All-around teacher at the magic academy

"Hansen, Hansen, wake up."

Hansen's consciousness gradually struggled out of the abyss of slumber; his eyelids felt as heavy as lead, but he eventually opened them slowly.

Before my eyes, Eric's figure appeared somewhat blurry in the dim light, but his worried eyes were clearly visible.

A strange emotion welled up in Hansen's heart. He sat up straight and looked around. This was his bedroom, but he couldn't remember how he got back here.

Eric's worry intensified as he looked at Hansen's confused expression. He gently reached out and placed his hand on Hansen's forehead, feeling his warmth, and asked with concern, "What's wrong, Hansen? Are you feeling unwell?"

Hansen shook his head, his eyes still vacant, as if searching for lost fragments of memory. "Why am I here?" he murmured to himself, his brow furrowed, seemingly trying to recall something.

Eric sighed, his eyes filled with self-reproach. "You said you wanted to have a magic contest with me, have you forgotten? It's all my fault, I hurt you by accident." Eric's tone was full of guilt.

Hansen's expression grew even more confused. He frowned, trying to piece together the scene from his memory. "The two of us fighting?" he asked doubtfully, seemingly finding the idea hard to believe.

Eric nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Yeah, you insisted on having a competition. I didn't think much of it at the time and just agreed. Who knew..." Eric didn't finish his sentence, his eyes filled with lingering fear and self-reproach.

Hansen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to search his memory for fragments. Gradually, some images began to emerge; he had indeed just mastered a new spell, a powerful incantation he had stumbled upon in a book.

He longed to demonstrate his progress to his father and gain his approval and praise. So, he challenged Eric, wanting to test his strength in real combat. However, reality is often cruel; he hadn't expected to be so easily defeated by Eric.

Hansen opened his eyes, gave Eric a helpless smile, and said self-deprecatingly, "I'm always like this, always overestimating myself and unable to see reality."

He looked directly at Eric and said earnestly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Upon hearing Hansen's words, Eric's tense mood finally relaxed, and he revealed a relieved smile, as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.

"Then get up quickly, it's your birthday today, your father is already waiting at the table." Eric said as he reached out and pulled Hansen up.

"Birthday?" Hansen repeated, confirming in his mind once again that yes, today was his 16th birthday. He had originally planned to use his magical talents to attract his father's attention and win his praise on this special day.

Hansen followed Eric into the living room, his steps hesitant, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness in his heart.

When he saw that familiar figure sitting at the head of the table, reading a newspaper without looking up, Hansen felt a complex mix of emotions.

That was his father, a serious and dignified man. Hansen always longed for his approval, but always felt that he was not good enough.

“Father.” Hansen’s voice was soft and cautious. He stood at the dining table with Eric by his side, feeling both nervous and expectant.

Upon hearing Hansen's voice, Duke Adams slowly put down the newspaper in his hand, his sharp eyes looking gently at the two brothers.

A kind smile appeared on his lips as he said, "Oh, it's Hansen and Eric. Come and sit down." His voice carried a subtle warmth, which was a great comfort to Hansen.

Eric took Hansen's hand and guided him to sit down in a chair at the dining table. Hansen's eyes were still somewhat unfocused, as if he was still confused about what had happened earlier.

"Are you alright, Hansen?" Duke Adams asked with concern, his brow furrowed, clearly having heard about the magical contest between Hansen and Eric.

"You insisted on comparing magic with Eric, who is so much older than you, and besides, today is your birthday. Also, Eric, can't you be a little more considerate of your brother? What if you hurt him?" The Duke's words carried a hint of reproach, but more so, concern for Hansen.

Eric lowered his head, a look of self-reproach on his face, and replied softly, "It's my fault, Father. I should have been more careful."

"Alright, alright, it's good that everything's alright. Let's eat now." Duke Adams waved his hand, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. He pointed to the chocolate cake on the table and continued, "Hansen, this is your favorite chocolate cake. Eric bought it especially for you."

Hansen's gaze fell on the exquisite cake, a look of surprise crossing his face, followed by a hint of confusion. He looked up at his father, opened his mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out.

Duke Adams noticed Hansen's unusual behavior and asked in confusion, "Hansen? What's wrong?" His brows furrowed slightly, his concern evident.

Eric also noticed that something was wrong with Hansen. He turned to look at his younger brother, his eyes filled with worry.

Hansen quickly wiped the tears from his cheeks with his fingers, his smile tinged with shyness and deep emotion.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” he quickly said, trying to hide his emotions. “I’m just so happy. I didn’t expect Father to remember my birthday. And, brother, thank you for the cake.” His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes glistened with tears, but his smile was genuine and radiant.

Although the Duke of Adams maintained a stern expression, a hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes. He replied, feigning seriousness, "What are you talking about? How could I possibly forget my own son's birthday?"

Although his tone remained firm, everyone could tell that the Duke was actually expressing his love for Hansen in his own way.

Eric completely relaxed, looking at Hansen with a happy expression, and said, "As long as Hansen is happy." His eyes were full of doting, as if he was satisfied as long as Hansen was happy.

Hansen looked around at his family at the dinner table, feeling the long-lost warmth and happiness. He didn't know how long it had been since he had felt so relaxed and happy. This feeling warmed his heart, as if all his worries and unhappiness had vanished in this moment.

His gaze fell on his father again, whose usually stern face now appeared much gentler.

Hansen discovered that his father had this side to him; he wasn't just the dignified duke, but also a loving father. This discovery filled Hansen with immense warmth and comfort, and he felt like the happiest person in the world.

"By the way, Hansen, you're graduating soon, right? You'll be going to St. Peter's College next year," Eric said casually as he cut the cake.

"St. Peter's Academy?" Hansen frowned slightly. The name swirled in his memory, feeling very familiar, but he couldn't immediately connect it to any specific memory.

“Yes, he’ll be starting his first year next year, so he’d better study hard at the academy.” Duke Adams joined in, his voice filled with anticipation, seemingly placing high hopes on Hansen’s performance at St. Peter’s Academy.

Upon hearing his father's words, Hansen's knife and fork suddenly stopped in mid-air. His eyes became dazed, as if he were overwhelmed by the sudden surge of memories.

"What's wrong, Hansen?" Duke Adams noticed Hansen's unusual behavior, and his tone was full of concern.

Hansen didn't reply immediately; tears streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks. Yes, St. Peter's College.

He struggled to lift his head, his gaze piercing through his blurred vision to look at his father, wanting to etch this moment of his father's concern for him deep into his heart. If all of this were true, how wonderful that would be.

Memories flooded back like a tide. On his 16th birthday, he had indeed gone to challenge Eric to a magic duel, but his father, busy with work, couldn't celebrate with him. That day, though he pretended to be indifferent on the surface, he was filled with disappointment inside.

Hansen took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions. He wiped away his tears and forced a smile as he said to Duke Adams and Eric, "If I win the game, Father and Brother, can we sit down together and celebrate? Just the three of us, like today, having a good time."