Mei could no longer put her feelings into words. She even began to feel a trace of worry.
Was it really all right for her to be this happy?
Was it truly permissible for her to indulge in such luxury?
Raiden Mei was being loved so unconditionally by the most wonderful boy in the world. She had even learned his greatest secret. Did she really deserve something like that?
"Elias, about your secret of being a transmigrator... no one else knows, right?" Mei couldn't help but confirm.
"Mm~ You're the only one in this world who knows, Mei."
"...I'll keep it for a lifetime!"
A sudden sense of mission surged within her. Being the only one who knew Elias' secret felt like possessing an incredible, priceless treasure.
She would never share that treasure with anyone.
Because it was her selfishness—and her happiness.
Elias gently stroked the purple-haired girl resting on his lap, then softly made a vow that would last a lifetime.
"May the pure white one be blessed with love. I grant you an eternal oath of devotion. From this day on, I will remain by your side forever. In sickness or in health, in wealth or in poverty, we will walk together through a span of time longer than eternity itself."
"Mei, happy birthday. I love you."
With his own Signet, Elias sealed an eternal promise. Without the slightest restraint, he continued to conquer the girl's heart, raising Raiden Mei's already sky-piercing affection to even greater heights.
Then he gazed at her with tenderness and devotion, as if asking whether she was satisfied with such a vow.
Mei's cheeks were already completely flushed. There was no way she could blame it on the sunset's glow. The heart in her chest was pounding wildly, like a war drum being struck without mercy.
They were the most moving words she had ever heard. That vow could practically be called a proposal.
She couldn't help but sigh. This person always exceeded her expectations, bestowing upon her a happiness far too extravagant.
But even though today was her birthday, Raiden Mei couldn't be the only one receiving from Elias.
So...
"Elias, thank you! I love you so much too!"
Mei wrapped her arms tightly around the white-haired boy before her. She thought that if she were the Herrscher of Finality, she would freeze time at this very moment, turning this day into an endless eternity.
...
As the sun gradually sank, the crimson sky gave way to a beautiful, mysterious sea of stars.
The night sky was the truest face of the heavens. Watching the countless stars, Elias unconsciously reached out his hand.
"Elias, do you really like the stars?"
"Mm~ I do. Right now, I want to pluck them all down and give them to you, Mei. Ah~ if only they were as small as diamonds. Then I'd string the stars into a necklace and place them around my beloved Mei's neck."
"I-If you say things like that... it's bad for my heart."
"But I really want to do it."
"Guh!"
Mei instinctively pressed a hand to her chest.
If there was one downside to being with Elias, it was that a girl might occasionally feel as if she were about to suffer heart failure.
Because he could casually say the most outrageous things, as if embarrassment didn't exist for him at all.
Mei really wanted to ask who he had learned this from. He had already been straightforward before traveling to the Previous Era, but ever since returning, he had become even more direct with his words.
What normal girl could possibly withstand this?
(Mei: Forget it, whatever! No matter who influenced him, well done!)
"Sorry, Mei."
Elias suddenly apologized.
"Eh? What's wrong?"
"I know you don't like celebrating your birthday in a flashy way. But I still want to celebrate it grandly for you. So whatever happens next—just consider it my selfishness."
As if making up his mind, Elias gently adjusted Mei's position on his lap. He helped her shift from lying on her side to lying on her back. That way, her field of vision was filled with Elias' upper body and the starry sky above.
Then Elias raised both hands and declared loudly—
"I will ignite the sea of stars for you."
"!!!"
A meteor shot upward against gravity, like a sun rising at impossible speed. It flew from the earth toward the realm where the stars resided.
And in the next second—
That meteor exploded into brilliant light, illuminating the night.
Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!
One meteor after another streaked upward, bursting into fleeting blossoms of fireworks that bloomed freely across the night sky. Each firework was different in color and shape, but they all shared one trait—size.
They were so enormous that nearly half the planet could probably see them.
But that was only natural.
Because these fireworks truly ascended into space before they bloomed.
For this spectacle, Elias had specifically consulted Vill-V. After extensive research, he had finally created fireworks capable of exploding in the vacuum of space. When it came to things like this, he was always meticulous.
"This is the best birthday gift I've ever received!"
Mei stared blankly at the sight. Tears of emotion overflowed uncontrollably from her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away.
She couldn't afford to miss even a single second of the beautiful scene Elias had created for her. It was far too breathtaking.
The white-haired boy had turned the entire night sky into a flower basket and presented it to Mei.
Even though fireworks only bloom for a fleeting instant, this vision had already become an eternal moment engraved within Raiden Mei's heart. No matter how much time passed in the future, she would never forget it.
"Now, for the final shot—launch."
Elias snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, accompanied by a thunderous boom, the last firework soared into the heavens. It detonated at the highest point of the sky, farther from the earth than any before it. Against the backdrop of the stars, countless lights arranged themselves into words.
[Mei, Happy Birthday!]
In the most magnificent form, he offered the purest blessing to the girl.
Mei stared at the display in a daze. Just as Elias had said, it was completely opposite to her own style—utterly unrestrained, extravagantly grand.
It was as if the white-haired boy wanted to announce to the entire world that today was Raiden Mei's birthday—the most important day, the day the girl he loved was born into this world.
At least half the planet now knew. Countless people must be envying her, jealous of her, curious about her.
It was unbearably embarrassing.
