Special Story 2

Enria’s wish for her daughter to be best friends with the daughters of Roseanne and Belona from a young age was mysteriously granted. However, it wasn’t fulfilled exactly as she had imagined.

Shortly after Enria’s pregnancy news, Belona also conceived, but Hayden revealed that the child was a boy. While gender wouldn’t necessarily prevent them from being friends, Enria felt that the bond between opposite genders often lacked a certain depth found in same-sex friendships. Furthermore, with no news from Roseanne yet, it seemed unlikely that the children would be the same age.

But then, everything changed.

“Auntie is having a boy, too.”

During a dinner at the Grand Castle, Hayden—who had been staring fixedly at Roseanne’s stomach—muttered those words, revealing her pregnancy to everyone.

Since even the parents-to-be, Roseanne and Tearen, had been unaware, the table was struck with shock.

“A boy?”

“Are you saying I’m pregnant, Hayden?”

“Hayden, is Rose really having a baby?”

Tearen, Roseanne, and Enria all asked at once, causing Hayden’s eyebrows to twitch in slight annoyance.

“It’s a boy, and yes, she is pregnant.”

Answering with his usual calm, adult-like demeanor, Hayden rose from his seat as if to refuse further questions.

“I have finished my meal, so I will head up first.”

Because Hayden left without providing any more details, the remaining adults had to rely on guesswork.

“When did you conceive? Was it planned?”

“Did you really have no idea? Is it very early?”

As Enria and Belona bombarded her with questions, Roseanne, the most bewildered of them all, could only blink in silence.

“Have you felt any different?” Tearen leaned in, whispering softly to her. Roseanne shook her head.

“I haven’t felt a single symptom, which is why I’m so stunned.”

“It might just be very early on.”

“Right, Hayden didn’t say how far along you were.”

Roseanne nodded at her friends’ words. Tearen gently stroked her back and spoke in a voice meant only for her.

“Regardless, I’m very happy. Aren’t you, my lady?”

“Oh, I am. Of course I am.” Roseanne’s face gradually turned red. “To be honest, it feels like a dream.”

She truly hadn’t expected this moment, especially since she had hoped to have a child soon after hearing Belona’s news so they could all grow up together. However, she had also been incredibly busy with her magic academies, which were finally stabilizing. Tearen, knowing her heart well, reassured her.

“I will do my absolute best to help you.”

“You are already doing so much.”

Indeed, establishing the academies without the Magic Tower’s involvement would have been impossible without Tearen’s unwavering support. Roseanne felt a surge of gratitude and a hint of guilt for her momentary hesitation.

“I’m so happy for you, Rose.”

“Congratulations! The genders are a bit of a surprise, but they can still be the best friends Enri wanted.”

“Thank you. But wait—if Belona’s child and mine are both boys, aren’t they going to fight fiercely over Enria’s daughter?”

The dinner table erupted in laughter at the thought of the unborn boys competing for the hand of Enria’s daughter. Enria, filled with genuine joy, leaned her head lightly on Caldeon’s shoulder. Caldeon wrapped his arm around her, smiling tenderly.

***

The joyful days following Roseanne and Belona’s pregnancy news passed quickly.

As Enria’s due date approached, Hayden stayed glued to her side, accompanying her on walks, reading books for prenatal education, and playing the piano for her. Hayden played so frequently that Panz, who was always nearby, reached a point where he couldn’t fall asleep without the sound of the piano.

“I want to be the first to give my power,” Blizzan, who had regained his fire attributes after Panz’s resurrection, told Enria.

“I already told Caldeon on my way here,” Blizzan added with a wry smile, implying he hadn’t received a warm welcome. Hayden watched him with wary eyes.

“Don’t even think about getting close to my sister.”

“Hah! Like father, like son—you sound exactly like your old man. What exactly do you think I’m going to do to a child who hasn’t even entered the world yet?”

“Don’t think I don’t know your terrible habit of reaching out the moment you learn the gender.”

“Whoa, that’s harsh. Not true at all!”

Blizzan claimed he was simply jealous that Silri had been the one to name Hayden and give him power first. Hayden gave him a skeptical look, but let it slide when Blizzan looked genuinely offended.

“It doesn’t matter anyway; she’ll receive the power of all attributes,” Hayden said dismissively, as if granting a favor. Blizzan pouted at the attitude but couldn’t hide his joy at being the first to bless the unborn child.

“Have you decided on a name?” Blizzan asked, approaching Enria.

“Yes. Heiji.”

“Ah, sounds exactly like a name you’d pick.”

“Is that an insult?” Hayden cut in, raising an eyebrow. Blizzan looked at him blankly.

“Does it sound like a compliment?”

When Blizzan reached out toward Enria’s stomach, Hayden told him to stop and threatened to take away the honor.

“Well, it’s not a bad name. And once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back, child,” Blizzan chuckled, lightly placing his index finger on Enria’s belly. A swirl of flames flowed from his touch and entered her womb.

Enria felt a wave of warmth, a sensation quite different from when Silri had bestowed the wind attribute.

“Let’s meet soon, Heiji,” Blizzan whispered.

For a moment, Enria felt that Hayden might be right—it really did seem like Blizzan was instinctively trying to charm the child because she was a girl. She finally understood why he was called the “rogue” of the spirit realm. He wasn’t actually malicious; he just had a naturally smooth and relaxed way of treating the opposite sex that invited misunderstanding. Enria felt a sudden pang of sympathy for him, realizing how powerful labels and prejudices could be.

***

The day Heiji was born was the only day in the North—usually shrouded in snow and cold air—where the sun shone with a warm, brilliant light. The Northern citizens celebrated her birth, believing the gods themselves were rejoicing.

To celebrate, Tearen and Roseanne gifted a flying carriage, while Rahar and Belona gave her a personal teleportation device. All the spirits followed Blizzan’s lead and gifted their elemental powers. Hayden gave his sister, who was born with only Holy Power, a necklace containing his Black Mana. Developed by Roseanne, the necklace would activate whenever Heiji wanted to use Black Mana. Though it couldn’t hold a massive amount, Hayden could refill it whenever it ran out.

“Growth is faster in the Spirit Village. Why don’t you stay there for a while?” Silri suggested, trying to persuade them. She argued that having all the spirits flock to the Grand Castle to see the newborn would be a nuisance.

Caldeon and Hayden bluntly replied that if she found it a nuisance, she simply shouldn’t come, leaving Silri pouting.

“I stayed in the Spirit Village during Hayden’s time because I had no choice, but I want Heiji to grow up here like a normal person,” Enria explained. She added that while Hayden was a fragment of God and could adapt easily, she didn’t think growing up too fast was necessarily a good thing for a child.

“I suppose that’s true,” Silri conceded, though she admitted she wanted to watch Heiji grow up just as she had with Hayden. “And I’m still upset I wasn’t the first to give her power!” Silri glared at Blizzan, who was unable to take his eyes off Heiji.

“Caldeon, look at this. She has beautiful blue eyes that don’t look like yours at all.”

Blizzan was completely captivated by Heiji’s eyes, which were a perfect match for Enria’s. He didn’t even notice Silri’s glare. Caldeon and Hayden immediately ordered him to get away from her.

“That bastard is already drooling over my daughter.”

“Stop looking at my sister that way, Blizzan.”

At the father and son’s sharp growls, Blizzan shouted in frustration. “Hey! I didn’t even do anything!”

Enria watched them, realizing that Caldeon and Hayden would likely never be able to stand the sight of Blizzan near Heiji. The scene of the future she could already envision brought a bright smile to her face.