Mages inhabit Crystal World, but some people don’t have powers. They are called Incapables. Who are they, and where did they come from?

Historically, when someone committed a serious crime and was convicted, mages would burn the magic channels on their fingertips. This severed their access to the Source and stripped them of their advantage. However, this punishment had a lasting side effect: ex-convicts could never use magic again, even after serving their sentences. Over time, those without access to power became known as ‘Incapables.’

Without magic and shunned by society, Incapables had no place in the world of mages. They were forced to spend their lives in isolated reservations, often in small villages hidden within forests.

Over time, Incapable communities grew, and not only because of returning prisoners. There were also women who were stripped of their powers due to having harmful Gifts. And if even one parent is Incapable, their children are born with weakened magic channels and cannot evoke Light at will. That’s why Incapables have always been considered ‘cursed’ for passing their condition to future generations.

Authorities tried to control the Incapable population by restricting their access to the civilized world. Any Incapable who wished to work in the cities had to pass a special test and obtain a permit. There were many restrictions on their lives: for example, they were forbidden from marrying mages or starting families outside the reservations.

Over time, Incapables became a source of cheap labor, working on farms, cleaning houses, and performing other low-paid jobs. This allowed mages to focus on education and pursue prestigious careers. Such inequality persisted for centuries, as Incapables remained compliant, believing mages were a superior race with greater rights and privileges.

And if you’ve read the Rebellion series, you already know where it led…