Life Changing Phenomena

The memory replay that had occurred on his sleep cannot be remembered as it has been locked away by Heroic Sage to ensure Visgard's safety.

Bells rang and reverberated through the corridor of slave cells. The mossy walls, stained with blood, were a grim sight to any human.

Dirt had accumulated in the corners, while grime had blended into the cracks.

A man in armor walked through the messy, smelly corridor, ringing a bell in his hand.

"Wake up, you dirty mongrels! It's time for work, do you hear me!?" the soldier yelled, asserting his authority over the enslaved people cooped in their cells.

After a few seconds, Visgard finally opened his eyes.

He got up and sat on the floor he had slept on, while his two cellmates were already up and doing their morning stretches.

"You're up, Visgard. Let's get out before that noisy guard notices us," said Regie, who had been stretching.

Regie, a slave who shared the cell with Visgard, was in his mid-twenties. He had a malnourished body and a haggard face.

"Come on, Visgard, it's time to get up," said Cornio, another slave from the same cell. He had an average physique similar to Visgard's, was bald, and had whip scars across his back. Cornio, in his late twenties, was the oldest of the three.

Visgard finally got up, behaving differently than usual.

"What's wrong?" Cornio asked.

Visgard shook his head and said, "I had a weird dream I can't explain."

"Again with your strange dreams. We've heard enough already. Let's get going before the guard notices us," Cornio said, grabbing Visgard by the shoulder and guiding him out of their cell.

Visgard remembered that his dream somehow involved Skills. As he wandered in his thoughts, a voice spoke in his mind.

[Notice.]

[Heroic Sage: The host's mind is consumed by worries.]

Visgard stopped in his tracks, and Cornio did the same.

"Hey, what's wrong? You've been out of it since earlier, Visgard," Cornio asked, concerned.

"Leave him be, Cornio. He must be going through puberty," Regie said with a chuckle.

Despite their comments and sarcasm, Visgard was entirely focused on the voice in his head.

Hello, who are you? And how am I hearing you inside my head? Visgard thought.

Before the voice could respond, the guard pushed Visgard and Cornio from behind.

Visgard glanced back and saw the guard with an angry expression, glaring down at him.

"Get moving, slaves! Don't make me repeat myself," the guard ordered, his tone harsh.

"Yes, sir, we're going," Cornio said with a smile, then whispered to Visgard, "Let's go before the guard gets any angrier." They began walking toward the cafeteria where the slaves ate breakfast.

Visgard nodded and walked beside Cornio, who seemed eager to escape the guard's gaze.

Meanwhile, in Visgard's thoughts, the voice spoke again.

[Heroic Sage: I am your skill, Lesser Skill: Heroic Sage.]

"Huh? A skill?" Visgard thought, and was completely puzzled.

[Heroic Sage: Yes, I am an analytical lesser skill, an autonomous passive analyst skill.]

"An analyst? So you can analyze things? And will it benefit me? How?" Visgard asked, curious about his new skill.

[Heroic Sage: To answer that, a demonstration is necessary.]

As Visgard walked with Cornio, he noticed something floating near Regie, who was ahead of them.

[Heroic Sage: Analyzing Target...]

[Report.]

[Heroic Sage: Analysis Complete.]

[Name: Regie]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 25]

[Acquired Skills: None]

[Current State: Malnourished]

[Heroic Sage: The analysis output has been simplified for the host to easily see.]

A transparent tabloid with Regie's important details appeared beside him. Visgard was astonished and excited. He felt a strange and exhilarating sensation, having struggled for so long.

No words could describe his thrill at finally obtaining a skill and awakening as a skill user.

Humans rarely awaken as skill users because their once high human race had degenerated into such pitiful creatures consumed by irrationality.

Those who acquire skills are called Awakened Humans. They are well-respected for their abilities.

Having even the simplest skill can turn even the poorest person into a person granted with several opportunities.

Not only humans but also other races, species, and even non-intelligent monsters can acquire skills through their struggles for survival. Most beings awaken due to their willpower, granting them skills that surpass their current limits.

Skills are often tied to a being's innate desires and strengths.

