Early in the morning, the sound of birds chirping and the amiable touch of the morning sun and the green leaves and colorful flowers greeted Lance when he woke up from his long slumber. He was in their house courtyard. The courtyard doors were open letting him see the view outside. When he and her sister were heading home, Lance passed out while walking so he was carried by Becky to their mansion. He was treated by their village's physician and concluded that he passed out due to over fatigued and light internal injuries, thus he slept for 2 days without waking up. His big sister Becky was so worried when hearing that Lance had woken up she directly ran into his courtyard.
" Lancelot! Are you fine? How're your injuries?.
" I am okay, big sister! My injuries were mostly healed". Lance replied with a smile.
He then suddenly remembered that when he came from this world he found it unbelievable that his name resembled or was quite close with his last name, they call him Lancelot here. Thinking of such a coincidence he asked Becky about the family situation and asked about their mother and father. Taken by surprise and suspicion, Becky said " Have you forgotten Lancelot? Mom and Dad are already dead. They were killed by a level 9 Premature class wind shifter wolf beast when they were on a trip outside!."
"Ahh what? Mom and dad were already dead?" Lancelot was shocked and disappointed inside.
He thought that since he and her big sister were living inside this big mansion that they have rich and strong parents. Suspicious of him, his big sister stared at him oddly. Noticing his big sister's suspicious gaze Lance immediately said
"Don't worry about it big sister, maybe some of my memories became blurry when I was drowned in the river" he said with an awkward smile.
Seeing Lance's weird face Becky thought that Lance was very odd today. She imagined Lance to be quick-witted despite his weak physical body, the Lance today seems acting dumb and easily embarrassed. Not minding it too much, I thought that it might be true for Lance's memories to be blurry after experiencing that awful situation. So she let it go and asked Lance what he would like for breakfast. Lance replied that he wants some chicken soup. Affirming Lance's request he told him to stay put and lay back in bed.
"I'll be back in 20 minutes, stay there and don't loiter around!".
" Okay big sister," Lance nodded.
When he was alone, he tried to observe his surroundings and found them different from what he used to see. The furniture and design of this courtyard were too different from what he had seen on earth. The color of the sky is the same but he saw flying birds roaming above the clouds bloating the sky because of its large size and weird shapes. When he concluded his thinking it was clear to him that he was in a different world. He then arranged his bearings and decided that he would ask his big sister several questions later in order to fill his ignorance. Waiting for his breakfast, 20 minutes had already passed by. Becky arrives in his courtyard carrying a large tray full of food, especially the chicken soup that Lance requested. Seeing the food, Lance's appetite grew and hunger assailed his stomach. He impatiently grabbed the spoon to scoop the chicken soup and swallowed the side dishes. He hasn't tasted food or eaten for 2 days since he was transported into this world. So he was like a ravenous wolf when eating today. Becky was taken aback by Lance's action and advised him to take it easy. 5 minutes later Lance finished his breakfast and he directly asked his big sister Becky about some things he found difficult to understand. He asked why he was bullied by those children and why did they not care about the consequence of being overboard. Becky was surprised by his question but nonetheless, she answered Lance's query.
Becky said " As you knew, our father Zack was once the Barkley village chief. When our father was the chief, our family was respected by our fellow villagers. It must also be due to my father's genuine and honest leadership that we had a good reputation at that time. But while our father garnered the trust and respect of our village neighbors. He garnered Uncle Rick's hatred. Uncle Rick always contradicted our father's decision and would sneer at him sometimes when he saw our father talking to other villagers. When he heard the news of our father's plight he immediately nominated himself to be the next village chief. Without any other suitable candidate, our village elders approved his proposition and since then he neglected us letting us be bullied by other kids particularly by his son Jacob. Added to your low aptitude they found many things to humiliate you and even go further when I am not around."
When Lance heard Becky's story he was shocked and understood some things. But then he was confused by what she said about his low aptitude. So he asked his big sister why his aptitude matters.
"Big sister, does my low aptitude affect my standing here in our village?.
