Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1417  Surprise

"Surprise!"

Atticus couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. Ravenstein family members had gathered inside the mansion, along with many Eldorians to welcome him back.

'A surprise party, huh.'

Even if Caldor hadn't mentioned anything, Atticus was god here. There was simply no way he'd miss this many people gathered so close.

Still, looking at Caldor's tense smile urging him to act surprised, Anastasia's hopeful eyes, and the awkward silence that followed their collective shout, Atticus abruptly burst into laughter.

"Hey, Mom… is Atticus okay?" Caldor leaned toward Anastasia and whispered.

"Of course." Anastasia shot him a glare but quickly flashed Atticus a worried look.

'Does he not like it?'

The entire house had fallen absolutely silent, watching as Atticus laughed. It was quite literally the first time they'd ever seen him laugh with such unrestrained mirth, and none of them knew how to react.

"Hey guys," Caldor said, glancing around nervously, "I think that world, asteroid, or whatever, broke Atticus. What do you think, Em? Aurora?"

He turned to Ember and Aurora, who also stared at Atticus, visibly confused. They knew he could laugh like this in private, sure, but in public? That was new. Both of them glared at Caldor and said in perfect unison,

"Shut up."

As if sensing the worried gazes on him, Atticus finally stopped laughing, exhaling slowly.

"This is just…" the pause that followed stretched for what felt like decades, "…amazing. Thank you so much for this."

A sense of relief washed over the room and Anastasia's face lit up with glee.

Then Caldor's triumphant shout broken the calm.

"Yesss! See? I told you all he'd love it! In your faces!"

He threw his arms up. "Now. Let's. Partyyyyyyy!"

A few moments passed, but no cheer followed. Caldor peeked around, confused.

"Uh, why aren't you partying?"

They stared at him with unamused eyes. And as though to mock him, Ember suddenly brushed past and whispered,

"Party start."

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers.

"Yessss!"

"Let the party begin!"

Caldor's mouth fell open.

"Now that's just mean!" he protested, but his voice was instantly swallowed by the music and thunderous celebration that followed.

To Atticus, it was a beautiful scene. Rather than the banquets Anastasia usually threw him growing up, this felt like a real Earth party.

There were banners designed with his name, welcoming him back home, but it was the resemblance to Earth's style that truly threw him off.

Loud music blared and people danced to its rhythm.

'The music though.'

That was the only unfamiliar thing about the party.

Atticus' life had always been training, endless cycles of discipline and focus. There had simply never been a chance to do something as mundane as listen to music.

'I'm not sure which one's better. Earth's or Eldoralth's…'

Regardless, the sight before him was one he'd never forget. It was simply too comical.

Grown Ravensteins and Eldorians danced and cheered without a care in the world.

Luminous practically owned the dance floor, rolling, breakdancing, flipping, even pulling off spins as the crowd roared around him.

Caldor, of course, tried to join the circle several times but was swiftly rejected by Luminous each time.

So, he decided to start his own circle. Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention. That didn't stop him, though, he danced harder, determined to gain a following.

Atticus was still chuckling at the sight when his vision was abruptly filled by a blur of fur.

'Here goes.'

The creature latched onto his face and slathered him in slobber.

"Kuu! Kuu!"

"Okay, okay, that's enough." Atticus pulled the cute little thing off and held him up.

"Kuu!" Noctis stretched, trying to lick his face again, but Atticus held him at arm's length.

"Kuu~" He purred, ears drooping, eyes wide and pleading.

Atticus couldn't help but grin. "Hey, little guy." He brushed Noctis' head, earning another content purr.

"Miss me?"

"Kuu!" Noctis wagged his tail, eyes gleaming.

"I missed you too."

Atticus cradled him, tickling his belly.

"Kuu! Kuu! Kuu!"

The little creature squirmed, rolling and laughing with his tongue hanging out and tail wagging wildly. The sight was enough to melt anyone's heart.

"He missed you a lot."

Atticus turned to see Anastasia watching them with a soft smile.

"Mom…"

She reached out and took Noctis from him, gently brushing her hand through his fur.

"Kuu~" Noctis purred again, melting into her arms.

"This is your party, you know?"

"You made that quite obvious, Mom."

"Then why are you just standing here watching? You don't like it?"

"Of course I do. I'm just… enjoying the scene."

Anastasia gave him that look.

Atticus cleared his throat. "…What do you want me to do?"

She pointed toward the dance floor.

"Dance."

Atticus' eyes almost popped. "Wha—"

"Hey everyone!" Anastasia suddenly shouted. The entire room went silent and turned toward them.

"Wait, Mom, please—"

"Atticus wants to dance!"

An awkward cough echoed. Dozens of eyes turned to him, then back to Anastasia, who grinned and gave her son a thumbs-up.

As the crowd turned towards Atticus, they froze. His glare could've flattened mountains. They could feel it, he was literally threatening them!

However…

"Hahahaha!" Aurora burst into laughter. "There's no way I'm missing this!"

Ember smiled, following her. "Same."

And that was all it took. The crowd erupted in cheers the next moment.

"Yessss!"

"We get to see him dance? Best party ever!"

The circle around Luminous dissolved, and a new one instantly formed around Atticus.

"Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!"

The music surged louder, the chant swelling like thunder.

"Shit." Atticus cursed under his breath, spotting Anastasia cheering him on like the traitor she was.

His glare, unfortunately, hadn't scared them off as Aurora and Ember had ruined that.

As the crowd's cheers intensified, Atticus suddenly realized something.

'They're all happy.'

His mother was laughing and cheering wildly. Noctis, too, was wagging his tail, trying to clap his tiny paws together, tongue sticking out adorably.

Even Magnus, Caldor, Aurora, Ember, Nate, Kael, the Eldorians, and every Ravenstein in the hall were smiling brightly at him.