Chapter 6: First Birthday (3)
Alden smiled happily and thanked his family. Every single gift here must cost a fortune, and he is grateful from the bottom of his heart to be at the receiving end.
"I really like all of the gifts! Thank you, everyone, I will practice all of them diligently till my hands fall off! But, ehrm… mom, dad, I have another request…"
Then he immidiately asks for another wish right afterward.
Alden didn't even have to act shameful, it was his true feeling after all.
He thought it was a very spoiled behavior as his face ripped red and his head dejectedly hung down. But there are no other options, it is now or never since the party is near its end.
But the embarrassed Alden could never guess. The happy and warm atmosphere at the birthday party was suddenly even livelier.
"Ohhhhh! Al is not even satisfied with all the gifts, hahaha. My son is finally acting like a child today, huh?"
Liam roared in response and spoke for everyone, as the member smiled warmly, a tint of excitement flashed in their eyes.
The reason for their reaction is simple.
Ever since Alden's conditions started to get better and he begin to interact with people, his personality could only be summarized in a word.
Mature.
To the onlooker's eyes, the boy is very easy to satisfy and has always behaved nicely. Alden eats everything puts on his plate, is fine playing around alone while Sylvia and Liam are out, and just reads books a lot, with no preference on what type. Even while training martial arts at a very young age, he has always been diligent and never complain about a thing, making Liam a bit astounded.
For any other household, they would feel very blessed. But the Drukas, on the other hand, all felt a little regret in front of his humble attitude. Because of Alden's born condition, everyone felt very sorry and wants to pamper him at least a little. But Alden didn't give them a chance to.
The only thing he has requested in the past 3+ years is to have his own room on the second floor. Although a bit weird, it was very reasonable for a first wish, so they naturally agreed to it, expecting that there would be more in the future.
There was none.
He displayed a universally very concerning behavior for a child, and his parents have had countless discussions about their son's lack of self-interest. They even tried asking him a couple of times in the past, but the dull Alden just smiled innocently in response.
Unlike what Alden has expected, his acting was very bad.
"Hahaha, sooo, what it is, Al? Do you want a custom weapon? We could just go right now!"
"Calm down darling, we have practiced this! Let him speak first! Al, it is okay to want something, can you tell mom what is it?"
So everyone was happy, despite it being right after the expensive birthday gifts, they were willing to buy a new mountain if Alden so wish. The mood was soaring sky high.
'What the hell, why are they so excited?'
Meanwhile, Alden's mood plummeted. It was not the right timing at all.
In front of the unexpected excitement in the room, Alden felt his heart tighten uncontrollably with regrets. He then takes in a deep breath to gather courage and proceeds according to the script.
"Uhhh… It is nothing much… It just, ehrm, I wish to know about my gift?" Alden quickly speak. "It sounded silly isn't it, I know, you don't hav— Hmmmm?"
Before he notices, the lively atmosphere has already turned weird abruptly.
It was not tense, but they all look at Alden with a bemused and surprised expression. It was like he had just answered a hard question to everyone's surprise.
Alden titled his head.
'Oh, what is this? No way, do they really know the concept of 'gift'? How comes there are no books on a huge topic like this?'
In the past few years, Alden has familiarized himself completely with every aspect of his status window. So he of course knew all about what a 'gift' is, after doing a fair amount of research on the universe's database. As far as he knows, Pridevion's natives, like earthlings, without the help of the system didn't manage to grasp the concept of 'gift' either. At least, it was as far as Alden knows.
Liam was the first to speak up, he laughed heartily and just asks.
"Now, how did you know about the 'gift', Al?"
"Oh? Ehrm…I read it in a book… I think?" Alden immediately stutters in response.
It was because he had not even thought to rehearse beforehand up to this point. Who could have guessed, he thought Asta was playing a prank.
Liam quickly glance at Jenny at the corner of the table, who shook her head in response. Then he smirks and just stares at poor Alden, who is starting to sweat profusely. He knew very clearly that his dad just double-check with Jenny and was very nervous for the upcoming questioning, already preparing lies.
Luckily, Sylvia intervene.
"Stop it, Liam! Look at Al's face, you scared him!"
She pulled Alden into her embrace and fended off Liam. It was pretty embarrassing since they are still at the lunch table with everyone, but this has happened so many times that nobody even reacted. Alden too, didn't refuse, he is in need of his mom's warm comfort.
Sylvia giggles a little at her son's scared and anxious face. It was very cute and is a rare opportunity for her to tease Alden. Indeed, telling Liam off was an act.
"Al, dad is just joking, don't be too nervous. Well, what you ask is indeed restricted information, so there shouldn't be any book on this, it is a crime…"
Alden's face gradually turns blue, realizing his blunder. The evil parents giggled like they found a new toy, taking turns bullying their son.
