Chapter 2

The Skill I Was Granted Is a Dud Skill?
As we entered the church, an altar for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony stood at the front.

On the altar of white stone stands a statue of Goddess-sama, her hands clasped before her chest. The morning light streaming through the windows illuminated the statue, and it truly seemed that Goddess-sama was watching over us.

In front of the altar rested a transparent crystal as large as an adult's head.

Touching it, apparently, reveals the skill Goddess-sama has granted you.

"Wow…"

A gasp slipped out before I could stop it.

I had been to the church many times, but this was the first time I had come near the altar. The air felt clearer than usual, and even my own footsteps seem to echo loudly.

"Those who have come of age, line up over here."

Thus instructed by Priest-sama, who had opened the door moments before, we lined up in a single row before the altar.

Today, there are six of us receiving the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, including me.

In front of me stood Gale, the village chief's son. Beside him, his parents fussed, straightening his clothes again and again, looking more restless than he did.

The other children's families watched the ceremony from a little way off.

Of them all, I am the only one alone.

The director of the orphanage had wanted to come too, but she couldn't leave the little children behind.

To say I'm not lonely would be a lie.

But I am an adult now. From here on, even alone, I must keep my eyes firmly on what lies ahead.

"It's all right…"

I clasp both hands before my chest and tell myself that.

Only Goddess-sama knows what skill will be granted to me.

Even if I worry now, the result won't change.

Even knowing that, my heart kept racing restlessly deep in my chest.

"We will now conduct the Coming-of-Age Ceremony."

Priest-sama's low, calm voice echoed through the quiet church.

All the people in line straighten their posture.

"As of today, all of you are recognized as adults of this land. And from Goddess-sama, you will each be granted one skill to support the life ahead of you."

A skill to support one's life.

Just hearing those words made my throat go dry.

"When your name is called, step forward to the altar and place both hands on the crystal."

At last, it begins.

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony that will decide my future from here on.

"First, Gale Rosso."

"Yes!"

Gale gave a lively reply and strode to the altar with his chest out.

Stepping up before Priest-sama, he bows once to the statue of the Goddess and places both hands on the transparent crystal.

The inside of the church fell silent.

Before long, a small red light is born at the center of the crystal.

The red light grew slowly stronger, until at last it wrapped the whole crystal in flames.

"Ohh…!"

Voices of astonishment rise from the adults watching.

Priest-sama held a hand over the crystal and slowly read aloud the letters that surfaced.

"Gale Rosso. The skill granted to you is [Swordsmanship]."

"I did it!"

Gale throws up both hands and rejoices.

Behind him, his parents embraced each other and cheered.

[Swordsmanship] is an excellent skill for anyone aiming to become a knight or adventurer.

Gale had long said he would leave the village to become a knight, so this must have been exactly the result he wanted.

"That's amazing…"

I honestly thought so too.

But at the same time, the unease in the depths of my chest grows a little.

Can I, too, be granted a skill that leads somewhere, like that?

What if I receive a skill that serves no purpose at all?

What if I can't find work?

Those thoughts kept rising, and I shook my head in a panic.

My turn hasn't come yet.

Let's stop thinking only about bad things.

"Next, Milrea Forun."

"Yes."

The second girl makes her way to the altar with a tense expression.

After that, the ceremony continued in order.

One was granted [Sewing].

One was granted [Farming].

One was granted the rare [Water Magic], weeping tears of joy together with their family.

Every single skill was a respectable one that led to a livelihood.

Each time the turns advance, my heart quickens.

What remained was, at last, only me.

"Last, Hina."

"Y-yes!"

My voice almost cracked, and I hastily cover my mouth.

Everyone in the church turned to look at me at once.

My legs were trembling.

Even so, I draw closer to the altar one step at a time.

It's all right.

Cooking, sewing, or cleaning would all do.

I won't ask for anything extravagant.

If it's a skill that lets me live on my own and someday help everyone at the orphanage, that's enough.

I look up at the statue of Goddess-sama before the altar.

"Goddess-sama. Please, grant me the strength to live."

I wished it in my heart and placed both hands on the clear crystal.

At that moment, the crystal gave off a faint, dull glow.

A dim gray light, different from anyone before it.

The air of the church turns chill.

After a long silence, Priest-sama slowly gazed at the crystal.

And then, he quietly opens his mouth.

"Hina. The name of the skill granted to you by Goddess-sama is… [Stroll]."

"… Eh?"

A dopey sound slipped out before I knew it.

The inside of the church is instantly engulfed in murmuring.

It was a skill name that no one had expected.