Wow. It sure has been a while. More than a year I think, since I am almost 4 years old now. I have been able to speak and walk properly. And I have started writing better and in front of the others. Sure, kids take a little more time to start reading and writing but I wasn’t going to wait any longer.

As much as I was good at acting like I was a normal kid, it isn’t really fun. After one point, it just becomes annoying and hard to deal with. Sure, I could have shown my ‘true colors’ at the start and acted like myself. But what if my parents thought I was possessed by a ghost or a devil?! And then they call an exorcist!

…

Never mind, I am overthinking all this. The Myriad family was blind, but not heartless and dumb to the point they would put their son through something dumb like this. Are there even exorcists in this world? Are there ghosts?! Man, I used to enjoy watching the ghost hunting series where two dudes would go to locations to catch ghosts but as they say, the mystery will probably always stay unsolved.

I was walking down the hallway as I made my way to the bedroom, as I was passing by, I walked over and took a glance down the stairs. I could see David watching something on the television. And Bathsheba? She was probably at the school. I shrugged my shoulders as I made my way through the hallway and stood in front of my room’s door. The door was partially closed, which was good since I wouldn’t be able to open it if it was fulled closed.

I quickly put my palms against the frame, then slowly pushed the door with all my baby body might. And the door successfully opened. I walked into the dark room and put my hands on my hips like I accomplished something great.

“Heya demons, it’s me, ya boy!”

I said in my pitch voice, before extending my palm a little and positioning it in a safe distance. I focused for a minute, feeling some sort of energy flowing from within me. In an instant, a small ball of flames ignited in my hands, floating a few inches from my palm. I smiled as I slowly made my way into the room.

So apparently, mana having a fixed limit at birth was complete bull. In truth, the more you practice, the more the mana replenishes and increases. And all my training seemed to be worth it since my mana hasn’t been depleting as fast as it used to. Rather, it was lasting pretty long and I haven’t been knocking out! Mana, as I learned, wasn’t fixed at birth. It was a muscle, train it, and it grows. My earlier failures weren’t just frustrating; they taught me how to manage it better.

I was quite proud of myself, not going to lie. But that wasn’t why I am here today. Over the months and even year, I have been practicing both water and fire magic. I have already come to master water spells or incantations like Aqua Orbis and Aqua Genera. And also basic fire spells like Ignis Genera or Ignis Orbis. Of course, these were basic spells but that’s what this book in particular I had to offer.

Anyways, I made myself towards the book and sat down, making sure I don’t accidentally light the book on fire. I quickly flipped the pages, trying to find the next basic spell. And there it was, earth magic. Now here is the thing. This book only offered brief and little information. Like who are the greatest elemental type of magicians, what are the levels or rank, the incantation and a few other useless information.

But what I needed, was an explanation, an explanation on how to use this specific magic skill or spell. I was able to figure out fire and water, but what about earth? Eh, could give it a try.

I closed my eyes and lifted my hand, positioning it in the front as I took a sigh. I let the manas flow through my body and travel to the palm of my hands. I quickly started compressing the atoms or molecules in the air. One of the surprising things about mana is that, once you get the feeling of specific molecules or atoms, you can get used to manipulating them.

I didn’t feel anything and opened my eyes to find nothing. I then closed my eyes again, this time using my other hand to grip on the risen hand. I gritted my teeth as I started focusing more, sending more mana and compressing whats around me. Slowly buy surely, I heard the sound of something forming. I opened my eyes and saw a small… pebble? A small pebble of stone floating in my hands. As I lost focus, the small pebble fell down, landing on the floor.

I was able to create something out of earth, that was good. But it wasn’t enough. Sure, I know the feel of it and know how to use it now but I still needed to make progress. I quickly knelt down and picked up the pebble, inspecting it. But as I held it a little tightly, it broke into pieces and crumbled to the floor as dust.

“Hmmm…”

I let out the sound as I put my finger to my chin. Did I not give it enough mana? Pretty sure I sent similar or a little more mana than Aqua Orbis or Ignis Orbis. But either way, some kind of experience was gained and some form of knowledge was added. So I could make pebbles of stone, small but enough.

I let out a sigh as I looked at my palm. Then I silently cast the spell, a ball of small fire being made on my hand. I then turned around and walked out of the room.

“Enough work for today…”

I muttered as I started walking away and towards the exit of the room, humming some song on my way out.

