Ever since my memories returned, peaceful days continued.
With loving parents and family, and the affluent life of a noble.
Even though I’d started sword training, I couldn’t resist the delicious sweets made by the chef, so my body remained chubby.
And before I knew it, my tenth birthday was fast approaching.
In this world, the tenth birthday is not just any birthday.
It’s an important day when a priest appraises your skill.
The Fairchild Family possesses vast Territory, and internal affairs are important, but as Margraves who protect the country from the Demon Beasts of the Great Forest, we are more of a warrior family.
My elder brother Eddie, the next lord, obtained the Swordsmanship Skill and made our parents very happy.
Besides Swordsmanship Skill, there are other Skills like Magic Skill or Commercial Skill, but in noble families, Swordsmanship Skill or Magic Skill are preferred.
If you’re blessed with Magic Skill, you can learn Attribute Magic such as fire or wind.
Watching my parents say things like, “Will might get Magic Skill,” only made me more anxious.
After all, when I reincarnated, I didn’t choose to be a Hero or Sage, but a Producer.
If I’d been a Hero, I’d surely have received Swordsmanship Skill, and if I’d chosen to reincarnate as a Sage, I would have gotten Magic Skill.
If I’d known I’d be reborn as a noble, and that nobles favor sword and magic, I could have chosen to be a Sage.
I wonder if Producers can even get Magic Skill?
From what I heard, there are a few Producers who received Magic Skill and work in workshops.
But most Producers seem to have Production Skill.
With such worries, the day of destiny finally arrived.
We welcomed the priest to the Margrave’s Sanctuary.
As a great noble, the Margrave doesn’t go to the Church—instead, the priest comes here.
With my parents present, I greeted the priest.
“My name is William Fairchild. Thank you very much for coming.”
“Oh, what a polite child. May a fine Skill dwell within you.”
The priest was a gentle-looking man with a white beard.
“Now then, I shall appraise your Skill.”
He offered prayers to God.
To become a priest, one needs the Declaration Skill, a special Skill that lets you hear the words of God.
Declaration Skill is said to develop after one trains in Holy Skill.
After a while, the priest opened his eyes and solemnly declared, “William Fairchild, the Skill that dwells within you is Production Skill.”
Ah, I knew it.
I dropped to my knees in disappointment.
If I were a commoner, I could have used Production Skill to become an artisan, but nobles don’t engage in craftsmanship.
What am I supposed to do now?
In the novels I read in my previous life, people who got Production Skill were banished to remote lands or disowned.
I was blessed with a wonderful family and had been living happily.
Is happiness out of reach for me in this world, too?
As I hung my head, someone gently embraced me.
When I looked up, Mother was peering at my face with concern.
“My, you’ve gotten so down. What’s wrong, Will?”
Mother’s warmth seemed to thaw even my cold heart.
Nobles don’t usually show much physical affection, but Mother never cared about such things.
Tears spilled out naturally.
“Mother, I’m sorry I didn’t get Swordsmanship Skill or Magic Skill.”
“Oh my, Production Skill suits your gentle nature just fine. Make lots of good things and help your big brother, all right?”
Ah, Mother is so kind.
She almost seems to shine with a holy light.
Father, who appeared in my tear-blurred vision, also wore what looked like a gentle expression.
“That’s right. Skills for killing Demon Beasts aren’t the only ones that matter. Especially here on the Frontier, we lack so many things. Production Skill is good, too.”
If I went to a noble gathering, I’d surely be ridiculed for having Production Skill.
Even so, my parents accepted and encouraged me.
I truly have been blessed with wonderful parents.
I’m glad I was born into this family.