Three months had passed since the 'incident' as Ronan liked to call it. He was now sitting in the study, a book about basic magic theory propped up infront of him. His tiny hands could barely hold the thing properly but he managed somehow.
"Ronan! Ronan come play with me!"
'Ugh not again'
His sister Elena burst through the door with all the grace of a charging bull, her blonde hair bouncing as she ran toward him.
"Elena I am busy can't you see" Ronan said trying to sound as authoritative as a baby could possibly sound, which wasn't very much.
"But you're always busy! Come on lets go play in the garden, please please please" Elena grabbed his arm and started pulling.
"Elena stop it, I need to- hey wait STOP"
Too late. His sister had already lifted him up and was carrying him out of the study like a sack of potatoes. Ronan's protests fell on deaf ears as she hummed happily while walking down the hallway.
'This is humiliating, I swear when I get older I will-'
"Elena put your brother down this instant"
'Grandmother! My savior!'
His grandmother stood at the end of the hallway, arms crossed and looking at Elena with that stern expression that always worked.
Elena pouted "But grandma he never plays with me anymore, he just reads those boring books all day"
Grandmother sighed and walked over, taking Ronan from Elena's arms. "Your brother is special Elena, he needs time to study and grow. You'll understand when you're older"
"That's what you always say" Elena crossed her arms mimicking her grandmothers posture before stomping away.
Ronan felt a pang of guilt watching her leave.
'Maybe I should spend some time with her... No no I need to focus on learning magic, I can play later'
Grandmother looked down at him with knowing eyes "You know Ronan, family is important. Knowledge is good but don't forget to be a child while you still can"
Ronan nodded but internally he disagreed.
'I already was a child once, I don't need to do it again'
###########
Later that evening during dinner, Ronan sat in his baby chair watching his family eat. His father Luden was telling some story about his adventures as a merchant, wildly gesturing with his hands and nearly knocking over his wine glass twice. His mother Maria kept stopping him to correct the details while Elena listened with wide eyes completely engrossed in the tale.
Grandmother sat quietly eating her soup, occasionally glancing at Ronan with that look she always had - the one that said she knew more than she let on.
"And then the bandits jumped out from behind the rocks!" Luden stood up dramatically "There must have been at least twenty of them!"
"It was six" Maria interjected flatly
"Six very large bandits!" Luden continued undeterred "So I drew my sword and-"
"You ran away and hired guards"
Luden sat down looking deflated "Well yes but the running was very heroic running"
Elena giggled while Maria shook her head with a small smile. Even Ronan couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
'These people are idiots... but they're my idiots I suppose'
Suddenly Grandmother spoke up "Ronan will be starting his magic training soon"
The table went silent. All eyes turned to look at him.
Maria's face showed concern "Mother isn't he too young? He's barely four years old"
"He spoke at three and a half, he's been reading advanced texts for months now, and you think he's too young?" Grandmother raised an eyebrow "Besides I'm not talking about combat magic, just the basics. Mana circulation, sensing, control exercises. The foundation."
Luden stroked his chin thoughtfully "Well if anyone could handle it, it would be our little genius" he said proudly.
Elena's eyes lit up "Does this mean Ronan is gonna do magic?! Can I watch?!"
Grandmother looked at Ronan "Well? What do you say Ronan?"
All eyes were on him now. Ronan took a moment before answering, trying to sound as mature as possible.
"Yes Grandma, I want to learn magic"
His voice came out higher pitched than he intended cousing everyone to coo at how cute he sounded which made him want to crawl under the table.
'Why did I get reincarnated as a baby, this is torture'
Grandmother nodded satisfied "Good. We start tomorrow morning. And Ronan?"
"Yes?"
"After your lessons you will spend at least one hour playing with your sister. That is non-negotiable"
Elena cheered while Ronan groaned internally.
'Great, just great'
But looking at Elena's happy face he found he didn't actually mind that much. Maybe grandmother was right, maybe he should try to enjoy this childhood a bit more.
'Just a little bit though, I still have a lot to learn and a previous life's worth of regrets to make up for'
As dinner continued with his family laughing and talking, Ronan felt something warm in his chest.
'Yeah... I think I'm going to like it here'