Lumian looked around the familiar room. Everyone was there, all of them smiling brightly.
Truth be told, he had almost forgotten it was his birthday, with everything that had been happening lately.
Vincent suddenly stepped forward and threw an arm over his shoulder.
"What are you still standing there for? It's your birthday."
He pulled Lumian closer as Rosanne and Berlie waved excitedly.
"Happy birthday, Lumian!"
Lumian chuckled awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Hargreaves walked over to the couch and placed the cake on the table before turning back to him.
"Happy birthday, Lumian," he said with a faint smile. "Vincent, go call Derrick. He's supposed to be here by now."
Vincent nodded and hurried upstairs.
At that moment, Alice returned, holding a knife, and stopped beside Lumian.
"So you were running away from your birthday, huh?" she said with a smirk. "What did you think I wanted?"
"…"
"Wait—don't tell me he was actually trying to avoid coming inside?" Rosanne burst out laughing.
"Why did you come so late today though?" she added.
Lumian smiled faintly and took out the portrait, handing it to Hargreaves.
"Captain… this is my neighbor's husband. I performed a divination and detected traces of the St. Mary Text on him. But now… he's disappeared."
He deliberately left out certain details, including anything related to the White Kingdom.
Hargreaves studied the portrait carefully before looking up.
"Are you sure?"
Lumian nodded.
"If that's the case… then he's with the St. Mary Text," Hargreaves said slowly. "Do you know where he was last seen?"
"His wife said Hatcliff Street."
"Alright. I'll have some members monitor the area," Hargreaves replied, slipping the portrait into his pocket.
At that moment—
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Loud footsteps echoed from the stairs as Vincent and the ever-nonchalant Derrick rushed down, both slightly out of breath.
"Hope you guys haven't started eating the cake!" they said in unison.
...
Derrick immediately scanned the room and noticed the cake was still untouched.
He let out a breath of relief.
Without hesitation, he walked forward, snatched the knife from Alice's hand, and handed it to Lumian with a wide grin.
"Happy birthday, Lumian! Now cut the cake, hehe."
Lumian chuckled, but he quickly brought the pressure up, as he activated his Mystic Eyes.
Immediately white silhouettes drifted around him, as everyone each burned with colour.
Derrick glowed orange.
He turned to Hargreaves—orange. Vincent—also orange. Berlie too.
Rosanne and Alice, however, glowed pink.
Hmm… orange must mean trust. Good intentions.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Just as he was about to cut the cake—
Pa!
Another burst of confetti spread across his back.
Startled, he turned.
A girl with brown eyes and black hair stood there, holding a confetti popper, dressed in light celebratory clothes. It was Lury.
"Happy birthday, Lumian!"
"Thank you, thank you," Lumian replied with a smile.
She grinned. "So, how are you enjoying it so far?"
Lumian opened his mouth to answer—
"Quit yapping and cut the cake," Derrick's voice echoed from behind.
Lumian's mouth twitched.
Before, his intentions toward me weren't good or bad… so how did they become positive?
…Ah. Right. The cake.
Shaking his head slightly, Lumian raised the knife and brought it down.
Cheers instantly filled the room.
Berlie stepped forward excitedly. "Wait! Let me take a picture!"
Hargreaves shook his head with a small smile. "No. This is a group event. Go call the others."
"Okay—!"
But before leaving, she quickly snapped a photo of Lumian mid-lag.
Lumian blinked as he noticed her and was about to protest, but Berlie quickly scurried away.
...
A moment later, Berlie returned with a few of the unofficial members.
Before the picture was taken, Lumian quickly turned to Hargreaves.
"Captain… what about Mrs. Hathway?"
Hargreaves smiled faintly. "She returned to the Celestial Brigade this morning."
"…Oh."
Lumian sighed softly but quickly lifted his head—he didn't want to get caught looking off in the photo.
An unofficial member stood in front of the camera, adjusting it carefully while everyone prepared their poses.
Lumian shoved his hands into his pockets and bent slightly forward.
Beside him, Rosanne giggled. "What are you doing?" she said. "It's your birthday. Can't you stand normally instead of looking sketchy?"
Lumian chuckled and straightened a bit, rubbing his chin.
"What about this?"
Rosanne frowned. "If you can't stand properly, why don't you just fall?"
Lumian raised an eyebrow and laughed. Then he straightened fully, flashed a bright smile, and held up a peace sign.
Rosanne nodded in satisfaction. "That's better."
A moment later, the camera was ready.
Everyone took their positions in front of the couch.
Hargreaves stood beside Lumian with a small smile. Vincent stood calmly with his hands in his pockets. Rosanne and Alice sat on the floor, striking playful poses. Berlie and Lury grinned brightly, both throwing up peace signs.
