The day after the magic competition had started like any other, with Lian waking before dawn and heading to the forest for his training. Yet, unlike most mornings, he wasn’t filled with determination. Instead, doubt gnawed at him like a persistent shadow.

  The humiliation from the previous year’s competition still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of his shortcomings. But this year, he’d vowed it would be different. Months of training—physically and mentally—had gone into preparing for this moment. He had to prove to himself and the villagers that he wasn’t just “the boy with no magic.”

  As he approached the village square that morning, the sound of laughter and chatter met his ears. It was competition day, and the air buzzed with anticipation. Stalls selling colorful trinkets and magical artifacts lined the streets, and children dashed about, their excitement uncontainable. But Lian could only feel the weight of the challenge ahead.

  ---

  The Stage is Set

  The platform stood in the center of the square, surrounded by an ever-growing crowd. Villagers from neighboring towns had also gathered, eager to see the magical talent of the village’s youth.

  The contestants were called up one by one, each performing spells that drew gasps and applause from the audience. Some summoned flames in intricate patterns, while others manipulated water into swirling shapes. Lian watched in silence, his heart pounding with a mix of dread and envy.

  When it was his turn, the murmurs in the crowd began almost immediately.

  “That’s the boy who can’t do magic.”

  “Why does he even bother?”

  “This should be quick.”

  The words stung, but Lian clenched his fists and stepped onto the platform. He forced himself to block out the voices and focus on the task at hand.

  ---

  The Attempt

  Lian took a deep breath and closed his eyes, centering himself. He reached for the tiny, almost imperceptible pool of mana within him. He had practiced this spell hundreds of times—a simple spark of light. It was small and unimpressive, but it was something, a step toward proving his worth.

  The crowd fell silent as Lian raised his hands. He channeled all his energy into the spell, willing the mana to flow through him. He pictured the spark in his mind: bright, glowing, and full of promise.

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  For a brief moment, he felt it—a flicker of energy at his fingertips. But just as quickly as it appeared, it faded, leaving nothing behind.

  The silence was deafening. Then came the laughter.

  “He couldn’t even manage a spark!”

  “I’ve seen toddlers do better magic than that!”

  “Why does he even try? It’s pathetic.”

  Lian’s hands trembled as he lowered them. His cheeks burned with shame, and his throat tightened as he struggled to hold back tears. He glanced at the audience and saw faces filled with amusement, pity, or scorn.

  ---

  The Breaking Point

  One voice cut through the noise, sharper than the rest.

  “Maybe he’s not even trying,” someone shouted. “Maybe he just wants attention!”

  The laughter grew louder, and Lian felt his composure shatter. “That’s not true!” he yelled, his voice cracking.

  The crowd fell quiet, surprised by his outburst.

  “I’ve worked harder than any of you can imagine!” Lian’s voice trembled with anger and frustration. “Every day, I train. Every night, I study. I’ve done everything I can to make up for what I lack, but it’s never enough, is it?”

  For a moment, no one spoke. Then, one of the older boys in the crowd sneered. “If it’s not enough, maybe you should just stop trying.”

  The words hit Lian like a physical blow. He turned and ran from the platform, ignoring the murmurs and laughter that followed him. He didn’t stop running until he was deep into the forest, far away from the prying eyes of the village.

  ---

  Alone with His Thoughts

  Lian collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Hot tears streamed down his face, and he buried his head in his arms, unable to contain the storm of emotions within him.

  Why? he thought bitterly. Why am I so weak? Why can’t I be like them?

  For hours, he sat there, consumed by self-doubt. He replayed the events of the competition in his mind, each moment more painful than the last. The humiliation, the laughter, the scorn—it was unbearable.

  Maybe they’re right, he thought. Maybe I should just give up.

  ---

  A Voice in the Darkness

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in twilight, Lian heard footsteps approaching. He didn’t bother looking up, assuming it was an animal or the wind.

  But then, a familiar voice broke the silence. “Sitting out here won’t solve anything.”

  Lian looked up to see Kael, the old wanderer who had been mentoring him in secret. The man’s expression was calm, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes.

  “Leave me alone,” Lian muttered.

  Kael ignored him and sat down nearby. “You know, I’ve seen many great warriors and mages in my time,” he said after a moment. “Do you know what they all had in common?”

  Lian didn’t respond.

  “They all failed. Some of them failed worse than you can imagine. But the difference between them and everyone else is that they didn’t let failure define them. They got back up and tried again.”

  Lian scoffed. “It’s easy to say that when you have magic. But I don’t. I don’t have anything.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Then what about your determination? Your willingness to work harder than anyone else? Your mind, which is sharper than you realize?”

  Lian frowned, unsure how to respond.

  Kael leaned closer, his tone firm. “The world will always try to tell you what you’re not, Lian. It will mock you, belittle you, and try to break you. But greatness doesn’t come from listening to those voices. It comes from proving them wrong.”

  ---

  A Turning Point

  Kael’s words struck a chord deep within Lian. He thought about the countless hours he’d spent training, the sacrifices he’d made, and the dreams he held onto despite the odds.

  Slowly, he stood up, his resolve hardening. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “I can’t give up. Not yet.”

  Kael smiled. “Good. Because your journey is just beginning.”

  As they walked back to the village together, Lian felt a renewed sense of purpose. The embarrassment of the competition still stung, but it no longer felt like the end of his story. Instead, it felt like the start of something new.

  For the first time in a long time, Lian felt hope.

  ---

  A Quiet Resolve

  That night, as he lay in bed, Lian stared at the ceiling and made a silent vow to himself. He would rise above the ridicule and the doubt. He would find his own path, even if it took years.

  The road ahead would be long and difficult, but Lian was ready to face it.

  And in the quiet darkness of his room, the faintest glimmer of light appeared at his fingertips—a tiny, flickering spark of magic, gone almost as soon as it came.

  But it was enough.

  ---