The Awakening of the Magi

The morning breeze carried the familiar scent of the sea. Beneath the rising sun, I stood motionless on the training field, my eyes closed and my hand pressed against my chest, as if I were trying to grasp something beyond the beating of my own heart.

"Ryu, hurry up, or you'll be late!"A woman's voice echoed from the house, shattering the silence of the early dawn.

"Today is the day..." I murmured, clenching my fist with determination.

In that instant, memories flooded my mind: the relentless training, the hours that seemed eternal yet were never enough. I was just a boy, facing the stern gaze of my grandfather, Kenjiro. Every lesson was a battle; every small victory merely a pause before the next trial. And even in those rare moments of triumph, a simple "congratulations" never came.

"This way, you'll never be strong enough," Kenjiro used to say, his voice laced with disdain. "If you don't become a mage, you'll be kicked out of this house. You need to be better. Stronger. More disciplined."

When I opened my eyes, I felt a flame of determination ignite within me. "I'll prove you're wrong," I thought. "I'll earn your approval, just like in the old days."

With one last glance at the horizon, I headed toward the house. There, Miss Sora—a small, sturdy woman—was waiting at the entrance.

"Ready to face this challenge, little one? Don't worry, the Takeshi have always passed this exam," she said warmly.

"But the problem is, I'm not yet part of the family..." I murmured, though there was no time to dwell on that thought.

Passing by the spot where my grandfather usually sat, I noticed he hadn't even risen to wish me luck. Silently, I left the house and set off for school, carrying with me the hope of a new beginning.

After a five-minute walk, I arrived at school and saw that all my classmates were being escorted by their parents—supportive words must have been exchanged.While waiting for my turn, I observed my peers laughing and chatting about the exam; their excitement was normal—I'd never met anyone who didn't want to be a mage.

Soon after, I boarded the bus and chose a seat at the back, letting the excited murmurs around me be drowned out by my own thoughts. My grandfather's words echoed in my mind: "If you don't become a mage, you'll be kicked out of the house."

The bus soon started moving, and as it left the city, it entered a tunnel—perhaps reminiscent of the days when humans could walk on the surface without worry. Then, the soldiers escorting the bus demanded silence, and so it was; no one wanted to attract unwanted attention.

After what felt like an eternity, the sun reappeared, and the surroundings transformed from the towering city buildings to giant trees that even surpassed them in height.

A classmate then stood up and began chatting with everyone one by one until he reached me."Hey, you're Ryuji, right? Well, good luck—I hope everyone becomes a mage."I could only nod in response. "Right."

Katsu Yamamoto—undoubtedly the most popular in the class—had proven to be surprisingly friendly.

At school, the atmosphere was entirely different. There was an air of anticipation, but not in a negative way. The teenagers were excited, full of expectations. Most of the boys chatted animatedly about their military aspirations."Watch out—I'm going to master all the elements and become the strongest," some boasted, dreaming of becoming one of the "Six Blades," the title given to the six most powerful warriors in each nation. It was an honor coveted by many.

I, however, kept to myself. Introverted amidst that lively crowd, I preferred to simply observe rather than join in the exuberant conversations. I had a few friends before, but with this sudden change of schools, I now felt lost among strangers.

When we arrived at the Arcane Institute of Yamato, everyone was in awe. The exam was to be held at one of the two magic schools of the Eastern Union. The Institute—with its colossal structure—resembled a city within a city.

After getting off the bus, our accompanying instructor warned, "Even though this is a school, this is a military zone. Stay close and follow where I lead."

We proceeded through long corridors and down staircases without encountering any other students or staff. Excitement grew with every step, yet I felt the weight of what was to come.

Finally, we reached the exam room—a spacious hall with long tables seating five people each. In the center stood a man, observing us with a stern gaze. I noticed a scar beside his lip, his thinning black hair, and his imposing posture. He wore a black overcoat that concealed every detail of his body; his brown eyes scrutinized everyone, pausing briefly on me. I felt an inexplicable pressure that kept me frozen—until it subsided as he diverted his gaze.

"Welcome to the Arcane Institute of Yamato. I am Instructor Takeda Haruto. This is your first time here, and it will probably be your last. Only 1% of the population becomes a mage. The first test will begin shortly. If you fail, you're out."

"It doesn't matter! I know I'm in the 1%, and I'm going to become the strongest, and then..."Katsu began to shout, but he was quickly silenced by Takeda's stern look.

"Be quiet. This is a military institution. You're already 15 years old; I expect you to behave properly in front of your superiors."

A chill ran down my spine. I straightened my posture, trying not to draw attention.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman entered carrying a girl. Without a word, the woman left the girl in the room and departed. Unperturbed, Takeda activated a hologram displaying everyone's faces in alphabetical order. Slowly, he began rearranging the order, without any apparent explanation.I concluded it was random, yet the process was so slow that the tension in the room increased with every passing second. The silence—broken only by labored breathing—was almost unbearable.

In the end, I ended up being the second-to-last, with the newly arrived girl placed behind me.

