Episode 10: The Brothers Galdin and Vilda
Martin suffered a crushing defeat—slamming into a tree like a ragdoll before collapsing to the ground in disgrace.
Galdin and Thomas celebrated their victory. Thomas then asked Galdin to fetch the ink bottle resting on a nearby rock. But Martin, refusing to go down quietly, made a sly move—casting a spell from his wand directly at the bottle. The glass shattered, sending ink splattering everywhere.
Fortunately for Thomas, he hurled a coffee cup with expert precision toward the blast. The cup caught a small amount of the ink.
Galdin: "Whaaat? A coffee cup?"
Thomas: "Yes—emergencies only."
Galdin: "And what exactly can a coffee cup do?!"
Thomas: "Maybe I'd like to drink coffee somewhere quiet—so I keep my own cup."
Galdin: "And where would you even get coffee in the middle of nowhere?"
Thomas: "Oh, shut up! I just saved you, and you're still criticizing me?"
Galdin: "Yep, yep… I'm sorry ._."
Thomas picked up the cup.
Thomas: "Heh… my cup is stained forever now, but it's fine. I'll just buy another one. Let's hurry to the notary."
Galdin: "Yeah, let's go."
The two left the scene, while Martin remained behind—boiling with rage, frustration, and self-loathing.
Martin (to himself): "Why was I born like this? It's not my fault! Why was I born without magic in a world of magic? Why?!"
Martin had been born without magical powers because he was the child of an illegitimate relationship. In this magical world, power could only be inherited through lawful marriage. Since his parents were never wed, his birth was considered a crime under Magic Law No. 13: "Deprivation of Magical Powers." The punishment for such a crime was either life imprisonment or execution. His parents were executed, leaving Martin an orphan, raised in an orphanage by its director, Senskar.
His childhood was far from easy. He was constantly bullied for being the only child in the orphanage without magic.
But Martin refused to give up—his dream was to become a wizard, no matter the cost. He was the smartest and most talented among his peers, earning grades others couldn't even dream of.
Seeing his potential, Director Senskar decided to reward him, gifting him a special magic wand that would allow him to wield magic in this world.
Martin was overjoyed—but with his growing talent and possession of the wand, the bullying only intensified. Senskar would often step in to protect him.
The following year, however, tragedy struck. Senskar died from a deadly illness, and a new director took over. The bullying became even more vicious. Unable to endure it any longer, Martin finally used his wand against his tormentors—its magic far surpassing their own.
The new director wasted no time and expelled him from the orphanage.
Alone in the city, Martin survived by extorting food from children. Over time, he grew crueler, relying on the wand's strength. But today… he had been defeated for the first time. His bitter past came flooding back, and he broke down in tears.
Martin: "Damn it… damn it… damn it! Why? Why all of this? What did I do to deserve it?"
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. He turned—and froze. Standing before him was none other than Senskar, the late orphanage director.
Senskar: "My boy, don't give in to life. I saw the light in you—that's why I gave you the wand."
Martin: "Why me? Out of everyone, why me? You shouldn't have given me the wand. I don't deserve it."
Senskar (laughing): "Did you know, my boy? That wand belonged to my father."
Martin: "What?"
Senskar: "Yes. My father was like you. But he didn't give up. He fought until he crafted that wand with his own hands.
When I looked at you, I saw that same light—so I decided to pass it on to you."
Senskar's form began to fade, his voice echoing softly as it vanished:
"Believe in yourself, Martin… You will become a great wizard."
Martin wiped away his tears and stood tall. He vowed to grow stronger.
Martin: "Thank you… Director. I promise, from this day on, I'll be better than I was yesterday… and I'll become the strongest!"
At that same moment, Galdin and Thomas reached the notary's office, finalizing the document just in time.
As they stepped outside…
Galdin: "Thank goodness… finally!"
Thomas: "Yes, yes… everything so far was the easy part."
Vilda (suddenly): "What?…"
Galdin: "What do you mean?"
Thomas: "The library and the notary were just surface work. The real challenge… is delivering this document to the Council of Wizards."
He pointed toward the massive, floating castle of the Wizard Council suspended high in the sky.
Galdin: "And entering that castle?"
Thomas: "That's the real trial."
So what exactly did Thomas mean? And why is entering the castle so difficult?
We'll find out… in Episode 11.