Using magic at a young age isn't dangerous—in fact, it's beneficial. It helps one adapt to mana early, making it easier to use and understand after the awakening ceremony.
But despite knowing that, I stopped and forbade him.
When I told him he couldn't use magic until the ceremony, he made an expression suitable for a child for the first time—one of a wronged kid who just had his toys taken away.
This child…If I allow him to do as he pleases, he'll fly away one day without looking back.
I don't know if this is just a parental instinct or something else, but I'm confident that Arai will do it.
I'm certain! He seems like that kind of person.
It's not that I don't want him to become a great mage, but balance is important. At his age, he should act like a child.
...
Mizuki's Perspective
I'm not talented in magic.
Damn it! I don't need anyone to tell me that—I know myself well enough.
It's not just about talent; I can't use mana.
I've tried to use mana countless times and memorized many spells, but it's all been useless.
What's frustrating is that I can't even sense Mana's existence. Forget using it, simple physical enhancement or the most basic zero-tier spells are impossible for me!
A few months ago, I saw Arai secretly trying to use magic in the backyard.
At that moment, I thought, "If he can do it, then I can too!" Unfortunately, the result was the same as always.
I silently consoled myself, thinking that some talents only awaken during the ceremony.
But…the ceremony shattered the last shard of hope I had. I awakened nothing.
Even the examiner gave me a skeptical look and said, "I'm sorry, Miss, but your body rejects mana. Awakening is impossible."
The mana within the magic circle refused to enter my body.
What did he mean by "rejects mana"?! I felt like crying at that moment.
I have no future! I can't grow stronger!
The nobles present at the ceremony all sneered and whispered among themselves. Their faces were painted with mockery and disdain.
But I'm a strong girl—I endured it silently, showing no reaction in front of them. When I returned to the estate, I wanted to cry, but no one was there to console me. Father had gone off on some business trip. Mother was sleeping in her strange coma. And my little brother, Arai? No way! I would never cry in front of him.
Where would my dignity as the elder sister go if I did that? The only solution was to cry before my sleeping mother.
I don't know what happened to Mother, but she's been sleeping excessively for months now. Sometimes, she sleeps for days.
It hurts me deeply. What's happening to her? Even Father doesn't know.
Her warm hand was enough to calm me after I cried for a while.
When Arai found out about my results, he consoled me in his way. He even put down his books and started playing with me more often.
He, who was always immersed in books, who usually slept in the library, did that!
"Don't worry! Live as you want, and leave the rest to me and Father."
That's what he said, in his incredibly soft voice.
The boy who always claimed indifference…had this gentle side? Tsk, Arai, you've surprised this noblewoman.
Around that time, Father returned from his trip. He seemed to have already learned of my result, which was why he bought me a magical artifact.
I overheard from one of the maids that nobles despise useless children—those who can't use magic.
I felt nervous, distressed, and very afraid. I was scared I'd be thrown out of the estate or used as a political marriage card.
But Father didn't do any of that! He gave me a grade-3 early artifact, something expensive, to protect myself in times of danger.
I brushed it off, having somewhat expected that, and started thinking:
"How do I grow stronger, too?"
As I pondered this, I wandered around the estate.
I wasn't paying attention, so I ended up bumping into someone and falling.
"Are you alright, little lady?"
With a strange expression, he extended his hand toward me.
"You…huh? Who are you again?"
He looked familiar—I swear I'd seen him before.
"Haist Gorion, at your service."
Haist? I remembered!
"You're the estate's guardian?!"
Haist Gorion, the four rank swordsman and the estate's protector after Father. He's always around when Father travels a lot, guarding the estate in his absence.
"Yes," he replied, his tone devoid of any pride.
I glanced at him from head to toe. After seeing the sword strapped to his waist, a spark ignited in my mind.
Hadn't I just been thinking about an alternative to magic earlier?
Yes! I could just learn swordsmanship instead!
"Sir Haist, right? Teach me swordsmanship, please!"
His lips parted slightly, and his brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded and said, "Follow me."
Perfect! He didn't refuse me.
We went to the training hall on the estate grounds.
It was a large grassy field equipped with wooden dummies and practice swords.
I held a sword in my hand, it was heavy and solid. My soft hands struggled to grip the hilt properly.
I tried swinging it a bit, and suddenly, I felt as if I'd found the missing piece of myself.
This is…comforting. It's strange but familiar, like Mom.
"The test is simple. Try to hit me, and I'll judge you myself," Haist said, readying himself with a wooden sword.
"Alright, attack whenever you're ready."
I leaped at him, and immediately, I felt my body become lighter.
"Clang!!"
Hahaha, this is amazing!
