December 31st

After two weeks of non-stop work, Cirrus finally finished his work.

"Hmm…" Cirrus was reading through and translating the remaining books Ai brought from her adventure (Ai’s side story).

‘Being spirited away... hmm, even Artemis and Ouranos don’t know the full mechanics of such a phenomenon... How does one even come about it if it is not a deity's doing? Fate? Luck? What—‘

"—Oof!"

Calli jumps onto his lap.

"Dad, come play with us!" she said, looking up from his lap.

‘She isn’t related by blood, but she sure got Ai’s habit.’

"Alright, alright." He puts down the book, grabs Calli by the side, and lifts her. "How about this?" He then holds her hands while lifting her with his feet.

"Hahahaha!" she began laughing.

"No horseplay in the house!" shouted Ai from the kitchen.

"Dad, can we play outside?" said Haku.

"Sure, Malion, are you fine?"

"I am fine," she said while in the kotatsu eating some tangerines. "Go out and have some fun."

"Kids, make sure you bundle up!" shouted Artemis, also from the kitchen.

"Okay!" they shouted.

Cirrus puts Callisto down; she and her brother ran off to get their coats.

 

While playing outside and making snowmen, Haku wanted to know something.

"Hey, Dad, remember when we played that game with Retsu?"

Retsu was staying with them, but he was in his room, settling in.

"What about it? You want another go?"

"No, um… Well, can you show me how good you are with the spear? Mom said that was your weapon of choice, and we had never seen your weapon."

"Yeah, what is it, Dad?" asked Calli. "Is it back at home? The sailors of the Poseidon Familia mentioned you using a spear to fight this giant sea beast!"

"Ah that, the Iku-Turso… Ah, yeah, it’s still up there."

"Up where?" Callisto asked.

"Nothing, so do you really wanna see it?"

"Hm! Hm!" they nod their heads.

"Alright, stand back a bit."

They stepped back, and he held his hand out.

"(Vesta)." His magic circle appeared on the ground and a brilliant flame emerged from it.

Cirrus thrust his hand and grabbed the flame. He spun it, revealing its black excellence. He didn’t need to make it so dramatic, but he wanted to show off to his kids a bit.

"Whoa…cool!" they said at the same time.

‘That’s the weapon that was in that locked room!’ Callisto thought. ‘So it does belong to Dad!’

"This is the weapon that I made, White Night. It actually has someone very special."

"It has someone special?" They said, confused.

Bwoosh!

A wisp of fire left the red gem and formed.

"My name is Vesta, God Aspect of Fire, and guardian of the Divine Weapon. I judge those who are worthy to wield this blade." She looks at Calli and winks at her.

"!" Calli notices and understands.

"That’s so cool!! You can summon it whenever you wish!" Haku said, very impressed by the sight.

"More or less, but because she’s so strong, I only use her when the opponent is worthy."

"Which isn’t many." She said, sitting on his shoulder.

"Am I worthy?" asked Haku.

"Hmm…" she gets up and floats up to him. "You are his son, but not yet. Maybe when you're older, you could wield me."

"Can you show us a trick, Dad?" said Calli.

"Sure, sure." He spins White Night, and the handle grows into a long shaft.

He spun it with such speed he was cutting the air; he spun faster and faster until he stopped with two hands on the shaft and a ting rang through the air. A slight blast of wind filled the backyard.

Whoosh~

An awe-filled Haku and Calli’s eyes, seeing their father with something so refined.

"Dad, can you teach me how to use the spear!" Calli said with stars in her eyes.

"Of course, what about you, Haku?" Cirrus said as he bends down and looks at his son.

"It was cool, but I think swords are cooler!"

"Hey!" shouted Malion. "The dinner is ready! And everyone has just got here!"

"Yay!!!" the kids shouted, running back in.

"So of the two who do you think is worthy to wield you besides me?" Cirrus puts White Night into his shadow.

"That would be the Demigod. She holds vast potential that dwarfs your son, who has the talent to surpass his mother."

"And me?"

"In a fair fight, highly likely, but not if you include your bag of tricks. After all White Night’s ability to extend and shrink its handle is proof of how devious you are in combat."

"And that is why I’m number one." He says with a smile as he walks back inside.

The dinner was filled with close family members and friends. They ate, laughed, and had a fun way into the night.

 

Late at night.

"Mom?" Haku said, waking his mom.

"Hm?"

Ai groggily opened her eyes.

