tears of joy...

The golden rays of the rising sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the quiet household. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, and the morning air carried the faint scent of damp earth. Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies filling the serene silence of dawn.

In the small kitchen, Nyx stood by the wooden stove, absentmindedly stirring a pot of porridge. Steam curled into the air, but her mind wasn't on the food. It was on Raze.

Her heart ached for him, the boy who had always been different. The boy who had never fit in. The boy who had walked out of that examination hall yesterday, his eyes hollow, his world shattered.

She wanted to do something—anything—to help him. But what could she do? The world was cruel to those without magic. A life without mana was a life without power, without status.

Her grip on the spoon tightened. No, she wouldn't let him suffer alone. Even if the world abandoned him, she never would.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Kael lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had been upset last night, angry even, but as the hours passed, he had come to an understanding.

Their mother's reaction had hurt him—she had barely acknowledged his success. But after thinking about it, he realized why. She wasn't disappointed in him. She was just worried about Raze.

Kael exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't blame her. No matter how much he wished to shine in his own right, a part of him understood. He had been gifted with magic, while Raze had… nothing. Or at least, that's what everyone believed.

But in the farthest room of the house, away from the burdens of pity and expectation, Raze's eyes fluttered open.

For the first time in years, he woke up with a broad grin. A feeling of excitement buzzed through his veins. He stretched his arms and exhaled sharply.

"Finallyyyyyy," he whispered to himself, barely able to contain his giddiness. "I have power. A system. I'm so cool now, dude—let's go!"

A chuckle bubbled from his lips as he sat up, running a hand through his messy black hair. Everything had changed overnight. He was no longer the weak, talentless boy everyone mocked. He had an element—Void—and a system.

But then his expression turned serious.

"I should hide my element," he muttered to himself, rubbing his chin. "No one knows about Void. If word gets out, there will definitely be commotion. The people in power will try to control me or take it for themselves."

The mere thought of it sent a chill down his spine. He couldn't afford to be reckless. He needed to stay low, train in secret, and grow stronger before anyone found out.

But… his mother.

His heart clenched. She had been devastated yesterday. He had seen the sadness in her eyes, the way she had held him as if trying to shield him from the cruel reality of the world.

He wanted to tell her.

No, he needed to tell her.

With newfound determination, Raze jumped out of bed and walked to the kitchen. As he approached, the sight of his mother made his chest tighten.

She stood there, stirring the pot, her eyes distant. A sadness clung to her like a heavy cloak, invisible yet suffocating. Even though she was standing, she looked weighed down, as if she carried something too heavy in her heart.

He couldn't take it.

Before she could react, Raze wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a tight embrace.

His mother stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, placing her hand over his arms. She let out a small sigh, the kind that carried years of love and worry.

"It's okay, my dear," she whispered gently. "It will get better. Mages are not the only way to live life."

Raze clenched his teeth. No. He wasn't going to let her think that he was doomed to a powerless life.

With a deep breath, he pulled away slightly and turned her around so she could see his face. His eyes were burning with emotion—excitement, relief, and something else. Something fierce.

"Mom," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I have magic. I have mana in me."

His mother's breath hitched. Her eyes widened, her lips parting in disbelief. "W-What…?"

Raze nodded eagerly. "It happened last night. I felt it. I can feel it right now! I don't know my element yet, but I swear to you—I have mana."

Her hands trembled as she reached out, cupping his face as if trying to confirm that this wasn't just a cruel dream. "Raze… are you sure?"

He grinned. "Positive."

A single tear slipped down her cheek. Then another. But this time, they weren't tears of sorrow.

They were tears of joy.

She pulled him into her arms again, holding him so tightly he could barely breathe. But he didn't mind. For the first time in forever, she wasn't holding him out of pity.

She was holding him out of pride.

Kael, who had stepped into the kitchen at that moment, froze at the doorway, watching the scene unfold.

He could hardly believe what he was hearing. Raze? With mana?

It was impossible. He had seen the crystal break. He had heard the elder's words. It didn't make sense.

And yet, there he stood, embraced by their mother, glowing with newfound confidence.

A complicated storm of emotions swirled in Kael's chest. Happiness for his brother. Confusion. And something else. Something he didn't want to acknowledge.

A hint of unease.

Raze finally pulled back, his grin unwavering. "Mom, I'm going to train. I need to get stronger."

His mother wiped her tears and smiled, though worry still flickered in her eyes. "Then promise me something, my dear."

Raze tilted his head. "What?"

"Promise me you'll be careful."

He nodded without hesitation. "I promise."

She let out a soft chuckle, ruffling his hair. "Go, then. Show me just how amazing my son is."

Raze turned on his heel, practically bouncing with excitement as he ran toward the backyard. He had work to do. He had a technique to test. He had a future to build.

Kael stood in place, watching him go, his hands clenched into fists.

Something had changed.

And he wasn't sure if he liked it.

As Raze reached the open field behind their home, he took a deep breath and focused.

Then, for the first time in his life—he reached out for mana.

The world was about to witness something it had never seen before.