Morning came quietly.
The bell that usually woke everyone hadn't rung yet, but Kael was already awake. He lay on his back, staring at the wooden ceiling above his bed. A thin crack ran across one of the planks, something he'd noticed years ago. It looked like a crooked line drawn by a careless hand.
Yesterday should have hurt more than it did.
That thought surprised him.
He had gone to sleep expecting to feel heavy, angry, or bitter. Instead, there was only a dull ache, like a bruise you knew was there but didn't bother touching. Kael let out a slow breath and sat up.
*No aptitude,* he thought.
The words still felt strange. Not sharp. Just odd.
He rubbed his face and stood, slipping on his worn shoes. Around him, other boys were starting to wake. A few whispered. Some glanced at him, then looked away too quickly.
Kael didn't react.
He folded his blanket the same way he always did and placed it neatly at the foot of the bed. Habit was a strong thing. It kept your hands busy when your mind wanted to wander.
When he stepped outside the dorm room, the air was cool. The sun was just rising, washing the orphanage yard in pale light. Dew clung to the grass, and the old stone well looked almost peaceful.
Anna was already there.
She sat on the low wall near the garden, legs swinging slightly. When she saw Kael, her face lit up.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning," Kael replied.
She studied him closely, as if checking for cracks. "You… slept okay?"
"Yeah," he said honestly. "Better than I thought."
Anna relaxed a little. "That's good."
A moment later, Sophia joined them, holding a loaf of bread wrapped in cloth. She smiled softly at Kael.
"You're up early again," she said.
"Couldn't sleep," Kael shrugged. "Didn't want to just lie there."
Sophia nodded, then hesitated. "Kael… about yesterday—"
"It's fine," he said before she could finish. "Really."
Anna frowned. "You don't have to pretend."
"I'm not," Kael said. He met their eyes, calm. "I won't lie and say it doesn't matter. But… I'm still me. That didn't change."
Sophia searched his face. She was good at reading people. Too good sometimes. After a few seconds, she smiled.
"I'm glad," she said. "I was worried you'd shut us out."
Kael shook his head. "Not happening."
They shared a quiet moment before footsteps approached.
Mike.
He came out of the boys' dorm with three others trailing behind him. His walk was loud on purpose, boots scuffing the ground. When he spotted Kael, a grin spread across his face.
"Well, look at that," Mike said. "The talentless hero is already up."
One of the boys laughed.
Anna stiffened. "Just leave him alone."
Mike ignored her. He stepped closer to Kael, chin raised. "Still smiling, huh? Guess it's easier when you don't understand how bad it is."
Kael looked at him. "Morning, Mike."
Mike blinked, annoyed. "Don't act friendly."
"I'm not," Kael said calmly. "I'm just saying morning."
Sophia stepped forward. "You don't need to start anything."
Mike scoffed. "Start? I'm just stating facts. Some of us have talent. Some of us don't." He smirked. "Guess you'll be stuck here forever, Kael."
Kael shrugged. "Maybe."
That answer threw Mike off more than anger would have.
"Tch," Mike clicked his tongue. "Keep coping."
He turned and walked off, his lackeys following, still laughing.
Anna clenched her fists. "He's so annoying."
Kael exhaled. "Let him talk."
Sophia glanced at him. "Does it really not bother you?"
"It does," Kael admitted. "But I won't let him decide how I feel."
Anna smiled faintly. "You're weird sometimes."
"Only sometimes?" Kael said.
That earned a small laugh from both girls.
—
Breakfast passed without trouble, though the looks didn't stop. Some kids whispered. Some pitied him. Others clearly thought Mike was right.
Kael ate quietly.
The sister watched from across the hall.
She had noticed it the moment Kael walked in. His posture was the same. His eyes weren't dull. There was no anger, no bitterness. Just a calm focus.
*Strange child,* she thought.
After breakfast, chores were assigned. Kael was sent to help fix the fence at the edge of the yard. Mike was nearby, carrying planks with exaggerated effort.
"You sure you can lift that?" Mike said loudly. "Oh wait, talentless doesn't mean weak. Yet."
Kael ignored him and focused on his work.
As he hammered nails into the wood, his hands moved with steady rhythm. Each strike was clean. He had done this kind of work for years.
Mike watched, irritated.
*Why isn't he breaking?* Mike thought. *He should be angry. Or sad.*
Instead, Kael just kept working.
By midday, the fence was done.
"Good work," the sister said when she came by. She looked at Kael with a gentle smile. "You handled yourself well today."
Kael nodded. "Thank you, Sister."
She hesitated, then said, "You know… talent isn't everything."
"I know," Kael replied.
Her smile deepened, then she turned and left.
From a distance, Mike watched, jaw tight.
*She's still treating him the same,* he thought. *Why?*
—
That afternoon, Anna and Sophia sat with Kael under the old tree near the yard.
"You really don't feel left behind?" Anna asked.
Kael thought for a moment. "Maybe a little. But… I don't feel done. If that makes sense."
Sophia tilted her head. "It does."
Anna kicked at the grass. "I'm glad. I was scared you'd hate us."
Kael looked at her, surprised. "Why would I?"
"Because… we have talent," she said quietly.
Kael smiled. "That's not your fault. And I'm happy for you. Both of you."
Sophia's cheeks warmed slightly. She looked away. "You're too kind."
Kael scratched his head. "I don't think so."
As the sun dipped lower, laughter echoed from the yard. For a moment, things felt normal again.
But Mike stood at a distance, watching.
*He thinks he's fine,* Mike thought. *But he's nothing.*
And that thought made Mike smile.
—
That night, Kael lay in bed again, staring at the ceiling.
*No magic. No aura,* he thought.
He closed his eyes.
*Then I'll find something else.*
And for the first time since the test, he slept without trouble.
---
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