Derrick simply stood there, expression unchanged.
The unofficial member set the timer and hurried back into position.
Click!
...
The picture was taken as everyone froze in their respective poses. The camera clicked, and the image immediately printed out.
Hargreaves calmly walked forward, took the photo, and gave a small smile before handing it to one of the unofficial members.
"Tomorrow," he said, "go to the printer on the left road and tell him to make a portrait out of this."
The man with glasses and yellow hair nodded and took the photo.
Soon, a quiet celebration began. The cake was shared, and the wine was distributed.
Lumian sat on the couch, glass in hand, watching the lively scene. His mouth twitched, then curled into a small smile. His heart felt warm—mushy, even—because he finally felt like part of the family, despite having joined only two years ago.
Normally, to gain the privileges of a being sorcerer, one had to serve as either a worker, evangelist, or bounty hunter for at least two years. Unofficial members, like Lury, were those who didn't join for privileges but instead contributed in other ways. They weren't recognized as full members, but they could still participate in the organization. Only after performing their duties for two years and choosing to take their potion could a member become an official member, or fully fledged church member. But in the case of Lury and some others, despite being a worker, they had refused to take a potion and become sorcerers, as they see it as dangerous. They would rather make money as unofficial members.
Time passed with laughter and conversation, the atmosphere gentle and cheerful. Eventually, as the sun dipped lower, Lumian decided to leave. It was around five o'clock when he finally stepped out into the quiet streets.
...
Cornerstone, Number 21.
After all the celebrations, Lumian returned to Cornerstone and saw a hearty meal laid out on the dining table. The rich aroma reached him instantly, and he realized it was his favorite—beef and rice.
Laura was already seated, swinging her legs playfully. The moment she noticed him, she jumped up and ran over.
"Happy birthday, Lumian!"
He was slightly taken aback. He almost asked why they hadn't said anything in the morning, but then remembered—he had left far too early.
"Thank you, Laura," he said with a smile. "By July, yours will be even better, hehe."
Laura looked at him and chuckled softly. "Mine can be a little less extravagant."
"Why?"
"..."
She didn't answer, and Lumian quickly understood—she was being mindful of their expenses.
He chuckled and asked casually, "Where's Kelvin?"
"Upstairs. Don't bother going up—he's preparing our surprise."
"Surprise?" Lumian repeated, blinking.
Before he could say anything else, Laura grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the dining table.
...
After some time, as Lumian grew slightly impatient, he suddenly felt a pair of fragile hands cover his eyes from behind.
At the same moment, he heard footsteps approaching slowly.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Then, something was gently placed on his head.
The hands covering his eyes slowly withdrew.
I wonder what it could be... could it be a new watch or probably new clothes... hm. Kelvin is surely not too outgoing, he would have thought of something small and meaningful...
Opening his eyes, Lumian blinked a couple of times, and the person in black hair, in front of him, came into view.
A smile spread across his face as he lifted his hands and took the gift off his head.
Looking at it, he realized it was a black hat. Though he already had one, this one was more refined—lined with black silk, clearly expensive.
He raised his gaze. His brother stood before him, wearing a small smile.
"Happy birthday, bro."
...
Lumian smiled warmly, lowering his gaze to the hat as he gently rubbed its surface.
After a moment, Laura suddenly snatched it from his hands and placed it back on his head, making him chuckle.
"Hmm~ doesn't it suit you?" she said cheerfully.
Lumian nodded, still smiling as he looked at both of them. His lips twitched slightly before he spoke.
"I'm really happy… I'm so grateful."
He paused, his expression softening as he let out a quiet sigh.
"I just wish Mom and Dad were still here."
At those words, silence fell over the room.
Kelvin stepped forward after a moment and patted him lightly on the shoulder.
"Don't think about that now—it's your birthday, hehe. I even bought a cake on my way back."
He turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Lumian watched his retreating figure, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"I'm so lucky…"
...
The dinner passed warmly, the siblings talking more than usual. Laughter filled the room as time slipped by unnoticed.
Eventually, the cake was brought out and cut. As they ate, Laura clumsily smeared some cream onto her shoulder-length hair and hands, laughing it off as the others joined in.
They continued chatting and enjoying themselves until it was late.
By the time the clock struck ten, the siblings exchanged their goodnights and headed to their rooms.
Lumian stepped inside his, turned off the lights, and collapsed onto the bed.
...
Lumian lay quietly, his thoughts drifting through the events of the day.
One moment after another replayed in his mind, and before he knew it, a faint smile had formed on his lips.
After a while, he pulled the blanket over himself and whispered softly,
"Home… sweet home."
His eyes slowly closed as sleep took him.