The Mathers were a proud family of magic users, valuing mastery and knowledge of magic above all else, even their own blood. Each Mathers family member was expected to excel in magic, possessing the ability to both enhance themselves and cast spells, with a high affinity for at least three elements, and the utilization of their powerful hereditary ability. These were the rules and expectations that every Mathers offspring was supposed to meet.
However, Even Mathers failed to meet these expectations. He couldn't wield his family's hereditary ability; his affinity was limited to only earth and water magic, and he could only cast spells, unable to enhance himself with mana. To both the Mathers family and the rest of Aetheria, Even Mathers was nonexistent, erased from history, and unable to use his true name. Even Mathers would have ended it all if not for one single reason.
Arnan clasped his hands together, gathering as many souls as he could conjure from the fiery pits of hell, denying them an afterlife, even if it was one filled with near-endless torture. Between his palms groaned agony, swirled like black smoke anguish, crackled like lightning suffering, and grew scratchy and erratic with despair. "This is the end for you, monkey," Arnan declared, glaring at Jakel, who panted, staring at Arnan, unsure of what to do.
*What do I have left?* Jakel thought desperately. *I can't shoot a spike at the bastard; it's too slow. I can't shoot him with my rifle either; he would just block that. And I have a feeling that if I run straight at him, I'll die. So, what do I have left?* Jakel felt like he was out of options, with nothing he could do. But there was one thing he could attempt. *It's my only choice; I have to try,* he thought as he let go of his rifle, letting it fall to the ground as he held his right arm outstretched. Nothing happened, much like when he tried as a child; his hereditary ability didn't occur. *Come on, please, just work this once,* he begged silently in his mind.
The reason Even Mathers was still alive was due to a little miracle called Matthew Mathers, his younger brother and the youngest of the Mathers family at the time. Matthew Mathers was a miracle only to Even Mathers; to the rest of their family, he might as well have been a curse, an even bigger failure than Even Mathers himself. Matthew possessed nothing — he couldn't enhance himself, he couldn't cast spells, and he couldn't use their family's hereditary ability. He was considered nothing more than filth that needed to be discarded by their family, facing even greater isolation and rejection than Even Mathers.
In the darkest moments of Even's life, when he teetered on the edge of oblivion, Matthew's presence was a beacon of hope. Even's heart, heavy with despair and self-loathing, found a reason to keep beating in the form of his younger brother. Matthew's innocence and his unwavering belief in Even's worth served as a lifeline in a sea of darkness.
After being cast out by their family, Even and Matthew wandered Aetheria, living as best they could. Even took on the role of a protective older brother, raising Matthew with love and care, doing his utmost to shield him from the harsh realities of their existence. However, their fragile peace was shattered one fateful day by a sudden and unexpected incident.
One day, while the brothers were staying in the city of Goldfaith, they encountered a Knight, one of the esteemed individuals directly serving a Noble of Veridiania. Matthew, unlucky enough to cross paths with the Knight while he was in a foul mood, accidentally bumped into him. Despite both Matthew and Even offering apologies, their attempts at reconciliation fell on deaf ears.
In Veridiania, a nation where strength was highly prized, their act of bowing their heads and apologizing only worsened their situation. The Knight, unmoved by their apologies and indifferent to their circumstances, threatened to punish them with lashes, regardless of their age or innocence; they were only 17 and 12 at the time. While Even could endure such violent retribution, Matthew could not. Even pleaded for mercy to no avail, forced into a fight to protect his younger brother.
But what chance did a failure of the Mathers family stand against a Knight? After enduring a merciless beating, the Knight pronounced Even dead, prepared to end his life, while poor Matthew watched, tears streaming down his face. He knew he had to protect his older brother, the only person who truly cared about him. It was in this moment of emotional distress that Matthew experienced his awakening.
Matthew, in his desperate need to save his older brother, instinctively cast a barrage of spells: a bolt of fire, a spike of ice, a blade of wind, a bullet of stone, a crackle of lightning, and finally, a small, thin beam of pure mana. Each struck the Knight all over his body, leaving him in a near-dead state. Even stared wide-eyed, both at the Knight and at Matthew, who himself gazed at his hands in shock. Matthew wasn't a failure; he was a prodigy who awakened his magical abilities later in life rather than at the age of 6, like most.
But there was no time to marvel at this revelation. Matthew had just attacked a Knight in public, and they needed to flee. With surprising strength, Matthew lifted Even and sprinted faster than any boy his age should have been able to, especially with an older boy in his arms. They escaped to the abandoned stables they called home, where Matthew excitedly recounted his newfound magical abilities while Even listened with dead eyes.
Even should not have said the hurtful things he did back then. He should have stood by his little brother's side instead of trying to distance himself. But in his mind, it made sense. Matthew's family would have heard about a boy using so many spells at once, and they would have welcomed him back with open arms while Even remained erased, abandoned, unwanted. If only Even could turn back time.