CHAPTER 48: SIXTEETH BIRTHDAY!

A full week had passed since my last hunt with Lisa, and today marked something special—my sixteenth birthday. Though in this medieval world, such milestones carried different weight than they might have in my previous life.

I began the day as I always did, with my rigorous morning workout routine.

After cleaning up, I made my way to Isabella’s cottage for our scheduled work in herbal concoctions.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the company of Isadora,

As evening approached, I deliberately gave my family space. I had caught glimpses of hurried preparations throughout the week—whispered conversations between my mother and sister, mysterious packages being hidden away.

The familiar cobblestone paths wound between modest homes, their thatched roofs casting long shadows in the fading light. Smoke curled from chimneys, carrying the comforting scents of evening meals being prepared. Our village was small enough that everyone knew everyone else’s business, and I wasn’t surprised when several neighbors called out birthday greetings as I passed.

"Sixteen years old, eh Harold?"

I laughed and waved. "Yeah."

When I finally returned home as darkness settled over the village, I was immediately struck by the warm glow spilling from our windows.

The moment I pushed open the heavy wooden door, I was greeted by a chorus of voices. The people I had expected were all there.

"Oh, the brat finally decides to show up," Henrik grumbled, though I caught the hint of affection beneath his harsh words. "I was beginning to think you’d run off to join a traveling circus or something equally foolish."

"Harold! You should have come sooner! We’ve been waiting for you!" Rosaluna complained.

"Sorry," I said, running a hand through my hair. "I wanted to give you all time to prepare whatever mysterious scheme you’ve been plotting."

"Mysterious scheme?" Mother laughed. "Is that what you call a birthday celebration?"

"Go get cleaned up properly, Harold," she continued. "Your cake is waiting, and we’ve all put too much effort into tonight for you to sit down covered in training sweat."

I nodded gratefully and headed to the small washbasin in the corner. The cool water felt refreshing against my heated skin, washing away not just the physical exhaustion from Isadora’s training but also the nervous energy that had been building throughout the day.

After changing into my best shirt and clean pants, I emerged to find everyone gathered around our modest dining table. The sight that greeted me took my breath away.

In the center of the table sat the most beautiful cake I had ever seen. The strawberry creation was a work of art, with perfectly smooth frosting decorated with delicate sugar flowers and intricate piping that must have taken hours to complete. Fresh strawberries crowned the top, their red surfaces glistening in the candlelight, and I could detect the subtle fragrance of vanilla and honey that made my mouth water.

"It looks incredible," I said, genuinely awed. In my previous life, professional bakers had created elaborate confections for my birthdays, but none had ever looked quite as appealing as this homemade masterpiece.

"Here," Rosaluna said with pride as she handed me a sharp knife. "You do the honors."

I accepted the blade and positioned it above the cake. The knife slid through the layers with surprising ease, revealing the moist interior studded with real strawberry pieces. I cut a generous slice and took my first bite, closing my eyes as the flavors exploded across my tongue.

The cake was beyond delicious—moist and perfectly sweet, with just the right balance of strawberry tartness and vanilla richness. I could taste the love and care that had gone into every ingredient, from the farm-fresh eggs to the imported sugar that must have cost a small fortune.

"Who created this masterpiece?" I asked, opening my eyes to find both my mother and Rosaluna watching me anxiously.

"We worked on it together," Rosaluna said, her chest puffing with pride. "Mom handled the actual baking, but I did all the decorating. Do you really like it?"

"It’s absolutely delicious," I said honestly, taking another bite to emphasize the point. "Thank you both."

As I savored the cake, my mind wandered to the birthdays of my past life. Those had been elaborate affairs—expensive venues, professional entertainment, guest lists designed more for networking than celebration. The food had been prepared by renowned chefs, but it had always felt cold somehow, lacking the warmth and personal touch that radiated from this simple homemade cake.

This birthday was different. There were no flashy decorations, no orchestra, no parade of servants catering to my every whim. Instead, there was something infinitely more valuable—genuine love and care from people who knew me.

"Now for the real celebration," Rosaluna said, producing a small wrapped package from beneath the table. "Here’s my gift, brother."

I accepted the package with careful hands, noting how she had wrapped it in soft cloth tied with a ribbon that must have cost her weeks of saved allowance. Inside, nestled in more protective cloth, was a pair of earrings unlike anything I had ever seen.

They were crafted from the purest silver, each piece no larger than my thumbnail but intricately detailed with tiny engravings that seemed to shift and dance in the candlelight. The metal had been polished to a mirror shine, and I could sense something more than mere craftsmanship in their construction—these items hummed with magical energy.

"Earrings?" I asked, holding them up to catch the light better.

"Not just any earrings," Rosaluna explained. "They have protective properties. Each one can generate a barrier strong enough to deflect a sword blow, and they can also store magic for later use. The only limitation is that they need time to recharge after each activation."

I stared at the delicate jewelry, stunned by both the craftsmanship and the obvious expense. Magical items weren’t cheap, especially ones with protective enchantments.

"Big sister, these must have cost you a lot you’ve saved," I said, genuinely concerned. "You didn’t have to—"

"Who cares about that?" she interrupted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment and pride. "Do you like them, brother? That’s all that matters to me."

I set the earrings down carefully and crossed to where she sat, pulling her into a fierce hug.

