Ever since my mana element failed to be identified, everyone assumed it was just a delay—that perhaps my awakening was taking longer than usual. But after a week of waiting, they lost all hope.
And just like that, I became an eyesore to everyone around me.
Whenever I stepped outside, people looked at me as though I were a failed experiment. My instructors at the academy began treating me with disdain. And my family? Even worse—they acted as if I didn't exist.
It hurt so much that the pain eventually turned into bitterness… and then into hatred.
The Visbon clan, my clan, was known throughout the kingdom as one of the most loyal and trustworthy orders of knights since the founding of Gelore. Our ancestors had contributed to the very creation of this kingdom.
To be born into such a family and turn out like this… it was truly a matter of shame.
The only ones who never abandoned me were my mother, and my two precious friends—Noomi and Tindra. They were the only light in my bleak world. Even though we were in different classes because of our strength gap—both of them were already in Grade 5 while I was still stuck in Grade 2—they never once looked down on me.
After my failed Mana Identification, attending classes was like walking into a battlefield. The bullies never missed a chance to poke at my wounds.
One morning, I walked into the academy, making my way through the bustling hallway, until I reached my locker.
"Hey, look. That failed object is here. What's the point of coming to the academy if you don't even have a mana element?" one of them sneered, grinning at me.
A failed… object?
So I wasn't even human in their eyes anymore?
If I were the old me, I would have fired back with a sharp retort. But lately… I was drowning in so much stress that I didn't even have the energy to fight back.
Before I could respond, Noomi's voice cut in, sharp and cold.
"Says the one who can't even control the element he has."
Her icy blue eyes glared at the group with such intensity that they flinched.
Then Tindra stepped in, arms crossed, wearing a mocking smile.
"Look at your grades. Pathetic. Even without an element, her scores are higher than yours. Maybe you should be the ones reconsidering if you're fit to be mages."
The bullies fell silent, their smirks wiped clean. All they could do was glare before walking away.
What a satisfying sight.
"You guys didn't have to do that for me..." I whispered softly, touched but guilty.
"Why wouldn't we? You're our best friend!" Tindra beamed, her warm smile chasing away some of the heaviness in my chest.
"Exactly," Noomi added, her tone calm but firm. "You're not their toy, Elvira. Don't ever let them treat you like one."
In that moment, I couldn't help but feel grateful—grateful that I had chosen them as my friends.
For a black sheep like me, they were my only salvation.
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