[Blessing].

In this world, that refers to the divine protection bestowed by the gods—something considered essential.

The Guidance through which one receives a Spirit Stone is not merely the simplistic notion of "yay, free spirit stones lol." but is also regarded as a deeply appreciated event, because the god you worship kindly shows you the path you should follow.

It’s said that people who meet through this Guidance often become lifelong friends, because meeting someone revealed to you through the god’s chosen path is considered the will of the divine... or something like that.

In fact, it’s true that I myself have met many people through Guidance. The whole "lifelong friends" part is honestly pretty dubious, but hey, if we get along, that’s good enough for me. Yeah.

And there’s one more important thing:

It’s called [Heavenly Vocation].

It is the occupation deemed most suitable for a person. Well, the meaning is the same as "vocation" or "calling" in Japan, but in this world, the gods—meddlesome as they are—actually designate it for you. That’s what this Heavenly Vocation is.

The Heavenly Vocation is bestowed at the same time you receive the 'Blessing'.

Normally, in this world, people undergo a small baptism-like ceremony and receive their Blessing on their 10th birthday. In Japanese terms, that's still elementary school age. At 10 years old, being told "this is your job" doesn't really click.

But well, since it's the custom here to receive it at 10, there's no helping it. Of course, there's a proper reason for it.

Once you're granted a Heavenly Vocation, your comprehension and talent for that occupation bloom, allowing you to perform at roughly five times the normal efficiency.

I've personally confirmed this with my own [Swordsman] vocation; I can definitely feel my sword handling, combat techniques, and footwork improving at an accelerated rate.

However, there's no way to tell whether things became that way because you received your Heavenly Vocation, or if it simply revealed talents you already had from the start.

In any case, once you receive a Heavenly Vocation, you're guaranteed five-times efficiency in that field, your occupation is decided for you, and even the general direction of your life is laid out by the Great Spirit-sama. If that's the case, the sooner the better, right? I figure that's probably why the Blessing is given at age ten.

Having your life path locked in at ten years old does feel a bit questionable, though. On the other hand, it saves you the trouble of agonizing over what to do with your life, and if you look at it positively, maybe the existence of this "insurance" called a Heavenly Vocation actually frees you up to mess around and play in other areas.

Besides, if you have the motivation, it seems you can manage just fine even without a Vocation, after all.

It's just a "five-times efficiency" boost, after all. What exactly that "five-times" is measured against remains a mystery, though...

Now, people may say things like "all professions are equal in dignity," but unfortunately, that doesn't apply in this world.

There are good jobs, and there are bad ones.

Just as I ended up with the Heavenly Vocation of [Swindl*r], undesirable Vocations do exist, and some Vocations simply correspond to one's position in the hierarchy.

Vocations like [Swordsman], [Spearman], or [Archer] are basically just designations for people who are skilled with those specific weapons.

Then there are Vocations specialized for actual combat, like [Warrior], or professionals who use bows for hunting, like [Hunter]. And finally, there are those who fight wielding their own beliefs and sense of justice as their weapons: the [Knight].

Furthermore, I've heard that even rarer, higher-ranked Vocations exist, such as [Holy Knight] and [General].

Leaving aside the exception of my own "Unique" Vocation, it's clear that there are defined "Basic" and "Advanced" Vocations, much like in a video game.

Well, having such things decided at the age of ten might feel cruel from a Japanese perspective. However, I've heard that in other countries, the idea that "every child has a job they're suited for" is more mainstream, so it's probably just a cultural difference.

―Anyway, back to the subject of this "Blessing."

The day after Aurica's birthday party, when we visited the temple, we happened to run into the family of a boy who was scheduled to receive his "Blessing" that very day.

He was an adorable boy with chestnut-brown hair.

Dressed in brand-new, pure-white ceremonial baptism robes and accompanied by his parents, he was listening to an explanation about the Blessing. He was probably nervous—his lips were pressed into a straight line, and he wore a very serious expression.

And of course, the one giving the explanation was none other than our elf priestess-chan.

Aah... Priestess-chan is just too cute...

My own elf is cute too, I guess, but she does have her quirks.

Black and white are both nice, but sometimes a yellow one like Takuan is good too. It's more... comforting, or perhaps a palate cleanser... I guess I'm saying that, for Japanese people, pickles are essential...

Priestess-chan was holding a shining golden staff about as tall as she was. Her attire was the same colorful ceremonial robes as always. Perched cutely on her head was a priestess hat with little horns—kind of like Buffaloman's.

What is that hat, anyway? It's ridiculously cute. It's the first time I've seen it—maybe it's the official one for formal ceremonies?

When I received my Blessing ceremony, I basically barged in without an appointment and they just did it on the spot, but normally you probably have to schedule or request it in advance. In those cases, I guess she dresses in full formal attire like this.

Her hairstyle was also different from usual: her hair was tied up at the back, with only the side locks hanging down, and her bangs parted to the side and pinned. Her makeup also looked like she had put a bit more effort into it than usual.

