Once again, I woke up from the pain in my stomach, as if an invisible hand were gripping my insides and slowly squeezing them.
The cold morning air pierced through the cracks in the barracks walls. I shivered, the lingering dampness from my uniform seeping into my bones with a chill that felt deeper than the air itself.
My body felt heavy. Every muscle screamed from exhaustion and hunger. When I tried to sit up, my head spun, and my vision went dark for a moment.
My stomach growled again, loud and painful.
I hugged my knees tightly, trying to withstand both the cold and hunger simultaneously.
This place… this world… still felt foreign. Every sound, every scent, even the air I breathed felt different from my home before.
As if I hadn't truly accepted that I was in another world. A world said to be full of wonders, but for me, was only full of cold and humiliation.
Yesterday, someone promised to come bring food.
But this morning, only the cold air and bitter reality arrived.
No one. No food. No hope.
I bowed my head.
"Stupid," I whispered softly to myself.
"You still trust others?"
I forced my body to rise from the damp pile of straw. Every movement made the pain in my back return. The shabby uniform I wore was still smattered with dirt, a futile attempt to clean it with the filthy water yesterday.
I patted it gently, but the dust only made me cough.
The morning air outside the barracks greeted me with a sharp, cold gust. The sky was still gray, and the sun was only faint behind the fog.
I stepped out slowly, intending to find water to wash my face before starting work again, even though my body had almost no energy.
But my steps halted at the doorstep.
Someone stood outside. A tall, large figure with iron armor reflecting the gloomy morning light.
It was Captain Gregory.
I swallowed, but my throat felt dry.
"Vira," his voice was heavy and deep, like a hammer hitting iron.
"You're finally awake."
I reflexively bowed deeply. "S-sorry, Captain. I… I just woke up. I'll start working immediately—"
"Quiet."
That one word was enough to make me hold my breath.
He stepped closer, each step vibrating the ground beneath me.
I could smell the metal from his armor, mixed with the scent of oil and sweat. His shadow covered my face, making me feel even smaller before him.
"His Majesty King Thorian has summoned you," he finally said. His voice was flat, but sharp.
I was stunned. "T-the King?"
Captain Gregory raised an eyebrow slightly, a thin smile appearing at the corner of his lips, not a friendly smile, but like someone waiting for something bad to happen.
"Yes. The King himself. Do you know what that means?"
I stayed quiet, afraid to say the wrong thing.
"It means you have a chance," he said softly, then his eyes narrowed.
"Or perhaps… an end. But that's not my business. My task is only to bring you to him."
I froze.
The King… summoned me? For what? I was nobody in this world. When I was examined and declared talentless, his gaze was cold, as if I meant nothing to him.
Even Eldrin never saw me as more than a dirty servant who failed the talent test.
But now he summoned me, suddenly. From someone who was previously indifferent, why me? I could only swallow, confused and curious.
Gregory watched my confused expression, then snorted roughly.
"Don't put on that stupid face. Quickly wash up and get ready. If you appear before the King with a face like that, he might order the executioner to finish you before you can even speak," he snapped sarcastically.
I nodded quickly, my heart beating so hard I could feel it in my ears. "Y-yes, Captain."
Then slowly, I walked toward the place I hated most in the entire palace, the old toilet at the end of the barracks.
The wooden door creaked as I opened it.
The damp, foul, and rusty smell immediately assaulted my nose, a smell I still remembered clearly from yesterday.
The water in the sink was still the same as what I drank last night, murky, brownish, and smelling of metal.
My hand trembled as I reached for the tap.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a pale face with sunken eyes and cracked lips.
If I had a choice, I wouldn't touch this water again. But I had no choice.
Carefully, I wet my hands and splashed the water on my face.
It felt cold… and disgusting. But I kept doing it.
Every drop of water dripping down my cheek reminded me of last night, when I drank it out of thirst and despair.
If I'd had a choice, I wouldn't have touched this water again. But I had none. Just like yesterday, I was using it to clean myself.
And now, I was using it to try to look more… presentable.
Even though I knew, nothing could make me presentable in anyone's eyes here.
I looked at my reflection again. No change.
Still the same face. The face of someone lost in a world that wasn't theirs.
