I woke up in the morning, got dressed, and went downstairs.
I sat at the table with my family.
"Good morning," I said quietly.
My mother and father replied at the same time:
"Good morning, son."
There was a calm atmosphere at the table. Just like always.
As I continued eating, I asked:
"Where is Lady Asteria?"
My mother answered:
"She's waiting for you outside. Finish your meal and join her."
That early…?
A slight unease formed inside me.
But I didn't show it.
I quietly finished my meal and stood up.
With a slight bow, I said, "Thank you for everything. I love you."
From behind me, their voices came at the same time:
"We love you too."
As I walked toward the door, my mother's voice called out:
"Lucius."
I stopped and looked back.
She looked at me and said:
"Don't disappoint us."
She paused briefly, then added:
"I believe you will become a powerful mage."
Both my father and mother… were mages.
My mother possessed the water element.
Thanks to her affinity with water, she could also use healing magic.
My father, on the other hand, specialized in the earth element.
Both of them were average in terms of power, but as expected, my mother's healing magic was considered rare compared to others.
Even so…
They lived a quiet life.
For them, magic wasn't something used daily—only when necessary.
I stepped outside.
Fresh air brushed against my face.
I paused for a brief moment.
Then I quickened my steps.
My destination was clear.
I headed toward the training area located behind the house, reserved specifically for practice.
When I arrived, I saw her.
Asteria was already there.
She stood calmly, as if she had been waiting for me.
I immediately approached her.
"Good morning, Lady Asteria," I said respectfully.
She turned her gaze toward me.
"Just calling me 'Master' is enough."
After a short pause, she added:
"Sit."
"Yes… Lady Asteria— I mean… Master."
I quickly corrected myself.
Asteria gave a slight nod.
Then she went straight to the point:
"First, let me ask you a question."
Her gaze was fixed directly on me.
"Have you ever been able to use magic?"
"No," I answered honestly. "I've tried, but it didn't work."
Asteria nodded slightly.
"I understand."
Then she added:
"You know, I also taught your sister. I was the one who taught her most of what she knows. She was a fast learner."
She paused briefly.
"I hope you will be as well."
Marcella…
My sister was currently studying at the largest magic academy in the country—Aethelgard Academy.
She was a second-year student.
To be honest…
Since she started attending that academy, I rarely saw her.
Even during summer break, she hardly came home.
"I'll try," I said shortly.
This time, Asteria's expression became more serious.
"You probably already know that there are two main sources of power in this world."
I nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"But I will teach you one of them… in greater depth."
"I'm talking about magic."
Asteria slowly raised her hand.
"Magic has four main elements."
"Air. Water. Earth. Fire."
"In addition to these, there are various subcategories and rare variations."
Then she slowly lowered her finger.
"But all of this is based on one thing."
"Mana."
The surroundings suddenly felt quieter.
"Look at me, Lucius."
Her voice was deeper now.
"Mana is everywhere."
"In the air. In the ground. Around you… and within you."
"You cannot see it."
"But you can feel it."
She stepped closer to me.
"The moment you begin to feel mana, your mana core will start to awaken. Now, close your eyes and begin to sense the mana around you. For that, you must focus completely and remain calm. Distance yourself from your thoughts."
She fell silent for a moment, then stood up.
"When you start to feel something, come find me. Your sister managed it in three days."
After saying that, Asteria quietly walked away.
After she left, I tried to do as she said. I closed my eyes and focused entirely on my surroundings.
But… I felt nothing.
Just darkness.
No change at all.
"Damn… why is nothing happening?" I muttered to myself. "All I see is darkness… I don't feel anything."
Several hours passed.
My body began to tire, and eventually, I stopped.
I opened my eyes, stood up, and headed back toward the house.
As I walked through the corridor, I heard voices coming from my father's room.
I slowed my steps and, without meaning to, stopped and listened.
It was Asteria's voice:
"Thank you for trusting me and asking me to teach your other child as well. However, unlike your daughter, your son does not seem to possess a noticeable aura. It appears that awakening his mana will be difficult."
