What do you see beyond the hill?

CHAPTER 3: AMPLIFY

I still remember that conversation since it was one of the few we had where he wasn't yelling or trying to kill me.

"There is one skill that you must get if you ever make it there. It is the only skill truly amazing that was hidden among trashes. That skill, I neglected it and regretted it as well. If I knew how much of a fool I was then."

"I don't understand anything of what you are saying anyway so please, just let me sleep."

"You will certainly, but for now, remember the name of the skill: Amplify."

***

I didn't really believe in all this back then and I only wanted to run away from you at the time, but now, I would almost want to say thank you, almost.

"You…don't you understand what-"

"I don't care, Ian. You guys have your problems and I have my own. And it is not like we need all of them to teach us, right?"

"What are you going on ab-"

I grab the priest's hand while Ian is talking. If I let them go with this, we won't be finished by tomorrow. And I sure as hell don't have all the time in the world.

"Let's go."

"O-okay."

The priest follows me and I can hear the other people with Ian whispering already.

"That guy is really pitiful. He has accepted all this so quickly because he was bullied too much."

"Yeah, I am sure he is just trying to escape reality."

Escape reality, huh. Well, at some point, I must admit that I really wished I could do so but now, now more than ever, I know that this is the reality I was earning for.

"Are you really that desperate?" Ian speaks to me but I don't mind him and sit on the bed with the priest facing me.

"Just do your thing and don't mind them."

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."

The priest brings a black bracelet and presents it to me. Everything is like his diary explained it until now.

The priest places his hand on his chest and brandishes the bracelet before me.

"Let this child become the light that will tear down the veil of darkness and bring back the hope of mankind."

The bracelet then shines brightly and from its black color, it turns purple.

"What the hell is that now? What are they doing?"

"Please, don't be frightened. This is not dangerous."

Those fucking retards really can't keep their mouth shut. I hope the priest won't be distracted because of that. The other two with them are trying to calm them down but I don't see the point. Also, that prayer…if this god is the one granting those skills, why did he say that he is a fake?

The priest clears his throat then looks at me with apologetic eyes.

"The god of law and balance has granted you a skill. However, I am sorry, it seems I wasn't competent enough."

"Why are you say-"

"Aha!! See?! We told you dumbass that you should watch out." Out of nowhere, the only girl in the group raises her voice, making her presence known. And really, she looks a real dumbass to me right now. Especially with that bleached hair and those long nails. Is she a witch or something?

"Anyway, why are you saying that, priest?"

"Judging by the color of your bracelet, you have only received one skill."

"I see. Well, it's not a bad thing. Now, please, give it to me." His diary explains how to obtain other skills if necessary so it shouldn't be too hard even if I start with one skill.

"I deeply apologize."

He gives me the bracelet and when I put it on, a window appears before me.

                                                                          [

                                                                  Will Otun

                                                                  Gender: Male

                                                                        Age: 16

                                                        Mana points: 2506 (3 pts/s)

                                                            Class: Advanced warrior

                                    + 50% damage against demons when using swords and spears

                                  +60% damage against demons when fighting with no weapons.

                                                        Class bonus: + 500 mana points

                                                                Skill: Amplify (Rank F-S)

                                                    You can increase or decrease a property.

                                                                    Current rank: F (0%)

                      Current level restrictions: You can increase or decrease the properties of                              objects you touch and yourself. A deep understanding of object's structure is                                                         needed to efficiently amplify them.

                                        Mana cost: 5 mana points per seconds of usage.

                                                            Affliction: magic cancer

                            Your body has absorbed too much magic and is slowly deteriorating.

                                                                                ]

"Ahah…Ahahaha!!!"

"Sir hero, are you okay?"

"Interesting!! Very interesting!!" To think that I would receive it from the get-go. Is this really luck? If it is… "Then I really have the best luck of the world."

Suddenly, the bracelet starts shining again in my hands, brighter this time.

"Impossible!"

The priests and the soldiers in the room seem surprised by the sound of their voices.

When the light finally subsides, the window still hasn't disappeared but what was written has changed.

"Incredible."

"Incredible."

The priest and I both release the same astonishing sentence. But I think the reason must be different.

