Dream Wizard

Several months passed, and Arthur's life settled into a peaceful routine. He often helped his mother around the house, listening to her stories about local traditions and tales from her youth. With his father, he spent more time in the workshop, learning the basics of woodworking. In the evenings, the family would light a lamp and enjoy dinner together. Tom would share updates about his work, while Martha would recount stories of great wizards and heroes from the past, ones she had read about during her school years.

With each passing day, Arthur grew more immersed in this world, his memories of his previous life gradually fading. Here, surrounded by a loving family and the warmth of their cozy home, he began to truly feel like a child.

Winter arrived, bringing soft snow that blanketed the town's rooftops and streets. Arthur embraced his role as a child, running outside with delight, building snow forts, and sliding down icy hills with the neighborhood kids. Life continued peacefully until, near the end of winter, Martha reminded him that preparations for school would soon begin.

One evening, as she tucked him into bed, she sat beside him and said,

"We'll need to order you some new clothes for school. Your shirts are getting a bit small, and you'll need a proper uniform for school. What do you think about visiting Mrs. Elizabeth tomorrow? She's the best seamstress in town."

"Does that mean school will start soon?"

"Not too soon, but we need to prepare early. Mrs. Elizabeth has many orders to fill," Martha replied gently, tucking the blanket around him. "You'll have new shirts, a vest, and a warm cloak. You'll also need sturdy boots and new trousers."

She smiled as Arthur pondered her words. The thought of school filled him with mixed emotions. On one hand, he was curious to learn more about this world and its teachings. On the other hand, he couldn't say he had enjoyed school in his previous life.

"Don't worry; you'll do just fine," Martha reassured him, noticing his thoughtful expression. "School is the beginning of something new. I'm sure you'll make friends and learn many exciting things."

Arthur nodded, her confidence comforting him.

"All right, we'll go tomorrow," he said quietly, smiling back at her.

"Good. Now get some rest; we'll need to wake up early."

***

The next morning, Arthur and Martha made their way through the snowy streets to Mrs. Elizabeth's house. Arthur walked beside his mother, enjoying the crisp air and the sight of snowdrifts sparkling in the sunlight. The seamstress's house stood on the corner of a nearby street, its windows adorned with bright curtains and a small sign by the door depicting a needle and thread.

Inside, they were greeted by the warm scent of herbal tea and Mrs. Elizabeth's soft voice as she welcomed them with a broad smile.

"Welcome, Martha. It's been a while! I've been so busy lately. And this must be your son, Arthur?"

"Yes, this is him," Martha confirmed, gently nudging Arthur forward.

Arthur greeted her shyly but quickly relaxed upon seeing the seamstress's kind face. She asked him to stand on a small platform and began taking his measurements, chatting with Martha about the upcoming school year.

"School is a wonderful place," Mrs. Elizabeth said. "You'll learn so much there. My daughter will be starting school this year too. I hope you two get along."

Her words made Arthur think, but he simply nodded, deciding not to dwell too much on the distant future.

Elizabeth smiled and called out,

"Anya, come here and meet Martha's son, Arthur."

A girl with bright red hair tied into two pigtails peeked out from behind a door. Her large green eyes first looked at the guests with trepidation before she quickly hid behind her mother's skirt, peeking out cautiously.

"Don't be shy, dear," Elizabeth said gently. "This is Arthur. He'll be going to school with you this year."

Anya stepped forward slightly, still clutching the edge of her mother's dress. Her gaze met Arthur's, and noticing her nervousness, he decided to smile.

"Hi," he said softly, trying to sound friendly.

Anya nodded slightly but didn't say anything, instead glancing up at her mother as if asking permission to retreat.

Elizabeth nudged her daughter forward.

"Anya is a bit shy, but I'm sure you'll become friends in time."

Arthur studied the girl carefully. She reminded him of illustrations from a children's storybook—bright hair, big eyes, and an innocent expression. He noticed she was holding a small cloth doll in her hands.

"Is that your doll? Did you make it yourself?" he asked.

Anya looked at the doll, then back at Arthur, and whispered,

"Yes. Her name is Lily."

"She's very pretty," Arthur said sincerely, which seemed to ease the girl's nervousness slightly.

Anya gave a faint smile but quickly hid her face behind her pigtails, fidgeting with the doll's fabric.

"She loves stories," Elizabeth said, observing the children. "Maybe, once you're friends, Anya will tell you one of her favorites."

"I'd love to hear that," Arthur replied.

The conversation shifted back to clothing as Elizabeth discussed the order with Martha. Arthur occasionally glanced at Anya, who stood quietly nearby, clutching her doll tightly but occasionally stealing glances at him.

When it was time to leave, Arthur said goodbye to Elizabeth and, summoning his courage, added,

"Goodbye, Anya. See you at school."

Anya nodded again, her face lighting up with a faint smile.

***

On the way home, Arthur couldn't stop thinking about the girl. Her shyness reminded him of children in his previous life who often stayed on the sidelines due to their introversion. He decided that when they started school, he would try to be her friend.

This meeting left a warm feeling in Arthur's heart. The world he had entered was becoming more and more intriguing.

