Preparations and Realisations

After carefully using his wind magic to lift the book, George hovered it back to its original position, ensuring it looked as if it had never been touched. He had no intention of raising suspicions, at least not yet. Satisfied with his progress, he focused on his cultivation once more. Popping another pill into his mouth, he allowed the energy to flow through his body, refining his mana particles and expanding his reserves. He sat in deep concentration for the next thirty minutes, letting the whirlpool within him grow steadily before exhaustion crept in.

Deciding not to push himself too far, he stopped and allowed his body to absorb the residual energy naturally. His eyelids grew heavy, and despite his rapidly developing mind, his infant body still had its limits. Before long, he drifted into a peaceful slumber, unaware that the next time he opened his eyes, it would be the day before Cedric's birthday.

---

The following morning, the household bustled with activity as preparations for Cedric's birthday celebration neared completion. George had spent the past day balancing cultivation and observing his family, trying to piece together more of his surroundings. He had used up the last of his pills to reach the peak of the eighth level of Magic Apprentice, but he had yet to break through the ninth. He would save that milestone for later, once the festivities had ended.

Meanwhile, as the sun climbed into the sky, Christine and Marcus sat at the dining table discussing their children. Elana, as energetic as ever, had been the center of recent attention.

"I swear, that girl is going to be a handful when she's older," Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "She's already trying to mother George, sneaking him food and who knows what else."

Christine sighed but smiled. "She's just trying to help in her own way. Though, I do worry about how quickly she's picking up things. She's too clever for her age."

"She is," Marcus agreed. "We'll need to guide her properly. And speaking of guidance, have you noticed Cedric's progress in his training? His balance and control have improved."

Christine nodded. "He's been working hard. The academy will be good for him, but the expenses…" Her voice trailed off for a moment. "We'll manage, but it won't be easy."

Marcus reached for her hand. "We'll figure it out. He deserves this opportunity."

Christine smiled softly and squeezed his hand in return. "Yes, he does."

As the conversation continued, George listened intently from his crib, absorbing every detail. His family was preparing for Cedric's future, and soon, he would be making preparations of his own. But for now, he would wait. The day of the celebration was near, and he had no intention of drawing unnecessary attention to himself just yet.