"W-what’s the matter, sweetie?" Ai said drowsily.

"Um, can we talk somewhere else?"

"Hmm…yeah." she gets up from bed and Haku grabs her hand and leads to downstairs.

She sits down on a couch.

"Okay w-what is it?" she is still drowsy from a few drinks.

"Um…I know we are leaving in a week but um…do you think I can stay in Yamato and attend the school with Retsu and Musashi?"

Ai’s eyes widen, her stance changed and the energy in the room changed.

"…Oh?"

"U-um I really want to stay here, Mom, and learn my way of swordsmanship."

"I know your father and I wish to give you the freedom to grow how you wish, but…"

He could see his mother struggling with what to do.

"Please, Mom! I wanna stay here!"

"…I will discuss it with your father in the morning. For now, go to bed."

Haku complies and heads back up. He looked to see his mother still in the same spot, thinking.

‘That boy has his father’s independence. But… He has made some friends who could grow to stand and even match him.’

 

The next day.

"Haku, go to your father’s office." Said Ai.

He felt a bit scared as he stands up.

"Oooo!! You're in trouble!!" said Calli.

"Shut up! No, I’m not!"

"Did you try to attack him in his sleep?" Retsu said.

"Why would I do that?"

Retsu shrugs.

"Don’t know, but I feel like you would do that."

"Yeah, you would do that to get a win-off, Dad," Callisto said.

"That win would have no value! I’m leaving!"

Haku quickly walks away.

He walks upstairs and heads into his father’s office.

He enters the room to find him looking out the window from his desk.

The room itself was littered with books upon books. Several were in foreign languages, along with various blueprints and notes on projects he was working on.

"D-dad?"

"…Your mom told me you want to stay here in Yamato." He says, swiveling his chair to face his son.

"Y-yeah! I want to stay here and go to the school here."

"Fine."

"Dad, I—what did you say?"

"I said fine. Your mother was very conflicted about it, but we came down to an agreement. Until school starts, your mom will stay here."

"R-really!! then I can stay!" he said excitedly.

"Yeah, personally, I rather see you grow before my eyes, but I can’t say I wasn’t like you when I was your age. I will come back during the new year or at least try to. You know how things are."

"Thank you, Dad!!" Haku quickly runs up to him and hugs him tightly.

Cirrus does the same, holding him firmly and patting his back.

"I also expect you to behave reasonably."

"Of course!"

"Good, also no abuse of power. I will bring you back to Orario in an instant, understand?"

"Got it! I’ll be a normal person!"

"That’s my boy."

Haku loosened his arms, as did Cirrus, and he quickly leaves.

"Haa…" Cirrus spins around on his chair, leaning back. "I’m gonna miss you two."

 

Time went on and Cirrus, Artemis, Malion, and Calli return to Orario, and like what his father said, Ai remained until school started.

When spring came around, Haku was off to attend school for the first time.

"Okay, I’m off, Mom!" Haku said with a backpack.

"Alright take care!" Ai waved at him as he leaves.

Clack!

Haku closed the door and left with Retsu to Aki Middle School.

"…Alright time to get ready!" Ai smiles as she grabs her lunch and leaves through the back.

Aki Middle School was located in the middle of the farmlands of Fuyukusa, and the number of students it can host was surprisingly high, given that there are classes built underground. It has as many floors as you could see on the surface.

"Alright everyone!" shouted the principal.

All the students had gotten into the assembly, and they all lined up from their grades.

"There are so many people here." Said Retsu.

"Reminds me of the orphanage," said Musashi.

"So many kids…" Haku said, looking around.

"Today is the start of a new school year! We have some new blood in these halls, and we even got a new sword instructor!"

There were many murmurs among the students.

The school also taught several forms of martial arts as an extracurricular activity. They also have various sports and classes for specific professions the child would want.

"Hey Haku, you don’t think…" said Retsu.

"What is it?" said Musashi.

"It couldn’t be. She is very busy with work," Haku said as sweat began to drip down his head.

"Today I like to introduce to you all Yamato’s finest swordsmen!"

"Oh no," Haku said.

"Please welcome the Red Crown! Kyūjouno Ai!!"

From the sky, Ai jumps down and lands before them dramatically.

"Oooh!" Everyone looked on, impressed.

Ai walks up beside the principal and shows off her bright smile.

"Hello, all you young warriors and scholars!! I’ll—" she catches Haku’s eyes and smiles. "—be sure to make you all shine brightly!"