Footsteps echoed down a long hallway as two black-haired five-year-old children walked side by side.
"Didn't expect you to wake up this early. You usually sleep like a pig," mocked the expressionless boy, quickening his pace to walk ahead.
"It's not like you're any better! You make weird sounds when you sleep!" the girl countered, trying to walk faster than him.
"How would you know? I sleep after you. Besides, I intentionally make noise to keep you awake," the boy smirked as he passed her.
"I knew it!" the girl exclaimed, a tick mark appearing on her forehead as she chased after him.
"Stella, Ethan what's with you two running around this early?" Leiya asked as she spotted her children.
Ethan slowed down, his expressionless face softening into a bright smile. His golden eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he faced his mother changing his usually gloomy and sober demeanor into one full of cheer and liveliness.
"Nothing, Mom! We're just excited for today's occasion!" Ethan explained as he held onto his mother's hand.
Stella also slowed her pace, her pink eyes watching her brother with a mix of surprise and resignation at how easily his personality changed depending on who he was talking to.
'No matter how many times I see his face change, it still surprises me,' she thought, stopping in her tracks. Her pink eyes settled on the mother-son duo as they chatted, and she sighed.
'Well, I should've expected it…' Her hair fell slightly over her eyes as she clenched her fists.
"He's a liar."
"Did you say something, Stella?" Leiya asked, glancing at her daughter after hearing her mumble.
"Is something wrong, Stell?" Ethan added, his golden eyes now looking at her with concern.
Snapping out of her thoughts memories trapped in the past Stella met her brother's gaze. It sent goosebumps down her spine.
"It's nothing… I'm just thinking about today's special event," she answered, responding to their true concern while deflecting the fake one.
"Well, you did wake up early. And you're not really a morning person," Ethan teased, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief.
A tick mark appeared on Stella's head in response, causing Leiya to laugh at the twins' antics.
"Alright, enough mischief. Let's get ready so we can leave early," she said, quieting her laughter and reminding them of the plan.
"Come on, don't be an old lady hurry up, Stella!" Ethan called as he and Leiya walked ahead.
That hit Stella like an imaginary arrow labeled "Old Lady."
'Old lady?! I traveled through time at the age of 25, okay? I'm not old!!' she thought, glaring at her brother while catching up to them.
---
"Today is the day you'll find out your magic aptitude," Leiya said warmly, holding both her children's hands.
"It's normal to be nervous and excited," she added as they approached the living room.
'This is it the five-year agreement the god and I made,' Ethan thought as a wave of nervousness rose within him, though his face betrayed nothing.
'This is the day where everything starts... the day I received my magic aptitude,' Stella thought, her pink eyes glowing with determination.