"I love them, big sister," I whispered against her hair. "Thank you. I’ll treasure them always."

Her arms tightened around me, and I felt her relax into the embrace.

When we separated, I found my mother approaching with her own carefully wrapped package. Her expression was more serious than Rosaluna’s had been, carrying a weight that suggested this gift held special significance.

"This is for you, my dear boy," she said, placing the package in my hands with almost ceremonial care.

I unwrapped it slowly, sensing that whatever lay within deserved respect. The cloth fell away to reveal a bracelet crafted from what appeared to be white metal, though it had an unusual luster that suggested it might be something rarer than simple silver. Ancient inscriptions covered its surface, the symbols so old I couldn’t even begin to guess at their meaning. The craftsmanship was extraordinary—each line perfectly etched, each curve flowing seamlessly into the next.

"It’s beautiful, Mom," I said, slipping it onto my right wrist where it fit perfectly. The metal felt warm against my skin, almost as if it were alive. "What exactly is it?"

"A memento from your grandfather," she replied simply, though I caught the slight tremor in her voice that suggested deeper emotions. "It belongs to you now."

She didn’t elaborate on whatever magical properties it might possess, but I could sense power thrumming through the metal—ancient, patient, and somehow familiar. I wanted to press for more information, but the look in her eyes told me that some stories would have to wait for another time.

"Thank you, Mom," I said, pulling her into an embrace that she initially stiffened against before melting into. Her arms came around me, one hand automatically moving to stroke my hair the way she had when I was much younger.

"I’m so proud of you, Harold," she whispered. "You’ve grown into such a fine young man."

"I know," I replied with a smile.

When we separated, I turned to find Zoey standing nearby, her usual bright smile somehow tinged with nervousness. She held a larger package in her arms, wrapped with the same careful attention to detail that characterized everything she did.

She approached timidly, as if afraid her gift might not measure up to the magical items I had already received. "Here," she said softly, placing the package in my hands. "I hope you like it."

I unwrapped it carefully, immediately recognizing the quality of the fabric beneath my fingers. What emerged was a coat that took my breath away—silvery material with pink silk linings that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight. The cut was perfect, clearly tailored to my measurements, and every stitch was placed with meticulous care.

"Did you make this yourself?" I asked, running my fingers over the exquisite workmanship. The silver fabric had an almost liquid quality, flowing like water under my touch, while the pink silk lining was softer than anything I had ever felt.

Zoey nodded, her cheeks flushing pink to match the coat’s interior. "Don’t you like it?" she asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"Like it?" I shook my head in amazement. "Zoey, this is incredible. The workmanship, the materials... Are you joking? This is absolutely amazing."

I held the coat up to examine it more closely, noting the perfect alignment of the seams and the delicate embroidery around the cuffs that I hadn’t initially noticed. For someone who wasn’t a professional seamstress, she had accomplished something extraordinary. The silver fabric alone must have cost her months of savings, not to mention the imported pink silk and the countless hours of labor.

"How long did this take you?" I asked.

"Months, but... you do like it, right, Harold?" She asked again hopefully.

I didn’t bother with words at first. I just smiled, stepped forward, and pulled her into a sudden hug.

"I love it," I said into her hair.

When I let go, I caught Riley’s expression from across the way—mouth half-open, like he’d just watched something strange. But then he exhaled, a resigned sort of sigh, and walked toward me.

I let got of a blushing Zoey and turned toward him.

"Here for you, Harold," he muttered, handing over a quiver.

It wasn’t just any quiver. The leather was thick and smooth, dyed a deep brown, the stitching straight and perfect. Inside were a dozen arrows, fletched with clean feathers, their shafts straight and polished. The heads caught the light—sharp, well-forged steel, far better than the bent, mismatched ones I’d been using.

I’d never cared much about changing my gear before, but holding this... I felt nice.

"Wow. Thanks, Riley. Honestly, I thought you’d give me nothing," I said with a laugh.

He grumbled and looked away. "Come on."

I chuckled, set the quiver aside, and my eyes found Lisa.

She stood there, looking more nervous than a hunter should. The last week, I’d avoided our hunting trips—always pretending to be too busy. We both knew it was about that last encounter, and the way it had ended.

"Here..." She said, holding out a bow.

It was beautiful. Silver-framed, sleek, the grain of the wood smooth as silk. Far beyond the one she’d given me six years ago. I tested the string—it thrummed under my fingers—and bent it slightly, feeling its strength. This was masterwork quality.

How much had she spent on this?

When I looked back at her, she was watching me with that same nervous, almost fearful expression. I stepped closer and wrapped her in a gentle hug.

"Thank you, Lisa."

She shivered against me, starting to raise her arms to return the embrace—but I stepped back before she could. Her eyes widened, startled.

Instead, I turned toward Henrik.

"Old man," I said with a grin, "I don’t expect anything, but let’s see."

He snorted, tossed me a wrapped bundle. I caught it, felt the weight, and my eyes went wide."Could it be...?"

Henrik was already smirking as I tore open the package.

Inside lay two rods of polished black wood, the joints perfectly smooth. My spear—months in the making. The silver-steel tip gleamed, its edge whisper-sharp, with delicate etchings running along the blade.

And as I’d requested, it could be joined into a full spear or split into two shorter weapons. A weapon for any distance.

It was truly perfect.