"Understanding of the paths of magic concluded," Aurora sounded. She had worked tirelessly to unravel the mysteries of his high-frequency bioenergetic system. Finally, after countless analyses and simulations, the AI had a more complete understanding of what Kvolt came to call "Magic Circuits."
"The Magic Circuits are a vast network of channels that permeate your body," Aurora explained in her feminine voice. "They are responsible for conducting magical energy, or mana, to every cell of your being."
Kvolt, now with the body of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, listened attentively while passing the boredom with wooden toys. He had tried, in moments of solitude, to access this energy on his own. Concentrating with all his mental strength, he could feel something vibrating under his skin, a strange and seductive tingling. But without Aurora's guidance, he dared not go too far, fearing the possible risks to his fragile body.
"Mana flows through Manantic Vessels, or we can simplify and call them meridians," Aurora continued, projecting diagrams into Kvolt's mind to illustrate her words. "These vessels interconnect at key points called Manantic Plexuses, which you can understand as the core of your magic circuit. They act as energy reservoirs and the main producer of magic."
Kvolt studied the images emitted in his mind. He was looking at a map of himself.
"I have also detected the presence of specialized cells in your system and named them," said Aurora. "Erythrocytes transport mana through the vessels, while Emissitrocytes seem to be capable of releasing this energy to the external environment. Other cells seem to produce mana and even purify and absorb mana from the surrounding environment, then sending it to your circuit. Micro emissions of magic externally have also been detected over time, perhaps as a way to dump excess."
"Like a spell?" Kvolt asked, his childish voice echoing in his head.
"It's possible that it's similar," Aurora confirmed. "But I must warn that your body is still developing. Any attempt to cast a spell could overload your immature bioenergetic Circuits, causing potentially permanent damage."
Kvolt pouted. He didn't want to risk harming his own growth, no matter how tempting it was to experiment with his new powers.
"There's another factor to consider," Aurora continued after a brief pause. "During my analysis, I noticed fluctuations in the mana current that seem to correspond to your emotional states and, to some degree, your conscious intentions."
Kvolt tilted his head, intrigued. He had noticed that the tingling under his skin became more intense when he was happy or angry, weaker when he was calm or sleepy. It was fascinating to know that there was a tangible connection between his emotions and the magic within him.
"But..." Aurora warned, "these fluctuations seem to be, at best, capable of subtly influencing the mana within your body. There is no evidence that you can, at this stage, emit this energy in a controlled or significant way."
Kvolt sighed, a strange sound coming from such small lungs. "Is there any way for me to practice safely?"
Aurora was silent for a moment as she considered the question.
"Perhaps," she finally said. "If you focus on influencing already existing elements in the environment, instead of trying to emit your own mana, the risks would be considerably lower."
Kvolt looked around the cabin. His gaze fixed on the fireplace, where a low fire crackled lazily.
"Like the flame?" he asked, pointing to the fire.
"Precisely," Aurora confirmed. "Try to focus on it, feel the mana flowing within you, and see if you can influence its behavior in any way. But go slowly, and stop immediately if you feel any discomfort. I will be monitoring the internal flow."
Kvolt nodded. Crawling until he was in front of the fireplace, he sat down and stared at the dancing flames. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and turned his attention inward, searching for that electric sensation that he now knew to be mana running through his Manantic Vessels.
There it was, vibrating in sync with the beats of his heart. Kvolt concentrated on this energy, imagining it flowing towards his hands, filling him with warmth and power. Then, slowly, he extended his small fingers towards the fire, wishing with every fiber of his being that the flames would move, that they would respond to his will.
For a moment, nothing happened. But then, almost imperceptibly at first, the flames flickered. It was a subtle movement, easily confused with a stray air current, and they soon roared slightly upwards.
It had been him.
Triumph roared in his chest, and he had to suppress a cry of joy. He had done magic! It didn't matter that it was something so small and insignificant, it was a start. A promise of what was to come.
Grinning from ear to ear, only to find Nessa standing at the door, her eyes wide and fixed on the fireplace.
"Kvolt," she whispered, her voice trembling with astonishment. "What did you do?"
And it was then that Kvolt realized: in his excitement, he had accidentally pushed the flames beyond the protection of the fireplace. Small tongues of fire licked the threadbare rug, threatening to spread and consume everything in their path.
Panic flooded his being, and he froze, paralyzed by fright.
It was Aurora who snapped him out of his stupor, her voice firm and authoritative in his mind.
"Kvolt, focus! You need to put out the fire, now!"
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Swallowing hard, he forced himself to focus again, channeling every ounce of his concentration into the rebellious flames. He imagined them diminishing, suffocated by an invisible force, until nothing remained but smoldering ashes.
But they continued to consume the rug little by little.
"Water!" Nessa shouted, running. She grabbed a bucket in the kitchen and carried it with difficulty, pouring it on the rug, extinguishing the flames.
Kvolt collapsed backwards, exhausted and trembling. It had been close. The lesson was clear: magic, as interesting as it was, was also dangerous. He would have to be more careful, more controlled, if he wanted to master it without causing unintended damage.
Nessa ran to his side, pulling him into a tight hug. She didn't say anything, but Kvolt could feel her concern, her fear, her love.
"I-I w-will b-be c-careful," he whispered, trying to calm her down. "I-I promise."
"Kvolt, what did you do?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Was that... magic?"
Kvolt looked away. How could he explain? His command of speech was rudimentary at best, his mature brain struggling against the limitations of his childish tongue, which seemed to lock up when he tried to say something. The word was on the tip of his tongue, with complex phrases in his brain, but it came out with flaws when it was emitted from his mouth.