*

It was the evening of the day, I was reading something in my room, minding my own business. I had neatly dressed myself in a white shirt, buttoned up to the top. And some shorts that I was wearing below. Both clothes were made of some really rich material of fabric.

But I am not complaining. Since in my previous life, I used to dress up quite formally for everything. I would wearing a shirt on the top with formal pants below. I would also wear this… black ‘jacket’ all the time. But either way, my reasoning for dressing up like this is well… David asked me to. I don’t know what that man has planned but I have done some crazy stuff in my previous life so I am ready for whatever.

“Solomon! Get dressed!” David’s booming voice echoed from the kitchen. Man, you could just come up and tell me you know?

I slowly got up and walked to the door, peeking out.

“Why?”

I asked. I was dressed already but I just wished to know why, why David out of all the people wanted me to dress up this evening. He was quite lazy for a man, rarely seen doing work. Well, he practiced a lot with his weapons in the yard but still. He would also occasionally disappear for weeks or even months. Nobody would suspect anything.

Before I can even react, I saw David in front of me. What the hell, I didn’t even see him come up the stairs! I quickly backed away, tripping and falls on my butt.

“We’re going to the festival. You’ll love it! steam engines, automaton performers, and food stalls! It’ll be fun,”

David said, his grin wide as he leaned against the door frame.

My stomach dropped. Festival? Going out? Me? Being seen? Being judged? No, no way in hell.

“No. Absolutely not.”

I backed into his room, clutching the door as if it was my shield. I didn’t want to go outside, I didn’t want to see people. I didn’t wanna be seen by people and I just… I don’t want to go outside.

“I am not going. Y-You and Mom can enjoy it without me.”

I answered back, but I knew for a fact David could hear the tremble in my voice. David raised an eyebrow, as if confused. He stopped leaning against the door frame and stood perfectly upward as he stared me down.

“You’re really going to pass up the chance to see the fireworks? Or to try the best roast skewers in town?”

Fireworks and skewers can go up your ass for all I care, David. It was clear I didn’t wanna go. Back off!

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“Yes.”

I said firmly, crossing my arms.

“I don’t want to go outside, mainly to the festival, period.”

David’s grin didn’t falter, in fact, I think it widened. He rose his hands up to his chest level, moving his fingers in… freaky way.

“You don’t get a choice, little man.”

With one swift motion, he picked me up and hoisted me onto his shoulder. I started ‘punching’ or ‘hitting’ David’s back as he started walking down the stairs, I was acting like a kid, surprisingly.

“Put me down!”

I squirmed, tears pricking the corners of my eyes.

“I don’t want to go!”

David’s voice softened as he walked toward the door. I could for the first time, feel like he was trying to comfort me.

“Listen, I know crowds can be scary. But I promise, I’ll be with you the whole time. You’ll see, it’s not so bad once you’re out there.”

Despite the comforting words, I still didn’t wish to go outside. I just don’t want to be in a crowded place. But then I stopped my ‘assault’ on David’s back. I sniffled but didn’t respond, my small fists gripping the fabric of David’s coat.

*

he bustling town square was a riot of sound and color. Gears clicked and whirred on towering contraptions, steam hissed from engines, and the air smelled of roasted meat and sweet pastries. Lanterns strung overhead cast a warm, golden glow as the sun dipped below the horizon. Soon, night time approached and the stalls started turning on their decorative lights or just any lights for illumination.

I looked around frantically from one stall to another, clinging onto David’s hand tightly. David then chuckled, looking down at me. He was wearing a lavish suit with a nice tie. He also had a nice hat on his head.

“Relax, buddy,”

David said, giving Solomon’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Look over there. Automatons.”

I looked at the direction David’s hands were pointing. My gaze landing on a group of clockwork performers. The metallic figures moved with surprising fluidity, juggling flaming torches and performing acrobatics that defied logic.

My eyes widened as my jaw slightly dropped. I was surprised. I knew automatons existed but I didn’t know they were this advanced! These weren’t the clunky prototypes from my past life’s science fairs. They were art in motion. If only I’d had the chance to build something like this…

“They’re… machines?”

“Yup. Built right here in the town workshops. Pretty impressive, huh?”

I nodded in reply. I was actually quite fascinated, as I once had a dream of building robots or even bionic limbs. My grip on David’s slightly loosened. I felt a bit relieved and at ease. But I didn’t let my guard down. At that moment, David came to halt. I looked in front of me to see a elderly couple standing in front of me, well dressed.

I immediately looked away, nervous.

