The Gift

Freyr's sensory abilities were further enhanced by the "antenna" gifted by Samael, making his sensitivity even surpass many intermediate wizards.

That afternoon, Freyr assigned Focker an important task once again. As Freyr's chief steward, Focker was to take the carefully prepared gift to the capital to celebrate the Countess's birthday.

Freyr had spent an entire night writing a heartfelt letter by hand. He held deep feelings for the beautiful and gentle Countess, especially remembering the time when he was gravely ill as a child. The Countess had prayed all night at the Temple of Light and then tirelessly cared for him. Even after his younger brother was born and everyone else in the family became indifferent towards him, the Countess would still come to Freyr's room at night, holding her young son and singing him to sleep.

Freyr felt deeply moved. This beautiful and gentle woman embodied the purest and most profound motherly love. Although this love made Freyr feel a sense of guilt since he was not her real son, it also made him deeply attached to this gentle mother figure.

The birthday gift he prepared was the "Goddess of Dawn's Forgiveness," a present Freyr was confident would cause a great sensation once delivered to the Countess's mansion. However, Freyr didn't care about the sensation itself; he only hoped to make the Countess happy at her birthday celebration.

Focker set off in a carriage with a few attendants. The Countess's birthday was in seven days, and barring any unforeseen events, they should arrive two days before her birthday.

After sending Focker off, Freyr felt a bit more at ease, though he had a small ulterior motive. Being confined to the castle was getting tiresome. Not being able to leave the immediate vicinity of the castle for over a month was stifling. He hoped that this outstanding birthday gift might slightly improve his father's perception of him. The three gold coins he received each month were of no concern to Freyr; he only hoped that the Count's delight might lead to the lifting of his house arrest.

That night, with the clear moon and stars, Freyr suddenly felt a surge of enthusiasm. He instructed a servant to prepare a stove on the terrace of the laboratory and had the castle chef prepare some beef loin, lamb chops, and fresh vegetables just brought in from the farm behind the castle, along with a fine bottle of red wine.

Freyr planned to have an open-air barbecue.

He placed the beef steak on the iron grill over the fire, using a homemade brush to meticulously apply his specially prepared marinade. He made sure every inch of the steak was evenly coated. The aroma of the roasting meat mixed with the marinade's fragrance filled the air. Freyr took a deep breath, thoroughly enjoying it, and couldn't help but hum a tune.

Natalie watched Freyr with an odd look in her eyes. "What are you humming? It sounds like a bard's song, but I don't understand a word of it."

Freyr couldn't be bothered to explain. He grunted, turned the steak over with a fork, and took a small swig from the wine bottle.

"Red wine with red meat," Freyr sighed contentedly. "A breezy night, a clear moon and stars... such a pleasant evening, enjoying some grilled meat with good wine... it would be perfect if there was some music."

"You little aristocrat, you sure know how to enjoy yourself," Natalie sneered. "Aren't you going to study Star Magic tonight?"

"I've been studying it for over a month," Freyr replied with a wry smile. "My mental strength has indeed improved, but I still don't understand the concept of Star Power. It's not laziness; it's just not something that can be resolved in a day or two. As they say, balance between work and rest. I've been working hard for over a month, I need some time to relax."

With that, he carefully sliced a piece of the cooked steak and took a bite. The delicious aroma almost made him bite his tongue. He mumbled, "So good! Too bad you can't taste this."

Natalie rolled her eyes. Being a magical entity, she didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep. Freed by Freyr, her spiritual form was now deeply imprinted with Freyr's magical signature, almost becoming his shadow.

"If you don't eat, drink, or sleep, isn't life quite dull?" Freyr sighed, looking at Natalie.

Natalie, still wearing her bright red robe, had finally heeded Freyr's frequent reminders to mind her appearance a bit and no longer swung her legs on the railing.

Natalie rolled her eyes again.

"By the way," Freyr said, blinking, "I've never asked you before, but how long can you live?"

"The same as you," Natalie said with a hint of resignation. "I was released by you. The spell that unsealed me linked my life to your mental strength. As long as you live, I live. If you die, your mental strength will disappear, and so will I."

"So, we're 'bound by life and death'?" Freyr asked, looking amused.

"Watch your words, my little aristocrat," Natalie replied with a malicious smile. "Remember, I'm your Forebear."

Freyr snorted, glaring at Natalie. "You're just a copy, not the real Natalie. And... Forebear? Have you ever seen a grandmother swinging her legs in front of her grandson all day?"