Part 1
It started when she met Paul years ago. She, still in rebellious phase and running away from home, and Paul, a womanizer prick who somehow had charmed her.
At first, she was uncertain with what the fate had chosen for her.
Would this be okay?
Would this lead her to happiness?
Did she choose the right thing, to be Paul's wife?
She was uncertain at that time. Not sure about what the future held for her.
Yet...
Yet now, she could say that she didn't regret her choice. She didn't regret about what she had chosen. Dare she said that she's happy, proud of her past self for choosing this.
They were laughing together. They were adventuring together. Braving through many monsters and dungeons. Putting their lives on many danger, almost died several times. But they made it.
She, Paul, and their party, all made it through, until the day they decided to part ways, choosing their own adventure and journey. And now, she and Paul got married and have one--no, two children. Blessed, approved by the fate itself.
Though, she was sure her family back home, in Milis, didn't approve their union.
But she didn't care.
This was her home, her place to fall back to. This was her happiness, her dream.
This was her choice.
Her mind drifted back to what the fate had presented to her. A home, a husband, a maid that she saw as her friend and family, and finally, two adorable children--one of them was adopted but still her child nonetheless as she rised her since baby.
With stable income.
Decent house.
A perfect picture of happy family.
She wondered what would happen if she chose to stay at Milis, never meeting Paul.
No, the answer was obvious.
No happiness.
At least not to this extent. That, she was glad to choose this life.
Oh Saint Milis...
Her two children, her two very adorable children, she cherished them more than anything. They were her family, her treasures that she protected and rised with care.
And how proud they had made her. Talented in many aspects, gifted with brilliant and curious mind, and equipped with critical thinking.
And, most of all, their monstrous talent at learning everything she, Paul, and Miss Roxy thrown at them.
Be it swordsmanship.
Be it magic.
Be it history tidbits.
Math.
General knowledge.
Everything.
They absorbed them with ease, with no trouble at all.
They're truly gifted.
She's really grateful that she had them in her life.
Ah, Milis truly blessed her with amazing children.
However, one thing remained mystery.
Her daughter in all but blood, Silvia.
Glistening, scalish skin. White hair and golden eyes. And those wings of hers.
Those wings were rested on her shoulders, covering all the way to her front chest, and made to look like parts of her clothes, so no one would bat an eye on her.
What was she? What race she belonged to? What kind of intelligent being hatched from an egg? She already asked Roxy when the truth revealed to her, but she said there's no demon tribe that reproduce by laying egg.
Honestly, she already had an idea.
With those golden eyes, and white hair...
She's a dragon, wasn't she?
She might never met any dragon tribe member, but from murals and paintings of Armored Dragon King Perugius and Saint Dragon God Urupen, pointed out that her adopted daughter was indeed a dragon.
Tho, it brought another mystery.
None of those murals and paintings shown those legendary figures had wings. None of them.
That fact just confused her even more.
She and her party only discovered her in a dungeon, preserved in weird magic that prevented any attack or impact to damage the egg. What she thought to be a magic artifact, or just a decoration according to Paul, was actually an egg of mythical race from ancient past.
Did Dragon Tribe truly reproduce by laying egg? Did they actually have wings but lost them at some point? Who are the actual parents of Silvia?
Not to mention her talents. She's very talented. She's as talented as Rudy...if not more.
Be it at magic, or at swordsmanship. She was incredible.
Was it because she's a dragon? Were dragons naturally talented in those subjects?
Not only that, but it seemed that her strength is also incredible. She's definitely stronger than children from the same age.
Thinking about that, Rudy was also as talented as her in term of magical aptitude. No, it seemed that Rudy's talent for magic far surpassed Sylvia.
Creative, imaginative, and very attentive. Something that his adopted sister lacked.
It's like he already had a basic knowledge about what he really wanted to create with magic.
And don't forget about how fast he learned each spell chantlessly, where while Silvia needed several tries to master chantless magic, Rudy just needed once or twice to master it.
Truly, she was blessed with beautiful and talented children. Though it also worried her a little. The future might seem bright, but it's not strange for those kinds of talent to invite trouble.
From people who might want to take advantage of them, to the children being arrogant. And she had heard many tales of powerful people falling into a trap set by weaker enemies, or getting killed for their own hubris.
However, she supposed that something like that could be prevented. She could monitor them and instill a valuable lesson to them.
Part 2
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday Rudy! Silvia!"
"Happy birthday, young master! Young miss!"
"Rudy, Silvia! Happy birthday!"
It is late at night, with the room lits by some candles. The table is filled by foods to the brim, surrounded by multiple people.
There's a red haired maid smiles warmly, a young woman staring at us with love, a man cracking jokes to make us laugh, and a small woman wanting to reach and pet us.
And at the center, are us, Rudy and I, the stars of the event. Five years, five years of us living here, in this new world, new family.
They've unanimously ahreed to make my birthday the same as Rudy, I thought. But it doesn't matter. What matters right now is that this events truly cemented me being accepted into this family. And more importantly, for piving in this world for five whole years.
And apparently, it is an important achievement in this world. Being able to live for 5 years is a good sign for the future. This world doesn't celebrate every year, but every five years until the children reach 15 years old, of which they will be declared as adults.
