The world was divided into two kinds of people: the geniuses and the talentless. Those born with a natural affinity for magic were destined to soar, their potential limitless. They were the ones who awakened early, their powers blooming like flowers in spring. But then there were those like me—those who couldn’t even grasp the simplest spark of magic. The so-called "Nulls." In a world where strength was everything, we were the ones left behind, trampled underfoot by the gifted.

“Hah! Is that all you’ve got, you pathetic loser?” Leon’s voice cut through the air like a blade, his hand engulfed in a swirling blue flame. The fire danced in his palm, a cruel reminder of the chasm between us. “What’s this? I chose you as my rival, but was that a mistake? You’re already eight, and you still can’t even use magic!”

I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched at my sides. Leon, my so-called childhood friend, had awakened his magic at the age of four. A prodigy. A genius. And me? I was nothing. In this world, most children awakened their magic by the age of ten. Those who didn’t were branded as “Nulls”—the ones without any affinity for magic. The outcasts.

“Damn you…” I muttered under my breath, my voice trembling with frustration.

Leon smirked, his confidence radiating like the heat from his flames. “It seems you really are a Null,” he said, launching another fireball straight at me.

The impact sent me sprawling to the ground, my body aching from the force. I could feel the heat singeing my skin, the acrid smell of smoke filling my nostrils. My vision blurred, but I forced myself to stand. I couldn’t give up. Not yet.

I can see the trajectory… I can see when he’s going to attack… but I don’t have anything to counter him. No magic. No strength. Nothing. The thoughts raced through my mind, a whirlwind of desperation and determination. But if I can’t react in time… then I’ll predict it.

I rose to my feet, my eyes locked on Leon. My body was battered, but my resolve was unshaken. My aura shifted, a quiet intensity settling over me.

“Oh? Still not giving up?” Leon laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. “You really are like a rat. Keep struggling—it’s amusing to watch.”

Another fireball hurtled toward me, but this time, I was ready. I sidestepped at the last moment, the flames grazing past me. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn’t stop. Yes… he’s overconfident. He’ll aim directly for my body. A fireball takes three seconds to activate. If I can exploit that gap… I can dodge it.

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I dashed forward, my movements sharp and calculated. Leon’s laughter turned to confusion as his next volley of fireballs missed me by inches. Before he could react, I was right in front of him, my fist pulled back.

“Got you, you shitty genius!” I shouted, driving my punch into his chest.

The impact sent Leon stumbling backward, his expression a mix of shock and anger. He glared at me, his blue flames flaring brighter than ever. “Huh? Did you just… hit me?” His voice was low, dangerous. The air around him crackled with energy, the pressure of his magic bearing down on me like a weight.

“A little mouse dares to challenge an apex predator?” Leon’s voice was a growl now, his flames growing larger, more menacing. “Did you think you won? Did you enjoy that little sliver of false hope? I hate it… the fact that you even think you have a chance against me. I hate it.”

The blue flames roared to life, forming a massive lance of fire. My breath caught in my throat. That’s… second-circle magic. Fire Lance. He’s actually trying to hurt me… badly.

The lance shot toward me, its heat unbearable even from a distance. I froze, my body refusing to move. I… I can’t dodge this…

But just as the flames were about to consume me, the lance dissipated into nothingness. The air grew still, the tension broken by a calm, authoritative voice.

“That was a bit much, Leon,” said Alex, Leon’s older brother. At nineteen, he was already a fifth-circle mage, a true powerhouse. His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier.

Leon scowled, his flames flickering out. “Oh, please. It wasn’t going to kill him.”

“Still,” Alex said, his tone firm, “that was too much. Do you want me to talk to Father about this?”

Leon’s face paled. “N-no,” he stammered, his bravado crumbling in an instant.

I stood there, my body trembling, my mind racing. The gap between us was still there, as vast as ever.

I stumbled my way back home, a modest house of bricks and tin tucked away in the corner of Lionheart County. The Lionhearts were the ruling family, their name synonymous with power and prestige. Leon was the youngest of their line, a prodigy born into privilege. And me? I was just Luan, the Null from the outskirts.

“I’m back,” I mumbled as I dragged myself inside.

“Luan? Oh, goodness—what happened to you?” My mother’s voice was a mix of concern and exasperation. She rushed over, her hands hovering over my bruises. “You got into another fight, didn’t you? Why do you always make me worry like this?”

“It’s fine,” I said, avoiding her gaze. “I’ll go take a bath.”

“But… Luan…” Her voice trailed off as I slipped away, retreating to the solitude of the bathroom.

The water was cold, but it did little to soothe the fire burning inside me. Why? The question echoed in my mind, over and over. Why is the world so unfair? Why are some born with everything while others have nothing?

I hated it. I hated the way people looked at me, the way they whispered behind my back. I hated the pity in my mother’s eyes and the silence from my father, who worked himself to the bone on the farm just to keep us afloat. But most of all, I hated myself—my weakness, my inability to change anything.

But that ends today. If I can’t use magic, I’ll hone what I can. Starting with this frail, useless body. Even if I’m only eight, I’ll train harder than anyone else. I’ll find a way to stand on equal ground with the likes of Leon. I have to.