One Month Later
A month into his new life at the Academy, Marcus was ready to admit defeat. While the mage children in the East Wing were learning to make sparks dance between their fingers, he was stuck in what amounted to a magical daycare, surrounded by stuffed training dummies and tiny wooden swords he couldn't even lift.
"Goo gah," said the baby next to him, a drooling redhead named Lia who had manifested a faint green aura.
"I know, right?" Marcus thought. "This is humiliating."
It had been three weeks since Elara had reluctantly returned to her firefighting duties. She visited when she could, usually once a week, but her job protecting the city took priority. Marcus missed her steady presence, but he understood—someone had to keep Emberfall from burning down. Again.
[Status Update][Name: Marcus (aka "Phoenix")][Age: 7 months][Level: 8][HP: 18/18][MP: 75/75][Strength: 3][Dexterity: 3][Constitution: 4][Intelligence: 18][Wisdom: 10][Charisma: 8][Skills:]- [Pitiful Crying: Level 5]- [Basic Survival: Level 3]- [Crawling: Level 7]- [Babbling: Level 4]- [Adorable Head Tilt: Level 2]- [Aura Enhancement: Level 2]- [Aura Sense: Level 3]
Marcus had gained two levels in the past month, mostly from completing daily quests like "Maintain Aura for 10 Minutes" and "Crawl Across the Training Mat." The most exciting part of his day was when Master Varrick, an elderly aura user with a white beard and perpetually annoyed expression, would come to check his progress.
"The child shows promise," Varrick had told Caretaker Mira yesterday. "His aura is unusually stable for one so young. But we must wait until he can at least stand before true training can begin."
[System Message: Ready for today's exciting lesson? Crawling! Again! Just like yesterday, and the day before, and the day before...]
"Shut up," Marcus thought at his system. He'd grown accustomed to its constant mocking, but it was getting old.
[System Message: Just trying to keep your spirits up during these thrilling developmental milestones. Oh look, you almost grabbed your foot! Revolutionary progress!]
Marcus sighed internally. He'd gained those two levels, but what good were they? His skill point allocation had improved a few abilities, but he was still just a baby with slightly better crawling skills.
Then something occurred to him.
"System," he thought, "bring up my status page."
The familiar blue window appeared:
[Status Page][Name: Marcus][Age: 7 months][Level: 8][Unallocated Stat Points: 35][Unallocated Skill Points: 0]
Marcus blinked. Unallocated Stat Points? THIRTY-FIVE of them?
[System Message: Oh look who finally noticed! The baby genius finally discovered the basic stats page! Only took you a month.]
"Why didn't you tell me I had stat points to allocate?" Marcus demanded mentally.
[System Message: You never asked. Plus it's been HILARIOUS watching you struggle with baby muscles while sitting on a pile of unspent points. Classic rookie mistake.]
Marcus would have gritted his teeth if he had any. All this time he'd been spending one skill point per level, when he could have been boosting his actual stats!
"How many points do I get per level?" he asked.
[System Message: Five per level. One typically goes to a skill, and the other four... well, you've been hoarding them like a tiny, drooling dragon.]
Five per level! He'd been using only a fifth of his potential upgrades!
"So I can place these points into any stat I want?"
[System Message: Indeed. May I suggest Strength? You still can't lift your head properly. It's embarrassing for both of us.]
Marcus ignored the taunt and considered his options. With 35 points, he could significantly boost his physical capabilities. But where to allocate them?
[System Message: Just a hint: Intelligence past 20 doesn't do much for baby brains. Your hardware can't handle the software upgrade yet.]
For once, the system was being helpful. Marcus thought carefully, then made his decisions:
[Allocating Stat Points][Strength: 3 → 13 (+10 points)][Dexterity: 3 → 13 (+10 points)][Constitution: 4 → 14 (+10 points)][Intelligence: 18 → 20 (+2 points)][Wisdom: 10 → 13 (+3 points)][Charisma: 8 → 8 (+0 points)][Unallocated Stat Points: 0]
The effect was immediate and astonishing. Marcus felt his limbs fill with sudden strength and coordination. His body, previously a prison of infant weakness, now felt... well, not adult-like, but certainly not typical baby-like either.
