....... Powerless ..........

Aaron, distinguished by black hair and brown eyes, bore a striking resemblance to his father, a stark contrast to his brother Tarou, who had blond hair and blue eyes reminiscent of their deceased mother. Their physical dissimilarity made it challenging for anyone to perceive them as siblings. However, Aaron's distinctiveness extended beyond appearances.

Despite being shorter than monsters of his age, Aaron possessed an unexpected physical strength. Devoid of any elemental power, he could overpower his peers effortlessly with bare hands, setting him apart even among his fellow monsters.

Alan, Aaron's father, held the esteemed position of the most powerful monster in the land, earning him the role of leader. The weight of this legacy pressed on Aaron, unwilling to disappoint his father or become the subject of mockery among his peers.

On the other hand, Tarou, Aaron's elder brother, had already achieved legendary status. Successfully completing his mission at the young age of 17 and attaining full power, Tarou stood as an exceptional figure, becoming a source of immense pride for the entire family.

Aaron observed his brother receiving accolades and prizes, while he only garnered constant comparisons.

Acknowledging his differences, he yearned to at least attain a power of his own, hoping to make his father proud and gain recognition within the land. However, as he anticipated his eighteenth birthday, the desired transformation failed to materialize, leaving Aaron in a state of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations.

Following the disappointing birthday, Aaron secluded himself within his room for about a week, grappling with disbelief over his lack of transformation.

"What is wrong with my body? Why hasn't anything changed? I can't face the others while I'm still like this. They're surely waiting for me to reveal my power. What am I supposed to tell them?" he pondered, caught in the internal turmoil of uncertainty.

Tarou, deeply concerned about his brother, urged:

- Aaron, can you open the door? You can't stay in your room forever.

- LEAVE ME ALONE, TAROU, I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE.

Aaron responded, distressed.

- Please open the door. It's not a big deal that you haven't changed yet.

Tarou pleaded.

- HOW COULD YOU UNDERSTAND HOW AWFUL I AM FEELING RIGHT NOW? YOU STARTED CHANGING AT FIFTEEN.

Aaron exclaimed.

- That's the point. You can't assume anything right now. Maybe because I changed too early, you will change later. Just give yourself much more time. No one knows what will happen...

Tarou reassured, attempting to comfort his distressed brother.

Aaron finally opened the door, expressing his concerns:

- Do you think so?

- Of course, I do! You are the son of the most powerful monster.

Reassured Tarou with a tender smile.

- But our mother was a human. What if...

- Stop talking nonsense. I'm sure that you will receive your power sooner, so stop worrying.

- What about Father? Didn't he say anything?

Aaron lowered his head:

- No, he didn't... Father doesn't care about me. Since my birthday, he has never come to check on me.

- You need to take all those weird thoughts out of your mind and only focus on yourself. You know that Father is very busy managing the land and the monsters' problems.

Tarou advised, trying to dispel Aaron's concerns.

Three months elapsed since his birthday, yet there were no signs of any emerging power. As his friends underwent transformations aligned with their magical abilities, Aaron, filled with worries, decided to seek guidance from his father:

- Father, do you think there is something wrong with me?

- Nothing is for sure right now. Keep practicing to gain more strength. You still have nearly two years; your power can manifest at any time.

Replied his father with a stern tone, then he left without bothering to talk any longer to him.

Aaron perpetually sensed an unspoken resentment from his father, Alan. The lack of praise, love, or compassion left Aaron puzzled, wondering if it was linked to his mother's death during childbirth.

In an attempt to lift his spirits, Tarou offered some reassurance, saying:

- Don't worry, little brother, I will protect you.

- I can protect myself, don't bother.

Aaron responded, maintaining a sense of independence despite the underlying uncertainties surrounding his identity and relationships.

Day after day, Aaron neared his twentieth birthday with no apparent change. Despite his relentless training, frustration overwhelmed him, and the taunts from other monsters intensified.

- Hey, look at him. His 20th birthday is around the corner, and he has no sign of power.

- Yep, he is worthless."

- It's like we have a human being living with us, how disgusting.

- Maybe he is a human like his mother...

These words pierced Aaron's heart, igniting a surge of rage within him.

- STOP TALKING, YOU JERKS...

He erupted, unable to contain his frustration at the relentless mockery.

He used his fist to attack them, but he ended up being scolded by his father, which made him more depressed.

" Should I just leave?"