Chapter 182 - Best Birthday Ever

“I told you it's a boy,” Alana looked lovey-dovey at Moui, who embraced her from behind. “I can just feel it.”

The hunter gave a patient smile, crossing his hands with hers. “I’ll be happy with whatever they are, but I think it’s a girl.”

Kai was frozen in shock, and he wasn’t the only one. Kea watched their mom with comically wide eyes, while Flynn was like a deer caught in the headlights, awkwardly standing by the side.

Ele alone was unaffected. “Congratulations, Mom. I’m so happy for you and us.” She dried the tears in the corner of her eyes.

“You knew?” Alana glanced at her daughter with an exasperated look. “I just became sure of it myself.”

His sister giggled happily. “I had some suspicions.”

Focusing on Mana Sense, Kai saw a feeble swirl of mana on Alana’s belly. It was interwoven with his mom’s grade and profession, and he might have never noticed if he didn’t know where to look.

Blessed spirits, it’s true.

He was going to become a big brother to a baby noodle. He knew his mother wasn’t yet forty, and looking younger still due to her orange grade, but somehow the possibility had never crossed his mind.

Yatei help me. I can’t fuck this up.

“When—” Kai wet his lips, clearing his throat. “When will the baby be born?” It couldn’t be soon, the bump wasn’t visible beneath her dress.

Alana came closer, guiding his hand on her belly. “I’m at about nine or ten weeks. He should be born in about seven months or so.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Did you not like the surprise, sweetie? Sorry I didn’t get anything.”

“Of course I loved it, Mom. I just can’t believe I’m going to have a little brother.” Kai grinned, doing the math in his head. That’s odd. “Was the baby conceived during the moon conjunction?”

Alana shared an amused look with Moui. “I think it’s possible, what do you think, dear? Is our baby a blessing from the spirits?”

“No, no,” Kai raised a hand to stop them. “I don’t need the details, sorry for asking.”

Moui chuckled, ruffling his hair. “I’m sorry, kid. I would have bought you a gift if I knew you were coming.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t need to get me anything anyway.”

“Congratulations, Mom.” Kea still looked dazzled. “Are we going to eat this cake or we are waiting for it to melt?” She always knew how to break the tension.

The mango cake tasted as good as it looked. It was his mom’s best recipe, a slight acidic note complemented the sweetness with a cream filling throughout. After eating two slices, Kai was shown outside without much ceremony to let his family scheme his birthday. Flynn was tasked to keep him busy and away from trouble.

So much for a welcome home.

“You okay?” Flynn asked. “Worried the baby will take over your youngest privileges?”

Kai raised his eyes to the cloudy sky. “My mom doesn’t give me special treatment. No, I was simply taken aback. I can’t imagine having a little fragile baby with how messed up the archipelago is.”

“There is never the perfect moment.” Flynn philosophically mused. “And the archipelago is doing well enough. I don’t like them any more than you do, but there are plenty of opportunities as long as you don't mind bowing your head.”

“Maybe, but do you have any idea what the islands will look like in a decade or two?”

“No, probably quite different. Things are changing rapidly.”

“Exactly my point. Change is unpredictable. For all I know the Republic can drag us into a war tomorrow, or abandon everything, or sell us to slavery, or—”

“Stop overthinking, you can’t control everything.” Flynn took advantage of his distraction to put an arm around his neck and ruffle his hair. “We can only fix what we can see, we’ll deal with new problems when they arrive, ‘kay?”

Kai freed himself with a glare and fixed his locks. “Was that necessary?” It would be a challenge to reach the head of the taller boy, but he could be patient.

“Yes, you were being a dummy. Remember, it’s my burden to remind you when it happens.” Flynn seriously said with a fist over his heart. “C’mon, what do you wanna do, birthday boy? Today I’m at your command.” He crumbled into his usual nonchalant gait.

Kai narrowed his eyes, calculating. “What if I want to ride you around town?”

“Then you better hold on fast.” Flynn performed a theatrical bow and let him climb on his back. “Where do you wish to go, Your Highness?”

“To the shopping district!” Kai got his revenge by messing with his friend's hair. He had only made one miscalculation, Flynn was less embarrassed than him, running the streets with a kid on his back.

Urgh! The shamelessness is strong with this one.

Kai stared back defiantly at the judging passersby. He opted to walk on his own two legs when they entered poshtown and an enforcer moved in their direction.

Sylphie’s Herb Shop was still there on a corner street, and Old Selly alive and kicking. She greeted them with the syrupy look of a granny. “What can I do for you? Looking to make those muscles even stronger?” She dramatically leaned on her cane to peruse her shelves and picked a box of shiny crimson vials. “Latest delivery. The perfect potion for a dashing young man such as you. Oh, Kai, you’re there too? I hadn’t seen you, my sight is not what it once was.”

And to think Flynn stole from her, while I was the one she robbed.

Kai hid a grimace. There was not enough justice in this world to make her blind. “We’re not here to buy. Just thought I’d pass by to say hi to Telu. How’s he doing?”