Experimentally, he pushed himself up from his lying position—and to his shock, managed to sit upright without support.
"By the Eternal Flame!" exclaimed one of the caretakers, a young woman named Mira. "Phoenix is sitting up by himself!"
Other staff members rushed over, gasping and exclaiming at what appeared to be a developmental miracle.
[System Message: Wow, the bar is really low here. Sitting up gets you celebrity status. Imagine when you walk—they might declare a holiday.]
Marcus ignored his snarky system and focused on his new capabilities. His muscles still had the shape and size of a baby's, but they now responded with precision and strength beyond what should be possible.
Carefully, he tried to stand—using the edge of his crib for support. His legs wobbled, but held.
The room fell silent.
"Get Master Varrick," someone whispered urgently. "Now!"
[New Skill Acquired!][Standing: Level 1][Effect: Ability to remain upright][New Skill Acquired!][Physical Prodigy: Level 1][Effect: +10% to all physical learning rates][Special Note: Skills now significantly easier to acquire due to enhanced physical stats]
Master Varrick arrived moments later, his perpetual scowl deepening when he saw Marcus standing in his crib.
"Impossible," the old master muttered, stroking his beard. "Seven months old and standing? With that level of aura control?"
For Marcus was now unconsciously channeling his crimson aura around his legs and core, stabilizing himself.
[System Message: Don't fall now. That would be hilarious, but counterproductive.]
The elderly master approached cautiously, as if Marcus might perform even more impossible feats at any moment.
"Watch," Varrick commanded the staff, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small red ball. He held it up before Marcus. "Focus, child. Focus your aura."
[New Quest Alert!][Title: Impress the Master][Description: Channel aura toward the ball][Reward: 300 XP, Master Varrick's mentorship][Failure: Continued baby training]
Marcus concentrated, visualizing his crimson energy extending beyond his body toward the ball. He'd been practicing this in secret, but had never managed more than a faint flicker.
Now, with his enhanced stats, a visible tendril of red energy extended from his tiny hand toward the ball.
The ball began to glow red in response.
Varrick dropped it in shock. "Seven months," he whispered. "Seven months and already manipulating external objects with aura. This is unprecedented."
[Quest Completed!][Title: Impress the Master][Reward: 300 XP, Master Varrick's mentorship]
[Level Up!][You are now Level 9][All stats increased by 1][5 Stat Points Available][System Message: Congratulations! You've gone from "pathetic baby" to "slightly less pathetic baby" in record time!]
Marcus decided to immediately allocate his new points:
[Allocating Stat Points][Strength: 14 → 15 (+1 point)][Dexterity: 14 → 16 (+2 points)][Constitution: 15 → 15 (+0 points)][Intelligence: 21 → 21 (+0 points)][Wisdom: 14 → 14 (+0 points)][Charisma: 9 → 11 (+2 points)][Unallocated Stat Points: 0]
"This changes everything," Varrick declared, turning to the other caretakers. "The child must begin formal training immediately."
"But he's just a baby," Mira protested. "He can't even talk yet!"
"He doesn't need to talk to train his aura," Varrick countered. "And clearly, he's no ordinary baby."
[System Message: You've been promoted from "daycare" to "actual training." Only took becoming a freak of nature!]
Marcus wanted to jump for joy, but decided that might be pushing his luck. Standing was miraculous enough for one day.
"Fine," Mira conceded. "But I'm reporting this to Elara during her next visit. She's very protective of him."
"Of course," Varrick agreed. "The boy will need all the support he can get." The old master eyed Marcus with newfound respect. "We begin tomorrow at dawn."
As the adults continued discussing his future, Marcus experimented with his new physical capabilities. He could now grip objects with precision, control his neck muscles perfectly, and had enough coordination to potentially attempt walking soon.
All from a simple stat allocation that he'd overlooked for a month.
[System Message: So what's the plan now, oh physically advanced one? Going to start sword training before your first birthday? Beat up the other babies for their milk bottles?]
"No," Marcus thought back. "I'm going to become so good at aura manipulation that I can use it just like magic. If I can't be a wizard, I'll be the next best thing."
