Chapter 1: My skill is a black brick?

I'm Itoshi Peiji—just an average guy with no extraordinary talents. I'm kind-hearted, maybe a little too loving at times (okay, maybe a bit perverted too), but when it comes to relationships, I have zero experience. My looks are pretty ordinary, and I've never really caught anyone's eye the way I've always hoped. But all of this introduction is gonna change because today I am gonna receive my skill.

On a beautiful morning, I stir from sleep, the soft fabric of my white pajamas with blue stripes clinging to me as I stretch and blink away the remnants of slumber. Today is 12th January of year 255 and the day I turn 15. I was really looking forward to this day. As I walked out of my door, my father was sitting on the dining table and having some tea. My mother was washing the dishes in the kitchen. When I arrived they got really excited and dad just snatched me to go to the Alastar with him to receive my blessing.

"Dad, let me at least brush my teeth and wash my face" I said

"Yeah right, gotta make an impression on the big shots" he replied while letting my hand go

After a while, I was standing just outside the door with my father. I was dressed in a cozy woolen t-shirt paired with black bottoms, held up by a thin rope tied around my waist to keep them from slipping. It was the most comfortable outfit I owned, and in that moment, it felt perfect. Mom and Dad bought it just for the today's ceremony. We were waiting for my friends from the neighbourhood I grew up with. We live in a countryside village away from Alastar, Alastar is the most promising and developed city in the kingdom as the Royal Palace resides in it.

"Hey, Peiji-kun, sorry to keep you waiting" I heard

A boy and a girl of my age with 2 adult men were coming towards me. They were my childhood friends who also turned 15 this year. The ceremony only happens once a year, luckily it was on the same day as my birthday.

"We shouldn't waste any more time, it's a two hour ride from here. You would have to wait another year if we missed it" my dad said

Then all six of us got on the cart our parents contributed to hire to go to the alastar's church. My childhood friends were Kaya and Rito. Kaya is the most beautiful girl in the village, and her kindness makes her even more captivating. As far back as I can remember, I've always been drawn to her—her slender yet graceful figure, a perfect blend of elegance and charm. Like me, she has black hair, but hers is long and glossy, cascading all the way to her hips. She often ties it with a pink ribbon, a simple touch that only enhances her natural cuteness and makes her stand out even more. I will confess my love to her after we both enroll in the ult, the academy for students with talent. Rito is more like my brother, he is taller and more handsome than me.

"Hey, hey Peiji-kun, what type of blessing are you expecting" Kaya asked

"I want to become strong, a strong skill would be nice" I replied

"Not stronger than me, buddy" Rito interrupted

We were laughing and talking and before we knew it, already reached the church. This was the first time I came to Alastar, unlike our village the buildings were tall here and people were modern. They were looking at us like we are not same species as them but also there were countryside people like us from the different villages, these people were very friendly to us. Then, we finally enter the church.

The ceremony had already been started before our arrival, all town people were sitting on the chairs provided and some were smoking cigars. We were just standing behind waiting for our turn. Apparently, we would be allowed to go after the people sitting in the chairs.

Next, a son of a knight went, his father was expecting him to get powerful ability so that his bloodline could continue to serve the king

"I am sure I will get something even stronger than you" he said

A priestess was standing under the big statue of goddess

"O Goddess, please honor this child Krudo with your blessing" she said after Krudo knelt in front of her

Suddenly, a magic circle appeared under Krudo and his body started shining, and chains started coming out from his whole body.

"Your power is to control the chains you can emit from any part of your body"

"You can lift any kind of weight from them"

"Also if you bind someone with them, they won't be able to use their ability while being strained"

The priestess said all of this to Krudo as she had the power to see people talents(like appraisal).

Krudo's father burst with joy after knowing that his son has received even powerful talent than him. He was really proud.

Just like that, one by one teens came and received their blessing. It was finally the time for us countryside people. The first one to step up was Rito as he was just as excited to know his talent. Same thing happened, his body started shining,

"Your talent is to harden your body, you can harden it stronger than any other metal and nothing would be able to cut through you" said the priestess 

I was thinking how awesome his power was like he is just broken, like invincible. How can anyone beat a person with that power I thought. This got me even more excited, I always thought that it is impossible for a peasant to get cool powers. Everyone in my neighbourhood weren't all that strong, my father's talent is to see twice the distance far than a normal person. That shouldn't even count as a talent I mean what use you can have of it.

After receiving, rito went outside while smiling at me as we were not allowed to remain inside the church after the ceremony.

I was so excited that before anyone could go, I jumped to the stage for my turn.

"O Goddess, bless this child Itoshi Peiji with a talent he deserves" said the priestess

A black magic circle appeared under me and not my whole body but only my hands shined, an unidentified object appeared in my hand out of nowhere. What does it do? What type of power it is I was thinking.

"What is this, I don't understand" 

"You have to charge it to use this thing. That's all I can see about this object you are holding" said the priestess

I was really disappointed, it doesn't even look like a weapon or something, just what it is, I have to charge it, what the hell does that mean, I can't even use it as a brick to throw as it is so thin and shiny I could see my silhouette in it, I was in a dilemma.

Can I even join the academy now as my skill is nothing but just this shining black brick.