Chapter 2

Episode 2: Shion Kurosaki

Shion Kurosaki’s parents came from a long line of merchants, completely unrelated to magic.

Magical power and the sense to handle magic are inherited genetically, so children born to skilled magicians are naturally gifted in these areas.

Conversely, children born to non-magician parents with no magical power are born without any magical abilities or talent for magic.

And Shion’s parents, as well as Shion himself, were no exception. Like their ancestors, Shion’s merchant parents had almost no magical power and had never dealt with magic in their lives.

Naturally, Shion, born to such parents, came into this world with not a shred of magical power or talent for magic.

Fourteen years ago, three years after Shion was born, at the age of three, he learned to read and write and began to understand the stories in books.

Shion read tales of heroic magicians and, inspired by their deeds, declared, “I want to become the strongest magician who can save others someday.”

It was a common, adorable dream that many children have. His parents, thinking it was just a child’s fantasy, chose not to shatter his innocent dream and instead encouraged him.

As a child, Shion only wanted books on magic and picture books about magicians. He showed no interest in anything else, so his parents bought them for him.

His dedication was remarkable even from a young age, as he spent every possible moment buried in magic textbooks.

However, even though he could understand the structure of magic and formulate the correct spells, Shion couldn’t actually cast any magic.

To activate magic, one needs to channel magical power through a created magic circle, but Shion had no such skill—nor did he possess the essential magical power required. Without it, casting magic was impossible.

Yet, Shion’s passion for magic never waned, and by the time he was six, his parents enrolled him in a local magic school.

Two years after Shion entered the magic school, his peers, who had started learning magic much later, were rapidly improving.

Despite his relentless efforts, Shion never caught up with his classmates; in fact, the gap only widened.

“Shion might soon realize he has no talent for magic,” his parents thought, pondering how to comfort their beloved son when his dreams were inevitably crushed.

But Shion’s passion never cooled, and his parents never got the chance to console him.

Before they knew it, four years had passed since Shion started magic school.

By the time Shion was ten, his peers could at least conjure fireballs the size of apples and perform basic spells.

It was around this time that Shion finally succeeded in casting his first spell.

The spell was called “Ignition,” the most basic fire-attribute magic.

The magic he cast produced a tiny flame, like that of a candle, which flickered out almost immediately.

It was a level of magic that his classmates had mastered long ago.

Still, overjoyed at his first successful spell, Shion excitedly reported it to his parents.

Hearing this, his parents praised him, saying, “That’s amazing!” and “Good job!” but inside, they were puzzled, thinking, “Does he still not realize he has no talent for magic?”

Despite starting earlier and working harder than anyone else, Shion was still far behind his peers. Yet, he still believed he could become a magician.

As his parents were thinking this, Shion turned to them and said:

“I don’t have the talent like everyone else, but I’ll definitely become a magician. If everyone is ten times better than me, I’ll work a hundred times harder. I’ll become the strongest magician, no matter what.”

At ten years old, Shion smiled as he said this.

He had long understood that he had no talent for magic.

Magic textbooks clearly stated that magical talent and power were inherited from one’s parents.

Even knowing this.

Even while witnessing the insurmountable gap between himself and his peers, he continued to strive.

Never considering his efforts futile.

Believing he would eventually reach his dream.

Faced with such a son, his parents regretted not being able to give birth to him in a magician’s family.

They felt ashamed for underestimating their beloved son and shed tears.

They hated the cruel fate that had given their son, who was more diligent than anyone in the world, no talent for magic.

And so, they vowed, “We will dedicate everything we have to support our son’s dream.”

To this day, his parents work hard, sparing no expense to provide Shion with items said to enhance magical power and academic books on magic, while Shion continues to strive daily, responding to their support.

All to one day reach the pinnacle of strength.

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