Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1256: Chapter 1255: The Other Side of Parallel (Still Had to Write It Down)

As night fell, Midoriya closed its doors.

However, unlike usual, today Midoriya was brightly lit and unusually lively.

”Happy Birthday!”

Seeing Fate and Elysia, Illya handed over her gift with a cheerful smile. She gifted them two half-human-sized lion dolls, which looked adorably furry.

”Thank you, Sister Illya!”

Elysia happily received the doll and hugged it tightly.

”It’s so cute. I’ll take good care of it. What about you, Fate?”

”Ah, well, I will too...”

In response to Elysia’s query, Fate appeared a bit flustered, but with a slight blush, she also accepted the lion doll Illya offered.

”Originally, Little Hei and I were going to give one each, but since Little Hei went out with Master, I’m delivering it on her behalf.”

”So the teacher really won’t come?”

Upon hearing this, Fate seemed somewhat disappointed, and seeing her expression, Illya realized she had misspoken and quickly waved her hand.

”Ah, but Master said that Sister Tilia would come instead... No need to be so disappointed...”

”I understand, thank you, Illya.”

Hearing Illya’s reassurance, Fate smiled and nodded, and let the topic rest.

After this, others also presented their gifts to Fate and Elysia. Nanoha’s gift was a hairband, Little Sakura gave them pendants as birthday presents, and Shisei gifted them a pair of charms. After all, they were all still elementary school students and didn’t care much about comparison, so the gifts given were all quite everyday.

However, some people gave gifts that were really quite funny.

For instance, Shana, having been in a battle before, ended up not buying any gifts, so she had to reluctantly offer her cherished pineapple bun to the two. In contrast, Anzu stuffed each of them with a taiyaki. As a result, before the birthday party even started, Fate and Elysia almost felt full.

Next, Natsuse, Midori, Tina, and Nobiru also presented their own gifts.

Afterwards, Tilia and Anya arrived as well.

”Elder Brother couldn’t come due to some matters, so I’m here on his behalf to congratulate you.”

Tilia was still smiling charmingly, but anyone who had stayed in the Heavenly Dao Palace for some time knew that this girl with the perpetual gentle smile was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing. After all, Tilia’s name was now known to stop children from crying in the palace!

See how those little girls stood obediently to the side, not daring to move? Even the most lively Nobiru was pretending to be a well-behaved child!

Unfortunately, Fate hadn’t spent any time in the Heavenly Dao Palace. She reached out to accept Tilia’s gift, smiling and nodding in gratitude.

”Thank you...”

”You’re welcome, uh...”

At this point, Tilia suddenly squinted her eyes and keenly observed Fate.

”Is there, um, something wrong?”

Noticing Tilia’s gaze, Fate suddenly felt nervous, while Tilia looked at her meaningfully for a moment, then giggled.

”It seems it should have been Elder Brother who came in person, after all.”

”Huh?”

Faced with Tilia’s unexpected words, Fate froze, completely unsure of what to say. But Tilia didn’t wait for her reply. After handing over the gift, she elegantly lifted her skirt and nodded to Fate.

”Well, I’ve completed the task Elder Brother entrusted to me, so I’ll take my leave—there are quite a few troublesome things in the Heavenly Dao Palace that need my attention.”

”Ah, yes, sorry, um...”

At that moment, Fate was flustered and completely lost for words, but Tilia didn’t give her a chance to speak further and left with a meaningful smile.

Afterwards, Anya also arrived, and the gift she brought for Fate and Elysia was even more surprising.

It was an adorable Labrador!

”Wow, what a cute puppy!”

Seeing the furry Labrador, Elysia felt her heart melting, while Anya nodded expressionlessly at them.

”It’s for you, to keep the other dog company.”

As she spoke, Anya glanced at the little red wolf... dog... napping nearby.

Originally, Arf was yawning, but hearing Anya’s words, she instantly sprang up with her fur on end, staring in terror at the Labrador... Wait, what do you mean by that? It couldn’t be a male dog, could it?

Before Arf could think more, the Labrador, upon seeing her, lit up with excitement, and with barks of ”Woof Woof,” it leapt towards Arf!

”Waaah, don’t come near me!!”

Seeing the dog running towards her with its tongue out, Arf screamed in panic and turned to run.

If I get caught, my reputation will be ruined!!!

And so, amidst Arf’s ”screams,” a lively birthday party began.

”Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...”

For Fate, this was the first birthday party she remembered having, and looking at the friends gathered around her, she found it all somewhat surreal. No, it was technically her first birthday celebration as ”Fate,” since her previous birthday memories belonged to Elysia and not to her.

However, now this was her precious memory.

Except...

Fate glanced around the crowd and sighed inwardly.

Mr. Fang Zheng is not here...

”Fate! Time to blow out the candles.”

At this moment, Elysia’s voice sounded in Fate’s ear. She turned to look at Elysia beside her, who was watching her with a big smile.

”Come on, make a wish.”

”Mm.”

Hearing Elysia’s words, Fate nodded, then clasped her hands to her chest and closed her eyes.

She wished Mr. Fang Zheng could attend her birthday party...

In her heart, Fate silently wished, then let out an inner chuckle, opened her eyes, and blew out the candles with Elysia.

At that moment, applause erupted around them.

As time passed, the lively birthday party wound down. The girls gradually left for home, and Fate and Elysia, carrying bundles of gifts, returned to their home with Precia.

Honestly, Fate felt very happy about this birthday, but... it seemed like something was missing.

Standing on the balcony, gazing at the night scene outside, Fate sighed again, then looked down at the plate in her hands—a piece of birthday cake she had specially saved for Fang Zheng.

She just didn’t know... when this cake would reach him.

However, just as Fate lowered her head dejectedly, a large hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere, patting her little head.

”What’s the matter? Eating cake alone?”

Hearing this voice, Fate paused and quickly turned around, eyes widening in surprise.

Standing behind her was Fang Zheng, smiling as he looked at the young girl.

”Happy birthday, Fate.”