Chapter 2: Divine Trial
Hugh Pnosis
Skill: Brainwashing Level 1 … Manipulate a target upon making eye contact (maximum target number: 1)
The words displayed on the status panel wouldn’t disappear no matter how many times I blinked or rubbed my eyes. Desperate, I offered another prayer, but the voice of the divine remained silent.
No way. Seriously…
“My life is officially over…”
Skill: Brainwashing.
If word got out that I had received such a skill, I would undoubtedly be on the fast track to execution. Even if that didn’t happen, my father and mother would likely sever all ties with me. No one would willingly approach me, knowing the risk of being brainwashed.
At the very least, a life of solitude was guaranteed. I couldn’t even entertain the thought of creating a brainwashing harem like in those erotic doujinshi, especially with the skill description stating maximum target number: 1.
This likely meant I could only brainwash one person at a time. Given that there’s a level system, it might be possible to increase the number of targets I could control by leveling up the skill…
But even if I could brainwash a few people, it wouldn’t amount to much…
It might be useful for a momentary thrill, but I had a goal of living a leisurely life, something I never achieved in my previous life. I didn’t want to squander that with reckless use of my brainwashing skill.
Anyway, I needed to think about what to do next…
“Have you received your skill?”
“Whoa!?”
The sudden voice startled me, and I let out an odd sound. Turning around, I saw the Old Priest looking at me with a worried expression as he opened the door. It seemed he was concerned about my delayed exit.
“Y-yes, well…”
“That’s a relief. Your father is waiting for you. Come this way.”
“Y-yes…”
I followed the Old Priest as he urged me forward. The skill I received shouldn’t be visible to others unless I used a special magical tool.
I didn’t think the Old Priest knew what kind of skill I had received, but still, there was a tense feeling as if I were hiding something nefarious. I hadn’t done anything wrong!
“Don’t be so downcast.”
“Huh?”
“God does not give trials that one cannot overcome. No matter what kind of skill you have received, it will surely become your strength.”
“Old Priest…”
“Indeed. Even if it’s a skill that makes your farts smell terrible.”
“That was a great sentiment until you made such a poor comparison!?”
The Old Priest laughed, saying it was just a joke. He seemed to have sensed that my skill wasn’t very good and was trying to encourage me, but still, that comparison was just too far off…
Well, at least it lightened my mood a bit.
As I stepped outside the church, I saw my father chatting with the butler, who had been serving as the coachman. He hurried over to me as soon as he spotted me.
“You took your time, Hugh. Did you manage to receive your skill safely?”
“Y-yeah. Somehow.”
“Hmm? That vague response concerns me. What kind of skill did you receive?”
“Th-that is…”
Oh no, I hadn’t prepared an excuse when the Old Priest rushed me…!
If I simply said brainwashing, my life would be over. Even if I tried to cover it up with the brainwashing skill, I could only target one person. Besides my father, the butler and the Old Priest were also present. This skill was really inconvenient!
I had to come up with a way to dodge the question…!
“Uh, um… I can, like, shoot fire from my hands?”
I’m terrible at making excuses!
What the heck, shooting fire from my hands? There had to be a better skill I could have mentioned!
“What? Firekinesis!? That’s an incredible skill you’ve received…”
“Just like the son of a lord should.”
“Stop it, Priest. …Hmm. I’ve always thought my son was quite talented, but to this extent…”
“Uh, um, Father…? Was that not good…?”
I blurted out a lie, but I was curious about how my father would take it. Could it be that even the fire skill could be seen as dangerous by royalty or high nobility…?
“No, that’s not it. It’s just that it’s a skill suited for combat. I’ll need to report it, that’s all. Firekinesis isn’t something particularly rare. Don’t worry.”
“I-I see.”
If my father said not to worry, then it must be fine. Did I manage to cover it up…?
It seems a report is necessary, but a skill that can create fire is somewhat dangerous. It’s like needing a driver’s license or a permit for handling explosives in my previous life.
In reality, it was a skill far more dangerous than Firekinesis…
“We should head back soon. Hugh, show your mother your skill when we get home.”
“Th-that’s a bit! I’m already exhausted from today…!”
“Is that so? Well, you were tense since this morning. Alright, take it easy today.”
“Thank you, Father…!”
That was close. I almost ended up in a situation where my skill would be exposed.
I managed to dodge this situation, but living with a bomb like the brainwashing skill was nothing but anxiety for the future.
The Old Priest had said, “God does not give trials that one cannot overcome,” but I really wondered if I could overcome this trial…?