I didn't even feel the weight of the wooden sword anymore. I swung it in several strong, swift arcs! With just a slight swing, I could gather great momentum.
I jumped back, crouched slightly, and positioned the sword horizontally behind my back. Then I dashed forward again!
Haist raised his sword slightly, prepared to block my strike.
But I wasn't going to make it that easy. I'd attack multiple times! The sword suddenly felt weightless, so I was confident I could manage.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Damn it! I tried hitting him from different angles quickly, but he blocked them all! His sword was unbelievably fast!
"No, not yet."
I jumped and tried striking from the front, but as my wooden sword clashed with Haist's…
…It broke!
"No!"
I felt his sword coming toward me. No, I couldn't see it, but I could feel it.
It was fast! Way too fast!
I got hit on the head by Haist's sword and fell to the ground, nearly losing consciousness.
Damn it! Swordsmen are powerful! One day, I'll defeat him.
Arai's Perspective
Ah, Mizuki can't use mana.
She failed at the awakening rite.
I don't know why, but it worries me.
She'll be fine, right? She won't suffer because of this, will she? I mean, does society treat people like her differently? What's the right word for her? I think… disabled, isn't it?
Hmm, being unable to sense mana is strange.
Even I could feel mana in the air around me before my first attempt at using magic.
I asked Verdi, and he said he didn't know what was wrong with Mizuki.
Oh, my mother's condition is worse too.
She's been sleeping a lot since that strange incident about a year ago when I saw the black specter.
Ah, let's not dwell on these sad topics. They stir up strange emotional feelings inside me.
I've read many of the books in the palace library. I didn't even care about the content, I just read them.
I tried focusing on books with knowledge about magic, but unfortunately, I couldn't find any on the topic. Verdi had hidden them all from me after my previous attempt at using magic.
Anyway, what's important now is that I've learned a little about this world.
There's only one continent in the world: the Western Continent.
Currently, I live on a group of islands called Artemis Isles, located on the western edge of the Western Continent.
It's the year 9980 of the New Moon Calendar. Like Earth, the year consists of 12 months.
There are other races besides humans.
No, there's nothing like a cute elf or a cat-eared girl. I didn't find much information about these other races—after all, they're forbidden from entering the isles! At least, that's what I read in one of the books.
This ban stems from an ancient treaty or something similar.
The different races are simply: vampires, skyfolk, dwarves, spirits, and elves.
Vampires, as I understand them, are those elegant, human-like creatures who enjoy drinking blood under the full moon. As for the skyfolk, they are exceedingly rare. They're humans with wings on their backs—in other words, bird-like humans without beaks or talons.
I read in a fictional story that they are extraordinarily beautiful with a heightened sense of aesthetics and grace.
Meanwhile, the dwarves are the legendary blacksmiths coveted by all for their unmatched crafting skills - typical trope. I didn't find much about the spirits, only that they are proud beings residing in the 'Spirit Realm' and can only be summoned through special magical tools, contracts, or even secret magical rituals.
As for the elves, they're closer to myth. I don't even know why.
After some deep thought, I made a firm decision within myself.
I will run away! To hell with these isles and this kingdom.
Verdi mentioned that the Western Continent is dangerous yet full of opportunities.
But these isles? Three small islands were fought over by useless kingdoms with no purpose.
I closed the book.
"Hmm, Mizuki, what are you planning to do in the future?"
Reclining against the trunk of a tree, I asked the black-haired girl who was swinging her sword like a pro in front of me.
This girl, my older sister Mizuki, had started learning swordsmanship a few months ago.
"Huh? Why are you asking that out of the blue?" Mizuki didn't stop swinging her sword and replied, "I don't know, but I don't plan on leaving Mom and Dad. Besides, I can't use mana, so I'd probably die if I ventured out."
Her tone sounded accepting of the reality.
Such strong acceptance of oneself, it would take a normal child years to achieve this level of peace.
"Arai, what about you? I'm sure you'll either run away from the palace or bury yourself in a sea of books," Mizuki teased with smugness.
"Do you think so? That's unfair to me. I'll work hard and inherit my Father's position and responsibilities," I replied innocently and sincerely.
Run away from the palace, huh? Tsk, is it that obvious? Still, even I have the right to escape!
"Oh, right! Your fifth birthday is coming up in two years and a few months. Get ready, Father says he's prepared a 'wonderful' gift for you."
A wonderful gift? I don't believe that for a second. Just look at that smirk on her face. I'd be a fool to trust it.
Hmph, it seems something unpleasant awaits me at this ominous birthday party.
Ugh, how annoying. This party will make me sick.
I hate social gatherings.
I hate them!!