Elion became even more excited when his sister mentioned the gifts.
Today was one of the happiest days of the boy's short life. He compared it to the day the whole family went to the capital for the first time and the day he and his sister went to the beach at the local reservoir for the first time. These days had made different impressions on Elion, but he valued them all equally and cherished them in his memories like treasures.
Finally, they approached the house after sunset, when the outlines of two moons appeared on both sides of the sky. With an expression of delight on his face, Elion looked forward to sharing his impressions of the circus with his parents.
Still holding his sister's hand, he yanked the door handle, knowing his parents had probably left it open. Then...
*To-do-do!*
*To-do-do!*
*Boom!*
His parents, who were standing right by the door, suddenly blew into whistles that had probably been taken from his room and set off a huge firecracker. They would probably have to clean up the yard afterward.
"Happy birthday, our boy!" His parents exclaimed simultaneously, their faces beaming with joy.
"Wow! Did you learn how to pull off such a surprise from me? Haha, I knew it was worth taking you as my students. Thank you!" The boy replied, sharing their joy.
"Hehe! Seeing how surprised you are, I realize those training hours weren't in vain. Come inside quickly. Mom has already set the table," His father said cheerfully. His fatigue from work had clearly faded into the background, and he was now sincerely enjoying the holiday.
"Yes! Let's go, Belle!"
Annabelle, as always, followed her energetic brother with a smile.
...
"Amn... Nom-nom... Well, basically... he exploded... Amn... into a million sparks." Elion had already finished a large plate of meat soup and was now mercilessly devouring pancakes topped with jam and condensed milk.
He had completely forgotten his table manners in favor of the integrity of the story.
"Eh? Donnie, how can you explain that?" His parents were stunned by Elion's story but believed him completely.
After all, if he had lied about anything, Annabelle would have teased him mercilessly.
"Well... There are two options. Either this clown had a lot of mystical artifacts—but I don't know of any that could make an entire circus disappear—or... Or he just possesses a special 'Mystery'"
"Um... Wow! Nom-nom... Then I'd like to have a mystery like that, too. Amn... That's so cool!"
"Ha... Elion, I can't tell you, of course... Just know that such a cool power comes at a price. The greater the power, the greater the price and the responsibility that comes with it." Donovan muttered dejectedly.
Having finally finished eating, Elion asked curiously,
"So, what is that price, Dad?"
"Well... It's not known for sure, but there have been various cases... Believe me, it's better not to know. You'll sleep better."
"Hmm... All right, then." Elion agreed. Of course, he didn't really agree to anything. A child's curiosity is always stronger than a parent's refusal, especially in his case.
"So, Elion, do you still have room for dessert?" Celestia asked, not bothering to delve into the previous conversation, having learned from experience.
Annabelle just looked silently at her beloved brother, sometimes stroking his soft head. Her gaze was always fixed on him, and she waited for his warm words.
That's how it was, how it is, and how it always will be.
"Of course, Mom! So, what's for dessert?" Elion couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation today.
"Haha! I had to put pressure on your friend's bakery to improve their skills."
"What?! Bean pod? What did you cook there?" Elion asked impatiently.
"Hehe, I'm not going to tell you." Mom said playfully.
"What?! How?! That doesn't make sense! Then why did you even tell me about it?!" Elion was shocked by his mother's behavior.
"Hehe, don't worry. You'll find out everything later, but first..." Mom paused dramatically, clearly having learned that from her son.
"Gifts!"
Everyone in the room except the boy pricked up their ears after these words. Understandably, behind the facade of a warm family, there was a secret competition for the best gift for Elion, and everyone wanted to win.
So, contender number one:
"Hehe, I knew you often took my magazines, son. Your slightly cunning mother secretly found out what you wanted. I enlisted someone, and..." She clearly enjoyed these dramatic pauses.
Elion rubbed his hands together, looked at his mother, and wondered what it would be.
"And... Ta-da!" With sparkling peach-colored eyes, the woman stretched out her hand, which had been hidden behind her back. She handed her son a top hat.
"A top hat! Mom, but how?! Where did you get it?!" Elion asked, a little shocked, but clearly very happy. He cheerfully twirled the not-too-long, dark top hat, which was a little too big for his small head.
"Haha! Even though I don't have a job as important as your dad's, don't underestimate the connections of a simple tailor!" The woman explained cheerfully.
"Wow! Thank you, Mommy!" Elion shouted, rushing to hug his mother.
The clearly pleased woman kissed him on the top of his head and hugged him warmly. Then she turned to her husband with a sly smile. Immediately, her smile froze.
She had expected at least a dejected expression and at most shock, but what she saw was...
"Heh," Donovan said with a cheeky grin.
Contender number two:
"Son, I know you love stylish things. I pulled some strings at work and..."
"Ta-da!" His father said with a warm smile as he handed Elion...
"This... Ah... It glows so brightly... Why?" Elion was in awe.
He recognized the silhouette of the garment, but he had never seen it look like this before. It immediately reminded him of a clown's final trick.
He walked over and took the oddly sized, dark blue coat from his father's hands. The coat's stunning appearance was created by the way light reflected off it. It was as if millions of tiny stars lived between the seams, creating the bright illusion of an iridescent blue color.
"Haha, but don't be too quick to be surprised, son. The best part isn't just its appearance. Try it on." His father cheered up noticeably.
Elion silently began to put on the outfit, which was too big for him.
"It's very comfortable inside, but... Aaah! What is this?!" The coat began to shrink and adjust to his size, causing Elion to cry out in surprise.
In the end, the coat, which had initially dragged on the floor, shortened to just above the knee. The sleeves, which had previously hung down, now neatly emphasized his wrists. Now, Elion definitely looked...
"S-stunning!" The boy exclaimed happily. He immediately began to spin around, watching the coat unfold behind him.
"Haha. This coat was made with a mystical artifact in our lab. It can change shape to fit its owner perfectly, so it will grow with you. By the way, the fabric is very thick, so you won't get cut by branches or anything worse."
"A m-mystical artifact?! Wow! Thanks, Dad! You're awesome!" The boy shouted cheerfully as he rushed to hug his father.
"Hehe," he said, stroking his son's head. The visibly cheerful father looked at his wife, who stood with a slightly dejected expression, and his mood lifted even more. Then he turned his gaze to his daughter, who...
"Hehehe..." Annabelle covered her mouth with her hand and mocked her parents sarcastically. Was she mocking them? At her age?
Contender number three:
"Elion. Of course, I'm not into fashion like Mom, and I don't have the same opportunities as Dad. But I made this myself, and I hope you'll like it, even a little..." Annabelle feigned embarrassment.
She took the hand she had been hiding behind her back and held it out to Elion. In her hand was...
An uneasy tension hung in the room.
Her parents stared in absolute shock at... this.