From Rock Bottom To Hero

The night that just passed, Shiro and I spent in my bed, as Shiro's bed was still covered in blood. He kept as much distance as possible. At one point, he even fell out of the bed.

The recovery was quick. At least for me. Shiro, on the other hand, had to rest longer. His arm is still heavily bandaged, and he winces every time he has to move it.

As for me, I feel almost like myself again after just one day. The doctor also mentioned that a simple Mana exhaustion doesn't last long as long as you get enough rest.

At first, I thought Shiro was just exhausted and that's why he was so distant. But over time, I realize that there's more to it. He doesn't talk openly about it, but he can't hide his caution towards me.

He avoids me and speaks less to me than usual. I also know why, and I understand him. For him, magic is an unknown force. It's completely natural for people to be afraid of the unknown.
But little by little, I can't bear it anymore that my own brother is afraid of me. I have to make this right.

I sit up and glance over to the other side of the bed. Shiro is no longer there.

Oh, he must have gotten up earlier than me. Surprising. I'm usually the one who wakes up first.

I sit at the edge of the bed and stretch my legs out, ready to get up. But as soon as my feet hit the floor, I step on something soft.

"OW!"

I jump and look down, confused. "Shiro?!"

He's lying right next to the bed on the floor, without a pillow, without a blanket and I'm standing right on his injured arm.

"WHAT THE HELL, SOTA?!" He gasps and yanks his arm out from under my foot.

I blink at him. "Uh...?" I'm at a loss for words. "Good morning?"

Shiro glares at me as he holds his aching arm. "Why did you kick me?!"
It was an accident. I didn't mean to kick him!

"Why are you sleeping on the floor?!" I counter.

He looks away, embarrassed. "I wanted to leave space!"

I look at him, confused. "Shiro, the bed is big enough for three people of our size."

He massages his arm and looks offended.

I sigh.

At least he's awake now. This is the perfect opportunity to talk to him. "Listen, Shiro."

Shiro turns his gaze back to me. "What is it?" He asks, annoyed.

"You don't have to be afraid of me." I address it directly.

He flinches and shakes his head quickly. "I'm not afraid of you."

That's obviously a lie. This is getting us nowhere right now. He probably still needs some time.

I fall back into the bed. There's not much more I can do at the moment.

But my parents clearly think differently. Two days pass, and suddenly a stranger is standing at our door. It's a magician.

He's older, maybe in his mid-forties, wearing a long, dark green robe, with sharp, observant eyes. He immediately seems pleasent.

"So, this is the boy?" His voice is calm, but there's something off about it.

My father nods. "Yes. Sota. We'd like to know what magic lies within him."

The man steps closer and looks at me. "Good. Then let's begin."