The night was fierce.
Winds howled through the streets of Maro Kingdom, carrying heavy rain that struck the ground like shards of glass. Thunder roared above, echoing through the dark alleys of Takuba District.
A young man, around eighteen, walked aimlessly through the narrow streets. His white shirt was drenched, his dark-blue hair clung to his forehead, and his sky-colored eyes reflected the storm above. He looked up at the heavens, rain streaming down his face.
> "How did it end up like this…?
I had a home once. A family. Even if they treated me coldly… at least I wasn't alone.
Was I wrong to exist? Do I even deserve to live?"
He sighed, dragging his feet through the flooded streets. Shops were closed, windows locked. When the storm finally calmed, he raised his head and whispered:
> "The rain stopped… but what now?
A home… warmth… everything's gone.
I only wanted to draw in peace, not be treated like a mistake."
Memories clawed back into his mind — memories he didn't want but couldn't escape.
---
It was that night, in the grand Hotveil Mansion, when everything changed.
Inside a luxurious room, the boy painted quietly under the moonlight, brush in hand, his expression calm. Suddenly, a knock came from the door.
> "Come in," he said softly.
An old servant entered, bowing slightly.
> "Young Master Aaron Hotveil, your father, Lord Marten, requests your presence in his study."
Aaron frowned. "At this hour? What for?"
The servant didn't answer, only gestured for him to follow.
They arrived at a tall wooden door engraved with the family crest. The servant knocked, and a deep voice from inside said,
> "Enter."
Aaron stepped in. Lord Marten sat behind his desk, fingers interlocked, eyes sharp as steel.
> "You wanted to see me, Father?" Aaron asked cautiously.
Marten's voice was cold.
> "Yes. I want you to leave this house — and never return."
Aaron froze.
> "What…? Why?!"
> "Because you are not of the Hotveil bloodline. You have no magic, no potential. Keeping you here would stain our family's name.
From tonight onward, you are no longer my son."
Aaron's eyes widened in disbelief.
> "That's not fair! Where will I go? What am I supposed to do?!"
Marten slammed his fist on the desk.
> "I don't care. Our family's honor comes first.
Pack your things and leave. Now."
Aaron's hands trembled. He followed the servant back to his room, where his belongings were already being packed. Only his sketchbook and brush were placed inside the bag.
> "What about my clothes?" he asked quietly.
The servant avoided his gaze.
> "Those are no longer yours."
Moments later, Aaron stood before the mansion gates. The cold wind brushed against his face as he stared at the home that had once been his entire world.
> "Goodbye… my so-called family," he murmured before walking away into the darkness.
---
Days passed. Aaron wandered the streets, hungry and exhausted.
One night, he stumbled upon a bakery still open. Desperate, he distracted the shopkeeper and stole a loaf of bread, eating it as he walked away.
He laughed weakly.
> "Guess I'm a thief now… what a joke."
Eventually, he found a narrow alley and decided to sleep there for the night. Three days passed this way — surviving on scraps, sleeping wherever he could.
Then, one afternoon, a piece of paper blew across the street and hit his face. Curious, he picked it up and read:
> "Wanted: One servant to work for Sir Frankfurt Pierce.
All necessities will be provided.
Location: Gezana District."
Aaron's heart skipped a beat.
> "A job… a place to stay… maybe fate hasn't given up on me yet."
He knew it would take three days on foot to reach Gezana, but it didn't matter.
He walked day and night, surviving on determination alone. After countless hours, he finally arrived — tired, starving, but alive.
Before him stood a massive mansion. He checked the address on the paper.
> "This must be it."
He rang the bell.
A man in his thirties opened the door — gray hair, sharp eyes, dressed in black.
> "You're here for the servant position, I assume?" the man asked.
> "Yes," Aaron nodded eagerly.
> "Show me the notice."
Aaron handed over the paper. After scanning it, the man smiled faintly.
> "Everything seems in order. Come in."
Aaron stepped inside, amazed by the elegant interior.
> "I'm Kane, assistant to Sir Frankfurt Pierce.
And you are…?"
> "Aaron," he replied shyly.
Before Kane could continue, Aaron's stomach growled loudly.
The air went awkwardly silent. Kane chuckled.
> "Hungry, I see? Come, let's get you cleaned up first. Then we'll eat."
> "Thank you," Aaron said, his voice full of relief.
---
The house was magnificent — marble floors, golden chandeliers, and paintings that told stories of generations. Aaron's eyes sparkled as he whispered:
> "This place is incredible… ten out of ten."
Kane grinned.
> "Glad you like it. Follow me; I'll show you your room."
As they walked, Kane asked,
> "Where are you from, Aaron? Any family?"
Aaron hesitated. Should I tell him the truth?
No — he couldn't. Not yet.
> "I… grew up on the streets of Takuba. No family, no home."
Kane's expression softened.
> "I'm sorry. I know how that feels. But you're safe here now."
Later, after changing into clean clothes, Aaron joined Kane at the dining hall. The table was filled with food — roasted meat, bread, soup — a feast.
Aaron's eyes widened.
> "It smells amazing…"
He ate silently, savoring every bite. For the first time in years, he felt warmth.
When they finished, Kane leaned forward.
> "Tell me, Aaron — what's your magic type?"
Aaron paused.
> "I… don't have any magic."
Kane frowned.
> "None at all? No mark on your neck?"
He checked Aaron's skin carefully and sighed.
> "You haven't awakened yet. That explains it."
He stood up and smiled reassuringly.
> "Don't worry. You'll find your path soon enough."
Then, Kane decided to give Aaron a tour — showing him the garden, the training hall, and explaining how Taya, a source of magical energy, was used to strengthen a mage's power. He told Aaron that Lord Pierce was a Light Mage, level 80, while he himself was a Wind Mage, level 69.
> "Every mage starts at level zero and can rise up to a hundred," Kane explained. "Some rare elements go even beyond that."
Night fell. Kane yawned.
> "It's getting late. Lord Pierce won't be back tonight. You should rest."
Aaron nodded and returned to his room. He opened his sketchbook and began to draw everything he had seen — the mansion, the people, the warmth he'd felt.
> "A new beginning…" he whispered.
"Please… let it be different this time."
When he finally lay down, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile, downstairs, a sudden thud echoed.
> "Ow—! Not again!" Kane's voice complained.
And thus began Aaron's new life — one that would soon change the fate of the kingdom itself.