Turning three should have been simple: walk a little better, babble a bit more, and maybe eat solid food without spilling half of it.
But my sisters had other plans.
Clara, now twelve, had declared herself my official magic instructor. Lina, ten, had appointed herself the "Chaos Supervisor," ensuring that every training session ended in fun disaster. And Elena… Elena, thirteen, was the quiet observer, always watching, always calculating. She didn't interfere—but I knew she was judging every misstep.
The morning began as usual: a sunny nursery, toys scattered from yesterday's chaos, and the three sisters staring at me like I was both a prodigy and a menace.
"Zackie," Clara said, twirling her spoon like a baton, "today you will combine walking, spellcasting, and focus. You must levitate three objects at once while walking a straight line."
I blinked. Three objects? While walking? My tiny legs wobbled just thinking about it.
Lina grinned. "And if you fail… Obstacle Nursery 5000 begins!" She waved a soft block like a battle flag.
Elena, as always, stood quietly in the corner. "…Promising," she muttered. Her single word carried the weight of a strategist preparing for war.
---
I took a deep breath and tried.
Step one: crawl to the first object. I made it halfway before my foot slipped, sending the toy spinning.
Step two: pick up two other objects. I managed it, though my tiny arms shook like jelly.
Step three: walk in a straight line.
THUMP!
I stumbled, sending one toy flying. Another spun sideways, narrowly missing Clara's face.
"ZACKIEEE!!" she screamed, ducking dramatically.
Lina clapped her hands. "Yes! He's learning combat magic!"
The maids peeked in nervously. "Please… survive…" one whispered.
I squeaked in panic. Magic was supposed to help me, not terrorize everyone!
But I kept trying. Step by step. Toy by toy.
---
By midday, the training intensified.
Clara introduced levitation drills while crawling, Lina tossed pillows and soft balls at random intervals, and Elena silently held a book with advanced incantations, leaving it just within my reach.
"Focus, Zackie!" Clara shouted. "If you fail, you must redo it five times!"
I groaned, tiny legs wobbling as I tried to control three floating objects. One pillow lifted into the air, then tilted and splashed milk from my sippy cup across the floor.
"ZACKIEEE!!" Clara screamed again, ducking the wet mess.
Lina laughed hysterically. "You're doing amazing, little brother! Chaos genius!"
Even the butler peeked in, jaw tight, muttering, "This child… he's unstoppable."
Elena crouched beside me, calm as ever. "Adjust your focus. You can do better." Her voice was quiet, but it cut through the chaos like a blade.
I blinked. Approval from Elena… it felt more precious than any ribbon or floating toy.
---
The afternoon brought the flying obstacle course.
Clara had stacked pillows, toys, and chairs into a wobbly maze. Lina armed herself with a feather duster. "Survive!" she shouted.
I crawled into the maze, tiny hands trembling, concentrating with all my might.
Objects floated. Pillows wobbled. Rattles spun like tiny tornadoes.
And somehow… I made it halfway before tripping on a block and sending a soft teddy bear spinning into Clara's lap.
"ZACKIEEE!!" she shrieked yet again, flailing dramatically.
Lina doubled over in laughter, clapping her hands. The maids shook their heads, muttering about how this child was ruining their lives.
I squealed, crawling faster, determined to finish.
Even in the chaos, I felt that familiar spark. The faint smile… my baby sister's smile from my past life. Only visible when I pushed myself too far, when I was scared or overwhelmed.
It reminded me why I needed to master magic.
Not for applause. Not for chaos.
For that tiny spark of hope.
---
By evening, I was exhausted. My tiny legs trembled. My hands shook from concentrating too long. Toys floated lazily around the nursery. Pillows were strewn across the floor. Milk had dried into sticky puddles.
Clara flopped dramatically onto a chair. "Zackie… you survived! You're improving!"
Lina ruffled my hair. "Don't get too confident, genius. You still have a long way to go."
Even Elena nodded, calm and composed. "Your focus and control are increasing. Continue practicing. You will be stronger soon."
I blinked up at her, tiny chest puffed. Approval from Elena felt like a medal of honor.
Magic, laughter, chaos, love—this was my world.
And even though the training was brutal, even though I fell, spilled milk, and terrorized everyone… I would do it again.
Because I had to be ready.
For greater challenges. For mysteries I didn't yet understand.
For that smile.
And for the day I would finally uncover the connection between the two worlds.
Even as a three-year-old toddler, I knew this was only the beginning.
One floating toy, one spilled bottle, one clumsy step at a time.
I would grow stronger.
I had to.