It was the morning of the next day. The previous day had been quite fun for Anushna. Despite the bandit attack, she was fine because of Kauri. He may be weird, but he was a good person who only wanted to protect others, or at least that's how she felt. Perhaps they could have some fun today, like visiting the dragon's den or the forest beside the city for a hunting trip.
But when she got to meet him, his aura told her that it wouldn't be possible.
He sat alone in the park as usual, but she could see the tension on his face. His expression wasn't emotionless, but rather terrified.
"Kauri", she called him,"Hey Kauri". But he didn't listen, he was lost in his deep thoughts that made even the ever-conscious Kauri lose his senses. This made Anushna terrified of what might have happened to him.
She went close to him and poked him, calling his name with much more force. And this time he came out of his mind and the look he gave her, scared her. It was of someone who has lost his way, someone from whom his soul has been taken out.
"Are you alright, what happened to you?", she asked in a concerned tone, "did something happen after I was gone, tell me?".
For Kauri this was very new, someone showing their concern for him, he gave her a weak smile and said," I am not hurt, it's just", he looked away," I am just trash, not a good friend or someone's saviour. I can't do a single thing to help my friend, I am useless."
"You are not useless, you are my hero and hero to Dolen and so many more people, don't you forget that", she said in an angered tone," it's about those Livia and Scarlett, right? Those stupid loudmouths, they were also saying bad stuff about you in the party, I swear next time I see them, I will punch them both in their face."
"It was not them."
"Then what?"
"I can't use magic and that's why Idris has asked me to leave the party. Future missions all take place in mana-dense zones and if someone like me goes there, he will probably die."
"Wait, you can't use magic?", asked Anushna in a shocked tone, this man was doing all those high-speed feats and fighting monsters such as dragons without magic. He was not using any of it to enhance his body, that was probably the reason why his legs hurt after using those attacks.
"So, you were born without any magic? they tested that"
"Yeah I guess so", said Kauri in a defeated tone," I am a commoner you remember right, we aren't born with any magic."
That confused her, and then she screamed in his face," So you think commoners are born without magic, how can you be so dense? You know how worried I was for you, but it's just that you haven't done a study on magic."
"What?", cried Kauri in a confused tone.
Then Anushna got herself together and called one of her maids Navya." so what do you think she is 'a noble' or 'a commoner'?" asked Anushna.
"Commoner", answered Kauri.
"Navya, can you please show us", asked Anushna.
Then, Navya went near the lake on the side of where they were sitting and placed her hand in the water and suddenly tendrils of water came out, after a while, she took her leave. Then, Anushna turned towards Kauri with a smug look and asked," So now what do you think, can commoners use magic?".
But here, the whole world had broken for Kauri. He remembered the day in his class when his teacher told him that due to him being a commoner, he would never be able to use magic and how it made him the weakest. However, due to sheer hard work and passion, he was chosen. How easy it would have been if he could have used magic. But then he looked at Anushna there were small tears building up in his eyes, that made her stop grinning because of it. He swiped them off.
Then, he asked her," So can you tell me how I would be able to use magic too."
"Well if you were born with some mana then I think you would be, lets go to the royal priest!!".
So, they went. The priest was praying in the temple, his eyes closed he sat there without moving an inch. They both sat behind him, waiting silently for him to complete his adoration.
After half an hour, he stood up and said," Oh if it isn't the princess and the hero who saved her."
"It is Anushna, priest and this is Kauri."
"Very well then, but what brings you here?" asked the priest in his curiosity.
"Well, I need you to check his magic nodes and unlock them," she said.
"Wait, he doesn't have magic and he still fought a dragon, talk about impressive."
They confirmed that and the priest started the ritual, he opened a few books and placed a talisman around Kauri's neck and then asked," How old are you, boy?".
"Nineteen years", answered Kauri.
"Well, do you know why people usually do this when they are just kids, cause is easier when you get older the nodes become much more strained, this means that you won't be able to use magic to the degree you would have been if it was unlocked it when you were a kid", told the priest.
"It doesn't matter, I just need enough magic that I can help my friends in their future missions and protect them."
That put a smile on the priest's face," You are a good kid, you know that", and with that he jammed his hand into Kauri's stomach, fingers straight up piercing his torso, which made him faint on the spot.
Later he woke up, gasping for air, Anushna was sitting beside him and his body was still hurting, when they removed his shirt, his red spots were visible." how are you feeling, does anything feel different", asked Anushna getting near him to support as he had just woken up.
But suddenly he jumped up, getting back on his feet," Not much, my legs don't hurt anymore for some reason and I don't know but I feel something weighing on me."
"Of course it does, maybe you can't see it but I can. Mana is seeping from all over your body, maybe try controlling it. It is super large maybe you are gifted by mana, that is the only way it is possible."
"So now what can I do?", asked Kauri," I mean like that maid could make water tentacles."
That is when Anushna gave him a piece of paper, it was from the priest," this paper will tell you about it."
[your magic is spacial magic, it is a rare type of magic. Most times it's seen to be hyper-specific but in your case, it looks like you have a variety of techniques but only ones I was able to find out about are a dimensional pocket to store your weapons and using spatial magic to make yourself intangible. I guess even god heard your wish and gave you such powerful abilities, do good from them, I wish you luck].
That was how the letter ended. It made him shed a tear from how nice the priest was, now cause of him. He could finally help Idris against the demon lord.
"Now that you know this, it is time for you to start practising your powers", said Anushna," you have to show those idiot girls how strong you are. And for god sake start answering back when they make fun of you."
"But Idris really is better than me", answered Kauri.
"Would you let me be the judge of that, I know what kind of a person are you and what good qualities you have but until you believe in yourself, putting you down, won't show how great Idris is, it only makes him look petty. And until you start answering back it won't stop, this may be the only infuriating trait you have. Come on then maybe just answer back when they make fun of you."
A devilish grin came on her face," I can't even imagine how shocked they will be."
"Ok", Kauri was a bit scared by this display and agreed and so started the gruelling task for Kauri to learn the art of insult from a noble such as Anushna who many times had to use such methods in front of the ministers. after a while lessons were done, Kauri sat on the ground at the side of where Anushna stood, a gentle breeze flowed across the evening sky.
"That was harder than learning swordship", said Kauri.
"I guess so", Anushna said with a little chuckle.
Then, Kauri remembered how Idris wanted Anushna to take his place in the group, so is she someone who is strong but then why wasn't she strong enough to take on a fight and so he asked her," Anushna, what kind of magic do you have?".
"Well my magic", told Anushna," it is a passive ability of my mine. It grants protection to the people I love, the more I love someone or something higher is its protection. Some say that is why our kingdom still exists, even with the demons on the horizon."
"That is super strong."
"Yeah I know but now you are even stronger than ever before" said Anushna," it is time you go and starts preparing for tomorrow, you have to surprise everybody. Quick stand up."
Kauri jumps up. "Whatever, you say" as he starts going towards his room. Tomorrow the world will see the power hidden in the white lightning. It is time for him to come out of Idris's shadow. Maybe cause of Anushna he will finally do so.