You've Unlocked A Hidden Ability

"Only 23 coppers? You planned to trick me, don't you?" Mister Braun said coldly as he stared at Exia like a God looked down on its mortal in the day of judgment.

Being stared at like that, even Exia who had toughen his mental couldn't help but took a step back. Gulping down his saliva, he rapidly shook his head, "I wouldn't dare to. That's all I received for today."

Once he arrived at his dwelling, Exia was immediately confronted by a barrage of questions from mister Braun. It turned out Lockey was the one who spilled out the matter of him not doing his work as a beggar properly.

He really didn't expect this. Sharing the same fate, Exia's relationship with his roommates ought to be great, right? However, that naive assumption instantly crumbled down after he learned that his own roommates were the ones who caused his misery.

'How ironic.' Exia thought in pity. Not really in pity for himself, but the past Exia who had to went through all of this. Thinking about the past, now he quite curious about the girl they mentioned yesterday. If I'm not wrong, she called...

Lilith

...

"I wonder how is he now? Did he eat enough? Does he still keep his habit of snoring at night's sleep?" A woman with her blonde-hair unravels across her back whispered softly. Her icy-blue eyes were now staring vacantly at the sky ahead of her. A bright green-moon, floating lonely by itself, accompanied by only a few unnoticeable grey clouds.

Feeling the brush of winds that came through the exposed window, the woman quietly closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling of her skin brushed lightly by it.

Suddenly, loud knocks echoed from the door, destroyed the serene atmosphere build-up within the room.

Regained her composure, the woman turned her head sideways and spoke softly as the gentle breeze, "Yes?"

Surprisedly, even with her soft voice as a mosquito, the other party seems able to hear it clearly, "Young miss, your father has asked for your presence."

"My father? Is it regarding my friend's condition?" The woman excitedly jumped from her seat, almost causing the chair to collapse due to her sudden kick.

The other party sounds hesitant for a moment before replying, "Yes."

"Alright! Lemme have a quick dress-up first!" She quickly added as a smile surfaced on her face, "Finally, some news about you."

...

"Urgh..." Groaning uncomfortably, Exia slowly rose from his sleep. Cranking his neck a little, he gently massaged it afterward.

Last night was a disaster. Not only does he kept getting bitten by mosquitoes, but his roommates also started to snoring loudly.

Ruffling his hair annoyingly, he saunters toward the door and leaves through it quietly.

Noticing the sun had yet to surface, Exia made his way to the nearest river to wash his face from drowsiness. Fortunately, the distance between his dwelling and the river quite close. Thus, he didn't need to walk for a long time and able to reach the water in only 5 minutes.

Squatting down on the riverside, Exia scooped a palmful of water and applied it on his face. He did it a few times before proceeding to rinse his dirty body next.

"Gosh, I really need to find new clothes," Exia grumbled irritatedly. He felt uncomfortable all over due to the fabric that kept scratching his skin.

At the thought of having a pair of new clothes, Exia becomes spirited to earn money and swear that he'll find a job soon.

After washing himself a little, making his appearance slightly cleaned, Exia noticed the scarlet orb was still following him obediently without making any physical contact.

Since it's probably a gift from God who invited him to this world, Exia has an idea that he could probably control the orb by concentrating his mind and create a connection with the orb.

Pressing both of his index and middle finger upon the side of his forehead, Exia closed his eyes and started to visualize a thread and scarlet-orb. Next, he pulled the string of thread, making it look bridge and attached it directly with the scarlet-orb, hoping a miracle would occur.

Suddenly an unnaturally deep voice reached into his ears, "You've unlocked a hidden ability, ability to control fire just by a sheer will."

Feeling something was off, Exia opened his eyes in doubt, only to find Luke with his fingers pinching his throat's area. Besides Luke, present all his groupmates with their cheeks puffed out, seem trying hard not to laugh.

The instant they saw Exia opened his eyes, they broke into a ridiculing laugh while pointing their fingers at Exia as if he was an idiot.

'Asshole,' Exia cursed inwardly and left the place promptly as he couldn't refrain himself from punching their face if he stayed any longer.

Watching Exia's figure slowly drifted away from their sight, Lockey said in mock, "His brain surely is broken."

Luke, who heard that subconsciously wanted to nod but stopped eventually. He had to admit that the current Exia seems changed. He still the same Exia, but he could tell there was something different. If it were the past Exia, he'd surely confront them and tried to pick up a fight with them.

"What are you up to, Exia? Let's see if you can remain calm-headed after I insult your sweetheart." Luke mumbled under his breath as a glimpse of malignity flashed across his eyes.

...

"Tch, they're making fun of me." Exia fumed in anger and kicked the scattered peebles to vent out his frustration.

Realizing his emotions overcome his awareness, Exia inhaled a deep breath and exhaled it along with the negative emotions that build up within his heart. He couldn't let himself be blinded by emotions that'll lead him to nowhere. Shaking his head slightly, Exia slapped his cheeks twice before saying resolutely, "Forget about them. They aren't worth attention of you."

With that, Exia starts to plan his today's schedule. In the morning, he'd work as a beggar until the arranged meeting, which happens at 11 o'clock. Afterward, he'll wander around the city to search for a job.

...

"This should be the time," Exia spoke after he peeked through the glassdoor of a random shop and saw the clock's time.

Passing by the crowded street, Exia occasionally stopped to inquire about Smith's Blacksmith location.

Adhere to their pointers, Exia found himself standing before an average-sized building with an anvil, hammer, and many other unrecognizable items displayed openly. Even the stupidest person could tell this place was a blacksmith, assuming just by looking at the tools, unless they got no common sense.

As he stared at those items in awe, a familiar voice greeted his ears, "You've come in the exact time, kid."