The next four months were a blur of intense training, grueling exercises, and progress. Arden and I both grew in strength, mastering the art of drawing in mana and moving it throughout our bodies according to our will. Blake pushed us to our limits, and we were determined to exceed his expectations.

“Instructor Blake, I have a question,” I said

“Yes, Kai?” Blake replied.

“We have become significantly better at enhancing our limbs with mana, can we extend this to weapons? If so, how?” I asked

“It is a very simple technique once you have mastered internal mana manipulation, merely think of your weapon as an extension of your limbs and visualize the flow of your mana stream entering it,” Blake answered.

I picked up a stick and tried it, and Arden did the same. It seemed Blake was correct, we both managed to do it nearly straight away. Then we continued with our training. 

Well that was… underwhelming, I had always expected weapon strengthening to be complex, it almost felt too easy.

Before we knew it, it was my 11th birthday. I woke up to a room filled with balloons, birthday banners, and a huge cake on my bedside table. Arden had organized a surprise birthday party for me in the Vale Mansion ballroom.

As I stepped into the grand ballroom of the Vale Mansion, my eyes widened at the sight before me. The room was decorated with beautiful flowers and sparkling lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was surrounded by noble children, all dressed in their finest attire, eagerly chatting and laughing with one another. I saw people of all races here, humans, elves, dwarves, and satyrs all mingled with one another. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I made my way through the crowd, searching for a familiar face.

I recognized a few people from the noble gatherings I had been to before, but I had never attended any large ones in Luminia before so there were not many familiar people. 

I was making my way through the crowd when I heard a soft voice call out to me. "Excuse me, Kai, it’s been a while." I turned to see a stunning elf girl with long, golden hair tucked behind her small, pointed ears. She had a pair of kind, emerald-green eyes that seemed to encapsulate me. 

"It's nice to see you again Eira," I replied, taking her hand and feeling grateful for the distraction.

“Yes, it’s been far too long,” Eira's smile grew even wider, and she looked genuinely pleased to see me. "I've heard so much about you lately. It seems you're quite the prodigy these days."

I couldn't help but blush a little at her words. I wasn't used to being complimented.

We chatted for a while, talking about everything and nothing at all. Eira was full of energy and life, and her infectious laughter made me forget about the crowds and the noise. She was kind, and her genuine interest in me made me feel special.

As the party wound down and guests started to leave, Eira approached me once more. "Happy birthday again, Kai," she said, her eyes shining. "I hope you have a wonderful year ahead."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a warm flush spread across my cheeks.

As she walked away, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. I was hoping that we could talk a little longer. I still had a lot to learn about Eira, I felt some excitement at getting to know her even better.

After the last guest left, I realized how grateful I was to Arden for organizing this. I hoped that I could get to know many of these people better in the future. 

Just as I was thinking about what I could do for Arden to express my gratitude, my thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door.

As I approached the front door, I couldn't help but wonder who it could be. I was surprised when I saw my mother, Aimi Vale, standing on the other side. She was an incredibly accomplished mage, reaching 5-Star Guardian status. But instead of competing for leadership positions, she focused on mastering both wind and water magic. 

My mother’s smooth, long, black hair flowed down her back and her eyes were a striking scarlet color, a feature I share. Her features were sharp, giving her a regal appearance, and she stood tall with an air of confidence that was impossible to miss. Despite her reputation as a powerful mage, she never seemed to carry herself with arrogance. Instead, she had a quiet grace that commanded respect from those around her. Her love for her family, House Vale, was strong, but she wasn't one for doting on her children too much.

She approached me with a smile. "Happy birthday, Kai. I'm proud of the young man you've become," she said. “Your father and I wanted to give you a special birthday gift. I hope he won’t mind me giving it to you without him” A playful smile crossed my mother's face.

She held a long, slender, dark scabbard in her hand, adorned with intricate silver filigree. The pommel was a beautiful sapphire.

"Happy birthday, Kai," she said, handing me the scabbard. "I hope this will help keep you safe on your adventures."

I took the scabbard from her and unsheathed the sword. The blade was made of a shimmering, silver metal that I had never seen before. It was light but felt incredibly sturdy in my hand. I was surprised at how open my usually reserved mother was being open with affection, but I was still incredibly grateful.

"This is amazing, Mother," I said, admiring the sword. "What kind of metal is this?"

"It's a special type of metal, crafted by the dwarves, magic was imbued during the forging process," my mother replied. "It adapts to the size of its wielder, so it will be the perfect fit for you, no matter how much you grow. What do you think you’ll name it?"

 "I’ll name it Mistral," I said, looking back up at her. "It represents a strong wind, the signature element of House Vale. It also symbolizes the journey that lies ahead of me and the power that I hope to possess one day."

My mother’s scarlet eyes lit up with understanding. "I see," she said. "That's a very fitting name, Kai. It is a symbol of your potential, and the strength you possess within you. I am proud of you."

I smiled, feeling a warm feeling in my chest. Despite her usually reserved nature, I knew how much my mother loved me, and how proud she was of me. This gift was more than just a sword, it was a symbol of her love and belief in me. 

"Thank you, Mother," I said, feeling grateful. "I will treasure this sword, and your words, always.”

We chatted for a few minutes about my training and the progress I had made. I told her about Blake's new training routine and how I was excited to see where it would take me. She listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and support.

I noticed that Arden was walking over to us "Duchess Vale, it's great to see you. Would you like to join us for the birthday feast?" he asked.

My mother smiled at Arden, "That sounds lovely, thank you."

As we made our way towards the dining hall, Blake arrived, looking a little flustered. "I'm sorry I'm late," he said, panting slightly. "I got caught up in training."

"That's alright, Blake," Arden said, laughing and patting him on the back. "Come, let's eat."

I couldn't help but feel excited to see everyone gathered together. The thought of having my parents and friends in one place was a dream come true.

As I stepped into the hall, my parents rushed towards each other, their reunion culminating in a tight embrace as if they were two long-lost lovers. The years apart had taken their toll, and the love they shared was palpable in the air.

"Aimi, you look as beautiful as ever," my father said, smiling at my mother.

"As do you, my dear," my mother replied, her eyes shining with happiness.

A warm glow filled my heart as I watched my parents, a symbol of a loving and unbreakable bond. Their love was a source of inspiration, and I was grateful to not only have them in my life but to call them my family.

“Ah, Kai, I see your mother already gave you your new sword,” My father shot a side-eye glance at my mother “What do you think?”

“It’s amazing, I named it Mistral. Thank you… both of you” I replied sincerely.

“Wonderful name son, Happy Birthday” with that, my father tousled my messy blond hair and then moved to his seat.

The dining hall was a stunning display of opulence, with flickering candlelight casting a warm glow over the elegant space. The fragrance of a delicious feast filled the air, tempting the appetite of all who entered. My father sat at the head of a magnificent dining table, its surface gleaming with the luster of polished wood. My mother graced the seat to his left, while I took my place to his right. We were ready to partake in a feast fit for royalty, quite literally, considering Arden’s presence.

Arden and Blake entered the hall soon after I did, and they took their seats along the long wooden table.

As we began to eat, conversations began to pick up. My mother was talking to Blake, and I could see that he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He was telling her about our training, and she was asking questions and offering advice. It seemed that they knew each other, Blake was apparently a trainee in Guardian Squad 8 back when my mother and father were still on active duty. I suppose that is why Blake was chosen to train me and Arden.

It was a wonderful night, filled with laughter, love, and great food. I was grateful to have my family and friends by my side, and I knew that this birthday celebration would be one to remember for years to come.