"May I have a word with you?" His voice was polite—almost too polite. "It won't take long."
That sudden request sent a shiver down my spine.
"Do I… know you?" My words came out edged with confusion.
"You may not. But I do. So, can we?"
His response was unsettling, suspicious. I couldn't make sense of what was happening.
"…Alright."
We sat at a nearby table, facing each other. The man slowly slid down his hat, revealing light brown hair and piercing green eyes. For a moment, I stared at him.
This man… he wasn't from here. I could feel it.
"As I said, I'll keep this short. I am Eslante Obrone. And yes, as you've already guessed, I don't live here. I'll leave the rest of my introduction for another time."
His calm voice lowered, almost conspiratorial.
"The main reason I'm here… is because I can awaken your mana element."
His last words stunned me. My body stiffened, my mind blank. Did he even realize what he was saying? Was this a joke to him?
"I am absolutely serious," he said firmly, as if reading my doubts. "I can see people's mana cores. Yours included."
My breath caught. "…What do you mean, see mana cores? That's impossible."
"Just as I said—I can see them. And yours… is frozen. Extremely unusual. But I also see potential in it. Your mana intensity is at 68%—far higher than the average person as someone who's element isn't reveaed, no?"
I froze. How could he know that?
My voice wavered. "What is your ulterior motive?"
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Straight to the point, I like that. Here it is—I want to research your unusual mana core, and find a solution. In return, you'll train under me and unlock your hidden potential. A deal. How does that sound?"
Research? Was he some kind of mage-scientist? His offer wasn't half bad… but accepting it would mean leaving my home behind. Not that my presence matters, but still…
"Are there conditions to this deal?" I asked carefully.
He leaned back slightly. "Just one. You can't tell anyone about me or your training."
"Not even a single soul? What if I need to?"
"Then I'll allow you to tell at most two people. But they must swear to carry that secret to their graves."
"…Fine. I'll need some time to decide."
"Of course. Take all the time you want."
He placed a small stone and a folded paper into my hand.
"Whenever you're ready, read the words written here while holding the stone. It will teleport you to me."
Rising from his chair, he adjusted his hat.
"And remember this, Elvira—your decision will stir your fate."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, as if he'd never been there.
I didn't linger either. My feet carried me home—but my thoughts were tangled.
Is he a fraud? No… he knew too much. He came prepared. But then, why the disguise? Is he hiding? A wanted criminal?
By the time I reached home—no, my personal mental torture club—my head was still spinning.
The first person I encountered was my younger brother, Ikon. He hadn't spoken to me since that day. His eyes, when they met mine, were full of pity—as though I were some beggar he happened to notice on the street.
I hated that gaze more than anything.
Ikon Visbon—two years younger, and yet chosen as the next clan head. He had awakened the Wind element. The element I had longed for since childhood.
He took everything from me.
Later that evening, I sat in my room with a book open before me. I was supposed to be studying, but my thoughts kept circling back to Eslante Obrone.
How did he know me? Why was he watching me? And why should I believe him? Who in their right mind would trust a stranger they just met? Was he a stalker?
Frustrated, I left my room and wandered into the courtyard. That's when voices drifted from my father's room.
"What's the point of her staying in the academy? Make her into a magic engineer or something. At least then she won't be a burden to us."
That voice… was Ikon's.
His words struck like the stitches on my wounds are loosening . I clenched my fists, my chest burning.
"And what's the point of all her studying anyway? A useless trash like her will never make anything good out of it."
…Trash...from someone younger than me...
I couldn't endure anymore.
Quietly, I picked up two stones from the courtyard and returned to my room. I infused them with teleportation magic. Whoever used them would be sent directly to me—but with a warning beforehand. Then I began packing what little I had.
I had made my decision.
Even if it was dangerous, even if it was reckless—
I would trust that mysterious man.
Because even the smallest chance of improvement… was better than rotting away here.
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