After what felt like an eternity of scolding from Kiria and her insistence on making sure I didn't "collapse in the middle of training," I finally found a moment of peace.
Seated in the queue at the guild hall, I rubbed my temple, trying to make sense of the surge of power I'd felt earlier. It wasn't just raw strength—it was something else. Something foreign yet strangely familiar.
Kiria's words echoed in my mind: "It's not just your average magical growth spurt."
I sighed, glancing down at my hands. The sensation had been overwhelming, like a storm brewing beneath my skin, threatening to burst at any moment. Kael's cryptic hints only added to my unease.
I needed answers—desperately. If there was a way to understand what was happening to me, I had to find it. The simplest step was a status update. For now, it would suffice.
As the line thinned out, my turn finally came.
[Next—Oh! It's you!] (??)
The receptionist's sudden reaction caught me off guard. She was a young woman, probably around my age, with chestnut hair tied in a neat braid and bright, curious eyes. Her enthusiasm was almost contagious, though I couldn't help but feel self-conscious under her gaze.
[It's you!] (??) she repeated, leaning forward with an unmistakable gleam of excitement.
[Uh, yes? It's… me?] I replied hesitantly.
[Yes! The talk of the guild today!] (??)
Wah?! What?!
I blinked, utterly confused.
[Talk of the guild? What do you mean?] I asked, my voice tinged with a mix of dread and exasperation. Did Sherry end up bragging about me?
Kiria was out of the picture—she wasn't the type to spread things around—but the guild master? She had a knack for turning anything into a story worth sharing.
The receptionist tilted her head, her grin widening.
[You don't know? After what happened earlier, everyone's been buzzing about the adventurer who survived a monster stampede single-handedly. That fire spell you unleashed? Incredible!] (??)
She clapped her hands together, her voice lowering conspiratorially.
AHHHHHRGGGHHHH!!!!! IT'S DEFINITELY SHERRY!
[Though, I don't think the training hall walls will ever forgive you for the scorch marks and the ground caving in…] (??)
My cheeks burned. Great. Just what I needed—more attention.
[Uh, yeah…] I muttered, scratching the back of my neck in embarrassment.
[It wasn't exactly planned. That's kind of why I'm here. I was hoping to check my status.]
The receptionist quickly snapped back into a professional demeanor, nodding briskly.
[Of course! Let's see what we've got] (??) She retrieved a crystal sphere from behind the counter and placed it in front of me.
The orb shimmered faintly, its black, semi-transparent surface exuding a faint hum of magic.
[Just place your hand on the orb and it'll display your current stats and any unique changes since your last appraisal] (??)
I hesitated. My heartbeat quickened as I stared at the orb. What if it showed something… unnatural? Something that explained the surge of power but also painted a target on my back?
The receptionist noticed my hesitation. Her expression softened, and she offered a reassuring smile.
[Don't worry. Your status is confidential by law unless you choose to share it. I'm just here to help] (??)
I exhaled slowly, nodding.
[Alright. Here goes]
Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand on the orb.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the crystal began to glow, faint at first, then brighter, swirling with streaks of crimson and gold. The colors pulsed like a heartbeat, and lines of text appeared within the sphere.
The receptionist's eyes widened, her expression shifting from awe to outright shock.
[What the hell? This… This can't be right] (??) she murmured, her gaze fixed on the orb as she tried to tap on it to refresh it.
Butterflies churned in my stomach.
[What does it say?] I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She hesitated before tilting the orb slightly so I could see.
================================================================
STATUS REPORT:
Name: Asher
Class: Adventurer
Occupation: Mage
Rank: E → D
Attributes:
Strength: 24
Dexterity: 19
Intelligence: 32
Vitality: 20
Magic: ???
Unique Skills:
Flameborn: A latent affinity for fire magic has awakened. Grants immense power at the cost of control.
Hydrosurge: A latent affinity for water magic has awakened. Grants immense power at the cost of control.
Unknown Potential: A mysterious ability with no clear definition. Further observation required.
Mystweave: ????
================================================================
My breath caught as I read the words. The blank magic stat. The enigmatic skill names. It felt like a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
[What does this mean?] I asked, my voice almost trembling.
The receptionist shook her head, still staring at the orb.
[I've seen plenty of adventurers' statuses, but nothing like this. That magic stat being blank… it's unheard of. And the skills… I—] (??) She trailed off, clearly at a loss.
I pulled my hand away, the orb dimming instantly. My mind raced. Kiria's warning echoed again: "Not your average magical growth spurt." No kidding.
The receptionist leaned closer, lowering her voice.
[If I were you, I'd be careful who you show this to] (??)
Great. Just great. More secrets to keep.
[Thanks for the heads-up,] I muttered, standing up. The weight of my new reality pressed heavily on my shoulders. Whatever this "unknown potential" was, it felt more like a curse than a gift.
Just as I turned to leave, she grabbed my sleeve, halting me.
[Oh! Also—congratulations on becoming a D-rank adventurer!] (??) She said with a cheerful smile.
I managed a weak grin.
[Yeah… thanks]
I walked away, the buzz of the guild fading into the background as I turned the words over in my mind. Unknown Potential. It sounded like an opportunity, but all I could feel was dread.
This was only the beginning. On a sidenote, it seems I have ranked up...
wow.