Day 25 Month 7 Year 976. It's that time of the year. My sixth birthday celebration!!
Though I am anxious with the noble party held this evening, I'm also excited at the same time.
In the morning, my family would gather to lightly celebrate my birthday on our own. I'm quite sad that this little celebration of ours won't last that long, as we have to prepare for the party quickly after this.
Altaire gave me a set of weird-looking metallic hair accessories. I could twin-tail my hair using them, but somehow the design strikes me off as weird. Alt-nii gestured to keep it silent, and whispered that he would explain the significance of the detail once I enrolled to school.
Clavis-nii seems to know what it is, as he gasped a bit, and whispered, "Seriously?" to Alt-nii when I opened it. To which Alt-nii only chuckled.
Taking my curiosity aside, the accessories set was sturdy and simple, so I think they would be my default hair accessories later on at school.
"Lyra, I will give my present to you tomorrow, after you're done with your final magic test," Mom said. Hmm, I wonder what kind of present that she has in mind?
"So, Lyra," Dad said, "you will be attending school this year... and I think it might be better to learn melee combats, even if we are magician family. Nah wait, I think this family has gone towards the spy family direction, haha. Anyway, your choice, Lyra. Do you want to have a melee weapon, or do you prefer to just rely on magic?"
Learning and using magic is fun.
But, I feel insecure if all of a sudden, I can't use the magic, or there is a situation where I have to rely on weapons and physical strength.
Besides, I can't deny my love towards swordsmanship.
I was forced to learn lots of things in my past life, but swordsmanship is an exception. I usually swung my sword in the practice ground whenever I was stressed or I was thinking about something. I voluntarily practiced and learned more about swordsmanship. Remember that I improvised on my own.
So, of course, I'm going to answer Dad with…
"I want to have a weapon!"
"I see. And that's why you're going to need your very own weapon. This weekend, let's go and buy the weapon you want to learn. That will be my birthday present this year."
"!!"
I am so excited. I can finally wield swords once again! What's more, I can pick up my own weapon, this time! I don't have to use the prepared family swords—ah, but maybe it's better to pick a similar design, so I won't have a lot of difficulties in adjusting.
"Do you have something in mind?"
"Yes, swords!"
I answered without any hesitation.
"Ooh, as expected of Lyra! Remember, Mom, Dad, I told you how Lyra was so good at using her ice sword from that incident!! I'm excited to see Lyra's performance with swords!!" Altaire supported me enthusiastically.
"Haha, we also would love to witness that," Mom chuckled.
"Just be careful not to hurt yourself, okay, Lyra?" Dad is as protective as ever.
"Okay!"
Yes, since my parents weren't there to witness my swordsmanship skills, they thought that Altaire was only dramatizing things and they focused on training my magic (especially the defensive magic) after that incident.
Also, no more news regarding that incident… I wonder if Miss Trouble is still alive or since she's injured, could she be…
I lightly shook my head. No use thinking about it now.
Yes, right now, I need to seriously think on how I can explain if there are some similarities of my swordsmanship to Grabberton's style.
God, please present me the way for my sixth birthday gift!!
Time quickly passes by and all the preparation has been arranged. Once again, I am reminded of how the previous Hartmann family's house was so, so big. No wonder Dad turned it for public use to gain more funds to compensate the previous Duke's wrongdoings and to invest in the East Area's prospect. It's kinda like a hall we can rent for many uses. Seems like some people have had their weddings here.
But now, this venue is specially decorated for my sixth birthday.
Blue flags with green wings symbols are spread throughout the venue. Other decorations such as flowers and balloons are there, as well.
Mom made me wear an elegant blue dress and put my hair on twin-tails—with green feather decorations.
Having to wear clothes with the blue-green combination is bound to make me bored someday, but thankfully they always picked up a different shade of colors and style of dresses. If there are patterns in different colors, they're also pardoned.
I went up to the balcony and peeked at the incoming guests downstairs.
While most people are using the typical and cheapest transportation such as normal carriages (the types being drawn by horses or other animals/monsters), there are also some who use mana carriages. As expected, nobody came here using bicycle… They don't want to ruin their clothes or make-ups before the party begins.
Those who use mana carriages must be from well-off families. Ah, right, see? That lady in such a flamboyant dress… and that man with extravagant clothes…
I bet most of them traveled here using carriages or mana carriages. The underground mana train might be a choice, too, but they had to rent carriages after their train journey, though. The ones in other islands might have to use ships or flying ships… I wonder how many people used the expensive teleportation service?
…Oh right, so far I've only seen my family using normal carriages (aside from the kingdom's provided carriages, but they also take normal carriages often)… Are we living frugally so we can save up more… or our financial condition is that bad? Or is it just that they like riding the normal carriages more?
Oops, someone tried to look up towards the balcony, so I ran back inside.
Next, I kept peering restlessly towards the crowds from back-stage.
Hmm, I wonder if Luca and Kiri will come?
"Lyra, it's about time."
Mom kindly told me.
"Oh, right…"
"Are you ready?"
"Uh-uh," I nodded. This kind of thing—well I've been way too used to it.
After I'm finished with the introductory speech (I think I did well in conducting myself in noble lady manners)—it's time for the nobles to greet me. My face might become stiff again from smiling all the time.
But no matter.
I'm well prepared for it.
But what I'm unprepared for, even if I spent countless nights thinking about it is…
"We meet again, Lyra! Do you still remember me, I wonder? Even if I attended your big brother's birthday parties, we only spoke during his sixth birthday party, after all…"
Dear anyone who can read my mind right now, shall we play guessing game?
This is an easy question, but anyone can guess who spoke that line from before?
Who is standing right before me, then?