“What did I tell you? Still in the blanket!” Aut boasted loudly, rousing me from my slumber.

“Pure coincidence.” Unn shot back.

My stomach began grumbling. Aut seemed to notice, as he picked me up, and began feeding me that horrific sludge. Choke it down. Choke it down. I want a better <Mana Reserve>. Strong body. Eyes on the prize. It tasted so bad. I was finally full, and Aut stopped.

“Good Ash.” Aut praised.

My body then informed me; it was time to go. This is humiliating. I tried making noises, begging to please be brought to a toilet, but it was all in vain. Being a baby sucks. This is horrible. Aut changed my diaper for me.

“I’m telling you; Ash understands what’s going on around him.” Aut told Unn.

“You are delusional.” Unn snapped.

“I’ll watch Ash for today. Is that fine?” Aut asked.

“Why do you want to watch him?” Unn probed.

“I promised the little guy I’d show him how to properly circulate <Mana> in his body.” Aut answered.

“Fine. Easier for me anyways.” Unn said exasperated. Why did my parents leave me with her?

“Come on little guy!” Aut declared excitedly as he took me to a new room.

I could only see the ceiling as we moved. It was some odd brick, with the occasional light. Light was a bit of a misnomer; it was some odd glowing stone. It is probably some <Magic>. We went down a flight of stairs, and into a room with an odd white ceiling. It was some flat surface, but it looked like a single piece. That doesn’t look like drywall though.

Aut set me down on some mat. This room was much brighter than the previous one I was in. I heard some rummaging, and then Aut peered over me. Now that I could see him better, Aut definitely had horns. They were ram like, and his skin was odd. Like, it looked like it was made from clay. His skin was matte, with no shine whatsoever. I wonder what race he is.

“Okay Ash, I’m going to show you how your <Mana> should flow for proper reinforcement. It might be a little uncomfortable while you are getting the hang of it.” Aut told me.

He placed his mammoth hand on me, and the odd warmth moved through my body. It was different; the feeling was something I was not used to. Aut stopped and looked at me. I tried replicating the sensation. It felt like I was moving the world at first. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. Aut let me struggle for what felt like thirty minutes before he demonstrated again.

Whenever Aut showed me, it felt like something was swirling by my heart, and spread out from there. I focused on where the swirling sensation was. Something was there. Do I have an extra organ? What is that? I tried replicating the feeling again, and it was not working. It felt like I was trying to stir a pool with my finger. My breathing was starting to get heavy. I felt really drained all of a sudden.

“Way to go Ash!” Aut praised.

“What is this?” I asked, but only baby sounds yet again.

I could see Aut looking down at me, but he had squiggles going through him. Actually, everything in my vision was wavy. What did I do? This is not a pleasant feeling. I tried moving, but it didn’t feel like my body responded at all.

“Someone used up all their <Mana>. It will be a bit uncomfortable, but that was really good Ash!” Aut explained to me.

“Make it stop.” I begged.

“Doesn’t understand what’s going on around him my foot. You clearly at least have an idea of what I’m saying.” Aut told me.

“Yes, please make this feeling go away.” I told him.

“This will make you feel better.” Aut told me.

Aut set something on me, and I could immediately feel an odd sensation enter my body. That warmth is probably <Mana>. In a few minutes, I felt fine. My body felt like it was brimming with <Mana>. What did Aut just put on me? It was weird; that felt good. I tried replicating what Aut showed me again. Yet again, it felt like I was trying to move the world again. When Aut did it, there was a clear swirling feeling. After I tried for what felt like an hour, I got maybe one rotation.

Once I spent all my <Mana>, Aut set something on me again. Whatever it was, it readily recharged my <Mana>. Once I was topped off, Aut demonstrated for me again. What is he doing differently than me? And this is my body, not his. He is effortlessly doing it too.

