Chapter 15: Birthday Party And Dragon Awakening Ceremony

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Since the incident when my Fantasy Heart shattered and I turned into a Grievance, several years have passed.

Life has continued mostly as usual, and I’ve made sure to train my abilities slowly and carefully before attempting anything dangerous again. My parents, however, remain as overprotective as ever and have not allowed me to leave the castle.

They did promise that once I turned six, I would finally be permitted to visit the town below! So I’ve been eagerly looking forward to it.

I’ve occasionally visited the Draconic Records. Although I remain confined to the Ice Dragon Realm for now, I’ve been slowly growing closer to Auntie Hymdra. My Soul Rank recently reached Rank 2 after I consumed a great many Soul Beasts.

As for my Fantasy Heart? It remains locked at Tier 9, the minimum Tier for Spirals and the weakest, because I haven’t focused on it much.

Apparently there’s some conditions required to evolve it further, but that condition has not yet been revealed to me.

My father said that once I reach six years of age, I will unlock the Andromeda System. At that point, these conditions and many other mysteries about my body and abilities will finally become clear.

Today is my sixth birthday, and everyone from my entire family has gathered to meet me at last.

Grandma and Grandpa are finally arriving today too. Their journey through space ended up taking longer than expected because Grandma Benladra kept insisting on sightseeing everywhere, which delayed them considerably… I’ve heard she’s a bit of an airhead.

Oh, and regarding my Chaos and Harmony abilities, and Mongrel?

I’ve been training them diligently, working to slowly understand these powers. Mongrel serves as the perfect training dummy, whenever he grows rebellious or threatens me, he helps me hone my abilities.

I also recognize how dangerous they can be, so I never push too far. I’ve been patiently waiting for my awakening to finally grasp them fully.

Because today is my sixth birthday, it also means I will finally participate in my own Awakening Ceremony alongside many other noble and commoner children.

Awakening Ceremonies are significant for every child in the Kingdom. They involve touching the Divine Yggdrasil Spirit Heart, which originates from Yggdrasil itself.

Those with affinity can awaken dormant Elemental Affinities, Abilities, Skills, Talents, Traits, and even Classes.

The most talented have even been recorded awakening as Spiralwalkers, though such cases are extraordinarily rare, occurring perhaps once a million years.

The last time it happened, according to my father, was with his dear friend Timothy, a noble from the Emerald Grove Duchy, a vast territory that oversees roughly seventy percent of our kingdom’s farmlands.

He was once an ordinary commoner who awakened extraordinary powers and defended his village from Entities and Grievances. My father discovered him, recruited him into his House, and after many heroic deeds, Timothy ascended to nobility and was granted that entire territory to govern, previously overseen mostly by elven nobles.

He married Anastasia, though their demanding duties mean they only see each other once or twice a week. It’s an unusual relationship, but they genuinely love each other, and somehow it works.

Anyway! Regardless of the details, far more people have gathered today than for my usual birthdays. This is a truly momentous occasion!

A festival is underway downtown, and even here in the castle grounds a smaller festival has been organized. Food stalls, game stalls, and countless other attractions fill the air.

My parents permitted many citizens to enter the castle grounds so that nobles and honored commoners attending the ceremony and my birthday could enjoy the celebration together.

The event grew so large that word spread everywhere, everyone knew my sixth birthday and awakening were approaching.

Above all, an awakening for dragons is special. It differs from those of humans or other races. It also means I will finally awaken my True Dragon Form, something I have been unable to channel until now.

For that reason, not only Grandma but many other dragons from Yggdrasil are arriving today! Grand Uncle Drakda, the Crystal Dragon Queen Amethyst, the Fire Dragon King Surtr, the Death Dragon King (and renowned Alchemist) Hydra, the Sea Dragon Emperor Triton with his wife, son, and granddaughter, the Moonlight Dragon Queen Selene straight from Yggdrasil’s moon, the Technomancy Dragon Queen Kate, the Sunlight Dragon Empress of Yamato Yudra with her son, and many, many more.

All of these are legendary and immensely famous members of the family. I’m so excited to finally meet them in person!

