"Happy Birthday, Aspen!"
At 6 PM, the family left the estate and headed towards a fancy five-star restaurant in the city.
They were seated in a big round table covered in an expensive white cloth.
Plates, coupled with golden utensils, and goblets filled the side of the table, as dozens of food
were situated at the center.
Aspen was seated with a huge birthday cake in front of her. On her right was her mother, and
father, Alice Nocturn, and Saul Nocturn, and on her left was her brother, Shin Nocturn.
Seated beside Shin was Camilla, followed by Vanessa, Souzen, and two peculiar guests…Jerome Aubade and Alea Aubade.
After Shin picked up his reward from the treasury, Souzen introduced him to Jerome.
Jerome came up to Shin, saying he was a big fan after his performance in the Selection
Process.
Alea wasn't left behind as she secretly followed her father, she scootched him over to the side
and repeatedly shook Shin's hand.
After the introductions, Shin invited them to his little sister's birthday party.
Which is why they were present. Two guests who had no relations to the celebrant.
Others might call this shameless. But it turns out, Shin's father, Saul, was a big fan of Jerome.
Camilla had also tried to invite Satoshi. But the boy wouldn't leave his room.
What happened between Shin and Satoshi was unfortunate.
But they all decided that Satoshi needed some time to cool-off, and hopefully mature.
***
After everyone had their fill, Shin went to the restroom to relieve himself.
After relieving himself, he washed his hands on the sink, outside of the bathroom.
Creak-From the women's bathroom, a little girl emerged.
Silver hair, and hazel-brown eyes. She was wearing a black dress that seemed too big for her.
"Hey, uhm… Alea right? Thanks for coming to my Sister's party, she appreciates your"
appearance.
"Thank you for the invite as well, it was well appreciated… Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, I'll do my best to answer."
"Thank you… that move you did in the Selection Process…"
Shin had a bad premonition.
"That was Noctis wasn't it?"
"..."
The mention of Noctis left Shin frozen.
'How does she know?'
[Shin, I forgot to tell you, that girl…. she's–]
Vooo!
Suddenly, Alea's hazel-brown eyes changed to a pure-white glow.White blazing flames emerged from her right shoulder, forming a single small wing.
With a confident smile, she introduced herself.
"Contractor of Solis, the God of Sun, Alea Aubade at your service."
Shin stood still in shock, his eyes wide open.
Why did another contractor reveal themselves to him?
It made no sense, and she was this close by too…
Shin had never met another Contractor in this lifetime, it was a first for him.
Shin's face turned tense with a grin, as sweat beaded from his forehead.
'This little girl… she can assimilate better than me.'
They were the same age too.
Shin could only assimilate enough to coat a part of his body with Noctis. But Alea's was a whole
'nother level.
At 8-years-old, she could already change the shape of the flames.
It was something Shin couldn't do with his current abilities.
"What's your motive in revealing yourself to me?"Alea's expression quickly changed from a confident smile to a dumbfounded expression, tilting
her head.
"Motive? I just wanted to be friends with you, another Contractor."
Shin mirrored her expression.
"Oh… okay then… Sorry for getting all suspicious."
It was getting awkward.
Breaking the awkward silence, Alea pulled out her phone.
"Uhm… could we exchange contacts?"
"Uh… sure?"
[Looks like the King had found himself a little girlfriend. I'm proud of you pal.]
Shin could imagine Noctis giving a thumbs up with a grin on his face.
'Shut up Noct.'
***
After the formal introduction between the two, they returned to the table.
"Ah, Shin, Alea, that took you two a while. Hurry and settle down, I've got an announcement to
make.
"Shin was curious to what Jerome was about to say, settling down, he paid attention.
"I know I've introduced myself already, but let me do it again. I'm Jerome Aubade, Patriarch of
the Aubade Family, and Headmaster of Arden Academy."
The irony of it. The former trouble maker became the Headmaster of the same Academy he
graduated from.
"I formally came to the Selection Process as the Headmaster, on the invitation of my dear old
friend here, Souzen. First, congratulations on winning."
"Thank you, Sir Jerome."
"Mhm… Second, I'd like to invite you to attend Arden Academy, no need to undergo the
entrance examination, I've already seen what you're capable of. Once you apply, you'll be
instantly admitted."
Shin listened attentively to every word Jerome spoke, he planned on attending the Academy
already. So the invite was further appreciated.
"I hope to see you in the Academy soon, Shin Nocturn, and not just you, but you as well,
Camilla Nocturn."
Jerome shifted his attention from Shin to Camilla.
Camilla was confused, pointing at herself.
"Me?"
"Yes, you, I hope to see you soon."
"Thank you, Sir Jerome.
"Camilla appreciated the invitation as well. Just like Shin she had already planned on attending
Arden Academy.
Usually, once the children turned twelve, they would start attending whatever Academy they'd
apply for.
However…
"Sir Jerome…"
Shin spoke up.
"I appreciate the invite. But, I'd like to attend once I turn thirteen."
Shin turned to Camilla, Camilla returned his gaze and the two nodded at each other.
"I'd like an extra year to further elevate my experience before I get admitted into the Academy,
Elder Sister Camilla here also feels the same way."
Jerome was taken aback at Shin's sudden statement, but he could only accept.
"I can accept that, but may I know what you two plan on doing?"
"Abyss Gates."
Jerome and Souzen were wide eyed, not just them but Shin's parents as well.
'What are these two thinking?'Is all they could think about.
Abyss Gates were portals that connected a different realm with the real world.
Within the Abyss, contained the Abysmals. Monsters with no regards to human life.
And the two were planning on risking their lives to fight against such monsters?
However, it was then when they remembered.
Shin and Camilla were full fledged Nocturns.
Breaking the silence, Shin's mother, Alice, spoke up.
"Shin, are you sure? You don't have to put yourself in danger you know, you too Camilla, you're
both still young."
"Mother, I've made up my mind, I want to get stronger, and gain as much experience as I can
so…"
I can protect you guys.
"I understand Shin, but… what do you think, Lord Souzen?"
Alice turned to Souzen, prosing the same question.
"I'm quite reluctant. But Shin's talents can't be put to waste, I could say the same for my
Daughter as well."
Souzen decided."I'll allow it, but only until Shin turns eleven, and… you have to make up with Satoshi within those years."
'T sk.'
Shin inwardly clicked his tongue.
'This shameless Father passed the job of consoling his own son to me.'
After being reluctant about it, Shin responded.
"...Fine."
"Good."
Camilla couldn't help but laugh about this.
Suddenly, Alea spoke up, turning to her Father.
"Father, I'd like to attend the Academy at the same time as Shin."
Jerome was puzzled.
"What? Why? Don't tell me you've gone and fallen for this boy?"
Was the first thing that Jerome thought of, for some reason.
At her Father's statement, Alea's cheek flushed red, flustered.She turned to Shin, who had a blank expression the whole time, then instantly turned back to
her Father.
"W-w-what?! W-why would you say that, Father! It's because I'd like to become stronger before
attending the Academy as well! Jeez."
"Oh… Haha, of course. No way my Daughter would fall for a Nocturn."
Instantly, all the Nocturns present looked at Jerome, narrowing their eyes.
"No that's not what I mean, it's just that my Daughter is still too young for something like that."
Souzen could only sigh at his friend.
"You're an idiot through and through, Jerome."
"I don't wanna hear that from you, Souzen."
It was a heartwarming celebration, truly a memorable birthday for Aspen.