"MAGIC IS IMAGINATION, AND IMAGINATION IS INFINITE, AND INFINITY IS POWER."

Power in this world I was born into is one of the most revealing themes, because the moment you’re born, destiny assigns you a specific gift. And if you’re born into the lower class, you’ll already have enough work to do.

In my case, it’s very different. I was born a bastard and of impure blood.

[NARRATOR]

A new day begins. The scene shows María lying on the bed, and Pedro enters with food for her:

—How’s our daughter? —Pedro asks.

—It’s a boy, Pedro! —María replies.

—Seriously, you’re not thinking that’s what I actually wanted, are you?

—If you want to spend time with your kids, start by dropping your obsession with training them to exhaustion. Look at Nazael and Sacha: all they do is fight and test every spell that pops into their heads.

—What? I have nothing to do with it. I’m too strong, plus I’m their father. They got it from the factory, so don’t blame me. I just teach them to control their strength.

—Stop bragging about your strength. Their magic talents come from their biological mother. And I hope you’ve told your kids we’re expecting a child together, right?

—Heh… about that… —Pedro hesitates.

—Pedro! —María says, shocked.

—It’s just… kinda tricky. I know my kids well enough. Sacha’s practically no problem, but what worries me is how Nazael will take it. He tries, but I don’t think he ever really accepted you being here after his mother’s death.

—You’re the strangest father I’ve ever seen, love. He’s your son: go talk to him. He’ll understand.

—What? I have to do it right now?

—Our son is due in a month, Pedro. Yes, do it now!

—How about tomorrow…?

María immediately shoots him a piercing glare, warning him to do it now—or she might just kill him.

By chance, Sacha was already behind the door, eavesdropping on her father and stepmother. She quietly slipped away to the living room.

—I have to tell my brother —she mutters.

Night fell. During dinner, María placed a delicious chicken dish on the table and went to fetch the fried fish she’d forgotten in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Nazael, Sacha, and Pedro sat at the table.

Suddenly, Pedro began:

—My children! I have great news: you’re getting a new baby brother.

Hearing this, neither child reacted or looked up. Pedro pressed on:

—María and I are having a child together.

—We heard you, Dad —Nazael says flatly.

—Aren’t you happy to have a new sibling?

—I already knew. It was obvious with that belly —Nazael replies.

Pedro laughs and says:

—You’re so much like your mother!

The air stiffens with uncomfortable silence. Nazael pushes his chair back and says:

—I’m not hungry anymore. Goodnight!

He teleports away instantly.

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—Brother! Brother! —Sacha shouts, but gets no response.

María, returning, glances at Pedro and mocks:

—Sometimes I wonder how a clueless man like you became Earth’s protector. Shocking, really!

Sacha giggles before asking:

—Have you picked a name for the baby yet?

María and Pedro exchange glances.

—A name?

—She’s right, Pedro. What will we name him?

—What? You haven’t thought about it yet?

—Well, since you’re the father, he’ll take your name, right? Think of something for once, you idiot!

—…

—Seems you’re both clueless —Sacha concludes, teleporting to the hilltop where the moon shines brightest. At the edge of the cliff, Nazael sits, staring at the sky.

Sacha approaches slowly. Nazael asks as she stops beside him:

—How’d you know I was here?

—Not hard to find you when you’re radiating so much Ether.

—This forest is dangerous. Go home.

—Look behind you!

—What? I don’t see anything.

—Exactly: nothing. You’re scaring everything away. And with you here, I’ll be safe. Because no matter what, you’ll protect me. Right, big bro? —She hugs him tightly from behind.

—Ow! But Sacha, be careful! We’re on a cliff! Besides, I don’t have to protect you. You’re the prodigy here. You taught me to teleport, and worst of all, you’re still a brat.

Sacha, grinning, slaps his back:

—Oh, please! Don’t talk bullshit.

Without realizing, she shoves him off the cliff.

—Sachaaaaaaaaaaaaa! —Nazael screams as he falls.

—Oops! He sounds mad… Bro, you mad? —Sacha shouts mockingly.

—You’ll pay for this! Teleport me back now, you spoiled brat! Stop with your shitty jokes!

—What? Can’t do it yourself?

—Get me out of here! I’ll die if you don’t, dammit!

Just before hitting the ground, Nazael screams. Sacha snaps her fingers, and he reappears face-down in front of her.

—You act all tough, but now you look like a maiden —she laughs.

—Hey! —Realizing the danger’s passed, he scowls—. You’ll see who’s the maiden, spawn of evil!

Sacha drops him headfirst. Nazael grabs her in a headlock and starts noogying her. They brawl for hours until exhaustion leaves them lying side by side, staring at the stars.

—Hey…

—What?

—Do you think one of those stars is Mom, like the stories say?

—…Probably. If the stories are true, she’d be watching over us from the sky.

—I know you’re not happy about our new mom.

—She’s not our mom.

—But…

—She’s not. End of story.

—Don’t be selfish, Nazael. She’s the only one who eased Dad’s pain and endless thirst for revenge. Now he can smile without faking it, all thanks to her. You should give her a chance, if…

—Leave if you’re gonna talk about this all night.

—You’re stubborn. But it’s late, and I’m dead tired.

She walks three steps, then remembers:

—It’s a boy, by the way. I’ll train him. He’ll inherit María’s kindness, not turn out a hollow-headed fool like you.

—What did you say? —Nazael growls, his Ether flaring so fiercely the forest trembles.

Sacha flashes an innocent smile:

—Nothing. Just excited —she says before leaping away and teleporting.

After she leaves, Nazael declares:

—I won’t talk to a traitorous coward who abandoned everything. And I won’t accept a human-blooded bastard into my family.

—Those damn humans, I hate them!

His rage unleashes a ferocious gust, shaking trees for three kilometers.

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