Rain slicked streets gleamed under the flickering lanterns of Eryndor City, reflecting the hurried steps of those who carried Aether in their veins like blood. Every passerby exuded it—soft glows, tiny sparks, or the faint hum of energy that whispered of their abilities. And in the middle of it all stood Kael Draven, drenched from the drizzle, hands clenched, chest heaving—not from the storm, but from the relentless training that left him exhausted every single night.
Unlike everyone else, Kael had nothing. No spark. No glow. No hum of power. In a world where children were measured by their ability to wield Aether, Kael was an anomaly, a joke whispered behind curtains, a shadow among geniuses.
He wiped the rain from his eyes, staring at the towering academy walls ahead, feeling the familiar mix of awe and dread. Today was the Aether Trials, the event that would assign every young user to a team and rank them among their peers. For Kael, it was just another reminder that he was powerless. Yet, deep inside, a fire refused to die.
"I'll become Supreme Commander one day," he muttered under his breath, voice steady despite the tremble in his legs. "Even if the world laughs, even if I have nothing… I will lead them all."
Footsteps echoed behind him, and Kael glanced sideways to see a boy with golden hair and eyes that seemed to pierce through everyone around him. Rion Valeris—the prodigy, the golden genius, born with Aether that burned brighter than the sun. Even at fifteen, he moved with the ease of someone born to dominate, and every glance from the crowd acknowledged it.
Kael's stomach twisted. Rion would undoubtedly join the elite team, earning glory effortlessly, while Kael… Kael would be cast aside. Yet, he refused to look away. Not today.
The gates of the arena opened, revealing the sprawling training fields where hundreds of young Aether users were gathering. Sparks of energy danced in the air as students tested their powers: fire weaving through water, shadows stretching across the ground, light piercing the drizzle. Kael's heart sank as he tried, instinctively, to summon even the faintest flicker of Aether. Nothing.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"That's him," someone whispered. "The powerless one. Why is he even here?"
Kael ignored them, focusing on the physical drills laid out for those who lacked strength in Aether. Push-ups, sprints, endurance tests—every ounce of his body was honed to compensate for what he lacked in magic. Sweat mixed with rain, muscles screamed, lungs burned, but Kael pushed on, driven by the unshakable belief that strength was more than just Aether.
Hours passed. The sun dipped, casting long shadows across the field. Teams were being formed based on trial results. Whispers of elite picks and golden stars floated in the air like fireflies. Kael's heart pounded as the team leaders approached, scanning the students.
Finally, a tall figure with a calm presence stopped in front of him. The leader of the so-called worst team, known among the academy as Iron Resolve, smiled faintly.
"You have no Aether," the leader said, voice low but steady. "But I see something others don't… determination. Follow me."
The crowd gasped. The powerless boy had been chosen—not for skill, not for talent—but for the fire in his heart. Kael's chest swelled with pride, even as the laughter and sneers of others rang in his ears.
And among the gathered students, one pair of eyes—Rion Valeris—watched silently, a faint smirk curling on his lips. The rivalry had already begun.
Kael turned to face his new team: a motley group of misfits, misjudged by everyone. Among them was Lyra Selendis, a noble girl whose unstable Aether had earned her ridicule, her chin high with defiance, her eyes scanning Kael with barely disguised disdain.
"This is going to be… interesting," Kael thought, a small smile forming. The road ahead would be long, grueling, and full of challenges—but he was ready. And for the first time, he felt like he truly belonged.
Rain continued to fall, but it no longer mattered. The powerless boy had taken his first step toward a destiny no one could predict.