Riquet 2022 Birthday SSR "Embracing the Radiance of the Stars"

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Card story: The Ritual of Starlight and Blessings - Blessings for Riquet
 

Chapter 1:

Riquet: Oh no, it is impossible to see the stars again today. It is my birthday soon, but the rain just won't stop. I can’t help but feel anxious about the weather when the day comes.

As Riquet stood by the window and looked up at the pouring rain, his face was as cloudy as the sky.

Akira: I’d like to celebrate your special day under a beautiful sky full of stars too, Riquet.

Akira: (Besides, there’s also the Ritual of Starlight and Blessings)

The Ritual of Starlight and Blessing was a mystical ritual concerning the relationship between the Sage and the Sage’s wizards, according to what Snow and White uncovered from the old records. Apparently when the wizard in question conducted this ritual together with the Sage on the wizard’s birthday or a similar day when it was easy to gather blessings for them, the bond between them would deepen.

Riquet: I feel the same, Master Sage. When I think about me performing a holy ceremony with you under the starry sky, my heart beats faster with happiness and excitement!

Riquet: I wonder if I will be able to perform the ritual correctly though. What if I get too nervous and ruin it? I am really worried about that.

Akira: I believe you’ll be fine, Riquet. Besides that, it’s said that the ritual will improve your magical power, clear your head, and provide many other benefits. Apparently the ritual brings you nothing but good stuffs, so let’s put our worries aside and look forward to the big day!

Riquet: Master Sage… I will!

Riquet: May I have the fortune of performing the ritual flawlessly under the beautiful stars on my birthday.

 

Chapter 2:

We needed many things to conduct the Ritual of Starlight and Blessings. First of all was the special outfit that Snow and White had prepared for us. Next came the blessings from three people with some connections to the wizard in question and the Sage.

Mitile: I asked Brother to join us too, but he had to decline. He really wanted to come but there was an urgent business he had to attend to.

Arthur: To make up for this, he was determined to prepare a present for Riquet to celebrate his birthday properly later. That’s what I happened to witness.

Akira: Riquet will certainly be delighted. In any case, we still need one more person for the blessings. Whom should we ask now?

Mithra: Do you three happen to know where Riquet is?

Akira: Mithra? It’s kinda unexpected to see you looking for Riquet. He’s going shopping with Snow and the others today.

Mithra: Is that so? How troublesome. Just as I’m feeling hungry. I would like to ask him to make me something to eat.

Arthur: Why would you ask Riquet to make food for you?

Mithra: It’s him who fervently wants me to ask him to cook though.

Arthur – Mitile – Akira: Riquet? Fervently wishes for that?

Akira: Oh, can it be that you’re talking about our mission the other day?

[Flashback]

Riquet: Once again, your space-time door has proved its merits, Mithra. However, eating charcoal all the time is bad for your stomach. I will pray to God for you to taste food that is far more delicious than that.

[End flashback]

Mithra: Well, that’s what I think he meant with what he said anyway.

Arthur: Acknowledging people’s hard work is indeed a charm of Riquet’s.

Mitile: That’s unexpected. I didn’t know you and Riquet had a conversation like that, Mister Mithra.

Mithra: It is nothing so unusual though. You simply didn’t know about that.

Mitile: B-but I do know a lot of nice things about Riquet that you don’t!

Arthur: That’s right! Why don’t you join us, Mithra? Together we can find the way to express everything that is nice about Riquet.

Mitile – Akira: Eh?

Arthur: Both Mitile and I take pride in the fact that we know many good points of Riquet. On the other hand, Mithra has spent time with a Riquet that we haven’t seen. With the help of Master Sage, the three of us will be able to find the words of blessings for Riquet that only we can come up with, don’t you think so?

Mitile: Whoa, that’s a splendid idea! Riquet will definitely love that!

Akira: Please give us a hand, Mithra. In return, I’ll make you anything you want for a snack later.

Mithra: Anything?

Akira: I- I think so.

Mithra: Well, fine by me.

Arthur – Mitile: Yay!

Mitile: I have to make this clear though, Mister Mithra. Allow me to say this much: I am the one who has seen the most of Riquet’s good side!

Mithra: What? I don’t really get what you’re talking about, but no way I can lose to anyone about anything.

Akira: (Why on earth are they turning this into a competition?! Anyway, it seems that we will have wonderful blessings for Riquet. I can’t wait for the ritual.)

