The summer sun shone brightly over my secluded village. Children ran joyfully along unpaved dirt paths while adults socialized around their run-down homes.

Distracted by the sun's mighty glare, I was caught off guard by an unexpected fireball. It struck me, sending me tumbling onto my back.

A distant, boisterous laugh rang out. "Son, how could you let your old man get the drop on you like that?"

Still trying to recover from the sneak attack, I rubbed my eyes and looked up. My dad's towering figure loomed over me, his hand extended to help me up. I took the offer and got to my feet.

Dad rested his hand on top of my head, giving me a playful noogie. "Come on, son. Let's do some practice before lunch!" I nodded, a smile spreading across my face.

I held my hands out, palms up in front of my chest, trying to cast the same fireball. Closing my eyes, I concentrated, but nothing came out.

"Don't give up, Masa! You can do it!" Dad cheered proudly.

Then, a tiny spark flickered to life above my palms.

"Dad, look!" My amber eyes lit up with excitement. "I did it!"

Dad pumped his fist in the air. "Well done, my chibi-mage!" He knelt down, placing his strong hand on my shoulder. "Remember, you are gifted just like your ancestors. One day, you will be a great mage!"

As my small spark faded away, I looked up at him. "Can I be like you, Dad?"

"Even greater!" Dad said, smiling while ruffling my short hair. "Now, try to imagine that small spark as a fierce fireball."

I closed my eyes again, hands up and palms facing upward, trying to muster the fireball. What felt like an eternity passed, but I could only generate the same puny sparks as before.

Dad clutched the white orb hanging around his neck, a worried look crossing his face. "Just take it slow, and you'll get there in no time." He paused, then continued, "My son, I want to give you this family heirloom." He untied the string around his neck and carefully placed the orb around mine. "Remember to keep this with you at all times. It will protect you from harm."

Time flew as Dad and I practiced.

"Tanaka dear and sweetie, it's time for dinner!" Mom called out vibrantly.

"Coming!" Dad and I replied in unison, smiling at each other.

We ate dinner together as a family. Afterward, Mom and Dad tucked me into bed.

"Sleep well, my chibi-mage," Dad smiled.

As I drifted off to sleep, I heard my mother panicking downstairs. I got up from my bed, yawning and rubbing my eyes, then headed downstairs to check if everything was alright.

"Go back to sleep, sweetie," Mom told me worriedly.

I looked outside the window and saw about six magic knights on pure white horses, their majestic silver and gold armor gleaming in the moonlight. Scanning the area, I spotted my dad with the village chief and a couple of other council members in the middle of the village.

Without telling Mom, I ran outside to my dad. I noticed other villagers cowering in fear behind ripped curtains in their run-down houses. Dad, concerned for my safety, took me into his arms.

The leader of the magic knights grew visibly upset with each passing minute. "Where is our payment for our service to you? It was due today," he shouted angrily.

"Please... Just give us one more day to collect the money," my dad said calmly.

"Okay, I think I've been too harsh on you insects." The knight turned around, seeming to leave us alone.

In an instant, which felt like everything was playing in slow motion, the knight spun back and cleanly lopped off the chief's head. Blood splattered with a sickening sound.

"As if! You peasants aren't even worth the time! Kill them all!" the magic knight leader roared.

Bone-chilling shrieks accompanied the village chief's beheading. I was stunned with fear, unable to move an inch.

My dad pushed me away from the magic knights. "What are you waiting for? Get out of here now with your mom and don't look back!" he shouted.

"B-but... D-dad, what about you?" I yelled, my voice trembling.

"Don't worry about me. I'll come back. These punks can never beat your old man!" Dad replied confidently, conjuring a great sword from his flames.

I ran towards our house, looking back to see my dad dueling the head magic knight, with his flame sword against the head magic knight's shiny steel sword. The other knights were setting the run-down straw houses on fire and mercilessly murdering villagers.

I found Mom, and she grabbed my hand as we ran towards the forest. Looking back, I saw Dad fighting another magic knight while protecting a little girl from our village.

"Why would you ever want to protect worthless fodder like this?" the head magic knight sneered as their swords clashed.

"Why would I need a reason to protect my own village? Masa would never talk to his old man if I fail to defend my village!" Even cornered by a magic knight and their captain, Dad's words never wavered.

Suddenly, a third magic knight emerged from a blind spot and pierced Dad's chest.

My knees gave out. I tried to run back to Dad, but Mom stopped me, tears flowing down her cheeks. "We can't go back. Daddy wants us to live. I-I'm sorry, Masa. We can't do anything."

I sobbed uncontrollably as I watched Dad fall to his knees, refusing to die lying down. He turned his head towards me, his eyes growing lifeless, and it looked like he was trying to mumble, "I'm sorry, Masa."

I jolt awake, tears streaming down my cheeks and my body drenched in sweat. Looking down, I notice a crack on the white orb my father gave me.

Dad... You didn't have to apologize. You did everything you could. Why has my horrible past resurfaced after six years? Mom and I were the only survivors of that fateful day.

Rising from my worn-down futon, I walk across cracked floors to prepare for magic school. Since fleeing, we've been living in this abandoned shack. I studied hard to enter a good magic school and work part-time at a restaurant to provide for Mom and me.

"I'm heading out for school, Mom," I say to her as she lays on her futon, clothes and hair disheveled. She mumbles something as I leave.

Ever since Dad died and our village was annihilated, Mother has never been the same.

I walk to the royal capital, Aethoria. The streets bustle with vendors selling vegetables, fruits, magic items, and clothing, while an equal number of people eagerly shop.

Smiling, I approach Aethoria Academy's front gates and take a deep breath.

Suddenly, I hear someone call my name loudly from behind. "HEY MASA!"

I jump, exhaling sharply, and turn around. "Oh, hey Aimi." Aimi is my only true friend. She's a royal with beautiful long red hair, stunning blue eyes, and a round face that perfectly matches our midnight blue and bronze uniforms.

"Ready for class?" Aimi smiles. We walk to our first class, history.

Admittedly, I hate all royals and want revenge, but Aimi is the exception. I haven't told her about my past, instead fabricating a story about commoner parents.

On our way to class, we encounter a huge crowd near a notice board, buzzing with excitement.

"Did you see? They're announcing the candidates for the Elite Mage Program!"

The Elite Mage Program selects the three best mages annually and trains them to become the country's true heroes.

I squeeze through the crowd and read the names of the newly appointed Elite mages:

Kajiwara, Matsuzaki, and Aimi!

One person from each of the three royal families has been chosen. Not surprising, as they possess the most powerful mages and influence in the kingdom.

Tears of happiness roll down Aimi's cheeks. "Look, Masa! I did it!" In her excitement, she hugs me tightly.

I blush and smile. "I'm proud of you, Aimi. Promise you'll protect our country with your great strength."

Aimi nods happily.

Suddenly, someone tugs my collar, ripping me from Aimi's embrace and throwing me to the ground.

Dazed from my head slamming against the floor, I try to make sense of what just happened

"Why are you so close to her, you peasant? Know your place, Magicless Masa," a deep voice says.

I hear Aimi's worried cry in the distance

I try to stand, despite everything spinning around me. My thoughts scramble, but all I can focus on is the cold, hard glare of the figure above me.