Rebirth-Transcending All Beings

Not long after Vergil slipped onto his bed with his face buried in the soft pillow, a sudden sound broke the calm silence of the room.

Knock. Knock!

The three boys glanced at each other.

"So uh," Vergil’s muffled voice came from the pillow, "who’s getting the door?"

A heavy silence pressed down on the room, settling like a fog.

Kael didn’t move. His legs were crossed, immersed in his book. Vergil didn’t lift his head. Only Ray moved, letting out an exaggerated sigh as he stood up from his bed.

"Ugh, fine. I guess the duty falls to the noble knight." He stretched his arms, yawning. "Better not be one of those applicants selling stuff again. I don’t need any more pyramid scams in my life."

"You would fall for a pyramid scam," Vergil chuckled. "Tell us what they sell though."

"Yeah, yeah." Ray ambled over to the door, gripping the handle, opening it casually.

Then he froze.

Standing outside were two girls.

One had long, gently curled brown hair that fell down to her shoulders. Her bangs parted slightly to reveal soft brown eyes. She was a little shorter than him, carrying herself with reserved poise.

The other girl was slightly shorter with auburn hair and bright amber eyes, carrying a confidence that contrasted her companion. Both wore the academy leisurewear, a fitted green top with a simple white trim.

Ray’s breath caught for what felt like an eternity. Even though only a second had passed. The usual sarcasm and wit left his body, his eyes locked onto her — the auburn-haired one.

He wanted to speak, but no words came out. He was astounded.

"Hello," Elena said again, tilting her head slightly. "Is Vergil here?"

Ray blinked. Lips moved. No sound followed. Her presence had hit him like a punch. The way her eyes looked at him made everything around him fade away.

"Hello?" She asked again, clearly amused by the delay.

Ray snapped back to reality after hearing her the second time. ’Y-yes. He’s here," he stuttered with an uncomfortable smile, quietly stepping aside. "Come in."

The two girls stepped inside, the scent of something floral followed Elena in, perhaps it was her hair or her perfume. But Ray was out of it.

Vergil sat up, blinking at them. "How did you even find me... Elena?" He asked with a smirk, brows eyes flicking between the two.

Elena smiled. "We asked the teachers around campus," she said simply. "Well, Elle did."

Elle politely nodded. "They weren’t too strict about it, after all, the academy has no control over us after hours."

"Never thought they would be so cooperative," Vergil raised a brow. "Someone might think your going to elope.

Elle and Elena coughed violently.

Is this really Vergil?

Elle shrugged it off. "Maybe we’re just charming."

"I highly doubt that." Vergil said flatly.

Ray stepped to the side, scowling at Vergil’s comments but softened — eyes drifting to the auburn-haired girl named Elena. Every word she spoke, made his heart thump.

"The one staring into space is Ray," Vergil spoke. "And the one glued to his book is Kael. Oh yeah Ray is my self-appointed Knight."

Kael nodded, looking up once to offer a silent ’nice to meet you.’

Ray gave a lopsided smile, trying to play it cool. "Ray, knight by vocation and idiot by profession."

Elena laughed softly. "Nice to meet you both."

"Thank you for letting us in," Elle spoke. "Elina insisted on checking if you were okay. After the exam... well, word spreads around of you."

Vergil shrugged, standing now and stretching. "Meh, nothing I can do about it now."

"Alot has changed," Elena’s eyes narrowed. "What happened."

Ray noticed the way Vergil’s expression shifted ever so slightly.

Is he uncomfortable talking about it?

Vergil sighed. "Its a long story. Maybe some other time."

"Well I think this change suits you," Elina said. "And your not going anywhere. Your-stuck-with-us." She emphasised each word.

Vergil chuckled, something softer than usual. "Never planned to anyway."

They sat around the room, chatting about the various activities and classes the academy offered to students. The practical exam that takes place in Tears. The large range of clubs that they could join. Ray contributed with his usual humor, joking how he flunked the theory test.

Vergil also admitted he flunked the test.

