She hadn't even studied yet, so how could she be so certain?
Maybe they were wrong, maybe she also had the talent to learn magic...
For whatever reason, when she truly recognized the gap between herself and her brother, the pain inside the hero's heart was indescribable.
She wandered aimlessly toward the direction of the inn.
"Miss Hero, today it was announced that I am unfit to be a mage."
[Third Station: Mage Association Score]
Heart of the Hero: 64
Recommendation of the Little Girl: 3
Mentor's Evaluation: 0 (Absent)
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
The hero hurriedly continued on the way back to the inn.
Then, her gaze was drawn to the light, the noise, and the aroma of food that came from not far away.
At this hour, apart from the clerics in the church attending emergencies, other associations had already closed, and there were not many places still open in town into the late hours.
However, some places, deserted during the day, really came alive at night.
Looking into that new world she'd never entered before, the hero couldn't help but step towards it.
Though unaware at the time, the hero did not know that the conflict between magicians and mages wasn't just a difference in ideologies.
Magicians tapped into internal elements, transforming their life force into magical power, while mages perceived elements in the environment and converted them into magical power using their spirit. Their approaches to harnessing magical power were fundamentally different, even contradictory.
The hero, awakened early as a beast spirit mage, would likely need to exert efforts far surpassing the ordinary, in order to become a true mage.
Rejected without hesitation by her parents, who never even offered an explanation, the hero only at this moment truly felt how lacking her talent on the path of a mage was.
Compared to her brother, who could learn a spell in less than a class period, even among peers he was exceptionally gifted—she really...
The more she thought about it, the sadder she felt, and her vision blurred as tears welled up.
Despite how her closest friends tried to console her, no matter how much her grandfather urged her not to mind it, regardless of how many warnings the little girl gave her...
How could she possibly just laugh it off?
If only she could become a mage...
If she had such talent...
Would Daddy and Mommy have spared her a glance?
This thought had lingered so many times in her mind, causing her to hold onto unrealistic expectations.
Even for her best friend, if she could have learned magic then, maybe she could have gone to save her.
But now, she woke up from that dream.
The hero wiped her tears and strode boldly into the tavern.
Ignoring the curious stares from those around her, she marched straight to the bar and slapped the table.
Her emerald eyes red, she made her request with a voice that still held a sobbing tone.
[Legal Drinking Age in Otherworld]
[Tavern Environment Passed—and neither bartenders nor patrons would ignore bad behavior]
[Hero's Luck Passed—interesting guest will be encountered]
Only when humankind crosses the threshold into odd numbers, stepping into the first decade, are they truly born into this world.
Before that, they are infants who might perish while still swaddled, no different than when they were in amniotic fluid.
Though far from adulthood, now they possess the right to survive and face harsh trials.
First off, start with drinks not suitable for children.
"Give me a drink!" The hero's tear-choked voice caught the attention of many patrons.
The tavern still open in the deep night, although not elegantly decorated, was clean and tidy.
There was no artificially dim romantic lighting—instead, the tavern was filled with a soft glow that was bright yet not glaring, lively yet not noisy with the crowd.
In the night when most were fast asleep, those still awake needed an outlet to vent their desires, a release of themselves, or to indulge in the darkness, succumbing to violence and vices.
But conversely, some sought tranquility, peace, longing for the sense of security provided by being surrounded by noise and crowds, to enjoy the shared resonance in light, not feeling alone.
People in pursuit of this feeling unknowingly gathered in this uniquely ambient tavern.
Though not explicitly stated, avoiding trouble, refraining from causing disorder, and cooperating to expel anyone causing upsets had become an unspoken rule here.
Yet, it was still a tavern deep in the night, so someone bursting in emotionally was not out of the ordinary.
Only this time, the guest was somewhat petite, somewhat adorable, with a youthful charm—an extremely unique customer.
"Drinks? Of course, that's no problem."
The bartender put down the glass in hand, offering a professional smile as he handed the hero the menu.
"So, miss, what kind of drink would you like?"
"What kind of drink...?"
The hero repeated the bartender's words, word by word, a look of confusion showing in her slightly cooled-down eyes.