CH 2

Blessing Ceremony

Translated by Rafligo012My name is Eddie. I grew up in an orphanage and just turned seven. My hair is a shade of ice silver with a touch of blue, and my eyes are apparently ice blue. Since there were no mirrors in the orphanage, I don't really know what I look like. This world is called Hillford, and I reside in a country called the Kingdom of Verheim. In this world, when children turn seven, they are required to undergo a Blessing Ceremony. The Blessing Ceremony is a ritual where the goddess bestows status and abilities. It's common for individuals to pursue careers that align with their received abilities. Nobles, in particular, have a chance of their genetic abilities increasing between the ages of seven and ten. The orphanage I live in is situated in the town of Corabi, within the Margrave Territory of Motleyk in the southern part of the Verheim Kingdom. In Corabi, and in most churches, the Blessing Ceremony takes place twice a year. Getting favorable abilities can lead to being hired by the kingdom or local lords, so the children in the orphanage are particularly enthusiastic. Mary, Allen, Thomas, and I have promised to become adventurers and form a party. Therefore, we're hoping to receive abilities such as swordsmanship and magic that would be useful for adventurers. Since the right to receive blessings is determined by social status, we, as the orphanage group, are the last in line. Nobles often go all the way to the capital just to receive blessings. The first this time was Jürgen, the mayor's second son. It seems like he received the ability for fire magic, and I'm quite envious. After seeing people who are delighted with their newfound abilities or disappointed when their desired abilities aren't bestowed, our turn, the orphanage group, finally approaches. "Alright, I'll go first!" Allen steps forward, becoming the first from the orphanage group to receive the blessing. Allen has brown hair, brown eyes, and a tanned complexion. Brown hair and brown eyes like Allen's are considered standard features for regular folks in this world. Those with strong magical power, like nobles, are said to have their hair and eye colors change according to the nature of their magic. That's why I'm quite hopeful that the change in my hair color might signify some magical ability. The priest of the church passed away two years ago, and since this is a small frontier town, it's been hard to find a replacement. Currently, Sister Marguerite is standing in, overseeing the Blessing Ceremony. As Allen kneels before the statues of the three goddesses and offers his prayer, a stone slab before him briefly glows. "Allen has been bestowed with the ability of swordsmanship," Sister Marguerite announces, reading the content of the slab. "Allen, check your status board," she prompts. Upon her instruction, Allen excitedly stands up and peers at the stone slab. The content of the stone slab is visible only to Sister Marguerite and the recipient. While Sister Marguerite announces the abilities, the specific details remain a secret. However, judging from Allen's beaming expression, it's safe to assume that something favorable has been written. "I did it! You guys should give it a shot too!" Allen turns to us and flashes a victory sign. We respond by raising our hands in agreement. Afterward, Thomas, who's a bit taller than the rest of us, goes next and receives proficiency in shield techniques. Mary then receives the ability of water magic. Since water magic includes healing spells, she'll surely become popular as an adventurer. Magic abilities themselves are quite rare among commoners, and even if obtained, they are often challenging to harness. Spellbooks containing magic are extremely expensive and hard to come by. Given that literacy rates among commoners are low, even if someone manages to buy a spellbook, they frequently struggle to actually use magic, leading to many instances of frustration and failure. When our party is formed, acquiring Mary's spellbook as soon as possible will likely be our first major challenge. "Now, it's only Eddie left." "Aren't you going already, Eddie?" Allen and Mary speak to me. "After the Blessing Ceremony, Sister Marguerite asked me to help with the cleanup, so I'm supposed to go last," I explain. "Can't be helped if Sister Marguerite asked," Mary says, grinning. I'm the one who's known Sister Marguerite the longest at the orphanage, and I've been allowed—or maybe coerced—to call her "Meg-nee" as a nickname. Finally, the Blessing Ceremony for our orphanage group comes to an end, and at last, it's my turn.

