Cain 2022 Birthday Card: The Ritual of Starlight and Words of Blessing
Akira: Oh, you’re here! You know, Cai-
Cain: Sorry! This voice… Is it you, Master Sage? Please touch my hand, if you don’t mind!
Akira: No need to worry. It’s my own fault. I came at a wrong time and all. Are you in the middle of magic training?
Cain: Yeah, I’m practicing the spell for casting whirlwinds that Oz taught us. I still haven’t managed to master it though. For some reason, water keeps pouring out from my sword. I’ve been trying to calm my breath and face the spirits with sincerity, but it hasn’t worked out yet. You’ve found me in a sorry state.
Akira: Not at all! In any case, it’ll be nice if the spell works out for you somehow.
Cain: Yeah, I’ll do my best. On another topic, what business do you come here for? Are you looking for me?
Akira: Ah, I want to find you because I’m planning to conduct the ‘Ritual of Starlight and Words of Blessing’. Your birthday is just around the corner, right?
This ritual was to be conducted by the wizard in question together with the Sage in the country of the wizard or a location relevant for them, on a day when it was easy to gather blessings such as their birthday. According to Snow and White, the purpose of the ritual was to deepen the bond between the Sage and the wizard. Apparently it brought many benefits such as increasing the wizard’s magical power, reinforcing their heath, clearing up their mind and so on.
Cain: Oh, that! I would ask you to conduct that ritual myself if it isn’t too much trouble. I’ll leave it to your capable hands then, Akira.
For the Ritual of Starlight and Words of Blessing, it was necessary to have the blessings from three wizards who had some connections with the wizard in question. For that purpose, I talked to Riquet and Heathcliff, who had a good relationship with Cain.
Akira: Thanks for coming, Riquet, Heathcliff.
Riquet: I will give this task my all to be worthy of your expectations, Master Sage! Of course, it is for Cain’s sake too!
Heathcliff: Same for me. After all, Cain has been taking care of me ever since I first arrived at the Magic Manor. This is not really about expressing my gratitude. Rather, I’d like to come up with a blessing that will bring him lots of joy.
Heathcliff: Is it really okay for me to be the one giving Cain a blessing though? There are certainly other people who would love to be his blessing givers. His Highness Prince Arthur, for example.
Akira: Oh, I plan to ask Arthur after he returns from Granvelle Castle! Anyway, it’s true that Cain is loved by everyone.
Riquet: I love Cain! You do too, don’t you Heathcliff? That’s why I think we should give him the most magnificent words of blessing as the representatives of people who love him.
Heathcliff: I- I suppose? In that case, I’ll be delighted to do the task. What do you like about Cain, Riquet?
Riquet: There is that time where he ate the chocolate I was saving for later. I was a bit angry at first, but then he said ‘You didn’t eat the chocolate right away so I thought you don’t want it. I’m really sorry’ and apologized to me properly without making excuses. I love how he is sincere like that.
Akira: Ahaha, that’s certainly very Cain.
Heathcliff: I think it’s impressive how he’s straightforward in words and deeds. He has never deceived anyone.
Owen: That guy has never deceived anyone? Are you for real? He, who is a born liar?
Akira – Heathcliff – Riquet: Owen!
While we hadn’t noticed, Owen appeared. As we turned in his direction, Owen looked at us with a sarcastic smile.
Owen: Mister Knight pretended to be a human and lived like one since birth. For him, lying comes easier than doing magic. He must be trying to curry favor with you people by appearing to be sincere, O Lord Grand Noble and Master Apostle of God. Do you really think he can be trusted?
Heathcliff: Cain pretended to be human because he listened to his parents whom he treasures. That was definitely not his own wish. I have lots of respect for the way Cain always thinks of his family and companions in his words and deeds, so I trust him.
Riquet: Geez, Owen! We are in the middle of composing words of blessings for Cain. Please don’t get in our way.
Owen: Ahaha, no need for you to be so cruel. Oh I know, how about me thinking up a blessing for him then?
Owen: That ritual requires three wizards, is that right? What? Am I not suitable for the task?
