A Quest Fit for a Baby
Thaddeus stared at the glowing blue screen hovering before his eyes. A quest—an actual, bonafide quest!
> [New Quest!]
First Steps to Mastery!
Objective: Bend three different objects successfully.
Reward: ???
A thousand questions raced through his mind. What was the reward? Would it give him more power or maybe a new skill? The possibilities were endless.
But then reality hit him like a falling crib.
I'm still a baby.
His mobility was limited to wobbly crawls, and his greatest asset—the ability to cry on demand—wasn't exactly useful for completing quests.
Still, the system had acknowledged him. His bending skill was real, and it was growing. All he needed to do was bend three different objects. Simple, right?
Yeah, right.
Target #1: The Spoon
He gripped the wooden spoon, his old reliable training tool. If he couldn't bend this, he had no hope for anything else.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the wood's texture, the way it felt in his hand. He visualized it twisting, contorting—
The spoon wobbled before curling slightly at the tip.
> [System Notification]
Object #1 Bent Successfully!
A small thrill shot through him. That was one down.
Target #2: The Blanket
Next was the blanket. It was soft, unlike the spoon, but bending wasn't just about brute force. It was about willpower, about intent.
He clenched his tiny fists, grabbed the edge of the blanket, and imagined it folding itself into a neat square.
The fabric twisted and crumpled, not quite a square but definitely something it hadn't been before.
> [System Notification]
Object #2 Bent Successfully!
Two down. One to go.
This is easier than I thought.
But then came the real challenge—finding a third object.
Target #3: The Rock (A Tragic Miscalculation)
Thaddeus looked around the small room. Most things were either too big or out of reach. And then he saw it—a small rock his father had brought in from outside, likely stuck in his boot.
Perfect.
He crawled over, ignoring the ache in his tiny limbs. The rock was rough, cold to the touch. He imagined it cracking in half, the pieces falling apart like a puzzle.
He squeezed, focused, and—
The rock vibrated in his hands. A thin crack formed along its surface, splitting it into two halves.
> [System Notification]
Object #3 Bent Successfully!
Quest Completed!
> Reward: Skill Upgrade – Bending (Lv.2 → Lv.3)
Thaddeus could hardly believe it. He'd done it. He had completed his first quest!
But before he could bask in his victory, another screen appeared.
> [New Skill Unlocked!]
Touch of the Shaper: Allows subtle alterations to any material in contact with your skin.
His eyes widened. This was more than just bending—it was shaping! He could manipulate objects more intricately now, changing their form and texture.
The possibilities...
Accidental Chaos
Excited to test his new ability, Thaddeus reached for the nearby chair leg. He didn't think, just acted—his hands glowed faintly as the wood softened under his touch, warping into a twisted mess of curves.
Oh no.
"Thaddeus!"
His mother's startled voice rang out. Flora stared at the chair, then at him, her face a mix of confusion and concern.
Thaddeus quickly let go, acting as innocent as a baby could. He flashed her his best toothless grin.
Flora frowned, examining the chair leg. "Did it always look like that?"
Alexander stepped in, raising an eyebrow. "What happened to the chair?"
Thaddeus desperately tried to look like a normal, helpless infant. He drooled a little for good measure.
Alexander shrugged. "Must be old wood."
Thaddeus silently thanked his father's lack of observational skills.
That's a good help Man.
...
As the day continued, Thaddeus carefully experimented with his new skill, cautious not to draw attention again.
The Touch of the Shaper allowed him to:
1. Smooth rough surfaces—like turning splintered wood into polished material.
2. Soften hard objects—like turning a stone into a malleable lump.
3. Twist and bend—with greater control than before.
Every time he used the skill, it felt easier, more natural. The system's level-up wasn't just a number; it was a real enhancement of his abilities.
But with this newfound power came a new dilemma—How far could he push it?
Could he bend metal yet? What about living things?
The thought sent a chill through him. He wasn't ready for that—not yet.
Still, he was progressing faster than he ever imagined. From a powerless infant to a shaper, the journey had only just begun.
...
That evening, as Flora sang him a lullaby, another system notification appeared.
> [New Quest!]
Bending with Purpose!
Objective: Use bending to assist your family.
Reward: Enhanced Skill Efficiency
Thaddeus glanced at his parents, their faces gentle and warm in the candlelight.
Helping them would not only strengthen his skills but also build trust. It was a chance to test his limits safely.
He closed his eyes, a small smile forming on his lips. The system was guiding him, and every step forward was a step toward mastering his mysterious power.
Tonight, a chair leg. Tomorrow, the world. But why I smell something good.
...
[Status Window]
Name: Thaddeus Lore
Age: 6 Months
Race: Human
Class: Bender
Level: 1
[Attributes]
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Endurance: 2
Intelligence: 5
Mana: ??? (Locked)
Luck: 3
[Skills]
Bending (Lv.3): Allows the user to bend and manipulate objects at will. Mastery is still low, but control is improving.
Touch of the Shaper (New!): Enhances bending precision, allowing subtle alterations to an object's form and texture upon contact.