Anti-Mage

The Test

My name is Akina and I am an anti-mage. About ten minutes ago my entire world has shattered. The Test has just confirmed something unthinkable. 

In my world, every 18-year-old has to pass the Test to prove that they have magic in their blood.

I was shocked when a drop of my blood on the crystal has sucked the magic from it turning its light into darkness. I won't ever forget the faces of my professors and my principal who was whispering something inaudible to others trying to maintain the order. He asked me to leave and wait in his office. 

Magic is ruling my world with most prominent wizards and witches standing by the Kings. Ordinary people are receptive to magic, but cannot channel it. About once in a hundred years anomaly may happen and anti-mages like me appear. I know almost nothing about them as this is something not meant to be discussed. People believe even mentioning them brings misfortune. 

My family is of pure magic bloodline. My father being a talented mage is serving as the King's advisor and lives in the capital of Ellesmere, while me, my brother and my mother prefer to stay in our family manor not too far from Alifante. My father will be absolutely devastated hearing the news. 

And here I am waiting and guessing what my future will be like. I will not go to university. I will not see my friends. I will not celebrate today with my family. How could this happen to me? And what happens now?

The door finally opened making me breath in nervously straightening my back.

Principal Huxley? What happened there? Can I pass the Test again?

Akina, calm down. There is no point in taking the Test again - the crystal is never wrong. Our professors are now working to restore the light, he said looking at me with fatherly concern.

I felt strange. I didn't trust him. He always was a pleasant middle-aged man and his daughter Ariana was a close friend of mine. Now I didn't feel a bit of real warmness in his eyes. 

What do we do now? I asked.

You do nothing. I will send a note to the Council and we will be waiting for their decision, he said.

What about my father?

I will inform him, the Principal said.

Something seemed off, he was not looking me in the eye.

Would you like some tea? He suddenly asked. I think you need mint tea to feel better. It must have been a shock experience.

I nodded.

He stood up to make some tea.

I believe you know how this will affect your family. It will be devastating for them to hear the news. You father may even lose his position in the palace, Huxley said.

Why? Why being an anti-mage closes all the doors for you? Can't I just live a normal life?

The magical community's displease with anti-mages is long lasting. They are a threat. And your father will not be able to remain the King's advisor after what happened today. His loyalty will be compromised.

What can I do? Can you tell me why anti-mages are not welcomed in this world?

Just drink it and I will tell you the story, he passed me the cup with the tea.

I brought it close to my lips when I smelled something and this wasn't mint tea. My mind has never been so fast to put two and two - my principal whom I knew from back when I was a little girls is trying to poison me.

I coughed and put the cup away trying to keep my face. I am not feeling well, I said to him.

I had to think of something and the time was ticking away. There won't be a way out if he understands that I know about his plan.

Let me open the window, there is not much air here. And drink the tea, it will help. He stood up to open the window next to me.

That was my last chance.

I am sorry, I said hitting his head with a golden trophy I grabbed from his desk.

I knew this won't kill him, but it will give me some time to run.

I stood up, took my backpack and put a few potions, some money from the principal's office in there. I also took a golden dagger incrusted with diamonds from the wall.

I left the room without looking back. Luckily the school was empty, so I made it fairly easy to the gates. Once I was out, I heard the sirens going off.

I escaped.