—–

It has been three months since my fifth birthday, and today, my chest was glowing very bright red. It was time to finally awaken my Spirit.

After such a long time… after all the things I’ve lived in this little time as a child in Spiritias, I can finally awaken the special power that everyone has, alongside Mana.

However, unlike the other kids such as Chris, I couldn’t use Mana before my awakening, and I still can’t… Why? Is there some sort of talent for Mana Usage I don’t possess? Such an annoying thing.

Since the incident with Erika things had… not changed at all. I had not revealed to her that I know that she is a Doll, as it might depress her to know such a thing.

I want her to keep being friendly with me, and to not be afraid of me thinking that she’s a monster or something, perhaps, for now, while she’s still maturing.

Her soul is way older than she is, but her father had kept her in a deep slumber until he managed to get her new body.

I have not told anyone about the truth either, nor any of my parents either. I had kept this a secret.

And today was the day.

All kids at age 5 and above gathered around the shrine, a special area with a strange monolith that was overwhelming with spiritual light.

This place was where the spirit awakening happened, with the intervention of a priest from the Holy Spirits Church, a child would awaken their talent and spirit.

We were with Erika waiting for our turn. I could see Chris and Eric in the distance, the two had continued being friends… I am glad for them. They had grown rather big and stronger, I can tell.

As the kids continued to move forward, the priest awakened them and named out their talents and spirits.

Indeed, aside from Spirits, there are Talents, Talents are like innate abilities, something a person can have, sometimes it is just something such as enhancing their ability to learn magic or others becoming better at crafting, other times it might give them a powerful boost to their strength or growth, and so on.

“Talent: None, Spirit: Tea Pot!”

“Wow… Such a useless spirit…”

“Poor kid, his life is condemned to be a tea maker…!”

“Hahah!”

“Talent: Blacksmith, Spirit: Gnome!”

“Ooh, those two go hand by hand!”

“That’s the kid from the Blacksmith, right?”

“Yes, that combination goes in the family.”

“Talent: Fisherman, Spirit: Fishing Rod!”

“That’s a bit fitting!”

“Well, isn’t that kind of useless though?”

“Not really, he could bring a lot of fish…”

And then, Chris stepped in.

FLASH!

His chest glowed with bright crimson colors, as flames surged from his surroundings, making a fiery aura.

Suddenly, a powerful entity was summoned before him, although it was small and young, it contained endless potential.

It was a beautiful white-colored nine-tailed fox with many red and orange tattoos and markings over its body.

“W-Wow…!”

“That’s an amazing one!”

“He’s very talented!”

“Talent: Flame Wizard, Spirit: Nine-Tailed Fire Fox!”

Everyone was rather shocked after this news. He was really the rising star of the village. One could already tell he had a bright future ahead.

Chris smiled back at everyone, then noticed me, and glared at my eyes with a cocky smile.

Such childish behavior.

Eric came afterward. A glowing bright green light came out of his chest and many vines and flowers emerged around him. The blonde boy’s spirit was a plant spirit.

“Talent: Druid, Spirit: Crimson-Blood Rose Vine!”

“Amazing!”

“That’s an even rarer plant spirit than his parents had…!

“His uncles must be proud…”

After a few other kids, it was finally our turn.

Chris and Eric were near us.

“Hello, Blake, Erika…” said Eric, he was at least polite enough.

But Chris looked at both of us rather scornfully and didn’t say a single word.

“Hello, Eric.” I said.

“Now’s my turn… Wish me luck!” Erika moved towards the monolith.

Despite having a doll body, her spirit orb has been developing normally, and… she awakened a spirit against many others’ expectations.

FLASH!

Erika closed her eyes as she felt the glowing light surging from her chest, it emanated a strong and beautiful brilliance like many had never seen before. Suddenly, several figures emerged, her spirit was actually made out of many bodies… an incredibly rare one.

“W-Wow…!”

“T-Those are…!”

“So many spirits?!”

“No, it’s only one made out of many bodies…”

“A-Amazing… T-Talent: Princess… Spirit: Royal Doll House!” said the priest, even he was shocked beyond belief.

“A princess talent?!”

“I had never seen such a talent before…”

“And such a powerful spirit…”

“Hehe, did I shock everyone?” asked Erika.

“You did, amazing work!” I replied, as I petted her. Her spirit was a group of dolls of many appearances, all of them with different clothes and holding different weapons. It was amazing.

“Now I am next…”

I moved forward and looked into the monolith.

I wonder what sort of garbage Lucifer will give to me…

I touched the monolith as the priest infused mana into my chest.

FLASH!

I finally felt the flow of mana originating from my body!

Although it was terribly weak!

Ugh…

Nonetheless, spirit energy gathered and materialized in front of me.

And what came out was…!

POOF!

A book?

A red-colored book, which fell over the floor motionlessly.

Everyone looked at it in surprise.

“Hm… Maybe it is a Magic Book? There… are a few Spirits like that too!”

The priest grabbed the book and then read the pages, they were all empty.

“No… It has nothing on it… It’s just… a book?” he said.

I grabbed my spirit with my hands, and it was indeed just a book.

