MTLNOVEL Chapter 2
The surroundings were abuzz, and every person present had their eyes fixed on me.
The ceiling was high, adorned with a chandelier, while the walls around me gleamed with vibrant stained glass.
The atmosphere resembled that of a grand church.
“…Erik,” someone murmured.
The majority of the people staring at me with stunned expressions were children—likely middle or high schoolers. However, their foreign appearances made it difficult for me to gauge their exact ages.
Why am I in a place like this?
“Erik, are you alright?”
I wasn’t deliberately ignoring them; I simply hadn’t realized they were calling out to me.
An elderly man with a gentle demeanor and a white beard came into view.
The next moment, the swirling chaos in my head began to settle.
Until now, it felt like my consciousness had been spiraling, but it suddenly coalesced into clarity.
“Yes, I’m fine, Father Cliff,” I replied.
Memories came flooding back—or rather, two sets of memories seemed to have merged.
I am Erik now, yet I’m also the person I was before.
“That was an unprecedented radiance. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with your body?”
His words triggered my memory. I was in the middle of the Blessing Ceremony.
The Blessing Ceremony is a ritual conducted at the age of 15 within the church.
It’s said that each individual receives a gift from God during this ceremony—a “Blessing” that could very well shape the course of their future.
“I’m fine. In fact, my body feels lighter and in great condition,” I answered.
Compared to my previous body—likely the one from my past life—this one lacked any excess fat and was brimming with strength.
This was where the knowledge from my original world came in handy.
Having read countless light novels and stories on free posting sites, I wasn’t particularly bewildered by my current situation.
The situation I found myself in now was none other than—
“I see. Then let’s confirm the Blessing you’ve received,” Father Cliff said.
Right. This wasn’t the time to be lost in excitement.
Rejoicing over my newfound modern knowledge could wait. For now, I had to follow through with the ceremony. After receiving their Blessing, children were required to report it to the church and step down from the stage.
“I understand. What should I do?”
With my heart pounding in anticipation, I asked the priest.
After all, I had apparently emitted an extraordinary light during the ritual—something unheard of. According to the legends, those who displayed intense radiance during their Blessing often went on to become figures of legend.
If I could get something like Holy Swordsmanship or Grand Magic, it would be incredible. Even specialized abilities like Healing Magic or Water Magic would secure a stable career and future.
On the other hand, the less desirable Blessings included Fire Magic, Earth Magic, or niche abilities like Agricultural Development. These were low in rarity and offered little in terms of social status, often leading to assignments in warzones or remote, undeveloped lands where one would live a rough, dirt-filled life.
Still, no matter what I got, it would undoubtedly be better than the life I had in my previous world.
“Hold out your palm and recite the words as they come to you,” the priest instructed.
Following his words, I stretched out my hand and focused.