My name is Eddie. I grew up in an orphanage and just turned seven. My hair is a shade of ice silver with a touch of blue, and my eyes are apparently ice blue. Since there were no mirrors in the orphanage, I don’t really know what I look like.

This world is called Hillford, and I reside in a country called the Kingdom of Verheim. In this world, when children turn seven, they are required to undergo a Blessing Ceremony.

The Blessing Ceremony is a ritual where the goddess bestows status and abilities. It’s common for individuals to pursue careers that align with their received abilities. Nobles, in particular, have a chance of their genetic abilities increasing between the ages of seven and ten.

The orphanage I live in is situated in the town of Corabi, within the Margrave Territory of Motleyk in the southern part of the Verheim Kingdom.

In Corabi, and in most churches, the Blessing Ceremony takes place twice a year. Getting favorable abilities can lead to being hired by the kingdom or local lords, so the children in the orphanage are particularly enthusiastic.

Mary, Allen, Thomas, and I have promised to become adventurers and form a party. Therefore, we’re hoping to receive abilities such as swordsmanship and magic that would be useful for adventurers.

Since the right to receive blessings is determined by social status, we, as the orphanage group, are the last in line. Nobles often go all the way to the capital just to receive blessings. The first this time was Jürgen, the mayor’s second son. It seems like he received the ability for fire magic, and I’m quite envious.

After seeing people who are delighted with their newfound abilities or disappointed when their desired abilities aren’t bestowed, our turn, the orphanage group, finally approaches.

“Alright, I’ll go first!”

Allen steps forward, becoming the first from the orphanage group to receive the blessing. Allen has brown hair, brown eyes, and a tanned complexion.

Brown hair and brown eyes like Allen’s are considered standard features for regular folks in this world. Those with strong magical power, like nobles, are said to have their hair and eye colors change according to the nature of their magic. That’s why I’m quite hopeful that the change in my hair color might signify some magical ability.

The priest of the church passed away two years ago, and since this is a small frontier town, it’s been hard to find a replacement. Currently, Sister Marguerite is standing in, overseeing the Blessing Ceremony.

As Allen kneels before the statues of the three goddesses and offers his prayer, a stone slab before him briefly glows.

“Allen has been bestowed with the ability of swordsmanship,” Sister Marguerite announces, reading the content of the slab.

“Allen, check your status board,” she prompts.

Upon her instruction, Allen excitedly stands up and peers at the stone slab.

The content of the stone slab is visible only to Sister Marguerite and the recipient. While Sister Marguerite announces the abilities, the specific details remain a secret. However, judging from Allen’s beaming expression, it’s safe to assume that something favorable has been written.

“I did it! You guys should give it a shot too!”

Allen turns to us and flashes a victory sign. We respond by raising our hands in agreement.

Afterward, Thomas, who’s a bit taller than the rest of us, goes next and receives proficiency in shield techniques. Mary then receives the ability of water magic. Since water magic includes healing spells, she’ll surely become popular as an adventurer.

Magic abilities themselves are quite rare among commoners, and even if obtained, they are often challenging to harness. Spellbooks containing magic are extremely expensive and hard to come by. Given that literacy rates among commoners are low, even if someone manages to buy a spellbook, they frequently struggle to actually use magic, leading to many instances of frustration and failure.

When our party is formed, acquiring Mary’s spellbook as soon as possible will likely be our first major challenge.

“Now, it’s only Eddie left.”

“Aren’t you going already, Eddie?”

Allen and Mary speak to me.

“After the Blessing Ceremony, Sister Marguerite asked me to help with the cleanup, so I’m supposed to go last,” I explain.

“Can’t be helped if Sister Marguerite asked,” Mary says, grinning.

I’m the one who’s known Sister Marguerite the longest at the orphanage, and I’ve been allowed—or maybe coerced—to call her “Meg-nee” as a nickname.

Finally, the Blessing Ceremony for our orphanage group comes to an end, and at last, it’s my turn.