Motivated by the swaying bracelet, he marched forward to the crowd.

Many people were queued in front of the receptionist table. They filled their absent and went to work inside the mine after that.

Naturally, Aonair waited in the line too. He pulled out a card from his pocket and looked onto it.

(My name, skill, and occupation were written clearly on it. I wonder how they knew my skill when I didn't know a single thing about it.)

Aonair's skill level was written under his name. A big [Level 0] made Aonair vexed and cursed inside his mind.

He wants to know the power behind his skill, but even the most advanced technology only managed to uncover the level of the skill.

In the end, the name and how to use the skill remain as mysteries.

They said everyone will naturally understand the nature of their skills, but for [Level 0] user, the struggles are real.

“Next one, please come forward.”

The clerk calls the next person in line, which is Old Man Zel. He gave his card to the clerk, and she examined it.

“As expected, I'm still amazed by you, Mr. Zel. A [Level 3] user is surely welcome here. Moreover, your past occupations are very interesting!”

The clerk said those with loud voice. For some reasons, Aonair felt she's purposely doing that.

Everyone near them whispered at each other. For a strong person came and mine with them is quite absurd.

Zel scratched the back of his head, but he did that not because of shyness. His face clearly not happy in the slightest.

Zel whispered some words to the clerk and suddenly, the clerk's face turned pale.

“Get it, girl?”

“Y-yes! I'm sorry!”

It seems Zel doesn't want anyone to know about his strength. Then, he made way for me to walk forward.

“N-next person, p-please.”

“Yes, here.”

I gave her my card and let her check it. She looked at it, and suddenly, she covered her mouth as she almost burst out to laughter.

“L-level... 0... pfft…! Ahahaha!”

In the end, she blurted it all out and laughed. Hearing that, the people near them started to snickered at Aonair.

“Poor guy.”

'Weakling.”

“...”

Hearing all the cruel remarks toward him, Aonair didn't do anything but closing his eyes and walked somewhere else.

Zel glared at the crowd and they all shut up in an instant. He sighed and followed Aonair.

This treatment is a usual thing by now. [Level 0] is useless and so are the users. Aonair couldn't refute them though. He, too, thought the skill of his cannot do anything useful.

He who already used to it, decided to simply ignored them and search one of his best friend.

“There you are, Laoch.”

A boy stood beside the wall while swinging his pickaxe up and down. Laoch noticed his friend and came to him.

“Hey there. I see you're with Mister Zel again today.”

“Hey, little chief! Good day to you.”

Zel greeted Laoch with a big grin on his face. He called Laoch “little chief” because Laoch is the eldest child of the mayor.

Came from good upbringing, it's no wonder he is smarter than usual boys or girls at his age.

“He kind of following me, but it's fine. Should we compete again today?”

Aonair ignored the fact that Zel following him and challenged Laoch. Usually, Laoch would accept it, but today, he answers different.

“I can't do that now, or more like, it will not be fair for you.”

“What do you mean?”

Aonair frowned his brows at Laoch words, while Zel just silently watching the two boys talking like a father.

“Have you noticed that my constitution sometimes differs from common sense? Like, I can do mining for hours non-stop and not get exhausted after that.”

“... I see now. You've understood your skill's true nature.”

Laoch explained the oddness he found from his own body. Zel who kept silent finally talked.

“Yes, now I understand how it works. But not only that, I too managed to reveal its real name. It's called .”

“So when they said you will be able to know the real name of your skill after knowing how to do it is real, huh?”

Laoch's skill, , is a [Level 0] too.

For information, [Level 0] skills were known for its passive usage. One doesn't need to do anything and the skill will work automatically. In exchange, the effect won't be an extreme one.

Laoch's explained his skill's usage and if it was summarized, it will be a boost for stamina and increasing immunity for sickness.

“You're a talented one, lad. As expected from the future chief! Gahaha!”

“It's not that good, really...”

Zel patted Laoch's head and brushed it with his big hand. Laoch could only giggle and blush in shyness.

Aonair now understand why he always lost when he did challenge with Laoch. His skill gave massive advantages for Laoch. With his stamina, Laoch could do exhausting activities for a long time.

(I should be happy, but somehow...)

Aonair was obviously happy for Laoch. But knowing that he was now one step behind, he felt a little ache on his heart.

“Hey, don't make such face.”

Laoch pat Aonair's shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.

“I won't let you alone, okay? That's why don't worry.”

“... Un. I know.”

Aonair let out a relieved expression and nod. His anxiety disappear clearly and cheerfulness back to his face.

“But no matter how strong you are now, I won't back down. The challenge is still down!”

“Oh..? Alright, I won't accept stopping in the middle!”

“Right back at you!”

The two boys now filled with friendship and rivalry, went straight to the mine. Zel who just silently looking at them just nod with a big grin.

“Youth is the best, after all...”

He, too, followed them so he can watch over them a little more.

...

......