1 My Powers

I was always the butt of the joke, always the one with the weakest magic output, the one with the lowest magic aptitude, the lowest this, the lowest that, etc.

I got labelled 'Lowest' because of that, and all my friends, teachers, and even some of my family talk about me behind my back, which is never fun.

I didn't choose to be the one with weak magic, and so I chose to run away, away from my home, and away from my cruel life.

And here I am now, lost in a forest, with nothing better to do. I could probably use my pathetic magic to entertain a lion before it kills me, or I could summon a demon to end it all, who knows.

"Bippity Boop" I sang while hopping from stone to stone, until I slipped and landed face first onto the muddy path.

I groaned as I wiped the mud away inefficiently. I looked forward and saw a clearing, which means there might be predators who could finally end my misery.

I pushed myself up and slowly walked to the clearing, each step dragged onto the mud floors as my breath was ragged by the labors of today.

My legs throbbed in pain, my mind was drifting somewhere else, while my body advanced towards the clearing, slowly but noisily.

Once my eyes finally laid on the clearing, all I could see was a meadow of flowers and a small pond, probably not deeper than my ankles. I ignore those details as I make a bolt for the body of water, hoping to finally get my 'last meal' before being killed by the demon that is watching over the lands here.

I dived head first onto the puddle and started sucking it fervently through my lips, while my mind cleared of anything and my eyes welled up tears. I was drowning while drinking, and though it seems deadly, I'm surprised I haven't choked yet.

I continued drinking, and drinking, and drinking, until I felt full and finally raised my head from the surprisingly full pond, which was absurd since I should've drank atleast half of it.

Now that I took a closer look, I noticed that the puddle gradually dims inwardly, like it was an invisible force that never ended, and I shuddered at the thought.

But then, I though that if it was deep, maybe I could drown myself in it, just maybe. I dipped my fingers through.

No signs of stopping.

I entered my arms.

Not a trace of land.

I submerge half of my body,

I can't touch anything other than endless water.

I finally decided to hold onto the ground and dip my head in, and what I saw disappointed me.

It was only the same width as the puddle, but was endless as if it was connected to a bigger body of water, which was probable.

I removed my head from the puddle and sighed, droplets dripping from my hair onto my shoulders, as tears mixed with water fell down my face.

The light sobbing turned to extreme grief as flashes of memories entered and left my head like an illusive dream.

— you are never good enough! your magic is worthless!—

— look, hey loser! want to fight?—

— you'll never amount to anything in this family!—

Tears fell down my face as I stared at my hands, which slowly turned blueish.

"Why did I have to get a power like you?!" I screamed at my hands as I tried to throw my magic away— my very hand.

I tried ripping it off to no avail, and I tried to bite my hands off but I felt too cautious and insecure to do so. My frustration welled up as I screamed intensely, letting out the emotions that have welled up for the past couple of years since my magic was discovered.

"I HATE THIS!" Echoes resounded through the valley as intense crying can be heard, desperate gasps for air came in and out as I tried to bawl my eyes out.

"That's not healthy, you know" a manly voice speaked up, jolting me and making me turn left and right.

"Wh-who's there?! I have magic and I'm not afraid to kill myself!" I threatened and tried to conjure my measly powers, which barely caused a ripple in the air.

A deep, masculine laughter echoed out as the voice seemed entertained at my attempt of threatening.

"I can't believe a growth-type would be this oppressed, come, little one, I'll show you how to defeat those meanies" The voice rang out and called to me.

Somehow, I doubted him, even though there's no use in luring me, I've grown apprehensive even on advantageous situations.

"Oh you poor summer child, how wrong they could have been abandoning a strong asset as you" The voice called and suddenly, eyes glowed from within the pool, making me stare startled and backing away.

Water rose from the puddle as it slowly turned into a pool, and out came a figure of a lion created by flowing water, majestically glimmering underneath the glaring sunset.

"I am Yvernal, the Guardian of Water, and you, kid, are going to be my student until I deem you worthy of leaving this clearing. Clear?" The Lion spoke out as its eyes glared onto my very soul. Suddenly, I felt a weird constriction forming around my soul as the lion chuckles, making my heart beat faster as the image of death shadowed over my eyes.

"Calm down, it may be too much, but now that you have been claimed by yours truly, you can show me your 'pathetic' magic." It said as it laid onto the surface of the pool as if it was dry land.

I nod hesitantly, and conjured my magic, turning my palms blue and forming droplets of water on my fingertips. Bullets of sweat form on my forehead and drip to my cheeks as I try to maintain the magic.

"Enough." Said it, and I close my palms and let off a cold breath. I stare at the lion in question and tried to voice my question.

"Will you really h- help me grow this power?" I ask hesitantly, seeing as this creature was far greater than I expected it to be.

"Why wouldn't I? It would be most beneficial for us both since we're from the same magi tree." It said in jeer as if what I asked was a mistake. I nodded and stared at it, before finally deciding to introduce myself to it.

"I- I'm Elvin. El- Elvin Zoer." I said in a shaky voice, my quivering hands reaching out, even though he already introduced itself as Yvernal, I still had to introduce myself.

"Drop your Zoer, from now on, you are one of the Beasts as the Beasts are one with you, you shall become a Guardian like me if you succeed, or a slave to the filthy human system if you fail." Yvernal said as his paws reached out, filling my hands with water that felt weird.

I giggled as the water started tickling my hands that I had to retract it. The Guardian smiled as the pool started to shrink again, and the lion shrank down until it became an azure colored cat, gracefully jumping off the puddle and cat walked forward to me.

"For now, you must find your own shelter. Build or pillage from nature, you decide. I want you to be able to rest in and have a shelter from now on. I shall not help you, as I will only accompany you and protect you unless you prove yourself worthy of holding your own hands. Understood?" The cat said to me as it leaped, gracefully landing on my head and sitting there, seemingly ethereal and immortal that not even gravity affected its position.

"Understood." I said and looked around me, trying to find any near mountains, or anywhere near a cave. For now, I will follow this Yvernal, just so that I could escape from city.

I don't really believe that I'll be better, but atleast I'll have something to look forward to with this cat.

I stare at my blue palms again and notice a small revolving droplets on my palms, like a gust of wind blows them in an eternal swirl.

I close my palms again and started to walk again, but this time, I will find a cave to live in.

And to this, I, Elvin Zoer— actually, just Elvin, start my adventures as from the weakest water mage to something elusive, as the future is never set in stone.