A young Algeni walked hand in hand with his parents through a massive shopping mall. The place was filled with bright lights, colorful storefronts, and families wandering through the wide hallways amid cheerful laughter and lively conversations. His parents had decided to celebrate his birthday there because they wanted that day to become an unforgettable memory.
For Algeni, it was the very first time he had ever visited such a huge place.
His eyes wandered across every corner with excitement and endless curiosity, taking in every sight with childlike wonder. Every shop seemed magical, every decoration looked extraordinary, and every passing moment filled him with joy. When he looked up at his parents, they smiled warmly at him, their eyes full of love.
It had been one of the happiest days of his childhood.
One memory after another began to drift through his mind.
He remembered eating ice cream together and laughing because his cone had melted before he could finish it. He also remembered spending hours inside an arcade, trying his hardest to win every prize he could, even though he had only managed to earn one tiny stuffed toy.
But the memory he treasured most was dinner.
The restaurant had been beautifully decorated. Warm golden lights illuminated the dining room, while the soft murmur of conversations and the gentle clinking of silverware created a peaceful atmosphere. When the waiter arrived carrying a birthday cake decorated with several glowing candles, little Algeni’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
He was just about to blow them out when his father raised a hand with a smile.
“Wait, son. Mom has a surprise for you.”
Algeni’s eyes widened even more, unable to contain his excitement.
“Really? What is it?”
His mother let out a gentle laugh.
“Close your eyes.”
Without hesitation, Algeni obeyed.
While he waited impatiently, his mother carefully took out a small wrapped box and held it delicately in both hands.
“You can open them now,” she said with a loving smile.
Algeni slowly opened his eyes.
The small box rested right in front of him.
He carefully picked it up, lifted the lid, and discovered a delicate necklace with a star-shaped pendant inside.
“This is amazing!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up with the biggest smile imaginable.
His parents exchanged a joyful glance as they watched his reaction.
His mother gently lifted the necklace and carefully placed it around his neck.
“It looks great on you, son,” his father said proudly.
His mother softly stroked his hair before adding in a tender voice,
“This necklace may look simple, but it will protect you from any danger.”
Algeni held the little star pendant in his tiny hands and smiled with the pure innocence only a child could have.
“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received!”
His father chuckled warmly.
“Now then… how about blowing out the candles?”
Both of his parents began singing “Happy Birthday” as Algeni, wearing a smile that seemed impossible to erase, closed his eyes to make a wish before gently blowing out the candles.
The memory slowly began to fade away.
The laughter, the lights, and the voices gradually grew quieter until they disappeared completely.
A faint smile still rested on his face, although his eyes had become slightly watery.
He took a deep breath.
Then he climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
Standing before the mirror, he wiped away the tears with the back of his hand and quietly murmured,
“I couldn’t help remembering that…”
He stared at his own reflection for several silent seconds before deciding to take a bath.
Warm water flowed over his body, washing away part of the exhaustion that had built up over the past few days. The comforting heat relaxed his muscles, allowing him to forget his worries, if only for a little while.
After some time, he stepped out wrapped in a towel and let out a relieved sigh.
“Well… I’d better get dressed and head to the guild.”
He put on his clothes, adjusted his hood, and was just about to leave the room when his eyes landed on the necklace resting on top of the bed.
He slowly walked over to it.
Carefully, he picked it up and held it in both hands.
For several quiet moments, he simply stood there, silently admiring it.
Finally, he placed it around his neck once more and tucked it safely beneath his clothes.
“That should do it,” he thought.
He opened the bedroom door and walked downstairs into the inn.
Amanda was already behind the counter, calmly organizing a few things. When she noticed him coming downstairs, she looked up and greeted him with a friendly smile.
“Leaving early again?”
Algeni nodded.
“I shouldn’t stay in one place when I still have plenty of energy.”
Amanda rested an elbow on the counter.
“But it’s still early. Don’t you want me to make you some breakfast?”
Algeni immediately remembered how expensive yesterday’s meal had been and smiled awkwardly.
“I’m fine. I’m not that hungry.”
Amanda let out an amused laugh.
“Wow… you’re a cautious one.”
Algeni smiled helplessly.
“You could say that.”
He gave her a small wave before walking out of the inn.
The cool morning breeze swept through the village streets as merchants began opening their shops and several adventurers prepared to head out on new quests. The village was slowly waking up, bathed in the gentle golden light of the rising sun.
As he calmly walked toward the Adventurers’ Guild, he spoke quietly.
“Assistant, are you there?”
The small blue sphere appeared floating beside him almost instantly.
“I’m here. Do you need something?”
“Not really. I just don’t want to end up talking to myself.”
The assistant nodded.
“I understand your reasoning.”
Algeni let out a long sigh.
“I thought we already talked about this… You need to sound less robotic and more casual. You talk to me like I’m your boss.”
The assistant lowered his gaze slightly.
“I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to follow your request.”
Algeni gently shook his head.
“There’s nothing you can do overnight, but you need to learn how to talk better. I’m sure you’re not just a ball of energy without emotions. You just have to try.”
His words seemed to encourage the assistant.
Speaking with a voice that sounded a little more lively than before, he replied,
“I’ll try… for the user.”
Algeni smiled broadly.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about, partner!”
The assistant remained silent for a few seconds, as though carefully analyzing that unfamiliar word.
“…Partner?”
Algeni let out a small laugh.
“Yeah. I think it sounds a lot better than ‘user.'”
The assistant quietly repeated the word to himself, almost as if he were testing how it felt.
“…Partner…”
A faint smile slowly formed on his face.
“…I think… I like that.”
Algeni couldn’t help but smile.
“See? You’re already getting better.”
The assistant looked noticeably happier than before.
“I’ll keep trying.”
As the two continued chatting, time passed without Algeni even noticing.
The village streets gradually disappeared behind them until the massive Adventurers’ Guild came into view once again.
The assistant looked toward the entrance and commented in a tone that sounded slightly more natural than before,
“It looks like we’ve reached our destination.”
Algeni raised his eyes toward the towering building and smiled confidently.
“Good… let’s go in.”
With those simple words, he pushed open the guild’s massive wooden doors, ready to discover what new adventures awaited him that day.