NOVEL NEXT Chapter1-Unwanted Life.
Two decades ago, a brutal war erupted between Yuzen City and Ryuki City.No one claimed victory.But destruction… it was absolute.
Thousands of innocents perished.Homes were turned to ashes.Countless children were left orphaned in a world ruled by magical power and ancient bloodlines.
The spark of war? Madness as they say.The one who lit the fire—Roma Siroka, former leader of Yuzen.Blinded by his hunger for dominance, Roma fell not by enemy hands… but by his subordinate.A betrayal that echoed through history.
Later, the Siroka clan killed every member of their subordinate's family.A bloody purge.
Only then did both cities sign a fragile peace treaty.
A new leader rose in Yuzen—Raka, tasked with restoring balance.But some wounds run too deep to heal.
Present Day...
Auren sat on the rooftop, legs dangling, eyes gazing at the distant metro weaving through the skyline.The sun bled orange across the smoggy horizon. Hover-billboards flickered and flashed over the noise of city life.
In the city of magic, those who held magic were praised. Honored.Those without… forgotten.
"I wish somebody noticed me," he muttered, clenching his fists.The billboard in front of him flashed with a hero's face. "Even as a failure mage…"Auren sighed."I hope I become a hero someday... uhh, man, wake up—you're nothing..."
Auren's thoughts drifted."Both my brothers were trained there... except me.Hey, sky, I was always the one dispatched to buy carrots, wash utensils, and help mom with daily chores.When will my days come?Do you have any answers, sky?"
He laughed softly.But his eyes were tired.Even now, there was no answer.
He looked up again. His throat was tight.A cracked, dry chuckle escaped.
"Still no answer…"
His voice fell into the wind."Why am I useless?Invisible?Forgotten by my father… by my brothers too?"
Meanwhile, on the streets…
A tour guide walked past with travelers. He pointed toward the massive black structure ahead.
"This is Ryuki Dojo, a grand obsidian fortress built long before magic met machines.Its gate is carved with the forms of beasts, witches, and ancient figures—crafted from five-element magic: fire, water, wind, earth, and ether."
"This dojo isn't just a school—it's a symbol. A monument. A piece of living history."
"And at its helm…" the guide continued, "stands the great Master Hoshin Maru."
"And beside him… Ryden Ryuki—the city's Guardian."
The crowd murmured.
Ryden was a warrior in the great war between Ryuki and Yuzen, twenty years ago.He upheld the dojo's honor—and raised three sons."
"Two are already mages," the guide said proudly.
"The eldest is Veon Ryuki—fire runs in his blood. They call him the 'Blazing Hawk.' Just sixteen, and already an elite."
"The youngest, Kaen, uses wind. At ten, he split trees and flew through courtyards like a breeze. He's a prodigy."
"But the third… is Auren Ryuki."
The travelers exchanged glances.
"No fire. No wind. No magic. Just silence."The guide shrugged. "Three mage affinity tests… and nothing."
Someone whispered, "He's the failure?"
The guide nodded. "He carries the Ryuki name, but… still no power."
Auren remembered his last test.
The hall was cold.He placed his hands on the glowing crystal orb.It flashed for everyone else… but him?Nothing.
His father had stood behind the administrator. He said nothing.Not even disappointment.He just turned… and walked away.
That silence burned more than any flame.
"Auren! Don't miss the rice and magical milk!" his mother called from the kitchen window.
"Got it!" he shouted back, grabbing his worn-out bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
He walked quickly through the market sector, dodging kids practicing levitation and spell tricks.Merchants smiled and waved.
"Back again, Auren?" asked old Riku, the carrot vendor.
"Always," Auren grinned. "Mom's food isn't complete without your carrots."
He picked up rice, long-burning candles, and last—enchanted milk.It hovered in the bottle, never spilled, and stayed cold forever.
As he turned to go, he noticed a gray-robed man sitting near the fountain.The man wore a tattered hat pulled low, hiding his eyes.
"You carry more than groceries," the old man said.
Auren stopped. "Just doing my part."
"There's something in your eyes. Sadness. Longing… maybe even a little fire."
"I'm not a mage," Auren replied.
The old man smiled weakly."Not yet."
Before Auren could reply, the crowd passed between them.And just like that… the man vanished.
Home.
His mother greeted him with a smile."You never forget anything," she said, patting his cheek.
In the backyard, Veon and Kaen were already sparring.Fire met wind in mid-air as their laughter rang out.
Ryden stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Good, Veon. Your phoenix reflexes are improving."
Kaen rolled beside them. "Did you see how I dodged that?"
Ryden chuckled. "Excellent."
Auren stood quietly in the doorway.A faint smile flickered… but his heart ached.
He wanted just one look.One word of pride.
That night, Auren set the table, poured water, and passed bowls.He waited until everyone finished before he ate.
No one thanked him.
Only his mother could see the pain he swallowed.
He washed the dishes in scalding water, red fingertips trembling—but he never said a word.
Later, he climbed to the rooftop.The stars blinked above the haze.Hover-trains zipped by in streaks of neon.
He raised his hand… wishing it would glow.Wishing for warmth, not from a stove, but from inside.
"Just once…" he whispered, "I want to be strong."
The wind brushed past.Still no flame.Only silence.
But there was a dream. Always the same one.
A man stood in the mist—his face unclear.He spoke just one phrase:"Remember the glory."
Someone crying, someone laughing, someone doing both.
Auren clenched the edge of the roof.
Was that man real? Or some forgotten history?
Maybe it's just a dream.But still…
"I wish I had a friend.Respect.Something… anything."
The breeze curled around him.
There was no magic in it.
Just silence.