Chapter 1

The students of Wemon’s Academy of Mages were preparing for the Rite of Awakening.

The Rite of Awakening is an important ritual that adjusts the magical circuits in the body through external stimuli, solidifying one’s ambiguous “potential skills.” It can be considered the culmination of primary education.

Unlike magical power or physical strength, skills are not inherited from one’s parents.

What a person acquires is completely random.

It’s like finally revealing the lottery results of a ticket you’ve had since birth.

Everyone has a chance to strike it rich.

Yes, even orphans like me, with no parents or money, have the possibility of a dramatic reversal of fortune.

If I acquire a powerful skill, my life could leap from hard mode to easy mode in an instant.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a miracle event that could revive everything.

In other words, it’s the so-called “skill dream.”

“Ugh… I can’t stop vomiting… I feel so sick… ughh…”

For every awaited miracle, there is also the despair of it not coming true, an inseparable part of the experience.

While all the students were filled with both hope and anxiety, I, on the other hand, felt like a suspect waiting for a verdict—guilty or sentenced to death.

To be frank, I have no money.

I have no assets whatsoever.

The only reason I can attend this prestigious school in the Kingdom of Landor is because the kingdom supports orphans like me.

However, that support ends when I graduate from the elementary division.

Without financial resources, I won’t be able to continue on to the middle school division.

Next year, I’ll have to leave the orphanage and start working.

Those without means are simply cast aside.

It’s a harsh reality.

That’s how things are; the law of survival of the fittest in this world.

One could easily accept that, but there’s still some hope.

There is a way to continue receiving support.

If I acquire a promising skill through this ritual and prove my potential to the teachers during the exam, I can receive the “recommendation” needed to continue the support.

For me, this ritual is a major crossroads that will determine whether I go on to higher education or have to start working.

“Alright, calm down. Skills are random. No point in struggling now. I’ll accept the result of the ritual first. Thinking about the future comes after that.”

“Line up and wait quietly! If you don’t acquire a skill, you’ll be held back! Listen carefully to the teacher’s instructions!”

As the teacher’s instructions echoed, the ritual began in the academy’s church.

When the students stood on the stage set in the center, they shone brightly within a large magic circle.

Blue light, like capillaries, coursed through their bodies.

After a moment, when they calmed down, the teacher instructed, “Focus your mind and release your magical power.”

When the student extended their arms, flames burst from their palms.

“[Fire] isn’t powerful enough. This is probably just [Flame]. It’s not a new skill, but fire is versatile and highly valued. Congratulations.”

“Yes!!!”

The student struck a large victory pose.

A [Fire] skill means the user’s magical power aligns easily with fire, enabling the constant possession of highly flammable magical power.

Their magical energy will be used in things like “magical stoves” or “magical lamps.”

How enviable.

Skills that are essential to daily life are in high demand, and thus, there are many buyers.

The [Fire] skill, in particular, is one of the most lucrative skills and is often called a “billionaire’s skill.”

It will definitely be useful in both daily life and combat.

With enough effort, one can become extremely competent.

Such people are in high demand.

It wouldn’t be surprising if adventurer clans or companies sought them out early for recruitment.

Without a doubt, it’s a promising skill.

Afterward, other students took their turns on the stage.

Some summoned winds, some produced strings, and one even grew trees on the walls of the church.

There was even one who acquired a skill that caused others to pass gas.

The teacher, with a serious face, repeatedly passed gas, turning bright red, and everyone struggled to hold in their laughter.

The student with the [Flatulence] skill was deeply dejected.

But from my perspective, they had parents, money, and the ability to attend school without issue—so I couldn’t help but envy them. I didn’t even have any comforting words to offer.

“Sigh… jealousy leads to twisted thoughts, doesn’t it? Really… I don’t want to develop a nasty personality.”

“Ausel! Step forward!”

It was my turn.

I stepped onto the stage and stood within the magic circle.

Surrounded by light, I concentrated.

Please… goddess…

I’m not asking for anything extravagant.

Even a mediocre skill would be fine, just something a little useful.

I’ve worked hard every day, studying and training without fail, and my grades have always been at the top.

All of it was for the purpose of receiving a recommendation and continuing my education.

Even with a humble skill, I’m confident I can make it work.

As long as it’s not an awful skill, I should be able to get a recommendation.

Please. Please. Please.

“Focus your mind and release your magical power.”

(Please…!!)

I extended my arm and imagined releasing the heat coursing through my body from my palms.

—Squelch.

Something appeared on the floor of the stage.

It was a transparent hemisphere, sticking to the ground.

—Pop.

It wobbled for a moment, then disappeared with a slight popping sound.

The teacher murmured.

“…Bubble?”

That day, my efforts were reduced to nothing but bubbles.