2 Banquet of Gossip

Her name was Anura Soma. A shameful noble child born without magic in a family known for generations of powerful magic knights. Many looked at her with pity, but her family never treated her any differently from an average noble child. She was their offspring, after all, and they loved her.

She had sparkly golden eyes and full dazzling blonde hair. She looked like a child of the bright sun. Aside from her appearance, she was just a magicless noble, and a magicless noble is just a commoner born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Her family was shocked when the prophet invited Anura to the banquet he was hosting for participants of the tournament. For in their eyes, she was just a weak little girl. She had no magic, no fighting skills, and nothing to call her own talent. But Anura must have had something special since Prophet Zekiel had invited her, right?

Anura, on the other hand, was afraid. Why should I, one with no power, be a queen? She asked herself. Anura was content with her life as it was. She had a loving family, lots of food to fill her stomach, and gifts from loved ones aplenty.

The only downside was the shame she faced when her family was invited to large gatherings. She would get pity stares and disgusted glances.

"Such a spoiled commoner," one would whisper, "The Somas should be ashamed of such a child!" another would say.

Anura was the black hole of the great noble house of Soma, and she knew. Even at the age of 5, adults poured wine from their glasses on her and snickered.

"Commoner."

And maybe Anura was a commoner, maybe that's what she deserved. Maybe that's why they treated her that way. Then Anura began to believe, maybe was spoiled by her noble family. She would often look into their eyes and wonder why they loved her. She even asked once, but all her mother said was, "because you're my daughter, silly."

But, I— 'm weak… I'm not a Soma… I'm nothing like you. How can I be your daughter if my magic doesn't exist?

Anura's thoughts consumed her. No matter how much the Somas gave her love. No matter what her family did, she didn't feel like she fit in. Don't get her wrong. Anura loved her family, but she didn't love herself.

Snapping back to reality, Anura stared at the gelatin lying in front of her. It was made out of the corpses of slimes, water infused mana creatures. Magicians who ate it would gain a slight increase in mana flow.

It was useless to her. This slime gelatin and all the other foods imbued with magic that the House of Soma had access to.

"Why would a child with no magic be allowed to participate in the prophecy?" Anura heard someone whisper to their groupies. Their words were like a stab in Anura's chest, and she quickly stood up to get away from those toxic people.

She lifted up the skirt of her dress, so she didn't trip when she walked faster. Anura wanted to get out of the ballroom, out of the place where everyone gave her evil glances and disgusted stares. Anura's family was a regular at the place since they were loyal knights of the king, so she knew her place around. There probably isn't anyone in the garden right now, so Anura decided to head there.

"Darling! Where are you going?" Her mother said, grabbing her arm and stopping her.

Anura looked up at her mother, impatient. "Outside, mommy," she replied.

"Anura, you need to stick by mommy. Outside is dangerous by yourself," Anura's mother sighed, lowering to herself to her 6-year-old daughter's height.

Anura frowned at her mother, who was now eye level with her. "It's boring inside, and everyone is mean."

Her mother pats her on the head and giggles. "Well, maybe we could head to the garden together."

Anura's eyes light up, and she hugs her mother. "Yes! Yes!" she shouts, jumping excitedly.

"My, my, such a rowdy child you have, Lady Silvia of the pathetic House Soma."

A few feet away from Anura and her mother stood, Lady Diana. Anura's mother hearing this stood up, fixed her dress, and relaxed her shoulders. She reached out a hand for Anura, which Anura took. Lady Silvia then pulled Anura behind her, in a defensive position, ready to protect her daughter. Anura hid behind her mother, afraid.

"Well, if it isn't Lady Diana of House Gwyneria. I see you have a problem with how I raise my daughter. Maybe be more of a lady and don't stick your nose in other people's business."

Lady Diana laughs. "Me? Your business? My, you're delusional. Your daughter is just like you, a commoner. The lesser of the less." Diana smirks, knowing she hit a painful spot in Lady Silvia's past. "My daughter, Estelle, is all I care about," finishing off with a flip in her hair.

Estelle Gwyneria, the 2nd daughter of the noble house, Gwyneria. Even though she's 8, she is one of the most powerful candidates announced for the position of queen.

Each noble family has a unique quality that allows them to far surpass others in magic usage. A noble house like Gywneria has been breeding and developing their magic for years.

They can use mana in a way others cannot. With their magic being able to freeze water and control it, creating water out of thin air, and summoning torrents of water to drown enemies, they are beyond powerful.

If you are born with the ability to harness water, you would most likely be able to lift and move water with ease, but that's nothing compared to Gywneria. The house of Gywneria has made their magic a part of themselves, learning to change the qualities in the liquid by command.

This is precisely why the House of Gwyneira is part of the 16 Guardian Noble families under the king's rule. Each of the noble families has a unique quality that allows them to far surpass others in magic usage. Your particular magic works are determined by your bloodline and heritage. Each bloodline creates unique mana channels that allow you to do different things.

Most commoners have some sort of magic, yet they can only do small trivial things, such as lighting their fingertips on fire or sending a small gentle breeze into someone's face.

Commoners with more magic power than usual usually end up as adventurers, defending Nova completing tasks for commoners with weak magic. Some especially powerful adventurers get scouted by the world's various kingdoms to be Magic Knights.

