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Chapter 3 - Chapter 1: The Boy Without Power.

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In a world divided into three kinds of beings—humans, demons, and rulers (gods)—power meant everything. The humans lived normal lives, with small bits of magic. Demons were much stronger, feared and respected across lands. And then there were the rulers—god-like beings with power beyond imagination. They didn't rule with laws, but with strength. The weak had no place in this world.

In a small human village, a boy named Chirag was born. At first, everything seemed normal. He was quiet, curious, and very smart for his age. His parents believed he would have strong magical powers when he turned twelve—just like every other child in the village. They treated him well, proud of how smart and kind he was. But deep down, Chirag always felt… different.

When Chirag turned twelve, the day came to test his magical power. Every child in the village had to touch the "Stone of Awakening," a special crystal that glowed with the color of a child's power. The brighter the light, the stronger the magic.

Child after child touched the stone. Glows of blue, red, green, and golden light filled the sky. Then it was Chirag's turn.

He stepped forward, his hands trembling. He placed his hand on the stone and waited.

Nothing happened.

Not even a flicker.

Gasps filled the air. Whispers spread fast. "No power?" "Impossible." "He was supposed to be gifted."

The village chief came forward and touched the stone himself. It glowed blue—showing it worked just fine.

"It's true," the chief said coldly. "The boy has zero magic. He is powerless."

Chirag's heart sank. His parents looked at him, stunned. His mother's eyes filled with tears—not of sadness, but of shame. His father stepped back like Chirag was no longer his son.

"What do we do?" his father asked the chief.

"There's no use for someone like him," the chief replied. "Leave him outside the village. If he can survive, it's his fate. If not... the world has made its choice."

That night, without a word, his parents took Chirag to the edge of the forest and left him there with only a thin blanket and a loaf of bread.

He called out to them. "Please! Don't leave me!" But they didn't look back.

Chirag sat alone outside the village walls, cold and confused. He didn't cry. He didn't scream. He just sat there, staring at the moon, wondering why he was born like this.

Days passed. He built a small shelter from broken wood and leaves. He drank rainwater and ate wild fruits. But he was growing weaker. Loneliness filled every hour.

Then, one day, a girl appeared.

She looked about his age, wearing dark clothes with a strange pattern on them—like flames wrapped around shadows. Her hair was long and deep red, like blood under sunlight. Her eyes glowed faintly, a sign she wasn't human.

She was a demon.

She stood at the edge of his shelter and asked softly, "Hey… are you living here?"

Chirag didn't trust her. He picked up a rock and threw it at her. Then another. She dodged them all, laughing a little—until one rock actually hit her arm.

"Ow! That hurt," she said, surprised.

Chirag stepped out. "Why are you here?" he asked.

She didn't look angry. She just smiled. "I was curious. I sensed something different here. What's your name?"

"…Chirag."

"I'm Siya," she said. "Why are you living alone?"

At first, Chirag didn't want to talk. But something about her felt safe, even though she was a demon. So he told her everything—from the test to being abandoned.

Siya sat beside him until the sun started to set. She shared her food with him. Chirag hesitated, but hunger won.

As she stood up to leave, she looked at him and said, "Come with me. You can't live like this."

But Chirag shook his head. "I don't belong anywhere."

"Then come where no one belongs," Siya smiled. "My world."

She reached out her hand.

Chirag didn't know why—but this time, he trusted someone. He took her hand.

She led him far beyond the forests, into the lands of demons. The skies were red, the trees darker, and the air thicker. Chirag felt afraid—but Siya never let go of his hand.

She brought him to her home—a large stone castle filled with fire lamps and ancient markings. The guards stared at Chirag, confused and angry. A human? Here?

But Siya stood tall. "He's with me," she said. "If you have a problem, take it up with my father."

Her father—the Demon King—was powerful, cold, and feared by all. When he saw Chirag, his first reaction was rage.

"What is a powerless human doing in my realm?"

But Siya stood in front of Chirag, shielding him.

"I brought him here. He needs us. And… I like him."

The Demon King frowned. His eyes glowed fiercely. But instead of striking Chirag down, he turned away.

"Do what you want, daughter. But he is your responsibility."

And just like that, Chirag began a new life—in a world where no human had ever been allowed before.

Over time, he and Siya grew close. She taught him how demons trained, how they lived, how they fought. She helped him read ancient scrolls, made him food, and even laughed at his bad jokes. For the first time, Chirag didn't feel worthless. He felt alive.

He still had no magic—but he had something new: hope.

And he had Siya.

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