Birthday Revelations and Secret Preparations
The next morning, "Ugh," they both woke up together. They gazed at each other, still wrapped in an embrace, both smiling.
"Morning, Elsa," Adrian said.
"Morning, Adrian," Elsa replied.
Kiss. Their lips met. "Hehe," they both chuckled softly, then fell silent for a moment.
"Typical Indonesians, huh? Riding a motorbike or a dragon, it's all the same—if you don't wear a jacket, you'll catch a cold," Adrian quipped.
"Hehe, yeah, we didn't drink any tolak angin (herbal remedy) yesterday, and we just flew without jackets," Elsa replied.
"Haaah... I think I finally know my life's purpose now," Adrian murmured.
"What's that?" Elsa asked.
"To be by your side forever," Adrian answered.
"Hehe, same here. That's why I'm going to learn magic in that other world," Elsa said.
"Me too, I want to learn swordsmanship. At least be as good as Dad," Adrian added.
"If living in this world becomes too difficult, we can move there permanently," Elsa suggested.
"Yep, I was thinking the same thing. But I'll still try my best here too. At least for now, let's finish school," Adrian replied.
"Hmm, okay, you're right. I want to try my best here too. We'll live in two worlds," Elsa agreed.
"First things first, let's move all the weapons in my closet over there so they don't cause trouble later," Adrian said.
"Not yet, okay? This position is too comfy, hehe," Elsa teased.
"You're impossible, but okay," Adrian chuckled.
*****
Meanwhile, in the other world, in the newly merged kingdom of Fredonia, a knight in full armor stepped into the study room of a middle-aged man, accompanied by a male sorcerer.
"Report, Your Majesty Marcus. It seems the rumors about the dragon a few days ago were true. The legendary dragon has awakened again. Many eyewitnesses saw the dragon, and some even saw two people riding it," the knight reported.
"The legendary dragon, the Calamity Dragon Galvineel, the dragon of the sword saint and hero Javis, who, together with the great sage Irisphilia, fought and defeated the demon lord 100 years ago. Due to the mistake of our ancestors, who imprisoned Javis and intended to marry Irisphilia to manipulate her power, they escaped and vowed to return to exact revenge for our ancestors' betrayal. If they truly have returned, we must be prepared. Even though the kingdom of Norville and the Easterius Empire have merged into the kingdom of Fredonia since they left," the sorcerer added.
"Haaah, so this era of peace finally ends. Investigate the truth immediately and do not attack them. We must not make the same mistake as our predecessors. Hopefully, they can still be reasoned with," King Marcus commanded.
"Understood, Your Majesty," the knight replied.
*****
After recovering, Adrian and Elsa began emptying the secret room in Adrian's unit. They worked tirelessly, balancing it with their abilities so they wouldn't get sick again. Every day after school, they went to their house in the other world just to study. Elsa continuously focused on learning magic in the reading room and storage, while Adrian practiced swordsmanship in the backyard, following guidance from within himself. Sometimes, Galvin would come to accompany them and protect them from monsters that liked to attack from outside the island.
Four months passed. After school exams, they both became well-known because Adrian ranked first in his entire year, and Elsa ranked second. The rumors of them being married and living together were no longer heard, but they still didn't befriend anyone other than Yuni and her group. One day after school, Toni and Erik suddenly approached Adrian, who was pushing Elsa's wheelchair.
"Hey, bro, can you help us out for a bit?" Toni asked.
"Help with what?" Adrian asked.
"Ms. Indri, the library custodian, asked us to help her organize some newly arrived books. Can you help? Your body's big now, you're strong enough to lift stuff," Toni replied.
"Hmm, will it take long? Who will take Elsa home then?" Adrian asked.
"Relax, bro. Yuni, Monic, and Sinta offered to take Elsa home. Right, Elsa?" Erik said, looking at Elsa.
"Yeah, that's right. I already promised them. It's okay, Adrian, you just help Toni and Erik," Elsa said.
"Oh, okay then. But where are Yuni, Monic, and Sinta?" Adrian asked.
"There, they're walking this way," Erik pointed behind Adrian.
