He rubbed his bleary eyes, his body felt like it weighed a ton as he pushed himself up.

Lazarus looked around. A bright shine was seeping through the window frame. It was morning already.

He usually felt eager to go out and greet Emilia, but now that she wasn’t here he simply plopped back down in bed.

When was she coming home?

“...”

He himself knew the answer to that but he couldn’t help but think about it. It may just have been a few days since she left, but it already felt like forever since the last time he saw her.

Waking up late, then having breakfast by himself in his room, then just sitting idly by himself. The usual, whenever Emilia left. No one would play with him, not a single maid or guard would entertain him so there really was nothing to do.

It was already in the afternoon, so Lazarus simply roamed around the castle corridors on the third floor, looking around while his mind drifted into thought.

-’ How can I get my father to stop hating me? What about Anastasia? Clovis?’-

Nothing really came to mind. So he continued to roam around, then stopped upon setting his sights outside the glass window that had a good view of the palace gardens.

There, he saw a young boy with bright golden hair wearing a blue coat and brown shorts. It was Clovis. And he was with an old man in a blue robe.

Clovis nodded the moment the old man finished speaking about something. It was then that a small blue film of light engulfed Clovis.

“Mana!”

So he was already learning to cast magic. Lazarus envied him. If he could cast magic at his age, no doubt he would be considered a genius.

A genius…

What if..?

Lazarus felt a surge in his heart.

He tore away his gaze from Clovis and began walking off. With each step getting faster and faster, eventually he was already full on running.

It didn’t take long for him to arrive at his room and upon arrival, he quickly began scanning the small bookshelf beside his bed.

He could already read a bit, but not fully. He simply searched for anything that had the word ‘Magic’ in it and began skimming through them.

It was a rule that you could only start learning magic at the age of eight, he was still five so there was no way he would be taught anything. But he realized, he could simply learn it himself!

Emilia had told him that if he wanted to learn something, he could just find the right book for it and read about it.

All of his books were mostly hand drawn picture books about some different stories, but it was good enough after all, he didn’t know the difference between a legitimate guide book and a story book. He just knew he needed a book to learn stuff.

And he needed to learn how to cast magic!

It was a brilliant idea, and if he could impress Anastasia with the magic that could split the earth or perhaps ignite a massive ball of flame the size of a kingdom, no doubt even Clovis and his father would be impressed as well. They’d see him in a different light!

Even Emilia who was already fond of him would grow even fonder.

And since then, Lazarus had read through dozens of picture books everyday. Sometimes mimicking the pose in the characters, or mumbling some words he recognized in an attempt to cast a spell.

Nothing worked yet, but it would only be a matter of time, he thought.

--------------------------------------------------------------

In a small room, a young child with dark hair stood on top of the bed with eyes closed tightly.

A fire burned in his heart. No, it was more intense than that, it was as if his heart was set ablaze. He remembered when Emilia had read him a story book, and recalling what the protagonist in the story did, Lazarus thrust his palm forward and recited,

“O’ light who shines upon all, answer my call and lay waste to them all!”

…

Why wasn’t his mana coming out?

Lazarus tried to open the picture book again, and as he inspected the form of the man in the book, he realized his foot wasn't spread out as much.

-’So that’s what was wrong!’-

With the proper form, this time for sure.

“O’ light who shines upon all, answer my call and lay waste to them all!”

Something will happen.

Lazarus slowly opened his eyes. He was still facing the empty walls of his room.

He needed more practice. If he could just invoke his mana and cast a super strong spell, then no doubt Emilia would be with him more. Anastasia would look at him, not with disdain, but with fondness instead. And his father would definitely stop ignoring him.

He just needed to work hard.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Months had passed since then and Lazarus had developed a habit of understanding many picture books related to magic. Just like before, he was reading through one of his books while lying flat on his belly.

“So everything has mana…..”

Heaving a sigh that didn’t hide his disappointment, he slammed the book shut making his dark hair on his bangs flutter.

“Nothing again...”

Just as Lazarus was about to grab another book,

“Prince Lazarus, it’s time for your lessons.”

A soft feminine voice called out from behind the door.

“I’ll be right there.”

