Chapter 31: Azel’s Birthday [4 Years Later] [Happy Birthday Host] [You have become an Adult] [Full System Access Granted] [You will now receive missions more frequently. Rewards will vary depending on mission difficulty.] Azel groaned softly as he opened his eyes, staring at the faintly glowing blue text floating in front of him. The familiar System window flickered once before vanishing, leaving him in the silence of his small room in the cottage. "Great," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. "Not even awake for five minutes and the System’s already bothering me." Still, he couldn’t deny the small rush of excitement running through his veins. Today, he was officially sixteen. In this world, that marked the age of adulthood, when you could finally step into society fully as your own person. And for Azel, that meant freedom. Freedom to travel, freedom to act... freedom to intervene in the events he knew were coming. He swung his legs out of bed, stretching until his joints popped. "First order of business... Starbloom City," he said to himself. Partly, it was because he wanted to see Edna again. Four years hadn’t dulled his memory of that quiet promise he had made to her. And partly, it was because of the upcoming scenario: [The Kidnapping of the Royal Family]. In the game’s original timeline, this short but brutal arc had shattered the Starbloom royal household. It was the beginning of Edna’s descent into despair, ultimately leading to her suicide. That, Azel refused to let happen. He dressed in his travel clothes — a dark-blue tunic reinforced with leather stitching, fitted trousers, and sturdy boots. The ever-familiar bracelet gleamed faintly on his wrist, now with an additional black sheen after years of gravity training. He could now use up to 100x Gravity which was the maximum the bracelet could give, it still brought him slight disorientation but it was better than nothing. He strapped two daggers to his belt, its weight a familiar comfort. As he stepped into the hallway, a faint, mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air. His brows rose in surprise. "...Is that...?" He followed the smell down to the kitchen and blinked in shock. Steven, the gruff, battle-hardened Sword Saint stood at the stove, stirring a pot with practiced ease. His apron read: "Kiss the Cook". Steven didn’t like stepping into the kitchen that much, but he knew how to cook. Steven glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "Happy Birthday, son." Azel blinked. He hadn’t called him that often, but when he did... it warmed something deep inside Azel’s chest. Over the past four years, Steven had gone from being just his mentor to something far more: a true father figure. "Thanks," Azel said with a small smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn’t expect to see you up this early, though. And cooking, no less." Steven chuckled. "What kind of father would I be if I didn’t at least make you breakfast on your birthday? Sit. It’s almost done." Azel obeyed, sliding into his usual seat at the table. Steven ladled out the steaming dish into two bowls, placing one in front of him. "I even made your favorite," Steven said proudly. "Blazing Fenroot Stew." Azel’s grin widened. The stew was rich and savory, flavored with herbs from the nearby forest and chunks of tender, spiced meat that Steven hunted himself. They’d eaten it countless times over the years, but today, it felt different — a whole lot special. Steven also brought out a small cake, topped with light frosting and a few sprinkles of candied nuts. "You went into town for this?" Azel asked in surprise. Steven shrugged. "Only the best for you." They dug in, and for a moment, there was nothing but the quiet clinking of spoons against bowls and the warm comfort of good food. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦 The cottage had changed over the years — new shelves lined the walls, stacked with books and tools. A small training dummy stood in the corner, battered and well-used. Azel had poured years of sweat into this place, and it truly felt like home. After the meal, Steven leaned back, crossing his arms. "So," he said, his sharp eyes scanning Azel’s travel gear. "From the way you’re dressed, I take it you’re heading out today?" Azel nodded, setting down his spoon. "Yeah. It’s time. I’ve stayed here long enough. You’ve taught me everything I need. Now it’s my turn to see the world... to put it into practice." Steven studied him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You’ve grown up," he said. "When you first started work in the cottage, you were just a scrawny kid who didn’t even know how to hold a sword properly. Now look at you." He sighed, then reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small, neatly wrapped box. Azel blinked. "A present?" "Of course," Steven said with a chuckle. "You didn’t think I’d let you leave empty-handed, did you?" Azel grinned and took it eagerly, carefully unwrapping the paper. Inside was a sleek silver ring with faint glowing runes etched along its band. His eyes widened. "A storage ring?" Steven nodded. "Yep. High capacity, too. This one’s got enough space to hold everything in this cottage and then some. You’ll need it out there — whether it’s for supplies, weapons, or loot." Azel slipped it on, feeling the faint hum of mana beneath his fingers. "This is amazing. Thank you, Steven." Steven waved it off casually, but his expression softened. "You’ve earned it." Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his own storage ring and withdrew a sheathed sword. "And this," he said, handing it to Azel, "is yours now. You’ve mastered the Dragon Saint Style. Every form, every stance — you’ve surpassed even what I thought was possible. That sword’s been mine for decades, but now... it belongs to you." Azel held it reverently. It was a beautiful weapon: a sleek silver blade with a faint blue tint along its edge, perfectly balanced in his grip. "Steven..." "Use it well," Steven said firmly. "And don’t hesitate to draw it when you need to. You’ve trained for this. You’re ready." The words struck Azel deeper than he expected. Slowly, he set the sword aside and stood, stepping forward. "Thank you," he said quietly. Steven didn’t answer with words. Instead, he pulled Azel into a tight, fatherly hug. Azel blinked in surprise before returning it, the two of them standing there in silence for a moment that felt like forever. When they finally pulled apart, Steven clapped him on the shoulder. "This will always be your home, Azel. No matter where you go, no matter what happens. Come back once in a while, alright?" Azel nodded firmly. "I will." Steven grinned. "Now get going, kid. The world won’t wait forever." Azel slung his pack over his shoulder, the new sword and storage ring secure at his side. As he stepped out the door, he turned back one last time. Steven stood in the doorway, framed by the morning light, his expression proud and bittersweet. Azel smiled faintly. "See you soon... Dad." Steven’s grin widened, and he gave a single nod.