HOW LUCKY I AM

I opened my eyes and greeted the familiar sight of the white ceiling, now marked by patches of mold. I had many hideouts in the city, each one hidden from prying eyes. The one I had chosen to stay in for the night was fairly close to our home – actually, it was just two streets away. There was a building that was supposed to become a tavern, but when the owner passed away, construction was halted midway. Seeing an opportunity, I had swooped in and made that place my hideout. It wasn't the best, but it was better than nothing.

The inside was a mess. Counters and tables lay scattered around, covered in dust. Unfinished paintings leaned against the walls, forgotten and forlorn. The floor was littered with debris, and the air had a musty smell. Despite its condition, it was my little shithole of a sanctuary.

I exited through the back door. The sun hadn't yet risen, but dawn was nearing. Perhaps within the hour, its first light would grace the sky.

"Okay… Onto the Rusty Chalice," I whispered to myself. "I have to talk with that redhead crazy chick. She put me in this, after all…"

When I reached the Rusty Chalice, the sun was finally up, and my school was meant to start in thirty minutes. I kept my pace fast, scanning the tables as I entered. The place was almost empty since the hour was still early. Only Barton was inside, drinking a beer he had poured for himself. Some waiters were collecting empty mugs from the tables, others were cleaning the floor, and a few were trying to get a group of drunken people off the ground and out of the premises. It was a typical morning at the Chalice.

I walked up to the counter, put my elbows on it, and leaned in. Barton, noticing me this early, smiled and nodded as he struggled to get up from his chair. It took him a second try since he was clearly drunk and smelled like a homeless guy who'd been drinking all night.

"Axel!" he greeted, slurring slightly. "You early bird. What are you doing here?"

"Nothing," I replied. "Where's that redhead? The woman that gave me the mission. She wanted me to steal Mia's corpse."

"Holy shit, really? I didn't know that. A corpse, huh?" he said, blinking in surprise. "I don't know where she is. Probably at home, sleeping? It's still early."

"So you don't know where she lives?"

"Nope. How would I?"

"Shit…" I muttered. "Okay. If she ever comes back here, let me know, got it?"

"What's happening?" he asked, looking concerned. "You sound… tense. And – what's with your left eye, mate? It looks – weird. Like it lost its color or something. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." I waved my hand dismissively. "I'll go now. Don't forget, let me know if she ever comes back."

"Sure," he nodded. "I don't know what kind of shit you got yourself into but… sure."

I turned and exited the Rusty Chalice empty-handed. I had to find that woman fast if I wanted to understand what was happening to me. The boxes I was seeing, coming back alive, the voices in my head – everything. I felt like she had all the answers that were bouncing around in my mind constantly.

"Crap… Where do you live, you maniac woman," I muttered to myself. "You looked rich – maybe the Idemi District?"

Even if I wanted to check there, I couldn't because the first lesson was about to start and I needed to hurry. It was only the third day of school; I couldn't afford to be late for class.

"I guess I'll check on you later, redhead."

I sat at my desk and rested my head on the table. The students around me were gossiping about the stolen possession of the king and how the captain had failed to retrieve it. Also, it seemed like the attempt to steal Mia's corpse wasn't made public yet.

Turning my head to the window, I watched as the rain drizzled down.

"Hey," Mira's voice broke through my thoughts. "You look sleepy… again."

"I'm always sleepy," I murmured without turning my head. "Morning."

"Morning," she responded. "You like the boots?"

"Yep. They're awesome," I replied with a deadpan tone. "Though, I didn't get you anything for your birthday."

"Do you even remember my birthday?" she asked, her voice low and curious.

"No. I don't even know when Sura's birthday is."

"Are you real…" she sighed. "Anyways, are you excited? Third day of school. Or was it fourth?"

"I'm dying with excitement," I said in a flat voice. "Woo-hoo."

"You know –" Mira moved her chair closer to mine, her breasts brushing against my elbow. "Students are talking behind your back because you couldn't cast a basic healing spell. They're already giving you nicknames."

"They're soft," I said, then quickly added, "I mean, the students are soft."

"Y-yeah…" She cocked an eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

"Uh-huh."

"Morning, everyone," Mr. Vlad said as he entered the classroom. "Take your seats."

"Yes, sir."

"Yessir."

"We're going to conduct a natural affinity test today, students. I hope everyone is ready."

"Sir, what is that?" a student asked.

"As you all know, there are five disciplines: Essence Weaving, Elemental Mastery, Life Bonding, Shadow Crafting, and Mind Shaping. Each of you has a natural inclination toward one of these disciplines. This test will help us determine which discipline suits each of you best."

Mr. Vlad pulled out a small, fully black rock encased in a glass box from his bag and placed it on the table. The last time I was checked was two years ago, and now, with my mana practically nonexistent, I knew I'd stand out like a sore thumb. The rock's function was simple: whoever placed their hand on it would have their mana read and analyzed, and a parchment would be created. The parchment would show the user's name, mana level, and natural affinity if they were sixteen or older. Otherwise, it would only display the mana level and name.

I gulped nervously and looked around the class. Everyone was so in awe that no one, not even Mira, noticed my scared look. If my mana level were revealed, it would definitely raise some eyebrows. I had to find a way to keep this strange 'glitch' hidden.

"Oh, I'm so excited!" Mira said, turning to me. "How about y –" Her smile faded upon seeing my face. "Are you okay? You look white as a ghost."

"I –" I forced a smile. "Yep. Just nervous, that's all."

"Nervous about what, exactly?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing." I shrugged. "It's just… the weather. It's so bad."

"Huh…" She said, clearly not buying my excuse. "Right… the weather."

"Uh-huh."

"Let's get started," the teacher announced, clasping his hands together. "Window row, the first two students, please come forward."

The students were checked one by one. When it was my turn, I stood up with Mira and slowly walked to the teacher's desk with her. Mira went first, placing her hand on the glass with a deep breath. The rock glowed a faint blue light. After about ten seconds, dust began to materialize inside the glass box, swirling before slowly filtering out. It eventually formed into a parchment that floated just above her head.

Mr. Vlad picked up the parchment and read it out loud. "Elemental Mastery," he said. "With 250 mana points. These are excellent scores, Mira."

"Thank you, sir," Mira replied.

"Now it's your turn, young man," Mr. Vlad said, looking at me.

The teacher let Mira's parchment go, and it disintegrated in the air instantly.

'Calm down, Axel. Calm down…'

I placed my hand on the glass and waited. And waited. And waited… nothing happened.

"Ah –" The teacher scratched the back of his head. "When… if a person's mana is very low, the rock sometimes won't work…"

"Oh…" I said, my face lighting up with relief. "You don't say. That is perf – that is… yeah. I'm sorry for having such low mana, sir."

"No need to apologize, dear student," he said, shaking his head. "I'm sure we can get your mana up in no time! It's all about practice. It just happens that you need to practice a bit harder than everyone else. Don't fall into despair. I'd even say that you should count yourself lucky, as most people aren't even born with mana!"

"Yeah…" I could hear the students laughing behind me. "How lucky I am…"