CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82

The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Starfall estate, casting long golden rays across the polished wooden floors.

Today felt different from other days—warmer somehow, filled with an anticipation that seemed to hum through the very walls of the manor.

The servants moved with extra purpose, their steps lighter, their smiles broader. Even the birds outside seemed to sing with more enthusiasm.

Today was Ethan’s fifteenth birthday.

In the main dining hall, Aurora Drake stood before a table laden with dishes that would make even the main family’s cooks envious.

Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant bun, and she wore her finest dress—deep blue silk embroidered with silver threads that caught the morning light like captured stars.

She had been awake since before dawn, supervising every detail of the birthday feast with the fierce dedication that only a mother could muster.

"The honey cakes need more time," she murmured to herself, checking the ovens for what must have been the twentieth time.

"And the roasted duck should be perfect by noon. Oh, but what if the sauce is too thick?"

"Aurora, my dear," came Anthony’s gentle voice from the doorway. He entered the hall carrying a wrapped package, his usually serious expression softened by warmth and affection.

"Everything looks magnificent. You’ve outdone yourself."

She turned to face her husband, and for a moment, her composed mask slipped to reveal the nervous energy beneath.

"Do you think it’s enough? I know we can’t compete with the grand celebrations the main family throws, but I wanted this to be special. Fifteen is such an important age."

Anthony set down his package and moved to his wife’s side, placing gentle hands on her shoulders.

"Aurora, look around you. The love in this room, the care you’ve put into every detail—no amount of gold or grandeur could make this more perfect."

She leaned into his embrace, drawing strength from his steady presence.

"I just want him to feel valued. All these years, watching other families celebrate their children’s achievements while we..."

She didn’t finish the sentence, but they both understood. The unspoken weight of Ethan’s supposed lack of cultivation talent had shadowed many family gatherings.

"Today isn’t about what he can’t do," Anthony said firmly.

"Today is about celebrating the remarkable young man our son has become. Talented or not, he’s intelligent, kind, and wise beyond his years. What more could we ask for in a son?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

They turned to see Ethan descending, and Aurora felt her breath catch in her throat. When had her little boy grown so tall? His dark hair was neatly combed, and he wore the new robes she had commissioned especially for today—deep green silk with gold threading, colors that made his eyes seem to hold depths of ancient wisdom.

"Good morning, Mother. Father."

Ethan’s voice carried the easy confidence of youth, but there was something else there—a maturity that seemed to have appeared overnight. "Something smells wonderful."

Aurora rushed to him, her maternal instincts overwhelming her composure.

"Happy birthday, my darling boy!" She embraced him tightly, and for a moment, Ethan was no longer the calculating mastermind who commanded secret organizations and orchestrated political maneuvers.

He was simply a son, held in his mother’s loving arms.

"Fifteen years," she whispered, pulling back to look at his face.

"How did you grow up so quickly?"

Ethan smiled, and the expression was genuine in a way that had become rare in his interactions with others.

"One day at a time, I suppose."

Anthony approached, his own package in hand.

"Happy birthday, son. Fifteen years ago, you came into our lives and changed everything for the better."

The family gathered around the main table, where Aurora had arranged a feast that spoke of hours of careful preparation.

There were Ethan’s favorite foods from childhood—sweet rice porridge with honey, delicate meat dumplings, roasted vegetables seasoned with herbs from their own garden. But there were also more sophisticated dishes, acknowledgment of the young man he was becoming.

"I have something for you," Aurora said, producing a package wrapped in silk. "I’ve been working on it for months."

Ethan carefully unwrapped the gift to reveal a leather-bound journal, its cover embossed with the Drake family crest.

The leather was of the finest quality, dyed a rich brown that would only grow more beautiful with age. Inside, the pages were thick parchment, perfect for writing.

"For your thoughts," Aurora explained, her voice soft with emotion.

"I know you spend so much time reading and thinking. I thought perhaps you’d like a place to record your ideas, your dreams, your memories."

Ethan ran his fingers over the smooth leather, genuinely touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.

In his other life, before his transmigration, he had kept journals. There was something comforting about the weight of the book in his hands.

"It’s perfect, Mother. Thank you."

Anthony cleared his throat, his own gift ready.

"This belonged to my grandfather," he said, unwrapping a compass made of brass and silver. The instrument was clearly old but lovingly maintained, its surface polished to a warm gleam.

