"This child… has no magic."
It came like a thunderclap, resounding throughout the entire hall. Everyone was silent, waiting for what would happen next.
Lord Frederick stared wide-eyed. "…What are you saying?"
"It is clear, Lord Frederick. Your child will never become a magician, let alone a Summoner." It was more like a declaration, causing the hall to immediately become rowdy.
It was unbelievable. Lord Frederick's son was without magic... How many people would have guessed such a result?
As the others gossiped amongst themselves, Max stood in the middle of the hall, his mind a complete mess.
"I… am without magic…" He slowly muttered, unable to believe what he just heard.
Gripping the orb tightly, he suddenly yelled. "Activate, goddamn it!!!... Why can't I have a good life!!!... Why is this happening!!!"
The entire hall went silent again, their attention on Max.
Max ceased his laments as he realized that everyone was looking at him. He turned back to find his father glaring at him with a hateful expression.
Shifting his gaze, he also saw his mother with a pained expression. Moving further, he could make out the condescending expressions Lady Kara and her son, Cedric, had on their faces while staring at him.
Max's body trembled. Without saying another word, he smashed the orb on the ground and ran out of the hall.
Everyone watched him leave but none tried to stop him.
Lara tried to go after him but a single glare from Frederick caused her to sit back down, suppressing the pain she felt watching her son experience such humiliation.
"… This party is over." Lord Frederick said, trying his best to suppress his raging emotions.
***
Max ran… moving as fast as his legs could carry him. He tripped but did not stop, picking himself up before running some more.
"Young lord, you are back early." Two guards that took up Max's protection stood at his bedroom door.
Not bothering to answer them, he rushed past them and into his room, slamming the doors before proceeding to lock it.
He placed his back on the door, his expression complicated and his gaze, empty.
"Ah!!!" Suddenly there was a scream, one filled with pain and sorrow.
The guards at the door quickly reacted. "Young lord, is everything okay?" They waited patiently for a response, at which point the screaming stopped, followed by a weak voice replying.
"Please leave, I do not want you here."
"Young lord…"
"I said leave!!!"
The guards exchanged looks with one another. They absolutely could not leave their post but right now, they couldn't stay here as well. Faced with no other option, they remained standing outside the door but did not bother with Max's actions within.
As though on cue, The screaming resumed followed by the shattering of ceramics and glass.
The guards exchanged looks with one another but remained outside.
Meanwhile, inside the room, the whole area was a complete mess.
Max stood in the middle of the room, his breath uneven.
"Golden finger… what golden finger?... That bastard… He promised me yet… How could you… Do you just hate me being happy?... Do you want to see me suffer some more?... Is this right, you fucking crazy old man!!!"
Max dropped to his knees, letting out another scream.
Everything was over. There was no way to salvage it.
All the good things he enjoyed would be taken away from him. Which meant that he would soon have to suffer again in life.
It was to be expected, after all, his father, Lord Frederick had placed high hopes on him, educating and giving him enough attention just for him to come out with no magic.
What noble would still give his cripple son a time of day when he could get more children and nurture magicians amongst them?
"No… I can't do this… I can't endure a life of suffering once again… No way."
Max completely lost it. All the suppressed memories of his previous life came flooding in, leaving him in an unhinged state.
His eyes were bloodshot and his hands had cuts on them.
He turned to his left, pieces of a broken mirror lay there. He reached out and grabbed one.
Studying the mirror shard, he came to a decision. "Yes… This is the best way… instead of waiting for the suffering to come… I should just end it all now… No need to experience the pain... At least this way, it will end quickly."
Even though he resolved to do it, Max still trembled as he moved the mirror shard to his wrist.
With a solemn smile, he muttered. "This is it for me… It was good while it lasted."
Closing his eyes, he tried to cut his arm but was unsuccessful. Someone had grabbed his arm.
"Now is this the way to celebrate a birthday?" A male voice was heard.
Max opened his eyes to find a middle-aged man crouched across from him, his hand tightly wrapped around his wrist.
"…Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "You wouldn't know me, since this is the first time we are meeting. How about you drop the glass and then I tell you who I am?"
Max contemplated for a brief moment before shaking his head. "I don't want to know. I just want to die, please let go of my hand."
He had given up, there was no need to prolong the inevitable, it was best to end it before he lost the courage to do so.
The man smiled as he reached out with his other arm and grabbed the mirror shard.
Before Max could say something, the mirror was petrified after which it crumbled to dust. He was left stunned.
"How… How…"
The man got to his feet and dusted his trouser, flashing an amicable smile as he spoke up. "Now that is out of the way, it's time I introduce myself…
"I am Regard… your godfather."
Max was left speechless for a few seconds before he suddenly interjected. "Huh."