Akira: No, that’s not the case at all! I just didn’t think you’d offer.
Heathcliff: Will what Owen gives really be a blessing though?
Riquet: I think it will work out. Cain will definitely accept even Owen’s words with a smile and be delighted by them.
Owen: Whatever the case, I certainly want to see how his smile becomes all messed up on the day of celebration.
Heathcliff: I just want to make him smile the normal way though.
Riquet: Let’s return to our task at hand! Our blessings for Cain will be…
Akira: (They are discussing the suitable words for Cain’s blessings so seriously. Unexpectedly, they seem to be a good team for this?)
The ritual should be conducted at a location where many spirits made it their home with a clear view of the stars in the country of the wizard in question belonged. Accordingly, we went to Forest of Tranquility. We once had a mission there, and it was also the place the knight Cain admired rested for eternity.
After paying respect at Roland’s grave, we immediately conducted the ritual. Cain closed his eyes as I carefully placed my hand on his chest.
Akira: (First will be the blessing from Heathcliff)
Akira: ‘Happy birthday! You are like a big brother to me. Even so, I’d like you to rely on me too when you’re in need. I want to be of help to you as your friend.’
Akira: (Next is the blessing from Riquet)
Akira: “Happy birthday to you! To you, who expresses to me with all your heart that you love me when I encounter difficulty or when I am lonely, I love you too!”
Akira: (This one is from Owen)
Akira: “I hate you. From that dumb huge sword of yours to the way you laugh.”
Akira: (Finally, my blessing…)
Akira: “Dear Cain, you look very cool when you’re all stern and serious, but you’re open-hearted and cheerful by nature, and you have gifted me with your smiles countless times. May you have many wonderful reasons to smile and laugh in the future!”
When all of our words have been recited, I sensed something warm that spread from my arm to Cain’s chest. I opened my eyes and met Cain’s gaze. He gave me a smile that was like a refreshing breeze as he lightly pressed his own chest.
Cain: Thank you, Akira. The words from blessings from you and the others have certainly reached me. It’s hard to describe the sensation but somehow I’m feeling very refreshed!
Akira: It’s my pleasure to conduct the Ritual of Starlight for you today.
Cain: Now that I think about it, I’m light in both heart and body now. Maybe now is the time I will manage it.
It seemed that an idea dawned in Cain’s head because he unsheathed his sword. And then…
In that moment, I noticed that Roland’s sword glowed up with a faint light as if to answer a call.
Akira: Wow! Cain, there’s a whirlwind from your sword!
Cain: I did it! I finally did it! It’s a success!
Akira: Indeed. Congratulations!
Cain: Ahaha, maybe it’s thanks to the Starlight Ritual. I think I can do other magic in this state too.
Cain: Ow! W- what on earth?
As Cain was laughing happily, a big leaf that was carried by the wind stuck on to the back of his head as if to poke at him. Cain stopped his magic and touched his head to check. He tilted his head confusedly when he noticed the leaf.
Cain: A red leaf? Was it brought here by the whirlwind I cast just now?
Akira: Uhm, Cain, I don’t know if this is relevant, but earlier I noticed Roland’s sword lit up for a moment.
Cain: I see. Perhaps that leaf was Roland’s way to tell me off.
Cain: The legend says Roland had beautiful red hair, the same color as this leaf.
As he said that with a smile, Cain raised that leaf in the air. The beautiful moonlight shined through the leaf and lit up his face.
Cain: I know what you meant to tell me, Roland. I will not be content with just one instant of success, and instead will continue to work hard. In the end, it's my goal to someday become a knight like you.
After looking at the leaf the same way he would look at a dear friend, he placed it on Roland’s grave like an offering.
Cain: I’m hungry already. Nero said he’d treat me, so shall we fly straight back to the Magic Manor on my broom?
Akira: Ahaha that’s right. We should return before the bacon gets cold.
The wind blew softly in reply to Cain’s vivacious laughter. The huge leaf that he had placed on Roland’s grave rustled gently as if to wave us goodbye.