It was the next day, and Rynan was back at it again—his personal mission to unlock the secrets of magic.
The storage room door stood ahead like a forbidden treasure vault, daring him to enter. He peeked around the corner, making sure the coast was clear. Linia was in the garden pruning flowers, Forle was outside training, and Andrea was busy with chores.
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Perfect.
Heh, this time… NO ONE CAN STOP ME!
Rynan tiptoed down the hall, each step soft and calculated. He couldn't afford another scolding from Andrea—or worse, Forle. His tiny hands pushed the heavy door open just enough for him to slip inside.
The air inside was thick with the scent of old paper and wood polish. Sunlight filtered through a tiny window, catching the dust motes floating lazily in the air.
His eyes landed on the book he'd left in the corner. Excitement bubbled up as he waddled over to it. The letters on the cover were hard to read—he couldn't pronounce them yet anyway—but that didn't matter. He plopped down, opening the book to the page on light magic.
The section was simple enough for even his tiny hands to understand: Light magic involved focusing your Eon—your life energy—into a spell. But as he stared at the squiggly letters, one thing stood out:
Caution: Improper use may result in Eon exhaustion.
Rynan blinked at the words. The warning didn't scare him; it only made him more determined. His chubby fingers traced the page as he memorized the steps:
1. Focus all the Eon into a single point—your mouth or hand worked best for beginners.
2. Extend your hand outward.
3. Chant the incantation.
He sat up straighter, his little fists clenched with determination.
Alright. Let's do this.
Closing his eyes, Rynan took a deep breath. At first, he wasn't sure what he was looking for. The instructions said to feel the Eon inside him, but how was he supposed to do that?
His brow furrowed as he focused harder. Slowly, he felt it—a tiny warmth, like a flicker of light deep in his chest. He concentrated on that warmth, imagining it growing brighter and spreading through his body.
Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he didn't stop. His little fingers twitched as the energy pooled in his hand.
Okay… now the chant.
He extended his right hand, his fingers splayed out awkwardly. Then, with as much confidence as his baby voice could muster, he attempted the incantation:
"Bya te ligt of te etrnal shun, shuter dorknes… Hyerio ava!"
The words tumbled out in a garbled mess, his baby tongue struggling with the complex sounds. But the moment he finished, something amazing happened.
A faint glow formed in his palm, flickering like a tiny candle. Then, with a soft hum, it grew brighter, illuminating the room with a golden light.
"Awaaa-baaa!" Rynan squealed, his baby voice rising in excitement.
Translation: I did it!
The light danced on the walls, casting playful shadows. It was beautiful.
But before he could fully enjoy the moment, dizziness hit him like a wave. His legs wobbled, and the glow in his hand faded as he toppled forward.
Darkness swallowed him.
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When Rynan woke up, he was lying on the cold floor. His heart raced as he sat up, blinking at the dim light streaming through the window. The book lay beside him, its pages crumpled.
What… happened?
He rubbed his tiny temples, trying to piece things together. Then it hit him.
Eon exhaustion… I passed out.
His hand instinctively went to his chest, feeling for the flicker of warmth. It was still there, faint but steady. Relief washed over him as he remembered what had happened before he blacked out.
I used light magic!
The thought sent a surge of excitement through him. He scrambled to his feet, brushing the dust off his clothes.
He had to try it again.
Extending his hand, he focused on the warmth in his chest, willing it to flow into his palm. This time, he didn't bother with the full incantation.
"Bya te ligt—"
Before he could finish, his hand lit up again, the golden glow spreading across his tiny fingers.
Rynan froze. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. Wait… I didn't even finish the spell!
A triumphant grin spread across his face as he waved his glowing hand around. Silent casting. He'd read about it in the book. It was supposed to be advanced magic, requiring perfect control over Eon.
And he'd done it.
Rynan let out a series of happy squeals, his tiny feet carrying him in circles around the room.
This is SO COOL!
The glow flickered as he tried to shape it, forming little beams that danced across the walls. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to make him feel like the most powerful mage in the world.
But as his excitement grew, so did his recklessness. He tried to focus harder, pushing his Eon to its limits. The glow in his hand faltered, then fizzled out completely.
"Uuuu…" he whined, his shoulders slumping. He pouted, but the disappointment didn't last long. The memory of the light was still fresh in his mind, and it filled him with determination.
I'll get better. Just need more practice.
Before he could try again, a familiar voice called out from the hallway:
"Rynan?"
He froze, his heart skipping a beat.
Andrea's silhouette appeared in the doorway, her hands on her hips. Her expression was a mix of exasperation and amusement as she stared at him.
"You're here again?" she said, her tone light but firm.
Rynan looked up at her, his big eyes wide with innocence. He clasped his hands behind his back, swaying slightly.
Oop.
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