Chapter 1 — The Forest of Shadows
The forest at midnight was a living shadow. Every tree stretched like a dark sentinel, and the wind whispered secrets through the leaves. A woman ran desperately, clutching a baby to her chest. Her body trembled with exhaustion, blood seeping through her clothes, arms screaming from the strain of holding her child.
Behind her, masked figures emerged from the darkness, their blades glinting in the silver light of the moon. One lunged forward. She let out a cry torn from her soul and swung her sword in defiance. The strike landed. The man collapsed, lifeless.
But there were more. She stumbled across the uneven earth, back pressed against the shadows as she fought desperately. A faint glow appeared ahead — a small, hidden tavern. She sank to her knees and placed the baby on the floor.
Tears streaked her dirt-stained face."Forgive me, Zayn… this is for your own good," she whispered.
Her hands glowed faintly, sealing the child's dormant power. With trembling breaths, she tucked him into a hidden compartment in the wall.
The tavern door exploded inward. Shards of wood flew. Steel clashed in the darkness as she fought the intruders, but strength betrayed her. A blade pierced her chest. Blood spilled from her lips. Her eyes softened, and a faint smile touched her face before she collapsed, lifeless.
When dawn broke, a man in his thirties walked the forest path. His eyes caught the broken tavern. He stepped inside. The smell of blood and splintered wood filled the air. Kneeling, he pressed his fingers to her wrist. No pulse.
"She's gone…" he murmured.
Then he heard it — a faint cry. The child was alive. And for the first time, the baby was no longer alone.
Chapter 2 — A New Beginning
The man carried the baby home. His wife, unable to have children, agreed to adopt him. They named him Zayn. He grew up in warmth and safety, unaware of the perilous past that had surrounded him at birth.
Ten years later, Zayn walked the gates of the Academy of Magic, the kingdom's most prestigious school. His heart pounded as he faced his first challenge — the MANA Test.
He placed his hand on the crystal orb. Nothing. Not a spark. The orb remained dark.
Laughter erupted from the classroom. Noland, one of the top ten students, pushed forward with raw, unstoppable power. Zayn tried to defend himself — and failed.
Just then, a voice rang out."Stop, Noland! Don't use your power on the weak!"
The classroom fell silent. It was Princess Rita, her crimson eyes blazing, hair shimmering brown under the lights.
Zayn left the room, bruised and silent. At home, his father looked at him gravely:"Failure in magic does not mean failure in life, Zayn."
He revealed a hidden secret: the Ken sword technique, a substitute for natural mana. From that day, Zayn trained, hours turning into years, mastering Ken's mysterious energy.
Chapter 3 — Return to the Academy
Two years passed. Zayn returned to the Academy, no longer a weak child. The school had changed, or perhaps he had.
Walking the halls, he saw Noland bullying a younger student. Calmly, Zayn stepped forward."How long, Noland? How long will you bully the weak?"
The principal appeared."No unsanctioned fights!"
In class, Zayn met Noah, a chubby boy with glasses."Are you the one who challenged Noland after school?" Noah asked."Yes," Zayn replied."Be careful. He's one of the top ten students. He uses Earth magic — extremely powerful," Noah warned.
Zayn only smiled."Then let's see."