[System Message: Ambitious! I like it. Just don't cry when you face your first real training session. Baby tears would ruin your new badass image.]
For once, Marcus agreed with his system. No more crying. No more baby stuff. He was going to use these stat points to skip ahead years of development and become the youngest aura master in history.
The magical kids in the East Wing wouldn't know what hit them.
The Next Morning
Dawn came too early for Marcus's liking. Despite his enhanced constitution, he was still on a baby's sleep schedule, and being awoken before sunrise put him in a foul mood.
"Is this really necessary?" Caretaker Mira asked, carrying a bundled-up Marcus across the Academy grounds. Frost crunched beneath her feet in the pre-dawn chill.
"Absolutely," Master Varrick replied, marching ahead with surprising spryness for his age. "Aura training is best begun at dawn, when the world's energy is in transition."
[System Message: That's complete nonsense. He just enjoys making people suffer by waking up early. Classic martial arts master move.]
Marcus was inclined to agree as they approached a secluded courtyard in the Western Wing. Stone training dummies lined the perimeter, and the center featured a circular platform inlaid with glowing runes.
"The Awakening Circle," Varrick explained, gesturing to the platform. "Normally reserved for students at least five years of age, but our young Phoenix here has demonstrated exceptional potential."
[New Quest Alert!][Title: The Awakening Circle][Description: Successfully activate the training circle with your aura][Reward: 500 XP, Aura Control skill][Failure: Humiliation, delayed training]
Mira placed Marcus carefully in the center of the circle. He immediately noticed that sitting was much easier now with his enhanced strength and balance.
"The circle responds to focused aura," Varrick instructed. "Direct your energy downward, into the runes."
Marcus concentrated, visualizing his crimson aura flowing from his core, down through his body, and into the stone beneath him. With his improved stats, the energy responded smoothly to his will.
The runes began to glow red, matching his aura's color.
"Excellent," Varrick murmured, watching carefully. "Now expand it."
Marcus pushed more energy into the circle, and the runes glowed brighter. The entire courtyard was now bathed in crimson light.
"Remarkable," Varrick breathed. "Such control at his age..."
[New Skill Acquired!][Aura Control: Level 1][Effect: Precision manipulation of aura energy][Special Effect: Can now shape aura outside your body]
[Quest Completed!][Title: The Awakening Circle][Reward: 500 XP, Aura Control skill]
[Level Up!][You are now Level 10][All stats increased by 1][5 Stat Points Available][Special Milestone: Every 10 levels grants a unique benefit][Benefit Unlocked: Aura Specialization now available]
Marcus quickly allocated his new points:
[Allocating Stat Points][Strength: 16 → 17 (+1 point)][Dexterity: 17 → 19 (+2 points)][Constitution: 16 → 17 (+1 point)][Intelligence: 22 → 22 (+0 points)][Wisdom: 15 → 15 (+0 points)][Charisma: 12 → 13 (+1 point)][Unallocated Stat Points: 0]
But what really caught his attention was the new notification about Aura Specialization.
"System, what's Aura Specialization?" he thought.
[System Message: Oh, now the good stuff begins! Aura Specialization allows you to develop your aura in specific directions. Options include:][Enhancer: Amplify physical abilities beyond normal limits][Projector: Create external aura constructs (weapons, shields, etc.)][Sensor: Develop extraordinary perceptive abilities][Healer: Channel aura for regenerative purposes][Disruptor: Interfere with others' energy systems]
Marcus's mind raced with the possibilities. Each specialization sounded useful in its own way. The Projector path sounded closest to magic, allowing him to create things with his energy. But Enhancement would give him superhuman physical abilities...
[System Message: Choose wisely! Unlike stat points, specialization choices are permanent. No take-backsies!]
"What's the most versatile option?" Marcus asked his system.
[System Message: Projector has the most diverse applications, but requires the most MP. Enhancer is the most straightforward power boost. Consider your play style, scrub.]
The choice seemed clear.
