A pair of (S/c) hands lifted into the sky. Bright (E/c) eyes following the movements of each finger and how they seemed to have a mind of their own but at the very same time follow commands. This would be the first of many memories to come. Life as a young boy was quite comforting for a commoner such as yourself. Your parents had turned to architecture and made a considerable living, at least in the efforts of comfort over excess. 

Your mother's glimmering (E/c) eyes mirrored your own as a smile pulled onto her slender features. her hands trailed down and lifted you up, a squeal of happiness following as the woman entertained your young mind. The light of day shone into the kitchen you had followed to, illuminating her (H/c) locks to frame her elegant face. Your mother was something of a rough woman, assisting your father in his projects with her control over the earth itself, stone and dirt rising and falling to her whims. Watching her calloused but elegant fingers toy with the very soil beneath her was your first memory of magic. Your father reminded you of your mother but in a different way. Your mother was a silent worker, content in her work and happy-go-lucky when with you. Your father was the opposite. With you, he gave off a kind air of protection and knowledge but before others, he seemed all the more a showman. Give him an instrument and he would be no different from the people singing and dancing about in the books mother read to you. He stood rather tall, at least taller than your mother by a few inches at the very least. His rigid face was framed by short, greying dirty blonde hair though his growing age didn't deter him or his legacy. His mastery of trees is what truly interested your youthful mind the most once the concept of elements was taught to you. The memory of him referring to it as "magic of the wood" at some point when talking to a friend and stuck with you softly in silence.

Compared to your parents, you were truly the anomaly, however. A living testament of human betrayal of fate. Your parents met by chance, fell in love by chance, and somehow by chance found the time to have a child. It was expected of you to share your parent's affinity for earthly magic but as a young toddler, you could barely talk let alone control the elements and your mother silently reassured you it was perfectly fine and everyone discovered their talent differently. As the years dragged on and that toddler became a young boy, it became much harder to ignore the lack of magic that the boy showed. Your Father proved to be a hero in this regard as he leveraged the growing reputation of him and your mother to shift the focus away from you and toward his ever-growing projects.

(Y/n): Mom...

Your mother's loving gaze turned to you, the ever-present grin growing on her tired features.

Mother: What is it, my dear?

(Y/n): Why do I need magic?

The question seemed to stun her for a moment. Of course, for her it was as natural as breathing but...

Mother: Magic isn't needed per se... but it helps you with life. Your father and I are able to do wonderful things with our combined magic and make people happy. I'm sure when you discover your magic you will make others happy as well. 

Mom always knew how to melt the worry in your heart. She even managed to help you forget for a brief moment forget that you had still yet to show any affinity for earthen magic.

Fate seemed to relish in its mischief as you were quickly reminded of the fact magic had yet to take a hold of your young body. Your family home sat in the Commoner realm, placed on the outskirts of a village. You never cared to remember the name of the village as your father handled the majority of business in the small hamlet but you would soon be confronted with the village in the form of neighbors. Dad had spent the entirety of the morning speaking with a man you didn't know why your mother rushed off somewhere in a giddy manner. Thus, you were left to your own devices, desperately trying to force a couple of pebbles at your feet to dance or at least get a tree to sway against the wind. 

(Y/n): Ah... come on! Do something you stupid rocks!

???: You really shouldn't bully the rocks like that.

A high-pitched voice filled your ears and caused your guard to raise instantly, whipping away as if carried by the breeze to let your frustrated (E/c) meet brilliant... pink ones? Truthfully, the eyes appeared to be grey but had an almost sakura petal color to them that caused your breath to catch in your throat before you could say something stupid. A girl stood before you, completely relaxed in contrast to your stiff form. Her pale blue dress flapped in the breeze but those details barely registered in your mind as you were focused upon her face. A gentle smile graced her face, reminiscent of your mother's leading up to a Grecian nose. The girl's face was framed by flowing curly pale pink hair that extended at least to the middle of her back. It just seemed like the perfect color for her amazing-looking eyes.

???: Um... do I have something on my face?

(Y/n): E-Eh? Um no! Just uh... who are you?

The girl tilted her head to the side as if confused by the statement. It was once she was done swimming in your own (E/c) eyes that she perked up.

