I’m nervous. It’s hard to believe I feel this way; my body was created by a god, given abilities by a god, and then changed on a fundamental level by a realm not even gods can understand. Even with all of that being true I am still nervous. Unlike the kids around me I know that I don’t have the option of just accepting my lot in life as another ordinary person. Although I don’t regret my decision to become Luke’s Champion I still fear what it means for my life and the lives of my new family. As these thoughts are running through my mind the sun slowly rises higher in the sky. When it reaches the point in which it is exactly halfway to noon the person from the academy steps up onto the platform holding the crystal and begins to speak.

“The Talent test has now officially begun,” he says in a monotone voice before pointing to the kid at the front of the line, “you first”. I can’t see the kid too well from my position at the back of the line so I don’t even bother looking. Although I am somewhat curious on how well a noble kid would hold up under the pressure of having their fate decided, I am simply too far back to make out even how tall he is. Although I call my home a village that is only because I was told that was what it was. In reality it’s definitely as large as a good sized town with at least 100,000 to 150,000 people living here. All of this means that for the rest of the day I am going to be seeing a distant light show and maybe I will count the hairs on the head of the guy in front of me.

As if to prove my point I see the stone in the distance light up with a red glow.

“Red grade talent mage! Metal affinity!” The academy guy shouted to the crowd, somehow still keeping his monotone voice. As bored as he seems though the crowd around me burst the silence as they began talking excitedly.

“Who is that kid?”

“You don’t know who he is? That’s mayor Ruudal’s son. I heard that he was born on the same day as the King’s heir.”

“The same day! He must be destined for greatness!”

Listening in on the conversation of the other villagers I am shocked. ‘They don’t seriously believe that being born on the same date as the King’s heir would make one talented do they?’

(I’m going to write the Divine Knowledge answers like this from now on)

‘Is it true?’

‘Is it because of the King’s heir?’

All right, from that I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the date then. Who knew I would learn so much. ‘I apologize random village people I did not think you were so smart.’

Well that is just insulting, I didn’t even ask a question. ‘Wait...Luke are you talking to me directly when I ask questions?’

‘Fuck you Luke! Do you have any idea how annoying it was to constantly ask questions and only get back yes or no answers!? It was really fucking annoying! For 5 whole years it was annoying!’

‘That may have been true before but I am different now and without proper information I will with 100% certainty die before I can do anything for you as a Champion.’

‘...Real funny. I can accept that though. Now can you tell me why a Red talent mage is special?’

Although I was talking with Luke after hearing the villagers I still made sure to keep track of what was happening around me with my other mind. After the Mayor’s son there were a few more noble children as well as wealthy merchant children that would have their talents range between purple and orange. What I learned from Luke is that this means they really range from average to high talent. The difference in talent meaning they have an easier time cultivating to higher stages. He didn’t tell me why because “regardless of your talent you should be working hard to cultivate” is what I was told. So essentially all I know is that if I have a lower talent like blue I will be in trouble. My thoughts were postponed by a shout emanating from the stage with more vigour than all of the others before it.

“Blue grade talent battle mage! Wind Affinity!” The academy guy shouted. I was now closer to the stage so I could clearly see the bright smile on his face as he shouted those words. Beside him was a kid with sandy brown hair and sharp eyes that made me think of a hawk. He had a short bow and quiver hung over his shoulder that with his looks gave the impression of a hunter. Even with the full attention of the village upon him he did not seem to be bothered and remained stoically standing besides the academy guy that I am now naming Mono (because he is montone not the sickness). Unlike the kid though the crowd burst into excitement. They all seemed so happy, which made me more confused as to what was going on.

‘What is a battle mage?’

‘Alright I get why that would be impressive but why is everyone so incredibly happy?’

‘The village will now be protected all because of him. The kingdom will ensure this places safety as long as he continues to grow powerful just to pull him to their side.’ I thought in shock. If he is as rare as Luke says, and I have no reason to doubt Luke’s words, then the kingdom will see it as if they discovered a diamond. Obviously the mine it was pulled from will then be thoroughly observed and protected in case any other diamonds appear. All of this because of that stoic kid.

