The With-God's Devotion System

"Get on your knees!"

Julian Blake did not want to kneel. He tried to lock his legs. He tried to stand tall. But the invisible weight crashed down on his shoulders like a falling building. His bones gave a loud, sickening creak. The heavy pressure forced him down.

Smack.

His knees hit the cold, hard marble floor of the grand ballroom. The sound echoed clearly because, at that moment, the entire room was dead silent. 

The soft classical music had stopped. 

The clinking of expensive crystal wine glasses had stopped. Over three hundred of the richest, most powerful magic users in the city of Erlingland were staring at him.

Julian tried to lift his head, but the gravity magic was too strong. It felt as if an invisible giant had placed a massive boot directly on the back of his neck. He gritted his teeth. Sweat rolled down his forehead, stinging his eyes.

How did it end up like this?

Just ten minutes ago, his heart was full of hope. Ten minutes ago, he was a man in love, ready to celebrate the greatest day of his life.

…

Ten Minutes Earlier…

Julian stood outside the massive glass doors of the Arcane Academy. The night air was crisp and cool. Above him, the academy towered like a castle made of glass and silver, glowing with bright blue magical lights.

Tonight was the graduation gala. It was the night when the top students officially became licensed Mages.

Julian looked down at his own clothes. He was wearing a dark grey suit. It was cheap. The sleeves were a little too short, and the fabric was rough. He tried to brush off a speck of dust from the collar. His hands were shaking, not from the cold, but from pure nervousness.

He opened his right hand and looked at his palm. It was rough, covered in thick yellow calluses and tiny white scars. These were the hands of a miner. 

For three long years, Julian had worked in the dangerous mana-mines outside the city. He spent fourteen hours a day deep underground, breathing in toxic dust, breaking rocks with a heavy pickaxe.

Why did he do it? Because he was a "Null."

In the world of Erlingland, magic was everything. If you had magic, you had power, money, and respect. If you had high-level magic, you were treated like royalty. But if you were born without any mana in your blood, you were a Null. You were considered useless. A mistake.

Julian was a Null. But his girlfriend, Susanna, was not.

Susanna was beautiful, smart, and gifted with wind magic. When they first met back in their poor neighborhood, they promised to stick together. But magical schools were very expensive. Susanna’s family could not pay for the Arcane Academy. 

So, Julian made a choice. He dropped out of normal school. He took the most dangerous job he could find in the mines. 

Every single coin he made, he gave to Susanna to pay for her school fees, her magical books, and her expensive potions.

He shattered his own body so she could chase her dream. And tonight, that dream came true. She was graduating.

Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Inside was a simple silver ring. It had no magical gems. It did not glow. But it cost him three months of wages. He had skipped meals just to save enough money to buy it. He was going to give it to her tonight as a promise ring. A promise that he would always take care of her.

"Excuse me," a harsh voice called out.

Julian looked up. A tall security guard in a black uniform was staring at him. The guard’s eyes glowed with a faint yellow light—a sign of basic scanning magic.

"This event is for Mages and their invited guests only. You have no mana signature. Step away from the doors, Null," the guard said, looking at Julian like he was a stray dog.

Julian did not get angry. He was used to this look. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick, gold-trimmed envelope. "I have an invitation. From Susanna Blake. She is the top wind magic student."

The guard snatched the envelope, inspected it, and frowned. He waved his hand over the paper. The paper glowed green, proving it was real.

The guard clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Fine. Go in. But don't touch anything. And don't bother the important guests."

"Thank you," Julian said softly. He put the velvet box back into his pocket, took a deep breath, and walked through the grand glass doors.

The ballroom was breathtaking. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, floating in mid-air without any chains. 

The tables were covered in white silk, piled high with roasted meats, exotic fruits, and tall cakes. Waiters walked around, using weak telekinesis to carry trays of glowing blue wine.

Everyone in the room looked perfect. The men wore sharp, magical suits that seemed to absorb the light. The women wore beautiful dresses that sparkled like real stars.

Julian walked slowly through the crowd. He kept his head down, trying not to bump into anyone. He felt completely out of place. He smelled like cheap soap and old sweat, while everyone else smelled like expensive flowers and ozone.

"Look at his shoes," he heard a woman whisper to his left.

Julian ignored them. He was looking for one person.

Finally, he saw her.

Susanna was standing near the center of the room, on a small raised platform. She looked like an angel. She wore a stunning, deep red dress that hugged her perfect figure. Her long blonde hair was pinned up with diamonds. She was holding a glass of wine, laughing at something a group of wealthy Mages had said.

Julian’s heart skipped a beat. She was so beautiful. Every hour of pain in the dark mines felt totally worth it when he looked at her smile.

He walked toward the platform. His cheap shoes made loud, flat sounds against the marble floor. Clack. Clack. Clack.

A few people noticed him and stepped out of his way, looking at him with deep disgust. Julian didn't care. He reached the edge of the platform.

"Susanna," he called out. His voice was soft, but it carried through the small space.

Susanna stopped laughing. She turned around slowly. When her bright blue eyes landed on Julian, her smile did not just fade—it vanished completely. Her face turned pale, and then a dark, angry shadow crossed her features.

"Julian?" she whispered. She looked quickly to her left and right, checking to see who was watching. "What are you doing here?"