Cute. Divinely cute. Simply cute. Unpretentiously cute. Her pointy ears are cute. Her flaxen hair is cute. Her elegant figure is cute. Her flowing clothes are cute. She's haughty and cute. She's refined and cute. Her hat is cute. Her emerald-green eyes are cute. Her graceful features are cute. Her cherry-like lips are cute. Her delicate face is cute. Her slender neck is cute. Her stylish boots are cute. Her smile is cute. Her voice is cute. Elves are cute. Super cute.

"...I feel like I'm being subjected to some very rude comparisons, nodesu."

"Master-dono seems to really like Priestess-dono, de arimasu. He's staring at her like he wants to bore a hole through her. But no matter how much he likes her, aiming for Priestess-dono is reckless. He should compromise with someone closer and more attainable, de arimasu."

"...Senpai subtly trying to appeal is sooo cuteee."

Diana, Marina, and Elepipi were saying something, but whatever! I didn't care.

I lifted my digital camera, equipped with a telephoto lens, and captured Priestess-chan in all her glory from every possible angle.

I'd wanted to take pictures of her many times, but the opportunity just never came up. Today, maybe because it was the boy's blessing ceremony, there were a lot of people around—relatives or just spectators, I'm not sure—which made it easier to blend in.

Naturally, Priestess-chan noticed me partway through, but I managed to play it off. Since cameras don't exist in this world, there's no way I'll be accused of anything.

* * *

"Phew... I got some great shots... The boy looked very photogenic too, so it worked out well in the end. I think I managed to capture more than just a nice picture; I caught the solemnity of the ceremony as well."

After snapping nearly a hundred shots, I was completely satisfied.

Sure, my own girls are undeniably cute elves in their own right, but an elf who's a professional priestess on duty is in a league of her own.

The boy's parents gave me suspicious looks as I moved around taking photos in a rather sketchy manner, but my ultimate excuse—‘By order of Elf-sama, I'm just doing a quick test of a magic tool, seriously'—worked like a charm and got me off the hook completely.

Well, if push comes to shove, I could always print a few copies and give them to the family as a souvenir.

Huh? Wait, could this actually be a viable business?

...Nah, better not. Relying on tools for business would be risky. There's only so many times I can get away with the "made in the elf village" excuse, after all.

The boy's blessing took a surprisingly long time to really begin. To be precise, it had actually begun shortly after we arrived. Apparently there's a whole formal procedure to follow, so the crucial part—the moment when the Great Spirit bestows the Blessing—was taking forever to come around.

By the way, our group today consisted of me, Diana, Marina, Elepipi, and Rebecca-san.

"Blessings sure take a long time, huh? Mine was pretty unusual, I guess. It ended in like one minute."

"Well, of course. It's originally a sacred ceremony where a child becomes an apostle of the Great Spirit on their tenth birthday. Most of the time, there's even a banquet afterward. Yours was a special case, Jirou—and above all, it was without an appointment." said Rebecca-san.

"I see."

"Ah, looks like they're about to bestow the Blessing now."

When I looked toward the altar, Priestess-chan finally held the boy's hand and was about to grant the Blessing (or more precisely, to have the Great Spirit grant it through her).

After a single, brilliant flash of light, Priestess-chan announced the successful completion of the ceremony.

The parents hugged the boy, saying "Congratulations!" The boy, seemingly relieved, showed a smile.

His mother anxiously asked, "What was your Vocation, dear?"

We watched the scene with warm smiles.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this the boy's first step into adulthood. From here on, he will move forward in life toward whatever Vocation has now been decided for him.

"I'm not even related to the kid, but I'm still kinda excited to see what Vocation he gets."

"I'm sure he will be granted a good Vocation, de arimasu. He seems like a kind and well-behaved child, de arimasu." said Marina.

"Yeah, totally. Judging from the parents' clothing, he's probably the heir to a barber. If that's the case, getting ‘Barber' as a Vocation would be perfect for him." Rebecca-san said.

"You can tell just from their clothes...?"

They're wearing nice, formal outfits since it's an important ceremony, but I wonder if there are really something that screams "we're barbers!" about them?

"They're dressed in red, blue, and white, aren't they?"

Oh... like a barber pole?

Elepipi was silent, gazing at the boy with a solemn expression.

She had her usual sleepy look, but it didn't feel like she was simply sharing in the celebratory mood like everyone else.

"What's wrong? Not that interested, Elepipi?"

"...That's not it, Young Master. It's just..."

"Just?"

"...When I got mine, well... you know, that happened. I'm pretty sure the same goes for Senpai and the Captain too..."

"That?"

Before I could figure out what "that" meant, the boy opened his Vocation Board and announced his Vocation to everyone.

"Uuun, Vocation Vocation Vocation! Ah, it appeared! It appeared, Mom, Dad! My Vocation is... Whoa! It says Knight! My Vocation is Knight! I did it!"

"Oooh, is that true?! A Knight from our family...!"

"Congratulations! You are our pride!"

"Thank you! Dad, Mom! I'm going to become a splendid Knight!"

Ohh. So the boy's Vocation turned out to be [Knight].

