Chapter 319: Waking Up To A Surprise From The Family

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"Ugh, I’m exhausted..." Riven sighed in complete exhaustion, the creation process of such a powerful Spell had drained more energy than he expected, and he could already feel the pull to return to his body at the same time.

He had spent a lot of Mana, Spirit Energy, and even Psychic Power to form such a powerful Spell that combined a lot of his powers, techniques, and even skill effects into something even further evolved.

The cost was way higher than he expected once the process finished, but he was fine. And honestly, rather content of what he’d got. So he believed it was definitely worth it.

He slowly drifted off within his Titan Mana Heart, falling asleep in the real world and sleeping soundly and without being bothered until the next morning.

No dreams or system messages interrupted him through the night.

The sound of birds singing and the warm, gentle light from the sun coming through the window slowly woke up Riven, as yet another day had started.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes before looking around the room.

Yesterday was really exhausting, so he decided to take the day off while he waited for time to pass until they could go to Beach City next week.

A full day of rest felt necessary after everything that had happened.

Today, however, his wife...

"Huh? Elisa?!"

He slowly stood up, noticing Elisa was nowhere to be seen. He panicked, realizing that her wheelchair was away. Could she have escaped somehow? Maybe her Mana Manipulation and Telekinesis Spell was strong enough and she could lift herself, but it was far from perfect!

The empty side of the bed and the missing wheelchair made him move faster than usual.

"Why did nobody tell me anything? Hello?"

If Elisa had left she would’ve told him, right? Or at least someone would’ve already caught her and brought him to him again. Riven panicked, feeling a sense of unease, he was about to stand up, only for him to hear and sense Elisa approaching in her wheelchair with other people behind her.

Footsteps and the familiar sound of the wheelchair wheels reached him from the hallway.

"E-Elisa?" he stood up, only to find her returning with a small wooden table on her legs. "Huh?"

The wooden table she brought had scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, which were a little burnt, and freshly squeezed orange juice, with lots of pulp. Behind her was Daniela and Carlos, both children bringing along more small tables that they placed over the bed, bringing a small cake with candles on top, coffee, bread, and more. Riven stared at the spread for a second, still trying to catch up with what was happening.

"W-What is... what is this?" Riven felt taken aback. "You made me breakfast?"

Riven was genuinely surprised, his eyes widening for a moment as he looked at Elisa with a smile.

He still had not fully processed the trays of food sitting in front of him.

"Geez, couldn’t you sleep a bit longer, Riven? I wanted it to be a surprise!" she clicked her tongue, placing the things on the bed carefully, then she took a small box wrapped on colorful paper and gave it to him while blushing and smiling lightly. "Anyway... happy birthday!"

She held the box out until he finally took it.

"...Eh?"

Riven’s eyes widened as he looked at Daniela and Carlos celebrating. "Happy birthday to you!"

The two children kept clapping and smiling while they waited for his reaction.

"..."

He was completely surprised, he didn’t really know what to say, laughing a bit as he... he’d completely forgotten today was his birthday.

The date had never been something he paid attention to, so the sudden reminder caught him off guard.

"H-How?" he asked. "I don’t remember ever..."

"It doesn’t take a scientist to check your ID and see the year and day you were born Riven..." sighed Elisa, shaking her head. "February 6! That’s your birthday, right?"

She said it as if it should have been obvious from the start.

"...Yes," Riven muttered, his face surprised. "I... I mean... you shouldn’t have..."

He was supposed to be the one always spoiling them and pampering them and making sure they were happy, and yet... it never occurred to him that these types of things could also be given back.

Because his family loved him.

That simple fact left him quiet for a few extra seconds.

Behind Daniela and Carlos, Label appeared, carrying a small gift. "H-Happy birthday!"

She stepped forward carefully and set the gift next to the others on the bed.

And right behind her were the rest of the ninjas, and even Natalie who just got here after Elisa called her, shockingly enough.

The doorway was suddenly full of familiar faces.

"Happy birthday, Riven. Why didn’t you tell us it was today?!" Kagehisa asked.

"Happy birthday, boss!" Goki said.

"It is the day you were born, it is a joyous day to celebrate, master, don’t hide these things from us," Ren smiled kindly.

"Wow, you’re only nineteen today?! You’re so young!" Hinata clapped. "I thought you were like... in your mid-twenties, hahaha!"

Riven could only shake his head and smile while the group kept talking over each other.

Vladimir hadn’t appeared, but he was listening to everything with his crossed arms in the kitchen, clicking his tongue. "Who cares about his stupid birthday? Tsk!" he was a little jealous.

He stayed out of sight and did not join the others in the room. The happy birthday song was a bit off-key in places, but no one seemed to mind.

Riven heard everyone and was surrounded by the people he’d found and made his family without realizing, with Elisa in the middle, they sang happy birthday to him, making just another day he’d spent growing stronger into something way more special.

Because, beyond growing stronger, beyond his goals, beyond everything else... Riven, as his mother said, was a person, a human being. And he should never forget that. Who he really is.

The thought settled in while the last lines of the song finished.

Elisa approached him and gave him his gift. "C-Come on, accept it! Why are you not saying anything? Snap out of it!"

She held the wrapped box out again until he finally took it from her hands.

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