Birthday

Today is now my 5th birthday, with school starting for me in just a month. "This sucks" is what I thought, realizing that I have to sit through years of elementary, only to go through high school after that, all of which I've already done. At least I will know what I'm doing this time around though, however this world could have vastly different schools compared to my old world, and with the addition of magic I'm sure I'm not wrong in thinking that. Even now I still can't figure out how magic works, still trying to figure it out.

Alice has been continuing to support me, mainly with the combat training with the sword as she has no idea how to teach me how to 'feel' magic; but I'm hoping school can help me figure it out.

Dad: "How's your classes been going Fabian? Do you know what class you'll be in this year?"

Fabian: "Yes! I've been scoring well in all of my studies and practical assessments. They say I'll be in class S for my year group this year"

Mom: "That's amazing news dear!"

We were sitting at the dinner table, as I hardly gave a shit how my brother was doing in school. The only thing that piqued my interest was the class system. Apparently at the school my brother is attending, and where I'll be going soon has a system in place to sort students in groups depending on their magic prowess. Nobles were mainly in classes S and A, with commoner students being in C and D. Class B seemed to be where a good mix between nobles and commoners attended. The thought of being a noble with zero magic capabilities makes me worry I'll end up in class D, I really wanted to not be a disappointment to my parents.

Alice: "You okay miss Ellen?"

Ellen: "Oh, ah yes"

I didn't realize I was putting on a rather upset face, as Alice was sitting by my side. Over these years, I've noticed my parents start to care less and less about me, as their focus was almost entirely on my brother, especially my father Oliver. He wont even look at me no matter how much work I put in to try and make him proud. My mother however still watches over me when she can, she is part of the main branch of this family as my father married with less power than her, so I know she has a lot of responsibilities. However, if Alice was not here, I feel like my life here would be far too depressing. Always looking forward to hanging out with her to practice, or even to chat about stupid things, I appreciate her so much.

Fabian: "Knowing you, you'll probably be lucky if you even make it to D class"

Looking over towards me, I saw my brother speak out to me, but I wasn't having it, keeping my eyes down I continued to eat away at my meal.

Mom: "Cut it out Fabian, your sister has been working hard, harder than you ever could"

Dad: "He's right hun. Ellen still has no magic whatsoever. She would be lucky to even attend the same school"

The school my father just mentioned is a prestigious school, one where nobles attend, with only highly talented individuals from the common land being able to attend. If I didn't attend the same school, I would be the first noble to ever not attend.

Alice: "I don't think she has anything to worry about-"

Cutting my mother off before she had time to speak, Alice spoke up.

Alice: "I've been training her to the bone with the sword. I know you don't like that Oliver, but its her best chance at getting in"

Hope filled my mind as I hear those words from Alice. She's right, I had been working hard with the sword. I was so caught up with the inability to use magic that I disregarded what Alice has been teaching me. My skills with the sword has greatly improved over the years, so I do feel confident that I could make it.

Oliver didn't say a word as he just let out a sigh, still clearly disappointed in me before continuing to talk with Fabian. My mother Iris looking towards me, giving me an apologetic smile before continuing to eat her meal.

After finishing dinner, we each head off in our own directions, as I head back up to my room. My room was on the second floor of the mansion, as I make my way inside. Looking into the mirror I notice that my hair sure has grown over the years, as my long red hair had now grown halfway down my back. Suddenly, memories flash in my head as I recall myself purposefully growing out my hair for... Kaede. I left her. So why had I left my hair like this? If its only going to cause me pain.

The pain in my chest returns as without a moment to lose, I storm out my room and into the bathroom across from my room. Looking into the mirror I grab the scissors laying on top of the basin, grabbing my hair in the other hand before bringing the scissors up to it, stopping for a moment. I found myself stuck in place, unable to press down the blades around my hair as I could see tears start to form around my eyes in the mirror. "This was for Kaede. There is no point in this..." I thought to myself as I struggle to break though. It's like I'm fighting a war inside my brain.

