The winter and spring had been excruciatingly monotonous. I adhered to my infantile guise, meticulously reaching milestones as I overheard the adults predicting I would achieve them soon. I was elated when they remarked that I was on the brink of talking and crawling. The prospect of having the freedom to move around, explore, and interact with people verbally filled me with such joy that I nearly wept.
When I finally "learned" to speak, the first word to escape my lips was Fazio's name. It fell upon stunned silence, with Selahe visibly wincing. Later, he confided in Mona that Duchess Calo had been displeased; apparently, I had uttered someone else's name before hers. My choice of Fazio was twofold: it allowed me to closely observe his training, which not only educated me but also served as my sole source of entertainment.
An assortment of toys awaited me—a wooden horse, a small wooden dagger, a set of blocks, and other trinkets. I feigned interest in them whenever anyone glanced my way, but my true fascination lay in the sparring matches between Fazio and Selahe. Upstairs, Mona would come to feed and change me. Once she finished, I would promptly begin chanting, "Fazio, Fazio, Fazio." Her smile never faltered as she yielded to my plea, returning with me to the basement.
One afternoon, as I watched their sparring session with growing anticipation, I noticed subtle improvements in their techniques. Fazio's movements had become more fluid, his strikes more precise, while Selahe's defenses were nearly impenetrable. The dedication and perseverance they displayed inspired me to push my limits even further. Despite my infant body, my mind raced with strategies and tactics, eager to one day join their ranks not as a mere observer, but as an equal.
Over the winter and spring, I had gained ten points of MP from my continual self-inflicted damage and constant healing, along with an extra point of fortitude. Even as a baby, my determination to excel was unwavering.
Fazio turned to me and asked, "Why do you like me so much?" I beamed my best 1000-watt baby smile and responded, "Lub Fazio!". Even before seeing the gentle smile spread across his face, I sensed success as I earned an additional charisma point. I was becoming quite the overpowered baby.
Status..
Name: Damiano (Callahan O'Shea)
Level: 0
EXP: 90/100
HP: 35/35
MP: 45/45
SP: 7/7
Strength: 1
Agility: 2
Fortitude: 7
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 2
Charisma: 7 (+44)
Unspent points: 0
Status: Awake. Alert.
Magic Basics and Mana Sense had both advanced to Rank six during this season. I would often defy sleep, spending hours practicing the repeated casting of a candle-sized flame. My fascination also extended to attempting double casting while observing Fazio and Selahe as they honed their skills in melee. Eventually, an unexpected notification arrived.
*Ding*
Congratulations! By repeated action you have generated a new skill! View it under the skill window!
I opened the skill window and saw:
Basic Active Mana Absorption. Rank 1.
Magic Basics. Rank 6.
Basic Mana Sense. Rank 6.
Candle Flame. Rank 1.
Creates a small flame the size of a lit candle. MP Cost: varies (see duration) Duration: 10 seconds per MP spent.
I cast the spell from the skill, noting a significant acceleration in speed. Incorporating a spell into the system resulted in a notable reduction in casting time. Though this particular spell lacked lethality, its efficiency promised smoother rank-ups—faster casting rates equated to more spells and greater skill gains.
The next day, with summer's arrival, I was escorted downstairs, though I insisted on crawling whenever possible. At the crack of dawn, Fazio and Selahe sparred with synchronized movements, oblivious to our arrival. Mona settled me among my usual toys. Fazio and Selahe circled each other, keenly searching for vulnerabilities.
Selahe lunged at Fazio's throat with a dagger. Fazio deflected the strike with agility, the blade swooshing past his ear. He countered by seizing Selahe's dagger arm, attempting to unbalance him. Selahe, lightning-quick, switched the dagger to his other hand and aimed for Fazio's armpit, targeting a major artery. They paused, both breathing heavily, acknowledging Selahe's victory. I feigned interest in a toy horse, idly rocking it back and forth.
"Do not underestimate your opponent," Selahe advised with a touch of refinement. "We shall train your left hand to match your right."
"I thought I had you!" Fazio groaned. "If I knew I was this far behind in skill, I might have chosen carpentry instead."
Selahe grinned, nodding at me. Fazio approached, greeting me with respect. His face lit up, the earlier angst from our arrival on the island seemingly fading away.
"Moming, Fazio," I replied with a smile, charming even the formidable Duchess Calo into mush. You're no match for my cuteness. You're already dead.
"How are you?" Fazio asked.
"Goo!" I exclaimed. Speaking like a baby was tedious, but eloquence couldn't come right away. "Ehe, maggic?" I inquired, wondering if Selahe would teach Fazio magic too.
"He might as well be magic, huh?" Fazio chuckled, tousling my hair.
"Fazio," Selahe interrupted politely, "let us resume. Duchess Calo visited two weeks ago, so it is the Duke's turn this week. We are heading to the capital to introduce the young master to Miss Anna." Fazio nodded and returned to spar, but I found myself losing interest.
As I sat there, surrounded by the echoes of their practice, thoughts of my future adoption ceremony swirled in my mind. How would the King perceive me, his newest ward, and how would Anna react to having a younger brother? The prospect of leaving the familiar confines of the island, where I had grown accustomed to Fazio's guidance and Selahe's protection, filled me with both excitement and trepidation. Yet, as I watched Fazio and Selahe spar, I knew that my own journey—both in magic and in life—had only just begun.