And unbearably blissful.
Mei couldn't help but wonder just how far this person intended to make her heart race before he would finally be satisfied.
The answer was—this was only the beginning.
"Mei, you got one thing wrong just now."
"What?"
"Those fireworks were only an announcement, not the gift. The real present I prepared is this~"
As he spoke, Elias took out a small box.
The "small" size—small enough to fit in one hand—stood in absurd contrast to the overwhelming spectacle of fireworks from earlier.
Yet Mei's heart gave a violent thump.
No... it can't be. Is this really what I think it is?
At that moment, she was so nervous and expectant that she nearly forgot how to breathe. Anyone who saw that small box would instantly guess what was inside.
Because it contained every girl's longing and dream.
The moment the box opened, a ring set with a magnificent diamond came into view. Under the built-in light inside the case, the gemstone shimmered brilliantly—flawless and dazzling.
"Here, Mei. Let me put it on for you."
"Mm... okay."
Elias didn't ask whether she was willing.
Between them, such a question was unnecessary. How could Raiden Mei ever refuse the very thing she had always yearned for?
She sat up and extended her left hand toward the white-haired boy.
Elias rose from his seat, then knelt on one knee before her, holding the ring. He looked like a noble knight swearing eternal loyalty to his queen.
He gently slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. The size and design fit perfectly.
It wasn't for nothing that he had made a special trip to the Previous Era's bubble world some time ago.
He had once again "troubled" that ring designer, creating a masterpiece that was in no way inferior to the perfect creation worn by Miss Pink Elf.
"Ah..."
Mei stared blankly at the ring on her left ring finger. In that instant, the world seemed to fall silent. All her attention was captured by the band encircling her hand.
She pinched herself lightly, as if to confirm she wasn't dreaming.
The faint sting of pain felt indescribably wonderful.
At last, she could no longer restrain her emotions. She threw herself into Elias' arms and stole his lips once more.
"Today is the happiest day of my life!"
"That's wonderful to hear. But from now on, you'll continue to be happy. Because I promise I'll make you the happiest girl in the world."
"...Elias, if you keep saying things like that, I'll end up loving you hopelessly, like a complete fool."
Tears of joy streamed uncontrollably from Mei's eyes. Right now, she felt as if she could drown in this person's embrace.
On the school rooftop, the figures of the white-haired boy and the violet-haired girl gradually overlapped. A primal yet beautiful melody echoed through the air, pushing the happiness of this day to an even greater height.
...
Inside the Valkyrie dormitory—
"Mei, happy birthday!!" xN
Pop!Pop!Pop!Pop!
As soon as Elias and Mei returned, the small party cannons went off in unison. The girls, who had been waiting and rehearsing for a long time, shouted their blessings together.
Colorful streamers rained down upon the girl. After a brief moment of stunned silence, a breathtaking smile bloomed across Mei's face.
She once again realized that today truly was the best day of her life.
It was different from when she had still been "Miss Raiden Mei." The so-called "friends" who gathered around her back then had only flattered her for the sake of her prominent family background.
But now, by her side were the one and only love of her life—and rivals who competed with her daily, yet were in truth precious companions.
"You're walking a little unsteadily. Looks like you had quite a fun day, Mei."
"That exaggerated fireworks show just now must have been arranged by Lord Elias, right? How enviable."
"Mei, hurry and blow out the candles! And make a wish! Rita spent hours making this birthday cake."
"Wait! Look at Sister Mei's left ring finger! Is that the legendary—"
"Wah! That's way too enviable!"
In the end, everyone cheerfully shared the cake. Then they handed over the birthday gifts they had prepared long ago. There were so many that Mei could barely hold them all in her arms.
"Hmph~ Just take it. I didn't know it was your birthday. I just grabbed something at random."
"Um... thank you. But, may I ask who you are?"
Mei looked slightly bewildered at the green-haired loli before her, who somehow exuded an oddly seductive air. She realized awkwardly that she couldn't remember the other's name at all.
"Oh my~ isn't that Snake? Long time no see."
Elias looked pleasantly surprised at the sight of Mobius in the dormitory. He hadn't expected her to come. It seemed his Snake was truly a "kind-hearted and loyal" woman after all.
She had actually come all the way from the Elysian Realm to attend Mei's birthday party—and even brought a gift.
Mobius' veins nearly popped.
"So you're one of the new Flame-Chasers? What number are you? And this Signet is...?" Mei asked.
"Hmph~ I am the eleventh of the Fifteen Flame-Chasers, Mobius of [Infinity]. How about I give you a physical examination sometime, Herrscher big sis~"
"Um... thank you, but I'll pass."
There were many gifts.
Unlike Kiana, Bronya—who had rushed back specially—Himeko, and Rita, whose presents were mostly practical daily necessities, the Flame-Chasers' gifts were rather unified.
Aside from their personal presents, they also offered their Signets.
"Since Miss Mei seeks strength, please accept our Signets," Eden said.
"Thank you. I'll make good use of them!" Mei replied earnestly.
Aponia smiled gently. "In the destiny I see, your thread of fate is tightly entwined with Elias', stretching endlessly forward. Of course, ours are the same."
Mei laughed. "Looks like we'll be continuing this war together in the future. In that case, I'll be in your care. But... today, Elias belongs to me alone."
The girls snorted in unison.
"Hmph! Just for today!"
—
—
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven