Chapter 188: A Hundred Years

Katarzyna (Kasia) Cieślar, [Classless]

It was her eighteenth birthday, and Kasia was terrified.

Getting a Class was supposed to be the day you became someone. At the same time, a Class meant you had to decide what the rest of your life would look like, and Kasia had no idea what she wanted. You usually got to choose from several options, but even that was not guaranteed.

Kasia pulled the blanket over her head and groaned. Maybe if she stayed like this the day would pass her by and she’d get to decide tomorrow. Maybe no one would notice. She felt something jump on her bed—probably Phisto—and knew she would not get out of this one.

She slowly pulled the blanket down and came face to face with the cat. He gave her a cheerful meow that almost sounded like happy birthday and pushed his head against her cheek.

“There’s no getting out of this one, huh?” Kasia said, scratching him behind the ear as he purred.

Phisto meowed, then jumped off the bed. He padded to the door, then meowed again.

“Yeah. Thought so.”

She stretched and yawned.

It’s alright, Kasia, she thought. It’s just a birthday. Just a tiny decision that will color the rest of your life. No biggie.

Her bare feet touched the cool, smooth wood of her bedroom floor. Kuba had done an amazing job. Ever since Hecate had given him that axe his progress had multiplied. Would Kasia also be offered the [Carpenter] Class? Most likely, since everyone in her family did.

What else would she get? It didn’t matter, speculating would be useless. Why worry about something that might never happen? She’d just have to wait and see what the System had in store for her. It would all work out in the end, she was sure of it.

It wasn’t until she exited her room that she noticed how quiet everything was. That was odd. Sure, the place was big, but usually you’d hear at least someone or something moving around or talking. Had everyone left? Had something happened while she was asleep?

Still in the silky-smooth nightgown Hecate had given her, she slowly walked down the stairs. When she reached the grand hall, she stopped and looked around. It was so eerily quiet she was starting to get a bit scared.

Where is everyone?

A small creature, dressed in rags, appeared from behind one of the pillars and lazily flew toward her. It was a light brownish color with bright yellow eyes and pointy ears—clearly a chochlik. She instinctively took a step back, for she knew these little spirits enjoyed their mischief.

“Hummm,” it said in a nasal voice. “Are you Kasia?”

“Maybe?”

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “You’re Kasia.”

Her heart was pounding in her chest and she took another step back. “I—”

The chochlik turned around and cupped his hands around his mouth. “She’s here, guys! Kasia’s here!”

She wanted to run, but was too stunned by what she saw.

Chochliki emerged from seemingly every nook and cranny. Some carried long ribbons, some carried beautiful lanterns, some of them simply flew up to the ceiling and started throwing out handfuls of colorful bits of paper, which slowly floated down to the floor.

In the blink of an eye, Hecate appeared in front of her. “Surprise! Happy birthday!” she said with a warm smile.

Kasia was too stunned to respond, and Hecate drew her into a tight hug. The hug immediately calmed her, though her heart did not slow down. It was always so nice to hug Hecate, to be held by her. She wrapped her arms around Hecate, pressing her face into her wonderfully scented hair. A sense of peace washed over her. She always felt so perfectly at home in Hecate’s embrace. She closed her eyes, breathed in, and felt incredibly loved, not just by the hug, but by the surprise.

Of course Hecate had planned all this. Of course she had done this for her. And if she knew Hecate, this would only be the beginning. She had to fight herself not to cry from happiness.

When she opened her eyes, Hecate was still holding her. Kasia looked up to see dozens of chochliki flying around, decorating the hall with beautiful ribbons and flowers. The ones holding the lanterns floated in place wearing big smiles.

Then an accordion note hit, and Kasia knew what was about to happen next. Hecate let go of the hug and stood next to her, hand on her back.

Vitek stood in front of her, along with everyone else from both the cathedral and Viswa. They all wore funny little hats and began to sing in unison.

“A hundred years, a hundred years,

May you live, live for us,

A hundred years, a hundred years,

May you live, live for us,

Once again, once again,

May you live, live for us,

May you live, live for us.”

The love they sent her way was overwhelming, and Kasia couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She didn’t know if she had ever felt this happy or loved or appreciated. That they did all of this for her! She couldn’t believe it. She’d never had a birthday party like this, ever.

One of the chochliki put a funny little hat on her as well and winked at her. “Happy birthday, kid!”

“T-thanks,” she stammered.

What followed was a blur of activity. Everyone wanted to hug her and give her their best wishes, and before she knew it she was staring at a pile of gifts that came up to her waist. They had never been able to afford gifts when she was younger, so to suddenly receive this many was truly unbelievable. She wondered if she was still asleep, but Hecate’s gentle hand on her back told her she was very much awake. This was real.

“Hey Kasia!” Bogumir called.

She looked down and saw him standing next to a snow-white ermine. He gestured toward it with a nod. “My gift, for you!”

As soon as he said it, the creature crawled up her leg and sat on her shoulder. It was small, about the size of her hand.

“How did you—?” she asked.

“Aha!” He grinned. “There’s much you don’t know about me, Kasia. Happy birthday! May you live a hundred years!”

Two chochliki floated down and handed her a package, tied with a ribbon.

“That one’s from me,” Hecate said.

When Kasia opened it, she could not believe her eyes. It was a soft, baby-blue dress. Was that silk? She ran her hand over it and gasped.

“Is this really for me?” she asked.

“Of course! I had it specially made! It should fit you perfectly! They worked day and night to get it done in time, and I think it came out perfect! It will really match your beautiful eyes and hair and—” Hecate appeared anxious and looked to the side. “Uh. Yeah. I think it would look good on you.”

Kasia burst out laughing and pulled Hecate into a big hug. “Thank you!”

Hecate chuckled nervously. “Yeah. You’re welcome. Long life to you, Kasia, and many years. May you grow big with white hair. May you spread the light of knowledge everywhere, and may everyone say ‘there goes a wise one.’”

Kasia raised her eyebrows. “Huh?”

“It’s just something we—never mind,” Hecate waved her off. “May you live a hundred years.”

“Thank you,” Kasia said, truly grateful.

“Oh! Oh!” Hecate held up a finger. “Wait. And you can use any runestones I have if you want to turn that dress into a runeword. My runestones are your runestones. And my hands. Well, not literally my hands, but the hands that I cut off people, you know? Those hands. You can use those to upgrade your skills, always. Once you get a Class, of course. Which… should be any moment now?”

Hecate glanced down at Bogumir. “And maybe Bogumir will even offer you his hands as an offering. As a gift.”

“What?” Bogumir looked scandalized. “Why? Those are my hands! They are attached to my body!”

“They grow back! Don’t be such a baby!”

Bogumir crossed his arms and scowled. “Fine. Kasia, you can also have my hands if you ever need them for an upgrade.”

Kasia smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, Bogumir. That is very generous of you. Let’s hope it won’t be needed. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself for me.”

“Oh, it doesn’t actually hurt,” he said. “Not really. Would be a rough build if it did.”

Hecate threw her hands up. “So what were you crying about? Give me one of your hands right now. Let me have one so I can see what it—”

Bogumir jumped back. “Kasia can have my hands. I’m not giving you shit!”

Kasia couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Guys! Guys! Calm down! I don’t even have a Class yet. Let’s let Bogumir keep his hands to himself for now.”

“Thank you!” Bogumir said.

“You’re welcome,” Hecate replied.

“What are you—” Bogumir waggled his index finger at her. “No. Thank Kasia, not you.”

Hecate rolled her eyes and mumbled, “ungrateful.”

Kasia was about to tell them to calm down when a bright golden light erupted from her eyes. A circle of that same golden light appeared below her feet, and everyone fell silent.