"He used it when he traveled beyond our territories, exploring new lands and opportunities for the family."

Ethan examined the compass, noting the fine craftsmanship and the way the needle moved smoothly to true north. There was something symbolic about the gift—a tool for finding direction, for navigating uncharted territories.

"He always said," Anthony continued,

"that a man needs to know where he’s going, but also needs to remember where he came from. This compass will always point you toward truth, son. Use it well."

"I will treasure it, Father."

As they began their meal, the conversation flowed as naturally as a peaceful stream.

They talked about childhood memories—the time Ethan had tried to "help" in the kitchen and ended up covered in flour from head to toe, the summer when he had insisted on sleeping in the garden to count shooting stars, the winter evening when he had asked so many questions about cultivation that Anthony had run out of answers.

"Do you remember," Aurora said, laughing softly,

"when you were seven and decided you wanted to learn every language on the continent?"

Ethan grinned.

"I made it through three books of ancient script before I realized there might be easier ways to spend my time."

"You read those entire books," Anthony pointed out with pride.

"Most adults couldn’t have managed that level of dedication."

"I was a determined child," Ethan acknowledged.

"Perhaps too determined."

"Never too determined," Aurora said firmly.

"Your curiosity, your desire to learn and understand—those are gifts, Ethan. Even if cultivation doesn’t come naturally to you, you have intelligence and wisdom that are far more valuable."

The praise warmed something deep in Ethan’s chest.

Despite everything he had achieved in secret, despite the power he wielded in the shadows, there was something irreplaceable about his parents’ love and approval.

They loved him not for what he could do, but for who he was.

As they continued eating, Nyra and Edrin appeared with additional dishes—a surprise they had prepared in the kitchens. The siblings had grown into trusted members of the household staff, and their affection for Ethan was genuine.

"Young Master," Nyra said, setting down a plate of delicate pastries shaped like dragons,

"we couldn’t let your birthday pass without contributing something special."

Edrin bowed respectfully.

"These are made with honey from the estate’s own hives and fruits from the orchard. We thought you might enjoy them."

Ethan tasted one of the pastries and smiled with genuine pleasure.

"They’re delicious. Thank you both—this means a great deal to me."

The afternoon passed in a haze of comfortable family warmth.

They played games that Ethan hadn’t enjoyed since childhood—strategic board games that challenged the mind, card games that required quick thinking and good humor.

Aurora brought out an old set of wooden pieces carved into the shapes of mythical beasts, and they spent an hour engaged in a complex strategy game that had been a family tradition for generations.

"You’re getting too good at this," Anthony complained good-naturedly as Ethan captured another of his pieces.

"I used to be able to beat you regularly."

"Experience teaches many lessons," Ethan replied diplomatically, though privately he knew that his enhanced strategic thinking made such games almost unfairly easy.

"He’s always been clever with patterns and planning," Aurora observed, watching her son maneuver his pieces with casual precision.

"Even as a small child, he could see connections that others missed."

As evening approached, the family gathered in the sitting room, where a fire crackled warmly in the hearth.

This was Ethan’s favorite time of day—when the formal activities ended and they could simply be together as a family.

"Fifteen years," Anthony mused, settling into his favorite chair with a cup of wine.

"In three years, you’ll be considered a full adult. Have you given thought to what you’d like to do with your life?"

It was a question that any normal fifteen-year-old would struggle with.

Ethan, however, had been planning for years beyond most people’s comprehension. Still, he couldn’t reveal the true scope of his ambitions.

"I’d like to continue learning," he said carefully.

"Perhaps find ways to serve the family that don’t require traditional cultivation skills. There are many paths to contribution—diplomacy, administration, strategic planning."

Aurora nodded approvingly.

"Your mind is your greatest strength, darling. Whatever path you choose, I know you’ll excel at it."

"The family will always have a place for intelligence and dedication," Anthony added.

"Cultivation prowess isn’t the only way to serve with honor."

As the fire burned lower, casting dancing shadows on the walls, the conversation turned to stories.

Aurora shared tales of her own childhood, growing up in a merchant family before marrying into the Drake lineage. Anthony spoke of his father’s generation, the challenges they had faced, the lessons they had learned.

"Your grandfather always said that a family’s true strength comes from its bonds," Anthony told Ethan.

"Power fades, wealth can be lost, but the love between family members endures through any storm."

"Is that why you and Mother chose to focus on the branch family rather than seeking positions in the main household?" Ethan asked, genuinely curious about his parents’ choices.

