Fin spent the first year of his new life in Aetherys observing.
His infant body, while frustratingly limited, provided a unique vantage point. He could watch the daily routines of his family and the household staff, study the architecture of the Aodh estate, and begin to familiarize himself with the subtle energies that permeated this world.
His parents, while loving, were also occupied with their own responsibilities.
His father, Donovan, oversaw the estate’s operations and trained regularly in the courtyard with a combination of swordplay and fire magic. Fin observed his precise movements, the way he shifted his weight, the focused intensity in his eyes. He seemed to embody a pragmatic, martial mindset.
His mother, Cahira, managed the household and the family’s trade interests. She possessed a keen intellect and a sharp eye for detail, traits Fin recognized and appreciated.
Both parents treated him with affection, but there was a distance, understandable, given his infant state. They saw him as a baby, not as the reincarnated consciousness of a twenty-one-year-old physicist.
This suited Fin fine. He needed time to acclimate, to gather information, to plan his next steps.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. With each passing sunrise, Fin grew more accustomed to the frustrating limitations of his infant body.
There was the constant drooling, for instance. A seemingly endless river of saliva that his underdeveloped throat muscles couldn’t quite manage. It was mortifying. Fin, who had once lectured on complex physics concepts, now spent his days trying to prevent a steady stream of his own spit from soaking his chin.
Then there were the unpredictable bowel movements. He’d be lying in his cradle, contemplating the intricacies of elemental flow, when suddenly his digestive system would decide to express itself with explosive enthusiasm. The indignity of it all! To have no control over one’s own body was a humbling experience, to say the least.
And the crying. Oh, the crying. It wasn’t always a conscious decision. Sometimes, his infant body would simply decide that it was time to wail, regardless of Fin’s mental state. A sudden loud noise, a mild discomfort, or seemingly nothing at all could trigger a torrent of tears and ear-splitting shrieks. Fin would grit his teeth (or gums, rather) and endure the cacophony, all the while desperately wishing he could explain that he was perfectly fine and just needed a moment of peace and quiet to think.
His attempts to move were equally comical. He’d try to lift his head, only to have it flop back down like a lead weight. He’d attempt to roll over, succeeding only in flailing his limbs and ending up in an even more awkward position. The concept of crawling seemed like a distant, impossible dream.
Yet, amidst the frustration and embarrassment, Fin began to notice subtle improvements. His neck muscles grew stronger, allowing him to hold his head up for slightly longer periods. His vision gradually sharpened, transforming the blurry shapes around him into recognizable objects and faces. He even managed a few successful rolls, albeit more by accident than by design.
Slowly but surely, his control over his body increased. It was a painstaking process, but Fin approached it with the same methodical determination he had once applied to his scientific studies. He observed, analyzed, and practiced, treating his own development as a grand experiment.
During these months of observation, Fin became particularly familiar with the workings of the Aodh household.
The estate was a bustling hub of activity. Servants moved with purpose, attending to various tasks from cleaning and cooking to tending the gardens and stables. There were guards patrolling the perimeter, their presence a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the estate walls.
Overseeing it all was a man named Alaric, the head butler.
Alaric was a tall, slender man with neatly combed graying hair and eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He moved with an air of quiet authority, his voice calm and measured as he issued instructions and ensured the smooth operation of the household.
Fin often saw Alaric observing him from a distance, his expression unreadable. At first, Fin had been wary of the butler's scrutiny. There was something about Alaric's gaze that suggested he saw more than just a baby.
But as the months passed, Fin began to sense a certain warmth in Alaric's attention. The butler would occasionally linger in the nursery, watching Fin with a soft smile. He'd sometimes bring small, hand-carved wooden toys, leaving them silently by the cradle.
One afternoon, as the wet nurse was changing Fin, Alaric entered the nursery.
"How is the young master today?" he asked, his voice low so as not to startle Fin.
"He's been very alert, Master Alaric," the wet nurse replied. "Hardly cries at all, just watches everything."
Alaric stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Fin. "Indeed. He has a remarkable presence for one so young."This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
He reached out a hand and gently stroked Fin's cheek. His touch was surprisingly warm and gentle.
Fin stared back at him, his blue eyes meeting Alaric's. For a moment, it was as if time stood still, the two of them locked in a silent exchange.
Then, Alaric smiled, a genuine, unguarded expression that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "He reminds me a bit of his grandfather," he said softly. "Old Lord Theron had the same piercing gaze."
He turned to the wet nurse. "If the young master needs anything, please don't hesitate to inform me."
"Of course, Master Alaric," she replied.
Alaric nodded and then quietly left the nursery.
From that day forward, Fin noticed a distinct change in Alaric's behavior towards him. The butler's visits to the nursery became more frequent, and he would often engage Fin in one-sided conversations, telling him stories about the history of the Aodh family, the surrounding lands, and even some of the local folklore.
Fin, of course, couldn't respond, but he listened intently, absorbing every word. He found himself drawn to Alaric's calm demeanor, his vast knowledge, and the subtle kindness he radiated.
