The sun hung low over *Illarion Academy*, casting long shadows over the courtyard, where students of all races—humans, elves, dwarves, and dragons—gathered in groups, practicing their magic or chatting excitedly about the 'upcoming sparring matches' . To anyone who looked at them, it might seem like a world of vibrant life and endless possibilities.

But for Sean Black, it felt like a prison. His footsteps echoed softly as he made his way across the cobblestone path, his eyes downcast, as always. The other students barely noticed him. Those that did either mocked him or ignored him—and that was the way Sean preferred it. If they didn't look, they couldn't see the emptiness he carried with him.

Sean had been an orphan for as long as he could remember. Raised in the Illarion Orphanage on the outskirts of town, he had always felt the sting of being different. In a world where magic was everything—where the very fabric of society was built around it—Sean had never received his mana mark, the sign of a mage's potential. He had no magic. No power. Nothing.

As he approached the towering gates of the academy, a few familiar faces turned to look at him. He recognized the sneers, the whispered comments. Most of them were fire mages, water mages, and earth manipulators—students with raw power that made them the elite of the school.

"Hey, look, it's Sean the non-magical wonder," one of the students called out, snickering.

Sean didn't respond. He had learned long ago that any attempt to argue or defend himself would only make things worse. So, he kept his head low, keeping his distance from the other students as he made his way to class.

Inside the academy, the hallways were lined with ancient stone, the air thick with the scent of old books and magic. The faint hum of mana pulsed in the walls, the energy that flowed through the very foundation of the academy. To most of the students, it was a sign of the power that filled their veins. To Sean, it was a constant reminder of what he lacked.

---

Magical Theory Class

The classroom was filled with the usual chatter. Fire mages were discussing their latest fireball techniques, while the water mages argued about the best ways to manipulate the tides. Kai, the top student and fire mage prodigy, was seated at the front of the class, surrounded by his usual crowd of admirers. His flames danced at the tips of his fingers, making little sparks fly into the air as he casually showed off.

Sean took his usual seat at the back of the room, far from the others. The teacher, Professor Ilona, was busy writing on the chalkboard, her sharp voice cutting through the noise.

"Alright, students," she said, turning to face the class. "We'll begin today's lesson on elemental manipulation. By the end of the week, each of you will demonstrate your abilities in a sparring match."

The mention of the sparring match made Sean's stomach tighten. He had always hated these moments. The matches were where the best students could show off their magical prowess, where they proved their worth. And Sean? He had no magic to demonstrate. He wasn't even allowed to participate.

He glanced over at Kai, who was already smirking, clearly imagining how easy it would be to win the upcoming match. Kai was powerful, and he knew it. He never let anyone forget it.

"Sean," the voice of Professor Ilona broke through his thoughts. "Perhaps you'll finally show us what you're capable of in the sparring match this year?"

A few students around the room snickered. Sean felt his cheeks burn with shame. He forced a smile, trying to play it off, but it was hard to ignore the mocking glances.

"Yeah, maybe you'll finally figure out how to make a flower bloom, Black," Kai's voice rang out from the front of the room. "Or maybe you'll just sit this one out, as usual."

The laughter that followed was like a dagger to his heart. Sean stared at his desk, wishing he could disappear.

---

Lunch Break

The cafeteria was no better. It was a place where the strong showed off their magic, and the weak remained invisible. The tables were filled with elite students, their magical abilities on full display. Fire mages were creating fiery rings in the air, water mages were making ice sculptures, and earth mages were levitating chunks of stone.

Sean grabbed his tray and made his way to the farthest corner of the room, away from the laughter and the display of power. He sat down at an empty table, his food untouched. His stomach churned, but not from hunger. No, it was the familiar sense of isolation that gnawed at him.

He had no friends. No one to talk to. Just the quiet hum of his own thoughts and the loneliness that seemed to follow him everywhere.

"Hey, Sean," a soft voice said from behind him.

Sean turned to see Lira, the elf girl from his class. She was one of the few students who didn't treat him like a joke. With her long, silvery hair and emerald green eyes, Lira was different from the others. She was a nature mage, and though she wasn't as popular as Kai, she had always been kind to him.

She smiled warmly, sitting down across from him. "How's the day going?"

"Same as always," Sean replied, forcing a smile. "Just… trying to make it through."

Lira's eyes softened, and she reached across the table, gently placing her hand on his. "You know, I believe in you, Sean. You're not just some… empty vessel. You're more than that."

Sean flinched slightly at the words. He appreciated Lira's kindness, but it was hard to believe her words. After all, magic was everything. Without it, what was he?

"I don't know, Lira," he muttered. "I just feel like I'm… missing something. Like I'm not supposed to be here."

Lira squeezed his hand gently. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you're not like everyone else. But that doesn't mean you don't have value."

Sean didn't respond. Lira meant well, but the truth was, he felt more alone than ever before.

---

The Afternoon

The rest of the day was just as uneventful. The other students practiced their elemental magic, their spells growing stronger with every passing minute. Sean watched from the sidelines, wishing he could feel that rush of power.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Sean made his way back to the orphanage. The familiar feeling of emptiness settled over him once again. The streets of Illarion were filled with magical energy, but Sean felt like he was walking through a world that didn't belong to him.

He passed a small group of students on his way home, their laughter ringing in his ears. The same students who had *mocked him* earlier in the day.

They didn't even notice him as they passed.