The Happy moment before the disaster.

Article 77, also known as the Thousand Kills Punishment, that targets those who illegally possess Pyro-seeds.

Basically, it's a law created due to the uncontrollable number of people illegally using Pyro-seeds to awaken their pyro-abilities in the past.

Other than that, there's also another reason as of why the law was established in the first place: to ensure control over the supply stocks of Pyro-seeds.

Why control? Well, that's because of its limited quantity and how incredibly rare it is, basically like a rare ammonite in our world. It's everywhere but hard to find.

Now, you might wonder where these Pyro-seeds come from. Well, that's a big, very big mystery. And as for the extraction methods? Well, they're kind of impossible as well.

That's because all the known knowledge connected to Pyro-seeds is tightly held by AI-Alice, and only a handful of people are aware of it.

Including my family, of course.

And because of that, the procedures and knowledge about Pyro-seeds are considered illegal-based information.

By the way, it's only illegal if you obtain it without permission from AI-Alice. However, if you have permission from AI-Alice, it's completely legal.

But even so, if you are caught possessing this illegal-based information, then you will be punished according to the law.

Thus, this is one of the many reasons why it kind of scared the hell out of me when I realized that the gift I received on my birthday was, in fact, a Pyro-seed!

◇

"Son, what your mother said is right. The earlier you learn how to use it, the better," Kael said as he tried to explain the real reason why I needed to learn this.

"Because, in this world, the strong kill the weak and eat them, while the weak sneakily kill the strong and devour them.

"So, basically, whether your Pyrosites ability is weak or strong, you're still bound to die in the end.

"What I am saying is that no matter what kind of Pyrosites abilities you possess, it still depends on the holder itself.

"Like, if you have strong abilities, well, that's nice, but if you don't know how to use them well, you're still gonna die in the end, and for the weak.

"If you have weak abilities, well, that's unlucky for you; however, if you have enough experience and knowledge of your abilities, no matter how strong your opponents are, you can still defeat them.

"But still, you're still bound to die in the end."

After this explanation long-ass explanation, Kael paused momentarily as he patiently observed my reaction, regardless of what he said.

"..."

However, this only leaves me speechless for a moment as I begin to ponder what Kael just said.

Ahh, shit, what the heck? What do I do? I don't really quite understand what Kael just said.

But still, for the sake of looking like I understand it, I'm going to pretend like I do. Heheh, I'm a freaking genius.

"Hmm, I think I understand it," I mumbled under my breath, but strong enough for them to hear.

However, for your information, just because I don't understand what Kael said doesn't mean I'm stupid or anything. It's just those words don't have a freaking point, you know?

Like for example, 'You're still bound to die in the end.' Does that phrase even make any sense?!

Anyway, let's get back to the topic. As far as my brain could understand, Kael said that no matter how strong your Pyrosites abilities are, in the end, experience is much stronger and more reliable.

But even so, I'm still going to die in the end. So, in order to prevent that from happening, I needed to awaken my ability as early as possible. Is that what he meant? Then, those words finally make sense.

That they're willing to take a risk just to obtain a Pyro-seed and awaken my abilities.

"!!!"

Wow... hold on, I didn't expect my family to be these great, goofy parents that spoiled their son rotten.

However, at the same time, if I'm being honest, it makes me kind of jealous as well.

Ugh... I wish my parents in my past life were this great as well.

"Fuu..." I let out a long sigh.

Stop it. There's no need to remember those stupid memories anymore. What I need to do is look forward to a better future.

Oh... wait, I forget, fuck! I still need to attend that stupid 'Shadow Arcane'!

And so, after a very long time of self-reflection, no, I mean deep thoughts, I finally snapped back to reality.

As I looked up at them and said, "Fine, I will not ask any more questions about how you got that Pyro-seed," and began to mumble, "And also, thank you."

I thank them, not because I was touched by their words or anything else. It's because no matter how many times I asked where they obtained this Pyro-seed, their mouths would be tightly shut, and they would not say a single word regardless of how they obtained this Pyro-seed.

