The halls of the Hunter Academy buzzed with the energy of new beginnings. Cloaks swayed, boots clacked, and voices filled the corridors with mana-infused excitement. First years moved in groups, nervously adjusting their uniforms or casting minor spells to show off — a harmless illusion here, a fire spark there.
Sayaka stood alone at the entrance of Class 1-A.
A golden plate on the door shimmered with the academy crest — a blade piercing a rising sun, encircled by ancient runes.
1-A, huh… sounds like the top class.
But I'm not the top of anything.
She stepped inside.
Dozens of students filled the room — many already seated, a few chatting in corners. Her eyes darted around for a place to sit.
That's when she heard it.
"Tch. Why's she here?"
"She's the one who couldn't even reach Level 5 in the mana test, right?"
"She just punched a golem. Is that even a real skill?"
Sayaka clenched the strap of her satchel and walked past them without a word. She chose the seat furthest back by the window — half hoping it might swallow her into the morning sun.
It's fine. I didn't come here to make friends.
Just… survive.
A moment later, the classroom door swung open with authority.
A tall woman entered, her cloak billowing like smoke. Her eyes glowed faintly blue, her white hair tied in a long braid. She radiated power without effort.
"Silence."
The room obeyed instantly.
"I am Instructor Vanessa Vermillion, your Magic Arts teacher. Congratulations for being chosen into Class 1-A," she said, her voice sharp and steady. "You are not special yet. But you may become so."
She waved her hand.
Magical diagrams lit up midair — glowing runes, rotating circles, illustrations of mana channels inside the human body.
"Lesson one: Mana is the breath of the world. It flows through all things — air, earth, flesh, thought."
Mireya's voice slowed for emphasis. "But not everyone is born with equal breath."
Some students chuckled and turned their heads toward the back of the room.
Sayaka didn't react. She kept her eyes on the floating diagram. But her throat tightened.
She knows. Everyone knows.
I don't have mana. Not a drop.
"You will now perform basic spell casting. A Grade-1 spell of your affinity. One by one."
A groan passed through the room.
"Form a line. Begin."
Sayaka didn't move.
One by one, students stood up.
"Ignis flare!"
A flame burst from a boy's palm and fizzled into sparks.
"Terra bind!"
Rocks rose around another's feet before crumbling harmlessly.
"Float!"
A girl lifted three inches into the air, her hair dancing like leaves.
The class clapped lightly. A few cheered.
Sayaka sank lower into her seat.
The green-haired girl from the dormitory smirked as she walked by Sayaka's desk.
"Don't worry, Sayaka-chan. I'm sure you'll grow a mana crystal someday. Maybe. Like… in a thousand years."
Sayaka said nothing.
When it was her turn, Instructor Mireya's voice came again.
"Sayaka Frostbite. Wait… Frostbite. Anyway. Step forward."
Dead silence.
Sayaka stood.
Her legs moved stiffly, heart pounding louder than the footsteps.
She reached the casting circle drawn on the ground. The teacher watched, arms crossed.
Just stand here. Do nothing. Everyone expects that anyway.
She took a deep breath and raised her hand, just like the others had done.
Okay… imagine flame. Say the word. Even if it doesn't come. Just… pretend.
"…Ignis… flare."
Nothing.
Not a spark. Not even warmth.
The silence in the room was deafening.
One student fake-coughed. Another stifled a laugh. Her dormmate actually whispered, "She thought that would work?"
Sayaka's eyes locked on the circle below her.
It hurts less if I don't look at them.
She turned toward the teacher.
Instructor Mireya's expression was unreadable. Cold. Still.
"You may return to your seat."
Sayaka nodded and walked back.
Her legs trembled.
She sat down and stared at her desk.
That's right. I'm powerless. No spells. No mana. Just me.
Why did I even think… that maybe I could try?
The lesson continued.
More spells. More applause.
Sayaka didn't listen.
Her thoughts buzzed like static.
After class, as students left the room laughing, Sayaka remained in her seat until the hall emptied.
Only then did she walk out.
Alone.