"I've never seen a letter like this before." She mutters before opening it.

Dear Nix,

Allow me to introduce myself: I am Walter von Castell, the guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild. Across the realm, adventurers come from far and wide to keep the people safe and aid the weak. While the guild has open recruitment, I have made it upon myself to personally recruit you. Though you cannot see it, you have the oracle's blessing.

Very few have this. The mages of Astrum have been worshipping Aurella for centuries, while some have been able to obtain this, rarely have there been circumstances of them having it since birth. I believe your family was able to obtain this for you.

You may wonder what this means for you. Those with the blessing can learn the magical and physical arts easily. I'm offering you an apprenticeship to harness your gift and learn.

Please respond to my summons as soon as possible. We have a small safe room by the cathedral. Request for Phoenix, and he will give you further instructions.

"The oracle's blessing... by the gods..." Mother Agnus downs the rest of her wine while Clarice looks up from the letter, seeing Nix snoozing on the table face-first. "It's been a long time since I've heard that..."

"Wasn't the last one with the blessing... they disappeared, right?" Mother Agnus nods.

"Yes... Lina Chambers... she was a knight for the Caelix kingdom. She was a gifted child, a strong fighter, kind woman. My sister worked with her while serving the royal princess." Clarice looks at the letter again, the cursive penmanship, the signature, it looks legit. "If it's true he has the blessing, he would be better off with the guild."

The Next Day

Light peers through the windows, blinding Nix awake.

"What..." Blinking softly, he sits up from the kitchen table, the grey blanket placed over him sliding to the ground. "Gosh... my back..."Getting off the chair, he bends to grab his watch from his knapsack.

9:58 AM

"Note to not drink after work, instant sleep spell." He pushes his bangs back. Sighing, he sits on the chair and grabs the letter. Glancing it over, he chews on his reddening lip.

"Oracle's blessing... me?" Staring up at the window, seeing the birds chirping and nature flowing, Nix knew what he had to do.

Having the day off, he decides to research. He searched every tome and article he could find, from the history of Aurella, the oracle's blessing and diaries of those who had it, including Lina Chambers. He never thought himself capable of the magical or physical arts, for all the stories he read were inspiring, but he felt more like a side character, like the caretaker of the guild.

In the interest of this, he heads to the cathedral.

Opening the large wooden doors, he walks in, his shoes clacking as he takes each step. Various dark cloaked worshippers were scattered about, some praying by the statue of Aurella, others healing the ill on cots and others practicing the magical arts. They cast spells upon dummy targets, imbuing magic into wands, swords, the like and reading tomes.

With the low lighting, Nix walks slowly. A short woman walks towards him, her hood on and hands hidden from view.

"Hello, child, what brings you to Aurella's Sanctum?" Her voice was croaky, yet warm with care.

"Hi, I wanted to learn more about the oracle's blessing." She reaches out her hand, holding it as if to halt him.

"Indeed... I can see it." She turns her hand, holding it out. "Your hand, please." With a shaky hand, he meets hers. "The oracle indeed has given you her gift. You're lost... still finding yourself. Solitude keeps you safe; to be close is to be hurt, yet your heart yearns for this."

Nix tilts his head.

"What do you mean by this?" She raises her head, where they lock eyes. Nix gasped; her eyes were both golden.

"You yearn to connect, to find home. You care deeply, don't you?" Chewing on his lip again, he breathes deeply.

"How do you know this?"

"The oracle." She lets go of his hand. "Those with her blessing can learn the many magical or physical arts. Many disciples here learn the art of healing to help the sick. We also have those who harness Aurella's power to channel their strength; they become great warriors and have become legends in battle. You can indeed do as they can."

"Me? But I'm just a cook... all I've ever done is take care of others." She turns around and gestures to a pew.

"Sit, allow me a moment to chat." Sitting on the wooden pew, a squeak from how worn it was, Nix watches as the woman walks into the aisle, staring at the marble statue. "When you're young, you have the opportunity to explore, to learn. You have the chance to try, make a name for yourself, continue to help others or even discover who you are." She turns, removing her hood and showcasing her silvery locks in a braid. "It's your choice in the end, but I believe it would heal your heart."

"Heal my heart...?" Holding his hand to his chest, a faint ache pulsed. It was one he was never able to heal. Every cleric said he was fine head to toe. He could not deny her words; he wanted to find a home or make a place he could call home aside from the orphanage. If his family was the one to give him this blessing, he had so many questions.

"Why did the oracle give me the blessing?"

"I take it you were born with it. Many disciples here try to obtain it, some for good, some for bad. All of which are subject to judgment. You likely had a family member give you this blessing."

But who...?

He stares into the far corner, seeing candles lit up around the area.

"Thank you, that's all I needed to know."

Taking a moment of peace, he listens to the worshippers and their chants.

For the first time in his life, he was given a choice.