"How is it possible? To evolution right after receiving a skill? That's is unheard of."

Yep, like I thought, we were surprised for different reasons.

"Is it a good thing?" Let's play the fool for now.

"A good thing? This is fantastic! In all history of heroes, you are the first who has done such a thing! Your skill must be a real blessing and a very powerful one. Please, tell me, what is the name of your skill?"

"Eh? Wait, you can't see it?"

"See what?...Ah, yes, you are talking about your status window. No, sadly only those who are using magic can see the status window of another person, if he was given permission of course."

"I see." So, just like the book said as well. "But then, is it not bad if I tell people which skill I have received?" I try to speak with a childish voice to amplify the effect. And I think it is working.

"Oh…well, I don't really know myself. This is the first time for me as well but I am sure it will be okay."

"I-I see." So, you are sure of nothing then. Oh well, it doesn't matter much. "My skill is called…amplify. It is written here that it is an F-rank skill."

"F-rank…"

"F-rank…"

"Oh…"

With the word F, a cold wind of silence goes through the room. The enthusiastic face of the priest facing me instantly turns into one of disappointment and I think I can even read failure in his eyes.

"Well, a skill is a skill. I am sure you will have some use in this incoming war. Please, do your best to help us."

"Of course, thank you as well." This guy is about to spit on me, I am sure.

The priest turns around and goes back to his group. The other priests and the soldiers have the same faces as him now. That's a bit hilarious but I can't really say why now.

A soldier then comes to me and with that same face, he speaks as if he is forced.

"Since you are received your skill, you can follow me to the courtyard."

"Okay."

I don't know what we will do there but it would do me some good to walk around for a bit.

We leave the room and I can feel the sorry and mocking look of Ian and the others while I leave. Why do people feel the need to mock others just to reassure themselves like this? I find it hard to understand even now. Anyway, the hallway we enter is really long. Each window is a piece of art made of different colors of glasses, as if we are inside a wealthy church. Aside from the room we just left, there are ten more with five before our own.

"The others are in those rooms?"

"…"

No answer, huh…We continue walking and when we reach the courtyard, there are almost thirty soldiers waiting. I say soldiers but those eyes…Nah, all of them are veterans trained and experienced, I can see it. They have the same eyes as him.

Each of them has a different armor but there is a similar characteristic to them all: there are gold linings here and there on their armors, and they create a different symbol that shines brightly with the sun. Is gold that cheap here?

"So fast? I thought it would take longer for them to come out."

"Maybe he is special?"

"He doesn't look like much though."

Once again, whispers start spreading while the status window is still in front of me.

"Close status window."

Just like mentioned in his diary, the window closes when I whisper this. It was really a good idea to spend my lost hours reading that thing behind his back. I don't regret that he almost killed me when he discovered I had it.

"Sirs knights, I bring to you now…What is your name again?" Really? The guy doesn't even look at me when asking for my name. And I am supposed to be your hero? Sigh…So tiring.

"Will. Will Otun."

"I bring to you Will Otun. A hero from another world who has received the blessing of the god of law and balance and is ready to undertake the training to become a full-fledged hero who will defend us against the demons. The skill he has received from our god is…" As he says that, tension rises and everyone focuses on his lips, "Amplify, an F-rank skill." And disappointment once again fills the place.

"Seriously? We start with an F-rank shit."

"Hey, don't speak so loudly."

"Who cares? He has no value anyway."

The whispers aren't whispers anymore and have turned into real discussions. What is all this for anyway? The diary didn't mention anything about this.

"Please, sirs, I beg of you to remain calm. Now, is there anyone who would like to take him as a pupil?"

Pupil? Wait…Oh, I understand now, the diary did speak of undergoing three weeks of training an elite knight to learn aura and a priest to awaken magic and use it with the received skill. So, there is an auction before that? I didn't know we are pieces of meat to them.

"No one? Please, let me remind you that he is a hero and we have the duty to educate and train them. It is in our best interest."

Nobody raises his hand nor do they even dare to look at me. Well, I guess I will polish what he taught me alone then.

"I will do it."

Right as the silence was about to break someone's ears, a hand is finally raised.