Gifts by the Hearth

With the Emberflame family gathered around the fireplace, the warmth of the crackling flames contrasted with the gentle coolness of the room. Thorneval, Luxon, and Lavinia were seated on the plush leather cabriole sofa, their faces illuminated by the soft glow. Saad and Arabella nestled on the plush rug near their grandfather, anticipation in the air like a tangible thing. Thorneval had a large leather box open before him, and Saad was hoping for something good.

The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy, a stark contrast to the bustling world of adventure and quests Saad had become accustomed to. Here, in this moment, he was surrounded by the love and warmth many yearned for even in real life. But for Saad, that was hardly important. He wanted to just skip to the part where he would get his gifts, but unfortunately, that was not a feature of this game.

Thorneval's eyes twinkled as he lifted a luxurious woolen shawl from the box and presented it to Lavinia. Her face lit up with gratitude as she accepted the gift gracefully, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns woven into the fabric. "Oh, father, it's absolutely beautiful. Thank you," she exclaimed, draping the shawl over her shoulders.

The old man's smile deepened, "I couldn't come without bringing anything for my daughter-in-law."

"Oh, father. You really didn't have to." She smiled shyly and with gratitude, and Saad had no issues with the heartwarming exchange of pleasantries, but where was his gift?

The old man's gaze then shifted to Saad who looked eager like a little kid, and Thorneval laughed, "Be patient. I haven't forgotten you." With a gentle motion, he reached into the box again and pulled out a small, red box. He extended it toward Saad, who took it with a mixture of emotions swirling within him. The weight of the box in his hands held promises of something significant, something that could potentially alter his path in this virtual world.

As he opened the box, a soft gasp escaped Saad's lips. Nestled within was a rare grade herb, its delicate leaves shimmering with an ethereal quality. It looked almost transparent if not for the iridescent golden glow. Saad gulped as he quickly read the description.

[The full description is locked due to low herbal mastery.]

[Golden Ginkgo Biloba]

Grade: Rare

Description: The Golden Ginkgo is grown only when the light elementals gather in a place for a decade.

Vitality: +2

Additional information: Locked

His heart raced as he read about its properties. It claimed to be able to permanently increase one's vitality by 2 points. Unfortunately, his mastery was low, and he couldn't read the full description, but it was a wonderful gift, just- It was useless at the moment.

He would have danced happily if not for his locked-up vitality stat. Yet, his excitement was tempered by the realization that his vitality was still locked, and he couldn't use the herb just yet.

Arabella watched her brother's expression shift from surprise to contemplation, sensing the internal struggle that raged within him. With a teasing grin, she nudged him gently. "What's the matter, big brother? Are you going to eat it and become super strong?" Her playful demeanor seemed to return with her character's personality, boosted by the presence of their father and grandfather.

As Saad hesitated, the others joined in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. "You didn't like your gift?" Thorneval's question hung in the air, and Saad felt compelled to respond.

"It's not that. I really like it. It's just... I can't use it for now," Saad admitted, his words a careful dance between appreciation and restraint.

"What are you saying, Kael? Your father went to great lengths to find it. Besides, you might not understand its significance yet, but it's a potent remedy. As Bella said, it has the potential to make you stronger." Luxon's voice carried a blend of fatherly concern and the desire to see his son succeed.

Saad sensed the weight of their expectations and concern, their intentions driven by affection. However, he was aware of the intricacies of his situation, and he needed to navigate this conversation carefully. The mood had turned unexpectedly heavy, and he didn't want to jeopardize the relationships he had developed with these important NPCs.

The suggestion system offered him three possible courses of action, each holding the potential to shape this moment:

[Suggestions]

1. Politely decline while expressing gratitude for the thoughtful gift.

2. Explain his locked status and promise to use the herb when he can.

3. Lighten the mood with a playful response, assuring them he's eager to become stronger but needs the right moment to use the gift.

"Brother, does it taste bitter? Is that why you don't want to eat it?" Arabella looked at him innocently.

