There is still so much I don’t know about this mythical world. I’ve come to understand that it’s untold secrets are just a natural part of life. One thing’s for sure, though, the magic that’s within all of us—the magic that allows us to go beyond our full potential—it isn’t a mysterious power, but instead the product of a desire to accomplish our dreams.

Everyone desires something out of life, but the cruel reality is that some succeed while others fail. Some of us are lucky, while some of us are not.

For me, I say I’m both.

I want to become the world’s greatest knight with my sword at hand and a woman in my arms. And to someday make Cassandra proud. That’s what I desire. But the odds of me successfully reaching that goal are against me because I… I was always so alone and pushed away as a kid, and so I was never able to awaken the magic that’s within me—within all of us—love… and-and I was always told by everyone around me that I am destined to fail… because I don’t have any magic.

“At least, that’s what you thought. Right, Belly?”

“Sniff... Yeah…”

Cassandra and I are together again in the beaches of Heavenly. And as a starry night covers the town of heavenly, a floating luminescent ball of light shines a bright sky blue color between my hands.

Magic… I’ve finally awakened my own magic!! This makes me so, so happy!!

But there is still one major problem, though.

“I don’t have a single clue… what this thing can do!! All it does is follow me around everywhere I go! Do you have any idea how awkward it was when I tried using the bathroom??”

She giggles at my expense, “Don’t worry, Belly, we still have plenty of time to figure out what your magic can do!”

“Plenty of ti... We only have two days left!!!”

“Ah-… well… ummm… uhhh… O-Oh, look Belly! A shooting star!”

“Don’t change the subject.”

She wasn’t lying. The shooting star left a white scratch in the night sky, followed by so many indescribable colors.

“Wow…”

“Say, Belly, don’t those shooting stars kinda remind you of your magic?”

“Huh? How so?”

“Well, think about it. Don’t they both shine such a beautiful light?”

“B-Beautiful?... You really think so?”

She smiles, “Yeah!”

I lower my head, embarrassed, “... Tha-Thank you very much.”

And just like always, Cassandra laughs at me for being so awkward.

“Well, Belly, I think it’s time for us to head home.”

“Oh-Okay.”

Cassandra and I start walking home and we eventually reach the point where we both go our separate ways.

“Goodnight, Belly! See you tomorrow!”

“B-Bye…”

As I finally make it to my house, I take a shower, then lie down in bed as the ball of light floats around my room. My own magic, my very own magic. I start to tear up, thinking how lucky I am, and how much I don’t deserve this.

Thank you… Thank you so much, Cassandra!.. Thank you!

I’m so close. I’m so close that I can taste it. My first steps into becoming a knight in shining armor that the entire kingdom admires. I drift off to sleep, and like every night for the past year, I wake up in the middle of an imaginary beach as the sun sets in the distance. With Nia standing in front of me, admiring the beautiful scenery.

“Belly, is that you?”

“Oh, Nia! I have some really good news!”

“What-What is it?”

“I finally awakened my Magic!”

“Oh! You did?”

“Yup! Here, let me show you, it’s a ball of light that follows me everywhere and does nothing. Neat, huh?”

“Ah… Yes, it looks really cute.” Did he fall in love with... Cassandra?

“Hey Nia, thanks.”

“Hm? For what?”

“Well, although you’re just a dream, you really do mean a lot for me. You keep me from feeling so lonely, and, well, it’s because of your help that I was able to finally awaken my magic.”

“Oh. Well, it was nothing, Belly! Just promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“... Pass Arpie High’s Entrance Exams, then, we'll celebrate with a huge feast! Sound good?"

“Sure thing! I’ll do my best, Nia!”

“Good! You better!”

Nia and I continue to talk for the rest of the night. What the future holds is shrouded in mystery. What I can only hope for is that this ball of light shines a path that will take me to success. I can't let down all of the amazing people who have chosen to put their faith in me. I just can't.