Yet Ray’s eyes drifted to her. The way she moved. Listened. The way her fingers twirled in her hair. Her laugh. And those amber eyes.

He didn’t understand what he was feeling. But something changed in him the moment she stepped through that door. Something he couldn’t let go.

And for once, Ray sat quietly as the conversation continued. Processing his thoughts.

Vergil watched him from the corner of his eye.

And smiled.

Because even without his left eye’s abilities, this was clear. Ray was doomed.

Should I help him? Maybe? Maybe not?

I’ll think about it.

---

"I need to step out real quick," Vergil spoke, reaching for the door handle.

"Okay," everyone responded in chorus, though Ray gave a dramatic sigh that sounded like Vergil had abandoned them during a time of war.

"Don’t stay out too long," Kael muttered without looking up from his book.

Vergil stepped out into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind him. His pace quickened as he moved to the stairway, making sure nobody was around.

’System, you know what time it is.’

A beat of silence passed.

[... No I don’t actually.]

’Don’t play dumb. The mission has been completed. Give me that chocolate cake,’ he licked his lips. ’A big one with frosting too.’

[We won’t know the full outcome of the mission until tomorrow morning.]

’And yet... I want the cake. Give-it now!’

[... This guy.]

Within moments, a shimmering ripple of light was emitted from the stairway. And out of it blinked a large perfectly decorated chocolate cake, complete with candles and frosting. It was absurdly extravagant in design, the type you’d found at a royal banquet.

Vergil grinned. ’Perfect.’

He stepped back into the room, carefully balancing the massive confection in his arms.

Ray, Kael, Elle, and Elena all looked up at what he brought. Jaws nearly dropping.

"What the hell—" Ray started, standing up, "Where did you get that?!"

The cake looked something straight of a dream to them. Layered with sixteen glowing candles on top.

Vergil set it down on a table with the utmost care. "I bribed someone," he dusted his hands. "Don’t worry about it."

Kael closed his book slowly. "I bet the person you bribed hates you."

[Yeah I do]

Vergil ignored them. "I haven’t gotten to celebrate my birthday this year. Things have been hectic," his voice dropped to a whisper. "So I figured it would be better to celebrate with friends."

The room silenced for a heartbeat.

Elina’s expression softened. "It’s your birthday?"

"Technically it was a month ago," Vergil scratched the back of his head. "But better late than never, right?"

Ray stared the the cake, then looked at Vergil and then the cake once more. "Dude, you really are the king of Blowfish. You do everything in style?

"should we sing for you too,’ Elle chimed folding her arms.

"I rather you don’t," Vergil said with a chuckle, then picked up a knife from the small kitchen they had in the room. "Now who wants the first slice?"

"You get the first slice, birthday boy," Ray said, dramatically bowing. "But I want the corner piece with the frosting flower."

"But i want the flower," Kael said suddenly, breaking away from his usual silence.

Ray turned to him, mock-betrayed. "Shut up Kael, it’s mine."

Vergil cut the cake with careful precision, handing out slices as both laughter and banter filled the room. Elena sat next to Ray and their shoulders brushed once. He didn’t move away.

She looked at him. "You’re quiet tonight."

Ray glanced sideways, giving a small smile. "Just processing the entire day," he laughed softly. "So many surprises."

this entire day. A lot of surprises."

"Good ones?"

Ray looked at her for a moment longer than he should have. "Yeah, really, really good ones."

Across the table, Vergil watched with a grin on his face.

Elle nudged him.’ You planned this didn’t you?’ She said coldly. "You shouldn’t—"

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," Vergil said innocently, raising his fork like a weapon. "Now lets eat."

And so, under the warm light of the dorm, candles flickered in the soft air and Vergil finally celebrated his first birthday. Not with grandeur, not with a crown.

But friends.

[Mission 002 has been completed]

A/N

If its your birthday today, then happy birthday. Man im so happy for Vergil.

Its been a long time coming. And now we wait for the results of his practical. Don’t you think this Chapter deserves a power stone? I think it does. I’ll be uploading a lot more next week. This week has been exam week. Anyways I hope you enjoy!