They called my name, and I knew I had to go in.
After seeing everyone come out like that… I had no idea what was waiting for me on the other side.
I opened the door.
Inside, there was another man. Younger than the previous one, but still older. He watched me calmly.
—Hello, Ren. Welcome… and happy birthday.
—Thank you.
—Alright. To reveal your power, stand on that X.
He pointed to the floor.
In front of it, something was covered with a cloth.
I walked over and stood on the mark.
—Stay still —he added—. Before we begin… do you have any idea what your power might be?
I hesitated for a second.
—I think… enhanced senses. Something like that.
That was what I had thought with Elijah.
—I see.
He paused briefly.
—I'm going to uncover the mirror.
A mirror?
He removed the cloth.
There it was.
My reflection.
For a moment, I didn't notice anything strange. Just me. Tired… maybe more than usual.
—Right now, your power is manifesting —he said—. Look closely. Do you notice anything?
I narrowed my eyes.
Nothing.
Or… wait.
There was something.
Very faint.
Like a kind of aura… almost invisible. So subtle I wasn't even sure it was really there.
—I think… I see something.
The man raised an eyebrow slightly.
—That's unusual. Very few people perceive it on their own.
He stepped closer to the mirror.
He observed me through it.
The silence grew heavy.
Too heavy.
I could feel his gaze fixed on me. As if he were searching for something specific.
I swallowed.
At that moment, I could only think about one thing.
My power.
My future.
Would I be strong?
Would I have potential?
Could I…?
Elijah.
Aether.
…
—That's enough.
The man's voice snapped me out of it.
He stepped away from the mirror.
For a second… I could swear his expression had changed.
As if he didn't like what he saw.
He covered the mirror again.
—Ren —he said—. I've evaluated your power.
I waited.
—Your aura is light blue. That indicates enhanced perception.
I nodded slightly.
—That means your senses are above average. You see better, hear better… perceive your surroundings more clearly. The city specialized in this type of ability is Eryndell.
Another pause.
Longer.
—However…
My body tensed.
—You do not meet the requirements to be recommended.
It felt like something sank inside me.
—What… does that mean?
—Your current aura indicates a rank E.
Too low.
—And your maximum potential… according to the mirror…
He hesitated for a second.
—Is C.
C.
…
C?
—The schools require at least a B level —he continued—. I'm sorry.
Silence.
C.
Aether…
Elijah…
How was I supposed to…?
—Don't be discouraged —he added—. Most people don't reach B. And that doesn't mean you can't become a mage. It just… means it will be harder.
Harder.
Of course.
—Thank you… —I murmured, without conviction.
—You may return in the future for another evaluation.
I nodded.
I turned around and left.
I walked home.
Or at least… I think I did.
I didn't pay attention to the path.
I didn't see streets, or people, or anything.
I just kept thinking about the same thing.
Rank C.
How was I supposed to avenge my brother with that?
I frowned.
I didn't understand.
Elijah had S potential.
S.
And I… C.
Then I understood.
He was the special one.
I wasn't.
He was the one destined to go far.
I… was just his brother.
A side character in his story.
Or at least… that's how it felt.
When I looked up, I was already near home.
And then I saw them.
Tarin and Mira, waiting by the door.
I walked closer.
They did too.
—What are you doing here?
—Isn't it obvious? —Mira replied—. We came to see you.
—And to snoop about your power —Tarin added with a half-smile—. How did it go?
I hesitated for a second.
—I have… enhanced perception.
—That's good —Mira said quickly—. It's an interesting ability.
—Yeah, but…
I swallowed.
—My potential is C.
There was a brief silence.
—Oh… —Tarin murmured.
—Well —he added quickly—, it's not that bad. I'm sure you can make the most of it.
—Sure —I said, forcing a smile.
I didn't even believe it myself.
—By the way —I added, changing the subject—, why did only you two come?
—It was Luca's idea —Mira said—, but he got punished. Apparently he wasn't allowed to go to the funeral.
—Figures… —I let out a light laugh—. Classic.
—And Helen? —I asked.
—No idea —Tarin replied—. Probably at home. She ditched us.
—Aren't we enough for you? —Mira added jokingly.
—Of course you are —I replied quickly—. I was just curious.
—Let's go for a walk —Tarin suggested.
I glanced at the door of my house for a second.
I didn't want to go in.
Not yet.
—Alright… sounds good.
We started walking through the streets of Luminalia.
The pace was slow.