Lazarus collected the books scattered on the table and neatly stacked them upon one another. The moment he opened the door, he saw a young maid around 18 years of age.

She had chestnut hair tied to a bun, and wore square framed glasses that complemented her emerald green eyes squinting at Lazarus. Her somewhat rounded face coupled with her very strict glare made for a sharp and intelligent look.

“Morning Lara!”

“Good morning Prince Lazarus.” Greeted the maid named ‘Lara’ with a full ninety degree bow. This was Lazarus’ personal maid that tended to him.

Months had passed since he last saw Emilia and during those months he was assigned a maid.

Normally several maids would be assigned to royalty, but in his case, Veyron deemed that he only needed one. Lazarus didn’t argue and was simply ecstatic to have someone other than his mother beside him.

“Were you reading books about magic again..?” Lara asked with a brow raised.

Lazarus flinched. Though he’d quickly closed the door behind him when he went out, Lara must’ve still been able to read the titles of the book in that split second….. What terrifying powers. How did she do it? Perhaps…?

“It’s not magic,” said Lara, giving Lazarus a knowing look.

“Then how did you..?”

“You do it all the time… how could I not know?” She smiled wryly before she continued with a frown, “Ohh-.. I’m hoping it’s not the case but...”

Lazarus began to sweat.

“You didn’t sleep too late last night reading through those books did you?”

“N-no… not really..”

Lara squinted her eyes…

“If you’re lying then...”

Having heard the shift in her tone of voice, Lazarus couldn’t help but cower underneath her vicious gaze.

“I-Imm sooooo sorrryyyy!” Lazarus clung to her skirt, eyes seemingly about to bawl.

Lara heaved a deep sigh. Showing her that kind of face was kind of unfair of him.

Gently, she patted Lazarus’ head and said in a very soft tone,

“I know how much you love magic.” She then knelt down to his level, looked into his eyes and continued. “Though I am merely your servant and it may be presumptuous of me to say this but… You’re not allowed to stay up late. It’s bad for your health, okay?”

“I’m sorry….”

Seeing that her young master was properly reflecting on his action, Lara nodded to herself and said.

“Then shall we head to the grand library?”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lazarus, peeked through his book. A man with a long well groomed white beard that reached down to his neck sat across him. The lines and wrinkles on the man told of his age. He had white strands of hair evenly mixed with the faded grays, reaching down to his hips. He wore a grey robe and had a rope for a belt. His light brownish and weary eyes met with Lazarus’, and Lazarus immediately turned his gaze back to his book.

William Toval, a teacher hired by the Kingdom to teach Lazarus, Anastasia and Clovis general knowledge about the world as well as their future magic tutor when they reach a certain age. And Clovis was already being taught how to invoke mana by him.

“U-uhmmm...mister William?” Called out Lazarus meekly.

“Hmm?” Lines formed on the wrinkled old man’s forehead as he raised a brow as he muttered.

Lazarus looked down, then to Lara as if asking her if it was alright. The maid did not protest and just elegantly stood there with a straightened back as if to say ‘do as you please.’

Lazarus felt his chest tighten, he had to ask. But what if William would say ‘no’? What then?

An image of his smiling mother, big sister and father came to mind.

Heaving a sigh, and having mustered enough courage. Lazarus looked at William and said,

“Can you teach me about magic..?”

If he could cast magic at an early age then it’s definitely a sure fire way to get Anastasia and Clovis and everyone else to warm up to him.

Hearing his words, the maid and the old man briefly glanced at one another.

“Hmm….., with all due respect young Prince, but isn’t it a little too early for you?”

William was right. Normally magic lessons began at age of 8 due to the dangers it posed, even with supervision. There were cases of kids having their arms getting blown off just because they channelled too much mana in their arms, there were certainly more severe cases but that was just one of many.

Lazarus knew this --which is why he hesitated to even ask...but,

“I’m sure I can handle it. So please! ”

“Hmm, in that case, how old are you?”

“Fi-five..”

“Then...No.”

“Uhmm...”

“No.”

“Not even a little?”

