I felt pieces of confetti sitting on top of my head, but I couldnt react properly.

Compared to attending the Demon Races Halloween party and being entrusted with a treasure from the Tuatha de Dannan, this situation felt more surreal.

Hwang Jiho brought his private plane all the way to England, along with our classmates to celebrate my birthday.

I couldnt grasp it very well.

What brought me back to my senses was the notifications from my earring-type devices.

A constant ding-dong sound was ringing in my ears.

Several people seemed to be sending messages all at once.

Vice pres device is ringing.

Take it, Euishin-ah!

Maeng Hyodon, who was standing near me, mustve heard the notification sounds.

Kim Yuri urged me to check my messages as if she already knew what they say.

As I floated a hologram, I witnessed several messages piling up in my inbox.

They were all messages wishing me a happy birthday.

[Yoo Sanghoon] HBD.

Yoo Sanghoons short message.

[Jang Namwook] Happy birthday, Euishin-ah. For your information, Im asleep right now and this is a scheduled message. I have to go to bed early for early morning training tomorrow, so Ill wrap it up quickly. Ill greet you again after the training. Ah, Shihoo says happy birthday too. I said greetings are meant to be said personally, but Shihoo said you dont check his messages often, Euishin-ah. I understand how you feel, but I feel sorry for Shihoo too. Why dont you give him a chance sometimes? Oh, hes probably sent you a message too.

Jang Namwooks long message.

He said Shihoo wishes me a happy birthday too, but Ill put it aside for now.

[Park Seunghyun] Happy birthday.

[Sung Siwan] Happy birthday, Euishin-ah. Are you done with your overseas trip with Gukeon hyung? See you at the dorms.

[Geum Chansol] Happy birthday, Suspicious Vice President-nim. Looks like you and your class are on great terms. Happy b.d.

[Wang Chansol] Happy bdayyyy

Aside from them, Moon Saeron and the others from the newspaper department, batchmates, sunbaes, and hoobaes sent me birthday messages too.

Most of them were from Eungwang High, but others like Hong Gyubin also greeted me.

I got a message from Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong too.

Messages from non-humans were flooding in too.

The two descendants busy with preparing for the entrance exam, Eun Seoho and Eun Iho, as well as the youngest, Eun Jaeho, sent messages too.

[Eun Seoho] Happy birthday, Euishin hyung!

[Eun Iho] Happy birthday! We wanted to have a celebration together, but we heard youre busy TT Cant we all hang out next week?

[Eun Seoho] Well study and review hard to have more free time TT

[Eun Jaeho] Happy birthday Euishin hyung. Were waiting for you.

[Eun Jaeho] (Photo)

My senses perked up the moment I saw the photo sent by Eun Jaeho!

The picture showed a genius, no, an angel wearing a colorful cone hat.

Seeing our smart and kind Olmu all dressed up to celebrate my birthday, it finally began to sink in.

Its really my birthday.

The date and time shown in the photo information was November 1st, midnight.

The private jet hasnt crossed the date line yet, but it must be November 1st in Korea now.

Everyone sent a birthday message as the first seconds of November 1st came.

I could feel my classmates looking at me with excited faces as I checked my messages.

This is too unexpected, so I wasnt sure how to react.

Though I know that my classmates are all kind-hearted, it never crossed my mind that they would do all this for me.

Thanks for the greetings guys..

My classmates faces looked a bit embarrassed, so they greeted me again.

They guided me to the middle of the table to sit, and I saw the cake they prepared.

It showed a chessboard painted with chocolate syrup, and almost everything except for the chocolate seemed to have an orange base.

As soon as I sat down, Hwang Jiho started lighting the chess-piece-shaped candles.

There were a total of eight candles, one large candle, and seven small candles.

It symbolizes my age, 17.

I never thought Id be celebrated on my 17th birthday.

Before I came to this world, when I was 17, I couldnt afford to celebrate my own birthday.

Media attention on me had somewhat cooled off by November, but I didnt get along well with the same classmates who had suffered because of me at the beginning of their admission.

My relatives, who were in charge of me for the prize money for chess tournaments and broadcast appearance fees, couldnt have given me a birthday celebration since I already quit chess.

Perhaps because of that experience, I didnt even think that the day my 17th birthday would be celebrated would come.

How did you know it was my birthday? Wasnt it hard coming all the way here?

Youve been doing things for everyones birthdays, Euishin-ah. This is the least we could do.

Yes, this distance is nothing to us if its for you, Euishin-ah!

After Kim Yuri and Saeum of April, Kwon Lena added a word.

Haha, we couldve known by looking at your default nickname. I actually didnt realize until Yuri told us.

Whats with jo2god111? Did you make it when you were a choding? Its so child

Yours is more childish though, Daesok-ie.

Min Geurin sided with me before Song Daesok could finish his biting remarks.

Though I also think that my ID is childish.

Its just difficult to change since its already familiar to me.

Ive indeed used it since I was in elementary school.

Thanks for inviting me to the vice pres birthday party too! I wanted to greet him in this kind of event.

But isnt it technically October 31st still? We havent crossed timezones yet.