 

Chapter 3:

On Riquet’s birthday, the scent of rain still lingered.

The ritual would be more effective if it was performed in the country the wizard in question belonged to, at a place they had a connection where the stars could be seen clearly.

The location Riquet chose was the courtyard of the Magic Manor.

Riquet: This is a very important place to me. The middle of the yard in particular is full of memories. That is where I learn to read and write with Rutile and Mitile or take a stroll with you, Master Sage.

Akira: The clouds are still heavy, but I’m glad the rain has stopped.

Riquet: Certainly! We can still see the stars through the clouds. My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who has helped me, from the outfit Lord Snow and Lord White prepared for me to my hair that Chloe styled. I’m ready for the ritual.

Akira: Let’s start then. Please close your eyes, Riquet.

Riquet closed his eyes and clasped his hands in front of his chest. My eyes too were shut. I filled my heart with the precious words everyone entrusted to me and carefully let them rise to my lips.

Akira: First will be the blessing from Arthur. ‘You often keep your eyes closed during your meal. That must be the proof that you cherish the food you taste very much. You take everything you do seriously and try your best. I love that a lot!’

Akira: Next one is Mithra’s. ‘It’s difficult to make the charcoal that satisfies me. More importantly, please keep an eye on Mitile. You two seem to be attached at the hips, after all.’

Akira: And now, the blessing from Mitile. ‘I really love your happy smile and cheerful voice when you chat with me. You will always be my number one friend, Riquet.’

Akira: And now, my blessing. I find the way you wholeheartedly believe in your mission very cool. Let’s continue to tackle our worries, savor our joys, and learn new things together!

After I managed to convey all of the blessings without any mistake, I felt something warm swell from my heart. It went through my hand into Riquet’s chest.

Akira: How are you feeling, Riquet? Oh, Riquet?!

Riquet: …..

As soon as I opened my eyes, what I saw was big tear drops filling Riquet’s green eyes.

Riquet: Master Sage, what should I do when the word ‘happy’ seems to be not enough?

Riquet’s smile that bloomed for an instant was full of happiness. As if being confounded by the overflowing feelings that he couldn’t hold in his hands, he frowned.

Akira: It’s alright, because your feelings have reached me, Riquet.

In that moment, a strong wind blew and carried the clouds with it. The moonlight dimmed a little, as Riquet pointed to the sky.

Riquet: Master Sage, look!

I stared at the clouds that covered the rim of the moon. The part that was lit up by the moonlight was dyed faintly in the colours of rainbow.

Akira: Wow, amazing!

Riquet: Is this the result of the ritual? It’s so beautiful.

Riquet: Master Sage, please learn everything about the world with me as soon as possible!

Akira: Sure!

Full of joy, Riquet and I looked at each other. In the middle of the courtyard that was full of memories for Riquet, we stood side by side as we took our fill of the night sky in this mysterious world.

 

Card episode: Once Again, a New Treasure

Akira: Riquet, I heard that you celebrated your birthday with the three wizards who gave you blessings. What did you receive from them?

Riquet: His Highness gifted me with a huge suitcase full of books. He said, ‘You always keep everything carefully, right? You can bring these books to anywhere you like to read without worrying about getting them dirty.”

Akira: As expected of Arthur. He chose a present that really suits you. How about Mithra, what did he give you?

Riquet: He didn’t give me anything. Instead he took me to the Northern Country out of the blue.

Akira: Eh, was that to celebrate your birthday?

Riquet: Yes, it seems that Mithra wanted to give me some training. I was excited, but Oz quickly got to us and put a stop to that, so I had to be content with just Mithra’s well intention.

Akira: The Northern country is a really harsh place, you know. Even so, it’s just like Mithra to come up with such a birthday celebration though.

Akira: And the third person who gave you blessing was Mitile. I saw him try very hard to choose a present for you. How did you two celebrate your birthday?

Riquet: Ehehe, he told me ‘This is a secret between only the two of us’, so I can’t tell you, Master Sage. My apologies.

Akira: Understood. I think I know what his celebration of your birthday was like just from looking at you though.

Riquet: Really? You’re amazing, Master Sage!

Akira: It must have been a wonderful present that delighted you like nothing else would. Something that you want to keep like a treasure.

Riquet: Correct!