Alienor: Oh I guess our parents really haven't said anything yet. My name is Alienor Mannerheim! Though, please just call me Allie. Since we're going to be neighbors why don't you give me yours and we can call this a fair trade?

(Y/n): I suppose... My name is (Y/n) (L/n). Though, please just call me (Y/n).

This Alienor girl brought a pout to her face, her hands sliding up to rest on her hips.

Alienor: Are you trying to make fun of me?

(Y/n): Huh? Why would I try to make fun of you? 

Alienor: You said the same thing I said!

(Y/n): Did I? I guess I did... Still, it's no reason to get all pouty, shorty. 

Your snarky attitude toward the strange girl seemed to cause her to grow aggravated instantly, her eyes turning from frustrated to glare as a smirk pulled onto her face.

Alienor: What... was... that?

(Y/n): I called you a shorty. You know cause I'm taller than you? 

The girl lifted her palm softly as something began to condense into it. The feeling and sudden obstruction of the flowing breeze signaled to your young mind that she was going to use magic. But... how? She was clearly the same age as you or maybe a bit older? But still, how can she use it and you not?! You would have raised the question had your mouth not suddenly become blocked. Alienor held an annoying grin on her face as you lifted up your hand and poked at your face... only to find a piece of paper covering your mouth. You tried pulling at it, but it almost seemed stuck to your face, covering your mouth but not your nose as to not prevent you from breathing.

Alienor: Alright, n-e-i-g-h-b-o-r~ Talk your way out of this one! 

Feeling the vein pop in your forehead, you pried at the paper on your face, wanting to wipe the smirk off the girl's face as you poked at the surprisingly firm material, not sure how she managed to glue it to your face. It took a few minutes before you realized it was pointless and let your shoulders sag.

Alienor: You wanna apologize now?

(Y/n): Hmm mmm-hmm

Alienor: Err... is that a sorry?

(Y/n): Mmpf hmm mmm!

The girl clearly couldn't tell what you were saying and lifted her palm once more, the paper painlessly peeling away from your skin.

Alienor: So what were you-

(Y/n): How did you do that?!

The girl jumped back in shock, her eyes wide and her hand lifted to put a bit of a barrier between you and her. Your outburst caught her off-guard instantly.

(Y/n): I mean you look like you're my age but I can't do any magic! I can't lift rocks like mom or mess with trees and stuff like my dad!

Alienor: Eh? You can't use magic?! That's like... the one thing I really know how to use!

(Y/n): What sort of magic do you use?

Alienor: Well you should know, silly!

The girl lifted the small sheet of paper to let it flap in the growing breeze. So her magic was... paper? It seemed so weird since your parents used earth magic. you assumed most magic had to do with something about the elements mother taught you about. 

(Y/n): Well... when I get my magic I'm gonna get you back for putting that paper on my face!

Alienor: I'd like to see you try!

(Y/n): Just... uh... give me a couple of years! Mom didn't get her magic till she was ten!

Alienor: Wait... how old are you?

(Y/n): Seven.

The girl took a moment to look you over before her cheeks puffed. The puffed-up cheeks grew and grew and grew before the girl let out a loud chuckle.

(Y/n): Hey why are you laughing?!

Alienor: You were talking so high and mighty... ahahah~ You should show some respect to people older than you! I'm nine!

(Y/n): EH?! No way!

Alienoir: Yes way!

(Y/n): If you're ten then how come you're so short?!

Alienor seemed to blow a fuse again as you watched her lift her palm again... before dropping it with the clear hint of a devious idea in her pleasant sakura-grey eyes. She turned on a heel and started running away.

Alienor: I'll race you to prove you should listen to what I say! The first one to my house wins!

(Y/n): Wait that's cheating! I-I don't even know the way to your house.

Your legs were thrown into gear as you sprinted after the girl, slowly catching up to her despite the dress clearly hampering her steps.

Alienor: Then just keep losing until we get there!

(Y/n): There's no way I'd lose to you, Allie!

Laughter erupted from the two of you as you took note of your memory of the first time you called her Allie. And it was then that you realized... you had just met your childhood friend.

