A Magi's Monologue

My name is Mira, just Mira. It’s been seven years since I reincarnated in a world called Novalux.

I died… well, in the most cliché way possible: truck-kun. Believe it or not, I got hit by a truck while crossing the road. If that doesn’t scream “You’re about to get isekai’d!” I don’t know what does. But whether it’s true or not… that’s a story for later.

Besides, my death isn’t the point. In this new world, I grew up as an orphan, scraping by and begging on the streets. That was my life, until today.

“Come on, Mira! We’re going to be late!” a girl shouted as she dashed past me.

Her name was Luna, my childhood friend from the orphanage. The reason she was so excited? Today, we were finally going to witness a solo performance, known as a Magi’s Monologue.

“Luna! Wait for me!” I yelled, sprinting after her past stalls and vendors. The aroma of roasted meat mixed with the shouts of merchants, but all I could feel was the wind rushing across my face and the distant hum of chatter in my ears.

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. People always spoke about how breathtaking a Magi’s performance was. It intrigued me, but it cost money, money I never had.

A Magi’s Monologue, however, was different. Completely free, open to anyone… as long as you found a seat in the theater, or as people called it, the Stage Arena.

That’s why Luna was in such a hurry, it was a first-come, first-serve policy.

So, the two of us ran harder than ever before, our ragged clothes flapping as we wove through the crowds. Finally, we arrived at the colossal building.

People stormed inside. Nobles, commoners, there was no time for discrimination. Everyone was focused on one thing: getting in.

And somehow, Luna and I made it just in time.

***

Inside, the arena was enormous, seating enough for five hundred people.

I immediately understood why it was called a Stage Arena. The stage rested at the dead center, seats rising in tiers around it like an elegant amphitheater.

But this time around people were only sitting on one side as it was a Magi's Monologue.

Luna and I climbed the steps, breathless, until we spotted two empty seats. We dropped into them, hearts still pounding, excitement crackling in the air like static.

It felt like something big was about to happen. Laughter, murmurs, and bright smiles filled the atmosphere.

“I heard one of the Magi-in-training performing today is called Valaria. She’s a commoner, right?” a man in front of me whispered to his companion.

“Indeed. She must be talented if she graduated from the academy, Magia, I believe it was called.”

Magia… The name echoed in my mind. The academy where aspiring Magi trained to master magic and acting. They said the entrance exam alone was brutal.

(Should I… maybe try to become a Magi too?)

I let out a soft chuckle at the thought. There was no way. I didn’t even know how to use magic.

“Mira!” Luna shook my shoulder, eyes sparkling. “Look, it’s starting!”

The arena lights dimmed. Silence fell so sharp that I swear a pin drop would echo like a drum.

Then, something… surreal happened.

A girl stepped onto the stage, long black hair flowing like silk. And with her arrival, the stage changed.

The smooth wooden floor darkened, rippling like water beneath her feet as she walked toward a lone wooden chair at the center. Darkness spread across the entire arena, swallowing everything except her.

She sat, and then, moonlight bathed her in silver glow, as if declaring her the only living soul in existence. Yet her golden eyes were empty, her body limp like a doll.

Not a single person spoke. What kind of performance was this beautiful, hollow-eyed girl about to show us?

Her voice came, soft as velvet, floating through the silence.

“Once upon a time… a goddess fell in love with a mortal.”

The words caressed the air like a lullaby, yet carried a weight I couldn’t explain.

“She could not smile. Nor could she cry. Every day, she watched the man from above…” Her tone softened, threaded with something almost… longing.

Was she speaking of herself? Or someone else? The thought struck me as her voice continued weaving the story.

“Then one day… his gaze met hers.”

The girl slowly raised her head, and her golden eyes, once hollow, now shimmered with warmth and life. My breath hitched.

Was she looking at me?

My lips curled into a faint smile before I even realized. My chest tightened with anticipation.

“…and she fell in love once more. But this time… she smiled.”

She smiled at me, a smile so bright, so tender, like a maiden in love. My heart skipped.

Then she stood, gliding behind the chair, resting her arms on it, head tilting gently. Her gaze never left mine.

“She watched him. Day after day… until she gave up her godhood and descended to the mortal realm.”

The stage shifted again, the void blossoming into flowers and green meadows, sky painted a brilliant blue.

“But…” Her smile withered.

“She was too late. The mortal had already fallen for another.”

Her voice cracked like glass.

“Why?” A tear slipped down her cheek, darkening the grass beneath. The sky dimmed to twilight.

“Why does he not love me?!” Her voice shattered the silence, raw and trembling.

“Why didn’t he wait?!”

Her scream echoed, stabbing through my chest.

Then, her voice deepened, rage twisting it like a curse.

“I shall [Burn] this world down! If I cannot have him… then no other [Flower] shall bloom where he walks!”

Her golden eyes gleamed like lightning, sparks crackling in their depths as her glare bore into me, sharp, predatory. My body froze. My pulse thundered. Luna clutched my sleeve, trembling.

And then… chaos bloomed.

Flowers burst into existence around her—only to ignite in flames, burning like her fury. Her guttural scream ripped through the arena, followed by manic laughter.

Gasps erupted. Some spectators sobbed while others cursed. My skin prickled with goosebumps.

She inhaled, face empty once more, before sinking back into the chair.

“Once upon a time… the planet was set [Ablaze]…”

Flames materialized crawling up her legs, coiling around her body, devouring her whole. People bolted upright, panic etched across their faces, but no one spoke.

“…and burned everything to ash, both the goddess and her love the same.”

Her voice lingered even as the inferno swallowed her. In those last moments, she mouthed something… smiling sweetly through tears.

Then, nothing. The fire vanished, leaving only the chair.

Silence. Heavy. Suffocating.

My hands moved first, trembling as they came together in a hesitant clap.

Then another. And another, until the arena erupted in thunderous applause, cheers, whistles, tears.

The girl, Valaria, returned to the stage, bowing gracefully.

“My name is Valaria! Please vote for me if you enjoyed my performance!”

A Magi…

Someone who acts with magic. Someone like her.

My heart refused to calm.

I grabbed Luna’s shoulders, voice shaking. “Luna! I know what I want to do!”

She grinned, eyes fierce with the same excitement. “Me too.”

I clenched my fist tight.

My new dream, no, my new purpose, was to become a Magi.

The greatest magical performer in the world.

So that my name can go down in history, unlike the useless me of the past.

——

Author's Note: I'll be using (...) for thoughts during the entire novel. Just a heads-up if you haven't already figured it out. Thanks for reading!