Early Lessons

By the time Nathan turned two, his mind was that of a mature adult, while his body remained a small, energetic toddler. Balancing the disparity between his advanced intellect and his physical limitations was a daily struggle. His boundless curiosity and nascent strength often led to unexpected challenges.

One bright morning, Nathan sat at a small table surrounded by colorful building blocks. His tiny hands, still awkward in their movements, tried to stack the blocks. He glanced around, his sharp mind calculating the best way to build a tall tower. But as he tried to place the top block, his strong fingers accidentally crushed it.

Elara, who was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, heard the commotion and came rushing in. She saw the shattered blocks and Nathan's frustrated expression. "Nathan, sweetie, remember to be careful," she said gently, kneeling beside him. "You don't need to use so much force."

Nathan looked up at her with wide, apologetic eyes. He felt a pang of guilt, but his excitement for his new power was undeniable. _I just want to build something amazing,_ he thought, his young face flushed with a mix of frustration and determination.

Aldric, who had just entered the room, saw the scene and placed a reassuring hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Don't worry, son. You're still learning. It takes time to master such strength."

Nathan nodded, though he still didn't fully grasp the concept of moderation. His eyes wandered to a new set of toys Rosina had brought, each one sturdier than the last. Rosina entered the room with a cheerful smile, her expression slightly nervous as she observed Nathan's latest toy-crushing mishap.

"Good morning, everyone," she greeted warmly, though her eyes flickered with a hint of apprehension. "I've brought some new, reinforced toys for Nathan. I hope these will last longer."

Nathan's face lit up at the sight of the new toys. He reached out with eager hands, trying to be gentler this time. His attempt to carefully grasp a plush dragon was met with some success, though he still struggled to control his strength.

Elara watched with a mix of relief and concern. "You're doing well, Nathan. Just remember, gentle touches can be just as powerful as strong ones."

Rosina nodded in agreement. "He's getting better with practice. And with time, he'll learn to control his strength more effectively."

As the day went on, Nathan's curiosity led him to explore more of his surroundings. He wandered into the garden, his eyes wide with wonder at the colorful flowers and fluttering butterflies. His excitement was palpable, though his clumsy movements occasionally knocked over a flowerpot or two.

Elara followed behind, keeping a watchful eye on her son. "Nathan, be careful around the plants," she called out gently. "We don't want to accidentally damage them."

Nathan looked back at her, his face a mixture of guilt and enthusiasm. _I just want to see everything,_ he thought. His mind was constantly racing with new ideas and discoveries, though his physical coordination was still catching up.

In the afternoon, Aldric took Nathan to the training grounds for a brief visit. He wanted to show Nathan the basics of combat and how to handle a sword properly, though it was more of a demonstration than actual practice.

"Watch closely, Nathan," Aldric said, demonstrating a few simple moves with a wooden practice sword. "Strength isn't just about power. It's also about control and technique."

Nathan's eyes were wide with fascination. He tried mimicking Aldric's movements, though his attempts were clumsy and awkward. Aldric chuckled softly as he watched his son's efforts.

"You're doing great, Nathan," Aldric encouraged. "It takes time to master these skills. Just keep practicing."

As the sun began to set, the family gathered for dinner. Nathan's thoughts were still buzzing with the day's experiences. He was eager to learn more, but he also felt a twinge of frustration at his own limitations.

Rosina, who had joined them for the evening meal, chatted with Nathan as she served him a small portion of food. "You've had a busy day, haven't you? But I'm sure with all the practice, you'll get the hang of it soon."

Nathan looked up at her with a grin. _I hope so,_ he thought, his young mind already looking forward to the next adventure.

As the day came to a close, Nathan settled into bed, his thoughts filled with dreams of knights and epic battles. Despite the challenges he faced, he was surrounded by love and support from his family. They knew that with time and patience, he would learn to harness his strength and become the remarkable person he was destined to be.

The days ahead promised more lessons and discoveries, but for now, Nathan drifted off to sleep, content and eager for the future. The journey of his early years was just beginning, and he was ready to face it with the support of those who cared for him.