We entered the small rundown church which was packed with half of the entire town inside. The priest was standing by the podium that had a crystal ball.

After saying some long and exhausting prayers the leader of the church raised his arms up to the sky and proclaimed in a booming voice.

"Today is a day of rebirth! For you, Children of Ocaleveth will born again as Wielders of Mana! May your power be used for righteousness and may you continue to grow in faith! Now let the Blessing begin!"

The priest called up the names of the children from a list. As they approached they put their hand on the crystal ball which glowed with a color that indicated the type of magic they had. Red represented fire, blue represented water, green represented earth, yellow represented air, white represented light, and black represented darkness. 

A bunch of kids were called some cheering for the great power they had some crying, complaining that the magic they had was not the one they wanted. I personally didn't care what I ended up getting, I knew that with dedication I could turn any magic affinity into the most powerful it could possibly be.

"Iris Brimstone!"

When Iris was called, me and the adults cheered for her. She ran up to the podium and slapped her right hand onto the crystal ball, almost knocking it over. Instantly, the magical sphere turned red.

"Iris Brimstone! The Lord has given you the Gift of the Flames! Use it responsibly!"

"Flames? Awesome!"

Iris ran down and hugged me tightly.

"Baxter, I got flames! I'm going to be a Flame Holy Knight!"

I responded with the same happy attitude.

"That's amazing Iris! I wonder what magic I'm gonna get!"

"I hope it's water! You and I could be a water and fire duo! Wouldn't that be so cool!?"

"Totally?"

"Baxter Ale!"

And then my name was called.

"Good luck, my son!"

My mother kissed my forehead and ushered me up to the altar. I smiled at the priest while he just stared at me with an emotionless expression.

"Alright...let's do this!"

I placed my dominant left hand onto the crystal ball, waiting for whatever color to show up...but nothing happened.

"Huh?"

Everyone in the church started to murmur and whisper while I looked up at the priest confused.

"Uhm...sir? I think the crystal ball is broken."

"No, Baxter Ale," the priest said in a cold tone. "It's working..."

"W-what do you-"

"Place your hand on the crystal ball again."

"B-but what does-"

"DO IT!"

Frightened by the priest's yell I put my hand to the crystal ball once more, but still no change.

"I-I don't understand! What's going on!?"

"It's very simple, Baxter Ale..."

I looked up to see that the priest was staring down at me with a rotten look.

"The Lord has abandoned you! Baxter Ale, you are Forsaken by Mana!"

At that very moment, my world crumbled. I felt weak in my knees and stumbled off the altar. I turned to my mother who wore a shocked expression while everyone else in the church turned their heads away from me in shame.

Iris was the only one who looked at me dead in my face, still showing the same energeticness and kindness. She was too young and naive at the time to understand what being a Null meant for me. In a world of magic, someone like me who could never produce it was doomed to have a hard life.

And I began to learn the truth of the harshness of the world the next day and the days after.