Year 954, Magian Calendar.
Every month of Poreia, the entire continent of Berne was immersed in the festivities of theos tis isorropias, a sacred festival in honor of the Goddess of Balance, Staterae.
That day is believed to be the moment when the world is at its most balanced point—between light and darkness, hope and fear.
Everywhere, joy abounds. From the majestic palaces of the capital to remote villages, people fill the streets with laughter, song, and magic that shimmers in the air.
The usually quiet coastal village of Cretta has undergone a transformation. The sea breeze brings a salty aroma mixed with the aroma of grilled fish.
Small bonfires burned in many corners. The melancholy strains of the fláouto, a magical coastal flute, drifted gently—its notes seeming to dance with the waves.
"Add more fire!"
"Ahaha, slow down! The fish will burn!"
The fishermen share their fresh catch, preserved with simple magic to keep it warm and delicious.
Children ran among the adults, laughing merrily as the magical fireworks exploded low, glowing like colorful fireflies.
But not everyone was immersed in that joy.
From the corner of a small shop called Gemátos, a pair of emerald green eyes looked longingly at the crowd.
Ciel sat alone, hugging his knees. His light brown hair was slightly tangled in the sea breeze, his pale yellowish skin contrasting sharply with the party lights.
If only I could join…
He wanted to run. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to be part of the lights.
But his legs felt heavy, as if they were anchored to the ground.
In a world where magic is the breath of life, Ciel is the void.
An anomaly.
"Aren't you playing with the others?"
The voice made Ciel jump. He turned quickly.
A girl stood before him, about two years his senior. Her hair was simply tied back, her eyes clear and curious.
Ciel swallowed.
"I… I want to," she said softly, almost drowned out by the music, "but I can't."
The girl tilted her head. "Can't? Why?"
Ciel was silent for a moment. His gaze returned to the party.
"Because I don't have magical talent," he finally said. "Not like them."
Her tone was flat, but there was a quivering old wound beneath it.
The girl didn't laugh, nor did she pity.
Instead, he sat down next to Ciel, their knees almost touching.
"You know," he said, gazing at the fireworks, "there once was a boy who also had no magical talent. Just like you."
Ciel immediately turned around.
"Is it true?"
"Yes," he replied lightly. "They say he's very smart. People often look down on him, but he doesn't care."
Ciel's eyes lit up. "Then… then what happened to him?"
The girl smiled slightly. "One day, while she was fetching water from the eastern river, she saw something strange."
"Light?" Ciel asked quickly, almost impatiently.
The girl leaned in, until their faces were only inches apart.
She whispered in Ciel's ear, her voice warm, soft, and mysterious.
"If you want to know what happens next... look for clues yourself."
Ciel's face immediately heated up. His heart was pounding.
"I—"
But the girl had already stood up, chuckled, and then ran back into the crowd, as if she had never been there.
Ciel could only stare.
His ears felt hot, his cheeks flushed.
And in his chest, something stirred—not magic, but a curiosity he'd never felt before.
A few moments later, Ciel got up and decided to go home.
The festive atmosphere now felt distant, like a world beyond his own.
As soon as the door opened—
"Brother Ciel is home!"
A small girl ran up to him and hugged his leg tightly.
Ciel chuckled and picked up his little sister. "Hey, Elise. Slow down."
In the kitchen, their mother was preparing fresh fish. She turned and smiled warmly.
"You're home, kid? How are you? You're joining in the party, right?"
Ciel shook his head slowly.
"No, ma'am. As usual… we don't have any magic to enjoy there."
The mother stopped working, she approached Ciel and hugged him tightly.
"Ciel," he said softly, "never feel like you're lacking."
He stroked his son's hair.
"The Staterae gods maintain the balance of the world. One day, you will discover your own power."
"Power… without magic?" Ciel asked softly.
The mother smiled. "Perhaps it is greater than any magic."
Ciel buried his face in his mother's shoulder.
Those words hadn't completely erased the pain in his heart—
but today, something was different.
A story.
A whisper.
About a child without magic…
and a strange light in the eastern river.