Chapter 3: The Fateful Day

Even after my memories returned, peaceful days continued. I was blessed with gentle parents and family, and a rich life as a noble. I started sword practice, but the sweets the cook makes are so delicious, and I can’t help reaching for them, so my body shape remains chubby.

And before I knew it, my tenth birthday was approaching. In this world, the tenth birthday is not merely a birthday. It is an important day to have one’s Skill appraised by a Priest.

The Fairchild family holds vast territory, and internal administration is important, but as the Margrave protecting the Kingdom from the monsters in the sea of trees, they are more of a military lineage. My older brother, Eddie, the heir apparent, had delighted our parents by acquiring the Sword Skill.

Besides the Sword Skill, there are other Skills such as the Magic Skill and Commercial Skill, but noble families prefer the Sword Skill or the Magic Skill. If one is granted the Magic Skill, they can learn attribute magic such as fire and wind. Watching my parents saying things like, “I wonder if Will will get the Magic Skill,” made me anxious.

After all, when I was reincarnated, I chose the Crafter role instead of a Hero or a Sage. A Hero would acquire the Sword Skill, and if I had reincarnated as a Sage, I would have been granted the Magic Skill. If I had known I would be reincarnated as a noble, and that nobles preferred sword and magic, I could have chosen to be a Sage.

Could a Crafter truly acquire the Magic Skill? When I inquired around, there were Crafters who had acquired the Magic Skill and worked in workshops. However, most Crafters seem to possess the Production Skill.

Filled with anxiety, the fateful day finally arrived. We welcomed the Priest to the Margrave‘s mansion. Since the Margrave is a great noble, the Priest comes to us instead of us going to the church. With my parents in attendance, I offered my greetings to the Priest.

“My name is William Fairchild. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, what a polite boy. May a favorable Skill dwell within you.”

The Priest was a gentle-looking person with a white beard. “Now, I shall appraise your Skill.” And then, he offered a prayer to God.

To become a Priest, one is required to possess the Divination Skill, a special Skill that allows hearing the words of God. The Divination Skill seems to be derived when those with the Holy Skill accumulate training. After a while, the Priest opened his eyes and solemnly declared: “William Fairchild, the Skill residing in you is the Production Skill.”

Ah, just as I thought. I sank to my knees, utterly disappointed. If I were a commoner, aiming to be a craftsman using the Production Skill would be acceptable, but nobles do not engage in crafting. What should I do now?

In the novels I read in my previous life, such characters were exiled to remote regions or disowned. I was finally blessed with a good family and a happy life. Is happiness far away in this world too? As I hung my head, someone gently hugged me.

Raising my head, Mother was peering into my face with a worried look. “Oh my, you’re completely downcast. What’s wrong, dear Will?” Mother‘s warmth seemed to warm even my chilled heart. Nobles don’t usually engage in much physical contact, but Mother was the type who didn’t mind that.

Tears naturally spilled. “Mother, I’m sorry it wasn’t the Sword Skill or the Magic Skill.” “Oh, darling, the Production Skill suits a gentle person like you, doesn’t it? Make lots of good things and help your Big Brother.”

Ah, Mother is so kind. She looks like she has a halo. My Father, who came into my tear-blurred vision, also seems to have a gentle face, although I can’t see him clearly. “That’s right. Skills for killing monsters aren’t the only important ones. Especially in the Frontier, things are lacking. The Production Skill is fine, isn’t it?”

If I went to a gathering of nobles, I would probably be ridiculed for the Production Skill. Yet they accept me and encourage me. I was truly blessed with good parents. I’m glad I was born into this family.