("...This dream again.")

A boy stood in the middle of a grassy plain. A sea of grass as far as the eye could see stretched out in front of him, waving freely as the winds blew across the plains. As he admired the relaxing scenery before him, he felt a touch on his shoulder.

"Oh, you're here.”

The boy smiled as he turned to the human-like figure behind him. The figure shone brightly in white, but for some reason, it wasn’t blinding nor painful to look at. Beyond, he saw many more that resembled it, standing quite a ways from them. The figure wordlessly accompanied him, simply gazing towards the horizon. But as the sun began to set, the figure started walking towards the group behind them.

“Hey, wait!” 

The boy shouted, his hands outstretched as he tried to chase after it. 

(“Kuh!”) However, an invisible force prevented him from doing so. All he could do was watch as the figure steadily shrunk in the distance.

(“So it’s like this again, huh..?”) The boy reluctantly put his hand down. He had encountered this same vivid dream since he was old enough to remember his name, but the ending was always the same. The figures began to disappear as they waved towards him. Soon, they all faded from sight, spreading out like millions of tiny orbs of light. The boy willed his body to fall down on the grassy plains. Despite the impact, he didn’t feel much pain.

(“Time to wake up.”)

**

“Mmh...”

Jenyx stretched his arm upwards and yawned. Somehow, he had a feeling that he had forgotten something important. 

“Hey, what are you doing here? Don’t you know we have class?" As he got up, he noticed four boys of his age approaching him. Amongst the four, one stood out with his pristine, blonde, slicked-back hair and the manner in which he carried himself.

“Good afternoon to you too, Brad.”  Jenyx patted his backside, dusting off the grass that clung to him during his nap.

Suddenly, Brad swung his fist and connected with Jenyx’s face with a Bam! Due to the force, Jenyx fell back down on the ground.

“Call me Brad-sama, commoner!” Brad’s smile twisted further as he laughed. The others followed suit and started kicking the defenseless Jenyx on the ground.

Jenyx curled up in order to defend against the kicks and blows coming from above. “I told you over and over to address me properly, but… you still didn't learn huh? Brad joined in and started kicking him around as well. "This is why you commoners are so--"

“Get away from him!” A girl's voice came from behind. Brad's face was greeted with a flying kick as he turned around.

“Ugh!!” Brad rolled on the ground, clutching his face as he looked up towards the unknown assailant. “Y-you!! How dare you hit a noble’s face! I am the son of the Powerful Count Baruth! Do you know what’s going to happen to you!?” Brad yelled as he stood up.

“Like I care! Get out of here unless you wanna get hit again!” the girl angrily yelled back at Brad. The girl hurriedly went towards Jenyx who was still lying on the ground.

“Are you okay?” the girl stretched her hands towards Jenyx who took it. “I'm fine. Thanks, Rose.” The girl named Rose smiled as she helped him up. Brad and his cohorts took a step back as Rose turned towards them.

“You lot… if you keep doing this, I’ll burn you all to cinders! Consider this your final warning... let’s go, Nyx!” Rose began walking back with Jenyx closely behind her.

"Those damn commoners!"

Brad balled his hands into a fist, seething with rage as he watched Rose and Jenyx walk away.

**

“Are you sure you’re not hurt, Nyx?” Rose worriedly looked all over Jenyx’s body. His uniform was riddled with dirt and grass.

“I really am. I'm sorry for worrying you.”

 Jenyx replied quickly with a smile.

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“I’m not. My body’s tough, you know?”

Jenyx felt no lingering pain in his body. In fact, their hits felt ticklish to him rather than painful. It was more akin to a massage rather than a beatdown, which is why he let them attack him. Although, he did protect his face, not because he was afraid he would get hurt, but because he didn’t want to risk getting their shoes in his mouth. Why he doesn’t feel any pain however, does have him quite concerned about what's happening to his body. 

