Piers

The room was quiet, only the crackling sound of the burning firewood emanated from the fireplace.

I held a wine glass in my hand and sipped on it, much like Arne did sitting across me.

Emil had something more tame in his hand, Orange juice.

Perhaps the boy had a sweet tooth, he's munched down nearly a dozen chocolate cookies since he entered the room.

Good thing i bought them.

There was still a lot that I, we, didn't know about him. a lot we missed out.

All we could do was discover more slowly, by being there for him and spending time with him.

A tender gaze swam in my eyes as i looked at the boy, sitting comfortably, relaxed, having a good time, having fun, much like a child should.

At the same time, a heartache burst from my heart knowing the hardships he suffered throughout the past years, and more, what he was gonna go through if he wanted to pursue the path of a Magician.

However, he was playing a much bigger game than I, Arne, or anyone else in this world could help with. I was but a bystander, i could do very little to change his fate.

I was, however, planning to do whatever i could, as small as it may be.

Which is what brought me to the next topic.

"What are you planning to do next?"

The boy put his empty cup down and looked at me.

"What do you mean?" He asked, not quite processing the meaning behind my words.

"I mean your next move, a goal, do you have a plan going forward in the future?"

My words made him fall in thought.

After taking a moment to contemplate, he spoke.

"Yes, I'm gonna keep getting stronger the way I am."

I gave a thoughtful nod, which then turned into a disapproving shake of my head.

"That's not a bad plan, but your best option would be to join a Faction."

The boy raised a brow.

"Why's that?"

From the looks of it, that wasn't an option he'd considered. maybe he was comfortable the way he was, by himself.

"You don't know how the complete school system works boy."

Arne decided to chime in, his left arm spread over the sofa while his right was positioned on his belly comfortably.

"You're doing alright now, but joining a Faction would suit you best.

The students will get stronger as we get further into the year, so the missions will get more difficult to match their level.

Hunting in a Faction will be a faster and safer way, even if the rewards are split."

As he spoke, he reached out for his wine glass again, deciding he still had space for more.

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"He's right, and that's not the only reason."

I said, agreeing with Arne both regarding Factions, and the sentiment of having more space for alcohol.

"Most of the competitions going forward are gonna be team competitions.

Solo competitions are in fact, a rare occurrence, so if you want to participate in them you're gonna need a Faction."

My voice sounded out again, drowning out the splashing of wine as it reached my glass.

Our words seemed to make Emil ponder again.

He looked neutral as he crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair, but i could see a hint of distress showing in his flickering eyes.

Taking a deep breath, his lips parted to speak once more.

"I'll keep that in mind."

His curt reply came, his head nodding in affirmation, trying to reassure us our point got through.

He tried hard to mask it by acting like usual, but I could tell something was troubling him.

Maybe it wasn't that he didn't consider Factions before, but that he was having difficulties joining one.

He didn't get along well with the other students. the boy, he had a bit of a reputation.

The thought of offering advice crossed my mind. I wanted to help him with his dilemma, but i could tell he didn't want to talk about it, not now. I didn't want to ruin the good mood by forcing it out of him either, so I remained quiet.

The room descended into silence again.

I looked outside, at the darknening sky, so did Emil.

he dusted his hands and wiped his mouth, ready to stand up and take his leave.

I exchanged a glance with Arne, and he nodded at me.

"Emil."

We called out to him, grabbing his attention.

He beheld as the both of us took items out of our storage rings.

"Happy 14th birthday Emil."

"Happy Birthday!"

My and Arne's voice crossed each other and filled the room.

Emil looked at us, confused, trying to process what was happening.

A wry smile plastered itself on my face as his eyes lit up with realization. He'd forgotten his own birthday, hadn't he?

"Here."

Arne gave him the dagger he was holding.

Emil recieved it quietly and unsheathed it.

A large dagger, with a white-stripped black handle, and a similarly black blade, with white edges that reflected the light hitting it, giving it a deadly glow.

"Your Father knew a bit of Forgemastery when he was younger. he made this himself, and gifted it to me.

But now that you're all grown up, better in your hands than mine."

Arne began speaking out as Emil inspected the dagger, his voice bearing a hint of reminiscence as he spoke of Hamlin.

"This..."

Emil struggled to talked, his eyes shifting between Arne and the dagger.

the weapon was in good condition despite being decades old, the boy could tell how important it was to Arne judging by that.

"Just take it, it's what Hamlin would want.

You ought to take good care of it though, make sure not to lose it!"

Emil's face shifted several times hearing Arne's encouraging words, eventually though, he accepted.

"Thanks Uncle, I'll take good care of it."

Arne rubbed his nose before patting the boy hard enough to topple him over.

"Hahaha, I'm sure you will." His bustling laughter sounded in the room.

Getting sentimental wasn't my friend's storngest suit, i knew. he had to break the ice somehow.

"Emil." I called the boy out, before giving him the item I was holding.

A golden locket.

Emil held it in his hands and carefully opened it, before his lips curled upwards in a gentle smile.

Inside was a picture of me, Arne, Hamlin and Rebecca, taken way before he was born.

"That picture was taken about twenty years ago, your mother gave me that locket." I decided to lay out the item's origin.

Emil's face darkened again, but before he could say anything I showed him my collar, revelaing a locket similar to the one he was holding.

"Don't worry, I have another one." I said, grinning.

"I have one too."

Arne did the same, showcasing his locket proudly like it was a rare treasure.

"All four of us did, Me, Arne, your mother and father." I spoke again, giving further clarification.

Emil's expression loosened a bit, making me shake my head helplessly.

The boy was worried about us, that we wouldn't have anything to remember our friends by.

It was sweet of him, and ironic at the same time, knowing we spent more time with his parents than than the child himself did.

"Actually, there's space for one more picture. why don't we fill it now?"

My suggestion made both Emil and Arne's ears perk up.

"Good idea, bring out the camera Piers!

and you boy, get your ass over here!"

I could see Arne bringing Emil to his side and draping his arm around his shoulder as I took out my camera and began setting it up.

"What kind of miracle drug did you eat boy? who the hell grows so much from a Bone-Tempering Elixir?"

i smiled hearing Arne grumble. It was shocking seeing Emil grown up all of a sudden, that's for sure. Perhaps 'Boy' wasn't such a suitable title anymore.

Emil smiled helplessly, but made no comments.

Good choice. Arne was sensitive around the topic of height, one wrong move and he'd be spending the night in the hospital.

After fiddling around with the camera a bit, i joined the two for the picture.

"Say Cheese."

"Cheese."

"Cheese."

*Click*

The device flashed after ten seconds.

a photo was printed out, showing Arne to the left, Emil in the middle, and me to the right, all three of us smiling.

It was safe to say, today was a memorable birthday.