CHAPTER 3 : Wonder Kid

In a tranquil forest where a modest shack stood, sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting playful shadows across the wooden floors of the cozy living room. It seemed like just another ordinary day.

Yet, for Castiel, a three-month-old with the consciousness of a 48-year-old man, the day was far from typical. As he navigated this new world, his memories began to blur, fragments slipping away like sand through fingers.

No longer pretending to be merely an infant, Castiel observed his surroundings with keen curiosity. His parents, Helene and Arthur, busied themselves with their daily routines—Helene folding clothes while Arthur repaired parts of their humble home.

Castiel's bright eyes followed the gentle sway of a wooden toy hanging above him. Unexpectedly, his small hand reached out, and the toy began to spin on its own. Initially, he thought it was just the wind.

[Telekinesis Unlock]

Startled by a familiar voice echoing in his mind, Castiel whispered, "What is this?" His voice was barely audible, yet filled with wonder.

With a mix of excitement and disbelief, Castiel focused on the toy again. A brighter light emanated from his hand, and he watched in awe as the toy danced at his will.

Helene noticed the unusual movement, her eyes catching the faint glow from her child's hand. She rubbed her eyes, questioning her vision, but the incredible sight persisted. Dropping the clothes, she called out to Arthur, her voice tinged with awe and urgency.

"Arthur! Look at Castiel, hurry!"

Arthur, disciplined and instinctive from his adventurer's past, rushed to the room. His eyes widened at the sight of the glowing hand and the spinning toy.

"What is happening...?" he muttered, disbelief evident in his tone.

The strange power flowing through his small body filled Castiel with wonder, the energy a warm embrace. As the glow faded and the toy slowed, Helene and Arthur exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend what they'd witnessed.

Arthur knelt beside Castiel, his instincts as a father kicking in. "Is he doing that?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and amazement.

Helene joined him, her nurturing nature barely masking her fear. "Arthur, this is amazing, but it's also frightening. What does this mean?" She picked up Castiel, a fierce protectiveness surging within her.

Arthur, ever the strategist, took a deep breath. "For now, we must keep this to ourselves," he said, meeting Helene's eyes with grave determination. "We need to be cautious until we understand what's happening."

Helene nodded, her eyes reflecting both amazement and anxiety. "I agree. We need to protect him, no matter what."

---

One evening, as they watched Castiel play with a simple wooden rattle, Arthur and Helene quietly discussed their next steps. Arthur's protective nature was evident in his furrowed brow and the tight grip on his cup.

"We need to teach him to control this," he said seriously. "He can't be setting things on fire or making objects float. It could be dangerous."

Images of potential disasters played in his mind—a floating piece of furniture crashing down, a sudden burst of flames. He tightened his grip on the cup, thinking of ways to keep their home safe.

Helene nodded, her nurturing side full of concern. "But how do we teach a baby to control magic? Even we don't fully understand it ourselves."

Her mind whirled with questions, worrying about hindering Castiel's abilities or making mistakes.

Arthur ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. "We have to figure this out on our own. We can't risk anyone finding out. If the wrong people know..."

His voice trailed off, the unspoken dangers hanging in the air. Memories of his past flashed before him—scenarios where power could be exploited for harm.

Helene's eyes brimmed with fear. "If the wrong people find out... we could lose him."

She envisioned strangers coming to take her baby, confusion and fear in his eyes. Her nurturing nature worried about both immediate danger and the emotional impact on Castiel. She reached for Arthur's hand, seeking comfort and strength.

As their conversation continued, they were startled when Castiel crawled toward them, his eyes reflecting a wisdom far beyond his age.

In a voice surprisingly clear for a three-month-old, he softly said, "Don't be afraid."

Arthur and Helene froze, their eyes wide with shock. Castiel looked up at them, his tiny face calm and reassuring. He repeated gently, "Don't be afraid," offering a small, comforting smile. "I won't do anything to harm our family."

Arthur's voice quivered as he asked, "C-Castiel, how... how are you speaking?"

Castiel shrugged his small shoulders, maintaining his innocent smile. "I don't know. I just... can. It's like waking up and knowing something new." He paused, searching for the right words. "I remember little things from before, like stories in a fog."

Helene touched Castiel's cheek with trembling fingers, tears brimming in her eyes. "You're talking. How is this possible?" she whispered, awe and disbelief in her voice.

Castiel looked at his parents with deep understanding. "I can't explain it all. I just know I was somewhere else before. But it's fading, like a dream you can't hold onto. I remember... an end, but now I'm here, and I love you both."

His eyes welled with tears, emotion overtaking him. "I was hurt and then... everything changed. But I promise, I'm still your child."

Arthur and Helene were overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. Their baby was speaking to them with adult clarity but childlike vulnerability.

Helene hugged Castiel tightly, tears flowing freely. "We love you too, Castiel. No matter what."

Arthur joined the embrace, his heart full of love and determination to protect this extraordinary child. "We'll figure this out together," he said, holding his family close. "You're our child, and that will never change."

From that day on, Arthur and Helene committed themselves to understanding and nurturing Castiel's unique abilities. They created a safe haven within their forest home, allowing Castiel to explore his powers without fear, while keeping them a secret from the outside world.

As days turned into weeks, Castiel gradually embraced his new life, with the memories of his past fading like mist under the morning sun.

This wasn't just the passage of time at work; it was the mysterious magic woven into his rebirth. The enchantment that had brought him into this world also gently erased the remnants of his previous life.

This transformation profoundly affected his identity. Once a 48-year-old man, he now moved and lived as an ordinary child.

With the innocence and wonder of a child, and under the loving guidance of Arthur and Helene, Castiel found solace in his new life and identity. It allowed him to fully immerse himself in the present, free from the burdens of memories that once were.

Together, they filled their days with joy and love, creating new memories that anchored Castiel firmly in the present. Though the past faded, the bond between Castiel and his parents grew ever stronger, a testament to the power of love and acceptance in shaping a life anew.