We alternated in that pattern for a long while. I had no idea how much time passed. I would attempt to mimic the motion. Aut would set something on me to recharge my <Mana>. He would demonstrate the proper method. Rinse. Repeat. On the fourth cycle, my stomach began grumbling. Aut didn’t do anything until my <Mana> was gone. Once my <Mana> was gone, he fed me the sludge again. Surprisingly, this time, it tasted kind of good. My body felt a lot better as I ate.

“I know, this stuff tastes kind of rough, but it does taste better when you’re exhausted Ash. You are doing really well! You managed three rotations!” Aut told me.

I wanted to reply, but I was busy eating. After I was done, he had to change my diaper. I hate being a baby. This is the worst part. Aut then placed whatever he had been setting on me again. What is he setting on me? Are there any side effects? I finished being topped off and tried again. After several more cycles, someone came in.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING AUT?!” a high-pitched, feminine voice roared at him.

Why are you such a waste of space?! Echoed through my mind. That voice was awfully similar to my old mother. Why am I remembering that?

“Lower your voice. Just teaching our new arrival.” Aut retorted.

“How many <Mana Crystals> have you gave him?!” the high-pitched voice demanded. Interesting. That makes sense though.

“A handful. Here’s one of them.” Aut said with a snarky tone. I could tell he tossed one to the new figure.

“Are you trying to kill the baby?!” the voice asked back.

“No, that’s his <Affinity>. We have a decent stockpile of them, so why not use them?” Aut retorted.

“Fine.” The voice conceded.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Aut asked sarcastically.

“Does Unn know you are, wait a second, why does a newborn need <Mana Crystals>?” the voice probed.

“I’m teaching him <Mana Reinforcement>. He’s making steady progress.” Aut replied.

“That baby has to be at most a week old.” The voice retorted.

“Ash, show him what we’ve been practicing.” Aut instructed.

“You’re nuts!” The voice snapped at Aut. I will prove you wrong. I like him so far.

I tried my hardest. I was hellbent on replicating the spinning sensation. Spin whatever that thing is. Come on. I felt it begin to spin. There we go. Come on. Wait. When Aut was spinning it, it spun from whatever that place is, not around it like I’ve been doing. I stopped what I was doing and tried focusing solely on where the rotation was happening. Something in my brain clicked. I could feel whatever that was a lot better. After a few attempts, I got it spinning. Not just a little. I had it rotating rapidly, like when Aut showed me.

“What the forl?” the high-pitched voice asked. Definitely a swear word.

“Language! And what did I tell you! Look at that!” Aut proclaimed excitedly.

I did it! I cheered to myself. My body felt incredibly woozy again.

“See Woona? That’s talent!” Aut taunted.

“This is not natural.” Woona replied.

“I think little Ash is tired again. We’ll demonstrate for Unn and call it a day.” Aut told me.

“Okay.” I moaned.

Aut picked me up and carried me triumphantly back to Unn. As we walked, he placed another <Mana Crystal> on me. He was alternating muttering to himself how he wasn’t crazy and praising my progress. I was so happy. I am learning to use <Magic>! I have no idea what I’m learning is used for, but I imagine it will come together soon. I was kind of curious what Woona looked like. Is she a human like Unn, or what race Aut is? Is Unn a human? She looks like one. Am I a human now that I think about it? My thoughts were interrupted by Aut throwing a door open with a massive thud.

“Hello Unn!” Aut said happily.

“Why are you throwing open doors?! What if one breaks?! I might be a bit old but I’m not deaf, so you have no reason to be that loud!” Unn snapped at Aut.

I don’t like her. I thought to myself.

“I came to serve you some halpspung.” Aut told Unn. What is halpspung?

“Oh really? How so?” Unn asked.

“Ash, a demonstration please.” Aut requested.

I immediately did the <Mana Reinforcement> that Aut showed me. It was spinning even easier this time around. I got the sensation to really start to spread throughout my body. Take that Unn! There was a crisp slapping sound in the room as I stopped.

“How much did you train him today?” Unn asked, her voice sounding pissed.