The lingering worries about your magic only seemed to grow worse as the years passed by. You would grow older year by year and not a single hint of any earthly magic appeared. As you stood at eleven, whole years passed from when your mother and Alienoir came to discover their magic, you could only dread the prospect that you might not have magic at all. But why? Why would you not have magic like everyone else? Was it fate pulling another trick for your existence. But your mother said you had mana, which meant you had magic! You had to...

Allie: What are you thinking about?

Your dull (E/c) lifted to stare up into the tree you sat against. There amongst the branches sat Alienor. Over the years she seemed to grow a couple of fascinations. The first was coming over to spend time with you. The second was to use the majority of that time messing with, and finally third she discovered that apparently, she was part bird as she liked climbing trees. It did make it easier to get into your room due to the tree just outside your window but your mind was still baffled by the semi-dangerous concept. The thirteen-year-old by now had also outgrown the shorty nickname you gave her long by the point. Taller than you by the same amount you thought your father was to your mother. A sigh pulled at your lips as your gaze lowered once more, staring at the pebbles that ignored your calls to action.

(Y/n): I don't have magic.

Allie: Of course you have magic, you have mana!

(Y/n): But what does that mean? As far as I know, anything can have mana.

Allie: Well with mana it usually means you have magic. You just have to keep practicing. 

(Y/n): But I don't have any connection with the earth or trees or anything!

You heard the branches overheard rustle. You pushed away from the tree to stare up at Allie just in time to see her balancing on a limb.

Allie: Aww don't whine. You might just be one of those people that don't figure out their magic until you get your grimoire!

That... could be true. Your mother had a grimoire and so did your father. Worry still nagged at you though as they had long discovered their magic before needing a grimoire. Is this a sign of trouble if you can't even discover your true potential before the aid of a grimoire? 

Your heart managed to forget how to worry for a moment, dropping slightly as you watched Alienoir jump from the branch she stood upon across the air and into another close-by tree. Her bare feet just barely managing to balance on the new limb. You were growing sick with worry while Alienoir appeared to be having the time of her life among the branches.

(Y/n): Could you please stop doing that...

Allie: Why? It's fun! 

(Y/n): Cause if you fall I'm not taking any blame for it.

Allie: Aww come on I've been doing this for like ever now. Why don't you trust me a little more?

(Y/n): I trust you! I just don't trust trees. We have a strained relationship at the moment.

The joke managed to pull a chuckle from the girl's lips as she danced around the branches of the tree before planning on another jump to the next standing wood sentimental. A sigh escaped from your lips, tired of worrying about the same old thing as your gaze turned to look at your home for any signs of movement. Maybe your mother was making something to eat soon or your father was back from his trip into the village. Your legs carried you a few steps away from the tree you stood next to and you could just barely make out-

A crackling pop followed by a piercing yelp caused every muscle in your body to freeze. As your body panicked, your mind took manual control and forced you to look at the dreaded sight. The branch Alienoir had attempted to pounce on had been dead, the wood just barely held together by its bark. So when the thirteen year old girl landed with all of her weight the bark instantly gave way, causing it to began falling along with the girl who was part bird. But sadly you knew she wouldn't fly like one. As the sight of Allie falling in slow motion filtered clearly through your shocked mind, your legs began pumping as fast as they could, your body moving faster than you ever recall it doing so in the vain hopes of catching the girl. Your hands outstretched, preparing a semi-soft cushion for the girl to land in but somewhere in your head you knew you wouldn't make it. those few steps coupled with Alienoir being two trees away meant you had just walked outside the distance you could have saved her. But you continued the vain attempt, not willing to let her get hurt in any way, shape, or form.

Alienor had been so sure the branch would hold. Of course, it didn't have leaves but the fall was growing ever closer so she was sure that it was simply the seasons doing. Now that her young body flailed toward the ground, her hand lifted to try and think of a solution. She could form a bed of paper but with how fast she was falling she would probably smack headfirst into the ground before even half of it was completed. She rattled her brain for every possible answer but it just seemed... pointless. She wouldn't die. She might get seriously hurt but she was sure she wouldn't die. Her sakura-grey eyes turned from the branches growing further away to see your fearful look, rushing toward her in a vain attempt to stop her from breaking a leg or something. Lucky for her though, she would have to think about it for long as a loud thump collied with the ground...

