The Day of Sera’s Initialization
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[Congratulations -Sera Veras- You are now being inducted into the World Order System!]
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Sera kneels nervously under the gaze of the priest as she gets her first system message.
She had just turned fourteen and her Mana Core reached the proper size to connect to the system.
Her family, that of the Veras Dukedom, got its name from their history of claiming the [Detect Lie] skill and was named for their original positions as officers of veracity.
Sera had always been proud of her family, they were kind, strong people who always stood for what was right.
Looking up Sera feels a new wave of information fill her mind as the light streams in from the stained glass windows, illuminating the soft white church walls in beautiful colors.
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[Your Magic has been determined and your starting Skill has been granted.]
[Your Magic is -Mental- and your starting skill is -Thought Disruption-]
[Congratulations on your induction into the System!]
[Just think the word “status” to view your own information at any time.]
[May your path to ascension be a fruitful one!]
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Despite her pride in her family, she is still quite afraid of this power.
Not simply because of the damage it can do, but because of the responsibility that comes with it.
Each member of the family is expected to train until they can acquire their family's signature skill and then use that skill to assist the kingdom in its court system, diplomatic meetings, and much more.
Sera never had many friends, the main reason for this was due to the danger members of her family are constantly in.
Grudges.
That is the main issue with being a family of lie detectors, you build up a lot of hate from those with bad intentions.
Many nobles fear her, and she could never be out of sight of her castle assigned guards.
Few families allowed their children near her and those that would have didn’t have children her age which left her with nothing to do but focus on her studies.
However, despite the bubble around her, things only grew worse when one day she felt a ping in her mind as one of the guards looking after her told a simple lie when she was ten.
It is rare, but some people can inherit abilities before their initialization into the system.
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[Congratulations! You have been found to have already unlocked the skill -Detect Lie-]
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Sera had somehow developed the [Detect Lie] skill before she even turned fourteen.
With no knowledge of how to turn this ability off, the little girl learned harshly just how much people lie on every day.
Sure, this protected her many times, but it only served to further isolate her from others.
Everyone lies… Nothing I can do about it.
Those words became her motto as Sera further dove into her studies to avoid the world.
Sera stands up from her position before the priest and moves to her parents and siblings.
Her father, the duke, smiles as he places his hand on his beard before hugging his daughter.
“I am so proud of you.”
Those words warm Sera’s heart as she knows they are the truth.
The love of her family, despite all the time her father spends away for work is what keeps her going.
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They lie too, but not nearly as much as everyone else.
“I can’t wait for you to develop your magic.”
Sera’s mother also hugs her as she pats her head.
Liar.
Her mother’s lies don't anger Sera, she knows why she is lying.
Being in a house where you can never get a lie past anyone, no matter how small, is not easy for her mother who does not share the same ability.
Her mother was a commoner with no magic, chosen specifically because her lack of magic would not interfere with Sera’s chances of gaining her family’s legacy.
Sera developed a distaste for lies, even though she feels like a liar herself.
She never told anyone she got her legacy early.
And so her training as a mental magic user started in earnest.
Years went by as she learned to fight, studied law, and studied people.
Her father always made sure to imprint on her that just because someone is not lying, does not mean what they are saying is true.
In a world where people with her skill exist, naturally people would learn to speak carefully.
Telling half truths or avoiding the truth altogether.
Lies, lies, lies.
Her world revolved around them and she began to hate those who lie.
Eventually Sera got to see more of the world, and that world included the other races.
The moments she would hear people speak of demi-humans were the worst.
Sera had seen young elves dressed in rags with metal collars being treated like dirt and when she asked about them, she learned just how true her father’s words were.
“They are lesser species, don’t worry about them.”
“They are not human so naturally they don’t deserve rights.”
“Elves are worthless.”
“They are not people.”
It hurt so much when she saw the fear and pain in the slave's eyes as they looked at her.
It hurt more as her ability to detect lies never went off.
Nothing made sense to her at first, but eventually she realized the truth, and her hatred grew.
They really believe the words they are saying are the truth.
This ability is a curse.
Sera hated humans.
No matter how many times she tried to convince others that they were wrong, that elves and dwarves were people too, they would treat her like an idiot child and brush her off.
Eventually, she gave up and decided to learn to use her role to try and make a difference.
She would become a liar too, and Sera heard so many lies every day, she knew exactly what lies to tell.
More time passed and she caught the attention of the young king.
Having just started her apprenticeship at the castle she worried she had been caught in her plans when called to see the king.
The large beautifully enchanted wooden doors opened.
A large office filled with books, magical tools, and stunning decorations filled her view.
None of the beauty registered with her though, the nervousness was keeping all thoughts at bay.
She took one step in before freezing.
Sitting on the sofa in front of the king’s desk is a tall silver haired woman wearing a beautiful lightly armored dress.
“Lady Oracle!”
Taking a kneeling position Sera practically prostrates herself before the beautiful Class 5 woman who stands above even the king.
After that the whole meeting was a blur.
She would be setting off to join the Hero’s party in hopes of befriending her.
Sera had to be told several times what was going on as the daze kept her from hearing most of what she was told.
When she finally met the Hero, Lua, she was in awe.
She was beautiful, young, and incredibly strong.
The determination in her eyes was like nothing Sera had ever seen before.
She must really want to take down the Demon Lord.
The interview went well by some miracle, the questions were strange but Sera got the feeling that they were testing her personality most of all.
Many questions were clearly about her take on the other races and what she would do seeing injustice.
She knew it could get her in trouble, but she told the truth anyway.
When she was informed that she passed, she was ecstatic.
And when Lua said that all the others had the same opinions as her, she felt like Lua was someone she could follow to the ends of the earth.
The more she spoke with Lua, the more she admired the girl.
Her ability may not work on Lua, but she has been around enough liars to know that everything she says is the truth.
It was refreshing.
Yes, there was pain and danger just being around her.
Monsters and demons trampled the entire continent, the truth of The System sent her reeling, but that look in Lua’s eyes always kept her resolve firm.
She wants to make the world a better place, just like I do.
Even though The System has now pitted everyone against them, she refuses to let that stop her.
“Look, it is just a quick jaunt into the second ring. What could go wrong?”
But, that admiration of hers can’t help her when Lua is clearly a little bit crazy.
…
“Psst, Agera. You have been to the second ring right? How dangerous is it?”
Agera, the person with the most common sense out of the group and the easiest to talk to stands beside Sera as they check over their space bags one last time.
“Normally, it is quite dangerous even for a Class 2 to wander around in, what with all the Class 2 monsters. Add on that the Demon Lord and The System might interfere with this journey… Well, I will just say to stay in the middle of the formation as we move.”
Sera looks off over the edge of the moving platform as the towering trees come into view.
She had only been to the first ring, and that was with many guards to serve as protection.
Now, they would be moving in with only the Hero’s party members, and they would be going right into the most dangerous place they could find.
Sitting across from Sera is a short blue haired hero with eyes that glisten with pale stars.
Not a hint of fear on her face.
Must be nice to be so strong.
A twinge of jealousy finds its way onto Sera’s face which is quickly noticed.
“Don’t worry Sera, we will get you to Class 2 or 3 before we head to the temple.”
Smiling brightly, Lua speaks of advancing a whole Class as though it is the easiest thing in the world.
Sera feels her eye twitch a bit but simply thanks Lua for her consideration.
As the wooden platform comes to a stop, all Sera can think is: Please let this just end up as simple recon.