When the party finally came to an end and all the guests had said their goodbyes, my family and I retired to the family room. It was the perfect opportunity for everyone to exchange gifts in the comfort of our home. The warmth of the room, coupled with the lingering scent of delicious food and the soft hum of conversation, made it a cozy, intimate affair.
From my parents, Rias received a lovely assortment of traditional Japanese kimonos, each more beautiful than the last, along with a collection of books on magic—specifically those related to advanced spells and techniques from the Japanese magical tradition. As for me, they gifted me something that made my heart race with excitement: a mineral mine. But not just any mine. This one contained an assortment of magical metals, including meteoric iron, mithril, and a few other rare, enchanted metals I could use for my work. I had never been more thrilled. Now, I had an entire treasure trove of resources to experiment with, and the best part was, I wouldn't have to spend a single cent to obtain them. It was as though the universe had handed me a gift I couldn't have dreamed up myself.
Rias seemed especially delighted by the kimono set, each one carefully chosen to reflect her personality and beauty. I could see the joy in her eyes as she admired the fabrics, holding them up to herself. But as much as she loved her presents, I couldn't help but feel that I had won the best gift of the night. The mineral mine would keep me busy for years to come.
From my brother, Sirzechs, and his wife, Grayfia, Rias received several beautiful dresses, perfect for casual days and elegant affairs. Along with these, she was given several priceless Japanese art antiques and a fascinating book on Japanese history. I knew Rias was a history enthusiast, so it was a thoughtful gift.
As for me, however, what they gave me was nothing short of astonishing: a special attributed crystal, one that could only be found in the rare, mystical lands of Argreas. This crystal, Sirzechs explained, was used in the creation of Evil Pieces. I was both awestruck and deeply touched by the thoughtfulness behind it. It was something truly valuable, both in magical and sentimental terms, and I could already imagine the possibilities for what I could do with it.
I felt a rush of emotion that I hadn't quite anticipated. My chest tightened as I gazed at the crystal. Without thinking, I ran up to Sirzechs and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug.
"You're the best big brother in the world!" I exclaimed, my voice thick with emotion.
Sirzechs froze for a moment, taken aback by my sudden display of affection. It was the first time anyone had ever seen me so openly vulnerable, other than when I was showcasing my new inventions or projects. For a moment, there was a stunned silence in the room.
Sirzechs' POV:
This is... incredible. My little brother is hugging me. I've never seen him show this much emotion before, not even when he was showing off his latest invention to the family. Ajuka was right—these crystals were the perfect gift for him. I'm glad I listened to him. Maxius is a lot like me in many ways, and he's always been so focused on his work that it's rare for him to let his guard down. To see him like this—it's a moment I'll cherish forever.
Maxius' POV:
After that heartwarming moment, it was Rias' turn to give me her gift. She didn't waste any time, quickly asking one of the servants to bring over a rectangular box wrapped in festive paper. The card on top read, "To Maximus, from your elder sister, Rias."
The words on the card made me bristle. "I've told you before, Rias. We're the same age!"
Rias, being the cheeky girl she is, stuck her tongue out playfully. "But I was born two minutes before you. That makes me older!"
I rolled my eyes, trying to stifle a smile. She always knew how to push my buttons. But when she handed me the box, my irritation was quickly replaced with curiosity. I tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box.
Inside, nestled within a layer of velvet, was a katana. It was beautifully crafted—moderately curved with a white edge and a striking black hamon that resembled dancing flames. The tsuba was a delicate golden chrysanthemum, and the hilt was crimson-red, matching our hair color perfectly. I couldn't help but stare at it for a moment, captivated by its beauty and craftsmanship.
Rias watched me closely, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I noticed you practicing with a bokken in your lab sometimes," she explained. "So I thought a katana might be the perfect gift for you. But I asked Souji to help design a Wakizashi instead because a full katana would be too big for you at our age and height. The blade has been enchanted to keep its edge sharp and to generate heat along the edge to increase its cutting power. I named it Akira, which means 'light coming from the sun.'"
I couldn't believe it. Rias had thought of everything. "Rias, this is incredible," I said, my voice thick with gratitude. I could feel a warmth spreading through me. "Thank you so much."
She smiled, her eyes glowing with happiness, and it didn't take long for me to realize she was waiting for a hug. Without hesitation, I pulled her into a gentle embrace. Her laughter was like music to my ears, and in that moment, I felt more connected to her than ever before.
Now, it was my turn. I reached into the magic circle I had created and pulled out two small boxes, both about the size of my palm. I handed them over to Rias with a sly smile.
"Here you go, Rias. These are specially made just for you."
The room instantly became charged with curiosity. Everyone knew me well enough by now to understand that when I said I had made something, it was never ordinary. The adults in the room exchanged expectant glances, and Rias eagerly opened the first box. When she saw what was inside, her eyes widened in surprise.
Inside the box was a ring—crimson and black, with gold engravings of a cat screaming. The design was simple but striking. At first, the room was filled with a sense of quiet disappointment. The adults, expecting something more extravagant, gave each other skeptical looks.
I smiled mischievously. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
Rias, while still holding the ring, was a little hesitant. "It's not that I don't like it, Maxius. It's just... I expected something different. You said you made this, so I thought it would be... well, more impressive."
I grinned. "Don't be deceived by its appearance. This ring is very special."
The adults looked at it again, trying to probe its magic, but none of them could sense anything extraordinary about it.
"Put the ring on, then channel the power of destruction into it," I instructed Rias.
She followed my advice, and within moments, the ring began to glow. A burst of light shot out in front of the table, taking the form of a small kitten. Its fur was black and crimson, matching the ring's colors perfectly, and its eyes were a striking shade of blue. The kitten blinked up at Rias with innocent curiosity.
The entire room was stunned. Sirzechs, Grayfia, and the others looked at me with wide-eyed disbelief. Their jaws dropped as they realized just how powerful—and unexpected—my gift was.
"Maxius, what is this?" Sirzechs asked, his voice tinged with astonishment.
"This is Azuki," I said with pride, pointing to the kitten. "She's a special gift for Rias. Just like our mother, Big Brother, and Rias, Azuki can wield the power of destruction."
A collective gasp filled the room.
"WHAT?!" everyone exclaimed in unison.
I gave a satisfied smile. "Show them, Azuki."
The kitten raised its tiny paw, and its claws glowed with destructive energy. It retracted them and then, without warning, hopped into Rias' lap, curling up with a contented purr. Rias stroked the kitten's fur gently, her face a picture of surprise and joy.
"So, Rias, are you still disappointed with my gift?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.
Rias looked at me, her expression one of humility. She smiled sheepishly and said, "Maxius, I'm so sorry for doubting you. This gift is amazing. I love it."
I grinned. "No hard feelings. I'm just glad you like it."
Father, still in awe, asked, "Do the earrings have the same ability?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "The earrings are something entirely different. They can only be used under special circumstances, so they're not usable yet. But trust me, when the time comes, they'll be more helpful than you can imagine."
"Thank you, Maxius," Rias said, her voice full of sincerity. "I love you, little brother."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, who are you calling little brother?"