"You can't even light a candle. Step aside."
The instructor's voice was sharp, cold, and—at this point—utterly expected. Rowan Edevane didn't even flinch.
At the Altheria Academy of Magic, nothing was more disgraceful than being mana-less. And Rowan, sadly, didn't just have weak mana.
He had no functional mana core at all.
While other students summoned fireballs, froze water midair, or split stones with chants, Rowan sat on the ground, clutching his aching stomach like he was dying.
> "Again… this damned pain…"
It came every time he tried to cast magic.
But it wasn't fear. It was something else. Something inside him rejected magic itself.
---
"Hahaha! Look, the rock didn't even twitch!"
"Rowan the Rock! The stone who can't cast spells!"
Laughter erupted. Rowan said nothing.
The instructor sighed. Even the ground beneath him seemed disappointed.
And yet… Rowan smiled. Not out of courage. But because he was used to being the joke.
That was… until the sky outside flickered. Thunder rolled faintly across the towers.
> [ERROR: Mana Core Not Found.]
[Alternate Path Detected.]
[JOKER SYSTEM: INITIATED.]
"Welcome, Unworthy One."
---
The pain in his stomach shifted. It no longer just hurt. It burned, but in a strangely focused way.
Then came the sound—laughter. Soft, distant, chilling.
Like a jester hidden in the shadows of his own mind.
> [Cursed Spell Unlocked: "Mislead"]
Effect: Causes target to perceive false reality for 5 seconds.
Cost: Minor migraine and nausea.
Success Rate: 100%
> [Passive Skill: 100% Fixed Cursed Hit – Active]
Note: The more people you deceive, the stronger you become.
"Be the joke they never survive."
---
"Rowan, your turn. Don't tell me all you can cast is a fart."
Laughter again.
But Rowan stood.
This time, his smile had teeth.
The pain still twisted in his gut…
But his eyes were sharp.
He raised his hand toward the test stone.
Nothing happened.
Then—
"FIRE! THE ROCK IS BURNING!"
One student screamed.
The others gasped. The instructor leapt to shield them.
They saw flames. They believed it.
Even though the stone hadn't moved an inch.
Rowan lowered his hand.
He hadn't cast real magic.
He had simply… lied effectively.
> +10 Prank Points
"Nice first trick, Clown."
---
And for the first time, the world began to believe in Rowan.
Even if he knew the truth:
There was no miracle.
Only curses, deception—
And one very, very pissed off stomach.
---
END OF CHAPTER 1