Practice

I watch in confusion as a new rune shimmers faintly on my skin, exactly where Nana’s hand had been moments before. It pulses softly, like a living thing, settling into my flesh with an undeniable sense of permanence.

“That,” Nana says with a warm smile, “is the rune of creation, darling. This is an ability that can grow more powerful depending on the bearer.”

I blink, trying to absorb her words. “Creation?” I murmur, my fingers grazing the faint glow of the rune.

Nana nods. “Yes. You’ve seen me use clapping and snapping to summon or remove things. That’s part of this magic. What I done now is called ‘transferring.’ I transferred a portion of my ability to you by squeezing your hand. Now, you should be able to use creation magic. To what extent… well, that will depend on you. The ability will grow as you do, and I imagine you’ll be able to snap and clap at the very least.”

Her voice is soft but brimming with pride. I can hardly believe it. Another power—one with so much potential. I can already feel the rune humming beneath my skin, like a whisper of something far greater.

“Oh, Nana,” I breathe, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you so much!”

I clap my hands eagerly, waiting for something… anything… to happen.

But nothing. Not even a flicker.

I snap my fingers, hoping for some kind of spark.

Still nothing.

Nana giggles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “This ability will take time to learn, sweetheart. Start small. Think of something simple you’d like and then clap your hands.”

I take a deep breath, focusing. My thoughts wander to something comforting, something nostalgic. I picture a cold, creamy milkshake from Annie’s—hand-scooped ice cream with Milo sprinkles on top. I close my eyes and clap my hands.

When I open my eyes again, the unmistakable weight of a glass in my hands nearly makes me gasp. There it is—a freshly made milkshake, cold to the touch, just like I imagined. My heart skips with excitement, and I stare at it in disbelief before offering it to Nana, who laughs and takes it gratefully.

“Well done, darling,” she says, taking a sip. “You’ve already made your first creation.”

I giggle, exhilarated by the rush of success, and clap my hands once more. Another milkshake appears in my hands, identical to the first. Nana and I drink them together, the sweetness on my tongue making the moment feel all the more magical.

After we finish, I set the empty glass down and eye it thoughtfully. A spark of curiosity blooms in my chest. I wonder… could I make it disappear? Could I clean it with a snap? I focus on the glasses being spotless and put away neatly in the cupboard. I snap my fingers.

The glasses vanish in an instant, as if they were never there at all.

A thrill runs through me. I picture the kitchen in my mind and blink, suddenly finding myself standing right in front of the cupboard. My heartbeat quickens, but this time the teleportation doesn’t startle me as much. I open the cupboard door, and sure enough, the glasses are stacked neatly inside, spotless and clean.

I stare for a moment, awe-struck by the ease of it. My powers are becoming more fluid, more natural. Each small success feels like a piece of the puzzle clicking into place.

With another blink, I teleport back to Nana’s side, this time with a soft smile of satisfaction. I’m getting the hang of it. Slowly, but surely.

“Well done, honey,” Nana praises, her voice filled with pride. “I see you’re becoming more skilled with your abilities.”

Her praise makes my chest warm, but before I can respond, she looks at me more closely, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. “How are you feeling, though? It’s been an overwhelming day. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

I hadn’t realized just how much today had taken out of me until she said it. The weight of everything—my new powers, the revelations about my parents, the magic coursing through me—it all seems to settle at once, pressing down on my shoulders. I nod, feeling the exhaustion tugging at the edges of my mind.

“I am,” I admit, my voice soft. “I didn’t realize how drained I was.”

Nana smiles sympathetically and gently pats my arm. “Let’s get you to bed, dear. You’ll have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”

I can’t help but smile at her tenderness. Even with everything changing, Nana remains my constant. I give her one final, tight hug, her warmth comforting me more than any magic ever could. Then, with a soft sigh, I teleport myself to my room, the familiar surroundings easing my frayed nerves.

With a snap of my fingers, my clothes disappear, and I clap my hands, summoning my favorite sleep boxers and a soft singlet. The simplicity of it—the quiet, peaceful routine—grounds me after such a whirlwind of a day.

As I lay down in bed, the events of the day play out in my mind. The rune of creation, the magical bag, the milkshakes, Nana’s gifts—it all feels like a dream, something too wild and fantastical to be real. And yet, here I am, with new abilities coursing through my veins, a family legacy unfolding at my feet.

I close my eyes, feeling the gentle pull of sleep. What a day it was. But as I drift off, one thought lingers in the back of my mind—tomorrow holds even more. And I’ll be ready for it.