There was a moment of silence.
Then my father replied:
"I trust you. At the very least, guide him with your knowledge."
Asteria continued:
"As you know, the awakening of mana depends on the individual. I will stay here and observe him. If he manages to awaken his mana, we will continue the lessons. The latest recorded awakening is five days—you know that."
She paused briefly.
"But if it doesn't happen… I'm sorry. It seems he may not be able to become a mage."
A strange feeling formed inside me.
Four days had already passed since those words… and I still hadn't succeeded.
Every day was the same: closing my eyes, focusing, trying to feel this thing called "mana"… but the result never changed. Just emptiness and darkness.
When I first heard that magic in this world worked like in games and anime, I had been excited. I told myself, "Finally, a different life."
But reality… was completely different.
And I couldn't do anything.
Even if I couldn't say it out loud, the answer was clear in my mind.
This was what Alfio had mentioned.
Me coming from another world…
Maybe that was exactly the reason.
After another day of failed attempts to activate my mana, I returned home and ate. Because of my failures, I started avoiding interacting with my family. So I went straight to my room. I changed my clothes, lay down on my bed, and closed my eyes to sleep.
And at that moment—
"Kaito…"
I heard a voice.
I immediately opened my eyes.
"Who are you?" I said sharply.
Instinctively, I reached for the sword I kept under my bed and held it ready while scanning my surroundings.
Suddenly, I saw a crow sitting by the window.
The crow tapped on the glass with its beak.
And then…
Its voice echoed directly inside my mind:
"Open the window."
I stood up, approached cautiously while holding my sword in front of me, and opened it.
The crow entered.
It stood in the middle of the room.
And in the next moment—
It transformed into an old man with white hair and a beard.
This…
"Greetings again, Lucius," he said calmly. "Or should I call you Kaito?"
"For now, Lucius is more appropriate," I replied cautiously.
Alfio raised his hand slightly, and suddenly two chairs appeared. He sat in one and gestured for me to take the other.
"Go ahead, sit."
Then he added:
"I didn't mean to scare you. But since you've come to this world, I wanted to see you."
I looked at him and asked:
"You… can come to this world too?"
Alfio smiled slightly.
"Did you think I was the god of death for just one world?"
He paused briefly.
"Today, I had a meeting with other gods to discuss a small matter. Before returning, I decided to visit you."
I frowned.
"There are other gods too?"
"Yes," he said calmly. "But that's a topic for another time."
Then he looked directly at me.
"Tell me… what is troubling you?"
I took a deep breath.
"It seems you already know. My master says I need to awaken my mana to learn magic. But as you said, since I came from another world, it's difficult for me. If I don't succeed in a few days…"
Alfio nodded slightly.
"I understand."
Then he leaned forward a little.
"Even though I cannot directly interfere with the affairs of the world… I can give you a small hint."
I focused.
"In ancient times, people who struggled to awaken their mana used a certain plant."
"The Vera plant."
"With its help, they could activate their mana. But this method is very old. Few people in this era still know about it."
Then he added:
"Find that plant… and use it. It will make it easier for you to feel mana."
"Where can I find it?" I asked immediately.
"In the Umbra Forests."
I paused.
"Umbra Forests…?"
"Yes," he said. "A bitter-smelling, red-colored plant. It is not easy to find."
So "Isn't that… a bit difficult?"
Alfio chuckled lightly.
"Normally, yes. But you have something others don't."
"Luck."
I frowned.
"Speaking of luck… I don't even know how to use it. You never told me."
"I did," he said calmly. "You just don't remember."
I was a hundred percent sure he hadn't.
"You just need to say it."
"…That's it?"
"Yes."
Then he stood up.
"I believe everything is clear. I must go now."
"Wait, just a—"
But I couldn't finish my sentence.
Alfio disappeared instantly.
The chairs he created vanished at the same time.
I lost my balance and fell to the ground.
I stayed there for a few seconds without moving.
Then slowly, I tried to process what had just happened.