"Katsu Yamamoto, come forward," Takeda ordered. As he spoke, the floor opened, revealing an imposing machine with a round glass dome about three meters in diameter and a chair in front of it.

Katsu appeared nervous, nearly stumbling as he approached the chair, but he quickly composed himself and declared confidently, "I'll go first, everyone."

Takeda explained dryly, "The machine will send all kinds of elementals into your body. If your core manages to retain any of them, you've passed."

Katsu sat down, his chest illuminated by sparkling particles. For a moment, it looked promising. But then, the lights abandoned him, dissipating like a broken promise. The silence in the room grew heavy, filled only by Katsu's trembling breaths.

Takeda looked at him with a slight smile."What are my elements?" Katsu asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

As if that smile had never existed, Takeda's voice cut through the air: "None. You failed. Next."

Katsu was paralyzed, tears streaming down his face. "And my dream?" he whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Now it's just a dream. It's time to wake up."

The room, once filled with anticipation, was now heavy with the weight of failure. I felt a lump form in my throat. I knew the odds were low, but seeing someone's dream crumble so quickly was a shock.

"Ling Wei, come forward."

Even after what had happened, she appeared confident—but the machine revealed a cruel truth: her core did not resonate with any elementals. She left the chair silently, tears in her eyes.

One by one, the students were called, and none passed. The atmosphere in the room became unbearable; each new name called felt like a sentence.

"Ethan Wilson, come forward."

Ethan tried to maintain his composure, but when the elemental lights went out, his determination crumbled into despair. He got off the chair, murmuring, "This can't be happening."

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when my name was finally called.

"Ryuji Takeshi Iwahara, come forward. It's your turn."

Those words seemed to seal my fate. With heavy steps, I walked to the chair, feeling a cold shiver spread through my body. Once seated, I tried to concentrate, but memories of my Uncle Hiroshi resurfaced.

At nine years old, Hiroshi had taught me how to wield a sword. I knew I had other relatives, but he was the only one who ever visited. Yet, the sword alone was never enough—I craved more.

"Uncle Hiroshi, why can't you or Grandpa teach me how to train my mana core?" I asked.

Hiroshi bent down and, looking into my eyes, said, "It's extremely dangerous. Your core is still growing, and it could explode from being out of control. That's why it's forbidden to teach you—or anyone who hasn't awakened. But I can teach you sword techniques. The sword is our family's weapon, and it will serve you well when you become strong."

"When will I get mine?" I asked eagerly.

"At the right time, the mana will grant it to you," Hiroshi replied with a smile.

Then, an alert sounded throughout the city: "Silver-level monster identified!"

Still bent over, Hiroshi tried to calm me: "Don't worry, Ryu. My unit is with me—we'll take care of this thing. When I return, I'll teach you more. But if you get nervous, remember that I will be the strongest and will always protect you. Until we meet again."

The monster was eliminated, but Hiroshi never returned. A month later, I had lost hope—until a message arrived. Perhaps to lift my spirits, a small samurai entered through the window and activated the hologram:

"Ryu, I managed to win, but I was gravely injured. I wish I could have returned, but I've been in recovery. My victory earned me a promotion, and I can no longer visit you. But remember: this is not a defeat. It was a victory—a victory marked by scars. Become strong, and we will meet again in the future."

The little samurai then bowed—a bow not even as grand as my uncle's—and left through the window, never to see Hiroshi again.

"Why do they always leave the same way" A whisper that was never heard.

Sitting in that test chair, I recalled those words and clung to them for comfort. I smiled, ready to accept whatever came next.

Lights began to shine intensely on my chest, spreading warmth through my body. I felt a deep, indescribable connection. Takeda looked at me with rare approval and once again a slight smile. "You have potential, boy. Don't waste it."

I opened my eyes, still dazed from the intense light dancing around me. I had passed. The relief was immediate, as if a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders. But before the euphoria could take hold, Takeda's firm voice echoed through the room: "... Come here"

As she returned to her seat, The girl cast a brief glance in my direction. "I think we're in this together," she said, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I nodded, feeling that my journey was only just beginning—and that I would have to prove to everyone, especially myself, how far I could go.

Lost in thought, I failed to catch the name of the female student who was to be evaluated next. The girl advanced swiftly, without any sign of excitement, and before I could reach the other students, the room was flooded with a new wave of light.

Suddenly, particles of various colors burst forth throughout the room, creating a dazzling spectacle. But before anyone could think she had failed, something extraordinary happened.

Suspended in midair, the girl's blonde hair began to shift to a vibrant red, and on her chest, two lights appeared: one an intense red, and just below it, a timid white.

As she stepped down from the chair, the lights still danced around Hana, as if reluctant to leave her. Takeda smiled once more, his voice filled with respect: "You are clearly a mage. Congratulations." She met his gaze firmly, as if she had known all along.

"To everyone else, the exam is over. You will probably never set foot here or see me again. Goodbye, everyone."

The other instructors began to assist those who had failed, while Takeda, passing by the two who had succeeded, cast them a brief look before saying, "You two, come forward." And without another word, he continued on his way.