The LIGHT

Now it was Kondo’s turn. Lawine, Sam, and Kondo went there.

Kondo placed his hand on the crystal and began to focus.

Suddenly, he felt a faint green light.

He tried to touch it, but a voice came from the darkness,

“Don’t! Stop, don’t do that.”

Then Sam put his hand on Kondo’s shoulder, making Kondo open his eyes.

Kondo looked at Sam. His face looked disappointed, but Kondo didn’t know why.

He looked forward, where Lawine was talking to the lady.

“Please check once again. You must have made some mistake.”

The lady spoke without any expression.

“No ma’am, your child has no magic quality at all.”

When Kondo heard this, tears fell from his eyes.

(Are these really tears coming from my eyes?)

Lawine was still talking to the lady.

“Please test him once more. Maybe something will change.”

“Ma’am, no matter how many times you try, the magic crystal will give the same answer. Since your child has no magic quality at all, we give him the lowest rank — G rank.”

Sadness filled Lawine’s eyes. She looked at Kondo.

“Let’s go home.”

Kondo just stared. He knew even if they didn’t say anything, both Mom and Dad were very upset with him. Their faces showed everything.

While going back, they met Kiora.

“Oh? What happened? Your son has no magic capacity? Ho ho ho, that is really unfortunate.”

Sam didn’t respond and walked ahead. All three of them were heading outside when the King arrived.

Seeing him, Lawine and Sam bowed. Kondo also bowed.

The King said,

“Sam, come meet me in the temple guest house this evening.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sam glanced at the princess standing beside the King.

“Princess Livi, you were amazing today. Your magic capacity is truly remarkable. Alright Your Majesty, please allow us to leave now.”

“Yes, we will meet in the evening.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After that, the three left the temple.

Kondo stayed quiet. He wanted to ask something, but he didn’t have the courage.

Outside, the butler waited with the carriage. They all got in silently.

The butler took them to a hotel.

They went inside, and after some time it became evening.

Sam went to meet the King.

Kondo stood on the balcony, feeling upset.

(Why am I like this? Am I a failure? Did I not live up to my mom and dad’s expectations?)

He stared at the setting sun.

Suddenly, Lawine came from behind and hugged him.

“It’s alright, Kondo. So what if you didn’t get magic? You are still my precious son.”

Kondo spoke in a low, suppressed voice.

“But Mom… Dad looked really upset. I don’t know what they must be thinking about me.”

“That’s not true. They are not upset with you. And if you feel guilty, then score top marks in the exam tomorrow and remove your dad’s disappointment.”

She gave Kondo a little hope. He smiled.

“You’re right, Mom. I’ll do that.”

Kondo sat at the table and started studying.

Lawine smiled softly and left the room.

Later she returned to place food beside him and left again.

Kondo ate while thinking,

(Most magic books are about normal magic, and I already know that. Thanks to the manga I read in my past life, this is a bit easier for me.)

After eating, Kondo studied for a while but eventually fell asleep.

Then he had a dream.

(Where am I? And why is it so dark here?)

He saw a man sitting ahead — the same man who had stopped him from touching that light.

“Who is that? He’s the same one who stopped me from touching the green light.”

Kondo went closer. Before he could ask anything, the man grabbed his hand.

Kondo got scared and opened his eyes suddenly.

He woke up breathing heavily.

“That was a terrifying dream… but who was that man? He looked like the one who stopped me. I feel like I know him somehow…”

Kondo stretched.

“Ahh… Looks like Mom put me on the bed. Good thing, or my back would’ve hurt from sleeping on the chair.”

Just then, the room door opened.

Kondo quickly pretended to sleep.

Sam and Lawine entered.

Sam said,

“I didn’t expect something like this to happen.”

“What happened?”

“That goddess statue in the temple… it started crying. According to the temple priests, that only happens when a big disaster is coming. And a demon has crossed from the demon realm into our kingdom. I don’t know why all problems come at once.”

Sam looked at Kondo.

“By the way, is Kondo fine now? I still remember his crying face.”

Lawine also looked at Kondo.

“Yes, he’s fine now. But he asked if you were angry with him.”

Sam laughed.

“Ha ha ha, me? Angry at my son? I only felt bad that he has no magic ability. Without magic, he won’t get a high post in the palace. Anyway, forget it. Let him live his life his own way.”

Sam sat near Kondo.

“You know Lawine, my grandfather had no magic power either, but he was still the top commander. His strategy was remarkable.”

Lawine cut in,

“Forget about that. Kondo is good at swordsmanship, studies, sports… maybe he’ll graduate with 6 stars.”

Sam laughed again.

“What are you saying? You know how impossible 6 stars are. I barely managed 5.”

Lawine got a little angry.

“Oh, so you mean our son can’t get 6 stars?”

Sam tried calming her.

“No, no, I didn’t mean that. Listen to me—”

“Hmph.”

“You know our daughter already has 4 stars. She’s kind of rude. If Kondo scores low, she won’t even look at him.”

“If Linda does that, I’ll pull her ears! And she hasn’t even visited home in years. She hasn’t even met her little brother yet.”

Sam held Lawine gently.

“Leave all this now. Let’s sleep. It’s late. If Kondo wakes up, his sleep will be disturbed.”

