Turning four should have been simple. Walk steadily, babble in full sentences, maybe even help with small magical chores.
But in our mansion? Simple didn't exist. Chaos was the default, laughter the soundtrack, and magical accidents the norm.
That morning started like any other: toys scattered from yesterday's mess, floating objects hovering in the sunlight, and my sisters staring at me as if I were both a prodigy and a tiny terror.
"Zackie," Clara said, twirling her wooden spoon like a scepter, "today you will practice precision levitation. Three objects at once, no accidents. Understand?"
I blinked. Three objects… again? My tiny arms trembled at the thought.
Lina, sitting cross-legged on the floor, smirked. "And today… I'll be leaving."
I froze. "Leaving? What do you mean… leaving?"
She smiled softly, but it wasn't her usual mischievous grin. "I'm going to AM. A boarding school for magic."
My jaw dropped. AM? A school? Magic? What do you mean, school?
Clara's eyes sparkled. "AM is a prestigious boarding school. They train young magicians to be the best in the world. Lina's going there to improve her skills."
I crawled toward her, reaching out. "But… you're my chaos supervisor! Who will make training fun now?"
Lina laughed softly, brushing my tiny hands away. "Don't worry, Zackie. You'll still have Clara. But I… I have to go. You'll manage on your own."
I squeaked, tears welling in my eyes. My second sister—my playmate, my chaos partner, my constant—was leaving.
Clara tried to cheer me up. "Think of it as training! You'll become stronger while Lina is away. One day, you might even go to AM yourself."
I blinked at that. Me… at a magic school? Impossible.
---
The morning chaos continued, though my mind was elsewhere.
I tried to levitate a small rattle as I crawled toward Clara. It wobbled, then shot across the nursery like a comet, narrowly missing her head.
"ZACKIEEE!!" she screamed, flailing dramatically.
I squeaked in panic. Even magic seemed meaningless without Lina here.
The maids muttered under their breath, shaking their heads. "This child… even with magic, is still chaos incarnate."
The butler pinched the bridge of his nose. "The mansion… may not survive…"
Elena appeared silently in the corner, notebook in hand. "…Interesting," she said, her voice calm yet sharp, like a strategist studying a tiny, unpredictable general.
I looked at her, blinking. Somehow, her quiet observation made me feel… ready. If Lina could go to a school of magic, I could grow too. I had to.
---
Packing day was even more chaotic.
Lina bounced around the nursery, robes in her arms, books stacked precariously on her back. I crawled after her, tiny hands grabbing at every floating item she dropped.
"Careful, Zackie!" she warned, laughing despite the stress. "You're going to destroy my luggage!"
I squealed. I was destroying her luggage. A rattle floated past me and hit her book stack, sending one tome tumbling.
"ZACKIEEE!" she screamed, though she laughed immediately after.
Clara clapped her hands. "See, little brother? This is your chance to learn responsibility! Try not to turn everything into chaos!"
I glared at her, tiny fists trembling. Responsibility… impossible!
Even Elena crouched beside me. "Your focus must improve. Chaos alone will not suffice," she said softly.
I blinked. That single comment made my tiny chest puff with determination.
---
Finally, the time came. Lina hugged me tightly, her small arms surprisingly strong.
"Be good, little brother," she whispered. "Keep learning magic. Don't forget… someday we'll meet again. And you… will be ready."
I clutched her robes, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I… I'll be ready!"
Clara stepped forward, smiling brightly. "Don't be sad, Zackie! Think of it as training! You can become the next chaos genius of the mansion!"
The maids fussed over Lina's departure, while the butler quietly guided her luggage to the carriage outside.
I watched, tiny hands gripping my favorite rattle, as the carriage rolled down the driveway.
The world was bigger than our mansion. Magic existed beyond our walls. And AM… the magic school… was a place where I might one day grow stronger, just like Lina.
---
That evening, I crawled back to my crib, exhausted. Toys floated lazily around the nursery. Pillows were strewn across the floor. Milk had dried into sticky puddles.
And yet… there was laughter. Screams of excitement. Even Elena's quiet, approving gaze.
I hugged my favorite rattle tightly and realized something important:
The future was calling.
Magic, laughter, chaos, love… and a spark of ambition.
Even as a toddler, I understood: I had to grow stronger. One floating toy, one spilled bottle, one wobbly step at a time.
Because someday… I would meet Lina again.
And when I did… I wanted to be ready.