It was a peaceful afternoon in Amritpura, the kind where the breeze was gentle enough to lull the goats into naps and even the hens clucked more lazily than usual.
I was, of course, stationed at my usual post—on the charpai, wrapped like a burrito, gazing at the roof and occasionally dispatching my magical surveillance bird to fly reconnaissance over the nearby wheat fields.
Mother Meera was sweeping the floor, humming softly to herself. Rohan, the eternal performer, had taken his battle with "The Abyss King Zarvok" behind the hut where no one could witness his glory—probably a tactical retreat after being scolded for wasting chalk again.
Just as Sania was tying her hair into two uneven ponytails, a familiar voice floated through the front yard.
"Namaste, Meera-ji! May I come in?"
It was Teacher Samira, her gentle voice as composed as ever. She entered with a small bundle of books tied in faded red cloth, her golden-rimmed spectacles glinting in the sun.
"Ah, Teacher Samira! Of course, please come in!" Mother wiped her hands on her saree and welcomed her inside warmly.
As the teacher settled onto the mat, Sania's eyes sparkled. She had a deep admiration for Samira, evident in the way she tried to sit up straighter and even stopped picking at her toenails.
"I've brought the new reading practice scrolls for the children," Teacher Samira explained, untying the cloth bundle. "And I thought I'd check on their progress, especially now that the harvest season gives them some free time."
Rohan came running in, hands suspiciously sticky and his mouth coated with leftover breakfast. He bowed quickly and sat beside Sania, whispering something about "mana threshold overflow," whatever that meant.
Just as Teacher Samira was about to distribute the materials, Sania raised her hand like she was in a classroom.
"Umm... Teacher Samira?"
"Yes, dear?"
"…Can I… learn magic?"
The entire hut froze.
Mother blinked.
Father, who had just stepped in with a basket of herbs, stopped mid-step.
Even I, the sacred munchkin of this household, nearly gasped. (I didn't, because I'm a baby and babies don't gasp, but you get the point.)
Rohan, mid-sip of water, spat it out so violently he began choking. He waved his hand as if warding off a ghost. "Wh-What?! Magic? Sania? What?!"
"Why not?" she asked innocently, her eyes wide and curious. "I saw Teacher Samira heal many people with light from her hands. It looked so cool... I want to learn too."
Teacher Samira smiled softly, as if she'd been waiting for this moment. "Magic isn't about being cool, Sania. It's a path of discipline, understanding, and responsibility."
"I'll work hard!" she chirped, sitting up on her knees like a determined squirrel.
Teacher Samira:"But I need to make one thing clear—this isn't magic."
Sania:"Then what is it?"
"It can't be called magic, because magic is just a trick meant to deceive the eyes. What we do is real. It's better described as a miracle."
Sania:"Miracle?"
"Yes. And that's something you must always remember."
"Yes, teacher".
"Hmm..." Samira studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's see how far you can go."
She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small but thick book. Its cover was plain, made of simple pressed bark and stitched cloth. The title was written in old Sanskrit: "Urja aur Tatva: Ek Prarambhik Gyaan" — Introduction to Energies.
"This book is your starting point," Samira explained, placing it gently in Sania's hands. "It contains knowledge about the three foundational energies of this world—Urja, Prana, and Tattva. These are the building blocks of all magical and spiritual interaction."
Sania's fingers curled around the book like she was holding a treasure chest. "Can I read it now?"
"Of course. But don't rush," Samira said warmly. "You must read, observe, and do the exercises written inside carefully. Magic starts not with spells, but with understanding yourself and the world around you."
Mother, still stunned, sat beside Sania. "Is it really okay for her to learn? She's so young..."
"It's not harmful. This stage is only about sensing and aligning with energies—no actual miracle will be done until she's older and ready," Teacher Samira assured.
"And what are these energies?" sania mentally asked while trying to look innocent.
Samira opened the book and briefly pointed to the first few pages. "Urja is raw power, the life-energy that flows through all living things. Prana is the breath of the world—rhythm, flow, the pulse. Tattva is elemental presence—the essence of what makes fire, water, air, and everything else."
'Urja, Prana, and Tattva… I need to memorize these…' I thought, burning those names into my mind like holy scriptures.
She closed the book and gave Sania a gentle pat on the head. "Once you're done reading and practicing, come to me if you have questions. But you must finish the first process before asking about anything more advanced."
"Okay!" Sania nodded so hard her ponytails slapped her in the face.
Meanwhile, Rohan was still frozen in shock, staring at his sister like she had just declared herself queen of the moon.
"I… I can't believe it," he muttered.
"You're still fighting invisible Void Lords," I would've said if I had a working voice box.
Father laughed heartily and ruffled Sania's hair. "Well, looks like another genius has been born in our house."
"Just don't let her summon a fire inside the kitchen," Mother added dryly.
Teacher Samira chuckled and stood to leave. "I'll come again next week to check your progress. Until then, read well, observe quietly, and breathe with the world."
As she left, the whole hut buzzed with excitement. Rohan kept muttering about "traitors in the magical order," while Sania already opened the book and started reading aloud words she didn't fully understand. Father offered to carve a wooden bookmark for her. Mother made halwa as a celebratory treat, and I—well, I resumed looking at the ceiling.
'So begins the magical journey… not mine yet, but close enough.'
Later that evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees and stars blinked awake in the sky, I found myself glancing at Sania as she traced her finger over each word, eyes wide with wonder.
'She's really serious about this. Huh.'
Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't the only one in this house carrying strange potential.
The night settled in gently, cradling our hut in quiet comfort. Sania yawned beside me, her book resting on her chest, and I thought…
'Guess the world really is full of surprises. Even in a tiny village like ours.'