The morning light crept through the wooden slats of the window.
Clied stirred, his eyes fluttering open as warmth embraced him-not just from the sunlight, but from the soft blanket wrapped around him. He lay on a real bed. His first real bed. For a moment, he just lay still, staring at the ceiling, feeling something unfamiliar swell inside him.
Happiness.
A new home.
A new name.
A new family.
He touched the edge of the blanket, almost afraid that it would vanish. That everything would vanish. What if he made a mistake? What if he did something wrong?
What if they send me away… and I become a slave again?
He shook the thought away. No—he wouldn't allow that to happen.
Determined, he sat up and began practicing how to speak, quietly mouthing words to himself.
Don't mess up… say it right... Smile... be good...
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the house.
Curious, Clied stepped out of the bedroom. There was no door, just an open frame, so he peeked shyly around the corner. In the middle of the living room, he saw Kira sitting cross-legged on the floor, her red hair slightly swaying, eyes shut tight. She looked… focused. Her brows furrowed. Her hands trembled slightly, as if she were holding something invisible.
Clied tilted his head, confused.
Before he could say anything, Vael noticed him from across the room.
He smiled warmly and waved him over. "Come here, Clied."
Clied walked over slowly, still a little timid. He rubbed his arm nervously and then, remembering the words he had practiced, he greeted him.
"Good morning, Pat."
Vael's eyes lit up with joy. He knelt slightly and chuckled, touched.
Clied didn't know what "Pat" truly meant, only that Kira used it—and every time she did, Vael smiled. So, he copied her.
Kira, meanwhile, remained in her meditative stance, visibly struggling. Clied watched her, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"What's she doing?" he asked quietly.
Vael looked at Kira, then at Clied's puzzled expression, and laughed softly. "She's training—mastering her core."
"Core?" Clied repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
"It's a kind of energy," Vael explained gently. "Think of it like… the source of power inside each of us. Like superpowers. Have you heard of those?"
Clied's brows furrowed, clearly trying to understand.
Vael smiled and changed the question. "Do you have any talents?"
At that, Clied's eyes lit up. It was like a tiny sun broke through his doubt.
"Yes!" he answered excitedly.
Vael leaned forward, intrigued. "Really? What kind of talent?"
Clied smiled shyly. "Magic."
It was a quiet word, but he said it with pride.
When he was younger—before he became a slave—Clied had often watched street magicians from behind his window. He was mesmerized by their tricks, their sleight of hand, the way they could make the impossible seem real. He had tried to imitate them, to bring joy. But his former family had only slapped him, called him useless. Still, part of him had always hoped someone -anyone—might be impressed.
Now… maybe this was that moment.
Kira, overhearing, let out a small laugh and smirked, biting her lip to suppress it. "A magician? What are you, a clown?"
Vael raised a brow, amused but supportive. "I'd love to see your magic, Clied."
Clied's face lit up.
"Really?" he asked, his voice almost trembling with excitement.
He looked around, then asked, "Can I borrow a coin?"
Vael handed him one, still unsure what to expect.
Clied took the coin, took a deep breath, and with small, practiced fingers, began his trick. With a flick of his wrist and a clever twist of his palm…
The coin vanished.
"Ta-da…" he said, lifting both hands to show they were empty.
Silence.
For a moment, everything around him went quiet. Too quiet.
And suddenly—Clied froze.
The memory hit him like a wave. The same trick. The same hopeful smile. But back then… his previous parents had only slapped him. "Useless," they had screamed. "That's not a talent!"
His breathing quickened.
Would it happen again?
Would they hurt him for showing joy?
But instead, he heard it—
Laughter.
Soft and warm.
Vael clapped once, eyes shining with pride.
"That was amazing!" he said, his voice full of wonder. "You really are a magician!"
Clied stared, stunned. Then slowly… he smiled.
Kira rolled her eyes and stood up, brushing off her hands. "Fine. I'll show you real talent."
She raised her palm-and a flicker of fire danced into existence, swirling like a flame obeying her will.
"This… is what talent looks like."
Clied's eyes widened in awe.
"Wow… how did you do that?"
Kira swayed her hair proudly, basking in the admiration.
Vael stepped beside Clied and smiled. "Kira is what we call an Awakened."
"Awakened?" Clied echoed, eyes still fixed on Kira.
"Yes. Her power comes from her inner nature-her soul. It's something she learned to master."
Clied turned to Vael, hope rising in his voice. "What about me? Am I… Awakened too?"
Vael hesitated.
Most Awakened discovered their gifts through self-reflection or finding true self. It wasn't something you could always see from the outside. But he didn't want to extinguish Clied's hope.
"You already have a talent," he said gently. "You're a magician. That's something special too. And maybe… your true power just hasn't awakened yet."
Clied beamed, eyes sparkling with renewed belief.
"I am a magician!" he shouted proudly.
Kira rolled her eyes again but couldn't hide her smirk.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever."