Birthday Magic

"Lady Aveline."

Kyra bowed low as Aveline sat up, groggy and annoyed.

"Good morning, as well as Happy Birthday. You have about six hours before the guests begin to arrive."

Aveline huffed out a sigh. Swinging her legs out from under the blanket, she wobbled to her feet as Kyra began to help her get dressed.

"Please do not become despondent. It has barely been two months since the incident, Duke Thorin would never allow you to get hurt again."

Aveline looked down at her clothes, the dress hiding her little feet. She swayed it back and forth before looking back up at Kyra.

"He said thirteen. I have to be thirteen before he and Mama teach me magic and aura."

Kyrs tilted her head a little.

"Is it possible to use magic and aura?"

Aveline nodded.

"Noble families hold onto special gems. Papa said they're not special or rare, just useful when trying to figure out affinities. I got mine checked, seems I can use both, which is rare."

Kyra's eyes lit up and she clapped softly.

"That's amazing! Of course the young lady of the house would be something special."

Aveline dug her heel into the floor a little as her face turned red.

"I don't need that much praise! Papa and Mama already lost it."

Kyra had a teasing smirk on her face as she gave Aveline a small tap on her head.

"You are a rare find, in many senses of the word, my lady. Now, what do you say to some breakfast? I heard the cooks are going all out."

Aveline gave a quick nod, her stomach suddenly rumbling. Kyra gave her a quick once over, before braiding her hair down her back.

"Beautiful. Much more charming than any other eight year old."

Aveline gave a soft glare before the two began to walk out of the room, ready for a feast.

Their day went as normal as ever, just the addition of birthday wishes to the usual warm greetings as she passed the servants of the mansion. Even the cooks made a quick visit before Aveline ate.

Toying with her scraps of food, Aveline peeked up at Kyra. The golden eyes beauty giving a soft smile.

"You want to sneak off and practice again, or am I mistaken?"

Ever since Aveline and Kyra strengthened their bond, Kyra would oversee Aveline as she practiced her magic and aura usage. Or at least the attempts at using it. With no actual guidance, Aveline had begun to have issues with her casting. She had yet to fire off a single spell in the last two months.

"Please?"

Giving a pouty face and puppy dog eyes always worked on Kyra, the ex-guild member quickly caving as she began to lead Aveline out of the mansion.

"As long as Duke Thorin does not find out, I will be your secret holder."

The two girls gave off pure and innocent smiles to one another, though they were excited for Aveline to grow stronger with her magic.

It didn't take them too long, their practice spot being only a small distance away from the mansion. Aveline got into position, standing a few feet away from Kyra. Kyra sat beside a large tree, tendrils touching the ground around her.

"Show me what you can do, Lady Aveline. Impress me, the same way you already have!"

Aveline took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing on the open expanse of water.

'Just remember how to pull magic out. Feel it, imagine and fire. Follow the outline from the books.'

Aveline began to attempt 'feeling' her magic. Each time she got close to truly feeling, her mind snapped back to reality and she had to take a deep breath.

After a couple dozen unsuccessful attempts, Aveline peeked back at Kyra.

"This is hard."

She had begun to sweat a little, her dress clinging to her body. As she began to attempt again, a thought crossed her mind.

'Doesn't Niall's memories have a magic classes lesson in them? He knew the basics for magic manipulation at least.'

Closing her eyes, Aveline began to examine Niall's memories. There was a flicker here and there, events unfolding and answers to exams. As she descended into her second set of memories, her eyes flashed open.

"H-huh?"

Aveline looked around, the dark surrounding her beginning to fade.

"Oh? How did you get here?"

Aveline's eyes flashed towards the voice. A young man sat at a desk, a computer monitor lighting up his face.

"Niall?"

He flashed a soft smile.

"I'm glad you recognize me. Truly, an honor to meet you. I know you have a ton of questions, but I'll answer the ones I know you need answers to."

Aveline closed her mouth, nodding eagerly.

"Obviously, I died in my world. And in my world, yours is a fantasy game created by a game design company. Here, however, this world is real. You are not data, so do not be scared of being suddenly deleted."