I took a deep breath, holding back the nausea rising from my stomach. I didn't know why the King summoned me. I didn't know what awaited me there.
The only thing I knew was, I had to go.
Not because I wanted to, but because I had no other choice.
I bowed my head, leaving the room. Water dripped from my face, the cold and metallic smell still clinging to my skin.
Every step felt heavy, as if the palace floor rejected my presence. In the distance, I saw the shadow of Captain Gregory waiting for me at the end of the corridor. I looked at him briefly, then lowered my gaze again.
I didn't dare think anything. Not hoping, not refusing.
Just… confusion. About why all this was happening. And why I was chosen.
When I approached, his eyes briefly looked me up and down, judging without saying a word.
I knew my appearance was still far from proper, but I had no time to fix it again.
"Done?" his voice was flat.
I nodded quickly. "Y-yes, Captain."
He turned and started walking without looking back. "Follow me"
I bowed and followed him, leaving the dilapidated servant barracks behind the palace. The cold, damp air enveloped us, still mixed with the smell of wet soil and rotting wood from the barracks, but the stone corridor leading to the palace began to feel different, neater and more orderly.
The heavy echoes of his footsteps resonated along the stone corridor, their rhythm steady and firm.
While my footsteps sounded slow, like small, out-of-sync echoes behind him.
The air inside the palace that morning was cold and damp. The smell of metal from the soldiers' equipment mixed with the scent of burning candles along the corridor.
The high walls on either side were adorned with black-and-gold royal banners, majestic and grand, but felt oppressive.
We kept walking, until thin sunlight began to sneak through the cracks of the large arched door at the end of the corridor.
As soon as I stepped out, the outside air immediately greeted my face
A thin mist still hung over the training grounds, limiting visibility, but from here I could see figures moving within it.
Eri, Dito, Maya, Sari, and Mr. Anton were seen practicing separately, focused on their own movements and talents. Magic orbs floated in the air, blue light sparks, bursts of fire, and swirling wind vortices, reflecting the morning light.
I watched for a moment but didn't see Eldrin, who had led their training yesterday. They seemed to be practicing on their own, without the Archmage's direct guidance, immersed in their own movements and powers.
The sounds of training shouts and the clinking of magical energy filled the yard, though each seemed absorbed in their own world.
I stopped unconsciously, staring from a distance, feeling the gap between me and them who looked so skilled.
My eyes fixed on them, my steps lagging half a step behind Captain Gregory.
Eri looked serious, standing straight while directing her glowing palms. The way she moved and looked around radiated striking confidence, almost feeling arrogant. I could only stare at her from afar, feeling she wanted to show that no one could match her.
Maya moved gracefully, every hand movement looked soft yet full of control. Her hair flowed with her body's sway, her face radiating calm and elegant confidence, making her seem like someone born to attract attention without needing to shout or show off.
Dito, as usual, was talkative and laughing, his energy seemed wild, but there was something rotten and annoying in his manner. As if he was always looking for an opportunity to cause trouble or boast.
And on the left side of the field, Sari.
She tried to follow their movements, her smile appearing occasionally, but there was doubt in her eyes.
Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to form a small magic circle, and although she succeeded, her steps wobbled a little.
They were all so alive, completely absorbed in their own worlds.
Their morning started cheerfully, the sunlight piercing through the thin mist, dancing on the dew-wet grass. The gentle breeze carried the scent of soil and leaves, mixed with sparks of magical energy floating in the air.
Laughter was heard, small sighs as they tried to control their talents, and the sound of footsteps stomping on the ground. Everything looked so real, like a living morning in the midst of this foreign world, making me realize how far I was from them, from ability, and from the world that now demanded from me.
Then my eyes moved to the figure behind them, Mr. Anton.
He stood somewhat apart from his students, but not to watch them.
His hands moved, forming glowing magical patterns in the air. He was practicing independently, with a cold, focused gaze. No smile, no greeting. As if last night never happened.
My chest felt tight.
I didn't know what to call the expression on his face. Sad, guilty, or just tired. But I knew one thing, I was angry.
Angry because he promised and didn't come.
Angry because he made me believe there were still good people in this world.
