After running like I owed someone money and nearly collapsing, physical training finally ended.
My body?Exhausted.My legs?Shaking.My feelings?I wanted to disappear from existence.
I sat under a tree, staring up at the sky. But instead of peace, I got Arkell again. Yeah. Him again.The young genius mage with a perfect middle part and a face permanently stuck on smug mode.
"Hm. You're just an ordinary human, right?" he asked, flipping his cloak.I turned to him, slowly. "What? Here to call me weak again?"He nodded. "Yes."
I KNOW THAT! BUT IT STILL HURTS!
"Since you can't use magic, that means you'll keep doing physical tests. Congratulations."
I fell silent, then muttered, "Don't you guys have magic exams or something? Maybe I'll pass out and suddenly awaken some mysterious power."
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you think this is a soap opera? Not everyone gets a power-up."
Damn. He's right. I'm just a regular person who boarded the wrong plane.
Then the nurse from before showed up. "Aria, there's a magical aptitude reevaluation for all new recruits today. You've been summoned too, even though your results were... nil."
Huh? I got summoned too?
MAYBE THIS IS MY MOMENT!!
In the magic testing room...It was huge. Floating candles and glowing crystals everywhere. Super cool. Like a low-budget Hogwarts but still aesthetic.
One by one, the students got tested.Someone lit a flame from their hand.Another shot water from their mouth (looked more like nearly drowning).And someone… farted and caused a lightning strike.DON'T ASK. I'M TRYING TO FORGET.
Then… it was my turn.
"Aria, place your hand on the orb," said the examiner, a cloaked mage with eyes sharp enough to slice bread.
I placed my hand on the orb.
Everyone waited.
The orb was just as silent as during the initial test...
...silent.
No glow. No shake. No spark. Nothing.Like my soul staring at my bank balance near the end of the month.
"…No reaction.""…No mana flow whatsoever.""…Just an ordinary human."
Their voices felt like kitchen knives stabbing my heart, one by one.
From the distance, Arkell gave a small smirk."Told you."
I WANTED TO SLAP HIM WITH THE ORB.BUT I'M TOO WEAK.
After leaving the exam room, I sat alone on a wooden bench, gazing up at the sky again.And I whispered to myself…
"So... I'm not a mage, not a noble, not the protagonist… and even my vacation failed. Amazing…"
But then, Kael's deep voice came from behind me."You may not have magic, but your body can be trained. Don't give up."
I looked at him. "But... why me?"He simply answered, flatly,"Because the world isn't always fair, Aria. But strength is never born from luck."