The conversation… light.
Too light.
They talked.
I answered.
But in reality…
I wasn't fully there.
Still, I appreciated the effort.
Time passed without me noticing.
Until we reached the square.
The fountain was still in the center, as always.
The water fell with a constant, almost hypnotic sound.
We sat down.
And for a moment…
everything felt calm.
Even if it was just on the surface.
The sky was starting to darken.
I looked at Mira and said:
—Hey… shouldn't you head home? Your parents are pretty strict about your schedule, right?
Mira looked away for a second.
—Lately… I don't really feel like being at home.
Tarin frowned.
—Why do you say that?
Mira hesitated.
—Because… my brother came back.
—That's good, isn't it? —I said—. You hadn't seen him in a long time.
—I guess I never told you…
She paused.
—But I'm not on good terms with him.
We exchanged glances.
—Why? —Tarin asked—. He seems like a good guy.
Mira lowered her gaze.
—He did something… I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
—If you want to tell us… —Tarin added—. Only if you feel like it.
Mira took a deep breath.
—Alright.
She stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking.
—I had another sister. Lily.
Her voice was softer now.
—One day, Reid went out with her to buy some things. He was supposed to be watching her.
She clenched her hands slightly.
—But he lost her.
Silence.
—According to him, he left her somewhere for a moment… turned around… and when he looked back, she was gone.
I swallowed.
—She was very young.
Mira closed her eyes for a second.
—She never came back.
No one said anything.
We didn't even know what to say.
—My parents and I… didn't blame him —she continued—. Things like that… can happen. Horrible, yes, but…
She shook her head.
—I don't hate him for that.
She looked up.
—I hate him for what he did after.
—What did he do? —I asked.
—Reid was… the light of the house —she said with a faint, sad smile—. The one who made everything easier.
Pause.
—And right when we were broken… when we hadn't even begun to process what happened to Lily…
She clenched her teeth.
—He got tested.
We already knew where this was going.
—He was recommended to Valerion.
The name sounded almost bitter.
—And he didn't wait.
Her voice tightened.
—Not even two days.
—He packed his things… said goodbye… and left.
The silence turned heavy.
—We hadn't just lost Lily…
She looked at us.
—We lost him too.
No one spoke.
—Did you try to make him stay? —I asked quietly.
Mira let out a bitter laugh.
—Of course I did.
—I told him he could go later. That he should wait. That… we needed him.
She shook her head.
—But he didn't listen.
—He just kept saying the same thing.
Pause.
—That he had to become strong.
She clenched her fists.
—And that's why I hate him.
Silence.
—Because he abandoned us… for his obsession with power.
—And now he's back… like nothing ever happened —Mira continued—. My parents forgave him, but I… I can't.
She lowered her gaze.
—I guess when he left… I lost too much.
—I'm really sorry, Mira —I said quietly.
—You never told us about your sister… or about Reid —Tarin added.
—It's hard to talk about —she replied—. That's why… I think I understand you a little better now, Ren.
She looked at me.
—You're not the only one who's lost a sibling… even if it's not the same, of course.
I didn't know what to say.
—Don't you think you should forgive him? —I finally said—. It's been a long time… he's probably sorry.
Mira shook her head slowly.
—Maybe.
Pause.
—But he hasn't even apologized.
She looked up.
—Until he does… I won't even consider it.
I nodded slowly.
—Still… you should talk to him soon.
I hesitated for a second before continuing.
—You've already lost one sibling… I don't think you want to lose another.
Mira didn't respond immediately.
—Maybe you're right…
She sighed.
—But not today.
She stood up.
—Anyway, I'm leaving. If I get home late, my parents will kill me.
She smiled faintly.
—See you tomorrow, guys.
—See you tomorrow —we replied.
We watched her walk away.
Silence returned.
—That's a really tough story… —Tarin murmured.
—Yeah —I replied—. She should've told us sooner.
—Well… Mira has always been reserved about these things.
I nodded.
—Yeah… you're right.
I paused briefly.
—Hey… do you have a curfew?
—My parents prefer I don't get home too late… —he said, shrugging— but it's fine if I stay a bit longer.
He smiled.
—Thanks.
The sound of the fountain filled the silence again.
And then…
I felt it.
Something strange.
It wasn't a presence.
Not exactly.
It was… like someone was watching us.
No.
Like someone had been watching us for a while.
My body tensed.
I didn't know where it was coming from.
But it was there.
Fixed.
On us.