In a regal chamber with baroque architecture, lofty shelves filled with arranged books of diverse shapes and sizes. A thick scent of musty permeated into the air. 

Clad in a training outfit, a young boy with short black hair sat in a cozy corner while reading a book. His fingers, pale as snow, turned the pages as his eyes, a vivid ruby, danced along the lines.

He closed the book and let out a long sigh, his head throbbing in pain. “...why can’t I unlock my Mana Reservoir?” 

Most times, individuals unlock their Mana Reservoir from toddler to adolescence. However, despite reaching the age of 12, he couldn’t use Mana. He had tried various methods, but the result remained the same.

Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, the boy buried his face in his hands. "Am I just… not good enough?"

But before he could dwell on it, a series of knocks resonated throughout the room, accompanied by a male voice emanating from beyond the door.

“With all due respect, Your Highness Prince Kyril, the training will begin soon.”

“...” Kyril's energy drained instantly upon hearing it, his shoulders slumping in resignation. 

The place he once expected to visit had become a source of dread. However, duty called, and his mother would face trouble if he didn't adhere to his schedule, as they held little power in this kingdom.

With a heavy heart, Kyril rose and opened the door, revealing an old man in his sixties respectfully bowed to him. It was Rowan, his Escort Knight.

“Your Highness,” He greeted him.

Kyril nodded in acknowledgment, “Lead the way.”

“Please, this way.” Rowan led in the front, and Kyril followed suit.

Walking through the hall, two maids bowed upon noticing them. Kyril acknowledged their presence with a nod. However, as they passed the maids, Kyril couldn't help but overhear their murmurs.  

"I can't believe we have a Manaless as a Prince."  

"Yes, it's not a good sign. I'm afraid of our kingdom's future."  

The maids’ cruel comments echoed in Kyril’s mind, piercing his heart. Rowan halted his step and turned around, ready to confront the maids. But before he could take a step, Kyril placed himself in front of him, blocking his way. 

"Don't, please.” Kyril pleaded.

“But, Your Highness—” 

Kyril shook his head. “It’s all right, I’m fine.”

The truth was, this never happened before. However, ever since he reached adolescence and couldn't unlock his Mana Reservoir, everything changed. People distanced themselves from him and began to abuse him verbally.

Rowan couldn't help but let out a sigh. Every time he wanted to confront those who badmouthed him, Kyril always stepped in. Eventually, Rowan gave up, and they continued on their way.

After a few minutes of walking and descending a flight of stairs, they arrived at a vast training ground. In the center, two boys with distinct grey and blond hair engaged in a conversation, while a boy and a girl with fiery ginger locks played, manipulating water magic as they ran. 

Pausing their tracks, Rowan addressed Kyril, "Your Highness, I'll be waiting with the other Escort Knights." 

Kyril nodded and resumed his stride. 

"Watch out!" A voice pierced through the air, causing all heads to turn toward the sound. 

Kyril's eyes snapped shut as the water hit his body like icy daggers, causing him to shiver. Water drenched him from head to toe. He tilted his head toward the source of the attack and spotted the twins sprinting in his direction. 

However, instead of apologizing, Rodulf placed his hands on his waist and rolled his eyes in exasperation, "Why didn't you dodge it? You know you can use your ma~gic~ to avoid such things.”

Silmeria, his younger sister, interjected, "He hasn't unlocked his Mana Reservoir yet, remember?"

A heavy silence fell upon the group before the twins exchanged a meaningful glance and erupted into laughter, “Pfft, hahaha!!”

Turning toward Kyril, Rudolf smirked, "Or perhaps, he'll never be able to unlock his Mana Reservoir!" 

Silmeria wrinkled her nose in disgust, "Ugh, I don't want to have a brother who is a Manaless!"

Suddenly, the sound of a whistle reverberated into the air, drawing everyone’s attention. There, a man stood in the middle of the training ground, the instructor. Wasting no more time, the duo dashed toward the man.

Kyril, still dripping wet, clenched his fists and hung his head low. Despite receiving the same verbal abuse over and over, he could never get used to it; it was… just too painful.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Rowan knelt in front of him. He took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed Kyril’s face with it. 

