"Boom! Giants—no, TITANS! Each one larger than a mountain, brought to their knees by a single man!" Mr. Thorne's voice rang out enthusiastically. "A man who stopped the chaos that nearly destroyed our world eighty years ago."

The day began as usual at the village school, a modest building made of stone and timber. The children sat in rapt attention as their teacher spun the tale of a legendary hero who had once saved the world from apocalypse. In the heart of a remote village nestled close to the wilderness, life moved at a pace set by the rhythm of nature. The village was small, its people tightly knit, and everyone knew each other. It was a place where stories of old lingered in the air, whispered through the generations like an unbroken chain.

One particular young man was excitedly listening to the story of the hero. The boy's eyes were brimming with brilliance, anticipating the tale told by his teacher. Aware of the boy's gaze, Mr. Thorne couldn't help but continue the story in a more dramatic way than before, despite his age nearing fifty years old.

"What made this man stand out among other warriors of that time wasn't just because he brought down titans, but because of the weapon he used," Mr. Thorne paused, crossing his arms and letting out a small grin as he enjoyed the attention of the eager young villagers. "Can you youngsters guess what weapon he used?"

"Big sword!" "Big spear!" "Super powerful magic!" "A long sword that could reach all of the titans at once!" "He used magic to lift one titan and throw it at another titan!" The children answered, each with their unique guesses. The last answer was so unique that it made Mr. Thorne's side hurt from holding in his laughter. What made it even harder for Mr. Thorne to keep a straight face was that this imaginative answer came from the boy who had been listening and watching him with sparkling eyes.

Mr. Thorne tightened his face to appear serious. "Very good answers, everyone, but none of you got it right." He raised his right hand and placed his left hand on his hip, tilting his body sideways before turning his head toward the whole class and slowly pointing his right hand toward the boy. "He used no weapon besides his own body and simple magic!"

"YES! I WAS RIGHT!" yelled the boy excitedly, standing up with confidence.

"No! Elyan, did you not listen to me?" said Mr. Thorne, surprised and fumbling at the boy's reaction.

"Well, I said he used magic and threw the titan around, so I was at least half correct!" Elyan replied confidently. Annoyed by the boy's remarks, Mr. Thorne playfully pinched Elyan's plump cheek and spoke, "Yes, but if we are talking about history, halfway right is not acceptable, you brat." The whole class burst into laughter as Elyan's face turned red like a tomato from the embarrassment of being outed in front of everyone.

Noticing this, Mr. Thorne tried to calm down the class while ensuring Elyan's confidence wasn't shaken by what had transpired. "Now, Elyan, would you like to tell us how many deities govern our world?" Mr. Thorne picked this question because he knew that despite Elyan's playful side, he was one of the brightest students in the class.

"There are... there are 12 deities governing our world, Mr. Thorne," replied Elyan. His voice was a little shaky, his face still reddened from embarrassment.

"Correct, Elyan. There are currently 12 deities, and each plays an important role in maintaining peace in our world. Thank you for the answer, Elyan," said Mr. Thorne, seeing that Elyan's confidence was returning. Mr. Thorne continued the lesson. "Now, each of you will receive a blessing from one of the deities once you reach the age of 12. Your future will be decided based on the blessing that you receive from the god or goddess. It can be a unique blessing or a common one, but each blessing, regardless of its rarity, is important in helping society grow and maintain peace."

"Teacher, what about the hero? What kind of blessing did he have?" one of the students blurted out.

"Good question. There are no records of what kind of blessing the hero had, but from his fighting style, we can assume that he might have received a blessing from Valen, deity of adventure and exploration, or Drakon, deity of war and protection. He might also have had a blessing from Aeloria, the god who governs magic and sorcery. Although this is debatable, since Mr. Hero only used simple magic," answered Mr. Thorne enthusiastically, almost forgetting he was teaching a class full of 12-year-olds.

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"Ahem! Now, I know all of you are excited for tomorrow, but do not forget to read about the 12 deities and behave yourselves in the temple. Class dismissed!"

The children scrambled to their feet; their excitement palpable as they chatted amongst themselves about the upcoming blessing ceremony. Elyan, still glowing from his earlier exchange with Mr. Thorne, gathered his belongings slowly, savoring the moment.

As he stepped out of the classroom, Elyan felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Mr. Thorne smiling down at him. "Elyan, a word, if you don't mind."

