Three years later, I’m now 8. My magic training and my swordsmanship training have progressed. That’s just it, progressed. Unlike those in manga and novels, I’m not a genius. I went from someone who can barely hold a sword to someone who can hardly fight with a sword. Who said being reincarnated automatically makes you a genius? I want to punch that person.

The same goes for my magic training. Three years, three years, and I can hardly sense Mana, no scratch that, I cannot sense Mana. My parents try to cheer me up, but I knew better. Both of my siblings are talented, am I destined to be the useless third brother? Sigh, life is just unfair sometimes.

But my only saving grace for this period of depressed-ness was Gabriella. She’s a cute kid. Her adorableness makes even me want to protect her. But, ability-wise, she’s the one who could protect me, seeing how talented she is, being a 3rd Circle Mage by the age of 7. Having that kind-off talent is godly. Alicia said that there are people out there who couldn’t climb into 2nd Circle Mage their whole life, and this little kid that lived near me reaches 3rd Circle when she was 7.

Gabriella always follows me around wherever I go. When I do my routine run, she follows me. When I do my swordsmanship training, she sat by the side and watched me. When I learn with my mother, Gabriella learns with me. When I study magic with Alicia, this is the most painful part of my life. While I meditate, trying my hardest to feel Mana, Gabriella is casting spells left, right, and centre with Alicia.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. I’m now 11, and Gabriella’s 10. Today is the day Alicia left. She looks at me and shakes her head. For six years, I tried sensing Mana; alas, I’m not talented. She gave up on me a while ago and only stayed for Gabriella. I knew because I overheard her talking with my parents. Stubborn as I am, I still go to Alicia’s place to meditate. She didn’t mind as I could serve as a playmate for Gabriella.

Gabriella kept hugging me and sobbing, “You promised, right? When you’re 16, you’ll visit me, right?”

I patted her head. “Yes, big brother promised. When I’m 16 and can protect you, I’ll visit you at the capital.” I tried reassuring her, “So, be strong okay? The capital may not be a nice place. Don’t get taken advantage of by others. If you get into a fight and can’t win, just go over to Alicia.” I grin. “Besides, both my sister and brother are in the capital. Go to them if you had trouble. Say that I, the great Eru, sends you.”

She smiled at me cutely and nodded. Looking at the both of us, Alica and my parents seem to have a tacit understanding and smile creepily. “A-anyway, don’t forget to send me a letter, okay?” I said before waving my hands at Gabriella. Watching them leave is like something from my life is taken away. But, I’m sure we’ll meet again someday.

Six months passed since then, and the house got even rowdier than before. Why? That’s because both my older brother and my older sister were home. “How’s my cute little Eru’s been?” My older sister, Angelica, hug me like a teddy bear.

“I’m not a little kid anymore, sis.” I protest while trying hard to break free. Am I a hug magnet or something? All the people in my life that I’ve known, they’ve all wanted to hug me. Am I that adorable? Actually, I do know that I’m adorable, but… Come on…

“Aww, but Eru, to me, you’re always a little kid” Angelica hugs me even harder. “Hahaha, I’m glad that my little brother is still the same after all these years,” Evan, my older brother, laughs at my and Angelica’s antics. “Uh, brother, a little help, please,” I plead at my brother, but he looks the other way.

“Now, now kids,” our mother, Anna, intervene, “We’re getting dinner soon. Sit properly, please.”

“Okay,” all three of us said at the same time.

“How is the academy, Evan?” my father asks while munching on a skewer.

“It’s better than the school, but it’s also more demanding. But we did hear a genius enrolling at the school, though. I hear she’s even more talented than Angelica.” He said before noticing a small hand snatching away his skewer.

“Humph, we’ll see who is more talented,” Angelica pouted before looking down on her plate and found her skewer missing. Angelica and Evan look at me and sees that I’m holding their skewer in my hands and my own skewer in my mouth.

“HEY” both my siblings shouted in protest, but I just gave them my ultimate attack. The Ultimate Puppy Dog Eyes. “Cough,” they both cough lightly and change the conversation, “I heard that the genius girl came here before she went to school?” Evan picks up a slice of bread and eats it slowly.

“Uh-huh. Alicia brought her here first. The plan was for me and her to study magic together; alas, fate has a different path for me.” I said while munching the skewer I took from my siblings.

The atmosphere changed immediately. I glanced at my siblings and my parents; they all have gloomy expressions. I shrug myself. “I’m just not talented in magic.” Although it sounds like I’m downplaying the situation, deep down, I felt bitter about it. That’s why even today, I still meditate in my room just before I sleep, just in case.

The dinner went off merrily. Like always, before I sleep, I open my windows, letting the moonlight inside my room. Under the moonlight, I sat crossed-legged and rests my hands on top of my knees, assuming a lotus position. I began the exercise that Alicia taught me. Breathing in and out, bathing below the moonlight, letting go of myself to the wonderful nature around me.

Thirty minutes passed, and like always, nothing. I let out a sigh. ‘There are many bad things people can say about me, but I’m not a quitter. I want to use magic, and I will use magic. I won’t give up.’ I said to myself with fires still burning in my eyes.