“No... Casting magic at your age is dangerous. And if the prince of a royal family became a cripple or a corpse just because of an incompetent teacher, then it won’t end well for me. Heck, I’d be lucky to be put to death without some severe form of torture.”

Lazarus’ head drooped down... a hollow sensation filled his chest.

It was unfair.

In a game of tag, his siblings and the other kids would go after him and he’d never be able to tag anyone else. He just wasn’t fast enough. Was it his fault that his body was the way it is?

He remembered what Anastasia and Clovis had told him weeks ago when they played tag.

“Come on! you’re too slow Lazarus!”

“Why are you always it? You can’t even catch anyone!”

His two older siblings contemplated a bit and then said,

“Can’t you play on your own?”

Their words struck him like a hot blade to his chest. Of course Lazarus was shaken. Clovis was essentially telling him he couldn’t play with them.

And to add salt to the wound, Anastasia chimed in saying,

“You’re slow. You’re weak. It’s really annoying to just try and keep up with you! Urghh! I mean, why do we have to play with someone like you!'' said Anastasia in a venomous tone. The mocking look Anastasia gave him honestly hurt more than her words.

“B-but I...”

Anastasia dismissed him with a wave of her hand and continued,

“We really can’t have fun if we have to join you, so be a dear and refrain from joining us, okay?”

And just like that, they turned and left him to his own devices. Lazarus had more to say but the words were stuck on his throat. And so he simply watched their backs as they continued to move further and further away from him.

This wasn’t the only time this had happened, but this was certainly the most recent one that Lazarus could recall.

Since then, whenever he walked up to them. The two would ignore him, fed up with his antics.

It hurt.

Lazarus had bawled out his eyes the night after and he was thinking of ways to get them to accept him.

Lazarus knew he was weak, slow and frail. So why couldn’t William make an exception and give him an edge on something? Did they want him to remain as the ‘worst’? Did he never want Anastasia and Clovis to accept him?

Lara looked at the disheartened Lazarus, and seeing his frustrated look tore at her heart. After all, she had served him for a few months only but those few months told her how kind and lonely this child was.

And though she was doing so out of a sense of duty, she still couldn’t help but grow a sense of fondness towards him.

“Mister William,” Lara said. “Though teaching him might be forbidden, how about simply showing him?”

Hearing her words immediately brought a huge smile on Lazarus. She was right. That way he won’t get William in trouble and he’d have a sort of reference.

However,

“I’m afraid that too might in turn inspire him to do it on his own. And that’s dangerous so-”

“I am aware,” Said Lara, cutting him. “However, I believe we could make an exception for Prince Lazarus. After all, it wouldn’t be an issue if he just ‘accidentally’ saw someone use magic.”

“I’m afrai-....” William paused, and his face relaxed as his lips seemingly formed an ‘Ohhh’ expression, having realized the meaning behind Lara’s words. “With that-...then... I guess we could..” he nodded.

Lazarus wasn’t sure why William suddenly agreed, but it was enough for Lazarus that he could be shown magic. And with that, Lazarus directed a thankful gaze to Lara, who in turn shrugged as if to say, ‘What would you do without me?’

A strange warmth welled-up in the young Prince’s heart. It was reassuring to have at least someone else on his side besides Emilia.

“So can you show me now?” Said Lazarus, showing a great deal of eagerness.

“Not right now.. And No, I won’t be the one to show you.”

“Then-...”

Lazarus turned to Lara with a quizzical look.

“Well, it is forbidden to teach you or have us show you magic. However, if someone else were to cast magic and you merely happen to see it, then there will be no rules broken.” said Lara with a hint of mischievousness in her voice.

But who’ll show it to him? It seemed like the two were purposely trying to avoid telling him for some reason.

It was then that William spoke,

“Before we tell you how you can see magic. It is only fair that you also give something in return for this favor.”

Of course that was a given. Lazarus…-- the royalty at an early age were taught about these things and weren’t given everything they wanted, instead they had to compromise by doing good at their studies or their manners to get what they wanted as a form of a reward. At least that was what Lazarus believed given that that was the way he was taught.

“Then what do you wish for in return?”

Lazarus was quite frankly, anxious. He didn’t have any money and he only owned a few story books that Emilia had read to him, which, clearly, he wouldn’t want to part with.