Aveline let out a sigh that was heftier than she expected. A weight fell from her shoulders as the truth came out. She looked around before her second question came to mind.

"No, I'm not your past life. I'm more of an overseer, here to help and guide you. The ruler, or God of this world, they don't like what they saw in my memories. The way the world could turn is something they dread. They chose me, to choose a savior. I chose you, the most memorable and capable person in this world. At least, that is to my knowledge. I don't know everything, just a lot about you and the academy you'll be going to."

Aveline tilted her head, her hair spilling onto her legs.

"Wait... these legs are really long."

Aveline began to inspect her body while Niall continued to speak. Though she wasnt paying attention, every word he spoke was ingrained into her head. Every word rested, nestled and stayed.

"As your overseer, I'm supposed to help you change this world to better suit the creator, owner or however you wish to call them. You've already done this, breaking the world's set diagram by using my memories to fight off androphobia. This will help you stay on track, though the coming event will he much harder. The Hero, your fiance... hehe. Still makes me salty as hell."

Aveline peeked at Niall.

"It's a saying in my world. Annoyed, jealous. Different meanings for stupid words. Now the big questions, yes. I seem to have affected your personality. You are more mature, speak your mind and no longer act too in character. This is also why you look as you do in our headspace."

A clear, reflective, pool of water appeared before Aveline. In the reflection, she saw her face. It was grown, beautiful and seemed to mesmerize her.

"Wait... I'm this pretty when I grow up?! Even Mama wasn't like this..."

Niall stifled a laugh.

"You've always been far above others, even among Hero's Chronicle. Your beauty shines brighter the rest."

Aveline turned away a little.

"But..."

"Yes, I may have altered your sexual orientation. However, it isn't my fault alone. Your interaction with Isaac, then my brief moment in control of your body. That seems to be the cause, though you may choose to ignore it if you wish to spend your time with a male."

Aveline could hear a strange undertone, but knew that Niall wouldn't elaborate on it. He continued to explain.

"This headspace, it is something made by me within your mind. It runs at a fraction of a fraction of your time. You can train your spells and skills in here, though you won't grow stronger. Just more skillful. You'll have to wait a bit longer though, I'm going through and clearing this space properly before you try to actively come here. I have to set up a lot more."

Niall scratched his neck as Aveline walked up to him.

"I was only trying to use magic, you know that?"

Niall shrugged.

"You tried to access my memories, thus bringing yourself inside of this area. Every time you access my memories, with intent to learn something, you'll probably end up in here. Don't mind intruding, this is your mind first and foremost. I'm just here to help."

Aveline scratched her cheek.

"For all this info, my head doesn't really hurt. That your doing?"

Niall nodded a bit.

"Sorta. This is already stored in your head, as I am. The memories compile into me, I other words. As does the information I give you. It is already here."

Without a sound, Aveline turned away and thought if more questions.

"I can't tell you too much just yet. The God, for one, I can't go into detail. They are on your side, however. Something akin to plot armor? You can survive even the most harrowing experience, yet it is limited. If you aren't careful, you'll still die. And your goal, it really hasn't been decided. I'll let you know as soon as I find out. And as for the magic, you already know how."

Niall gave one last smile before he began to fade.

"Just do what you see fit, you'll survive and make this world the way it should be."

Aveline nodded, her eyes falling shut. As they opened, she saw the beautiful pool of water in front of her once more.

'Okay. First... deep breath.'

Step by step, Aveline began to channel her magic.

'Feel the magic... surrounding me. Pull it towards the activation point. Imagine... and...'

Aveline watched as wind began to swirl in front of her open palm. She could feel the magic surge towards her hand, giving her magic its body. As she allowed the spell to actualize, dozens of wind blades shot deep into the water before her.

"Lady Aveline! That was amazing!"

She turned to see an excited Kyra sprinting towards her. Aveline was lifted into the air, her eyes sparkling as Kyra swung her around in a slow circle.

"Hehe. Thank you for believing in me!"

Aveline was placed back on the ground, her giddy feeling of accomplishment suddenly given an extra boon as her eyes fell upon Kyra's modest chest. She smirked to herself, a second helping of her winning piled on.