The walk home seemed shorter than usual for Martha. She glanced at Arthur, trying to gauge his thoughts about the new acquaintance. She knew Anya was a shy girl and not used to interacting with children her age, but she hoped that Arthur would be able to connect with her, as Anya was a good girl.

Arthur, walking beside his mother, was deep in thought. Anya struck him as unusual—unlike the noisy children he had known in his past life. Her shyness and the faint, almost imperceptible smile she gave him made him feel something warm inside, as though he had encountered something genuine and untouchable.

He thought about how Anya had clutched her tattered doll as though it was her only friend. He felt that there was more behind her silence—tenderness, dreams, perhaps even the same loneliness he had experienced in his past life.

He truly believed Anya was very lonely, despite always being with her mother. Arthur imagined how she spent her days, the stories she must create, and the dreams she cherished. He felt a strong desire to know her better, to share in her little world. Perhaps it was because he saw in her a reflection of his former self.

Noticing that her son was deep in thought, Martha didn't interrupt him. She knew that new relationships didn't come easily for Arthur and that he needed time to process everything. She simply smiled softly and squeezed his hand. This small gesture was a sign to Arthur that he wasn't alone and that he could always rely on her support. Her support, even without words, had always helped him sort through his feelings.

By the time they reached home, Arthur realized he wanted to see Anya again. It seemed to him that she could become a good friend, even if it took time. Memories of his past world had taught him that everyone needed their own time to open up. Anya, with her shy smile and warm green eyes, was the kind of person Arthur was willing to wait for.

When they entered the house, Arthur felt a strange sense of relief. He understood that this meeting had been an important moment for him. For the first time in a long while, he felt an interest in someone new. Anya had become a little ray of light that illuminated his path in this unfamiliar world.

***

At dinner, Arthur shared his impressions of Anya with his mother. He told her about her shyness, her beloved doll, and the impression she had made on him. Martha listened attentively, nodding and smiling. She could see that meeting Anya had been good for Arthur, and this made her happy.

Arthur felt lighter. The new encounter had been an important step for him in accepting this world and his place in it.

After dinner, when Arthur had finished sharing his thoughts, Martha suggested they spend the evening together. Tom supported the idea, saying that after a busy day at work, it would be nice to change the scenery. Arthur happily agreed to the plan.

The evening town greeted them with its crisp air and the soft light of oil lamps, which glowed like tiny stars, timidly piercing through the twilight and casting long shadows from the old buildings. The central square, usually bustling and noisy, was now peaceful. Instead of the daytime commotion, there were only quiet conversations, the crunch of snow beneath feet, and the peaceful sound of bells ringing, inviting people to step into the merchants' shops.

The family walked through the rows of stores, browsing the goods. Tom was deeply engaged in studying new tools at the blacksmith's shop, occasionally discussing them with the shopkeeper. The blacksmith, an old man with kind eyes and tanned hands, patiently answered all his questions, explaining the merits of each tool.

Martha, on the other hand, was admiring fabrics, gently running her fingers over the soft wool, imagining all the things she could make from them. Her eyes lingered on a delicate batiste, perfect for summer curtains. She pictured the sunlight streaming through the transparent fabric, creating a light and airy atmosphere in the room.

Martha enjoyed not only the fabrics but also the other household goods. Her gaze wandered over some expensive porcelain cups that would be perfect for showing off to guests. She studied various types of blankets and throws, imagining how they would warm Arthur on cold winter nights. Moreover, Martha couldn't resist the kitchenware shop. The bright plates, elegant utensils, and embroidered kitchen towels all made her long to refresh her kitchen's interior.

Arthur, while his parents were absorbed in their purchases, wandered around the store displays. His attention was drawn to a small shop with a bright wooden sign featuring a quill and a book. Intrigued, he peeked inside.

The shelves were filled with books of all sizes, many adorned with beautiful covers depicting heroes, dragons, and castles. Arthur pulled one book from the shelf and opened it. From the illustrations, it was clear that it was a story about a knight who embarked on a long journey to save a kingdom from a terrible monster. The pages were filled with vivid illustrations that seemed to come alive before his eyes.

When Tom noticed his son in the shop, he walked over and smiled.

"Did something catch your eye?" he asked, nodding toward the book in Arthur's hands.

"It's a story about a knight," Arthur replied quietly, not taking his eyes off the colorful pictures. "It looks really interesting."

Tom took the book from his hands, flipped through a few pages, and, impressed by the quality of the illustrations and text, decided to buy it for Arthur.

"Martha just started teaching you to read, right? I think this book will be perfect for you," he said, and without waiting for any objections, he walked over to the counter.

Arthur was genuinely delighted. The book sparked a flurry of emotions in him. It reminded him of the comic books he had loved in his previous life, the ones he could immerse himself in over and over again.

As the family continued their stroll, Arthur hugged the book to his chest, his face beaming with a happy smile. They stopped at a bakery, where Martha bought several fruit-filled buns that tasted remarkably like chocolate. On the way home, they shared their impressions of the day, savoring the aroma of fresh pastries and the cool evening air.

At home, sitting by the fireplace, Arthur opened his new book and began reading, asking his mother about words he couldn't understand. Each page took him deeper into a magical world, full of brave heroes and thrilling events. He felt like a part of the story, and his heart filled with joy from this new passion.

This purchase had become a special moment for him.