“Fine, if you say so.” Rose reluctantly stopped asking and kept walking. Jenyx felt bad for worrying her. But, no matter what he says, it would only seem as if he was just putting up a front. Though he had thought of several ways in order to convince her, all of them required her to watch him get attacked of his own free will. The problem with it was that Rose might fly in a rage once she sees it happen. Not to mention, whoever it is might then spread word to the entire institution about how durable his body is and worsen the problem.

Jenyx sighed in dismay as he could not find a way to make Rose believe him without further adding risk to his future. As they were walking, Rose suddenly turned to Jenyx.

“I just remembered! Are you sure you want to attend magic class today?” Rose had a worried look on her face again as she asked Jenyx.

“I do. What’s wrong?” Jenyx had a puzzled look on his face as he replied. 

“You don’t remember? Today is the combat ability testing event.” 

!!

(“Of course! How could I have forgotten!?”) Jenyx cursed himself for not remembering sooner. Today was the day for the combat ability testing which serves to evaluate each and every student’s proficiency with magic. It is an annual seven-day long event that gauges every students’ knowledge and mastery of magic. The tests are always supervised by at least one or two proctors who exist to record the students' results. However, the true purpose of the event was to find diamonds in the rough. If a student displayed an outstanding performance, or in some way, managed to impress their proctors, they are given recommendations to move to the higher sections of their years. Those in the highest sections have the privilege of being taught by famous mages and are given special privileges such as; free food from the cafeteria, unrestricted access to the library, and most importantly, the chance to join the Grand Magic Battle Festival as one of the institution’s five representatives.

Jenyx’s childhood friend, Rose, was one of the top students in their year and was admitted to the highest section just after finishing her entrance exams. Meanwhile, Jenyx was put in a lower section, but not the lowest, despite his condition, courtesy of his high score in the written and physical exams.

“Yeah… I don’t think I’m going to attend.” 

“Where will you be going then?” 

“I don’t know for now. Maybe I’ll just hang by somew-” 

“And just where will you be going, Mr. Troan?” As they turned to look where the voice originated from, a woman clad in a mage’s robes appeared before them. She had dark auburn hair and her eyes had a dangerous glint to them. Upon noticing her, the two bowed.

“Good afternoon, Professor Sillia” The two greeted the mysterious woman. The woman named Sillia urged them to rise.

“You will not be going anywhere, Mr. Troan. It has been decided that I will be in charge of your class for today. Please head to E field immediately.”

“B-but, Instructor! Surely, you know of Ny- Jenyx’s condition right? I don’t believe it would be prudent to make him take it!” Rose voiced her thoughts clearly and stood in front of Jenyx.

“I am sorry, Ms. Grayle. However, we instructors are not the ones who decide these matters. If you have a complaint, please direct them to the headmaster. Although, by the time you’re able to present your case, I am sure that the test would’ve already ended.” Sillia slightly bowed and replied to Rose.

“S-still…” Rose refused to change her stance. She knew the mistreatment and humiliation Jenyx suffered whenever he went through with the test. However, she had no other ways in mind to help him. Seeing her, Sillia sighed and spoke once again:

“In the first place, why are you in this institution anyway, Mr. Troan? You possess not even the slightest inkling of mana. While I do recognize your profound knowledge on magic and magi-tech, I believe this institution would do more harm than good to your well-being.”

She was right. There were more than enough institutions in their kingdom which were better suited to someone without any talent in magic like Jenyx. No, to say untalented would be an understatement, seeing as he had no mana whatsoever. Jenyx could do nothing but look away from the hard-hearted gaze of the professor.

“Let us be on our way. The time to commence the exam is approaching.” Sillia walked in front of the two after finishing their conversation.

“I’ll see you later then, Rose.” Jenyx waved his hand at her as he followed Sillia.

“Yeah… I’ll come to you as quickly as I can!” Rose shouted as she watched Jenyx leave.

Rose clutched her book tightly as she turned around to head to their field as well.

(“I have to finish the test as fast as I can!”)