The world is full of magic. You can see it in the trees in the Maze Kingdoms forests and you can feel it in the streets of Lightha Town. Every person has magic inside them. It is what makes them who they are. Magic is not something that is nice to have it is what makes the world work.
Ren Kurogane knows this. He sees it every day. He knows that everyone has magic except him. Ren is like a space. He does not have any magic inside him.
Ren sat on a wall looking out at Lightha Town. He saw a girl she was not even ten years old making a magic butterfly. She was. Chasing it through the air. A man was talking to a customer. You could see the magic in their words. Everyone had magic. It was like music to them.. Ren could not hear it.
Then a mean voice said " staring at the sky, worthless Ren?"
Ren knew who it was. It was Gido, a boy who was a year older than Ren. Gido was always making fun of Ren. He had two friends who did what he did. They were always bothering Ren. Reminding him that he was different.
"What do you want, Gido?" Ren said. He did not sound angry because he knew it would not do any good. When he got angry Gido and his friends just laughed.
The Grimoire Ceremony is coming up. Everyone is talking about it. It is a deal because it is when everyone gets their own magic book.. Ren will not get one because he does not have any magic.
Gido said "Why do you even bother, Ren? You will not get a book. You can not even make a bit of magic. It would be better if you just stayed home."
Ren got up. He looked at Gido. He said "I will be there no matter what."
Gido did not like that. He said "Fine do not come crying to us when you are the only one who does not get a magic book. You will be the joke of Lightha and everyone will laugh at you."
Then Gido and his friends. Ren was alone again. He thought about what Gido said and it hurt him.. He did not want to give up. He wanted to be a knight and he wanted to have a magic book. He wanted to prove Gido wrong.
Ren went back, to the orphanage, where he lived. He saw another boy, named Leo making a bit of magic. Leo saw Ren. He stopped. Ren went to his room. He lay down on his bed. He thought about the Grimoire Ceremony. What would happen. He knew it would not be good. He did not want to give up. He wanted to keep trying no matter what.
The Grimoire Tower was tall and proud. It seemed to be making fun of Ren. But Ren did not care he was going to go to the ceremony. He was going to try. He did not know what would happen. He was not going to give up. He was going to keep dreaming no matter what.
Ren was sitting on a wall when Gido made a thin wind blade appear between his fingers. The wind blade made a humming sound. This showed that Gido was getting better at controlling his mana. Gido said "The Grimoire Ceremony is a week away. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone except the boy with no magic of course." His friends. Nudged each other.
Rens hands tightened on his trousers. The Grimoire Ceremony was a deal. It was the day when all the young mages in the kingdom got their special magic book. This book was like a key to their magic powers. It was a day to celebrate and to start on the path to becoming a knight. But not for Ren.
Gido said "What is the point of you even going to the ceremony Ren? You will not get a book. You cannot even make a tiny bit of magic happen. It would be better if you just stayed home and avoided being embarrassed." Ren felt a pain in his heart but he quickly hid it. He stood up. His small body was surprisingly strong. He said "I will be there " and his voice was calm and brave.
Gidos smile disappeared. He said "You are being stubborn as always aren't you? Fine. Do not come crying to us when you're the only one who does not get a magic book. You will be laughed at by everyone in Lightha. You will bring shame to the Grimoire Tower." Gido made his wind blade disappear. Walked away with his friends. They were all. Making fun of Ren.
Ren watched them go his fists clenched. He thought about what Gido said. He would be laughed at huh? He closed his eyes. Remembered when he was a little boy at the Lightha orphanage. The other kids could make tiny lights or small gusts of wind appear. Ren could not do anything. He felt empty and sad. He heard the other kids whispering. Saw them looking at him with pity. They called him "the boy with no magic." Those words hurt him deeply.
Even though the other kids were mean to him Ren still had a big dream. He wanted to wear armor and have a magic book by his side. He wanted to stand tall and be strong like the magic knights. He wanted to protect people and fight for what's right. He wanted to be the Magic Emperor, the magic knight in the whole kingdom.
It was a dream but it was his dream. He remembered the stories the orphanage headmistress used to tell. She told them about the Magic Emperor, a man who started with nothing but became very powerful through hard work and determination. Ren held on to those stories like they were a lifeline. He might not have magic. He had a strong spirit.
Ren jumped down from the wall and his old boots hit the ground softly. The sun was. The sky was painted with colors of orange and purple. The Grimoire Tower of Lightha stood tall and proud against the backdrop. In a week that tower would be the center of Rens world.
Ren walked through the streets. He smelled fresh bread and magic ingredients from a local shop. He saw kids his age and they were all excited and happy. They had their permits for the ceremony. They would get their magic books soon. Rens book would be empty though.
He arrived at the orphanage. It was a simple stone building at the edge of town. Inside the kids were getting ready for dinner. He saw a boy named Leo practicing a light spell and Leo quickly stopped when he saw Ren. Leo looked embarrassed to show off his magic in front of Ren.
That was Rens life. He was always reminded of what he could not do, by people who did not mean to hurt him. He went to his room and it was quiet and peaceful. He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He thought about the ceremony in a week.
He knew what would happen. He would be. People would feel sorry for him. They would laugh at him.. A small spark of hope was still alive in his heart. What if something unexpected happened? What if the universe decided to do something for him? It was a thought but he could not shake it off.
The Grimoire Tower seemed to be mocking him. Ren made a decision. He would go to the ceremony no matter what. He would stand there even if he was alone and had no magic. Because if he did not go his dream would truly die.. Ren was not ready to give up on his dream not yet. Not ever. The real question was not if he would go. What would happen when he came back still with no magic to face a world that did not have a place, for him. Would this be the end or just the beginning of a struggle?