CHAPTER 2: THE ONE WHO KEPT TRYING

THE ONE WHO KEPT TRYING

A year passed.

Valeris Capital changed with the seasons. The towers grew taller, new academies opened, and the banners of the six Magical Knight Orders flew across the busy streets.

But inside the Riven Estate, one thing stayed the same.

Kevin Riven was still training.

"Again."

He stood in the middle of the training yard. He was sixteen now, taller and stronger than the little boy who used to struggle to get up after losing control. But his magic was as stubborn as ever.

He raised his hand. A faint glow wrapped around his fingers.

"Come on..."

The energy gathered. For a moment it looked stable.

Then it twisted.

"Wait..."

BOOM!

The blast threw him across the yard. He hit the ground, and dust covered his clothes.

The instructor sighed. "Your control is still unstable."

Kevin slowly stood. "I know."

"You've been training for years."

"I know."

"You should have improved more by now."

Kevin said nothing.

The instructor studied him for a moment, then turned away. "Take a break."

"I'll continue."

"You've already exhausted yourself."

"I said I'll continue."

The man shook his head. "You're stubborn."

Kevin smiled faintly. "Maybe."

He raised his hand again.

From the balcony, Arena watched him.

At sixteen she had become almost everything people expected her to be. Her control was extraordinary, her instructors praised her, and nobles invited her to gatherings. Young mages challenged her and most regretted it. Even a few Magical Knights had started to take an interest.

The attention never changed her. But one thing still bothered her.

Kevin.

She watched him fall, then stand. Fall, then stand. Every day, for years.

She went downstairs. By the time she reached the yard, he had already started another attempt.

"Kevin."

He ignored her.

"Kevin, don't."

The energy around his palm began to shake.

"You're going to lose control."

"I know."

"Then stop."

"No." His voice was quiet. "I have to."

Arena frowned. "Why?"

He looked at her. "Because everyone else already gave up on me."

"I haven't."

His face softened. "I know." He turned back to the target. "But I need to know that I haven't given up on myself."

Arena didn't know what to say.

"Again," Kevin said.

That evening, the Riven family gathered for dinner.

The hall was enormous, with a long table beneath a chandelier made entirely of enchanted crystal. Kevin sat quietly. Arena sat beside him. Their older siblings talked about politics, the academies, and the latest achievements of the six Orders.

Eventually the conversation turned to Arena.

"You've been invited to observe the Sky Order's training next month," a relative said. "That's quite an honour."

"I know."

"With your ability, you may even receive an offer after your Codex ceremony."

Kevin lowered his eyes.

Their father looked at him. "And you, Kevin?"

The table went quiet.

"I'll keep training."

One of his siblings chuckled. "Still?"

Kevin stared at him.

"At this point, perhaps you should accept that magic simply isn't your strength."

"Enough," Arena said sharply.

The sibling shrugged. "I'm only being honest."

Kevin looked down at his plate. Under the table, his fingers tightened.

"Kevin," their father said.

"Yes?"

"Your Codex ceremony is approaching. You need to decide what you intend to do with your future."

"I already know."

"And what is that?"

He answered without hesitation. "I'm going to become a Magical Knight."

Several people at the table glanced at each other. Someone laughed.

Kevin kept his eyes on his father. "I'll become one."

His father didn't laugh. But he didn't encourage him either.

"Then prove you're capable of it."

"I will."

The next morning, Kevin woke before sunrise and slipped out of his room without a sound. The estate was still asleep. He walked into the training yard under a dark sky and raised his hand.

Nothing.

He tried again. Nothing.

He clenched his teeth. "Come on."

On the third try, a spark appeared.

"Yes..."

It grew. His breathing slowed. He remembered everything his instructors had taught him. Control your breathing. Control your thoughts. Control your magic.

The light grew brighter, and for the first time it didn't feel like his magic was fighting him. It felt like it was listening.

Then it vanished.

"No." He tried again. Nothing.

He lowered his hand and stood completely still. Then he laughed, a small, bitter laugh.

"Of course."

He sat down on the ground. The sun came up slowly beyond the estate walls, and he watched it. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to scream.

Instead he whispered, "Tomorrow."

Weeks turned into months, and months into years. Kevin kept going. He trained his body, studied magic, learned the different attributes, and read everything he could about the six Orders. He practised swordsmanship even though he had no natural talent for it. When his magic failed, he trained his body. When his body gave out, he studied. When studying got frustrating, he went back to magic.

There was always something else to try.

Meanwhile, Arena kept rising. At seventeen she defeated older mages in training, and nobles already talked about her future. People were saying she might stand among the greatest mages of her generation.

Kevin heard all of it. And strangely, he wasn't jealous. He was proud of her.

But sometimes, when nobody was watching, he wondered.

When will they say my name?

One evening the twins stood on the highest balcony of the estate. The capital glittered below them, thousands of magical lights spread across the city.

"One year," Arena said.

Kevin knew what she meant. Their Codex ceremony.

"One year."

"Are you nervous?"

He laughed. "A little."

"A little?"

"Fine. Very."

She smiled. "You'll be fine."

"What if nothing happens?"

Her smile faded. "What do you mean?"

"What if I don't receive one?"

"You will."

"You don't know that."

She stayed silent. Kevin looked at his hands.

"For years I've been waiting for something to happen. What if nothing ever does?"

Arena stepped closer. "Then you'll find another way."

"You always make it sound easy."

"It isn't." She looked straight at him. "But you're Kevin."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I've watched you fail more times than anyone I know." The corner of her mouth lifted. "And somehow, you're still here."

Kevin said nothing for a moment. Then he smiled.

"Yeah," he said, looking out toward the horizon. "I'm still here."

Neither of them knew what the year ahead would bring.

For now, Kevin only had one thing left to do. Keep training.

So he did.

Again.