"Alice, why did you ask me to buy a cake? Is today a special day?" Raymond asked, passing the cake to Alice. She and Sean rolled their eyes in unison.
For Sean, birthdays had lost their significance long ago. The reborn soul within him held little attachment to such celebrations.
"Raymond, what's going on at the factory?" Sean asked, settling onto the plush sofa, its rich leather creaking slightly under his weight.
"Thanks to your method, the workers dispersed quickly," Raymond replied, a hint of pride in his voice. He then grinned and added, "Also, call me your father, you little rascal!"
Raymond tapped Sean on the head playfully. Alice, ever the peacemaker, chimed in, "But no father ever forgets his son's birthday."
Raymond's face turned crimson as he stammered, "That... Sean, how could a father forget your birthday? I bought you a Xiaobawang game console! Do you like it?"
Sean's expression remained unchanged. "Raymond, I designed the Xiaobawang game console."
Raymond's face stiffened. He scratched his head and quickly said, "By the way, I also bought you the latest Lamborghini sports car!"
Sean sighed, shaking his head. "Raymond, it's not about the gift. I don't blame you. Besides, I designed the sports car too. And, I'm only eleven years old—I can't get a driver's license, let alone reach the pedals."
Alice laughed, covering her mouth. "Alright, dear, if you want to make it up to Sean, come and cook dinner with me!"
Sean nodded in agreement. "I'm going to read a book."
Raymond, dejected, followed Alice into the kitchen, causing both her and Sean to laugh again.
The August night was already cool, but the warmth of the Sebastian household was palpable.
Dinner Time
"Sean, make a wish and blow out the candles," Alice said, her voice tender and eyes brimming with love.
Looking at his parents, Sean felt a rare ripple in his heart. In his previous life, he never met his own parents. In this life, he cherished the warmth and love he received from his family.
"I wish for world peace," Sean said before blowing out the candles.
Raymond scoffed, "What kind of wish is that?"
Alice, accustomed to her son's unconventional thinking, clapped happily. "Cut the cake!"
Raymond picked up the knife and fork when a strange bird chirping interrupted the moment. The mailbox shook, and an exquisite letter, seemingly enchanted, flew directly to Sean, landing softly in his hands.
Sean's face turned pale as he picked up the letter, his heart pounding. "Who sent this?"
Raymond, noticing Sean's reaction, took the letter and examined it with Alice. The envelope was lined with gold, and the handwriting was elegant and ornate.
"Hogwarts? What is this place?" Raymond read aloud.
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
Dear Mr. Sean Sebastian,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment. The semester is scheduled to start on September 1. We await your owl by August 31st.
Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
"Magic? And a second page?" Raymond continued, bewildered. "Three plain wizard robes? A pointed hat? A wand? A cauldron? Is this a prank?"
Raymond's eyes, filled with doubt, turned to Sean. No one else could hear it, but a mechanical voice echoed in Sean's brain.
"The check-in system is starting up..."
"Check-in system activated!"
"Task: Go to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to check in. Reward: Random Treasure Box*1."
"I worked hard to amass a fortune, ready to enjoy a life of luxury, and now you tell me this is the Harry Potter world!?"
Sean took a deep breath, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Raymond, Mom, I'm going to school."
Raymond and Alice's faces lit up with surprise and joy. "Really? That's great! We'll connect you with the best universities in the world!"
Their excitement was palpable. They had always worried about Sean's resistance to formal education. He often claimed that no professor knew more than he did, making him disdainful of conventional schooling. His self-imposed isolation had been a source of concern.
"No..." Sean's smile faded as he pointed to the letter. "I'm going to Hogwarts to study."
The room fell silent as Raymond and Alice processed this new development. Their son's extraordinary intellect had always been a marvel, but this revelation opened a new chapter filled with unimaginable possibilities.
As the night drew on, the Sebastian household buzzed with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Sean, meanwhile, grappled with the realization that his meticulously planned future was about to be turned upside down by a world of magic and mystery.