In the city of Aurelia, the sky was bright. Magic lights floated in the air like stars.
But for Kael Valen, today was not bright. Today was dark.
Seventeen years old. Mana Affinity: Zero.
Kael stood in front of the magic stone. The other students watched him.
One by one, people placed their hands on the stone. Blue light filled the air each time.
When it was Kael's turn, silence fell.
He touched the stone.
Nothing.
The stone stayed cold. No light. No power. Nothing at all.
A boy in the crowd laughed.
"Kael again! No mana, no aura!"
Another girl whispered, but Kael heard her voice anyway.
"Why does he keep coming? It's hopeless."
Kael's hand slowly dropped from the stone. His face didn't show it, but inside, it hurt. Like a sharp blade in his chest.
The teacher, Instructor Veyard, shook his head.
"Kael Valen... disqualified."
Kael didn't answer. He only walked away, head down, eyes on the ground.
His heart felt heavy.
But deep inside, a voice spoke:
"I don't care what they say... I can't give up. I won't."
That night, Kael sat alone outside the city walls. The moon was full. Silver light touched the grass.
He looked up at the sky.
"Why was I born with nothing? Why me?"
His hands clenched into fists.
Suddenly, his eyes caught something—a faint golden glow in the distance.
It was coming from an old well.
Kael had seen this well before. People said it was useless now. Old magic. Forgotten.
But tonight... something was different.
The light from inside the well pulsed. Like a heartbeat.
Kael's heart started to race. His body moved on its own.
Step by step, he walked closer.
He leaned over the edge. He could see it now.
At the very bottom, a small stone... glowing gold.
Kael didn't know why, but he felt it.
"That stone... It's calling me."
Without thinking, he climbed down.
The stones were rough. His hands bled, but he didn't stop.
Finally, he reached it. His fingers touched the glowing stone.
And then—
A shock exploded through his body!
Kael screamed. His whole world turned white.
It felt like fire. Like lightning. Like something alive was pouring into him.
His vision blurred. His legs gave out. He fell to his knees.
But even through the pain... he smiled.
Because for the first time in his life, he felt something.
Not mana. Not magic.
Something stronger.
Life Force.
The golden light surrounded him.
Kael's eyes opened, shining like fire.
Then—
From above, a dark shadow fell over the well.
Someone was there. Watching.
"So... the last Life Force Master has awakened."
Kael looked up, breathing hard.
"Who...?"
But before he could speak—
A hand reached down toward him.
TO BE CONTINUED