Two years had passed since the day Ryonai discovered he had no magical mark — no sign, no element, nothing.
In a world where every person was born with at least one magical mark on their hand… he had been branded as an anomaly.
A mistake.
A nobody.
But Ryonai refused to accept the fate the world tried to force on him.
Every morning, before the sun even touched the rooftops of the village, he trained his body relentlessly.
Push-ups until his arms trembled.
Punches until his knuckles split.
Running through the hills until his legs nearly collapsed.
If he couldn't use magic…
Then he'd surpass magic with sheer strength.
He remembered the words of the old man who found him in the forest when he was just a baby — the same man who raised him:
"Power doesn't define a warrior, boy.
What you choose to become does."
Those words stayed with him.
Burned into his soul.
Now, at 15, his body was stronger than most adult soldiers.
But despite all his training, despite all his determination…
He still had no mark.
The Day of the Hosekai Academy Entrance Exam
The morning air buzzed with excitement.
Students from all over the region gathered before the gates of the legendary Hosekai Hero Academy, known for producing the strongest mages, knights, and guardians of the kingdom.
As Ryonai approached, he overheard the whispers — the same ones he'd heard for years:
"Is that him? The boy with no mark?"
"How does he expect to enter Hosekai?"
"He should just give up."
He ignored them.
He always did.
But something changed today.
A boy with light blue hair and calm eyes stepped beside him.
He held out his hand with um sorriso.
— "I'm Edward."
Ryonai hesitated, then shook his hand.
— "Ryonai."
When their hands touched, Ryonai noticed the two glowing symbols on Edward's skin.
Two marks.
A prodigy.
Edward smiled softly.
— "Don't mind what everyone says. Marks don't make someone strong."
Ryonai blinked in surprise.
For the first time in years, someone wasn't judging him.
— "You… don't think I'm weird?"
Edward laughed.
— "Nah. If you made it this far, you're strong already."
A faint warmth settled in Ryonai's chest.
Maybe…
For the first time…
He wasn't alone.