The morning sun filtered through the ornate windows of the Hxavion manor, casting intricate patterns on the marble floors. The manor, a sprawling estate with high, arching ceilings and walls adorned with ancient tapestries, echoed with the footsteps of servants going about their daily routines.
Luth Hxavion, a slender boy of sixteen, sat in his study, poring over a thick tome on magical theory. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and the faint hum of magic from the ancient texts surrounding him.
Luth's fingers traced the arcane symbols on the page, his brow furrowed in concentration. He muttered incantations under his breath, but nothing happened. The air remained still, the symbols inert.
With a sigh, Luth pushed the book away and rubbed his temples. His head ached from the effort. Born into one of the most prestigious noble families, the pressure to excel in magic was immense. The Hxavion family had a long, storied history, renowned for their mastery of powerful spells and their influence in the magical realm.
Luth's ancestors had been instrumental in many significant events, including the Great Battle of Eldoria, where his great-grandfather had single-handedly turned the tide of war with a single, devastating spell.
But Luth had Mana Invocation Disorder, a rare condition that made it nearly impossible for him to channel magic. It was a source of endless frustration and embarrassment, especially with a sister like Elesila, who was a prodigy in magic.
"Focus, Luth. You can do this," he whispered to himself, reopening the book.
Then he remembered the incident that happened in the morning. As he walked through the hallways of the manor, the whispers of the servants followed him.
"That's the young master who can't cast a spell," one maid whispered to another.
"Such a shame, given the family's legacy," a butler murmured, shaking his head.
"He's an embarrassment to the Hxavion name," another voice added, filled with disdain.
Luth pretended not to hear them, but the words cut deep. His heart ached with the weight of their judgment. He kept his head high, his expression stoic, but inside he felt like he was crumbling.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Master Galen, Luth's tutor, entered the room. He was an elderly man with a long, silver beard and kind eyes that twinkled with wisdom.
"Good morning, Luth," Galen greeted, taking a seat opposite him. "How are your studies progressing?"
Luth forced a smile. "Not well, Master Galen. No matter how hard I try, I can't get the spells to work."
Galen nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Magic is not just about reciting incantations or waving a wand. It requires a deep connection with the energy around you. Tell me, what do you feel when you try to cast a spell?"
Luth hesitated. "I feel... nothing. It's like trying to grasp smoke."
"Interesting," Galen said, stroking his beard. "Perhaps we need to approach this from a different angle. Let's focus on your strengths. Your theoretical understanding of magic is exceptional. Maybe there's a way to harness that knowledge differently."
Luth's spirits lifted slightly. "You really think so?"
"I do," Galen replied with a reassuring smile. "Remember, every mage has their own path. Yours may be different, but it doesn't make it any less significant."
Later that evening, the Hxavion family gathered for dinner in the grand dining hall. The room was adorned with luxurious tapestries and golden chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the table. Lord Cedric Hxavion, a tall man with a stern face and piercing blue eyes, sat at the head of the table. Lady Seraphina, elegant and composed, sat beside him. Elesila, radiant and confident, chatted animatedly about her latest magical accomplishments.
"And then I conjured a water elemental with just a flick of my wrist!" Elesila exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Impressive, my dear," Lord Cedric said, a rare smile playing on his lips. "You continue to make us proud."
Luth's heart sank as he listened to the conversation. He felt invisible, a shadow in the presence of his brilliant sister. Lord Cedric turned his gaze to Luth, his smile fading.
"And what about you, Luth? Any progress in your studies?" Cedric's tone was sharp, a challenge rather than a question.
Luth swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I'm trying, Father. Master Galen believes I have potential in theoretical magic."
"Theoretical magic," Cedric scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "What use is theory if you can't cast a single spell? Our family's legacy is built on power and mastery of magic, not empty knowledge."
Lady Seraphina glanced at Luth, her eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and disappointment. She opened her mouth to speak and support him but then closed it, her loyalty to her husband outweighing her maternal instincts. "Your father is right, Luth. You need to focus more on practical magic. Theories won't defend our name or uphold our legacy."
Cedric leaned forward, his expression growing more severe. "Do you understand the weight of our family's history, Luth? The Hxavions have always been at the forefront of magical innovation and power. Your great-grandfather saved Eldoria with his spells. Your sister is already achieving great things. And you, you can't even manage a simple incantation."