“Talent: None, Spirit: Book!” said the priest, he didn’t know what spirit was this even, and yes, I had no talent.

I could see everyone’s looks right now, they were filled with pity, some with scorn, and others with disgust.

Eric and Erika looked at me worried, while Chris was laughing his ass out.

“Hahahha! A book?! Seriously?! You’re such an untalented brat, Blake! Serves you right!” he said, as his spirit suddenly formed a fireball and threw it at me.

FLASH!

Insolent little child.

I waved my hand faster than anyone here could see and I threw the fireball back at him.

BOOM!

“Uaggh…!”

Chris was thrown on the floor, crying out loud.

“W-What was that?”

“Did you see that?!”

“No… it was so fast…”

“Who is this kid?”

“Does he has power outside talent and spirit?”

“There’s no way…”

I walked outside the shrine without saying a single word other than with Erika. My parents were also at my side, all looking at me with a bit of pity.

“W-Well, maybe you can make pages indefinitely and keep notes forever! Isn’t that nice?” asked my father.

“Yeah! You could even sell these pages… Paper is actually incredibly expensive, son! You got a gold mine!” said my mother.

“Yeah! Just like us, you also got a production-based spirit, nothing bad about it, dear.” Said my grandmother.

“Y-Yeah! Cheer up, Blake, you’re still strong on your own! You even reflected that fireball from that idiot!” said Erika.

“I know? I wasn’t even that disappointed. I don’t really care about the spirit or whatever, now that I can use Mana… Hehehe… That’s all I need anyways.” I said with a smile.

Mana was everything.

If I have Mana…

I can do everything!

But not right now… I felt very tired, this damn book was so hard to summon.

After this, I walked back to my room with Erika, who sat down at my side while playing with her new spirit. I was sitting over my bed while my mother was cooking lunch, as I inspected my book.

Every page was blank.

Was there really nothing in here?

So I can just begin writing?

Hmmm.

I took out a pen and as the tip of the pen touched the book, suddenly it glowed and showed strange letters.

I see, so there was really something in there!

[Insert your Name]

[Name: …]

“Name? Fine…”

I quickly wrote down my new name.

[Your new name has been registered]

The book showed new colors and suddenly, something strange emerged.

Numbers and letters.

What’s this?

—–

Name: Blake Hunter Goathorn

Race: Human

Spirit Orb Realm: Rank 1 (Initial Stage)

Job Class: None

Subclass: None

Level: 0 / 10

EXP: 0 / 10000

Health Points: 25 / 25

Mana Points: 10 / 10

Strength: 20

Agility: 15

Vitality: 10

Intelligence: 30

Dexterity: 15

Spirits (0/1):

Skills:

Title Skills: None

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Skill Points: 0

Curses:

EXP required to level up x100

Proficiency required to learn techniques and skills x100

Mana/Qi/Aether Recovery speed decreased by -50%

—–

What is the meaning of this? Who are you joking around, stupid book?

Is this some sort of stupid game for you, Lucifer?

Also, this book apparently doesn’t count as a spirit? It says I can summon another spirit?!

So I actually just don’t have a spirit at all?

…

And is this? Stats, Skills, Jobs?

How can I get a Job?

[Required conditions to change Jobs: Unknown]

Thanks for nothing.

How can I get a new Spirit?

[Summon Spirit? You will randomly be given a Spirit based on the Souls of your Fallen Comrades]

W-What?

Fallen… comrades?

My allies? Those that died at my side?

I can bring them with me?

You’re kidding me, right?

This cannot be real…

Am I dreaming?

“Erika, is this real life?” I asked her.

“Huh? Yes?” she asked while raising an eyebrow.

“…”

I looked up at the ceiling as I began to think about this ridiculous situation.

And then…

Another message showed up in the book.

[A Direct Message from Lucifer has arrived!]

[Do you Accept to Open]

Lucifer?!

You bastard…

What does he have to tell me?!

I touched the yes button and then…

[Hello, sorry for taking so long with your little gift, Asmodeus- Ahem, or better said, Blake, right? Pff…! Hahaha! …Anyways, as you can already see, five years have passed since I reincarnated you in this mysterious new world not even YOU have visited before! It is a very unique world, so make sure to enjoy it thoroughly, little Blake…]

[I have left you not without the power to grow stronger! Despite being talentless, I have also given you the means to grow stronger, just like those Isekai that are so popular nowadays with the sinful souls that come here! Ah yes, because I thought it would be too easy, I made it super hard for you to level up and do all of that, so it’s all better and more worth it, eh? What do you think? This Grimoire has the power to bring you to me one day…]

[Are you up for round 2, little Blake? Maybe this time around you can stand more of a chance, and you don’t end up killing yourself in the process! Hahahahaha! Okay, bye! Have fun. I will be watching over you, very closely~ Ah, Erika is a very cute girl! You’re such a gentle-hearted man!]

…

This damn bastard has really been watching over me all this time!

Am I now a show for him?

All of my life…

Spectated by him and who know how many other demons…

So all my life is just some show for this bastard?

How frustratingly infuriating!

…

But this idiot has given me the opportunity to grow stronger through some easy means… even with the curses…

I will make sure to go back one day and kick your ass off, Lucifer.

—–