Visgard learned all this from the Heroic Sage, which explained how skills are acquired.

Few people gain skills after birth, usually those of noble lineage with a trace of their high-race ancestors' blood.

[Heroic Sage: Explanation completed.]

"I see. Do all skills communicate with their hosts like you? What should I call you? Hero? Sage? Heroic Sage?" Visgard asked mentally.

[Heroic Sage: Few skills have autonomous modes like mine, so not all skills can communicate.]

[Heroic Sage: You may call me whatever you wish.]

"Then I'll call you Sage for short, but please use my name instead of calling me 'host,' Sage."

[Sage: I cannot communicate informally, so I will call you Master. Does that sound better?]

"Ugh, I suppose that's better than 'host,' as if you're some kind of parasite," Visgard replied, a look of distaste on his face.

[Sage: Very well, I shall address you as Master.]

Visgard smiled as he continued walking alongside Cornio, who was cautious of the other slaves around them.

Visgard used his new skill to view the status of his fellow slaves. It was a novel and thrilling experience.

He enjoyed examining others' information until they reached the cafeteria.

"Ugh, it's boiled soup again," Regie muttered, disgusted by the meager breakfast.

[Analyzing...]

[Sage: Analysis Complete.]

[Sage: This food is a mixture of rotten vegetables and dog meat, seasoned with salt, pepper, and Himalaya leaves to mask the odor.]

"Dog meat? Rotten vegetables? Are you sure? Ew!" Visgard thought, revolted by his serving, sitting beside Regie, who was equally disgusted, and Cornio, who seemed unfazed and was eating his food.

[Sage: Yes, those are the ingredients of this soup.]

"I'm not eating this. Thanks for the analysis. I can't believe I've been eating rotten veggies mixed with dog meat."

Both Regie and Visgard left their food untouched, repulsed by its appearance and the knowledge of its ingredients.

As they sat distressed, a slave approached them.

"Hey, Visgard, want to eat my leftovers? Keke!" the slave said, offering his serving.

Visgard recalled that this slave, Arnold, had been bothering him. Arnold was a beastman slave, an intelligent species with the mindset of a human and the strength of an animal.

Arnold had been persistently offering his portion to Visgard, who had accepted it with gratitude, unaware of its foul ingredients.

"I'm sorry, but I'm really not hungry today, so I can't accept your portion, Arnold," Visgard said, declining the offer.

But before he could finish, Arnold grabbed Visgard by the hair and slammed the cup of soup onto his face.

"You dirty human, how dare you reject my offer?" Arnold sneered, showing hostility toward Visgard, who was now covered in soup.

Beastmen are prideful beings who consider themselves superior to humans. Even in captivity, their cultural mindset persists, and they assert their authority over humans.

Beastmen avoid strong individuals, sensing strength through their instincts. They lower their heads and avoid eye contact with predators.

That's why Arnold felt free to harass Visgard, seeing him as weak. Visgard thought.

"Hey, stop it!" Regie shouted, pulling Arnold's hand away from Visgard's head.

Regie, though clumsy, had a strong sense of justice, something Visgard admired.

"You crazy—" Arnold began, but before he could say more, a voice interrupted.

"Stop this commotion and return to your seats."

It was the Cafeteria Guard, known to be an Awakened.

"Tch." Arnold said, realizing he stood no chance against the Guard. He retreated to his seat with his companions.

Regie sat back down and tried to comfort Visgard.

But Visgard was lost in thought, seemingly unaffected by the recent incident.

"Hey, Sage."

[Sage: Yes?]

"Is there a chance I could become strong?" Visgard asked, knowing that strength was necessary to escape such harsh treatment.

[Sage: Yes. There is a high chance you will become strong in the near future, Master.]

Sage's assurance lifted Visgard's spirits. He finally noticed Regie, who was still trying to comfort him with kind words.

As they chatted, Arnold glared at them, seething with anger.

"I'll make sure to get you someday, Regie," he said, his eyes filled with malice.

Cornio noticed the killing intent Arnold had surfaced but pretended to not know of it in order not to cause any conflicts.

Chapter End.