“Uh-oh, the little Prince is sad! Now, he needs his Escort Knight to comfort him!” Rodulf’s playful voice echoed through the field. 

“Hahaha!” Silmeria laughed gleefully at his brother’s joke.

“Your Highness, don’t listen to them,” Rowan advised him as he continued to dry Kyril’s clothes with his handkerchief.

Heaving out a sigh to calm his raging heart, Kyril lifted his head and forced a smile, “It’s alright, Rowan, I’m fine.” 

Pushing through the pain and humiliation, Kyril joined the others and placed himself next to Dominic—a blonde-haired boy. However, Dominic moved to the side, creating a wide distance between them. 

Kyril’s chest tightened and his throat felt choked as he suppressed his emotion. ‘It’s alright, it’s alright. I’m strong, I won’t cry.’ He repeated the words over and over, cheering himself.

Standing before them was a bulky figure with white hair and a pair of brown eyes, estimated in his late seventies—a retired knight. Once all the Princes gathered, the instructor opened the class with an inspiring speech.

Concluding his speech, the instructor led them through a series of warm-up exercises. Finished with the warm-up, he gave them a new order, “Run for 30 minutes!”

The whistle blew and the group started running, their footfalls creating a rhythmic cadence. Kyril set off steadily, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. However, his ruby eyes stretched wide when an unknown force shoved him to the side, lifting his feet off the ground. With a groan, Kyril crashed to the floor with a thud.

“You’re in the way!” Rudolf’s mocking voice and Silmeria’s laughter pricked his ear as they passed him.

Kyril watched them dart away in silence. He let out a sigh and sat, his mind drifted. Somehow, he didn’t understand what he had done to deserve such mistreatment, and truthfully, he was tired. However, a shadow fell upon him, causing Kyril to look up and find the instructor standing before him with his arms folded.

The man stared at him indifferently while his sabaton tapped the ground impatiently, “Your Highness, do you intend to sit there all day?"

Kyril shook his head, “No, Sir. I’ll get up now.” Picking himself up, Kyril resumed his sprint. Nevertheless, he was relieved that he hadn't sustained any serious injuries. With that, he refocused himself on the task at hand.

When Kyril heard footsteps approaching from behind, he slowed down his pace, in the hope of lessening the impact if Rodulf or someone else attempted to push him again.

The twins placed themselves beside Kyril, matching his pace. Silmeria looked at him from his head down to his shoes and sneered, “Look at this lazy Prince. He doesn’t even run!”

            “I think becoming a Manaless person makes him a brainless person too, he can’t even differentiate between sprinting and jogging,” Rudolf responded, “Anyway, let’s go. Don’t go near him, or we’ll become brainless too!”

            Silmeria nodded in agreement, “Ah, you’re right. Let’s go.”

            As they left, Kyril’s eyes felt sore and a sniffle escaped his mouth. His vision turned hazed as tears welled up, but he quickly wiped them. ‘Don’t cry, don’t cry. You’re strong, remember?’ Dismissing his heartache, Kyril paced his sprint once again. 

After it felt like an eternity, the whistle was heard, marking the end of the sprinting section. The group stopped running and approached the instructor, lining up before him. The children were panting heavily and their bodies were covered in sweat.

After giving them a few minutes to catch their breath, the instructor announced the next activity, "Today we will be having a duel session, and each of you will be paired off to have a duel."

Kyril was stunned. Despite his best efforts, he knew this session would not end well and his fingers began to tremble.

"Alright, get ready for the duel. Let's start counting." 

“One!” Rudolf exclaimed excitedly, followed by Silmeria as number two, Callius as number three, Dominic as number four, and Kyril as number five.

The instructor retrieved a glass from his Magical Ring and shook it. He took out a piece of paper inside the glass and he showed it to them. Number five was written on the paper, causing all eyes to dart at Kyril.

“Now, let’s find out who your opponent is,” The instructor began to shake the glass once more.

Nevertheless, Kyril couldn't help but hope that it would be the first prince, Callius, because he was the only one who had never bullied him. Kyril could feel his heart pounding like crazy as the instructor pulled out a piece of paper from the glass.

As the paper was revealed to them, Kyril's heart sank—number one written on it. Kyril glanced to the side and saw Rudolf and Silmeria chuckling wryly at him.