“Oh, great! My dear nephew is away apprenticing with a merchant,” Selly tapped her invisible tears with a silk handkerchief. “Why don’t you take a look around? Let me know if something catches your eye, I sell many interesting potions nowadays. I’ll give you a discount.”

Somehow I doubt that.

Despite his skepticism, Kai gave a passing glance with Inspect. The shelves were full of merchandise organized in neat rows, though the most interesting stuff was locked behind the counter. Not that it made any difference when using Mana Sense.

There were some decent high-tier red herbs, but he would get better deals buying in bulk through Reishi, and the few low-orange ingredients weren’t worth experimenting with. He had outlived the small shops.

“I’m good unless you got some interesting herbs from the heart of Veeryd.”

Old Selly pursed her wrinkly face in disapproval. “You know those get directly sold to special buyers.”

Yeah, Reishi gets most of those for me. Kai pouted. “Too bad then. We better get going.”

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“Don’t be rude, Kai. Maybe your handsome friend wants to buy something.” Old Selly winked at Flynn, bringing out several boxes of potions. “Here at Sylphie’s Herbs, we only sell the best. I’ll give you a special price for a smile.”

Kai jumped in front before Flynn’s ego began ballooning. “Mhmm… these are quite good actually.” He examined the collection of shiny colorful vials and jars. “Do you know who made them?”

“A prestigious master alchemist of course. I’m not at liberty to reveal their identity.” Old Selly smiled, greed dripping from every wrinkle. She was already calculating how much she could spill from them.

Kai nodded, leaning over the counter to hide his smirk. “Hear, Flynn? How no one told me I have become a master alchemist?” He looked up as Selly’s confusion turned to shock. “It was nice seeing you had such high regard for my products, but my friends can get them for free. Send my regards to Telu when he comes back.”

Kai left the shop in a good mood. Okay, they weren’t all his products, but close enough. It would have ruined the moment to specify ‘fifteen out of twenty’.

“So, where are my potions?” Flynn asked with a mischievous smile.

Oh, damn.

“We better go back. My mom hates tardiness.” Kai strode back home without looking back. He had never been stingy with his potions, when there was a good reason to use them.

I’ll need to brew more health and recovery potions if we are going to train together.

The house was noticeably tidier when they got back, though Alana ushered them outside again. It was time for their almost-tradition: a trip to the sea. Everyone grabbed a bag with beach towels and home-cooked food.

They chose the northern beach. It was usually busier, but in early spring the tourists were still sparse. Setting up in one of the more secluded spots a little further up, there was enough privacy. They sat talking by the sea, and later had a picnic.

Kea convinced him to go swimming. The waves were cold, though Kai quickly warmed up, obliterating any competition his sister proposed. She didn’t look too distraught. Perhaps she had learned that comparing herself with him was pointless, and she should put her self-worth elsewhere.

Is that too much to hope for?

“We go for a run,” Kea informed him with no room for compromise.

“Okay.”

Kai easily beat her at every challenge on land. “You’ve improved.” He congratulated her honestly—also to prevent her from coming up with something else.

Kea looked for any sign of mocking. When she found none, she bit her lip. “It doesn’t feel like it. You beat me at everything, and it’s not even close.”

“That's because I’ve improved too,” Kai stated with no smugness. “How are you doing compared to other kids in Sylspring? Can you make Orange ★★ before fourteen?” Naturally, he had already confirmed the answer with Moui before asking.

They are your target, not me.

“I will,” she nodded to herself with a resolute look and marched away.

That went well, I think.

“I feel bad for your sister.” Flynn mused, munching on a sandwich. “Did you have to beat her so badly, and make it look easy?”

“Trust me, this is for the best.” He had already made the mistake of holding back once, and it didn’t go well.

“Also, Ele’s boyfriend is here, and he wants to meet you.”

“Where?” Kai jolted to scan the beach for the threat.

“Over there,” Flynn pointed with his sandwich.

The tall interloper was easy to spot. Sabe was exactly how he remembered: a twenty-year-old guy, tanned, with a stupidly handsome face and sculpted muscles. His hair was cut off on the sides and styled into thin braids, a tribal tattoo wound up one arm. He was chatting in an overly friendly manner with his family, and they were laughing, Moui included.

Spirits, am I too late?

“Well, at least she has good taste. He’s gorgeous.” Flynn nodded in approval at the new arrival.

Kai glared at his treacherous friend.

“What?” Flynn was unapologetic. “I do have eyes.”

“I can’t stand him.” Kai marched towards the group.

Ele noticed him first. Hanging from her boyfriend’s arm, she sent him a meaningful glance to douse his fire. “Here’s my little brother,” she introduced him cheerfully.

Sabe showed a smile with shining teeth. “I was looking forward to meeting you, Kai. Happy birthday! Your sister always talks so much about you. I’m Sabe, don’t know if you remember me, we met once a while ago.” He offered to shake his hand like adults had adopted from the Republic.

