Celebration

Feeling light-hearted and energized by the events at the forge, Kael strolled through the bustling market district. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the lively scene. Vendors called out their wares, their voices mingling with the clatter of carts and the chatter of townsfolk. The rich aroma of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and spiced treats wafted through the air, making Kael's stomach rumble despite having eaten breakfast not long ago.

Kael moved from stall to stall, his red eyes sparkling as he admired the colorful displays. He saw jars of vibrant preserves, racks of skewered meats sizzling over open flames, and baskets piled high with fragrant herbs. His mood was buoyant, a rare departure from his usual laziness. Today, everything felt lighter.

At a stall selling glazed pastries, Kael paused to inspect the selection. The pastries gleamed under the warm sunlight, their golden crusts dotted with sugar. He thought of Aiden and Lyra, imagining their delighted faces when they saw the sweets.

"These'll do nicely," he murmured to himself, pointing at a batch of honey-glazed buns.

The vendor, a plump woman with a cheerful demeanor, smiled at him. "Good choice, young man. Freshly baked this morning. How many do you want?"

"Six," Kael said without hesitation.

The vendor wrapped the pastries in a cloth and handed them over. Kael paid her, feeling the reassuring weight of his remaining coins in his pouch.

As he walked on, Kael's thoughts turned to his parents. He needed something hearty for them, something they could all enjoy together. He stopped at a meat stall, where a butcher was expertly carving slices of cured ham. The savory scent made his mouth water.

"Half a cut of that ham," Kael said, pointing to the thick, marbled slice on the butcher's counter.

The butcher, a burly man with a salt-and-pepper beard, nodded and quickly prepared the order. Kael handed over the coins, tucking the wrapped meat into his bag with the pastries.

With his family in mind, Kael continued to browse, picking up a few small items—some dried fruits for Evelina, a bottle of mead for Darius, and a handful of roasted nuts for Aiden and Lyra to snack on later. Each purchase added to the sense of satisfaction blooming in his chest.

As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the marketplace, Kael decided it was time to head home. His bag was heavy with food, and he couldn't wait to see his family's reaction to the treats he'd brought.

"Today turned out pretty good," he said to himself with a small smile as he turned toward the road leading home. The warm glow of the day seemed to mirror the rare warmth in his heart, a feeling he didn't often let himself indulge.

At the Dungeon Diver Academy, the grand stadium was alive with energy. Graduates, faculty, and families filled the stands, their faces glowing with pride and excitement. The arena itself, adorned with banners and enchanted lights, seemed to hum in anticipation.

The school administrator, a sharp-featured man in a ceremonial robe, stood at the podium, his voice resonating through the air. "...and so, as you embark on your journey, remember that the dungeons demand strength, strategy, and courage. Now, it is my honor to introduce this year's top graduate, our academy's pride—Luna Abigail Snowstorm!"

A thunderous applause erupted, reverberating across the stadium.

From the graduates' section, a young woman rose. Luna Abigail Snowstorm, the academy's most celebrated student, carried an aura that instantly drew every eye to her. Her silver-white hair shimmered in the sunlight, cascading like a waterfall down her back, while her piercing blue eyes glinted with calm determination.

As she began her walk to the podium, a hushed awe settled over the crowd.

"Look at her—so graceful, like she's gliding across ice," murmured a young woman in the audience.

"She has the poise of royalty," said another.

"Not just poise. That's power. Look at the way her magia lingers with every step," added a senior faculty member, nodding with approval as small icicles formed and melted where Abigail walked.

Even among her peers, who were all accomplished divers, Abigail's presence stood apart. Her academy uniform, perfectly tailored, complemented her stature. The twin swords at her belt gleamed under the enchanted lights, their intricate frost-patterned hilts marking her mastery over ice magia.

When she reached the podium, she paused, scanning the crowd with a steady gaze that commanded attention. Her hand rested lightly on the magical microphone, a crystalline artifact glowing softly with her touch.

