While walking down the long road in Quezon City, hunger gnawed at me like a relentless beast. My stomach growled in protest as I stumbled through the unfamiliar terrain. I barely noticed the glowing stone nestled in the grass, but my hunger-addled mind drove me to investigate. As I reached out, a strange circle appeared, shimmering with a faint, magical light.
My eyes widened in shock. The circle looked like something out of a fantasy anime I'd watched before—one of those ancient magic circles. Suddenly, an intense flash of light enveloped me, and I felt a dizzying transformation sweep through my body. My sickly form was healing; my weariness and asthma vanished, replaced by a new, healthy body.
[Unique Skill INFINITE MANA granted]
[Unique Skill LANGUAGE KNOWLEDGE granted]
[Unique Skill MAXIMIZED HEALING granted]
Skills? I have skills?
I marveled at the unexpected vitality surging through me. But amidst my wonder, a more pressing question lingered: where was I? I looked around at the ancient stone houses and the peculiar clothing of the people—some even had cat ears and tails.
This... this must be another world, I thought. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that despite the wonders around me, I still needed food.
Third-Person View
Kazu wandered through the bustling streets, his desperation growing with each passing moment. "Excuse me, please..." he said, his voice quivering. "I'm really hungry. Can you help me?"
An elf, noticing the distressed child, approached him with a kind smile. "Oh, you poor thing. Here, take this bread and apple. They're for you."
"Thank you so much," Kazu said, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
Five Hours Later
Kazu had spent hours wandering, seeking a way to earn some money. His stomach growled loudly, a constant reminder of his needs.
"Ahh... umm... where can I earn money around here?" he asked a passerby, his voice filled with worry. "I don't have any left for food." Kazu continued walking, noticing that nighttime was rapidly approaching.
The demi-human he spoke to looked at him with concern. "You're just a child. Where are your parents? It's dangerous for a human child to be alone. Bandits might capture you and turn you into a slave."
Kazu's heart sank. "My parents are... gone."
The demi-human's expression softened. "If you're looking for work, you might want to try registering at the Guild as an adventurer. It's a place where you can earn money. Who knows, you might find some luck there."
Kazu's eyes lit up. "An adventurer? Really? Like the travelers in the books I've read! Where is this Guild?"
"Follow this road," the demi-human instructed, pointing down the street. "Turn right, then left. You'll see a large building. That's where the Guild is. Don't you have a map?"
"I don't," Kazu admitted.
"Here, take this," the demi-human said, handing him a rolled map. "We're here. The Guild is around this area. Go there."
Kazu thanked him profusely. "Thank you so much!"
The demi-human sighed, watching as Kazu hurried off. "So many children wandering around these days..."
Kazu followed the directions, his heart racing with a mix of hope and fear. "Right... left... straight... this must be it."
Adventurer's Guild
Kazu stepped into the grand hall of the Adventurer's Guild, feeling both nervous and excited. "I'm here to register," he announced, gathering his courage.
The people inside turned to look at him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise.
Missy, the receptionist, approached him with a friendly smile. "Hello there, little one. I'm Missy. What can we do for you? Are you lost? What's your name?"
"My name is Kazu Gonomiya," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm looking for a way to earn money. Can I register here?"
Missy's smile faltered. "Children under eleven aren't allowed to register. How old are you?"
Kazu hesitated. "I'm twelve years old."
Missy considered this. "You're not forbidden, but do you have any skills or abilities that might qualify you as an adventurer?"
Kazu looked down, unsure. "I think I have skills, but I don't really know what they are…"
Missy's eyes sparkled with interest. "Let's test your mana to see what you can do."
She led him to a large, ornate orb. "This is a mana meter. Place your hand on it, and it will show us your mana."
Kazu placed his hand cautiously on the orb. To his horror, it shattered into pieces.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." he stammered.
Missy remained unfazed. "It's alright. We have another mana meter. Let's try again. Please be gentle this time."
Kazu nodded, carefully placing his hand on the second orb. The orb began to glow, but then cracked once more.
Missy's eyes widened. "This is unusual. Come with me, there's something important I need to tell you."
Kazu followed her to a quieter corner.
"The mana meter cannot measure your capacity," Missy explained. "There are two possible reasons: you might have unique mana, or you have an exceptionally high output. Either way, it's special. Take care of yourself. As for registering as an adventurer, the fee is waived for you."
Kazu's face brightened. "Thank you, Missy!"
Missy handed him a form. "Fill this out. We'll determine your abilities through two methods: self-release and force release. We'll start with self-release."
Kazu filled out the form, his hands shaking slightly. "What do I do now?"
Missy guided him. "Tell me, what abilities do you have?"
"I'm not sure," Kazu admitted. "But I learn quickly."
Missy nodded. "Can you use magic, summon things, or handle a sword?"
Kazu shook his head. "No, I can't."
Missy sighed. "If you can't demonstrate your skills with self-release, we'll try force release. Let me get my knife."
Kazu's eyes widened in fear. "A knife? What are you going to do?"
Suddenly, a system notification for [Killing Intent Detected] flashed across Kazu's vision. Missy's sudden shift in demeanor triggered his new skill, though he barely understood what the warning meant in his panic.
"Don't worry," Missy said reassuringly, noticing him flinch. "I'll just make a small cut. If you can heal yourself, it means you can use healing spells."
As Missy made a tiny slice on his hand, Kazu winced, but soon felt a soothing sensation as the wound instantly began to heal.
"You can use healing spells," Missy noted, observing him closely. "And based on how you reacted when I drew the blade, you can also detect killing intent, which is a rare skill. This means you have the potential to be an assassin. I'll get your Guild Card ready. Wait here for a moment."
Kazu watched her walk away, a mix of relief and anxiety on his face. "But who wanted to kill me? I feel scared…"
One Hour Later
Missy returned with a Guild Card. "Here it is, Kazu. You're currently Rank F. As you complete quests, your rank will increase, and with it, your earnings. But you need to be cautious, especially since you have such rare skills. Where are your parents?"
"They're dead," Kazu replied quietly.
Missy's expression softened. "It might be best if you stay at the orphanage for now. It's close by, and the people there are kind. With your map, you can find it easily."
"Thank you, Missy," Kazu said, feeling a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.
He walked back out into the streets, following the map's directions until he arrived at the orphanage. He knocked on the heavy wooden door, and it opened to reveal a kind-faced woman.
Rosalia greeted him warmly. "Hello, kid. I'm Rosalia, the caretaker here. How can I help you?"
"I'm Kazu Gonomiya," he said, his voice trembling. "The Guild sent me here. I don't have anywhere else to go. May I stay here?"
Rosalia's face softened with sympathy. "Of course, dear. My door is always open to kids like you. Where are your parents, anyway?"
"They're dead," Kazu replied, tears welling up in his eyes.
Rosalia embraced him gently. "Oh, my poor kid. You must be going through a lot. Are you hungry?"
Kazu nodded, his stomach growling again. "Yes, I am. I've only had bread and an apple today."
Rosalia led him inside and served him a generous meal. "Eat as much as you like. There are other children here who have lost their families, too. Don't hesitate to talk to them."
Kazu ate eagerly. "Thank you, Rosalia. Your cooking is amazing…"
Rosalia smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Kazu. Just relax and eat."
Kazu, feeling a sense of comfort for the first time in a while, nodded. "I think I'll rest now, Rosalia."
Rosalia's heart ached with compassion as she watched the young boy. "Rest well, dear."
Kazu smiled back, feeling a flicker of hope as he finally settled into his new home.