After John listened to the story about their magic-using son, John coxed Sara into heading to the kitchen.

  Sara(confused): [Why did we head into the kitchen?]

  John(whispering): [Because our son is very smart, and I don't want to worry him.]

  John(concerned whisper): [*sigh* We need to take him to Clawdette.]

  Sara(concerned, confused whisper): [To Clawdette? Why?! He’s only a few days old…]

  John(concerned whisper): [I know that we're supposed to wait until he has turned 5, but if he's using magic already we need to find out what kinds of potential he has. You are an accomplished mage and I have ki proficiency. If he only has a little potential in either, he might squeak under the eyes of the republic. But if he has more than that…]

  Sara's legs gave out from under her and she fell to the floor on her butt.

  Sara(teary-eyed whispering): [We can't lose him again… If he has a lot of potential, maybe we can hide him. We can get books and teach him here.]

  John solemnly shook his head.

  John(whispering comfortingly): [We can't. If he has a better than average potential, Clawdette will report it to the governor, and the governor will have to report it on up, and that's if the church doesn't hear about it first. If he has good potential, he might make it into the academy or a good sect despite being a sheep-kin. It may not be a quiet life, but he can live a better life.]

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Sara(quietly sad): [This is all my fault, if only I had read him a normal children's book instead of practicing my magic. *quiet sob*]

  John(quite comforting): [This is not your fault. This is no one's fault. If he is born with potential, then he was just blessed to be that way.]

  Sara(quietly angry-sad): [Damn the church and damn the republic, I wish they would just let us live a quiet family life.]

  John went over and wrapped his arms around Sara.

  Not knowing how to comfort her, he continued holding her, even if it was of little comfort.

  Hugging her, he whispered into her ear.

  John(whisper): [It will be ok somehow. I'm going to test him a bit on ki. It should give us a bit more of a picture of what’s coming.]

  John gave Sara a brief, firmer hug.

  John(comfortingly): [Until then, let's try to keep smiles on our faces and try not to worry Ray.]

  She nodded, dried her eyes, and put up a strong front before walking into the living room with John.

  Sara picked up Ray, holding him tightly to her.

  Sara(concerned, but trying to put on a brave face): [Hey little Ray, tomorrow we get to go get your potential checked.]

  John put his hand on Ray's head, hugging both Sara and Ray.

  John(brave face): [Ya, we’re going to see if you have potential in magic like your mother, or if you can also manipulate some ki like your father. But before that, you get to sit down with your dad and see if you can do the same thing that you did earlier with your mom, but with ki instead.]