Infomrmation...

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the small wooden house as the family stirred awake. Birds chirped in the distance, and the fresh scent of dew mixed with the faint aroma of the last night's embers in the fireplace. Nyx stretched, rolling her shoulders as she glanced over at her two sons. She could tell from their expressions that they were still disappointed about last night's conversation. Their father had always been a mystery, and her refusal to speak about him had left a lingering cloud over their hearts.

Wanting to lift their spirits, she decided to take a different approach.

She prepared their favorite breakfast—roasted bread with a honey glaze and warm milk—but even that didn't do much to cheer them up. Both boys silently ate, avoiding eye contact with her and each other. A mischievous smile played on her lips as an idea formed in her mind. If there was one thing her sons loved, it was magic.

"Raze, Keal," she called, watching their ears perk up. "Do you want to hear about the mage world?"

Both boys spun their heads toward her in perfect sync, the dullness in their eyes instantly replaced with an almost blinding excitement. The way their faces lit up made Nyx chuckle inwardly.

'These boys are so easy to win over,' she thought, suppressing a smirk.

Clearing her throat, she continued, "Now, listen carefully. Normally, children aren't told too much about the hardships of being a mage at your age because it might scare them or discourage them. But since you two are so eager, I'll share a little. Just know that the real lessons will come later when you enter the Royal Academy."

Keal and Raze nodded eagerly, their food momentarily forgotten.

Nyx leaned forward, lowering her voice slightly to make it sound more mysterious. "When a child turns eleven, they must undergo an examination. This test determines which element they are most compatible with. The element chosen for you will be the one you excel in, the one you're meant to wield. For example, if Keal's test shows his strongest element is Fire, he will be able to master Fire Magic easily. However, if he tries to train in Water Magic despite being a Fire Mage, he won't get far. His progress would be slow, or in some cases, nonexistent."

Raze's brows furrowed in thought, while Keal's expression was one of pure excitement.

Nyx continued, "That being said, there are rare cases where a person can wield two elements at once. These people are called Dual-Affinity Mages. But wielding two elements requires immense soul strength, something that cannot be trained—it is determined at birth."

Keal practically vibrated with excitement. "Mom, how many elements are there?"

Nyx smiled at his curiosity. "There are four primary elements, the most common ones that almost everyone has." She raised her fingers one by one as she listed them.

"Fire. Water. Air. Earth."

She then paused for effect before continuing, "Then, there are the rarer elements—formed through the fusion of the primary ones."

"Lightning—born from Fire and Air.

Ice—created from Water and Air.

Lava—Fire and Earth combined.

Mercury—an unpredictable mix of Water and Earth."

Keal's eyes widened, but Raze remained silent, hanging on to every word.

Nyx exhaled softly before reaching the final part. "And then… there are the legendary elements. These are so rare that only a handful of people in history have ever possessed them."

She watched as the boys held their breath in anticipation. "The legendary elements are—Light, Darkness, and Gravity."

A long silence followed her words. Keal was the first to break it. "Mom! What element do you think I'll get?"

Nyx smiled warmly at her son. "I believe you may get Fire, Water, or even Lightning. You already show signs of elemental control, so it wouldn't surprise me if you end up with something strong."

Keal beamed with pride before nudging his brother. "What about Raze, Mom? What do you think he'll get?"

Nyx hesitated for a split second before turning to Raze with a forced smile. "Raze, baby…" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Listen, sweetheart. Since you don't have any magic… you may not get an element."

Raze's heart clenched at her words.

Keal shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling guilty for bringing it up. "But… Mom, isn't there a chance he—"

"No, Keal," Nyx interrupted softly. "To wield elements, one needs magic. If there is no magic… there can be no element."

Silence.

Raze clenched his fists under the table, his nails digging into his palms. His chest felt tight, his throat dry. He had known this deep down, but hearing it spoken so plainly made it feel like a cruel joke.

'Why…? Why bring me to this world if I can't have magic?! Why let me see it, admire it, only to take it away?!'

He felt a lump in his throat, but he refused to cry in front of them. Instead, he forced a smile. "I-I see… Thanks for telling me, Mom."

Nyx's heart ached at the sight of his expression. She reached out to comfort him, but he had already turned away, standing up from his seat. "I think I'll go train outside for a bit."

Keal watched him leave, guilt written all over his face. "Mom…"

Nyx sighed, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Give him time, Keal."

That night, Raze lay in his small bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind spiraling into a pit of frustration and despair. He curled up under the thin blanket, swallowing the lump in his throat.

'This world is unfair. Fate is unfair.'

For hours, he lay there, his thoughts a chaotic storm. Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep, his last conscious thought filled with quiet desperation.

'Please… let me have something… anything…'