No Talent? A Blessing in Disguise
"...No talent?"
My offhand remark sent murmurs rippling through the room. Snickers and mocking whispers drifted in now and then—they should've grated on my nerves, but in my confusion, they barely registered. Even the most insignificant being, no matter how frail, usually has at least a speck of talent. For me to have none? No. To be precise, it wasn't me—it was this body that lacked anything worth calling talent.
No matter how much it defied logic, I had to accept the aptitude test's verdict. It boasted near-100% accuracy, after all. Fine. Hard to believe, but this hunk of meat had zero talent. Just possessing it was a miracle in itself, but for it to be one of those rare talentless shells? Too coincidental to chalk up to chance. Possession, consciousness synchronization, and a body without a shred of talent. Was there some connection between the three?
Questions spawned more questions, stretching endlessly.
Then.
"Whoa~ Impressive."
Tsuno Ume's admiring words snapped me out of it. His bold statement—verging on audacious—silenced the few lingering jeers. Probably because his intimidating wolf beastkin looks scared them off.
"Um... Ume. Isn't it kinda rude to say that in front of the guy?"
Shaolin fidgeted, glancing back and forth between us. She must've thought I'd be offended. But nah. His words didn't rile me up. From our classroom chats, I knew he wasn't the type to casually wound someone.
There had to be more to it.
"A perfect balance, leaning neither way. Like a vessel that can hold anything, right?"
Ume pressed on undeterred, a faint smile lingering. "Whatever Jeonghyeon pursues, it'll embrace it all. I think he's blessed, honestly. He can shape his future freely."
The lingering unease in my chest began to fade.
"What seems obvious to one might be another's deepest wish."
Was he genuinely convinced, or just consoling me? Couldn't tell. But his brief assessment had unraveled my tangled thoughts just fine.
"Heh, nice packaging. Thanks."
I let out a small chuckle and thanked him. Talent or no, who cared? I had experiences and skills to devour whole.
Far better to hone myself than wallow in "Why me?"
With my mind cleared, my usual vigor returned.
"...Next, Mereami Iliyas."
Eirin, who'd been watching, slowly called the next student.
The aptitude tests continued.
* * *
"Now, this formula led to a flood of useful derivations. Let's start with one..."
Mana dynamics class was pure drudgery. Class A, me included, clutched our heads from the get-go—full lecture on day one.
I had it worst. Can't grasp what you don't know, right?
The prof droned on like "Everyone knows this, yeah?"—infuriatingly smug.
Then.
-♩ ♪ ♫ ♬~
Perfect timing—the end-of-class melody chimed.
"Ah... time flies. That's it for today. No homework since it's the first day."
""Thank you!""
No assignment? The class's response was bolder than usual.
Students rose one by one. I twisted my torso for a stretch, and there—Serena Eldrain, of all people, striding toward the back door at breakneck speed.
Hard to imagine from the usual sloth-like elf.
She'd been blatantly napping, half-lidded eyes no disguise.
"Whoa~ Never seen her move that fast."
Ume, beside me, voiced the same awe. Sounded sarcastic at first, but nah.
"Guess she's starving."
I knew why Serena suddenly sprouted wings. One thing fired her up: food.
Foodie through and through.
Rich family? She hit fancy spots and dives—gukbap, pizza, pasta, cake, kimbap. If it tasted good, she devoured it.
One event had the protagonist spotting her queuing at dawn for hot bread.
Her fanart? Always her munching blissfully.
Bet she was sprinting to some secret spot now.
"Oh, lunch time already?"
"Ughhh... I swear I learned this before, but nothing stuck..."
As Ume clocked it, Shaolin—half-melted—slumped to our desks.
Not literally crawling, just figure of speech.
"Listened too hard... now I'm starving. Let's eat! First lunch at Providence!"
"Sure."
Ume nodded at her peppy pitch, rummaging his bag for a neat bento.
Packed lunch, huh.
"Whoa, you brought one? So diligent! Lemme see!"
He popped the lid without hesitation. Not flashy, but brimming with care. Heart-shaped egg? How?
"So pretty!"
"Can't afford much, so I pack my own."
"You could sell these! Shaolin, what's your lunch plan?"
She pondered with a hum, then:
"First day—wanna eat with friends! Grabbing stuff from the canteen to share with Ume!"
"Cool. Let's go quick."
"Sounds good. I'll read while you two are gone."
"Back soon. C'mon, Shaolin."
"Yay!"
Consensus reached, Shaolin and I bolted from class.
First time hitting the canteen with peers—heart fluttered a bit.
"Closest canteen... that way?"
Shaolin tilted her head rightward.
Game memory: left, down to first floor from first-year rooms.
"Nah, not there—"
Trailing off as I spotted familiar pink hair. Karen, glancing around furtively, like hiding.
Where to?
"Huh? What?"
"Wrong way. This one's faster."
"Ooh, memorized already? Smart guy!"
Her eyes sparkled; we headed off.
Corridor posters hawked clubs.
"That reminds me—any clubs in mind, Jeonghyeon?"
"Eh, not yet."
Insi Kkeut barely featured clubs. Protagonist Karen had no time or temperament for them.
Subs popped up in side stories.
No must-joins for main plot.
"Thinking travel club! Won't get to roam once purifying's full-time."
"Travel club..."
Intriguing. Past life? No vacations.
Only beach trip at nine with parents.
That thrill of new turf—indescribable. Craved it again.
"Join me? It'll be fun!"
"Maybe."
"Sweet!"
Club talk led us to the canteen. Multiple spots kept crowds thin.
"Ugh... what to get? This, that—everything!"
Shaolin muttered, indecisive. Choice paralysis.
I grabbed a pizza bun and 200mL milk.
"Wait! Almost done! Uh..."
"Take your time. I'll check out first."
Calming her rush, I trudged to the counter.
Karen flashed back. Sneaking where? Lunch hour... ah.
"...Shaolin."
"Yeah?"
"Gotta hit somewhere quick. I'll head out—you go on. Back to class after."
"Got it! See ya there!"
She grinned, resuming her prowl. Real urgency there.
I eyed her fondly, snagged extra pizza bun and milk, paid up.
Out the door, straight to the likely spot: water cooler in the main building's corner. Forsaken nook.
There—Karen, silently filling her gut with water.
Heartstrings tugged. Starving, skipping meals to save cash.
Why the extras? Wanted her fed.
Growing age—too pitiful. Plus, chance to bridge the gap.
Approached slow, no spook. She was zoned on gulping, oblivious.
Waited for her finish, but then: nonstop water means no room for my buys.
Plan shift. Tapped her shoulder mid-sip.
"Whatcha doing h—"
"...! *Cough* *Hack*!"
Choked hard, coughing fit. Tears welled.
Uh... pat her back?
Flustered on damage control—
"You... fu... *gasp*!"
Face beet-red from coughing, she glared, heaving.
"Sorry. Really wasn't on purpose."