Anthony and Aurora exchanged a meaningful look.

"We chose the path that would let us raise our children with love rather than ambition," Aurora said softly.

"We wanted to give you a childhood filled with warmth rather than political maneuvering."

"We wanted you to know that you were valued for yourself, not for your potential contributions to family power," Anthony added.

"Perhaps that seems naive to some, but we have no regrets."

Ethan felt a tightness in his throat.

His parents had sacrificed advancement and prestige to give him unconditional love, and he had spent years building secret organizations and plotting political maneuvers. The irony was not lost on him, but neither was the profound gratitude he felt.

"I love you both," he said simply.

"More than you could ever know."

Aurora wiped away a tear that had escaped despite her efforts at composure.

"And we love you, darling. Always and forever, no matter what the future brings."

As the evening deepened, they moved to the garden, where lanterns had been hung among the trees in honor of the celebration.

The soft light created a magical atmosphere, transforming the familiar paths into something from a fairy tale.

They walked together in comfortable silence, breathing the cool night air and listening to the gentle sounds of the estate settling into evening quiet.

Servants could be seen in the distance, going about their evening duties, but here in the garden, it felt as though the three of them were the only people in the world.

"This has been perfect," Ethan said as they paused beside the small pond where koi fish moved lazily beneath the surface.

"Thank you for making this day so special."

"Every day with you is special," Aurora replied, linking her arm through his.

"You may not realize it, but you’ve brought so much joy into our lives. Your kindness, your curiosity, your gentle spirit—these are gifts that make you precious beyond measure."

Anthony nodded, his hand resting on Ethan’s shoulder.

"Fifteen years ago, we didn’t know what kind of person you would become. Now we know—you’re exactly the son we dreamed of having."

As they stood together under the starlit sky, surrounded by the gentle beauty of their home, Ethan felt a peace that had become rare in his complex life.

Tomorrow, he would return to the intricate games of politics and power. Tomorrow, he would continue building his organization and pursuing his grand ambitions.

But tonight, he was simply a fifteen-year-old boy celebrating with the two people who loved him most in the world. Tonight, he was exactly where he belonged.

The three of them made their way back to the house as the first stars appeared in the darkening sky. Inside, the warmth of the hearth and the lingering scents of the birthday feast welcomed them home.

Before retiring for the night, Aurora pulled Ethan aside for a private moment.

"I know you think we don’t understand the challenges you face," she said quietly.

"I know you believe we see you as limited by your cultivation situation. But Ethan, I want you to know—we see potential in you that has nothing to do with spiritual power. You have a mind that can solve problems others can’t even recognize, and a heart that cares deeply about doing what’s right."

"Mother—" Ethan began, but she held up a gentle hand.

"Let me finish. Whatever the future brings, whatever paths you choose to walk, remember that you are loved completely and unconditionally. Not for what you might achieve, but for who you are right now, at this moment."

She kissed his forehead, as she had when he was small, and Ethan felt fifteen years of maternal love and protection settle around him like a warm cloak.

Anthony joined them for a final embrace before they all headed to their respective chambers.

"Happy birthday, son," he said one last time.

"May this new year of your life be filled with discovery, growth, and happiness."

As Ethan lay in his bed that night, staring up at the ceiling of his familiar room, he reflected on the day’s simple perfection.

In a life increasingly filled with complexity and hidden purposes, this birthday had reminded him of what truly mattered.

His parents loved him without condition or expectation.

They had given him a foundation of security and affection that no amount of political maneuvering could shake.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever choices he would be forced to make, he would always carry this love with him.

Fifteen years old. In the cultivation world, he was approaching the age when most young people began to make their mark on the world.

Soon, he would need to reveal more of his capabilities, begin taking more active roles in family and continental affairs.

But for one perfect day, he had simply been a beloved son celebrating another year of life with the family who treasured him above all else.

The journal his mother had given him lay on the bedside table, its leather cover gleaming softly in the moonlight.

Perhaps he would begin writing in it tomorrow—not the strategic plans and organizational notes that filled his other records, but something more personal. Memories of days like this, reminders of what he was truly fighting to protect.

As sleep finally claimed him, Ethan’s last conscious thought was a promise to himself: no matter how complex his life became, no matter what powers he wielded or what enemies he faced, he would never forget this day. He would never forget the simple, perfect love of a family celebrating together.

The love that made everything else worthwhile.