"Sure, teacher, but I have to go and train since the weather is good and nature is waiting to witness my skills!" Elyan replied with a grin.

"Sigh, it won't take much of your time, you brat," Mr. Thorne said, ruffling Elyan's hair with his right hand.

Elyan nodded, curiosity piqued. The other children ran off, heading home or to their favorite spots in the village. Elyan and Mr. Thorne walked toward the edge of the schoolyard, where a small grove of trees offered shade and privacy.

"You did well today, Elyan," Mr. Thorne began, his tone serious yet warm. "I see a lot of potential in you. Your curiosity and enthusiasm are gifts, you just need to work on your confidence. Keep it up!"

Elyan beamed, feeling a rush of pride. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. Although that is not necessary, for I am Elyan the Mighty! BUAHAHAHAHA!"

Mr. Thorne sighed and smiled. "You've got guts, kid. That's good, especially if you want to be like Mr. Hero. Tomorrow is an important day for you and the other children. Remember, the blessing you receive is only the beginning. It's what you do with it that truly matters."

Elyan nodded, absorbing the weight of Mr. Thorne's words. "I understand. I'll do my best."

"I know you will," Mr. Thorne said, giving Elyan's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Now, go and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a big day."

Elyan hurried home, his mind buzzing with anticipation. The village streets were lively with preparations for the ceremony. Banners and decorations adorned the houses, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.

As he reached the orphanage, Elyan was greeted by the other children. They had gathered in the common room, chattering excitedly about the blessings they hoped to receive. Elyan joined them, his heart light with hope and excitement.

Later that evening, after a simple but hearty meal, Elyan sat by the window in his small room, looking out at the star-filled sky. He could hear the distant sounds of the village winding down for the night. Tomorrow, everything could change. He wondered what kind of blessing he would receive. Would it be from Valen, the deity of adventure and exploration, like he had always dreamed? Or perhaps from another deity with a different path in mind for him?

As he pondered these questions, sleep eventually claimed him, and he drifted off with dreams of grand adventures and heroic deeds.

In the crisp morning air, the village children gathered at the temple on the outskirts of the village to receive their blessings. The temple, an ancient stone structure adorned with symbols of the twelve deities, stood as a testament to the village's deep-rooted traditions. The small village's close-knit community meant the children had no trouble socializing with each other, their excited chatter filling the air.

As the ceremony began, the deities' lights shone down on each child. The first four children received their blessings without issue, each one glowing with a divine light and displaying their newfound gifts. When Elyan's turn came, he stepped forward with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The sacred lights enveloped him, but instead of the usual radiant glow signaling a blessing, there was an uneasy flicker. Moments passed, and nothing happened. Elyan's heart sank. Even more troubling, his system window, which was supposed to display his new blessing, instead showed strange, unreadable symbols, a jumble of characters that made no sense.

Elyan turned to the elders, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. "What does this mean?" he asked, his voice trembling.

The head priest shook his head, his face pale. "I've never seen anything like this," he murmured. "It is... troubling."

The head priest continued, "Listen, Elyan. You are what we call The Forsaken, for you are without a blessing."

Branded as The Forsaken, Elyan became the center of attention. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. While some villagers eyed him with suspicion, fearing what this anomaly might mean for their village, most were worried about his fate. Being unblessed made him seem unfit to live in the village, a place where every person's role was determined by their divine gift. Despite his new status, many villagers did not hate him; instead, they tried to find ways for him to stay. Elyan had always been a good boy, helping around the village with a smile on his face, earning the affection of many. The baker remembered the times Elyan had helped carry flour sacks; the blacksmith recalled the boy's eager assistance in gathering firewood.

"Elyan, we know you're a good kid," said Mrs. Anwen, the baker, as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "This must be some sort of mistake."

"But what if it's not?" whispered Mr. Garrick, the blacksmith. "What if the gods are angry?"

Villagers debated and argued, their voices rising with concern. Some proposed he stay and be given tasks, despite his lack of blessing. Others, more superstitious, feared that keeping him might anger the deities further.

"Elyan, you should go," said Thalia, one of Elyan's few close friends. Her bright green eyes were filled with tears, but she forced a brave smile. "Maybe in the town, you can find answers."

"But I don't want to leave," Elyan replied, his voice breaking. "This is my home."