My mouth dropped open when I thought of this, even my second mind couldn’t help being shocked at the implications and ripples today would have. It isn’t even over yet and a 1 in a million individual appeared, what will happen when that girl with the sword is tested? What will happen when I am tested?

As I thought up to there I stopped. Nothing I have done has proven me to be that exceptional yet and even if I did end up being that special it doesn’t change what I will need to do. With my thoughts now back on the present I continue to watch the other kids get tested. I noticed that the hawk eyed kid was now standing to the side of the stage instead of joining the other tested on the left side of the stage. It only made it clear that he would already receive more attention than others. From then on all of the kids were declared blue talent mages which conformed with what normally happened. I guess I’m just lucky to have both the nobles and the battle mage on my Talent Testing day.

After a while I noticed the girl with a sword step onto the stage. She has long blonde hair that drapes down to the small of her back and even with a childish face it isn’t hard to tell her bone structure will ensure a beautiful face in the future. After she stepped up onto the stage Mono told her to step within the circle surrounding the crystal. I had never noticed the circle before as I was young and way more interested in the crystal than a line that surrounds it. My curiosity was piqued however when I realized Mono pointed it out.

‘What is that circle for?’

‘Please!’

With Luke’s reminder I focused back on the stage to see the girl walk across the white line that made up the circle. After crossing it her eyes seemed to glaze over as she drew her sword from its scabbard, a beautiful evergreen colored sword with waves of blue that shimmered into existence when it was fully drawn. However, the sword was not what caught my attention or, judging by the silence, the attention of the crowd. Instead we were all focused on the girl as her ears elongated and her irises took on a golden hue. She however took no notice of the silence and continued forward before striking heavily upon the crystal in front of her. The moment she did the crystal lit up yellow and an image of what looked like a translucent fairy appeared within. Once the light died down the girl seemed to regain awareness as she quickly sheathed her sword and looked around warily, her knees shaking. It was clear she knew her origins were revealed.

“Elf... A yellow talent battle mage elf with a spirit affinity...” Mono mumbled, however it seems he’s been using a spell to amplify his voice because everyone could here what he said. The whole crowd was frozen however and didn’t know what to do, I mean I was frozen with shock. I had never seen an elf in real life, I figured they might be on Dremu but I never asked. However, right now in front of my eyes was an elf. My shock wore off quickly and so did everyone else’s as they began muttering amongst themselves slowing filling the air with more and more noise. Mono was now looking at her like a greedy man staring at a mountain of treasure and some of the adults in the crowd looked the same way. I also noticed the guards meant to keep everyone in check were inching closer to the stage.

The elf girl seemed to be getting more and more afraid of their reaction as tears began to appear in her eyes and she was tightly grabbing the hilt of her sword, I could tell because her knuckles were turning white from the strain.

Looking at her reaction I felt a horrible rotten low blow to my stomach. I knew she was scared and from the fact that no one knew about her before, most likely alone. I knew that feeling all too well even if I’ve tried hard to forget it. I don’t know why she is alone, I don’t know why she is scared, hell I don’t even know why everyone is reacting the way they are but I do know that I don’t like it.

Before I could think of other solution my body was already running towards the stage and hopping up on top of it in one leap. Mono (who I am now associating with the disease) was shocked by my actions and began scowling as I moved towards the girl, the girl that I forgot was behind the seemingly important white line.

As soon as I stepped over the line I felt something touch my mind, one of them at least. It felt like enlightenment or what I imagine enlightenment would feel like, but I wasn’t truly able to enjoy it as even though only one mind was touched, whatever it was now had control of my body. This frightened me immensely because Mono did not look happy on the side and I was now calmly walking up to the crystal. He seemed to be performing extremely fast hand gestures that I couldn’t see clearly but somehow knew would not be good for me when he was done. As a crooked smile began to take form on Mono’s face I feared for the worst and desperately tried to retake control of my body. As I arrived a step away from the crystal I stopped and slowly pulled my swords from their scabbards. At that moment Mono stopped doing whatever it is he was doing as well, his mouth opened wide. His face became pale when instead of striking the crystal I instead gently rested my weapons against it and bowed my head so it touched it. When I did that, well then everything went crazy.