The fallen kingdom.

  Once upon a time, in a land ruled by elves, a young boy was named Marcel was born. He lived a peaceful live in his homeland—until the day everything changed.

  Demons descended upon the kingdom without warning, slaughtering its people and reducing the village to ashes. Marcel, only a child, was forced to witness the destruction of his home. By some miracle or sheer will to survive. He managed to kill one of the demon generals before collapsing from exhaustion and wounds. Just as darkness threatened to consume him, salvation arrived

  A human mage named Eren found marcel amidst the ruins. Recognizing the young boy’s potential, Eren rescued him and took him to a scared temple. There, marcel was healed by the priests, his body restored but his heart burdened with loss.

  Eren saw something special in Marcel. When the boy recovered, the mage presented him to his own master, an elder mage who was also an elf.” Eren declared. “He should be my apprentice.”

  “You brought me a stray?” the elder scoffed, eyeing marcels with disdain. “a broken child from a fallen race?”

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  Eren stood firm. “This boy survived where others perished. He even felled a demon general. He deserves a chance.”

  The elder mage frowned. “Survival does not make him worthy. Elves are proud, yet this one is weak. His past will haunt him, and his rage will consume him.”

  Eren brought marcel to his master again the elder mage observed him with critical gaze. The tension in the air was thick. Humans and elves rarely walked the same path, and the idea of an elven apprentice under a human mage was almost unheard of.

  Eren, sensing the reluctance, spoke firmly. “Master, I ask you to judge him not by his race but his potential. Marcel survived a demon attack, slew a general, and possess an extraordinary talent for magic. He deserves a chance.”

  The elder mage sighed, rubbing his temple. “Very well, but one condition marcel must never seek official recognition as a mage. He may learn, but he will not hold the title.”

  Marcel stiffened but kept his emotions in check. He had no choice but to accept.

  Eren frowned. “Is that truly necessary? He has the ability to be a great mage.”

  “It is not just about the ability, Eren. Humans live fleeting lives, but elves endure for centuries. When you are gone, what will become of him? Will he be strong enough to survive on his own?”

  Eren held his master’s gaze. “Then I will ensure he is.”

  With that, marcels training began already skilled at concealing himself, he refined the technique under Eren’s guidance. His, mentor taught him how to suppress his magical presence entirely, a skill crucial for survival in a world where power often invited dangers.

  During one lesson, marcel finally voiced his curiosity. “Master, why do you hide your magic so much?”

  Eren heisted before answering, his voice quieter than usual. “Because my magic does not belong to me. I took it from the demons.”

  Marcels breath caught, but before he could press for more details, Eren simply smirked and walked away, leaving the young elf drowning in newfound questions