Clavor, seated at the table, did not stand up. But he smiled with pride, that rare smile that made the scar on his cheek stretch unevenly, and nodded.

"Happy birthday, son." His voice was deep and warm.

"May this year bring you even more strength and wisdom."

Judite was next.

She jumped off her chair, the wood creaking beneath the sudden movement, and hugged Lukas so tightly that he felt his bones creak slightly. The sword and mana training were clearly paying off. Judite was much stronger than Aurora now.

"Happy birthday, brother!" She stepped back and slipped a hand into the pocket of her dress.

"I made a drawing for you! Look!"

She held up a crumpled sheet of parchment, its edges torn, with a smear of jam staining one corner, covered in colorful scribbles.

Lukas examined it carefully.

A small figure with white hair, him. Another with brown hair, her. And two strange shapes: one rectangular, black, with legs, Tilbo. The other rounded, with eight lines extending from its body, Prata.

"Thank you, Judite," he said sincerely.

"It’s beautiful."

Judite grinned from ear to ear.

They sat down at the table.

Lukas ate several slices of bread with smoked ham, the meat tender and salty, carrying a smoky flavor that reminded him of bacon, along with soft cheese, a white variety that was creamy and slightly tangy.

He drank two glasses of fresh strawberry juice, sweet with a slight tartness, small pieces of fruit floating on the surface.

He chatted animatedly with his family.

"Today we’re going to Great Rock City," Aurora announced with a smile.

"To celebrate your birthday properly." She looked at Lukas with affection.

"You’re bored staying home all the time, and you’ve already visited all the villages. It’s time to see something bigger again."

Lukas became excited.

"I want to buy new clothes." He tugged at the hem of his tunic, which barely covered his waist.

"Mine are getting too short." He paused, remembering something important.

"And books. Lots of books."

"Books?" Clavor raised an eyebrow.

"About beasts. About magic. About the world. I want to learn."

Clavor nodded proudly.

Lukas paused again, recalling something important.

"Oh, and I’ve saved up a good amount of silver threads that Prata produced. I want to take them to the city and sell them."

Aurora and Clavor exchanged surprised glances.

"Prata is producing that much?" Aurora asked.

"Yes. She’s grown a lot." Lukas pointed toward the ceiling, in the direction of his room.

"The threads are strong. I think we can sell them for a good price."

Clavor nodded proudly.

"All right. We’ll sell them together. It’s good for you to learn about commerce."

Lukas smiled, satisfied.

He quickly ran upstairs to his room, opened the wardrobe, and retrieved the small woven wooden chest where he stored the silver threads.

The threads were long and thin, shining with a soft glow even in the dim light. Some had been wound into spools like sewing thread, though much sturdier. Others had been organized into straight bundles, tied with twine.

"Prata’s production."

He carried the chest downstairs, holding it firmly in his hands.

Everyone prepared to leave.

Outside, the coachman was already waiting beside the clean, well-organized carriage. The horses, two powerful animals with dark brown coats, pawed impatiently at the dirt with their hooves. The morning sun had already begun warming the stones of the courtyard.

Clavor mounted Thunder, his black horse with its long mane, and positioned himself in front of the carriage as always.

Aurora, Judite, and Lukas climbed into the vehicle.

Lukas sat beside the window with the chest of silver threads resting on his lap. Aurora sat beside him, while Judite sat next to her, her head already bobbing with sleepiness after waking up so early.

The coachman snapped the reins. The horses moved forward.

As the vehicle began rolling, Lukas looked out the window.

The Dmond Mansion gradually faded into the distance, its gray stone walls, square towers, and sunlit windows shrinking behind them. The golden wheat fields swayed in the wind. Birds sang overhead.

The carriage followed the dirt road beneath the bright morning sky.

...

The carriage departed from the Dmond Mansion early on the morning of Lukas’s birthday.

The sun still hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and gold. The cool morning air carried the scent of wet grass, damp soil, and flowers whose petals shimmered with droplets of dew.

The horses struck their hooves against the packed earth, eager to begin the journey. Their manes swayed in the gentle breeze, and their tails flicked from side to side to drive away the morning insects.

Clavor, mounted upon Thunder, rode ahead of the carriage as always. His sword hung at his waist, and his vigilant gaze constantly swept over the road ahead, the trees lining its sides, and the sky above. Even during a celebratory trip, he never let his guard down.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was light and festive.

Aurora sat beside Lukas, adjusting a light blanket over his legs. Even though the day promised warmth, she liked seeing him comfortable.

Judite, still drowsy, rested her head against her mother’s shoulder, her brown hair spread across the blue fabric of Aurora’s dress. Her eyes remained half-closed, but a faint smile played upon her lips.

"Two years..." Aurora murmured, gently stroking Lukas’s white hair.

"My little one is already two years old. Time passes so quickly."

Lukas smiled, resting his head against her arm.

"I’m happy we’re going back to the city. I want to see everything. The markets, the bookstores, the people..."

Judite suddenly lifted her head, fully awake.

"I want a new sword!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"A big one, with a blue hilt! And sweets! Lots of sweets!"

Aurora laughed, ruffling her daughter’s hair.

"We’ll see what we can find. Today is Lukas’s day, but we can buy something for you too."

"And for Father?" Judite asked.

"And for Mother?"

"For me, I don’t need anything," Aurora replied with a smile.

"Having my family close to me is already the best gift."

Judite pouted but didn’t insist.

The carriage continued down the dirt road, rocking gently from side to side.

Lukas gazed through the window, watching the familiar scenery drift past. The golden wheat fields rippled in the wind, heavy stalks bending like waves of gold. Green hills dotted with gray-fleeced sheep stretched into the distance, the animals grazing peacefully beneath the rising sun.

The small woodland he had come to know so well appeared on the horizon, tall trees casting cool shadows over moss-covered ground, with the crystal-clear stream murmuring as it flowed between the rocks. He had spent countless hours there, testing his webs, climbing branches, and observing animals.

The sun climbed steadily higher, warming the interior of the carriage.

The journey was peaceful.

No beasts appeared to disrupt their travel. No distant roars echoed among the trees. Only the rhythmic sound of wheels rolling across the earth, the occasional song of birds, and the family’s lighthearted conversations.

Lukas spoke about Prata’s latest web experiments in the forest, naturally omitting the fact that the threads had actually come from him.