Asking mother, it's revealed that it's because of high mortality rate among children, with being able to survive for five years is an important achievement.
Looking at the surrounding, everyone looks so pleased and happy. Even Rudy practically bouncing on his seat, completely childish, befitting his physical body.
Knock knock.
A knocking sound can be heard from door. Hearing it, Lilia quickly comes to the door to open it.
I know who they are.
"Haha, Excuse me."
"Oh, it's already starting. May we come in?"
"Rudy, Via! Happy birthday!"
And sure enough, it's Sylphy and her parents. I and Rudy wanted them to attend, but Zenith said it may be bothering them to make them attending the party at night, which I didn't think at first. However, Laws actually agreed, encouraged by his daughter's enthusiasm.
And as a result....
"Ah, miss Roxy, Mr. Paul, Mrs. Zenith!"
"Sylphy, I see you're excited!"
It has become more lively than we initially thought!
Sylphy quickly tiptoes to the nearby chair provided, right beside me. Her green that has become bit more longer than our first meeting is swaying, completely expressing her joy.
While Sylphy is seated besides Rudy and I, her parents are chatting with Zenith, Paul and Lilia, filling the room with lively chatters.
"Heh, next time we celebrate Sylphy's birthday, maybe we can invite you!"
"Really? Then don't mind me if I will give your daughter a big ass sword--"
Twack!
"Don't say a bad word in front of children!"
From then on, the party quickly evolves into a lively event with the chatting, drinking, and even some sword or magic tricks. Something that quickly garners some amazement.
From Paul swallowing a sword to his throat without hurting, to Zenith and Roxy putting light show with a weak nonoffensive magic.
"AHEM!"
Paul suddenly coughs, gathering attention from other. It seems he has something to say? And he holds two swords? Hm?
"Well, enough chatting. Now it's time to give your gifts."
"OHH!"
After that, from zenith to miss Roxy, are all lining up with their gifts in hand.
Zenith actually gave me a book, the same as Rudy. Lilia gives me a bracelet, while Rudy receives a handkerchief? Though the interesting thing is Paul gives us a pair of swords, quite big and heavy. However, I can lift it with no issue, but Rudy is surprised by its weight and actually struggling a bit.
"Use them wisely, okay? It's your duty as swordmaster to protect the weak! Hm!"
I'm happy with this gift! I now can actually swing a real sword! But of course I won't do it recklessly and will only draw it when necessary.
And then come Sylphy's parents. Interestingly, they don't carry two gifts intended for each of us. Both of them only carry one gift each, which are books.
"Happy birthday Rudeus, Silvia! These are blank books! Maybe you can use them for diaries!"
Oh! I see. While Zenith gives us books containing knowledge and sone legends, they give us blank books which we can use to write anything we want!
"Thank you!"
"We will treasure it!"
And then comes Sylphy, carrying a pair of necklaces. They don't look great, with their pendants shaped weirdly. However, don't tell me she made them herself?
"Wait, you made them yourself?"
"Yes! Are they good?"
Facing an incarnation of absolute adorableness, both Rudy and I answered in unison.
""Yes!""
And now, it is our teacher's turn.
Though, strangely, she carried three metal boxes that, after she opened, were magic staffs. Huh, are those for us? Wait, don't tell me she's going to give the third one to Sylphy?
"Rudy, Via, Sylphy, come here."
Yep, Sylphy is included! And hearing it, Sylphy immediately walks to us expecting something.
Miss Roxy then carefully opened the box one by one, taking three wands from them and with a smile, she gave them to us. She handed them while softly giving each of us a head pat.
"You three have been learning earnestly under me. Now it's my turn to give you these staffs."
Wait, for real? We got staffs, as gifts from our beloved teacher? Well, this is great! I got myself a wand! A beautiful one at that!
Our staffs look similar, except for some small details. Mine has yellow mana stone, with some golden stripes near it. The handle is black in color. Meanwhile my brother got the one with red mana stone, its handle is also black, but with no additional feature. Then Sylphy's has green mana stone, with its handle is wooden-brown in color with two black stripes near the mana stone.
Swinging mine back and front, left and right, now I truly feel like being a mage! Like in Harry Potter! But way Cooper as it's actually real! Woah!
I really like this gift! Now, I can announce to the world that I'm an actual mage now! I was so ready to thank Miss Roxy. However, what greeted me was odd. She seems…..sad?
"Thank you! Miss Roxy! Eh, miss Roxy?"
Well, I wanted to ask her, but my brother beat me to it. What's up?
"Rudy, Via, Sylphy, I have taught you all of my knowledge. You truly are my best students. I don't think any student I may have in the future can best you." She sighed, then continued with quite melancholic tone, "and now I don't have any more thing to teach you."
Eh, what? She no longer has anything to teach us? What does he mean? Don't tell me that…
"Tomorrow, I will give you my final test. For your graduation, and as a way to say goodbye."
Needless to say, we were shocked!
Author Note:
Sorry for not updating for long time. Staffs happen irl. Also, I just got diagnosed with both ADHD and autism. Shit. I guess that explains a lot of things in my life.