Seeing the anxious Lazarus, William said,

“Please do not worry. After all, I merely wish to ask that you refrain from asking me any favors pertaining to magic from here on out. Do we have a deal?”

If Lazarus could see it once, that was more than enough. All he needed to do was practice magic again and again. Surely he could understand it if he’d just see it…. Couldn’t he?

After all, he’d already read a lot of magic books… Right?

But wait… if he couldn’t ask sir William anymore, that didn’t really mean that he had to stop asking others. Yep, that was it.

As the idea formulated in Lazarus’ mind, he immediately nodded to William’s offer.

“Then it’s a deal….Now as to where you’ll be able to witness magic…”

----------------------------

After their lessons were over, Lazarus hurriedly left the room leaving Lara and William together.

Lara looked at William curiously and said,

“I couldn’t believe you agreed to it so readily.”

“It’s just….It is hard to watch that child so motivated to learn magic but will soon realize the gap between his mana pool and his siblings mana pool. I believe it is the same as a bird who yearns to fly in the sky but was born with a wing so little he could barely fly. It’s just… painful to watch.”

“I agree. It is much harder to watch when you're closer to him.” Said Lara with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

“But that begs the question. Why was he never told of his circumstances anyhow? Wouldn’t it be better to let the child know instead of getting his hopes up?” William looked at Lara with a brow raised.

“Well he still can cast magic, only just a little. King Veyron had told me that his mana pool is a little less than average and that I should keep this a secret but I believe you were also told the same?”

William nodded.

“I understand. But could you at least tell me why he wants to learn magic so badly?”

“...”

Lara was silent for a moment. It wasn’t exactly something she shouldn’t say, and she at least owed William that much for having done her a favor for Lazarus.

“That is because...” Lara walked towards the window, looking into the distance with her brows furrowed. “He is always ridiculed and isolated. Just like that time….”

Lara remembered walking along the corridors, spotting Lazarus, Anastasia, Clovis and a couple of kids from nobles playing a game. They were pulling a rope, playing a one on one tug of war in turns.

Just remembering it made Lara’s blood boil

No matter who Lazarus’ opponent was, even a girl would easily overpower him. Lara couldn’t help but frown when she’d remember how each and every one of them used all their strength so Lazarus would faceplant on the ground.

But he would still stand-up and smile. He wanted everyone to have fun, even when he was the butt of their joke. Perhaps it was simply because everyone around him was happy, and so it made him happy.

Needless to say, nobody wanted Lazarus on their team when it came to group games. It was just an automatic loss.

One time in these games, they made Lazarus’ choose his teams and he’d always choose Anastasia and Clovis’ team. The two hated losing and because of this, their resentment for Lazarus who merely wanted to team up with his beloved siblings, to grow.

Not only that, at one point when Lara had asked what Lazarus wanted to be, he said he wanted to be an archmage just like his father. A hopeless dream for a child with his mana pool.

No-... being a regular mage was already a huge hurdle in and on itself.

Lara sighed, turning to look at the window after her explanation. She said, “That child is kind, kinder than anyone knows and yet he is in pain. Even if it's a little, I want to alleviate that pain.”

“I see. So that is what you meant when you said it’s harder to watch when you’re closer. However I do have a conjecture about his physical condition.”

“And that would be?”

“I may just be overthinking things, but mana might perhaps be influencing our own strength and physical prowess, making us faster and stronger. Perhaps it’s not that Lazarus is weak, but we are stronger than normal because we have mana and he has little, that it negatively impacted his physical growth.”

“Either could be true.” Lara nodded, then sighed. “I merely pray that someday, Prince Lazarus will find something only he can do.”

“I doubt there’s anything someone without mana can do that we can’t….But well, there’s no harm in hoping. In any case, it is time for me to leave.” Said William standing up and gathering his books.

As he left the room he couldn’t help but think. Lazarus mana pool is so low, even lower than the lowest of the low that it was nearly unsensible. Was that even normal? Or perhaps, what he and the rest were made to realize wasn’t even true in the first place?

William felt that there was more to this than what the King let on, but it wasn’t any of his business.

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