Your lips parted softly, hot panicked breaths still exhaling out into the cool day as time seemed to stop. No not time... rather it was Alienor. The girl who had been falling just a moment ago was seemingly frozen in place, A fierce pressure applied to your palms as Allie took a moment to let out a breath before turning to you fully, her body seemingly hanging from strings as she awkwardly floated in the same spot.

Allie: W-What... what...

Her brain seemed as stunned as yours as you carefully took heavy steps toward the girl.

(Y/n): I... I'm going to catch you... ok? If this is a dream just keep believing it until I get there.

She shook her head yes and simply held her breath, writing her teeth softly as you approached her. The pressure on your palms was so foreign yet felt right like you were truly focused now. Like a cloud had been lifted from your eyes but for a moment. As you took your final steps to rest underneath the girl you gulped, making sure not to peer up her green dress.

(Y/n): W-What do I do now?

Allie: Try letting go of the feeling in your palms.

If this was what Alienor thought it was then she was happy to make a small sacrifice like this. A grin pulled onto her face as you carefully relaxed your fingers as she began to slowly fall once more. The girl finally fell from the rest of the way, fate clearly upset with your actions as she awkwardly landed upon you, her stomach smacking you in the face as your arms wrapped around her back quickly. A grunt escaped your lips as you carefully lowered her to the ground, letting her feet settle into the grass as you gripped her shoulders with a certain shocking intensity.

(Y/n): Are you ok?!

Allie: Yes I'm fine. It's not like I hit the ground or anything.

(Y/n): Don't joke about that! You could have gotten hurt, dummy! But...

She knew exactly what you were questioning. She knew that you hadn't gotten a grip on time or wished for it to simply happen... so does that mean...

Allie: What did you think when I was falling?

(Y/n): Huh? I thought "she's falling".

Allie: No no like what did you want to happen.

(Y/n): Well... I wanted you to stop. For um gravity to stop you from falling and hold you in place long enough for me to get there.

A smile pulled onto the girl's face as an idea twinkled in her eyes. The pale-pink-haired girl pulled out of your vice-like grip and moved closer to the dead branch. She lowered herself to the ground in a crouch, examine the deadwood before looking at you with those bright sakura-grey eyes.

Allie: Try focusing on this piece of wood.

(Y/n): Why?

Allie: Just try to focus on it and like... you know think about lifting it.

You were baffled by the girl's interest in the piece of wood but you couldn't deny you wanted to know why you stopped her. A breath escaped your lips as you lifted your palms in the direction of the fallen branch and thought intensely about lifting it. Just lifting it ever so slightly. The same pressure applied to your palms and right before your eyes, the branch began hovering softly, twisting and turning awkwardly in the grip you held over it. Your eyes widened even more, almost owlishly before the branch thumped to the ground and you glanced at your hands.

(Y/n): Did... is that... y-you know

Allie: Magic! You did magic! 

(Y/n): I-I did?! I did!

The sheer rush of emotions that flooded through your chest caused tears to rush down your face. Maybe it was a relief after so many years of worry, happiness from managing to actually do something magical with this supposed mana you had, or maybe you were just happy you managed to prevent Allie from being hurt. Alienor took this moment to rush over and throw you into a hug, not even giving time for your arms to curl around her and return it before she gripped your wrist and dragged you toward your home.

(Y/n): But wait w-what time of magic even is it?

Allie: You said it yourself remember?

The girl toyed with you once more, pulling you along as you racked your brain for a response, thinking over the last few minutes before your mind arrived at a conclusion. The reason you couldn't use earth magic was that... you simply couldn't. You didn't control the earth or stone or even trees like your father. But you had managed to control and alter something that wasn't even an element technically. You supposed this was just a testament to the anomaly you were. Your lips pursed softly and the word you finally arrived to seeped from within them.

(Y/n): Gravity. I-I use gravity magic!

You happily cried out, wiping your face as you approached your mother who had come outside to see what all the shouting was about. Your life was now balanced. The worry of no magic was gone but instead, it was now filled with the excitement of learning to master control over gravity itself.