As days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, our nightly escapades continued, knowing that Grandfather had our backs. It became a sort of unspoken understanding between us—Astor and I would sneak out, explore the market, and Grandfather would turn a blind eye, content with simply knowing we were safe. Two years had passed in this way, and in those two years, we had grown both in body and magic.
Our spells became sharper, more refined. We perfected our control, honing our skills through countless hours of practice and our mischievous ventures. Our bodies, too, became stronger, thanks to the bodycasting techniques we trained in rigorously. Now, at the late stages of Stage 1, we were on the cusp of true power. Marcus, our strict trainer, softened somewhat, likely due to Astor's infectious behaviour. Despite his seriousness, I could tell Marcus had warmed to us.
In the meantime, I had learned more about the academy we would be attending soon. The Celestial Academy of Arcane Arts—the most prestigious institution in the entire kingdom. It wasn't just for magic; it covered all academic fields, from science to history, and even the geography of the world. But the most promising part was the magic, the different paths that could only be taught to the most talented youths of the kingdom. For those like us, higher nobles and royalty, it was mandatory. For the lower nobles and commoners, they needed to pass strict tests or have recommendations to gain entry.
The academy had been founded by an ancestor of the royal family back in the year 200, and it stood in Astrylys, the capital of Starlight Duchy. It would become our home for at least eight years, though Mother reassured us that we could return during vacations.
Tonight, as I lay in bed, my mind wandered to the future. Tomorrow was an important day—it was our 12th birthday. I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, wondering how different things would be from here on. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Astor moving about, his figure shuffling in the dim light.
"Hey, Astor, what are you doing?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
He turned toward me, a mischievous grin on his face. "You'll see tomorrow," he said, brushing me off. "Now go to sleep, I don't want my work to get distracted."
I wasn't surprised. Astor always had something planned for our birthdays—usually something dumb but funny. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself and decided not to press him further. Whatever he was up to, it would be entertaining enough in the morning. I let my mind drift, slowly sinking into the peaceful lull of sleep, thoughts of magic, the academy, and tomorrow swirling in my head.
The next morning, I woke to the sound of shuffling near my bed. My eyes blinked open, adjusting to the soft morning light streaming through the window. There, standing over me with a grin so wide it practically split his face, was Astor. He was practically bouncing on his heels, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Wake up, Nyx! It's our birthday!" he exclaimed, his energy far too high for this early in the morning.
I groaned and rolled out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Today was our twelfth birthday. I had a feeling something chaotic was in store—Astor had been secretive all week, and I knew our parents would have something grand planned as well.
After dressing, I followed Astor down the halls of the mansion. His giggling echoed off the walls as we made our way toward the dining hall. As we stepped inside, I was greeted by a colorful scene. The entire room had been decorated with streamers of blue and gold hanging from the ceiling. A large banner stretched across the far wall, reading "Happy Birthday Nyx and Astor!" in elegant calligraphy. The servants had truly outdone themselves. The table was laden with a grand feast—fresh fruits, pastries, and in the centre, a huge cake waiting to be devoured.
Mother and Father stood by the table, smiling warmly as we entered. Mother was the first to approach, wrapping us in a soft hug. "Happy birthday, my boys," she said, her voice filled with affection. "You're growing up so fast."
Father, ever the reserved one, gave us a nod of approval. "You've both come a long way. I'm proud of your progress."
The warmth of their words settled over me. Despite the looming responsibilities and the academy on the horizon, today was ours—just for us. Astor, however, was already making a beeline for the food, grabbing a plate full of pastries and stuffing one into his mouth before anyone could stop him.
"This is the best part of birthdays!" he mumbled between bites.
We all sat down to breakfast, and the room soon filled with light-hearted chatter and laughter. Mother recounted stories from when we were younger, like the time Astor had tried to 'train' the mansion cat to follow him around, or how I would sit for hours with books I couldn't even read, flipping through the pages as if I understood every word. It was a peaceful, happy morning, filled with love and joy.
After breakfast, it was time for gifts. Father handed us two small boxes. Inside, I found a polished crystal pendant, star-shaped, while Astor's was crescent-shaped. Mother took the pendants from us and placed them around our necks.
"These are for protection," she said softly. "Never take them off, alright?"
We nodded, sensing the seriousness in her tone. Then Grandmother stepped forward, handing us each another small box. When I opened mine, I found a ring inside—a storage ring. Realization hit, and I poured my essence into it, sensing the vast space within.
"This ring has a storage capacity of 10 cubic meters," Grandmother explained. "Don't lose it, boys."
Astor and I nodded, marvelling at the ring's practicality. It was truly a useful and precious gift.
Then, with a mischievous grin, Astor suddenly declared, "I have a surprise for you all!" He bolted up to the first floor. Moments later, he returned—with the mansion's large, fat cat trotting behind him. I hadn't seen the cat in weeks, though it often visited us during study sessions with Mother.
Astor led the cat to the centre of the room and, with a dramatic flair, extended his hand toward it. The cat gave him its paw, and with Astor's guidance, it began to stand up on its hind legs. To my amazement, the cat started to dance! It was clumsy but oddly elegant, moving in a way that resembled the dance Mother had taught us long ago.