“Hello David, how are you, boy?”

My eyes slightly widened as I glanced at the elderly man, who was staring at David. They… aren’t looking or judging me? David chuckled as he nodded, bowing slightly.

“Ah, Mister and Miss Breezewells. How are you guys?”

“We are fine, we just came to see the fair and festival.”

Then the elderly women’s gaze dropped me, I instantly looked anxious, hiding behind David.

“And this young boy, is he your son?”

The elderly women asked as she looked at David. David nodded, then putting his hand on my back.

“This is Solomon, our first child and first son. He is quite the intelligent kid, dare I say.”

Both parties talked for a few minutes, all the while I hid behind David. I then watched as they walked away, sighing.

“See? Not so bad, is it?”

David looked at me as he playfully grinned. I then nodded. We continued to walk until David came to a halt in front of a stall. I looked up to see what stall it was. It looked like some kind of game stall. No, not where games are sold or the games we play in our time period. It was an ordinary small stall. It was designed for players to throw rings onto bottles. The better the score is, the better the reward.

“One second, okay?”

David said as he pulled his hand away and took out a note of money. The man looked at it and pocketed it, then handing David some rings. David positioned the rings, looking or actually… he was glaring at the rings. Then quickly threw a ring, instantly and precisely falling onto and around the bottle. I was surprised. His shot was… very accurate. He then used the two remaining rings, both landing around and onto the bottles. Not just the front bottles, but the bottles in the back.

The stall owner clapped his hands, applauding David but rummaging through his bag. He then took out… some kind of bird? No, it didn’t like a bird, more like a toy. David took the toy and then handed it to me. It was… a mini automaton, resembling a clockwork bird. Its wings flapping softly as it perched on my palm. For the first time in a long while, I smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile.

*

Later, we met Bathsheba at the entrance of a restaurant, then entering it. The restaurant itself looked quite aesthetic and really good looking. One of the waiters took us to our seats. I sat on David’s lap as Bathsheba sat in the chair opposite to ours. Both David and Batsheba ordered some food.

Batsheba then turned to me, smiling as she noticed the clockwork bird in my hand.

“My My, where did you get that sweetie?”

She asked. I smiled as I immediately responded. I was actually quite overjoyed, surprisingly.

“Dad played a game at a stall and won it for me! He’s the best!”

I said I smiled cheekily. Bathsheba chuckled, nodding to herself. I couldn’t see but I know David had the most annoying grin on his face, probably since I complimented him. A few minutes passed as we all talked. Then the food arrived. I wasn’t normally the type to eat veggies in my past life but maube making a change was worth it. I poked at my plate of roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes, still buzzing from the sights of the festival.

Bathsheba cleared her throat, drawing our attention.

“I have some news,”

she began, her voice calm but tinged with excitement. Hmm? What was this news? I didn’t know what it was about but I could outright feel the positive energy beaming out of her.

David raised an eyebrow. Still too busy eating his share of the meal from MY plate. He already ate his and now was stealing from mine. Barbaric!

“What’s up?”

David asked, chewing on his food. I also looked at her, still eating my food.

She smiled, resting a hand on her stomach.

“We’re going to have another child.”

David froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. It was quite a surprise to see that something was actually able to stop this glutton from eating. Normally, he would just keep eating despite someone calling out to him or talking at home.

“Wait… you’re serious?”

Bathsheba nodded, her eyes shining. Actually, I could see some light reflect and tears pricking at the corner of her eyes.

“Yes.”

I however, was quite surprised and startled, little old me couldn’t process this information all at once. So basically, Bathsheba was pregnant and having another baby… That meant…

“I’m… going to have a sibling?”

I mumbled, looking at my mother as food was still my mouth, half chewed. Bathsheba nodded.

“That’s right,”

Bathsheba said, reaching over to ruffle his hair.

“You’re going to be a big brother.”

For a moment, I didn’t know how to feel. A sibling? It was a foreign concept to me, something I never had in my past life. Slowly, a smile spread across my face. I didn’t know why but I was… thrilled and excited.

“That’s… kind of amazing.”

David laughed, his booming voice filling the restaurant.

“Well, guess we’ve got some big changes ahead. Better start preparing, huh, Soly?”

I nodded, gripping the tiny clockwork bird in my hands. For the first time, I felt a sense of belonging and hope. I actually felt… happy and joyful. And I was quite thrilled and excited to be a big brother. This, marked a new chapter in my… No, our family’s life.

*