[Specialization Selected: Projector][Projector Aura Path Unlocked][New Skill Acquired!][Aura Projection: Level 1][Effect: Create simple external aura constructs][MP Cost: Varies by construct complexity]
"The circle is responding unusually," Varrick noted, watching as the runes began to shift patterns. "It's... testing him for specialization? But that's not possible at this stage."
Yet before their eyes, the runes rearranged into patterns that indicated an aura projection specialization.
"Impossible," Varrick whispered. "Specialization doesn't manifest until puberty, at the earliest."
[System Message: Congratulations! You've officially broken their understanding of aura development. Prepare for dissection in the name of science!]
That wasn't comforting, but Marcus was too excited to worry. He focused on his new projection ability, attempting to create the simplest construct he could imagine: a small ball of crimson energy floating above his palm.
To his surprise and delight, it worked on the first try. A pulsing red sphere, the size of a marble, materialized above his tiny hand.
Varrick dropped to his knees before the circle. "In sixty years of training aura users, I have never..." His voice trailed off as he watched the crimson sphere rotate gently above Marcus's palm.
[System Message: Look at his face! Priceless! You've just shattered his entire worldview. Not bad for before breakfast.]
Mira looked worried. "Is this... normal? Is he safe?"
"Safe? Yes," Varrick assured her, though his voice lacked certainty. "Normal? Not in the slightest." The old master stroked his beard thoughtfully. "We must adjust our approach entirely. This is no longer beginner training."
Marcus allowed his energy construct to dissipate, feeling a surge of satisfaction. This was more like it! He might not be flinging fireballs, but creating objects out of pure energy wasn't that far off.
"Phoenix," Varrick addressed him directly, as if speaking to an adult, "can you understand what I'm saying?"
Marcus nodded, deciding there was little point in maintaining the charade of normal baby development after what he'd just displayed.
Varrick's eyes widened. "Cognitive development matching his aura abilities," he murmured. "Extraordinary."
[System Message: Careful now. Too much genius and they'll never leave you alone. A little drool might help sell the "still a baby" angle.]
Reluctantly, Marcus let a bit of drool escape his mouth, then gave Varrick his best innocent baby smile.
The master chuckled. "Still a child in many ways, I see. Good. That's... reassuring."
[New Quest Alert!][Title: Balance Act][Description: Train your extraordinary abilities while maintaining the appearance of (somewhat) normal development][Reward: 1000 XP, Reduced scrutiny, Accelerated training][Failure: Possible isolation for "study"]
Master Varrick rose to his feet. "We'll begin proper training immediately, but we must be... discreet. I'll arrange private sessions away from prying eyes."
"Are you saying we should hide his abilities?" Mira asked.
"Not hide," Varrick clarified. "Merely... contextualize appropriately. Let others believe he is merely exceptionally gifted, rather than impossibly advanced. For his protection."
[System Message: Translation: "Let's not have the magical scientists dissect him for research purposes."]
Marcus wholeheartedly agreed with this approach. The last thing he wanted was to become a research subject.
"We begin with simple projection exercises," Varrick decided. "One hour each morning. Then normal developmental activities the rest of the day." He paused, thoughtfully. "And we should contact Elara during her next visit. She deserves to know about this development."
[Daily Quest Unlocked!][Title: Projection Practice][Description: Create and maintain 5 simple aura constructs][Reward: 100 XP, Increased Aura Projection skill][Refreshes: Daily at dawn]
As they left the Awakening Circle, Marcus couldn't help feeling smug. With his stat point discovery and specialization choice, he'd essentially skipped years of basic training. He might not be on the magical path, but his aura abilities were already showing potential beyond normal limitations.
[System Message: Not bad for a baby who still needs diaper changes. Speaking of which... I'm detecting an unpleasant situation developing in your pants region. Enjoy explaining THAT with your advanced cognitive abilities!]
Marcus sighed internally. Some aspects of baby life, unfortunately, couldn't be solved with stat points.
But overall, things were looking up. Way up.
He just had to master aura projection, learn to walk, figure out how to talk properly, and then he could begin his true journey toward becoming the most powerful aura user this world had ever seen.
All before his first birthday.
[System Message: Ambitious schedule! But maybe focus on the potty training first, Mr. Prodigy. Some messes even aura can't clean up.]