Under Ele's continuous gaze, Kai couldn’t crush his hand. With the age difference, he would need to use Empower to succeed. “I remember, you were the guy who insisted on pairing with my sister after she turned you down.”

“Kai…” Ele's voice rose dangerously high, but Sabe interrupted with an embarrassed laugh.

“It’s fine. I was a bit of an idiot back then. She was the best pearl diver I’d ever met, and also the most beautiful.” He looked lovingly at his sister. “I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”

“Stop it.” Ele slightly slapped his chest, blushing.

I want to burn my eyes and pour salt on them. That would hurt less.

“Anyway, I like to think I got a tiny bit better now.” Sabe winked at him. “We could go pearling together one of these days. Ele said you loved the last time. I’ll be happy to show you around.”

Aren’t handsome guys all supposed to be douchebags? You’ll slip sooner or later.

“Sure. One of these days.” Under his family’s gaze, Kai maintained an air of politeness, and Sabe ignored any of his subtle gibes. Maybe he was too dim to recognize them.

Instead of a quick greeting, the interloper showed no intention of leaving. Thankfully, he made no attempts to touch him or pick him up—probably Ele’s doing. Sabe amiably chatted with his family. Even Flynn seemed to have fallen under his charm. Kea was the only one to share his dislike, mainly because she couldn’t stand friendly outgoing people. She excused herself at the first chance with an appointment that Kai was sure was made up.

When the sun kissed the jungle to the west, he reasoned it wouldn’t be rude to close it. “Mom, can we go home? I’m not feeling great, I think I’m still tired from the journey.”

Tired of watching the interloper.

“Sure, sweetie.” Alana combed his hair and checked his forehead for fever. “Sabe, why don’t you dine with us!”

What!

“I don’t want to intrude.”

Yes, thank you. At least he has some sense.

“It’s no bother at all. We can add a seat at the table.” Alana shared a complicit look. “My children always complain that I cook too much food. You’d be helping us.

“Okay, if Kai doesn’t mind. It’s his birthday.” Sabe looked at him with an honest look, though it wasn’t really a choice with the eyes of his entire family on him.

He gave a smile that not even Improvisation could save. “Of course, the more the merrier.”

Best birthday ever.

Kai let them go ahead to finish the preparations, suddenly not tired at all. Alana gave him an admonishing look but was mollified when Moui offered to stay with him on the beach.

“Try to give him a chance. Sabe’s a bit vain, but he's a decent guy. And he adores your sister.” The hunter rumbled while Kai made stones skip on the calm sea.

“I did.” He threw a pebble. Six skips.

“Really?” His Uncle’s look made clear he wasn’t fooling anybody.

Three skips. He went looking for a stone that wasn’t faulty. “I just don't like him.”

“Would your reaction have been any different with anyone else Ele chose?” Moui let the silence hang long enough to prove he was right. “You just don’t like change, especially with our family. It’s understandable, but try to make an honest effort for your sister.”

Nine skips, decent enough. “Fine, father. I’ll give him a shot.”

Moui looked as if struck by lightning. Kai felt satisfaction in piercing his stoic persona. “It will be odd for the baby if I call you Uncle. Better if I get used to it now.” The sound was weird in his mouth, he’d need to would learn with experience. Rellan would always be his Dad, but he couldn’t let his guilt shackle him in the past forever.

“Right.” The hunter bobbed his head. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

Why do you sound surprised?

“Are you worried about the baby?” Kai probed, inverting the roles.

With a pensive look, Moui picked up a stone. Thirteen skips. “I’m terrified. I never thought I’d be a dad.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Kai patted the shoulder of the giant. “You were a great uncle, you’ll be an even better dad.”

“Thank you, Kai, I appreciate it. I know you’ll also be a great big brother.”

I doubt it, I probably won’t be here most of the time. There isn't much I can do…

“Uh… father, I need to stop by Reishi’s. He had a present for me, it shouldn’t take long.”

“Sure, I’ll tell your mother.”

With a grateful nod, Kai ran through the streets. An idea formed based on a piece of information he had read long ago. The merchant district was close to the opposite side of town, luckily Sylspring was smaller than the capital. Heaving for air, Kai reached the merman’s manor in five minutes.

The butler in a maroon uniform scrunched his nose in distaste but let him inside. “This way, Master Reishi is waiting for you. Would you like a wet towel to make yourself presentable?”

“That won’t be necessary, thank you.” Kai dashed inside the study, ignoring etiquette.

Reishi was slouched on his plump chair, a leg hanging on the armrest. He fumbled with the document on his desk to recompose himself, then he noticed it was him and slumped back down.

“I know it’s your birthday, but you could have knocked. Did you come to get your gift?” The merman waved a wrapped package.

“No. I mean, yes.” Kai fumbled to put his thoughts into coherent sentences. “How much do you know about elixirs? Those that can enhance the grade of a baby before they’re born. Can you get your hands on them?