“Once you relearn your adult skills, I’ll return you to your proper age. How does that sound?” the wizard said. Ryan stared at him.
“What that mean?” he asked. He covered his mouth in shock. The wizard chuckled.
“Being a toddler means all your skills getting back down to that level,” the wizard said. He began to tick them off on his fingers. “Talking, reading, writing, walking, dressing yourself, even your ability to eat takes a hit!” The wizard poked Ryan’s diaper bulge. “And of course, there’s the big one. Potty training.”
“I a toddler fow weal now?” Ryan squeaked. The wizard nodded. “But- but-”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it possible for you to relearn your skills, when most toddlers would have to wait to grow up to relearn them,” the wizard said. “Heck, I’ll even set up some schooling for you.”
“What mean?” Ryan asked. The wizard snapped his fingers. A play pen appeared. The wizard set Ryan down in the play pen and then went to the desk where the register sat. He picked up a phone. “What mean?” Ryan demanded.
“It mean that I’m going to make the arrangements for you to get this curse lifted lickety-split,” the wizard said. “Your family will think you’re on a trip outside the country, but you’re actually at a special school.”
“Spesha skoo?”
“Yes, a spesha skoo. Staffed with professionals who help people overcome curses.” The wizard looked at Ryan. “Don’t think this will be easy, though. Even with help from the teachers at the curse school, you’ll have to put actual work into it.”
“What do when not skoo?”
“What will you be doing when you’re not at school?” the wizard asked. “You’ll stay with me.” Ryan grimaced. “Do you not like that?”
“No!” Ryan shouted. The wizard glared at him. He snapped his fingers. “What do?”
“Increased your punishment. You’ll see what I mean shortly. No speaking back or acting like a brat, Ryan. That’s what got you stuck in this mess. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” Ryan mumbled.
“Good. Now, be a good boy and play quietly while I make arrangements for you at the spesha skoo,” the wizard said. Ryan reluctantly did as he was told, but while he played with the blocks and action figures, tried to eavesdrop on the phone call. He couldn’t make out much.
Shortly after the wizard hung up, a woman in her mid-twenties walked into the store. Ryan looked up at her. She was insanely attractive, so much so that Ryan felt himself pee in shock at her good looks. The woman looked at him, then at the wizard.
“Is this the new student?” she asked in a French accent.
“Yes. Ryan Thompson. Did the parameters of his curse get put in his file?” the wizard asked.
“That he’ll remain at this age until he relearns his adult skills. Specifically, reading, writing, talking, walking, taking care of himself, and potty training. Is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent.” The woman picked Ryan up. “I’ll take him to the school now.” She snapped her fingers. Ryan blinked, and he was suddenly in what was unmistakably a school hallway. “Welcome to Curse College, Ryan Thompson. Here, we will assist you in overcoming your particular curse. You’ll take one course at a time to improve each skill necessary.”
“I awone?”
“No, you will not be the only student in any of your courses. We currently have two other students with curses like yours, and some curses that aren’t like yours will have similar parameters. For example, expect to see some talking animals in your reading and writing courses.”
“What name?”
“You may call me Miss Opal.” Miss Opal looked at Ryan. “Now-” Before she could say anything, Ryan let out a loud fart. His bowels emptied into his already wet diaper. Miss Opal wrinkled her nose. “Ah, yes, the file did say that your potty training was reduced even further as a result of talking back.” Ryan’s jaw dropped. Miss Opal snapped her fingers. Ryan’s wet and messy diaper was replaced with a clean one.
“Now that you have been changed, which skill would you like to address first?” Miss Opal asked. She wrinkled her nose again. “Clearly, your potty training will take the longest.”