Saad's mind raced, evaluating his options. He chose the obvious third choice, deciding to use humor to defuse the situation. "Well, Bella, I'd love to eat it and become super strong, but you see, even the mightiest heroes need to pick the right moment for their power-ups. Just like in the stories," he said, adding a playful wink at the end. He was thankful for the suggestion system, guiding him through these complex interactions.

His words seemed to have the desired effect as chuckles and smiles spread among the family members. Even Thorneval's lips curled upwards, the old man's eyes crinkling with amusement. "Ah, the wisdom of patience in the quest for strength. Well said, Kael," he remarked, a twinkle in his eye.

Lavinia's laughter tinkled like a melody, and she patted Saad's hand affectionately. "You always find a way to put a unique spin on things, don't you?" Her tone was gentle, her smile genuine.

Luxon's expression softened, a mixture of understanding and pride gracing his features. "He's right, Bella. Your brother has a point. Timing is crucial, just like in trading." His gaze lingered on Saad, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

Arabella, still grinning, gave her brother a playful tug on the arm. "Fine, fine. I guess you can't just eat it whenever you want. But promise me you won't forget about it!"

Saad raised his hand in a mock salute, his face breaking into a wider grin. "I promise, Bella. When the time is right, this herb will unleash its legendary powers, and you'll see me become the strongest hero Seraphia has ever seen!"

The tension that had gripped the room earlier seemed to dissipate entirely, replaced by a lighthearted camaraderie that only family could create. But Saad's mind was elsewhere. He wondered if the Ashen Witch could help him with this herb.

Thorneval's gift-giving continued as he turned his attention to Arabella. From within the box, he produced an exquisite enchanted doll. As Thorneval presented it to Arabella, the doll came to life, its joints moving with an otherworldly grace as it performed a delicate dance. Arabella's eyes widened in wonder as she held the doll in her hands, a mixture of joy and fascination lighting up her face. She thanked her grandfather, her excitement clear in her voice. The doll's enchantment seemed to fit perfectly with Arabella's lively spirit.

[Dancing Doll of Beaumont]

Description: The dancing doll has been crafted by a master artesian.

Durability: 50/50

Rank: Uncommon

Familiarity increase: +60

Saad checked the description and realized for the first time that the game had a gift system as well to increase the familiarity. 'As expected of a hyper realistic game', Saad thought to himself.

Luxon's turn came next, and his gaze locked onto Lavinia. With a tender smile, he revealed a pair of ruby-encrusted earrings. He placed them gently in Lavinia's hands, his eyes filled with affection. As Lavinia put on the earrings, a soft glow emanated from them, casting a warm light on her features. Luxon's gift carried an enchantment that increased Lavinia's charm by a staggering 60 points. The radiance of the earrings seemed to complement her elegance, enhancing her beauty even further.

[The Lover's pact]

Description: A carefully crafted pair of earrings to give to your beloved.

Durability: 100/100

Rank: Rare

-Effect-

Charm: +50

As Saad watched the exchange, a pang of jealousy twisted within him. He desired those enchanted earrings for himself, their magical properties calling out to him. A thought flitted across his mind – could he steal them? But then, a rational voice reminded him that such an act might damage the familiarity he had with his virtual family. The dilemma left him feeling antsy, his excitement for his own gift building.

And then, it was finally his turn. Saad's father stepped forward, a warm smile on his face as he handed Saad and Arabella each a small box. As Saad opened his box, his heart raced with anticipation. Inside lay a pair of moonstone earrings, their ethereal glow captivating him instantly. These were no ordinary earrings; they were rare-ranked equipment.

[The Moon Stone Earrings]

Description: The earrings are made up of moon stone, a rare stone found in the deep waters of Moon Lake in Beaumont. They have been enchanted by hundred Moonlights.

Durability: 100/100

Rank: Rare

-Effect-

Barrier: Activates a protective barrier when spoken the special words. The barrier can absorb damage from up to 10 level difference by 400%

Special Words: Moonlit Barrier

Cool down: 48 hours