Chapter 10

June 20, 15

I made some revisions to the text. The flow of the story remains unchanged.

June 27, 15

Numerous corrections have been made.

The capital city was vast.

I apparently used to live in the capital, but since I have no memory of it, I was allowed to visit as a tourist after the entrance exam.

However, I was advised to have my abilities confirmed at the Grand Cathedral and to at least see the castle before the exam, so I am on my way there by carriage.

I've been told it takes about 20 minutes by carriage to reach the Grand Cathedral.

Although it's a bit late to mention, the time and calendar in this world are similar to Earth's.

Not everything is the same, but a day has 24 hours, a week has 7 days, a month has 30 days, and a year has 12 months, totaling 360 days.

I've heard that a hero who was summoned long ago established the calendar.

The Principality of Brützels is located in the south of the Holy Bandam Kingdom, so it has no seasons and is warm all year round. However, the capital experiences seasonal changes similar to those of the four seasons.

In the slightly northern part of the capital, it snows heavily enough to accumulate in winter, but in the capital itself, it only occasionally flurries without accumulating.

It is now February 513 in the Holy Calendar, and it is winter, so I am heading to the Grand Cathedral in a light snowfall.

My younger sister, Anne (a nickname for Antoinette), and her mother, Freesia, are also accompanying me.

Of course, my mother is here too.

In this country, it is customary for nobles to visit the Grand Cathedral at the age of 10 to have their abilities confirmed.

In other words, Anne, who is three years younger than me, is 10 this year, so she will be confirmed along with me.

The buildings in the capital, even in the commoner's district, are mostly large because the population is high. To accommodate more people, they are built like apartment complexes rather than single-story houses.

The buildings are made of stone or brick, and you can imagine a European-style cityscape.

"Brother Chris, that's the Grand Cathedral."

"From what I can see of the roof from here, it must be a very large building."

"The Grand Cathedral is very big."

Anne, who is 10 years old and adorable, and I look out the fogged-up carriage window at the Grand Cathedral, which is covered in a light dusting of snow.

It must be tough for the driver on such a snowy day, but it's his job, so he endures it.

Although the Grand Cathedral is still some distance away, its size is such that its blue roof is visible even from afar.

Even in the light snow, the blue of the roof stands out.

As we get closer, the full grandeur of the Grand Cathedral becomes apparent, and it truly lives up to its name, standing out from the surrounding buildings with its imposing presence.

The Grand Cathedral is more like a castle in size, with white walls and a blue roof that create a sense of sanctity.

"It's been a while, Your Grace."

My mother greeted him on our behalf, so Chris and I, along with Anne, bowed.

I believe the position of bishop is quite high, just below the archbishop.

Well, since the Margrave of Brützels is a great noble, it's not unusual for a bishop to be present.

This bishop looks like a bent old man with white hair, and he wouldn't look like a priest if he weren't wearing priestly robes.

"My, my, Lady Cecilia, you are as beautiful as ever."

It's probably just a social nicety, but my mother is beautiful.

She is 38 this year, but she looks no older than her late 20s. ... It's the mystery of women.

After we finished our greetings and made small talk, we finally got to the 'Ceremony of the Heart,' where Chris and Anne's abilities would be measured and recorded.

This 'Ceremony of the Heart' is a sacred ritual that measures and quantifies an individual's abilities.

It's like the appraisal skill in a typical fantasy world, but since no one has the appraisal skill, it has become a grand ritual like the 'Ceremony of the Heart.'

Following the bishop, we were led to a room that, despite not being very large, felt mysterious and grand.

In the center of the room was something, and I walked up to it with the bishop.

In the center was a stone slab on a pedestal, and the stone slab was slightly glowing.

The stone slab was covered in dense writing, and I approached it as the bishop prompted me.

"This stone slab is a holy relic left by the gods."

A holy relic?

I'm not very knowledgeable about religion, but in Christianity, relics are items left by Christ or the Virgin Mary.

"Place your hand on this stone slab, and the gods will reveal your abilities, Christopher."

"Is this stone slab only here?"

"Hehehe, there are three others like this one. They are enshrined in the cathedrals of the other three great nations and similarly reflect abilities through the power of the gods. So, including this one, there are only four. Oh, that's right. Rest assured, the abilities revealed by this stone slab will not be disclosed. We priests are bound by a confidentiality agreement and have sworn to the gods not to speak of what we see or hear in this room."

There are only four in this world.

And there's a confidentiality agreement too.

"Also, a simplified version of this stone slab is used in churches and adventurer guilds across the country and regions. Hehehehe."

What, there's something similar in the adventurer guilds?

I should take a good look at this rare stone slab.

... What is this stone slab?