Angry because, for some reason, I still wanted to trust him.
I bowed my head slowly, looking at my dirty palms, trembling between anger and disappointment.
Maybe I was the stupid one…
I wanted to turn back. But my feet remained rooted to the spot.
Until finally, Gregory's cold voice broke my thoughts.
"Don't fall behind," he said sharply.
I quickly stepped forward again, bowing. "S-sorry, Captain."
He didn't turn. Just kept walking, his body upright and steady. While I looked at the ground, trying to swallow an indescribable feeling.
They looked like small pieces of a perfect world.
While I walked past them silently, nothing more than a passing shadow. Not one of them turned toward me, and no one noticed me passing by their side.
I kept walking behind Gregory, staring at the marble floor beneath our feet.
The reflection of my face on that surface looked vague, dull, and tired.
The farther we walked from that yard, the emptier my chest felt. I didn't know what awaited me inside the palace. But one thing felt clear in my head, they had all found their place in this world.
And I...
I didn't even know why I was still here.
Those words settled deep into my hollow chest just as my feet came to a sudden stop. We had arrived at the throne room door.
I stared at that high door, towering and heavy, as if ready to swallow anyone who entered.
The air around it felt different. Colder, more pressing.
This was the place where I had truly believed my life would change, only to realize it was all just an empty hope I'd been carrying.
I still remembered every detail.
Eri went first back then.
As soon as her hand touched the crystal, golden light shone brightly and filled the entire room. All eyes were on her.
Cheers of admiration were heard, and Eldrin and King Thorian looked at her with proud smiles.
Then Dito with glowing red, Maya with shimmering blue, Sari with soft green, and Mr. Anton with warm brown.
They all shone.
They all received applause.
Then, only I remained.
Eldrin raised his gaze to me. Calm, without a smile, without anger.
He just stared, as if his eyes were saying, 'Step forward.'
I knew it was my turn. I swallowed, then stepped forward. The sound of my footsteps was so clear, echoing throughout the room. I could feel everyone staring at me.
My eyes didn't dare look at anyone, but I knew.
I knew Eri was watching with a mocking smile.
I knew Maya was crossing her arms, waiting with a lazy gaze.
I knew Dito was ready to laugh if I failed.
Sari… perhaps the only one who looked restless.
And Mr. Anton, I could feel his gaze, heavy and worried from behind.
"Touch the orb, kid," whispered Eldrin, but there was impatience in his voice.
I placed my hand on the crystal.
Its surface was smooth, feeling warm on my palm.
For a moment, I thought something might happen.
But time kept passing.
No magnificent light.
No glorious vibration.
There was only a faint gray light that appeared for a moment, barely visible, before sputtering out into nothing.
The room atmosphere changed.
Silence. All sound disappeared.
There was only me, the crystal, and dozens of pairs of eyes staring without saying a word.
I could hear my own heartbeat, slow but loud in my ears. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the urge to cry. My hand trembled slightly.
"Try again, young girl." said Eldrin.
I tried again and thought.
Maybe I just needed more time?
Maybe the crystal was broken?
Maybe my position was wrong?
Please react…
But before I could think further, Eldrin's soft voice broke the silence.
"No talent detected – Mortal Grade."
His voice wasn't cold, not mocking either, just calm, flat, and certain.
Yet it was precisely because of that calmness that those words felt more painful.
And with that word, all my hopes vanished. I slowly withdrew my hand.
The crystal remained clear, unchanged. Its light only reflected my own crumpled, pale, and stupid face. I bowed deeply, wishing the marble floor would swallow me.
No one spoke, but I could feel it, suppressed small laughs, soft whispers calling me "talentless."
Eri and the others who mocked me, as if my downfall was the entertainment they had been waiting for from the start.
I stood there for a long time, not knowing what to do.
For me, everything was over
"Vira."
That heavy voice broke my thoughts.
I flinched slightly, as if waking from an endless nightmare.
That memory slowly faded, replaced by a reality no less suffocating.
Captain Gregory stood before the large door to the throne room.
His armor reflected the golden light from the crystals on the ceiling.
His gaze was sharp as usual, but not angry. Just firm, flat, and leaving no room for refusal.
"Let's go in," he said firmly.