Adrian turned, seeing Yuni, Monic, and Sinta running towards them. Then Adrian looked at Toni and Erik.
"Alright then, let's go, so it's faster," Adrian suggested.
"Cool, thanks, bro," Toni replied.
The three immediately walked back inside. When they passed Yuni, Monic, and Sinta, Erik immediately high-fived Yuni, who returned it. They approached Elsa and immediately pushed Elsa's wheelchair out of the school building. When they arrived at the library, Adrian saw many unopened boxes on the table. A middle-aged female teacher wearing glasses approached the three of them.
"Thank you for helping. Please open the boxes and sort the books according to the categories on the shelves," Ms. Indri said.
"Yes, Ms. Indri," all three replied.
They immediately started working. Adrian took a box and opened it, quickly sorting the newly arrived books by category and stacking them. After everything was done, he placed the books on the shelves in alphabetical order. Then he took a second box and did the same. Toni and Erik, who were watching him, were stunned and then whispered,
"Whoa, he's working so fast! If he keeps this up, we won't have anything to do," Toni said, still sorting his first box.
"Ugh, this is bad. He's already on his third box. What do we do? You find a way," Erik said.
"Why me? You help too!" Toni retorted.
"What are you guys talking about?" Adrian asked, looking at them.
"Uh... nothing, hahahaha," Toni replied.
Adrian glanced at the top of Toni and Erik's heads. He immediately smiled and slowed down his work.
"Alright, I'll go slowly," Adrian said.
"Oh... okay... alright, alright," Toni replied.
Adrian resumed working, a smile on his face, tears welling up but he quickly wiped them away as if wiping sweat. He looked happy and content after seeing Toni and Erik's thoughts. Meanwhile, at the apartment, Elsa sat quietly, chin in hand, in her wheelchair, watching Yuni, Monic, and Sinta busy decorating her apartment.
"This is pointless, you know," Elsa said.
"What's pointless? We're trying to surprise your man, and you say it's pointless?" Monic asked.
"Yeah, what's wrong with you?" Sinta added.
"You can't surprise him. Especially with Toni and Erik holding him back. You guys should have asked me to hold him back," Elsa replied.
"Then it would be pointless if you held him back! We want you to be the one to congratulate him first," Yuni said.
"Hehe, yeah, yeah (but actually...)"
Elsa remembered the night before, when she was lying in bed with Adrian, who was still looking at his smartphone. Elsa glanced at the wall clock. When it struck exactly midnight,
"Adrian," Elsa said.
"What... hmph,"
Elsa immediately kissed Adrian next to her, startling Adrian, who pushed her away.
"What's wrong?" Adrian asked.
"Happy birthday! You're 16 now," Elsa said.
Clatter. The smartphone in Adrian's hand fell to the floor. He had completely forgotten that the day had changed and today was his birthday. He immediately remembered the doctor's prognosis, that he wouldn't live past 15. Now he was 16 without realizing it. He turned to look at Elsa, who was smiling at him. Then Elsa turned and took something from under her bed. She handed Adrian a gift.
"Can I open it?" Adrian asked.
"Of course," Elsa replied.
Adrian opened it. Inside were a pair of new shoes and a black jacket. Adrian smiled. He turned and hugged Elsa next to him.
"Thank you," Adrian said.
"Yeah. So from now on, I'll keep celebrating your birthday until we're old," Elsa said.
"Hahaha, yeah, please remind me if I forget. Ever since the prognosis, I haven't thought about birthdays anymore," Adrian replied.
"But you had your 15th birthday back then, didn't you?" Elsa asked.
"Yeah, but at that time, I had no will to live because I'd just had surgery, and my family had recently passed away," Adrian replied.
"Oh... sorry, I didn't know," Elsa said.
"It's okay. Now I'm with you. I've already received the best gift from Lia, haha," Adrian said, tears starting to well up.
Elsa immediately jumped and hugged Adrian in front of her, who also hugged her tightly. Back to the present, Elsa smiled, watching her friends decorate her apartment and prepare food and a birthday cake for Adrian.
"Hehe, you're not alone anymore. I also received the best gift from Lia, and that's you, Adrian," Elsa thought to herself.