Snack time at the mayor's mansion is… nice. The place has that same medieval style as the other town buildings, though it's definitely bigger than our house. It's super spacious inside—dozens of rooms, plenty of fancy wood furniture, and decorations that suggest they're doing more than just modestly well-off. You can spot it from afar thanks to the pink and peach paint on the outside.
The mayor—a sturdy guy with dark skin, a kind face, and an impressively bushy mustache—welcomes us with a warm smile and effusive thanks to Mom for her service to the community, and to me for my "bravery" (if only he knew…). His wife, Lila's mom, is just as warm.
While the adults chat about village business—local taxes, the upcoming harvest, and yes, border security (a topic that makes Mom tense up a bit)—Lila and I are relegated to a rug with a box of wooden toys.
Now, you might think they're just simple rectangular blocks, but these toys are way more elaborate than mine—there's even a wooden horse on wheels! Lila shows me with a few quick gestures how to make it roll, and I demonstrate how to stack the blocks super high (thanks to my slightly superior coordination and, ahem, "adult planning").
We communicate through laughs, pointing, and the occasional babble that vaguely sounds like words. We don't speak the same language (literally, I still haven't mastered hers), but we understand each other perfectly in the universal language of play. I definitely like her—she has an infectious laugh and doesn't mind when I accidentally knock over her block tower.
And just like that, that snack time marks the start of our friendship. Almost every day, Mom takes me to Lila's place, or her mom brings Lila over to ours. We play in the yard, chase real chickens in our small coop, make mud "pies," or simply sit together watching the clouds. It's refreshing to have a buddy my own size—someone who doesn't just treat me like a helpless baby (even though, technically, I am).
At home, more letters arrive from Dad. The news is still good. The situation on the border has stabilized thanks to his intervention and that of his group. My uncle, General Valerius, is very pleased and always sends his regards (great guy, as always). And best of all: Dad says that soon—very soon—he'll be able to take leave and come home. Mom's smile when she reads that part makes me really happy; I feel a pang of excitement too. Dad's coming back!
Time flies between playing with Lila, my secret study sessions (my vocabulary is booming thanks to [Fast Learner]!), and my clandestine meditation practice in what feels like a vast ocean of mana. Somewhere along the way, I turn eleven months old. My steps are steady now—I can almost run. I can say "Mama," "Papa," "Lila," "water," "more," and a few other useful words, though my pronunciation is still pure baby talk.
And the magic… ah, the magic. My 90% core is now a tangible power source. Secretly, when Mom's busy at the clinic or sleeping, I experiment. In the garden, I focus on that sensation I felt in the park. Wind! I try to move a dry leaf on the ground. At first, nothing happens. Then, with intense concentration, the leaf trembles. Another try—and the leaf slides about an inch. Yes! It's minuscule control, but it's my control.
I also try to imitate Mom. When I find an unfortunate bug with a broken wing or a bent leg (the backyard is a battlefield for critters), I focus on my core and try to project that warm, repairing feeling of Light.
I don't see the glow like Mom's, but sometimes… sometimes the limping ant starts moving a little better, or the moth with the crumpled wing manages a clumsy flutter. It's incredibly difficult and drains my MP fast (healing a ladybug leaves me mentally wiped), but the feeling of being able to do it—even on this tiny scale—is addictive.
Happy and a bit curious about all my progress, now that I'm about to turn one, I decide to check the big picture by calling up the interface one more time.
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[Lexo]
Level: 0.90
HP: 20/20 (+4)
MP: 28/28 (+7)
STR: 3 (+1)
VIT: 3 (+1)
INT: ?? (Rudimentary Linguistic Comprehension Established)
WIS: ?? (Enhanced Environmental Observation)
DEX: 3 (+1)
MAG: 3 (+1)
Core: 90% Formed (Stable)
Skills: [Fast Learner (Passive) Lv.1]
Preliminary Elemental Affinities Detected: Air (Weak), Light (Vestigial)
Status: Conscious Mind, Self-Teaching (Language & Magic), Elemental Magic Practice (Air/Light).
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Nice! Base stats are still climbing, HP and MP are up too, and MAG has increased another point! The system recognizes my practice. Most interesting: Elemental Affinities Detected! Air (Weak)—makes sense, that was my first success. And Light (Vestigial)—I have that too! Though "vestigial" sounds a bit disappointing compared to Mom's power. But hey, I'm bi-elemental (potentially)! That's already rare from what I've heard. INT and WIS also reflect my learning progress.
Lila stares at me silently as I giggle like a crazy baby staring at the wall. Mental note: I better control myself next time, or they're definitely going to call in an exorcist to check me out.