BLACK CAT CHAPTER 1: THE NEST LEAVING CEREMONY

T/N: So, things to remember:

“A/N:” are the author’s notes, and

“T/N:” are the translator’s notes that may or may not include useful information.
Sometimes I make comments because I just cannot help it.

The perspective is usually the main character’s unless you see this “~___’s Perspective~” and tells you who’s perspective it is.

If you see “italicized texts”, it means that it is in the third-person perspective.
However, it is usually only for short sections.
Enjoy!

 

 

　The priest’s solemn voice echoes in the plaza in front of the church, surrounded by a crowd.

 

 

“Atsuka village, faithful Miguel, come forward…” (Priest)

 

“Yes!” (Miguel)

 

 

　Miguel, the wolfkin who is the grandson of the village chief, seems to be nervous today.

 

　His face is pale and his usually fluffy tail is drooping.

 

 

　Every year in Ibouro, a ceremony called the “Nest Leaving Ceremony” is held on the day of the spring equinox.

 

　There is a church in the village of Atsuka, where we live, but there is no priest to perform the ceremony, so we were taken by horse-drawn carriage to the town of Ibouro.

 

 

　In the plaza in front of the church in the center of the town, children from the surrounding villages have gathered to participate in the ceremony, and residents have also gathered to watch the spectacle.

 

　In a town where entertainment is scarce compared to Japan, the “Nest Leaving Ceremony” is a kind of festive celebration.

 

 

　Miguel walked awkwardly up to the priest, kneeled down, and folded his hands in front of his chest.

 

　The priest held a staff with an intricately carved design and a large jewel at its tip above Miguel’s head and began chanting.

 

 

“Under the protection of Goddess Fatima, live in good health and bless the faithful as they at the time they leave the nest…” (Priest)

 

 

　Miguel’s body was enveloped in a red light as the jewel emitted a white light.

 

 

“The attribute is fire! Faithful Miguel, show the Goddess Fatima the blessings she has bestowed upon you.” (Priest)

 

“Yes!” (Miguel)

 

 

　Miguel stood up, turned to the square, took a deep breath, and raised his hands to the sky.

 

 

“In the name of the Goddess Fatima, let the flames burn!” (Miguel)

 

 

　At the tips of Miguel’s raised hands, a fireball of about 50 cm in diameter burst into flames.

 

　The crowd gathered in the plaza was impressed, but the applause that immediately followed was less than enthusiastic.

 

 

The “Nest Leaving Ceremony” is a ceremony for children who turn ten years old that year to show their determination to leave with the blessings of the Goddess Fatima and live as adults, but its original purpose is something else.

 

 

　All people in this world are born with their own magic, but at an early age, they may harm themselves due to uncontrollable magic.

 

　It is fine if wind- or water-attribute magic runs out of control and ruins a room, but in the case of fire- or lightning-attribute magic, it can be deadly.

 

 

　The church has come up with a technique to seal magic called the “Goddess’s Blessing,” and the “Nest Leaving Ceremony” is a ceremony to unseal it.

 

The “Goddess’s Blessing” has reduced the number of children who injure themselves due to magical outbursts, and the church has established a firm position in the community.

 

 

The “Nest Leaving Ceremony” is a demonstration for the church, but it also has another purpose.

 

　It is said that the magic offered to the goddess immediately after the seal is broken indicates the talent of the person who invoked it.

 

　It is said that those who are able to use great and stable magic from the start will grow faster thereafter.

　

 

　At the “Nest Leaving Ceremony,” an examiner from the Royal Knight Order and a knight from the Viscount Lagarto family, which governs this area, are in attendance.

 

　In other words, it is a scouting opportunity to discover promising talents.

 

 

　Immediately after the magic was performed, those who were recognized as having talent were approached by the judges, but Miguel, who turned around after putting out the fireball, was not approached.

 

　Another child who was approached had created a fireball more than twice the size of Miguel’s.

 

 

“Atsuka village, Horacio, come forward…” (Priest)

 

“Ye-yes…” (Horacio)

 

 

　The oxkin Horacio, whose name was called out, stepped out with a confused look.

 

　He is about a head taller than Miguel, but he has a very quiet personality.

 

 

“Under the protection of Goddess Fatima, live in go