The boy, his parents, and people who appeared to be relatives were all excited. They shook him by the shoulders as they congratulated him. The boy, cheeks flushed, returned their greetings with a radiant smile.

The previously solemn atmosphere had completely transformed, replaced by a bustling commotion.

One man among the attendees was giving instructions to another. A different man was ordering around a boy who looked like his apprentice. The women gathered together and began discussing something.

Hmm... I thought I understood that the Blessing was just a big event, but this is something truly incredible.

Is it like this for everyone? Or was this boy special...?

"That was intense. The Blessing, I mean. Well, in any case, a happy event like this brings a warm feeling."

"It is the will of the Great Spirit nodesu." said Diana.

"...Indeed, it is. Truly, de arimasu."

"".........""

Unlike Diana, who was her usual self, Marina, Elepipi, and Rebecca-san were all staring at the boy with indescribable expressions on their faces.

"I-Is something wrong?" I asked them.

Elepipi, in particular, had gone completely pale and sat frozen, not even twitching.

Even when I asked, "Are you alright?" she seemed totally out of it, as if her mind weren't here at all.

"...Marina is fine de arimasu. Even if I were born male in the Turk tribe, I would not have ended up like that anyway."

"In my case, with my father being what he was, my circumstances were a bit different, so... well. And besides, I had a double [Vocation]... But still... it's a little hard for me to watch any more of this."

"......"

…! Ah, right! All three of them are women with the [Knight] Vocation!

Elepipi hadn't said a word the whole time. Worried, I reached out to touch her shoulder—

"Urkghhh..."

—Elepipi suddenly threw up.

Rebecca-san and Marina quickly supported her and took her outside.

The people who were at the temple helped with the cleanup.

While we were cleaning, someone asked, "What happened to her? Did she eat something bad this morning?" So I answered, "That's probably the case."

When we finished cleaning and stepped outside the temple, Elepipi still looked completely drained of color and was trembling. Rebecca-san and Marina sat beside her on both sides, leaning close and holding her shoulders.

Elepipi was sniffling, tears streaming down her face, looking exactly like a small, broken child.

We stayed there with her until she finally calmed down.

* * *

"...Sorry for causing trouble, Young Master. I thought I'd already gotten over it… but I guess I was hurt a lot more deeply than I realized."

"...It's all right."

After that, Elepipi began to speak, little by little.

She had been raised with high expectations from her parents, and she truly wanted to meet those expectations. Then, on her tenth birthday, she received her Blessing.

However, her Heavenly Vocation turned out to be [Knight].

Her parents showed their disappointment openly. Relatives let out exaggerated sighs and left their seats.

The higher the expectations were, the greater the disappointment must have been. What should have been—literally—a blessed day had been completely ruined.

And worst of all, Elepipi hadn't known that girls couldn't become Knights. So, just like the boy, she rejoiced innocently: "It's like a dream, being able to become a Knight..."

But that hope of hers was crushed in an instant.

Seeing the boy and his parents celebrate so joyfully seemed to trigger a flashback to that day.

'This is nothing like how it was for me. It's too different...'

'Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn...'

No wonder she threw up.

A boy who receives the Knight Vocation enters the Knight Training Academy as a Squire. After several years of training there, he will become a full-fledged knight of the Imperial Knight Order.

And since even Squires receive wages from the state, the [Knight] Vocation is both honorable and profitable—an elite profession that few can obtain, making it extremely popular.

However, in the case of a girl, the outcome is often what happened to Elepipi.

"Knight" for a man, and "Knight" for a woman.

That is the harsh reality of this world.

* * *

"...And that's the situation. So, I'd like to put up one of these posters in the temple. Also, if possible, I'd appreciate it if you could discreetly refer any girls who receive the [Knight] vocation to us in the future."

"Wow, this is such a beautiful illustration. Did you draw this, Jirou-san? I myself have always felt heartache over the issue of female knights. I would be happy to cooperate."

"Thank you very much... Priestess-cha—err, Priestess-sama."

I asked Priestess-chan, and she allowed me to put up the poster as planned.

I also made a small donation while I was at it. It's normally something you're supposed to do when receiving your Blessing, but since I was penniless at the time, I was allowed to postpone the payment until I became successful.

I also considered asking them not to spread rumors about the presence of a noble elf (Diana), but in the end I decided against it—if we were going to run a Knight Order anyway, we needed to build some reputation.

The poster was made by printing out a cool illustration of a female knight that I downloaded from a Japanese CG site, and the text was written by Aurica. I feel like the wording ended up a bit sketchy, but well, it should be fine. Even shady companies back home used to put up posters like this.

We probably won't get many applicants from it, but... if it can reduce the number of girls who end up with painful experiences like Elepipi's, even just a little, that would be enough for me.

* * *

Recruiting Members!

The non-profit organization [Knights of Artemis], based in Erishe, is recruiting female knights.

Would you like to become a knight who protects the elf princess?

To those who lament receiving the Knight Vocation yet have no opportunity to make use of it—this is your chance!

No age or race restrictions! Please feel free to contact us!

Details regarding activities will be provided during the interview.