There was a huge crowd inside the mansion, there were drinks, food and celebration. Alas, Mr. Xylmuitte was on the miniature stage on the end of the hall, calling to everyone's attention with a tune of his wine glass and fork.

*ting ting ting ting*

The sound of glass resounded through the crowd, catching the attention of the guests.

" May I interrupt your conversations? I can see that everybody is enjoying themselves. As you know tonight is the celebration of my daughter's seventh birthday. Starting this fall, she will be attending classes. As to ready my child of the outside world, I've decided to have her speak in front of her guests. Gabrielle?"

"F-father?!"

{Gabrielle Xylmuitte - 7 years of age}

Responded Gab who was surprised at the sudden speech she was being forced to make. Embarrassed of her actions she clears her throat.

"Oh, I mean. Yes. *steps forward and clears throat* Good evening to all of my guests, tonight. Um, thank you for celebrating my birthday with me. P-please have a nice night, and um, I hope everyone is satisfied as they go home later. Thank you!"

Though inside she was already thirty-three(26+7), Gab had never spoken to a crowd before. Remembering now, she was quite selfish and introverted back then. The party proceeded as planned, everybody was dressed in quite the luxury. Mr. And Mrs. Xylmuitte were in a matching blue attire, while Diane was in a beautiful red dress. Gab, the birthday girl, was in a twinkling white dress. It complimented her ashen gray hair and her astonishing green eyes. In the midst of the party, Gab was forced to accompany certain important guests related to the family in order to show respect and manner. It took quite a while to entertain a whole crowd of people. One of them was a certain girl dressed in yellow. Beside her was a younger boy, trying his hardest to look intimidating.

"Good evening, second miss of the house of Xylmuitte, I greet you a happy birthday."

"Oh yeah, hi. Thank you for the greeting and also, um, thanks for coming here. Uhh, excuse me but...may I know to whom I owe this gratitude?"

The girl looked at her in disbelief, as if knowing who she is was supposed to be an obvious matter.

"You can call me Mary. Its a pleasure to meet you. This here is Matthew, say hi. *lightly gestures to Matthew*"

"G-greetings, miss."

Greeted Matthew, bowing slightly.

"Oh I'm Gabrielle, nice to meet you too."

"I recall Uncle George saying that you'll start school this fall. Which school are you planning to go?"

Asked Mary.

"Queensfort Studies, its my first choice to be honest. I heard that their education level on academics and magic is quite famed."

"Oh, then we would be meeting there. Its where my father had supposed me to go."

At this point, Mr. Xylmuitte waved at Gab to come over and greet some other guests.

"Really? That would be nice. Um, Its been a pleasure meeting you Mary, but please excuse me for now."

"Oh yes, certainly. Let's chat again if there's a supposed opportunity."

And so Gab went to greet the guests her father wanted to introduce to her. Mary was left behind with Terrance, after a while they were escorted by a well-dressed butler and two other escorts. He whispered to her some sort of message, and they left. While Gab was starting to feel the built-up stress from roaming around so much.

"This is my daughter, Gabrielle."

Introduced Mr. Xylmuitte, showing Gab to two grown men.

"Ah, yes. Is she the one who wanted to take up swordsmanship?"

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"She is, and I must say, her progress rather is impressive. Spar with her sometime, give her some pointers and advice."

"Gladly. I am Francis Loutte, a humble professor in Blade Arts Division of Queensfort Studies. Happy Birthday Gabrielle."

Bowed one of the gentlemen her father was talking to. He had a fine build with short blonde hair and he was dressed neatly.

"Thank you for coming to celebrate with me. It is my utmost pleasure to be of your acquaintance, Sir Francis. I plan to spend my academic years at Queensfort Studies, so please take care of me."

"Hmm, you are aware of the requirements to study at Queensfort right? Are you up for it?"

Said the other man her father was speaking to. He was dressed in a fancy robe lined in silver. A red head with a menacing frown, long straight hair and a thin goatee.

"The academy only takes geniuses. No normal folks around, girly. To enter the academy, you must complete the-"

"Three tests of Aquila, which have been used ever since the academy first accepted students two-hundred and eighty years ago. The first test is a test of intelligence, each examinee is given a unique set of ten questions and a trial they must overcome with nothing but deduction and judgement. The following test is a test of talent, each examinee must excel in three individual fields. That is, either physical brawn, weapon expertise, excellence in mana operation, conjuration versatility and effectiveness or unique blessings and talents. The final test is unknown and is changed yearly to prevent preparation between examinees. And I respectfully assure you of my abilities to pass."

Gab was pissed. She felt the need to defend herself from the underlying insults between the words of this man.

"Hooo, quite arrogant I see. But that would help ease your father's worries here. I mean, the academy only takes forty-five pupils each year. And that's not all, being a scholar at the academy requires you to maintain certain levels of achievement in all activities. Would you be able to last, I wonder?"

*POP*

"HUH!? Who are you anyway? You've been underestimating me for quite a while now and I'm not that patient, you know?! HUH, WHAT?! YOU WANNA GO BUD?!"

She exploded, that was it. This guy just keeps on gabbing about how much negativity there is at the academy. Mr. Xylmuitte was holding Gab back who was about to attack the man.

"Now, now. We don't treat guests like that, calm down Gab, my dear."

Gab was easily exhausted though, adding up how long she's been greeting guests.