"Yes," Becky replied and added " Our aptitude is the most important thing that we must have in this world in order to survive. Every 5 years each village in Amber province including our own holds an aptitude testing event. The elders would announce to the villagers to bring their 3 years old children to take the test to determine their future. "
Lance was surprised " what would be the contents of the test big sister?" He then asked.
Becky answered him " The test determines whether a child is fit to become a magical warrior or a magic cultivator. The human aptitude is divided into 9 ranks and each rank is represented by a magical beast symbol. rank 1 aptitude is represented by a hare beast, rank 2 is represented by cat beast, Rank 3 is represented by dog beast, rank 4 is represented by a deer beast, rank 5 for wolf beast, rank 6 for tiger beast, rank 7 for lion beast, rank 8 for phoenix beast and lastly rank 9 which is symbolized by a dragon. The aptitude rank is also the same when measuring a child's magic cultivation aptitude."
Amazed by what he has heard, he surmised that this world involves magic and cultivation just like what he has read in most novels on earth. He was thrilled by what he discovered today but thinking back to reality he suddenly remembered that he was dubbed by his fellow children as useless and he just knew from his sister herself that he had the lowest aptitude. Cold water was poured to alleviate Lance's burning passion and the reality depressed him. He then asked his sister what rank he obtained in the test. Unsure what to say Becky's expression changed from guilt to helplessness, she was about to tell Lance the truth. But then Lance tried to guess Becky's answer and said
" Did I get rank 4 dog rank magical beast symbol? Becky shook her head. "Then I got a rank 3 aptitude?".
Still Becky shook her head. Having a weird expression on the verge of tears he guessed.
"rank 2 then?".
To Lance's surprise, Becky still shook her head. He was shocked and concluded that he might have a hare beast aptitude. But then an even more bomb fell to Lance's head,
Becky told him the most devastating news. " You don't have a hare aptitude either".
"What!!!?" Thoroughly surprised, Lance's face paled
" Lowest aptitude is not a good title for me at all but no aptitude Lancelot!".
He thought to himself, then he awkwardly asked his big sister hoping to get a miracle response to his question.
"Then if I did not have a rank 1 aptitude, did I get a rank 5 aptitude?."
Feeling pained to see his little brother's pitiful and expectant gaze Becky felt a sore pain in her heart but nevertheless she still told the truth.
" You did not get any rank in both magical warrior and magic cultivation aptitude test."
These words of hers finally snapped the last string of hope that Lance held within his heart. He was so depressed and tears streak down his face
" Why is the world so unfair to me? ever since my soul transmigrates in this world all I experience is oppression and inferiority!" Lance lamented in his heart.
After some time he recovered from his depression and tried to calm himself down. He asked his sister's aptitude rank.
" What rank is your big sister?"
seeing Lance's hopeful gaze she answered. " I am a rank 7 Lion symbol holder but my magic cultivation aptitude is only at rank 2 so basically I am more fit to become a magical warrior. Right now my current strength level is that of a 3rd class intermediate magical warrior."
Lance nodded in affirmation and was somewhat envious. He then asked about his cousin Jacob's aptitude.
" how about Jacob's aptitude? how did he fare in the test?".
"Your cousin Jacob!?" Becky paused for a moment and tried to sort her memories she then replied. " Jacob is also a rank 7 lion symbol holder like me but he got a better result in magic cultivation aptitude he had a rank 4 deer beast aptitude. Basically, he had a higher magic power reservoir than me." Due to that, he got more favors from the elders than me and they view him as a treasure and provided him with more care as well as guidance."
Thinking of those unfair elders Becky cannot help but rant in her mind.
She then said to Lance " Alright that's enough for today, You should rest and lie down in your bed. Your injuries were not fully healed yet. It's better to let them heal thoroughly before moving around. Understand!?.
" Okay big sister thanks for today." Lance also thought that he should rest for today coupled with the devastating information that he got from her big sister today, he still needs to digest this information and properly plan for the future. Knowing that he might have a hard time in this world he really needs a concrete plan. Becky walks out of his room leaving Lance in his train of thought.