Lady Seraphina nodded, her voice stern. "We have given you every opportunity, every resource. It is time you started showing some results. The Hxavion name must not be tarnished by your failures."
Luth felt a knot form in his stomach, the combined pressure from his parents almost unbearable. "I am trying, Mother, Father. I am doing everything I can."
"Trying is not enough, Luth," Cedric snapped. "Results are what matter. If you cannot produce those results, then perhaps you should reconsider your place in this family."
The harsh words stung each one a dagger to Luth's already fragile confidence. He could see Elesila watching him, her expression a mix of pity and something else he couldn't quite make sense of. The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating.
Luth felt the pressure doubling, his parents' combined disapproval crushing him. Elesila's expression was unreadable as she watched the exchange. Luth could feel the weight of her gaze, but he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. The silence that followed was heavy and oppressive.
After dinner, Luth retreated to his room, his mind a whirl of emotions. He felt humiliated and angry, not just at his father, but at himself. Why couldn't he be like Elesila? Why was he cursed with this affliction?
As he paced the room, he caught sight of a small, ornate box on his desk. It was a gift from Master Galen, given to him on his last birthday. He opened it to reveal a delicate crystal pendant, said to enhance magical abilities. Luth had never used it, fearing it would only highlight his inadequacies.
Desperation clawed at him. He grasped the pendant tightly, feeling its cool surface against his skin. Closing his eyes, he whispered an incantation, willing the magic to flow through him.
For a moment, he felt a faint tingling, a spark of something. But it was fleeting, and the next moment, the crystal was dark and lifeless. Luth let out a cry of frustration, hurling the pendant across the room. It shattered against the wall, fragments scattering across the floor.
Tears blurred his vision as he sank to his knees, the weight of his failure crushing him. He stayed there for what felt like hours, lost in his misery until a soft knock on the door broke through his despair.
"Luth? Are you alright?" Elesila's voice was gentle, concerned.
Luth quickly wiped his eyes and stood up, opening the door a crack. "I'm fine, Elesila. Just... leave me alone."
Elesila pushed the door open wider, stepping inside. She looked around the room, taking in the broken pendant and the defeated expression on her brother's face. Without a word, she hugged him tightly.
"Luth, I know how hard this is for you," she said softly. "But you are more than your ability to cast spells. You have a brilliant mind, and I believe you will find a way to shine."
Luth pulled away, his eyes filled with doubt. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because you're my brother," Elesila replied with a small smile. "And I've seen the strength in you, even if you don't see it yourself."
Luth wanted to believe her, but the doubts lingered. He spent the night tossing and turning, his mind restless with thoughts of his future. By morning, he had made a decision. He would prove his worth, not just to his family, but to himself. He didn't know how yet, but he was determined to find his own path.
The next day, he sought out Master Galen in the library. The old tutor was sifting through ancient scrolls, his eyes lighting up when he saw Luth.
"Luth, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Galen asked, setting the scrolls aside.
"I need your help," Luth said, his voice steady. "I want to explore every aspect of magic, not just casting spells. There must be something I can do, something that suits my abilities."
Galen's eyes gleamed with approval. "That's the spirit, Luth. Magic is a vast and wondrous field. There are many paths to mastery. Let us begin with the study of runes and enchantments. They require precision and knowledge, qualities you possess in abundance."
For the first time in a long while, Luth felt a spark of hope. He immersed himself in his studies with renewed vigor, delving into the mysteries of runes, enchantments, and ancient magical artifacts. Master Galen guided him patiently, encouraging his curiosity and fostering his strengths.
Weeks turned into months, and Luth's understanding of magic deepened. He discovered a talent for deciphering complex magical texts and creating intricate enchantments. While he still couldn't cast spells like his sister, he found a different kind of magic, one that resonated with his intellect and creativity.
One evening, as he was working on a particularly challenging enchantment, Elesila burst into his study, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Luth, you have to see this!" she exclaimed, dragging him to the garden.
In the center of the garden stood a magnificent statue of a dragon, its eyes glowing with a vibrant blue light. Luth recognized it immediately; it was one of the ancient artifacts he had been studying.
"How did you do this?" he asked, awe-struck.
"Will, it happens," Elesila said, her smile radiant. "I did. The enchantment I created was exactly what we needed to activate it."
Luth marveled at the sight, feeling a mix of pride and jealousy. But he pushed all that aside knowing that if his sister could do it, then he still has hoped, he just needs a little more practicing or would he say.... Much more practicing.