Grant Duke's Residence — The Next Morning.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows of the dining hall, illuminating a lavish breakfast spread.
Duke Grant and his six-year-old son, Kevin, sat at the long mahogany table.
The atmosphere, usually warm, was filled with heavy disappointment.
"That's how it is, Kevin," Duke Grant sighed, looking pained. "I'm so sorry. I received an urgent summons from the King this morning. I have to leave for Crocus immediately."
Kevin, a small boy with short golden hair and large blue eyes, lowered his head to stare at his plate.
His small hands gripped his fork tightly.
Grant was usually busy with official duties, but they had agreed weeks ago that today—Kevin's birthday—would be a day off.
Just father and son.
Kevin took a deep breath. He remembered his lessons: a noble must always put duty first!
After a minute of silence, he looked up with a brave trembling smile.
"Father, please go quickly," Kevin said, his voice steady despite the wobble in his chin. "The King's matters are more important than a party. We can celebrate my birthday when you return."
In just sixty seconds, the six-year-old had mentally prepared himself to be strong.
It was a testament to the excellent upbringing provided by the Duke and Duchess.
"Kevin, you're doing the right thing," his mother, Duchess Julie, comforted him, though her own eyes were sad.
She sat beside him, stroking his hair gently. "Your father is in a difficult position. The King's summons cannot be refused."
"Yes, Father. Please go quickly," Kevin urged again, forcing his smile to brighten.
"Julie, I'll be off then. Kevin, be good and listen to your mother." Duke Grant picked up his suit jacket, kissed his wife on the cheek, and stood up.
He walked out of the room without looking back, unable to face his son's disappointment.
Once the heavy doors clicked shut, Kevin's facade crumbled.
"Father hasn't even wished me a happy birthday yet," Kevin whispered to his mother.
His eyes welled up with tears, and a single drop fell onto the tablecloth.
...
"Does Duke Grant really not feel guilty about deceiving such a well-behaved child?"
This was the shared thought of the three mages silently observing the situation through a crack in the door.
Raizel, Ultear, and Erza felt a collective pang of sympathy.
"Duke Grant.... How despicable!" Ultear muttered. "Making a child cry on his birthday."
Just then, the "departed" Duke Grant tiptoed into the room from a side entrance while looking guilty.
"Is he okay?" Grant whispered frantically.
"He's crying," Erza reported bluntly.
"Oh dear," Grant wrung his hands.
He noticed two gift boxes on the table. "What is this?"
"These are the cakes," Raizel explained, pointing to the boxes. "One is made by me—it doesn't look very presentable, but the taste is fine. The other is a store-bought backup. Both are for young master Kevin."
"Thank you so much," Grant exhaled. "I'm sure he will be very happy. Alright... let's do this."
"Please wait a moment," Raizel stopped him. "Let's make an entrance."
Raizel stepped back.
"Take Over: Jesmon."
A flash of crimson light filled the room.
The silver knight appeared with his three data spirits—At, Rene, and Pol.
"Carry the cake," Raizel instructed the spirits. "Fly over the child and stop in front of him."
...
Duchess Julie was comforting Kevin when she saw something out of the corner of her eye.
A cake box was floating through the air, carried by three glowing, triangular spirits.
Kevin, still looking down sadly, was unaware that something was hovering above his head.
"Why is there a shadow?" Kevin mumbled.
He noticed a strange shape on the tablecloth beside his own shadow.
He lifted his head.
"Sword Spirits!"
Kevin's eyes went wide.
His attention was completely captured, not by the cake box, but by the three data spirits whizzing around him.
As a devoted fan who collected every figure, he recognized them instantly!
"These are... Jesmon's spirits!"
Knock, knock.
"May we come in?" A woman's voice reached Kevin's ears from the main doors.
"Please come in," Kevin instinctively replied, his eyes still glued to the floating spirits.
The doors opened.
Duke Grant walked in while beaming.
Behind him walked a silver-haired knight in crimson armor, flanked by two beautiful mages.
"Father? Raizel-sama?!" Kevin jumped out of his chair, knocking it over in his excitement. "Raizel-sama, is it really you?"
Raizel signaled the spirits to set down the cake gently on the table.
Then, with a shimmer of light, he dispelled his transformation, reverting to his human form.