Kondo kept pretending to sleep and thought,

(My big sister, Linda… is she really that scary? I should stay careful around her.)

Lawine and Sam slept near Kondo.

Morning came.

Kondo practiced sword fighting with the butler in the backyard.

A maid came.

“Kondo, Ms. Lawine is calling you.”

“Alright, tell her I’m coming.”

The maid left. The butler said,

“That’s enough practice for today, young master.”

“Okay, I’ll go to Mom.”

Lawine was choosing clothes for Kondo.

Kondo entered the room.

“What happened, Mom?”

“Oh, you’re here. We need to go to the temple. Today is your exam. Come, I’ll bathe you.”

“No Mom, I can bathe myself.”

“Don’t be stubborn. We have to get ready quickly.”

“Fine, Mom…”

A little later, Lawine, Kondo, and the butler went to the temple by carriage.

They reached a large hall full of children.

A lady came to take Kondo and brought him to the last room — the room where poor children took their tests.

There were 30 children, each at a separate desk.

Kondo sat in the middle seat.

After some time, everyone received their papers.

Kondo looked at the paper and then around.

(Everyone started writing already. I should first read the whole paper, so I can skip the questions I don’t know.)

After reading, Kondo began writing.

Some children were writing very fast.

The exam was 1 hour 30 minutes long.

Kondo finished in 1 hour.

(It’s finally done. But everyone here seems poor. Princess Livi must be taking her exam in a different room. If my magic capacity was higher, I’d be in that room too. Anyway, it was an easy exam. If I didn’t know the language, it would have been difficult. I want to submit and leave quickly.)

He walked to the teacher and handed over his sheet.

She glared at him.

(What kind of kid is this? Such a hard exam, and he didn’t even solve it properly. Worthless.)

Kondo just looked at her.

“Um miss, I’m done. Can I go?”

She took the paper.

“Yes, you may leave.”

Kondo walked outside and after a while found Lawine waiting.

“Mom, I finished the exam.”

“Oh, you came early!”

She hugged him.

“So how was the exam?”

“It was very easy.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Then Lawine and Kondo returned home with the butler.

It was 1 PM.

Kondo was bored in his room, lying on the bed.

(Mom made delicious food today. She usually cooks for me. She doesn’t let the maid cook my meals. Anyway, I’m done eating… what should I do now?)

After thinking for a while, an idea came to him.

(I’ll go outside. I haven’t been out in years. Don’t know why. I’ll sneak out today.)

But as he tried to sneak out, Lawine caught him.

“Mom, that’s cheating! You always catch me with earth detection magic!”

“Oh? Can’t I keep an eye on my child? Anyway, where were you planning to go?”

“Nothing… I just thought I’d walk outside a bit.”

“Fine. Just return before sunset.”

Kondo was shocked.

“Really? I can go out?”

“Yes. Don’t go too far. I’ll send the butler with you.”

“Okay! I’ll quickly change my clothes!”

He ran to his room and changed into a white shirt, half–black pants, black hat, and a small belt pouch with some gold coins.

He went downstairs.

“Mom, I’m leaving.”

“Wait, what are you wearing?”

Lawine started laughing.

“Mom, I don’t want to look like a rich kid. This way I look like a normal boy.”

“Fine. Be careful and return before sunset.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Kondo reached the gate where the butler waited with the carriage.

“Oh butler, let’s go.”

“Yes, young master. But… where are we going?”

That question hit Kondo like silence.

“Where…? Hmm, let’s go wherever you want, butler.”

“I think the nearest place is Orient City. We can go there.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

They sat inside and the carriage moved.

Kondo looked at the butler sitting in front.

“Hey butler, why does our family live so far from the city?”

“When Lady Lawine was pregnant, demon attacks increased a lot. So this house was built far from the city with a protective barrier.”

Suddenly, Kondo saw the city from the carriage window.

He asked to stop the carriage far from the city and got out.

“We’ll walk from here.”

“But young master, that’s not safe…”

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

They left the carriage and walked.

To enter the city, they had to cross a bridge.

During danger, the bridge could be lifted to seal the gates.

Kondo entered the city and was amazed by the buildings — tall, shiny glass, and some strange structures.

The butler said,

“Young master, follow me. You will love this.”

After walking a little, Kondo’s eyes widened.

“Is… this an amusement park?”

“No, young master. It’s a children’s play park.”

(A children’s park… I only saw such things on TV in my previous life.)

They entered.

The butler bought a golden VIP ticket.

Kondo said,

“You shouldn’t buy such an expensive ticket.”

“But young master, I don’t want you in a crowded place.”

“Fine.”

Because of the VIP ticket, they also got a guide who explained everything.

Kondo enjoyed all the rides and had lots of fun.

Time passed and it became 5 PM.

They left the park.

Kondo admired the city’s beauty.

“That ride was amazing. (I heard there’s a guild here too…) Butler, there’s a guild here, right?”

“Yes, but children are not allowed inside.”

“Oh, okay…”

Kondo’s eyes fell on an ice cream stall.

He bought a jumbo ice cream with three flavors.

He was walking while eating when suddenly a girl ran toward him and bumped into him.

His ice cream fell.

Before Kondo could say anything,

the girl slapped him.