In the Nova Kingdom, to join the magic knights, you need a noble to sponsor you and the requirements were high. Despite this, many vyed to join the Magic Knights as joining had immense benefits such as high salary, helpful resources, protection for your family and most importantly a chance to join one of the noble houses. Of course, commoners usually don't end up in high positions within the Magic Knights. Those positions are taken by the 16 families.

The House of Soma was also one of the families, although they were originally commoners before being given the title. They were renowned as fierce warriors, using the wind's power to boost their swords against enemies. Additionally, they were masters at jumping high and running fast using wind. In fact, the House of Soma even lived in the mountains, to harness the stormy winds surrounding them.

Yet despite their prominence in the battlefield, their heir Anura was born without magic. That caused the family to unanimously pass the position of heir to Anura's older cousin Elara. Leaving Anura neglected yet protected.

Elara was announced as the heir to the family to the public and Anura was hidden, her existence unknown to all but the most curious of commoners.

Situations like these where the other noble families bullied House Soma for Anura's shameful birth were not uncommon. And Anura often wondered if she was worth causing all that trouble for her family.

"Your daughter Estelle is really talented, Lady Diana, but putting down Anura like that isn't nice. She's a child, just like Estelle!" Anura could feel her mother's hand on her tighten.

"I'm not doing any harm, Lady Silvia. It's natural to go see the other participants announced for the competition," Lady Diana replied while glaring at Anura. "Well, your daughter doesn't really count..."

Lady Silvia snapped. "Anura is just like any other girl in this competition, anyone can participate, not just nobles... Just because your daughter is gifted doesn't mean it gives you the right to say that others don't matter."

Anura's eyes began to water, she didn't want her mother to start fighting. "Mommy..."

"Let it go, Lady Silvia. We all know who's gonna win. No need to try so hard when you're already losing." Diana's eyes were filled with disgust as she looked Anura up and down, which made her feel insecure.

"Lady Diana! Lady Silvia! Glad you could make it to the celebration! A splendid time isn't it? Both your daughters, queen candidates."

Anura turned to see a man dressed in a white alb approach. She'd never seen the man before, but he gave off an aura that she knew she'd never forget. His eyes were golden, just like hers. Wait... Anura looked closer and realized they weren't golden but a very pale yellow, almost white. His brow bone was sharp, and his hair a long midnight black. The way he looked at Anura felt gentle, despite his monstrous air.

A crowd gasped and stared when he began his way towards them. They gathered and parted for his way. Their eyes followed him intensely.

"An honor, Priest Zekiel." Anura's mother said, curtsying towards him. Lady Diana, following Lady Silvia, lowered her head in his presence.

"Rise ladies, no time for formalities. Celebrate!" Priest Zekiel let out a chuckle. His eyes found Anura, and he smiled at her. His smile made Anura flinch. Why was he smiling at her? Isn't he supposed to hate her?

"Priest Zekiel, I am so delighted and so thankful for-" Lady Diana stopped.

The priest had bent down to eye level with Anura and reached out his hand. Lady Diana looked taken back and confused. The crowd around them had gotten more substantial, and the sounds of astonishment echoed through the room. Anura's mother, on the other hand, looked pleased.

Anura clung tightly to her mother, conflicted about why the man was so nice to her.

"Anura... is it? Such a beautiful name," said the priest in a warm, welcoming tone.

Anura didn't know how to respond to his kind words, so she simply nodded. Her eyes glanced back and forth between his face and his outstretched palm.

The priest grinned and stood up while Anura's eyes followed his movements cautiously. He looked around towards the crowd with a defeated look on his face.

"Must be hard to make friends with children having an old body such as mine," he sighed. The crowd laughed, nodding towards each other than looking at Anura with pity.

"Well, Estelle is-" Lady Diana began.

"Anura will be a great queen!" boomed priest Zekiel, cutting off Lady Diana.

The crowd roared in response and clicked their champagnes. Lady Diana looked at Zekiel with the most appalled look on her face. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and anybody could tell she was embarrassed.

One last glance at Anura and without saying a word, the Priest Zekiel walked away.

Lady Diana glared angrily down at the 6-year-old Anura. Her teeth were gritted together, and her fists white from clenching her dress in her palms. She huffed then stomped away, leaving only the echo of her heels behind.

Anura looked up at her mother, confused.

Her mother smiled. "See that? You don't have to worry about a thing, Anura. You're special. Even the priest said you'll be a great queen."

Anura nodded. She couldn't do anything but believe her because Anura trusted her mother the most in the world. She always protected her and gave her all the love anyone could ask for. Her father was the same, except he was always busy, being one of the king's best knights and all.

Anura never really stood out in her family. She was just 'one of them.' But today, since Anura was announced as one of the candidates, the whole Soma family came to the king's banquet to celebrate. So did the 5 other families that were announced to have a daughter in the prophecy. All of the noble upbringing, of course.

"Anura," her mother poked her cheek. "Let's go to the garden now."

"Mhm!" Anura beamed. Lady Silvia and her daughter, Anura, made their way to the garden.

In a decade the competition should be held. Anything can happen in a decade. The other families have said that they'll be training their daughters for the competition. The Somas also said that Anura would start specialized training too. But what could she do? She didn't have magic like everyone else. She was bound to lose, so what's the point?

That night, a rumor spread around the party… Priest Zekiel had blatant favoritism for Anura Soma, a brat without magic.