In Alaric, Fin sensed a potential ally, someone who might understand him better than the rest of the household. He resolved to cultivate this connection, recognizing the value of having an ally within the complex social structure of the Aodh estate.
As the months continued to pass, Fin diligently worked on regaining control of his body. He practiced rolling over, pushing himself up on his hands, and even attempting to crawl. Progress was slow and often frustrating, but Fin persevered, driven by his determination to become independent.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. His parents and brother praised his growing strength and coordination, marveling at how quickly he seemed to be developing.
"He's going to be walking before he's a year old," Kilian declared proudly one afternoon as he watched Fin attempt to crawl across the nursery floor.
"Don't jinx him," Cahira said, smiling. "But he is certainly strong for his age."
Donovan nodded in agreement. "He takes after my side of the family. We've always been early bloomers."
Fin, of course, knew that his rapid development had less to do with genetics and more to do with having an adult consciousness guiding his infant body. But he kept this knowledge to himself, content to let his family believe whatever made them happy.
As his physical abilities improved, Fin also began to explore his connection to the elemental energies that permeated the world around him.
He could sense them now, much more clearly than he had in those first few days after his birth. It was like a subtle vibration, a constant hum that resonated within him and throughout his surroundings.
He could feel the warmth of the fire in the hearth, the coolness of the stone walls, the gentle flow of air through the open windows. Each element had its own distinct signature, its own unique rhythm.
Fin found himself particularly drawn to the crackling energy of lightning. It was a wild, untamed force, full of power and potential. When storms raged over the nearby mountains, Fin would feel a palpable pull towards the window, his senses heightened as he watched the lightning dance across the sky.
It was during one of these storms that Fin experienced his first conscious attempt to manipulate the elemental energies.
He was lying in his cradle, watching the lightning flash outside, when he felt a surge of energy within him. It was as if the lightning in the sky was calling to the lightning within him, creating a powerful resonance.
On a whim, Fin focused his attention on that internal energy, trying to direct it, to shape it. He had no idea what he was doing, no understanding of the proper techniques, but he acted purely on instinct.
To his surprise, he felt the energy slightly respond. It pulsed and shifted within premature pathways in his body but with no core to fuel it, the power slowly fizzled out.
It wasn’t much, but he’d done it. He had consciously manipulated mana. The realization filled him with excitement and a sense of wonder. If he could do this now, with no training or guidance, what would he be capable of when he was older?
From that moment on, Fin began experiment more deliberately with his connection to elemental energies. He would focus his attention of different elements, trying to sense their unique properties, attempting to influence their flow within his body.
He made slow but steady progress, gradually gaining a better understanding of how the energies worked, how they interacted with his body, and how he could begin to manipulate them.
His control over his physical body also continued to improve. By the time his first birthday approached, Fin was crawling with surprising speed and agility. He could pull himself up to a standing position, albeit somewhat shakily, and he had even taken a few tentative steps.
His babbling had also become more articulate, although he still couldn't form coherent words. He could, however, make his needs and wants known with a combination of gestures, vocalizations, and facial expressions.
The day of his first birthday arrived, and the Aodh estate was filled with a festive atmosphere.
A large tent had been erected in the courtyard, decorated with colorful banners and streamers. Tables laden with food and drink were set up, and musicians played lively tunes.
Family, friends, and even some of the estate workers gathered to celebrate Fin's milestone.
Fin, dressed in a fine red tunic, was the center of attention. He was passed from one set of arms to another, receiving hugs, kisses, and cooing from well-wishers.
He tolerated the attention with good grace, offering smiles and gurgles, even though he would have much rather been exploring the courtyard or experimenting with his elemental abilities.
His brother, Kilian, presented him with a wooden sword, a miniature replica of his own. "When you're big enough," Kilian declared, "I'll teach you how to use it, and we'll train together!"
His mother gave him a soft plush phoenix toy. “To remind you of your father and brother’s affinity,” she said, smiling.
His father simply ruffled his hair and offered a warm smile. "Happy birthday, son," he said. "May you have many more."
As the day drew to a close, and the guests began to depart, Fin found himself being held by Alaric.
The butler had been a quiet presence throughout the day, observing the festivities with a gentle smile. Now, as the sun set, casting long shadows across the courtyard, he held Fin close, his gaze soft and contemplative.
"You've grown so much this year, young master," Alaric said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've brought joy to this household."
He paused, then added, "I have a feeling you're destined for great things, Fin Aodh."
Fin looked up at Alaric, his blue eyes meeting the butler's gaze. He couldn't understand why, but he felt a deep connection to this man, a sense of trust and understanding that transcended words.
As Alaric carried him back to the nursery, Fin glanced up at the sky. The stars were beginning to appear, and in the distance, over the mountains, he saw the faint flicker of lightning.
A familiar warmth stirred within him, a sense of anticipation and excitement for the future.
One year had passed. He was no longer just an observer. He was ready to begin his journey.