Chap 1 Abandoned!

"Sorry, son, I just have to do this; otherwise, I’m going to be the one to take you as my servant. You know you have grown up, and I can’t keep feeding you for nothing any longer."

These words left the mouth of a middle-aged man who carried a rucksack with two arms. Immediately after, he handed over the rucksack to a young man in front of him, whom he was talking to.

The young man's face fell as he reluctantly accepted the rucksack, realizing the weight of his father's words. It was a harsh reminder that he needed to find his own path and take responsibility for his own future. He looked up at his father, determination burning in his eyes.

He then nodded. "I understand."

He turned his head, gazed at a large ship beside him, and said, "I have to go."

He slightly bowed and hastily made his way to the ship. The middle man and two men behind him accompanied him with glum gazes.

Circus Gontomn, an 18-year-old young man, recently participated in his final awakening ceremony. Unfortunately, the outcome proved to be disheartening, as it labeled him as an average individual, an ordinary man.

The non-awakened individuals, commonly referred to as ordinary people, resided in a state of constant fear, uncertain of when their livelihoods and possessions would be seized. Their fate rested solely in the hands of the awakened, highlighting the immense cruelty that pervaded this world.

The awakened individuals, who possessed extraordinary abilities and powers, held a position of superiority and dominance over ordinary people. This power dynamic created a stark divide in society, with the awakened ruling with an iron fist while ordinary individuals lived in constant oppression and subjugation.

This world was known as Universalis. It was considered the center of the universe due to its diverse inhabitants from all corners of the universe. The Millennial Empire, one of the formidable territories within Universalis, was home to Circus.

In every territory of Universalis, once a child turns 14, they partake in an awakening ceremony that typically occurs annually. During this ceremony, the children are examined to determine if their bodies have awakened an inner energy, referred to as the inner soul, that allows them to harness mana and unlock their spiritual consciousness to comprehend the art of magic. Additionally, they gain the ability to comprehend and manipulate the elements of nature.

The children who had awakened would either engage in independent practice or enroll in mage academies to cultivate their magical abilities. As for those who had not yet awakened, they would make another attempt the following year. If their efforts proved unsuccessful once more, they would have to continue trying until they reached the age of eighteen. Failing to awaken their inner soul by the time they turned eighteen signified that they were non-awakened individuals.

Circus went through this tradition just like others, and at the end, it became evident that he was not awakened. By the time he attended for the third occasion, his younger sister had already awakened her inner soul. On the other hand, his older sister had experienced her awakening four years earlier.

In a family of five kids, three females and two males, Circus, the second born, was the most despised because he sucked at everything and was physically weak. The only thing he was good at was taking care of plants and flowers. His father was a prestigious treasurer and despised farmers. Circus often found solace in the garden, tending to the vibrant blooms and lush greenery. Despite his father's disapproval, he felt a deep connection to nature and found solace in its beauty. His passion for gardening became his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the judgment and criticism that surrounded him within his family.

Circus and his father had a strained relationship from his early childhood. As he grew older and it became evident that he lacked any special abilities, his father's patience wore thin. Determined to rid himself of this perceived burden, his father made the decision to cast aside the worthless individual and instead concentrate on his other children. His three sisters and a younger brother showed ability and held the potential for successful futures.

Circus had always harbored a burning desire to prove his father's beliefs wrong. However, all avenues for accomplishing this feat have now been utterly destroyed. It was a well-known fact that non-awakeneds were typically relegated to the roles of servants, vendors, and humble farmers, seldom attaining any remarkable triumphs or acknowledgments. Circus found himself ensnared by the weight of societal expectations and the confinements imposed upon individuals like him who lacked magical abilities.