“Just a little bit. I told you he could understand what was going on around him. You thought I was nuts! Look, he clearly has talent and was able to follow my instructions!” Aut defended himself.

“And now we have a baby able to use rudimentary <Mana Reinforcement>. How are we going to keep him from harming himself or another child by accident?” Unn asked.

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Aut answered.

“Obviously.” Unn sighed.

“But he clearly understood what I was showing him!” Aut insisted.

“What about when he renews his efforts to take off his bangle?” Unn probed.

“You won’t do that right Ash?” Aut asked me.

“Maybe.” I agreed.

“See, he agreed.” Aut retorted.

“Ash probably agrees as long as you keep showing him how to use his <Magic>. He seems to possess some innate desire to use his <Magic>.” Unn replied.

“Do you know what race our new baby is?” Aut deflected.

“He’s a Beastkin.” Unn answered.

“Really? He doesn’t look like a Beastkin.” Aut checked.

“I guarantee you Ash is a Beastkin.” Unn insisted. She does actually know my parents, so she probably knows exactly what type I am. She’s hiding that fact. I probably should hide that I’m from another world now that I think about it.

“You are pretty good at telling that, so I’ll trust you.” Aut conceded.

Beastkin? Does that mean I’m part animal? I mean, my parents could fly. Am I some type of bird? I wonder what comes with being a Beastkin? When will I be able to fly? What type of <Magic> do I possess? Everyone seems to get a little on edge when they realize. It’s probably something rare.

“Now what are we going to do?” Unn asked.

“About what?” Aut asked.

“You training a baby to use the start of <Mana Reinforcement>!” Unn snarled.

“It’ll work out.” Aut replied.

“Aut, how many <Mana Stones> did you feed Ash?” Unn probed.

“A handful.” Aut answered weakly.

“Do not dare feed him another one until he is older.” Unn ordered Aut.

“Yes ma’am.” Aut said.

“I don’t mind if you want to watch him, but leave that bangle on him, do not feed him <Mana Stones> to power him up until he is older, and show some restraint on what you teach him.” Unn snapped.

“Why do you seem extra annoyed about this?” Aut probed.

“What do you mean?” Unn asked.

“You seem extra annoyed about me showing Ash something.” Aut replied.

“I’m just concerned about teaching him too much when he’s a baby. Do not forget what his <Affinity> is.” Unn retorted.

“Fair point.” Aut conceded. Can you just say it out loud? I want to know. My stomach began grumbling again.

“Sorry if I’m a bit tense, but please think before you act.” Unn lectured Aut.

Aut lifted me and began feeding me the baby formula again. It does taste better when you’re tired. It’s still nasty. Unfortunately, soon after, I had to deal with some immense humiliation. I despise this part. Aut set me in the crib and swaddled me into a cloth prison. I was too exhausted to use <Mana Reinforcement> to try and remove the bangle.

“I’ll go take care of the evening lessons for the older children.” Aut told Unn.

“Okay. Thank you for watching Ash today.” Unn replied.

“I’ll watch him again tomorrow!” Aut informed Unn.

“What’s your goal?” Unn asked Aut.

“What do you mean?” Aut asked, feigning ignorance.

“You hate babies and little children, yet Ash you seem to like.” Unn pressed.

“I think he shows great promise.” Aut answered.

“You want to see how strong he can get.” Unn snapped.

“So? What’s the harm? He possesses a <Magic> capable of it.” Aut told Unn.

“It would be interesting, but I am not risking a kid getting crippled for that ambition.” Unn replied.

“There’s a balance.”  Aut told her. Note to self, just because someone is helpful to me, doesn’t mean they’re after my best interest.

I was tired, and just laid in the crib, listening to what was around me. Unn tirelessly worked on something. I heard ruffling of paper. She probably is doing paperwork. Is this her office? It was hard for me to get a sense of the layout looking only at the ceiling. After a bit, I fell asleep.