"Fellow graduates, esteemed faculty, and honored guests," she began, her voice clear and steady, "today marks the end of a chapter—but also the beginning of a greater journey. We leave behind the safety of these walls to face the unknown. The dungeons are vast, dangerous, and unpredictable, but they are also where we will forge our legacies."

She paused, letting her words settle. The crowd hung on her every syllable.

"Courage is not the absence of fear—it is the will to move forward despite it. Strength is not found in isolation—it is built through bonds and shared purpose. Let us remember this as we step into the unknown. We are not just individuals—we are a generation united by ambition and resilience."

Her voice grew firmer, filled with conviction. "Let this be the batch that will conquer the unconquered! Let us be the ones who go deeper, climb higher, and achieve what others only dream of. We are the future of dungeon diving, and our journey begins now!"

The applause that followed was deafening, but Abigail wasn't done.

As the clapping subsided, she closed her eyes for a moment, and then unleashed her magia. An icy burst of energy rippled outward from her, enveloping the stage in a frost-laden aura. The floor sparkled with frost, and snowflakes seemed to dance in the air around her. Her magia radiated elegance and power, leaving no doubt why she had earned her top spot.

Inspired by her display, her fellow graduates followed suit. Fire magia roared into the air, winds swirled, and the earth trembled as each student unleashed their elemental powers in a dazzling display of strength and unity. The stadium was bathed in a kaleidoscope of magical energies, each unique yet harmonious, creating a moment so awe-inspiring it would remain etched in the memories of everyone present.

"Her speech… it wasn't just words," one faculty member whispered to another, their voice filled with admiration.

"She's not just top of her class," replied the other, watching Abigail return to her seat with the same grace she had walked to the stage. "She's a leader. One day, she'll change the world."

As Abigail sat down, the applause still thunderous, her lips curled into a faint, determined smile. She glanced briefly at the twin swords on her belt, her mind already on the dungeons waiting to be conquered.

****************

I arrived home with a bundle of food packed under my arm, a satisfied grin stretching across my face. The small celebration was my way of treating my family, and judging by their excited chatter as I entered, they were eagerly waiting for it.

"Big brother's home!" Lyra squealed, her tiny voice cutting through the room as she raced toward me, Aiden stumbling after her.

"Hey, hey, careful!" I said, laughing as I set the food down and swooped Lyra up in one arm while ruffling Aiden's hair with the other.

The twins' eyes lit up when they saw the treats, their excitement bubbling over as I began unpacking the bundle. "We're going to have a feast today, so go wash your hands, alright?"

"Yes!" they chorused and darted off, their giggles trailing behind them.

The house was warm and cozy, filled with the smells of home. Mom was setting the table while Dad stepped in from outside, wiping his hands on a cloth.

"Welcome back, Kael," Dad said with a nod, his deep voice steady as always. Mom glanced at me with a small smile, her hands busy as she placed the last of the plates down.

"Thanks, Dad. I picked up some stuff for today," I replied, holding up the food.

"That's thoughtful of you," Mom said, her smile growing a bit wider. "The twins won't stop talking about your birthday."

Once we sat down and dug in, the room filled with the sounds of laughter and clinking utensils. The twins, as expected, were ecstatic, their faces smudged with crumbs as they devoured everything in sight.

After the meal, I played with them for a while longer, running around the room as they pretended to chase me down. Their laughter echoed through the house, a sound I wished I could bottle and keep with me always. Eventually, though, their energy wore out, and I tucked them into bed, reading them a short story until their eyes grew heavy and they drifted off.

As I stepped back into the main room, Mom and Dad were waiting for me, their expressions calm but tinged with something else—concern, perhaps.

"Kael," Dad began, his tone serious. "Are you prepared for tomorrow? You're heading to the guild, right?"

I nodded, taking a seat across from them. "Yeah. I've got most of what I need. I bought weapons earlier today from an old smith in the market—axes. A pair for close combat and three throwing axes. The smith even threw in a belt with holders for all of them."

Mom's brows raised, a mix of surprise and approval. "That sounds like a good start. Did you spend all your earnings on that?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "The librarians at the library gave me my last salary today—and something else."