In short, it is useless to ask any more about it.

"That's good to know you understand, son," Kael said calmly before waving his hand.

'Huh, what are you? Wait, is that a sign that you want me to come over there or what?' I thought as I pounded what he was Doing.

"I am asking you to come here and sit," Kael repeatedly as he seemingly wanted me to sit beside him.

'Yep, My guess was right. ' I thought, as I stood and walked towards the couch, where I sat at the right edge corner of the couch. 'U.'

As Kael once again began to talk, "Anyway, I have a gift for you here," before he reached into his pocket.

Did I hear it wrong? Did he just say he's going to give me a gift?!! Fuck! Hell yeah! BWAHAHAHAH.

"Wait, it seems I can't find it," Kael mumbled as he started to frantically search all over his body.

Kael looked at Aria and whispered, "Shit, Aria, it seems I lost it," while he was still desperate to find it, to see if he just misplaced it somewhere else.

"Idiot, what do you mean by you lost it?" Aria whispered back before shifting her gaze to me and said, "Hehehe, cutie. It seems your father forgot his gifts," with an innocent smile on her face.

Followed by Kael as he grabbed Aria's wrist and whispered to Aria's ears, "Why did you say that to him."

"..."

Seeing this in front of my eyes made me wonder. Like,

'What the heck? What do you mean he lost it?! Then what about my damn gift?'

But anyway, it's just a gift, right? I can just have it once Kael finds it, so it's all right.

"It's alright, Father. Being with you guys is much more important than anything in the world," I remarked in an adoring tone while putting an innocent expression on my face.

Eh! I'm not really the kind of dumbass who suddenly gets so angry just because I didn't receive a gift.

Plus, I've already received the most precious gifts. I am talking about this family of mine and these Pyro-seeds. Hehehehe.

Anyway, after that cringey moment when Kael lost his gift, another cringe moment happened in the next moments.

As they began telling their story about what happened during their business trip and events in sector Neuve.

It was a fun time, to be honest. It's just... It's just so hard to maintain this innocent facade of mine while pretending to be amazed as I listen to them!

'God damn it...'

◇

Half an hour of boring and tiring conversations.

Ha..." I let out a long sigh and thought, "'Finally, it's over,' while fixing my jaw and stretching my arms up to the sky.

"Finally, I'm free..." I mumbled once again.

"Huh? What are you talking about, saying it's finally done? Did you forget it's your birthday, cutie?" Aria said with an amused expression on her face.

"W-What are you talking about?" I asked Aria cautiously.

Shit, I have a bad feeling about this.

"Ehh? Guess it," Aria hinted with a teasing look on her face.

As She paused for a moment, allowing me to think before speaking.

'Please don't let it be a birthday party, please don't let it be a birthday party! Because I really hate those... damn birthday parties!'

"Of course, we're going to have the most fun and longest birthday party just for you!" Aria exclaimed in an excited tone.

'Fu*k!! I don't want to experience that damn birthday party ever again!' I screamed out loud inside my soul.

"?!" While Screaming inside, I noticed something strange.

What's up with you, Mother, while you're holding your stomach like that? By any chance, you're pregnant? Or having diarrhea?

"Pff..!"

"I was just kidding. It seems you really hate having a birthday party, cutie," Aria exclaimed in a playful tone, holding back her laughter.

'Too bad that didn't work on me? Well, it did work if you didn't hold your belly as if you were pregnant.' I thought before I spoke.

"Wait, so no more birthday party?" I asked.

Even though I had already confirmed that we would not be having a birthday party, I still needed to know what had happened and why.

Hearing this, Aria turned her gaze towards Kael and said, "It's all your father's fault why the venue got canceled," with an irritating tone.

"Huh? Why me?" Kael replied with a clueless expression on his face.

"Humph, shut up," Aria said, looking away like a tsundere.

"..."

Seeing this made me realize something.

'Aha... Hahaha, so that's the real reason why she was so pissed off at that time when she bathed with me.'