The cold wind of the morning moved through the broken windows of a small wooden house.
Inside, a boy was tying the worn straps of his old school bag.
His name was Aren Vale.
His clothes were old and patched many times. His shoes had holes in them. Yet his eyes carried a quiet determination.
Across the room, his sister Lina placed a small piece of bread on the table.
"Eat before you go," she said gently.
Aren shook his head.
"You worked all night again. You should eat it."
Lina smiled faintly.
"I already did."
They both knew that was a lie.
Lina worked two part-time jobs just so Aren could attend Aetherion Magic Academy, the most prestigious magic school in the kingdom.
Today was the day every student's magic power would be tested.
Aren felt nervous.
Everyone in this world had magic.
Fire. Water. Lightning. Healing. Teleportation. Earth.
But Aren had never felt anything inside him.
Not once.
Still, he walked toward the academy.
Because giving up was not an option.