"fufufu, I'm sorry, it is really okay, Al. You did nothing wrong, we are joking." Eventually, Sylvia relents.
She glances regretfully at her son's rare scared face once more before explaining it for real.
"Well, it is indeed restricted because of the Empire's situation, but 'gift' are still considered common knowledge, Al, so you don't have to worry. We too planned to talk about this once you have grown a bit more, but if you somehow acquired it earlier on, it is okay too!"
Alden reacted quickly.
'System, analyze the rest of the weapons later, record everything from now on, and update it to your intelligence.'
[Understood, recording…]
After confirming his order's received, Alden asks.
"So, can really know about my gift?"
Sylvia answered and follow up with a question.
"Of course, Al! Since you already know about the 'gift', can you tell mom what it is?"
Alden didn't mind. She was always the type of mom who answer her child's curiosity with a question in return, it was her type of education. They had already had a few exchanges like this whenever he inquire about something unknown outside of the books. It was like a fun mini-game.
"Ehrm, I heard that it is something that everyone has. A blessing, or a fate of some sort."
"Oh? Interesting, do you know anything else?"
But the mini-game this time is very dangerous in Alden's opinion. He was walking in a thin line, trying not to leak any information unknown to Pridevion.
Of course, he didn't really want to hide anything from his family, but then he would have explained the whole system thing from the start and that is just extra work. Alden has already promised himself to tell them the truth, but now is not convenient.
In the end, he decided to just outline the general information.
"I think it is more like a blurry concept, so I am not sure."
Sylvia just smiled gently at his answer.
"Well, you have managed to grasp it, Al. It is more or less what we know too. Even now, we don't exactly know why or how these 'gift' came to be, but it is undoubtedly beneficial. You are also true saying that it is a very unclear concept, but that is before the gods' decent."
"...huh?"
New details pop up out of nowhere. Alden was obviously confused, to his earthly brain, the gods are not a very familiar topic.
Sylvia continues.
"About a thousand years ago, most of the gods made themselves known. They descent and brought many wonders to us, they are very kind and generous. You can explore the other once you grow up, but what we are discussing now is only one of those benefits, their's guidance."
"..."
Alden cocks his head in confusion. He was questioning why his mother started to preach all of the sudden, until he remembered Asta's existence and his mind went blank, unable to even rebuke.
"As you already said, 'gift' is something very hard for an individual to understand fully by themselves. Although some indeed have very flashy ones that just expose itself at one point, but most are still unaware. That is why the gods offer help to clear the way."
Sylvia resume.
"Not only you will understand more, they will even name it. So this something very beneficial to everyone, although most will went through the ceremony once they are about 8? But I think going through it as soon as you wish is a good thing, too!"
She ended her explanation with an encouraging smile at Alden, who is already in deep thought, sitting on her lap.
Honestly, after understanding everything, he didn't want to do it at all.
'It is just a hassle, won't I just know it after a while more?'
He looked at the timer next to the gift section in the status window, which is displaying the remaining time to be exactly 35 days.
But after a while more consideration, Alden just sighs and gave up resisting. Revealing the gift is not really the main point, it is an excuse. The reason why he did all of this in the first place was to head for the stupid tower and meet Asta again after a while. He asked his mom.
"Ok, I still wish to know, how should we do this mom?"
Sylvia pinched Alden's cheek playfully and answer.
"Well, now we have to answer another question. Which method do you wish to follow."
"Oh? There are different methods?"
"That is right, Al. There are different gods, so there are many ways we can proceed, too. You can either pray for a certain time at the Temple of Light. Or maybe offer a little sacrifice for The goddess of Dreams. And, there are also—"
After a while, Alden suddenly remembered his script and realise this is his cue. He immediately gave an answer.
"Oh? Is there a tower or something? I wish to go to the tower."
"..."
"..."
The air froze.
Once again, there is only silence. Complete silence.
If the last time they stop out of pleasant surprise, this time, Alden thought that he had unknowingly insulted someone, judging by everyone's face twitching. He starts sweating again.
'Damn it, this is the real trap!'
Liam was even leaning back in his chair, it was a thing he does when a bit dissatisfied, making Alden very nervous. But before he could even think of a way out.
"That is impossible."
Idril stops enjoying the shortcake her size mid-way to intervene, breaking the ice.
"I won't consent, you are still too weak, Al. Try asking it again on your next birthday."
"Huh? That is 6 years from now!"
"Exactly."
His parents, too, look dissatisfied. Sylvia especially looked very troubled, as she turns to ask Liam.
