Chapter 12

In the midst of the cold, snowy sky, amidst the waves of people who find it a chore just to stand, how are you doing? This is Herman. Today is the New Year Festival, the day of the Star Shaking Ceremony. This year, it's Edwin's turn to shake the stars. He has completed the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic and has been spending his days gathering with other adventurers. I was deep in the forest, so I was on a separate mission, but when I checked with Judy, it seemed he had come to sell the storage bottles. It's a relief to know he hasn't been swallowed by laziness.

It's just before noon. Since the bell hasn't rung yet, it means it's not noon, and the talents haven't been assigned yet. I think it's about to happen. The effect of the prayer will be clear from the stars Edwin shakes. I don't know how he prays, but he must be praying to become an adventurer, so I think he will get combat-related talents. Even if he doesn't, I don't think he will get talents that would be disadvantageous to an adventurer. I think this is the turning point of what I have done.

It must be noon now. The bell has started to ring, once, twice, and it keeps ringing. Then it rings ten times. ...What was the result? The church doors open. The children come out in a rush. Edwin runs towards me. What was the result?

"Dad, I did it. I got six stars for the swordsman talent! Now I can become an adventurer!"

Edwin has received the talent to become an adventurer. ...This gives me hope. It might be true that if you pray properly, you have a higher chance of getting the talent you want. I can't be sure with just Edwin's example, but even the possibility is significant. It's better to have hope.

Looking around, it seems that the highest number of stars for farmers this year is four, but even four stars are rare, and many are making a fuss. Also, Edwin's friends, potential party members, seem to have received talents to become adventurers, like four stars for warriors or three stars for spearmen. ...Even if you can't fight, you can still be an adventurer, but since there are obligations, it's better to be able to fight. To become an adventurer who delves into the demon realm, you definitely need talent. With six stars for the swordsman, Edwin should have a good talent for challenging the demon realm.

I hope I get at least four stars for the alchemist talent. I don't really want to become a great alchemist. Rather, my goal is to use alchemy to live comfortably. I'm not looking for turmoil or chaos. I just want a normal, ordinary shop like Judy's. ...It would be even better if more customers came.

Well, it was the Star Shaking Ceremony for the second son of the family, so I decided to leave early. ...Dad, grandpa, Charles, and Edwin are staying behind for drinks. They probably won't be back until tomorrow night, just like last year.

In the morning, I wake up as usual, wash my face, eat breakfast, finish my morning chores, and go to the church. ...The square in front of the church is chaotic this year too. There are several zombies, and the real drunkards are still drinking. This happens every year. It's really stinky. I quickly take refuge inside the church and pray. From the data of Edwin and other children, it seems that if you pray, you get a certain number of stars. If that's the case, I'll pray. I really hope for the alchemist talent.

After that, I go to gather as usual. From the Garden of the Dead to the forest, and deeper into it. I gather materials. Now, I want quality over quantity. Magic mushrooms will grow in abundance anyway, so I need to focus on other materials. I search the roots of the trees on the north side, especially in places where the sun doesn't shine. ...I gather the magic mushrooms I see. I feel a bit wasteful, but there's nothing I can do.

By evening, I return to the square in front of the church. It's been cleaned up beautifully, though it still smells a bit of alcohol. The ladies clean up together, and the husbands help. They are not just helping; they are part of the cleanup. After finishing the evening prayer, I go home and see four exhausted men. I finish my work and have dinner. Well, even though they are like this now, they will recover by tomorrow morning. And they will swear not to drink next year, but they will end up drinking anyway. That's just how drunkards are.

In the morning, I wake up as usual and wash my face. It's winter, so I wake up easily. ...It's cold, but it's part of my routine. Then, we all eat breakfast. During breakfast, Edwin announced that he will leave the village this spring to become an adventurer. According to the village rules, you can stay at home until you are 12 years old, but Edwin decided to leave early. Well, I would do the same. I think 12 is a bit young, but people in this world mature early. Edwin seems to have grown up a lot, so I think he is one of those types. My memories from my previous life are not reliable.

--- So, it's spring. This winter was like any other, with less than 10 cm of snow. When the soil in the fields started to show, Edwin and the others left the village. ...They will probably come back soon, but I saw them off. They will probably register as adventurers in Kautz Town and gather in York's Forest. This is the golden pattern. Those who haven't learned to read, write, and do arithmetic will either go to the church or become lazy adventurers, but Edwin and the others can read, write, and do arithmetic. They will study the gathered items in the guild's library and soon set out for York's Forest. They don't have proper equipment and are still in their growth phase, so they won't challenge the demon realm. I'm a bit worried, but I think they have enough sense not to take unnecessary risks.

Well, Edwin and the others have set off safely, but whether they will become great adventurers is another story. I will pray for them, as they are family. I have shared the knowledge I have with them, so it won't go to waste. More importantly, I need to prepare for my Star Shaking Ceremony. I have three years left, plenty of time. I will take my time and work hard.

I have to write this to get evaluated, so I'll write it just in case.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I don't mind.

I would appreciate it if you could include your evaluation.

If you could point out any issues in your comments, I think I can reflect them in my writing.

...Probably.