�To dream of success while not having the courage to give up something in order to achieve it is arrogance.�

Maria kept silent, but a lot of thoughts were going through her head.

�Maria, you don�t need to compete. You don�t always have to win over someone. If you like magic, there you go. That�s all you need. There are people in this world who don�t wish to compete with anyone. Like me. While it may be a tougher path than the one most tread, you have the courage to take that path. It�s something you can do.�

�Something I can do��

Maria asked.

�What kind of person was he? The mage that scolded you?�

�He�s someone you�re very familiar with. The headmaster of the Alpheas Magic Academy.�

�Really? The Headmaster?�

Thadd�s eyes dimmed at the memory.

�Yes. From that day on, I became his full-time student and received private tutoring. It was a great privilege. Well, thanks to that, my life worked out for the best. Doesn�t that explain why a dirtbag like me gets called a genius? It�s because I was taught by a man whose name is known all around the continent. How�s that? Jealous yet? Life is all about luck. Hahaha!�

Maria once again felt blue.

�So, what I�m really trying to say is, the world isn�t fair. Some people are born with talent while most aren�t. Some, whether it�s because they�re dim-witted or laid-back, jump into any competition. Some just work their butts off. But for someone like me who has no talent or anything like it for that matter, sometimes, very occasionally, a miracle happens. That�s why I find life worth living.�

Thadd rose from his seat and turned around.

�What do you think, Maria? Wouldn�t ending things here be a waste and an affront to the effort you put in to get this far? How about trying just a little bit more?�

Maria dug her face into her knees.

�What more are you saying I should do? That miracle you mentioned� I don�t even know if it will ever come� Like, what if it never comes? Then what would happen to me?�

�What are you saying, Maria?�

Thadd spoke with his hand against the iron door.

�The miracle you�re looking for? You�re looking right at it.�

Maria�s face scrunched up.

�Heuk��

Perhaps those were the words she�d been hoping to hear her entire life. Warm tears dripped down her face.

�Can you trust me and try one more time? I�ll help you become an outstanding mage.�

�Really? You think I can do it?�

�Of course. Talent isn�t being good at something. It�s having the heart to love that something so much your body devotes every facet of its being into it. That heart makes everything possible. Maria, you�re an excellent student.�

Maria started sobbing.

She, who was pouring out her emotions, suddenly realized and opened the iron door.

�Mr. Thadd, quickly, the system�!�

�It�s already too late. When I got here, an Illumination magic flashed. The promotion exam is canceled.�

�Th-Then�� JrNovels.com