I blinked at the small, peculiar button-like icon glowing on my wrist, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The orphanage was bathed in the soft light of morning, and the air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread. It was a warm, welcoming place, but my attention was entirely focused on the surreal sensation coursing through me.
"Huh? What's this? Exploration… enhance now?" I muttered, my finger hovering over the glowing mark. With a decisive press, a sudden surge of energy coursed through me.
[System Notification: Movement speed enhanced to Level 2]
My eyes widened in astonishment. What?! My movement speed increased… wait, let me try moving… Whoa, I'm walking faster!
I furrowed my brow. Could it be because I walked all day yesterday?
The bedroom door creaked open, and Rosalia stepped into the room with a kind smile. "Kazu, come here. I'll show you where your room is."
"O-okay, Rosalia! I'm coming," I replied, quickly following her.
She led me down a corridor adorned with quaint paintings, the air fragrant with the scent of the day's meals. She paused in front of a heavy wooden door. "This will be your room. You'll be sharing it with Nozue. You each have your own bed. Nozue is a bit of a quiet person, so you'll need to get used to that. I'll leave you here to settle in for now."
I nodded eagerly. "Okay. Thank you so much, Rosalia."
As Rosalia left, a translucent, holographic display suddenly appeared in my vision, detailing my status:
STATUS > Level: 1 Name: Kazu Gonomiya Age: 12 Job Class: God
Passive Skills: > * DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
INFINITE MANA
MAXIMIZED SELF-HEALING
Active Skills: None Magic Spells: None Unique Skills: Exploration (Level 2)
I stared, bewildered. It's like I'm in a video game where I can level up my skills? Exploration… status reveal… Level 1… Job Class… God? What is this 'God' title? Wait… what skills do I have besides Exploration? I don't see anything else. My Exploration is Level 2 now… is the max level 100? Maybe I should try jogging tomorrow and see if my Exploration level increases further. Yeah, that's a good idea.
Nozue, who had been quietly observing from the corner of the room, finally spoke up. "Kazu… that's your name, right?"
"Uh… yes," I replied, turning to my new roommate. "Nozue, why do you ask?"
Nozue looked away, seeming hesitant. "No reason…"
Feeling a bit awkward but determined, I extended a hand of friendship. "Nozue… I don't have any friends here yet. Would you like to be my friend?"
Nozue's face turned slightly pink. "F-friend? I don't usually make friends…"
"That's okay," I said with a warm smile. "I'd like to be friends with you."
Nozue looked surprised, but his expression softened. "W-well… alright… Kazu."
I beamed. "Yay! You're my very first friend! It's getting late, so let's head to bed, Nozue. Goodnight!"
Nozue, somewhat flustered but pleased, replied softly, "G-goodnight…"
The Next Morning
As the sun peeked over the horizon, I awoke with renewed enthusiasm. It's early morning… right, my plan for exploration. I'll try jogging today.
I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. "Good morning, Rosalia."
"Good morning, Kazu," she greeted me warmly. "You're up early today. Are you planning something?"
I grabbed a bottle of water, my excitement evident. "Yes, I'm going to exercise outside! I plan to run around the whole city."
Rosalia frowned with concern. "Running around the whole city? You might tire yourself out. Here, take this extra water for your exercise."
"Thank you, Rosalia!"
Stepping outside, I felt the cool morning breeze invigorate me. The icon on my wrist continued to glow faintly, hinting at more to come.
As I began jogging, I instantly noticed the difference in my pace. Exploration enhance now? Yes. Nice, Level 3, and it feels so much easier to run. I'll keep this up until I've circled the entire city!
Two hours later, slightly winded but exhilarated, I checked my status again:
STATUS > Level: 2 Name: Kazu Gonomiya Age: 12 Job Class: God
Passive Skills: > * DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
INFINITE MANA
MAXIMIZED SELF-HEALING
Active Skills: Dash Magic Spells: None Unique Skills: Exploration (Level 12)
My eyes widened. Wait! My Exploration is now Level 12! I'm running much faster than when it was Level 1. And a notification… what's this?
[New Active Skill Acquired: Dash]
Dash? Execute Dash skill? Wait… I was just over there! So, it means I can use this skill just by thinking about it? Impressive. It says Dash has a 3-second cooldown.
I tested it out, zipping forward. Ohh… wherever I'm looking, that's where I'll dash. I can dash every three seconds… okay, got it.
Realizing how late it was getting, I decided to head back. But as I approached the street leading to the orphanage, a shadowy figure emerged from a dark alleyway.