"It's me," Raizel smiled, bowing slightly. "Pleased to meet you, Kevin. I am Raizel, and these are my guildmates, Ultear and Erza."
Kevin stood frozen, starstruck.
The hero from his magazines was standing in his dining room!
He quickly remembered his manners. He straightened his small vest and bowed perfectly.
"Ultear-san, Erza-san, it's nice to meet you. I look forward to your guidance."
Despite his excitement, he greeted the ladies first, showcasing impeccable etiquette.
"Kevin-sama, we look forward to your guidance as well," Ultear and Erza curtsied, charmed by the little gentleman.
"Please, just call me Kevin."
"I'm sorry for deceiving you, Kevin," Duke Grant stepped forward, kneeling to be at eye level with his son. "I wanted to give you a surprise. I specially invited your favorite Mage to celebrate your birthday. Happy birthday, my child."
Kevin looked at his father, then put on a stern face.
"Father, lying is wrong. Isn't that what you always teach me?"
"I'm sorry, it was my mistake," Grant stammered, sweating. "I... I apologize, Kevin."
"Pfft!" Kevin couldn't hold it anymore. He burst into laughter, throwing his arms around his father's neck.
"I'm happy, Father! This is the best birthday gift I've ever received!"
"Hahaha, that's good then," Grant hugged him back tight. "Regardless, lying is indeed wrong. I promise not to do it again."
"Sorry to interrupt," Julie smiled warmly. "But let's not keep our honored guests standing."
"My apologies, please have a seat," Grant ushered everyone to the table.
"Kevin," Raizel pointed to the box the spirits had delivered. "I made this cake myself. I asked the butler about your preferences yesterday and tried making it according to your taste. Please open it."
Kevin opened the box. Inside was a somewhat lopsided strawberry cake.
The frosting was uneven, but the words "Happy Birthday Kevin" were written clearly in red icing.
"I really like it," Kevin said sincerely. "Thank you, Raizel-sama."
"Kevin, make a wish," Julie lit six candles.
Kevin closed his eyes, clasped his hands, and made a silent wish. He blew out the candles in one breath.
"Happy Birthday, Kevin!" everyone cheered, including the butler and maids standing by the wall.
After the cake (which tasted surprisingly good), Kevin served as a little tour guide.
He took Raizel, Ultear, and Erza around the estate, showing off the greenhouse, the rock garden, and his extensive collection of Raizel merchandise.
In the study, the three mages sat with Kevin, answering his endless questions about missions and magic.
"Can you really make time stop?" Kevin asked Ultear, eyes wide.
"Not stop, but I can control the state of an object," Ultear explained.
She pointed to a cup of cold tea. "Arc of Time: Restore."
Steam began to rise from the cup as it returned to its hot state.
Then she pointed to a seed in a pot.
"Fast Forward." The seed cracked, sprouted, and grew into a small sapling in seconds.
"Whoa!" Kevin clapped.
As the day wound down, the sky turned a brilliant crimson. They gathered by the grand fountain for photos.
"Everyone, please step back a bit," Raizel directed. "This composition will look better with the sunset."
Raizel set up the camera on a tripod.
"Mr. Ed, please set up continuous shooting."
He whispered to the girls: "Control your expressions well, it's continuous shooting. No blinking."
"Annoying, I know," Ultear rolled her eyes but smoothed her dress.
"Mr. Ed, come join us for the photo!" Kevin shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth.
"But..." the butler hesitated. "It's not appropriate..."
"Ed, join us," Duke Grant insisted, waving him over. "Kevin is the star today, so you should listen to him. You're part of the family."
They arranged themselves.
Raizel stood on the far left, Kevin in the very center, flanked by Ultear and Erza.
Grant and Julie stood behind Kevin, and Ed stood on the far right.
"Ready?" Raizel asked.
"Wait!" Kevin said. "Can you do the transformation?"
Raizel grinned.
"Take Over."
For the photos, Raizel cycled through his forms, controlling their size to be about two meters tall so he wouldn't crush anyone.
He shifted into Alphamon, Jesmon, Omegamon, and Dukemon.
The camera clicked rapidly, capturing the golden light of the setting sun, the majestic armors, and the beaming smile of a six-year-old boy having the best day of his life.