The Invincible Young Master

Alice held up the flower crowns she'd woven, her face glowing with pride. "Father! Look, Alice finished! Now you have to teach me that magic you showed earlier!"

Spark chuckled, taking the delicate crowns from her hands and placing them gently on the gazebo steps. "All right, a deal's a deal. Let's start." Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

He knelt before her, holding up one finger. A faint shimmer of light flickered at its tip, like a tiny star. "First, you need to feel the magic at the tip of your finger. Like this."

Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement as she lifted her small finger to mimic him. "Like this?"

"Not yet," Spark said, his tone patient and steady. "Close your eyes. Focus. Imagine the magic flowing from your chest to your fingertip."

Obediently, Alice closed her eyes, her face scrunching with determination. For a moment, there was only silence, broken by the faint rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds.

Then, a tiny flicker of light appeared at her fingertip, faint and unsteady, but undeniably there.

"Good," Spark said, his voice encouraging. "Now, picture a shape in your mind. It can be anything, something you like."

Alice's brows furrowed in deep concentration. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple as the faint light began to stabilize.

Slowly, it shaped itself into a tiny, glowing flower, delicate and shimmering like the morning dew.

Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped in delight. "Father! Alice did it! Look! Alice made a flower!"

Before Spark could reply, the glowing flower flickered and dissolved into a fine mist, leaving Alice staring at her empty hand in dismay. "Oh no… it's gone."

Spark reached out, gently patting her head.

"That was incredible for your first try," he said. "But to make it last, you need to focus more. Let's give it another go."

Alice nodded with determination. She closed her eyes again, her little fingers trembling slightly as she focused harder.

This time, the light returned brighter and steadier, slowly forming into a vivid, glowing flower. It floated above her fingertip, solid and radiant.

She opened her eyes, her smile spreading wider than before. "Father, I did it! Look, it's real this time!"

Spark's face softened as he nodded. "Well done, Alice. With this magic, you can send messages to anyone."

Alice tilted her head, her small brows knitting together in confusion. "Message?"

"This magic isn't just for making lights or shapes," he explained. "It's a special kind of magic that lets you send your thoughts or words to someone far away. Think of it like whispering to them, no matter how far apart you are."

Alice's eyes grew wide with wonder. "Really? Alice can send messages to anyone. Even you, Father?"

"Of course," Spark said with a small smile. "But there's something you must learn first."

Her curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

"You need to recognize the person's energy," Spark explained. "Every person has a unique energy. Once you know it, you can connect to it and send your message."

Alice tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "So, if I learn your energy, I can send you messages wherever you are?"

"That's right," Spark replied, extending his hand toward her. "Let's start with mine. Hold my hand and close your eyes."

Alice placed her tiny hand atop Spark's, her fingers barely covering his palm. She shut her eyes tightly, following his instructions with unwavering focus.

"Now," Spark said softly, "you can open them slowly."

Her eyelids fluttered open, and a soft, radiant glow filled her vision.

At first, she squinted, the light overwhelming, but as her eyes adjusted, wonder replaced hesitation.

Before her stretched an endless void, vast and magnificent, dotted with countless stars.

Rivers of starlight flowed like liquid silver, intertwining and weaving an intricate celestial dance. The expanse seemed alive, pulsing gently as if it carried the rhythm of a cosmic heartbeat.

Alice's lips parted in awe.

"One… two… three…" she began counting, her voice tinged with disbelief and delight. "Father, look at all the stars! There are so many! Where are we?"

"This place, Alice, is me. Everything you see here is my energy."

Her gaze moved from the swirling stars above. Her wide, sparkling eyes reflected the constellations. "It's so beautiful…"

Alice turned her attention to the stars, her eyes scanning the shimmering expanse. A sudden idea lit up her face. "Father, can Alice touch them? The stars?"

Spark chuckled softly, his amusement clear. "Of course, which one?"

She scrutinized the celestials with intense focus, her gaze locking onto a single brilliant star. "That one! The brightest one!"

As if hearing her choice, the star began to shimmer more intensely. Its light pulsed, growing brighter before fragmenting into a cascade of radiant particles.

The fragments flowed down toward her, drawn to her outstretched hand like moths to a flame.

Alice gasped as the starlight reached her, enveloping her in a glowing veil of soft, ethereal light. The particles danced around her, weaving intricate, ever-shifting patterns before settling delicately onto her fingertip.

"Father, it's so pretty!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with pure joy. She turned her glowing hand toward him, her entire being bathed in the celestial light.

"Then I'll give this star to you, Alice. With its energy, you'll always be able to find me, no matter where I am."

"Really?" Her eyes widened, sparkling even brighter than the stars around her.

"Really,"

"Alice will remember this forever, Father!"

In an instant, the celestial void faded away, dissolving like mist under the morning sun.

They were back in the garden, the familiar sights and sounds returning. Alice still clung to Spark's hand, her grip firm and full of trust, as if she feared losing the connection.

Nearby, Yuna and Pooella, who had been quietly observing, noticed the shift. Something about Alice had changed.

Pooella's brows furrowed slightly. She could sense the shift in the child's presence. It was subtle but profound, like the faint hum of power just below the surface.

Alice's voice broke the silence, brimming with excitement. "Did you see it, Grandma Poo? There were so many stars!"

Pooella shook her head gently, her smile tinged with curiosity. "No, Little Miss. I couldn't see it."

"You should've seen it!" Alice exclaimed, undeterred by her answer. She spread her arms wide, her movements animated. "It was this big-no, even bigger!"