"This here is your uncle Philip, we've been close friends since young, the three of us. Have you met his sons by the way?"

"T-that's right! I am Professor Phillip Mcdouglas, I am a professor at Alchemist Division of Queensfort Studies."

George pointed on the redhead hiding behind Prof. Francis.

"I don't think so, I haven't met any red-haired kids so far."

"Oh really? Phillip, where's Patrick and Leonard?"

"I think Patrick went with Diane, Leonard is with his mother. I recall Eleanor talking with her actually."

"Is that so, then go look for your mother Gabrielle. Happy Birthday once again."

"H-happy Birthday, Kid"

Greeted Phillip. Gab glared back and made him flinch.

"Yes, Father. Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me."

She bowed gracefully to the two guests.

Gab went to find her mother.

"She's growing up rather quick, is she not?"

Asked Francis.

"Haha, yes. I can feel my age creeping up because of her, but never mind that. After all, with age comes wisdom."

The three men cheered and continued their celebration.

Eleanor was pregnant for five months already. Though she was once again experiencing the difficulties of pregnancy, she hardly showed any sign of suffering. Gab saw her mother talking to a woman in a violet dress, as Phillip had said.

"Hello dear, so how is your special day? Oh and have you met your aunt?"

"It is a wonderful night mother. Also, no we haven't met. But I suppose she is Uncle Phillip's wife and that's...one of his sons?"

"Yes, that's right, she is Phillip's spouse. Her name is Marina Cadluv Mcdouglas. She's my twin sister and your aunt. While this little boy is Leonard, their youngest child. "

That's right, Gab had noticed the likeness of their faces. It was hard to tell which was which, especially having them dress both in bluish hue.

"Hello Gabrielle, Happy Birthday Dearie. Come Leonard, greet your cousin. Let's not be shy now."

There was Leonard, hiding behind his mother's dress. He was dressed in a cute mini-tuxedo with how adorable he is on that slick-back red hair.

"...h-hello, cousin. Happy Bwetday!"

He said, accidentally biting his tongue.

"Oh dear, he really isn't good with other people. That which you carry now sister, the third I presume."

Continued Marina who comforted Leonard.

"Yes, that's right. We sure hope it's a boy this time around, not to say but, we have got enough ladies around the house."

"Oh dear fate, as for me I'm rearing for a girl. We really are sisters aren't we now?"

Their chatter was endless and Gab was caught up by a funny sound.

"*rumble*...guuuh"

There was Leonard holding up his hunger. Gab gestured to him if he wanted to eat. All he did was blush...and hide even more.

"*sigh*Fine, you wait right there."

Gab took off. Leonard had wondered where she had gone to, but that was the least of his worries right now. He was so hungry and, his mother, Mrs. Mcdouglas was so immersed in her reunion with her beloved twin. When Gab came rushing back, she brought with here a tray with buttered meat platter. Leonard was drawn to the food, slowly leaving his mother's side.

"That's right, good boy. Come here, come here, you want this delicious food don't you?"

It was as if she was luring a beast out of its den. She took him up the grassy spot overlooking the crowd. Then there she had prepared, what looked like a miniature feast with the help of Alisa.

"Um, miss? What are you doing?"

"Baiting the rabbit out of its hole."

He was reaching out hopelessly to the food, like some sort of hypnosis.

"...C-cute..."

Murmured Alisa.

There was Leonard, sitting mindless of his surroundings while eating happily to his delight. Bit by bit but non-stop, he was munching the food down to his stomach. Lost in the satisfaction of flavor, he paid no mind to Gab and Alisa observing him.

"Miss, who is this cute little boy?"

"Leonard Mcdouglas, the second son of Phillip Mcdouglas, basically my cousin. He looked hungry so I gave him something to eat. I might as well give the food a try, seeing how good it looks while he's taking it down, should be finely flavored."

"That's right. You haven't eaten at all, greeting your guests and all that. I brought in some extra for you miss, thinking that this might happen."

"You're the best, Alisa. Thanks for the food!"

She says before digging in on her platter, it took quite a while for them to finish the whole mini banquet. The party slowly died down as guests took away in their carriages. By the time they've finished, it was a lot more quiet than before, although there were still about twenty or so people conversing amongst themselves. The maids and butlers of the house had started putting away the empty plates and utensils.

"*BUURPP*, guaah! So full. *sigh*"

"M-miss? Wasn't that a bit too...immodest maybe?"

"Naah. It's my party anyways, why not enjoy it?"

"...I suppose so."

Says Alisa, her tone in doubt.

"U-umm...t-thank you."

"hm? It's alright. I'm Gabrielle, you can call me Gab."

"Y-yes! I-I-It's a pleasure to make your acquaintanceswep-ow!"

Leonard tries to introduce himself and ends up biting his tongue.

"...can't take it...HE'S WAY TOO CUTE!!"

Shouts Alisa who grabs Leonard and hugs him tightly. She ends up rubbing her voluptuous chest on his beet-red face.

"Um...L-Leonard? Hey! Alisa, stop that!"

"Huh?"

She held a fainted Leonard in her hands, his nose, bleeding.

'...Oh crap...'

Is what they both thought.

As the party was coming to an end at near dawn, the Douglas family were up and ready to go home on their carriage. Bidding farewell to the guests and all, on the soft embrace of her bed and now seven years of age *in body*, Gabrielle fell sound asleep. Alas, she would then come to experience that which she hasn't before.