I wasn't sure how long I stayed like that, with the scissor blades still around my hair. But eventually I stopped, letting go of both the scissors and my hair. "I... Couldn't do it". I know she isn't here, but even so, I couldn't bring myself to cut it. It was like if I was saying goodbye to her, 'cutting' ties with her.

Alice: "Hey. Is everything okay?"

Peeping out from outside the bathroom, I turn around to see Alice, A slight worried expression on her face.

Ellen: "Everything is fine, I was just washing up"

Alice: "You sure? Your eyes say otherwise"

Right, I was a little teary eyes wasn't I.

Ellen: "Sorry, I just remembered something is all. It's nothing to worry about"

I still couldn't bring myself to tell my secret to Alice, not yet anyways. I don't want her to see me differently.

Alice: "Is this also part of your secret?"

Ellen: "Yes"

Alice: "I wont push on it then. Be sure not to stay up too late though, training starts early in the morning hehe"

Smiling away at me with her soft, pretty face, she leaves the bathroom heading towards her room, next to mine. Letting out a sigh I look towards the mirror once more, running water into my hands before splashing my face, trying to wash away my tear stained eyes. Only Alice knows that I have a secret, but I'm thankful she isn't pushing me for answers; I'll tell her one day.

Getting out from the bathroom, I head into my room, sitting up at my desk as I do my usual routine of trying to conjure up any sort of magic. Closing my eyes, I try to visualize the magic particles (mana) flowing out from me to try and produce anything. Once again however, just like these past years of trying. Nothing.

I learnt from Alice that every living thing in this world has mana inside them. From trees, to the animals, to us humans. If that's the case then why can't I use magic? Is it because I was originally from another world? I didn't want to think that was the reason as I continued to push on, trying my hardest to succeed.

*knock knock knock*

The sounds of a door knocking woke me up, where I realized I had passed out at my desk, drool spread over the desk and the side of my cheek.

Alice: "Rise and shine~ I'll be waiting for you in the courtyard, get yourself ready"

Alice opens my door, before walking off downstairs. I slowly get up from my desk as I go to grab my wooden sword. This has been a daily routine of ours, but every time Alice comes to wake me up, she always has a bright smile on her face that it's impossible to deny a request from her.

Making my way down the stair into the courtyard, it looked like it was earlier than usual, as the sun had only just risen. Walking outside I see Alice as she notices me coming.

Alice: "Good morning Ellen, I have something special for you. I couldn't give it to you yesterday on your birthday since your father was around, but. Here."

She pulled out something that she hid behind her, revealing a long object hidden inside some wrapping made of cloth before presenting it to me with both hands, kneeling down to my level.

Alice: "Happy Birthday Ellen"

Placing my wooden sword to the side, I reach out to unravel the object hidden inside the cloth whilst Alice continues to hold it out, only for my eyes to realize what it was. What I saw was a beautiful hilt of a sword, vines of metal circling it as it appears to be some sort of a guard. Following down from the hilt I saw the same vine like designs before being hidden behind what would be the scabbard, sheathing the rest of the blade.

Alice: "Take it. It's yours"

After admiring it so far, I take the sword from her hands. It heavier than my practice wooden sword, but it wasn't too heavy that I couldn't hold it up. With my left hand I hold the scabbard, sliding my right hand into the hilt before slowly taking the blade out. I could just barely take it out as I was using my entire arm spread to do so, as I look at the rest of the blade. It was a thin double sided blade with a very pointy tip, the weight of it felt perfectly distributed. This was my first time ever holding a sword, but instead of being scared, I marveled at its beauty as the blade was decorated with many kinds of engravings.

Ellen: "T-thank you Alice!"

Alice: "Hehe, It's called a rapier, I have one that is similar. I noticed you were copying my techniques, so after some thought I decided to give you a more suitable weapon, but don't let Oliver see. Be sure to hide it in your room somewhere"

Ellen: "I will! Thank you!"

Sheathing the rapier, I go to wrap my arms around Alice, giving her a tight, warm hug as I feel her arms also wrap around me. This was the first time I had felt this happy in a long time after being reborn in this world, wishing that I could stay like this for-

Alice: "Right... Lets start your training shall we?"