Episode 1: Job Offer Revoked

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My name is Rain Shadow.

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I am a healer skilled in healing magic.

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Today, I graduated at the top of my class from the prestigious Wells Adventurer Academy in the royal capital and turned eighteen on the same day.

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I already have a job offer.

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I am set to officially join the strongest clan in the Mist Kingdom—a guild of adventurers who hunt monsters for a living—known as "Blade of the Black Mist."

"Blade of the Black Mist" receives a flood of applications every year, but the number of people they hire is extremely small. I am the only new graduate from Wells Adventurer Academy to receive a job offer this year.

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If I say so myself, I feel like I am on the fast track to becoming an elite.

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"Sorry to keep you waiting. Congratulations on your graduation, Rain."

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It’s Raven, the scout from "Blade of the Black Mist."

In contrast to my plain appearance with black hair and black eyes, Raven is a flashy man with blonde hair, red eyes, and a tattoo on his neck.

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I remember hearing he’s twenty-eight years old. Despite his flashy appearance, he’s very kind and gentle, giving off the impression of a cool guy. He’s also a top-tier bow mage—a type of adventurer specializing in bows. Truly a perfect superhuman.

After the graduation ceremony, I was supposed to meet Raven at the church in the royal capital.

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"No, no. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule."

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"Hey, come on… no need to be so formal. Once the attribute test is done, we’ll be comrades."

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Raven smiled wryly at me as I bowed my head.

By the way, the attribute test is what I’m scheduled to undergo at the church next.

In this world, there are six attributes: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Holy, and Dark, and there’s no hierarchy of strength among them.

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However, even within the same profession, there are slight differences in the magic one can learn and the most efficient training methods, so it’s a rule to undergo testing before officially joining.

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Attributes manifest at the age of eighteen, so almost all of my peers have already completed their attribute tests. Unfortunately, since I was born early in the year, I had to wait until now.

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Regardless, it’s too daunting to speak casually to Raven, who is in charge of the most important aspect of the clan’s operations—recruitment.

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"I’m glad to be called a comrade, but I’m still a newcomer..."

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"It’s not just that. In the field, we don’t just fight low-intelligence monsters. When dealing with high-intelligence monsters or in battles against people, it’s crucial to have clear command structures. That’s why we have a rule against using formal language, so you should get used to it now."

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Raven continued speaking.

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"I understand your feelings, Rain, but… respect for your seniors can be shown in ways other than words, right? So, start getting used to it. Can you do that?"

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I see, that makes sense.

I felt a psychological resistance, but if it’s actually causing trouble, I should correct it.

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"Underst… understood!"

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"Yes, that’s good. Now, let’s go."

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Raven smiled pleasantly and signaled for me to enter the church.

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"This way."

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An elderly priest guided us to a room inside the spacious church.

In this room, there was a large black crystal and nothing else.

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"Place your hand on this crystal. Then, the gods will reveal your attribute."

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"Got it."

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I immediately placed my right hand on the jet-black crystal.

Now, what color will it change to?

I’ve heard that the Fire attribute is red, Water is blue, Earth is brown, Wind is green, Holy is white, and Dark is purple.

I waited expectantly for a few seconds.

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"Huh…?"

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For some reason, the crystal didn’t change color.

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"Father… am I doing something wrong?"

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"No, that shouldn’t be… All you need to do is touch it."

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"Could it be that the crystal is broken…?"

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"Impossible. This crystal is imbued with the power of the gods."

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As he spoke, the priest touched the crystal with his own hand.

Then, it changed to green, indicating the Wind attribute.

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"Since it changes like this, it’s not a problem with the crystal..."

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I tried touching the crystal again. This time with my left hand.

However, the black crystal did not change color at all.

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"Why…?"

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Raven responded to my murmur.

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"The crystal not changing color means you have no attribute."

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"Could my birthday be wrong…?"

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"Impossible. If you touch the crystal before your birthday, you should feel pain."

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Indeed, I didn’t feel any pain when I touched the crystal.

This means I meet the age requirement.

No attribute… if that’s the case, what will happen to me?

Even though I graduated at the top of my class from the Adventurer School, it was merely a recognition of my potential.

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Without an attribute, I probably won’t be able to learn any attribute-based magic.

That would be fatal for an adventurer.

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"Rain."

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I turned quickly when Raven called my name.

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"…I’m sorry, but let’s forget about this."

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"Huh…? Does that mean…"

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"Yes. Your job offer is revoked. You are not needed in 'Blade of the Black Mist.' Sorry."