The morning sun cast warm light over the parish garden, and the baby mage's tiny hands crawled over the soft grass, keeping his hovering Star Magic orbs balanced perfectly above him. They spun in delicate arcs, faint streaks of purple, blue, and red, casting miniature rainbows across the ground. Though he could not speak, his mind analyzed every movement of the two boys nearby, recording patterns, gestures, and responses with the precision of a scholar.
Yuno crouched nearby, examining a small patch of clover with careful, precise hands. The baby mage observed him quietly, noting the calm patience in every movement, the careful thought behind each touch of the earth. The system whispered: Observe ally. Record patience, strategy, and spatial awareness. He responded instinctively, letting a small Hololow Purple orb hover just above Yuno's hands. It emitted a soft glow, enough to attract attention but not to startle.
Yuno's eyes widened in curiosity. "What… is that?" he whispered, reaching out cautiously. The baby mage guided the orb with subtle shifts of thought, spinning it in a gentle arc. Yuno's small hands traced the light, mesmerized. Even at this age, he understood intuitively that the orb was alive in a strange, magical way.
Asta, bounding with boundless energy, leapt forward next. "Hey! Can I play too?" he shouted, nearly toppling over in excitement. The baby mage allowed the orbs to respond to Asta's movements, splitting into playful spirals and small evasive patterns. Asta giggled, chasing after them with unrestrained enthusiasm, while the baby mage observed every instinctive reaction.
The system whispered softly: Observe patterns of interaction. Encourage cooperation without revealing full control. He adjusted the orbs subtly, making them respond slightly to both boys simultaneously, fostering a sense of teamwork. The children began experimenting on their own, trying to coordinate their movements to "catch" the floating lights. Each attempt was recorded in the baby mage's mind, analyzing how cooperation, timing, and instinct could be shaped for future growth.
After several rounds of play, he tested small manipulations. A tiny Reversal Red pulse nudged a leaf gently toward Yuno, and a faint Hololow Blue glow lifted a pebble toward Asta. The boys gasped in delight, unaware that their tiny companion was already practicing the early forms of offensive and defensive Star Magic techniques.
The system noted each successful interaction: Environmental manipulation successful. Ally engagement observed. Mini-training complete. Though playful, each moment subtly trained the baby mage's precision, control, and ability to predict and influence movements in real time.
During a lull, the three sat quietly by the fountain. The baby mage's orbs hovered above him, spinning slowly, synchronized with his breathing. Yuno's eyes followed their motion carefully, while Asta leaned on his hands, panting, but unable to take his gaze off the flickering lights. Even without words, bonds were forming—a quiet, unspoken understanding of trust, curiosity, and subtle guidance.
By the afternoon, small challenges emerged naturally. Yuno attempted to touch an orb without disturbing its pattern; Asta tried to jump and tap one in mid-air. Each failure was met with laughter, each success with delight. And all the while, the baby mage observed, subtly guiding with tiny shifts of magic, maintaining balance and stability, never revealing the full extent of his abilities.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, the garden glowed in the soft light of early evening. The orbs hovered gently, casting streaks of color across the grass. The baby mage lay back, exhausted but exhilarated. He had not only practiced his Star Magic in new ways, but also subtly influenced and observed two of the future Clover Kingdom's greatest prodigies.
Even in play, the system whispered faintly: Social engagement successful. Pattern recognition in allies complete. Prepare for next phase of interaction and coordinated training. He absorbed every lesson, every nuance, every laugh, and every small reaction, knowing that these bonds and observations would shape the future—not just his own, but theirs as well.
And as the stars began to appear in the sky, tiny flickers of light reflected in the orbs above him, he felt the faint thrill of destiny stirring. The rising star had begun to shine, not alone, but alongside those who would one day walk beside him in triumph, challenge, and camaraderie.