[Warning: Killing Intent Detected]
I froze. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
A bandit stepped out, his eyes glinting with malice. "Hehehe, you're quite perceptive, kid. I've been looking for you for a while! But first, I'm going to make you my money. I need a new slave to sell… hehehe," he taunted, licking the edge of his knife.
My heart raced. "Who are you?! Stay away from me!" I need to escape… right! Dash!
I executed the Dash skill, my sudden burst of speed leaving the bandit completely stunned. I activated it again and again. Each three-second dash took me farther from danger, the bandit's angry shouts growing distant as my new agility proved to be my savior.
Arriving back at the orphanage, I burst through the door, breathless and relieved. "Rosalia, I'm back!"
Rosalia looked up from her meal preparations, her brow furrowed in concern. "Oh, Kazu, you're finally back. I was worried about you! You didn't return at noon as you said you would."
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Ahh… well, I was jogging the entire morning and afternoon."
Rosalia's expression softened, though she still looked worried. "What?! Didn't you get hungry? You really are something else with your exercise routine. You should eat something; you must be tired."
I gratefully accepted the plate of food she handed me. "Sorry I didn't come back sooner. Oh, by the way, a man chased me earlier. He said he wanted to sell me at a slave shop. Why are there slaves here?"
Rosalia's face turned deadly serious. "Oh dear! You must be careful of such people. They're called bandits. They often capture vulnerable people and sell them as slaves. It's a very profitable black market, which is why there are so many of them. You must be cautious, Kazu. I don't want you to become one of their victims."
I nodded earnestly. "I will, Rosalia."
I took a bite of the delicious meal, savoring it. "Mmm! Your cooking is amazing, Nanay Rosalia! So, bandits are what they're called… I need to avoid them at all costs."
Rosalia smiled warmly at the compliment. "Thank you! Oh, and you left something on the chair over there."
I glanced down and saw a small card resting on the seat. "Oh! I'll just grab that and go upstairs to rest now."
But Rosalia had already picked it up, her eyes widening as she read the text. "Wait… is this your Guild Card, Kazu? Rank F, Job Class... Assassin Healer? Kazu, you left this on the chair."
Already halfway up the stairs, I stopped and looked surprised. "I'm coming back down!"
Rosalia examined the card closely as I approached. "It must have fallen out of your pocket. You never told me you were an adventurer."
My cheeks flushed. "I am, but I'm just starting out. To be honest, I don't know much about adventuring yet. The receptionist told me I need useful skills, like swordsmanship or magic."
Rosalia's expression softened with understanding. "Ah, I see. If you're curious, I used to be an adventurer myself before I retired due to age and physical limitations. If you'd like, I can teach you some magic."
My eyes brightened. "R-really? You'll teach me? What will you teach me?"
Rosalia motioned for me to come closer. "Sit by me. Do you see my hand? Focus all your mana into your fingertips, and we'll create fire. Just follow my lead."
She held her hand out, and a bright, warm flame flickered to life at her fingertips. "See? Now you try."
I focused intently, staring at my own hand and concentrating my energy. "Like this?" Nothing happened.
"Hmm… it's not working," I sighed.
Rosalia looked thoughtful. "Wait a moment. Didn't the Adventurer's Guild give you a mana meter test before you passed? What did they say?"
I scratched my head sheepishly. "Ah, well, I accidentally broke two of their mana meters. The receptionist said my mana might be special… maybe it's unique or just very high compared to their equipment. Either way, she said it was a good sign."
Rosalia nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. I have something similar to a mana meter, but it can determine your exact class power. Let me get it for you."
My curiosity piqued. "Really? You have one?"
Rosalia went to a drawer and retrieved a small, seemingly plain piece of parchment. "Yes, here it is. It looks like normal paper, but when you hold it, it will react to your aura and reveal your true class and mana."
I accepted it eagerly. "Okay…"
As soon as I held the paper, it began to glow and shimmer with a blinding, divine light. Words etched themselves across the surface in brilliant gold.
Rosalia peered at it, her eyes widening in absolute disbelief. "Oh my… Kazu. Your class is… God. And your mana is infinite."
I blinked in confusion. "W-what does that mean?"
Rosalia looked at me, her expression a mix of profound awe and deep concern. "I… I don't know. I need to ask someone who understands this better. But this isn't something ordinary, Kazu."
My mind raced with impossible possibilities. God? Infinite mana? What am I? Am I even human?