(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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Hage Village...
Meanwhile, far away from the royal palace, the Magic Knight headquarters, and all the complicated matters involving elves, devils, and ancient conspiracies, life in Hage Village continued as peacefully as ever.
The small church sitting atop the hill remained unchanged despite the passing years.
The old wooden doors still creaked whenever someone pushed them open.
The stone walls still carried the marks of countless winters.
The garden that Sister Lily carefully maintained continued to bloom with colorful flowers despite the changing seasons.
For most people in the Clover Kingdom, today was just another ordinary day.
But for the children living in the church—
Today was special. Very special.
Because it was Father Orsi's birthday.
Inside the church, the usually peaceful hall had descended into complete chaos.
"Nash! Hold the ladder properly!"
"I am holding it properly!"
"No you're not! It's shaking!"
"Because you're climbing it like a monkey!"
"That's because you're weak!"
Nash's eye twitched.
Across the room, Aruru was standing on the ladder trying to hang a handmade banner while Hollo was supposed to be helping.
Unfortunately, Hollo seemed more interested in spinning around with colorful ribbons wrapped around his arms.
Meanwhile Rebecca had somehow taken command of the entire operation.
Nobody knew exactly how it happened.
It just did.
The moment planning began, everyone naturally started listening to her.
"Put those flowers near the altar."
"What about these ones?"
"Not those. The red ones."
"Why?"
"Because they look nicer."
"How do you know?"
Rebecca stared at him.
"Because I'm right."
"...Okay."
Nearby, Sister Lily watched the children with an amused smile while pretending not to notice the growing mess.
Paper decorations covered several tables. Colorful ribbons were scattered everywhere. Someone had spilled paint on the floor.
Twice.
And somehow there were footprints leading all the way to the kitchen.
The church looked less like a place of worship and more like a battlefield between arts and crafts supplies.
Still—
Everyone was smiling.
Because they genuinely wanted this celebration to succeed.
Father Orsi had done so much for them over the years.
Even when the church barely had enough food, he somehow made sure every child ate.
Even when money was scarce, he found ways to provide clothes and supplies.
Even when the children caused trouble—and they caused plenty of it—he never abandoned them.
He scolded them.
A lot.
But he also loved them like his own family.
That was why everyone wanted this birthday to be memorable.
Especially because things felt different now.
The church wasn't as lively as it used to be.
Not after Ben, Asta, and Yuno left.
The three boys had always been at the center of every celebration, every argument, and every ridiculous idea.
Now the church often felt quieter without them.
Rebecca paused while arranging decorations.
A small smile appeared on her face as she remembered previous birthdays.
Usually Ben would somehow convince Father Orsi that nothing special was planned while secretly organizing everything behind his back.
Asta would accidentally reveal half the surprise before the party even started.
Yuno would pretend not to care while helping anyway.
And somehow the three of them always turned the entire day into complete chaos.
Good chaos.
But chaos nonetheless.
A quiet sigh escaped Rebecca.
"It's already been a year and a half..."
Several nearby children fell silent.
They knew exactly who she was talking about.
Ben.
The boy who used to run around the village causing trouble.
Now he was the King of Clover.
The title still felt unreal whenever they thought about it.
Then there was Asta.
The loud boy who never stopped shouting about becoming Wizard King.
Now he was a real Magic Knight.
And Yuno too.
The quiet genius who had become one of the Golden Dawn's rising stars.
The three boys who once shared a tiny room inside this church were now spread across the kingdom.
For a moment, the cheerful atmosphere softened.
Then Aruru suddenly spoke.
"Do you think they'll come?"
The question made everyone stop what they were doing.
Even Nash looked up.
The invitation letters had already been sent weeks ago.
Not official invitations.
Not royal summons.
Just simple handwritten letters from the children.
Letters filled with messy handwriting and countless spelling mistakes.
Letters asking them to come home.
Letters asking them to help surprise Father Orsi.
Letters reminding them that no matter where they went...
This church would always be their home.
Sister Lily gently folded her hands.
"I believe they will."
The children immediately looked at her.
"You really think so?"
Sister Lily smiled warmly.
"Ben, Asta, and Yuno may have important responsibilities now."
Her gaze drifted toward the church doors.
"But they're still the same boys we raised."
A small silence followed.
Then Nash crossed his arms confidently.
"They'll definitely come."
The certainty in his voice surprised everyone.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow.
"And how do you know that?"
Nash looked out the window toward the road leading into the village.
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"Because Father Orsi is family."
The room became quiet again.
Not because they disagreed.
But because they all knew he was right.
No matter how important Ben became.
No matter how many missions Asta received.
No matter how high Yuno climbed within the Golden Dawn.
Some things never changed.
And family was one of them.
