Chapter 1

Everyone receives a gift from the goddess when they turn 15.

I, now 15, was visiting the temple.

It was a grand and magnificent white temple.

Many people had gathered there besides me.

They had all come to hear the announcement of their gifts from the priests.

A gift is a special ability, and there are many types.

Among them, the highly valued ones are combat-related gifts.

For example, the gift my father received was that of a Sage.

A Sage is a gift that greatly enhances one's magical talent, allowing the user to cast various spells instantly.

It is undoubtedly the strongest gift among mages.

My father achieved many accomplishments and raised his rank from a baron to an earl in a single generation.

Of course, it goes without saying that my father's original strength was high, but the fact that he was able to raise his rank to an earl was largely due to his gift.

“Alma, I have high hopes for your gift. If possible, I wish you could receive the same Sage gift as I did.”

With a pat on my back, my father laughed.

“Yes, I also hope to receive a fine gift like Father.”

“What, a gift isn’t everything. With any gift, Alma, you can become like me with enough effort.”

“Yes!”

My father is a strict man.

I have been educated to become strong since childhood.

I believe this is because he loves me.

I respected my father more than anyone else.

“Besides, you are the son of a Sage and a Mage. You will likely receive a gift related to magic. Your brothers did, after all.”

“I hope so…”

Gifts are hereditary.

Children are more likely to receive gifts related to their parents' gifts.

Therefore, children with good gifts are more likely to have good gifts themselves.

In our family, my father has the Sage gift, and my mother has the Mage gift, making it highly likely that we would inherit magic-related gifts.

Indeed, my eldest brother, Kureha, received the gift of the "Crimson Mage," specializing in fire magic, and my second brother, Keith, received the gift of the "Violet Lightning Mage," specializing in lightning magic.

Both are high-level mage gifts.

My two brothers received excellent gifts, and there was great expectation that I would finally receive the Sage gift.

“I will now announce Alma Fellows’ gift.”

It seems my gift is about to be announced.

The people in the temple turn their gaze to the priest.

I can’t help but hold my breath, thinking that the moment has finally arrived.

“Alma Fellows’ gift is… g, gift is…”

…The priest seems strange.

The temple gradually becomes restless as people notice this.

“Priest, what is the gift?”

My father asks the priest.

Breaking the long silence, the priest says:

“–There is none. …Alma Fellows has no gift.”

“What!?”

My father raises his voice in anger.

The temple becomes greatly agitated.

“A gift…! No gift! What… does that mean!?”

My father, trembling, approaches the priest with a sharp look.

“I, I don’t know…! There has never been a precedent for this…”

“Of course not! A gift is something everyone receives! Then why hasn’t Alma received a gift!?”

“F, Father…”

My father is angry on my behalf.

How kind he is.

My father said that a gift isn’t everything.

If so, even without a gift, I will work harder than anyone and become a stronger mage than my brothers.

That is the least I can do to repay him.

“Alma…!”

With a vein popping on his forehead, he now approaches me.

“Yes… Unfortunately, I did not receive a gift, but I will work even harder from now on–”

“Such things don’t matter! You are an incompetent who did not receive a gift! Realize this deeply, deeply!”

“Eh, F, Father…? Earlier, you said… any gift, and…”

“What are you saying! A person with a gift and one without are completely different! Know your shame, know it!”

“S, such…!”

I can’t muster the strength in my body.

Sweat pours out from all over me.

As my father’s words spread, the crowd begins to chant, “That’s right! That’s right!”

“Never before has someone not received a gift!”

“That can’t be the son of a Sage!”

“You incompetent!”

“““Incompetent! Incompetent! Incompetent!”””

The word “incompetent” is repeatedly hurled at me by the crowd.

What…?

What is this all about…?

What have I been living for…?

“We don’t need an incompetent who can’t even receive a gift in the Fellows family.”

My father’s expression was cold, as if I were not even related to him.

…So, that’s how it is.

The strict education my father gave me was not out of love.

It was all for the sake of the Fellows family.

“–Alma, I hereby banish you from the Fellows family.”

In front of everyone, my father declared my banishment from the Fellows family.

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