I had my doubts about that. Being an adventurer with no combat skills would be a tough gig... Nevertheless, hearing what Miya said made me really happy.
See, Miya and I had a dream. We wanted to become adventurers together. We’d been dreaming of it ever since we were kids listening to stories from Miya’s parents, who were retired adventurers themselves. But... reaching the top of the adventuring world was going to be hard with a skill like Mapping. I knew that good and well, and I knew Miya knew it too.
But even so, she’d still said we would be adventuring together. That told me she hadn’t given up on our dream yet, even if I’d pulled a trash-tier skill.
I’d always loved how kind Miya was at heart. She was considerate of everyone.
“Okay, I’ll go next. Just you watch, Note! I’m going to pull good adventuring skills so I can protect you myself!” Miya declared, enthusiastically clenching her hands into fists as she approached the slate.
Normally, petitioners prayed to the divine slate alone. This was a precaution to keep the details of your skills private. There were infamous stories of people treating petitioners differently after they received peculiar skills like Mind Reading, for example. So no matter how close you were with someone, you always had to think twice about revealing your skillset.
That’s also why the room containing the divine slate was built for security and secrecy—thick walls, a heavy door, no windows. Yet Miya had started praying with me still in the room, which was an immense show of trust. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it. Happy? Embarrassed? A little concerned over her lack of caution? Mostly just happy.
Miya and I were good friends, but I didn’t know how she truly felt about me. Romantically, I mean. I hadn’t asked, though I was curious. What did she think of me? Did she see me as a man?
At the same time, I didn’t really need to know. Our relationship was fine as it was. I mean, of course, I wanted to hold her hand and go out on dates with her. I would’ve loved to kiss her, too. But Miya was too wonderful a girl to be wasted on a guy like me.
Miya and I were born in the small village of Changs, where trees and fields outnumbered people. Yeah, it was that small. And because it was so unpopulated, Miya and I were the only kids in our age group. It was only natural that we’d spent so much time together growing up.
That’s why I believed Miya would find someone better for her once we got out into the world. I always thought that would be for the best. She would be happier that way. And when the day came—when Miya found someone worthy of her—I wanted to wish her well with a smile. I wanted to be there for her as her childhood friend.
That’s why I was fine leaving things as they were. There was nothing wrong with being friends. Even if we never became lovers, as long as I could stay by her side...
I looked over at Miya to see the elegant profile of her face illuminated by a gentle blue light as glowing words appeared on the slate before her.
Protection of the Forest Spirit King
Rarity: SR (Super Rare)
Slot Cost: 1
Effect: The ability to use earth, wind, and water elemental spirit magic. Also increases magical abilities in forest areas. Elf exclusive.
Bow Mastery - Superior
Rarity: UR (Ultra Rare)
Slot Cost: 1
Effect: Obtain the maximum aptitude for bow mastery.
Physical Boost - Major
Rarity: SR (Super Rare)
Slot Cost: 1
Effect: Greatly increases physical abilities.
“No way...” I muttered, staring at the slate in disbelief.
Miya’s skills were all SR or higher. And combat skills to boot...
Each skill she’d pulled had the power potential of an entire army, and she’d gotten three of them. There were probably less than ten people in the entire world who’d been lucky enough to pull a combination of adventurer-worthy skills this good.
That was how incredible Miya’s skillset was.
Miya finished praying and opened her eyes. She seemed to have a good feeling about what had just happened to her. The beaming smile on her face as she stared at the slate said as much.
“Yay! These skills look strong, Note!” she exclaimed, jumping up and grabbing my hand.
C’mon, Miya, they don’t just look strong...
Feeling the warmth embracing my hand, I became aware of the conflicted emotions swirling in my chest. This was probably jealousy. Even though I should have been happy for Miya, I couldn’t help the wretched bitterness welling up inside me.
If only I had gotten better skills... then I could’ve been happy for her...
My mind was fixated on what-ifs. A hypothetical scenario that would never be true. But Miya was so overcome with joy that she had no idea what was going through my head. She turned to me with a bright smile...
“Now we can go adventuring, Note! Let’s become top-tier adventurers together!”
I couldn’t help looking away, averting my eyes from her kindness and sincerity.
Why can I only think of myself...?
Even though I knew I’d never be good enough for Miya, deep in my heart, I’d always hoped I could be her equal. That’s what made this cemented inferiority so frustrating. She was further out of my reach than ever. If only our skills had been reversed, then maybe I could have been worthy...
And I hated that prideful part of myself. Who was I to yap on and on about being a worthy man for Miya? No one who thought like that would ever be worthy of her.
Just give it up, man. Let it go. This is enough. Things are fine as they are. Just being with Miya...
I decided long ago that was enough, didn’t I? And even after I’d pulled such a trash-tier skill, she said we could still adventure together. How lucky is that? Asking for too much would only be my downfall.
That’s right. I told myself that this was enough. Surely. Surely it’s enough.
Perhaps I was too conceited. I’d been spoiled by Miya’s good will, by her kindness. And they’d both betrayed me—my pride and Miya.
Half a year after Miya and I started adventuring together...
“We should go our separate ways, Note.”
With an expression on her face that I’d never seen before, Miya bid me farewell in that coldhearted voice.