He spread jam over another slice of bread. "By the way, are we going to the alchemy laboratory today?".

"No... Of course not", Val said, his mouth twisting into an amused smile. "It doesn't seem right to make you work on your birthday".

Adrien chuckled sadly to himself. "Well, that's something nobody has ever said to me before".

"No?", Val said, tilting his face. The pattern of light that peeked from his neckline flared up. "My master, at the magical academy... He would have never let me work on a day like that. Whenever there was a special day, Master would call off all classes...".

"Lucky you", Adrien laughed. "I've had to prepare for exams on my birthday!".

Val's eyes widened. "How cruel", he replied, scandalized.

"I wish I'd gone to your school", Adrien mused. "Where was it?".

"Ah... I cannot say", Val smiled apologetically. "It was a school -- only for us demons", he then said. "The location is secret".

"Oh", Adrien could only say in stunned surprise.