighbors, the kingdom had positioned itself as the center of trade. It controlled major routes, regulated tariffs, and ensured that anyone who wanted to do business in these lands had to go through them.

And with that came power.

The nobility, the merchant class, even the royal family—all of them benefited from this system. It was a delicate balance.

One that could easily crumble.

"Of course," Livia continued, "the economy isn't just built on trade. The Arcane Consortium—which manages the kingdom's supply of magical resources—plays a key role. Alchemists, enchanters, even potion brewers—they all contribute to the economy."

I nodded, taking it all in. "And the people?"

"The lower classes depend mostly on agriculture and crafts. But in recent years, more of them have been seeking employment in urban areas." She gestured toward the streets, where blacksmiths, weavers, and traders sold their wares. "Valdenor is stable for now, but if wealth continues to concentrate among the elite, the people might start demanding change."

Hah.

I knew that story all too well.

History was a cycle.

The rich grow richer. The poor grow resentful.

Eventually, someone bleeds.

I tucked that thought away for later.

For now, I had something else to ask.

I cleared my throat. "Livia."

She turned to me. "Yes?"

"What do you want for Christmas?"

She blinked.

Once. Twice.

Then she let out a soft chuckle, crossing her arms. "Christmas gifts, huh? I wouldn't have guessed you were the type to care about that."

"I don't," I admitted, "but I figured I should try."

Livia hummed in thought, her breath forming mist in the cold air. "I suppose… I've never thought much about it either."

"No childhood gifts?"

She smirked. "I was too busy studying geopolitics and swordplay."

Figures.

"Then what about now?" I pressed. "Books? Perfume? Some overpriced jewelry?"

She wrinkled her nose. "I don't care much for jewelry."

"Then what?"

She fell silent for a moment, looking up at the gray winter sky. Snowflakes continued drifting down, settling over the rooftops, the streets, the people wrapped in scarves and coats.

Then she turned back to me.

"I want…" she hesitated, as if picking the right words.

Then, softer— "Something thoughtful."

Something thoughtful.

That was far more difficult than just buying something expensive.

I exhaled. "You're making this complicated."

She laughed. "That's the point."

I shook my head, a rare smile ghosting my lips.

Something thoughtful, huh?

Fine. I'd find something.

I scanned the street ahead, my eyes landing on a shop with an ornate wooden sign: "Gifts and Love."

Subtle.

It was nestled between a bakery and a jeweler, its frosted glass windows showcasing an array of items—elegant trinkets, finely bound books, enchanted accessories that shimmered under the dim lighting. From the outside, it looked exactly like the kind of store that capitalized on sentimental fools scrambling for last-minute presents.

I stepped inside.

A bell jingled overhead as warmth enveloped me. The shop had a cozy, almost intimate atmosphere, with wooden shelves stacked with carefully arranged gifts. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the store, while a faint scent of cinnamon and parchment lingered in the air.

The shopkeeper, an older man with a neatly trimmed beard, greeted me with a practiced smile. "Welcome to Gifts and Love! Looking for something special?"

"I need a gift," I said simply, scanning the displays.

"Ah, for a special someone?" He leaned forward slightly, eyes twinkling with the kind of knowing amusement that made me want to walk out.

I exhaled. "For a friend."

"Of course, of course," he nodded, clearly not believing me. "We have all sorts of gifts! Jewelry? Perhaps a handcrafted brooch from Vashraya? Or maybe a fine silk scarf enchanted with warmth spells?"

I shook my head. "Nothing extravagant. Something… thoughtful."

The shopkeeper hummed, rubbing his chin as he studied me. "Something meaningful, but not excessive…" He turned, gesturing to a section of personalized gifts. "Would she prefer something practical or sentimental?"

Knowing Livia, it was hard to say. She wasn't the type to swoon over expensive jewelry or meaningless trinkets, but at the same time, giving her something purely functional seemed too dull.

I walked past the jewelry section and the enchanted accessories, my fingers trailing along the wooden shelves, until something caught my eye—

A custom-bound journal.

Its cover was leather, dyed in deep navy blue, embossed with intricate silver patterns resembling constellations. Inside, the pages were thick parchment, untouched and waiting to be filled.

A blank book.

A place for thoughts, strategies, ideas.

It was simple, but it suited her.

"Can this be engraved?" I asked, holding up the journal.

The shopkeeper brightened. "Of course! We can inscribe anything on the cover or inside. A name? A phrase? A symbol?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded. "On the inside cover, write—'For the woman who sees beyond the surface.'"

The old man chuckled. "Ah, quite the compliment."

I didn't respond.

I watched as he took the journal to the back, where a faint glow of magic pulsed as the inscription was engraved. A few moments later, he returned, presenting it to me. The silver letters on the inside cover glowed faintly under the lantern light.

It was perfect.

I paid for it, tucked it under my arm, and stepped back out into the cold, mission complete.

—

Now all that was left was to wrap it.

I considered my options.

I could just hand it to her as is, but that seemed… lazy.

At the very least, I should put in some effort.

I found a small stationary shop and bought a deep crimson ribbon to wrap around the journal, along with a simple black box. No need for excessive decoration—just enough to show that it was a proper gift.

Once done, I secured it carefully inside my coat.

Now, all that was left was waiting for Christmas.

…Though now that I thought about it—

What would Livia get me?

A weapon? That seemed likely. She knew I could use one.

A book? Probably.

That was the safest option.

I doubted she'd get me anything sentimental, but who knew? Maybe she'd surprise me.

Either way, Christmas was shaping up to be far more interesting than it had ever been in my past life.