Outside, completely unaware of the surprise being prepared for him, Father Orsi was busy repairing a broken fence near the church.
Every now and then he would hum a tune while working.
Looking completely content.
Completely unsuspecting.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Clover Kingdom, three letters had already reached their destinations.
And if the children of Hage Village knew those three boys even half as well as they believed—
Then Father Orsi was about to receive the biggest surprise birthday celebration of his life.
Meanwhile, inside the small room that Father Orsi had occupied for many years, the old priest sat alone on the edge of his bed.
The room itself was simple.
A wooden bed.
A small bookshelf filled with worn-out scriptures.
A desk that had seen better days.
And on the wall were several old drawings made by the children over the years.
Most people would have considered the room ordinary.
To Father Orsi, however—
Every corner carried memories.
The old priest stared at one particular drawing hanging near his bed.
It was faded now.
The paper had yellowed with age.
The drawing itself was terrible.
A stick figure holding a crown.
Another holding a sword.
And a third standing with crossed arms.
In the corner was a badly written message.
"We will become amazing someday!"
The moment his eyes landed on it, Father Orsi's lips began trembling.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
Then another.
And another.
Soon the old priest was wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.
"Damn brats..."
His voice cracked.
"They really did it..."
Every time he thought about the past, he became emotional.
He couldn't help it.
He remembered the day Asta had arrived at the church as a baby.
The countless times Ben somehow managed to drag everyone into trouble.
The way Yuno would quietly clean up after the other two caused chaos.
The endless arguments.
The laughter.
The meals they shared together.
The dreams they used to shout about from the top of the hill.
Back then, they were just children.
Children with impossible dreams.
Yet somehow...
Those impossible dreams had become reality.
One became the King of Clover.
One became a Magic Knight of the Black Bulls.
One became a rising star of the Golden Dawn.
Father Orsi wiped his eyes again.
Unfortunately, the tears refused to stop.
The door suddenly opened slightly.
Sister Lily quietly entered carrying a cup of tea.
The moment she saw him, she sighed.
"Father..."
Father Orsi immediately turned his head away.
"I-I'm not crying."
"You are."
"Dust got into my eyes."
"Inside your room?"
"Very aggressive dust."
Sister Lily couldn't help smiling.
She walked over and placed the tea on the nearby table before sitting beside him.
For a while neither spoke.
The old priest simply continued staring at the wall.
At the drawings.
At the memories.
At the years that seemed to have passed far too quickly.
Finally, Sister Lily gently spoke.
"You miss them."
Father Orsi let out a weak laugh.
"Of course I do."
His voice was quiet.
"I know they're doing well."
"I know they're following their dreams."
"But sometimes..."
He paused.
Then smiled sadly.
"Sometimes I miss hearing Asta scream before sunrise."
Sister Lily laughed softly.
"Only you would miss that."
"I also miss yelling at Ben for causing trouble."
Another chuckle escaped him.
"And Yuno pretending he wasn't involved even though he clearly was."
The room filled with warm laughter for a moment before falling quiet again.
Then Sister Lily looked toward the window.
A mysterious smile appeared on her face.
"You never know."
Father Orsi raised an eyebrow.
"Hm?"
"Maybe they'll visit soon."
The old priest immediately shook his head.
"No chance."
The answer came far too quickly.
Sister Lily blinked.
"You don't think so?"
Father Orsi chuckled.
"Ben is the king of an entire kingdom."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Asta is a Magic Knight."
"Yuno is a Magic Knight."
"They all have responsibilities now."
His eyes softened.
"They aren't children anymore."
There wasn't disappointment in his voice.
Only pride.
The quiet pride of a father watching his children grow up.
"They're probably drowning in paperwork, missions, meetings, and responsibilities."
He smiled.
"I'd rather they focus on that than worry about an old man like me."
Sister Lily hid her smile behind her tea cup.
If Father Orsi knew about the preparations happening throughout the church at this very moment...
Or the letters that had already reached their destinations...
Or the children currently running around trying not to ruin the surprise...
He would probably faint from shock.
Instead, she simply nodded.
"Maybe you're right."
Father Orsi leaned back in his chair.
"Of course I'm right."
Outside the room, hidden behind the partially open door, Nash, Rebecca, Aruru, and several other children who had been eavesdropping exchanged grins.
Nash pumped his fist.
"Perfect."
Rebecca smirked.
"He has absolutely no idea."
Meanwhile, inside the room, Father Orsi looked out the window toward the road leading into Hage Village.
For just a brief moment—
A small part of him wished he was wrong.
A small part of him hoped to see three familiar figures walking up that road once again.
But he quickly pushed the thought away.
Dreams were for children.
And his boys had grown up.
Or so he thought.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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