The grand halls of the Celestial Cathedral shimmered in golden light as thousands gathered for the Hero's Awakening Ceremony. The air crackled with divine energy, and the great priests of the Holy Kingdom stood solemnly before a towering crystal—a relic said to bless the prophesied Hero of Salvation.
At the center of it all, Lucian Vale knelt before the radiant monument, his heart pounding. He had trained his entire life for this moment, preparing to inherit the power meant to save humanity from the demon scourge.
"This is it. This is the moment I become strong enough to change the world."
The High Priestess of Luria raised her staff, and the holy artifact glowed, wrapping Lucian in a pillar of divine light. The kingdom's nobility, knights, and adventurers watched in anticipation as ancient runes flickered across his body.
Then, a booming voice echoed from the crystal:
"The Hero's Blessing has been granted."
Lucian gasped as a flood of notifications appeared in his mind.
You have received the Title: [Hero of Salvation].
You have received the Unique Skill: [EXP Transfer].
He clenched his fists, expecting to feel a surge of strength—but nothing happened. There was no rush of power, no divine revelation. His stats hadn't changed.
He quickly opened his Status Screen.
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[Name]: Lucian Vale
[Level]: 1
[Class]: Hero of Salvation
[Skills]: EXP Transfer (Unique), Minor Light Affinity
**[Stats]: Strength - 10 | Agility - 10 | Magic - 10 | Vitality - 10
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Lucian's heart sank. Something was wrong. His level hadn't increased. His stats were… identical to before.
The priests murmured in confusion. The nobles frowned. Even the High Priestess looked troubled.
A knight commander stepped forward. "Try attacking the target dummy," he ordered, motioning toward a training golem.
Lucian hesitated, then summoned a wooden training sword from his inventory. He dashed forward and struck the golem with all his strength.
Thunk.
The blade bounced harmlessly off its surface.
Lucian's face burned with embarrassment. The nobles laughed quietly. The adventurers shook their heads.
"He's… weak?" someone whispered.
"No way. Maybe he's still adjusting to the blessing?"
"Ridiculous. Every hero before him became Level 10 instantly."
Lucian's hands trembled. Why? Why didn't my level increase?
The High Priestess paled. "This can't be… There must be a mistake."
A man in golden armor—Sir Aldric, the Kingdom's Champion—stepped forward with a grim expression.
"There's no mistake," Aldric declared. "This so-called 'Hero'—he's defective."
The words rang through the hall like a death sentence.
Lucian tried to protest. "No! I have a skill! It's called EXP Transfer! I just don't know how it works yet."
Aldric sneered. "EXP Transfer? That's worthless! A hero who can't level up is no hero at all."
The room erupted in hushed whispers. The kingdom had placed its hopes in him, only to be met with disappointment.
Lucian's stomach twisted as a terrible realization hit him.
"I'm not strong. I can't level up. I… I'm useless."
The King himself rose from his throne, his voice cold. "Lucian Vale. You are hereby stripped of your title as the Hero of Salvation. The kingdom has no need for a failure."
The guards stepped forward. The prophecy had chosen him—only for the world to reject him.
Lucian felt a burning in his chest as the doors to the cathedral slammed shut behind him.
He had been thrown away.
And now, he was alone.