Morning light slipped through the tall curtains in thin strands of gold, stretching across the bedroom. Deep emerald drapes framed the windows, and the soft rugs below swallowed every sound. The air felt calm, carrying a faint mix of polished wood and clean linens.
Azrean lay sprawled across the wide bed, half his face buried in the pillow. His brown curls were a mess, sticking out in every direction, one loose strand falling over his closed eyes. The same warm brown hid beneath his lashes. His white sleep shirt was wrinkled, sleeves pushed up unevenly, the collar hanging loose from turning around too much in his sleep.
The door opened quietly. Sumi slipped inside on bare feet. Her long white hair flowed down her back, catching the sunlight in soft silver glints. Her sky-blue eyes held faint flecks of white, bright and mischievous, almost glowing, a playful spark already hiding in them. The light blue nightdress she wore moved gently with each step, brushing just past her knees.
A small smile formed as she walked closer. She lowered herself beside the bed, resting her arms on the mattress. For a moment, she just watched him.
His face looked calm. The smile on her lips deepened slightly. Then she raised both hands. One covered his mouth. The other pressed over his nose.
Azrean's body jolted. His eyes snapped open, wide with shock. His chest heaved as he struggled, arms twitching once in panic. For a brief moment, fear flooded his expression—
Then she let go. He shot upright instantly, dragging in deep breaths, coughing slightly as air rushed back into his lungs.
"Good morning, Azrean~" Her voice came soft, teasing.
He stared down at her, still trying to breathe properly, hair even more disheveled now.
"Sumi… are you trying to kill me?"
She rose smoothly to her feet, brushing invisible dust from her nightdress.
"It's getting late. Did you forget? Today's our birthday."
Azrean rubbed his face with both hands, trying to shake off the adrenaline.
"I remembered," he muttered. "I just… slept late because I was studying."
Sumi's smile turned into a knowing smirk. She leaned forward and pinched both his cheeks, pulling them lightly.
"Liar. You were thinking about how you can seduce me."
"What!?" he shot back immediately, his voice louder than before.
She laughed lightly then let go of his face.
"Joking, joking."
She turned and walked toward the door, her dress swaying softly with each step.
"Come fast, okay?" she added without looking back. "Don't make me come back and suffocate you again."
The door closed with a quiet click behind her.
Azrean slid off the bed, his bare feet sinking into the thick rug. The softness muffled his steps as he walked over to the tall cupboard. Its doors were carved with faint, winding vines that curled across the surface. He pulled them open.
Inside, rows of neatly arranged clothes waited—silk, fine cotton, carefully folded tunics in deep blues, silvers, and muted tones that caught the light.
"Geez…" he muttered under his breath.
He reached in and pulled out a clean white shirt, the collar lined with subtle silver threading. Then a navy vest, fitted neatly, and a pair of dark trousers.
As he started changing, his voice dropped low, almost like he was sorting through his thoughts out loud.
"It's already been five years since we got reincarnated here."
He slipped the shirt on, fingers moving slowly as he fastened each button.
"I've learned a lot about this world already…"
His hands paused for a brief second, then continued.
"Five years ago, both of us awakened our magical energy."
He adjusted the collar, smoothing it down.
"Usually… it takes years for mana to fully merge with the blood. For my mom, it took eighteen years. For Invanne it took ten."
He let out a quiet breath as he pulled the vest over his shoulders.
"But us…Only four months." The clasps clicked into place one by one. "That's not normal."
He looked down briefly, fingers brushing over the fabric before tightening his belt.
"We've got to keep it quiet for now. Less attention… less trouble."
He straightened up, rolling his shoulders slightly.
"I guess today's the day they finally test our magic aptitude."
His gaze flickered toward the mirror as he continued.
"Once mana awakens, aptitude shows up based on blood type. Mom's is flame. Blood type B… so I probably have it too."
A faint pause. "At least fire runs in the family."
He stepped in front of the tall standing mirror, its dark wooden frame towering around his reflection. His brown curls were still messy, refusing to stay in place, but his eyes—those steady brown eyes—held something sharper now.
The clothes fit him perfectly. Azrean stayed there for a moment, just looking at himself.
"And from today…" His voice lowered.
"We start writing our future."
He turned away, walking toward the door. His hand rested on the cool brass handle.
"I'm Azrean Lumonging," he said quietly.
"And today… Sumi Hana and I turned five years old."