"I was too careless. Al had already declared his intention, what should we do? Is it too late?"
"...Calm down, honey. We didn't know he had that kind of information. This is rather troublesome."
Again, Alden was thrown into confusion. He was getting tired and started to rethink his knowledge about the world, it was truly too insufficient.
All the suspension in the air was just too much for one sitting, so he decided just to ask.
"Ehrm… Mom? Dad? What is wrong with going to the tower?"
Liam answered with a difficult expression.
"Well, it is rather an unconventional choice, especially for kids like you. It is a temple built by the God of Adventure, and it is very mysterious. People could lose an arm or a leg challenging it…"
'WHAT?' Alden's eyes widen in disbelief, he was appalled. 'How could Asta makes his own apostle go through something dangerous like that?'
But before he could sort out his thought, Sylvia speaks up, warning him with a serious expression that he rarely saw.
"Al, listen to mom carefully, ok? When you talk about your intention regarding the gods, you have to be really careful! If you said something and later go back on your words, you might get yourself cursed or punished by some divine punishment. So, in your case, you just stated that you wish to head for the tower…I'm really sorry, this is my fault…"
"...huh?"
Another shocking piece of information. He was completely fooled.
Alden quickly seeks confirmation from his wicked Lord.
'Lord Astaa! Please tell me they are joking, is your tower that dangerous, are you going to curse me!?'
- The God of Adventure is giggling and states that his tower is not dangerous and it is impossible to die.
"Dad, is the tower really dangerous? I thought people couldn't die in it."
Liam was a bit surprised.
"How did you know about that? But Al, although they didn't die, as I mention, some still lose their limbs, while other gone crazy once they return. It is very random and is still classified as a rather dangerous place."
"H-how though, how does that happen?"
"... I'm sorry if I am scaring you, but it is indeed dangerous. The tower appears to only have 100 floors on the outside, but it does not work in a logical manner. A trial will be summoned based on God's intention, so we aren't able to analyze and still have very little information on it."
Alden sighs and shook his head. It sounded very Asta-like, and he hated it.
But for some reason, after hearing all of that, Alden still wishes to go and he is feeling very conflicted. His instinct is telling him that this trip will result in something good.
Seeing her son's pondering expression, Sylvia asked gently.
"Al, do you still wish to go?"
Alden woke up from his train of thought. After hesitating for a while, he nodded with determination.
"Yes, my instinct is somehow telling me I have to."
Liam sighs.
"... I agree with Idril this time, it is impossible Alden. We won't le—"
"Okay." Sylvia suddenly cuts in and gave an unexpected response.
Everyone was astounded.
The same Silvia that cried for 2 days when Alden moved downstairs.
The same Sylvia who takes her sons for a stroll through the jungle almost every day for the last 3 years.
That person is now just casually being okay with sending her son off to the unknown.
Then they shake their heads at her next few words.
"If you beat either me or dad, that is. Take your pick."
It was truly harsh, playing with a little child's hopes.
***
Returning to the present. (beginning chap 10)
"Let's end it for today, shall we, Al?"
Liam laughed satisfactorily at his fallen son, who is currently gasping for air and rolling in the grass.
Their previous quarrel was quite something. Not because it was a fierce battle, but rather because it was too one-sided. It all happened in about 4 minutes, but that is only because Liam kept true to his words and beat Alden up with only the index finger this round. It was quite a comical scene, and Jenny is clapping non-stop.
"T-too unfair," Alden complains with his remaining breath, still half knocked out. "H-how am I, suppose to do this?"
"That is because you choose to challenge me, Al." Liam chuckles, but he understands Alden's choice.
Indeed, both challenges are impossible to begin with. But at least facing Liam, Alden could imagine himself winning while he sleep. Facing Sylvia, who is a long-range type mage capable of wielding nature to attack, defend, and even heal, Alden could only tremble.
Choosing to face Liam means that Alden, at the minimum, hasn't given up.
Idril smiled sadly.
"That is the point, Al, this is impossible. But I do admire your effort, losing 26 times straight in the first week. How about giving up now?"
Alden remains silent in response.
For some reason, Idril was the most persistent at making sure Alden gave up. She is here everyday for the past week, just watching him getting beat up and giving out sarcastic remarks at the end. So Alden was understandably a bit fed up.
He took in deep breaths, stabilizing his condition. And after a while more of recovery, Alden picks himself up from the grass and walks straight to the forest. He needed some time alone.
"I'm going to Igorlas."
"Just return in time for dinner, okay?" Liam smiled sadly, but he didn't stop him. Liam himself understands Alden's current mood very much.
"Okay, dad."
For the first time since Alden woke up, a gloomy atmosphere hovered above the Drukas' household.