What do you think a black sheep of the family is?
Yes, an outcast. More precisely—a disgrace.
Do you know how it feels?
If I had to describe it, I'd say it's like living in hell—suffocating, crushing, endless.
As the eldest daughter of the direct lineage of the Visbon clan, everyone had high expectations of me. Naturally, they believed I was destined to become the head of the clan, just like those before me.
"Elvira, you must always do your best and make our clan proud."
That was the phrase I grew up hearing from my mother. She was kind, gentle, and one of the top third-rank healers in our region.
Oh, let me explain the basics of this world first.
Here, strength is measured not by swords or spears, but by magic. To use magic, one needs mana. Children are guided from a young age to harness it, and for that, an academy was built in the heart of Gelore City. By the age of seven, every child is expected to enroll.
The most crucial step in a magician's life is Mana Awakening.
Humans are born with a mana core that produces mana, but the element of their mana is revealed only at the age of twelve. This revelation is called Mana Awakening.
There are five fundamental elements of mana, drawn from nature itself—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, and Metal.
Besides these, a rare few are born with healing mana, destined to become healers.
But not everyone is so fortunate. Some children are born without mana, or worse, fail to awaken an element at all. Those who fall into this category cannot become magicians. Instead, they're pushed into other professions—lawyers, scholars, mechanics, librarians, cleaners… anything but a mage.
And then, there was me.
The unlucky one.
On my twelfth birthday, I was taken to the Mana Identification Hall, where my fate would be revealed.
"Elvira, I'm sure you'll make us proud with whatever element you awaken. You've always excelled in every exam related to mana. I have high hopes for you, my child. Best of luck."
Those were the last words of praise I ever received from my father.
I entered the chamber, heart pounding with excitement. I imagined myself awakening to the Wind element, soaring across the skies, tearing down everything in my path.
The instructor began the test. Beside me, a glowing crystal linked to a mana-reading screen flickered with faint light. It was supposed to display my element and mana intensity.
An hour passed. The process was complete.
I leaned forward eagerly, waiting for the result that would decide my future.
But then…
"Your… element of mana couldn't be identified."
That one sentence from the instructor shattered everything.
It was the beginning of my life as the Black Sheep.
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