“Heheh, it’s going to be so much fun!” I cheered while splashing in the bathtub. “Oh, I can already hear people outside, Mom!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, dear. Stop squirming—I’m trying to wash your beautiful hair!” my mother said, working shampoo through my long strands. “Do you like this shampoo, sweetheart? It’s made with Spirit Tree Sap Extract.”

“I love it! It smells sweet,” I replied, sniffing my hair as I bumped my back against her belly. “Oh, Mommy, has your belly gotten bigger, or is that just my imagination?”

“Yes, I’ve been pregnant for about seven months now, so the baby might arrive soon,” she chuckled, gently caressing her belly. “Are you excited? You’re going to become a big sister, Elizabeth.”

“I am!”

As she mentioned, seven months ago Mom became pregnant for the first time in years. It was a hugely celebratory occasion; the entire Kingdom held a festival to mark the event (we have a lot of festivals here).

Since then, my father has been extremely nervous, acting even more protectively toward her and constantly reminding me to watch over her whenever he leaves to meet nobles or handle political matters.

Mom has refused any examinations for the baby’s gender; she wants the gender to be a complete surprise.

Honestly, I’m looking forward to this so much. I never had a sibling in my previous life, so I want to experience what it feels like to have a little brother or sister to care for.

“Do you want a boy or a girl, Mom?” I asked curiously.

“I’d love a boy this time—and if he looks like your father… even better!” she laughed shamelessly. “But even if it’s a girl, I’ll be just as happy. That was only wishful thinking. Whatever the baby is, I’ll love them the same way I love you.” She kissed my cheek. “So make sure you don’t get jealous if we give the newborn more attention, okay?”

“What? I would never get jealous!” I declared proudly. “I’ll give them lots of attention and love too…!”

“Fufu, is that so?” she chuckled.

SPLASH!

“Alright, your hair is as good as always, fluffy and silky,” she nodded. “Let’s get you dressed and head outside. A lot of people must have already arrived. I can feel a disturbance in space too.”

“Eh? What does that mean?” I asked nervously.

“It likely means your family from Yggdrasil is arriving,” she explained. “The dragons from Yggdrasil!”

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“Ooohh!” I nodded eagerly. “I want to meet them!”

I dashed out of the bathroom and threw open the door.

“Wait! Wait, Elizabeth—you’re not even dressed yet!!!”

“Eh? Ahaha! I forgot.”

♢♢♢♢

After Mom gently scolded me (and thanked the stars no one had seen), I finally got dressed. Instead of my usual comfortable, easy-to-wear dresses, she put me in a frilly, elaborately detailed gown of black, white, red, and gold, making me look every bit the princess this time.

It was a little difficult to move in such a tight, heavy dress, but it was truly beautiful, so I endured it with all my might.

“Alright, here we are,” my mother said, releasing my hand.

We stepped outside the castle to find everything transformed. The garden and surrounding grasslands had become a sprawling festival filled with dozens of stalls. Street performers, bards singing and playing instruments, filled the air with music.

People released blue, red, and yellow paper balloons into the sky, decorating it with vibrant colors.

Combined with the bright sun, clear blue sky, drifting clouds, and gentle breeze, the atmosphere truly felt like a perfect medieval fantasy festival!

“Ah, there you are! You took too long in the bathroom—is everything ready?”

My father descended from the sky after spotting us. He had been personally welcoming guests arriving through dimensional gates, including several family members.

“Sorry, honey. Little Elizabeth got a bit overexcited and couldn’t sit still,” my mother explained.

“Sorry…” I apologized.

“Well, it’s alright,” my father smiled. He hugged my mother and kissed her lips. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, honey, don’t worry,” she nodded. “But… can I get a few more kisses?”

“E-Eh? But…” He blushed but complied, kissing her lips and cheeks several more times.

Now that she was pregnant, he had become far more indulgent. Mom took full advantage, constantly asking for little treats… she loved being spoiled, just like me.

“Me too!” I jumped, demanding his attention.

“Hahaha, alright, come here,” he said, lifting me into his arms and kissing my face. “We’re going to meet some of your family members now.”

“Eh? Already?” my mother asked, following us.

“Yeah,” my father nodded. “They’re waiting in the banquet area.”