Well, if were to follow the flag principle, that wouldnt be the case. The Korean Flag is on this plane, so were technically in Korea.

Isnt that principle used to determine whether or not domestic law should be applied?

Anyway, Hwang Jiho seems to want to claim that its currently November 1st, even though were still flying through the skies.

And since Jo Euishin is Korean, theres no issue with him celebrating his birthday based on the date and time in Korea. Alright, lets get ready to sing him a birthday song. Dont forget to blow out the candles once its over, Jo Euishin.

Hwang Jiho was speaking to me as if he were talking to a child who was experiencing a birthday party for the first time.

Anyway, we all sang a happy birthday song together, with musical accompaniment.

Kwon Lena took out a violin and Mok Wooram took out a melodica.

The short song was improvised and made into a wonderful performance.

After the song, applause rang out as I blew out the candles.

I somehow kept feeling embarrassed, but I was grateful for the warm hearts of my classmates.

Lets cut the cake.

Yep! Oh, theres a white chocolate plate with your name, Euishin. Euishin will eat that part.

As my classmates requested, the cake was cut and placed on plates one by one and distributed.

Hani, who had been especially quiet, was handed the final cut and the sweetest part of the cake.

We chatted while eating a slice of the orange-flavored cake that the other kids chose themselves.

Thats when I suddenly remembered the existence of a UR-ranked item card in my item window.

My classmates were worried so I should tell them.

Since the process of retrieving it was complicated, I hesitated whether it would be okay to disclose it here, but I eventually decided to take it out.

Besides, isnt this private plane property of the Hwangmyeong Group?

The security here is top-notch, and I trust my classmates.

Theyre not ones to gossip around.

I waited for a gap in the conversation before speaking.

About the reason why I went to England

As soon as I brought it up, the surroundings turned quiet.

They didnt ask the reason, but I can sense that they were curious about why I was in England.

I thought Hwang Jiho would stop me, but he was silently eating a cake as if to tell me that I can do what I wish.

It would be quicker to show it than explain it with words.

From my item window, I took out a UR-rank item card, Imoogis Exorcism

I asked the two to hand me Imoogis Exorcism in advance since I had a way to bring it to the country without needing to pass through customs.

As soon as she saw the surface of the card, Min Geurin jumped in surprise.

She recognized her own work.

Imoogis Exorcism!

Where did you find this?

Wait, thats an item card right?

A UR-rank item! Woah!

Oh, Ive seen it reported on TV that it was stolen. Its a players work, so it doesnt matter much if it becomes a card.

All the kids were surprised to see Min Geurins reaction, which confirmed that the item was genuine.

So you went to England to search for this I wouldve come to help if you told me!

Me too!

Why doesnt this vice pres guy talk to us?

The kids were half happy, half disappointed.

Min Geurin looked at me and the item alternately with a grateful expression.

Song Daesok looked happy too, but it seemed to decrease a little when he saw Min Geurin overjoyed as she profusely thanked me.

It will be hard to take it back now.

I wanted to return Imoogis Exorcism to Min Geurin quickly, but thats not possible.

Theres a clue left in here by the former manager of the Players Association Korea, and I havent figured it out yet.

I still have something to do related to this painting, so is it possible that I hold on to it for now?

Huh?

My words left Min Geurin puzzled and troubled.

But she didnt have to contemplate for long.

Let me and master know whats going on with the painting first. And then Ill let you take care of it.

Will it be okay with you?

Yep. Im more assured to leave it to you than to the art museum.

Its far from safe since the Demon Race and the Black Screen are interested in this.

Still, since Min Geurin is the creator of the painting, she has a right to know.

I nodded, and Min Geurins expression turned brighter.

Ill tell master.

With Min Geurins permission, I had the chance to have Imoogis Exorcism in my possession.

* * *

We split ways early after arriving at the airport to prepare for Monday.

We spent a leisurely time in the aircraft celebrating my birthday, so I didnt feel that our time together was short.

I wanted to go with the other dorm kids back to the dorms, but Hwang Jihos words made me stop in my tracks.

Eunho is waiting for you.

Eunho?

Hearing Eunhos name made me feel complicated.

I remembered Cheon Sungheon, who never missed celebrating my birthday.

As you know, its difficult to handle my alter egos with precision when my main body is outside Korea. Eunho helped me with my work.

Hwang Jihos additional explanation made me worried about Eunho.

He just woke up, but hes already helping the clan head with important matters?

As if he read my thoughts, Hwang Jiho added a word.

Are you worried about Eunho? You should worry about yourself.

What does that mean?

Hwang Jiho didnt add anything that would answer my question.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the meaning behind Hwang Jihos words was immediately confirmed.

Happy birthday, Euishin hyung.

Eunho, who neatly tied his long hair, was waiting for me in one of the mansions annexes.

Did you enjoy your thief activities, Euishin hyung? You left a lot of people who were worried about you, so you shouldve enjoyed your time, Euishin hyung.

Eunhos tone was sweet, but I could feel every single cell in my body shrivel.

No, I guess theres a better way of addressing you, Euishin hyung. How about, hmm Red Wall Thief hyung?