"I... I didn't..." he stuttered, the words heavy and awkward. "I just... wanted... to see." The phonemes of the language were more complicated than he thought.
Nessa listened and nodded her head in acknowledgment, her round, freckled face contorted in worried disapproval.
"Kvolt, you can't do that!" she said, keeping her voice low. "Mommy always said that magic is dangerous. That people who use magic are... are bad."
Kvolt looked at her, bitter. How could she despise something so surprising created by nature? Did she despise magic? Would she despise him if she knew what he was capable of?
But his sister still seemed frightened by the situation.
How to deal with children? Kvolt thought and tried to reconcile to calm the girl down.
"Not... not bad," he insisted. "I... good. Promise."
Nessa sighed, her gaze softening in front of her little brother. She pulled him to her chest, stroking his back with comforting hands.
"I know you're not bad, Kvolt," she murmured. "But magic... it's forbidden here. If someone finds out, you could be taken away. I don't want to lose you."
Kvolt nodded against her shoulder, a lump in his throat. He couldn't be trapped here if his family feared magic, and here wouldn't be the place for him.
He had already set a new goal. Explore this new world, gather knowledge, and master this unknown art.
Nothing could limit him. Not even his family.
"Aurora," he called the interface. "Prioritize what can give me a strategic advantage. Starting with the energy domain I witnessed. Continue to unravel its nature, find its fundamental laws."
Kvolt delighted in every plan his mind generated. This world would be his study tome, his blank canvas to be painted with the pigments of his maximum knowledge. He would test every limit, explore every nook and cranny until he penetrated the mysteries of this existence.
"And structure a training regimen for me. Physical, mental, everything. It has to push me to the extremes. This shell must strengthen to withstand what I will become."
And, before he could formulate a response for Nessa, a sound at the door made the two siblings quickly separate. There, standing on the threshold with a curious look on his face, was Henry.
"What are you two up to?" he asked, his tone light but with a hint of suspicion.
"Nothing, daddy!" Nessa said quickly, her smile a little too forced. "We were just... playing."
Henry raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. His eyes scanned the house, lingering on the burn mark on the rug.
"And what happened there?" he questioned, pointing to the incriminating evidence.
Nessa swallowed hard, her face turning pale. Kvolt could practically see the gears turning in her head as she desperately searched for an explanation.
"It was... it was an accident," she stammered. "Kvolt was crawling and... and bumped into an ember from the fireplace. But everything is fine, no one got hurt!"
Henry studied the two for a long moment, his brown eyes piercing. Kvolt rolled his eyes, certain that his father could see straight through him, straight to the truth resonating in his core.
But then, to his relief and surprise, Henry simply sighed and shook his head.
"You need to be more careful," he gently reprimanded. "Especially you, Kvolt. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Sorry..." Kvolt muttered, dissatisfied. It was so irritating to have to act in submission. He hated it, hated being a baby. But what else could he do?
Henry smiled, his face softening with affection. He leaned down and picked Kvolt up, making the boy let out a cry of surprise and discontent.
"It's okay, son," he said, hugging him tightly. "Accidents happen. The important thing is that you learn from them."
---
At the end of the night, Kvolt lay in his crib, the muffled sounds of his parents talking reaching his ears. At first, he didn't pay much attention until the tone of the conversation changed, becoming more charged.
"Lisai, my love," came Henry's voice, hoarse with desire. "I missed you so much today."
There was a rustle of fabric, followed by a dissatisfied sigh from Lisai.
"Not now, Henry. I'm tired, and the children are sleeping."
But Henry persisted, his tone pleading and a little pathetic to Kvolt's ears.
"Come on, dear. It's been so long since we've had a moment just for us."
Kvolt couldn't hold back a mocking laugh. It was hilarious and a little sad at the same time.
"Looks like someone is desperate," he mentally commented. "Maybe if he tried to be a little smoother and a little less... well, pathetic."
"Analyzing the interaction..." Aurora responded. "Henry's tone and body language suggest a strong desire for physical intimacy. Lisai's response indicates tiredness and possibly a lack of interest or willingness for sexual activity."
Kvolt rolled his eyes, amused by the AI's clinical assessment.
"Seriously, Aurora? I think even a child could understand that. Well, maybe not a real child, but you get what I mean."
There was a pause before Aurora responded, as if she were processing the situation.
"The dynamics suggest a possible discrepancy in the levels of desire and need for intimacy between the couple. If not addressed, this incompatibility can lead to tension and dissatisfaction in the relationship."
Kvolt huffed, impressed and a little disturbed by the AI's insight.
"Aurora, you could have a future as a couples therapist. But seriously, it's so weird to hear my parents discussing sex. Or the lack of it, in the case of my father."
He heard Lisai sigh, her voice sharp with irritation when she answered.
"I said no, Henry. I'm not in the mood for your advances tonight."
"Ouch," Kvolt murmured, almost feeling sorry for his father. "Rejected again. I guess someone is going to sleep on the couch tonight."
"Repeated rejection of a partner's sexual advances can lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and resentment," Aurora observed.
Kvolt nodded, surprised to find himself actually considering the AI's words. Who would have thought he'd be getting relationship advice from an artificial intelligence while trapped in the body of a baby?
"Well observed, Aurora. Maybe I can give some tips to these two. You know, when I can speak more than two words at a time. Show Henry how to spice things up." He said mentally, unable to contain his laughter.
Then, he heard Henry's heavy footsteps walking away, followed by the sound of the bedroom door slamming shut. Kvolt shuddered, feeling the residual tension in the air.
"Or maybe I should leave it to the professionals," he muttered, pulling the blanket over his head.
And with that last thought, Kvolt allowed himself to fall asleep, the sounds of the restless house around him dissolving into the quietude of his dreams.