“An Awakening crystal, forged from the heart of a mythic monster,” Rushel dryly explained, like a practiced scholar explaining a simple fact to halfwits.
Surrounding us was a pure white, small hexagonal room, and situated in its center was a large transparent crystal ball on a stand.
Rushel had led us from the lounge area straight towards the awakening room and had spoken about minor details and rules regarding the awakening ceremony on the way here. I noticed that his mind was still elsewhere as he had spent the majority of the time speaking about the Justice hero class, or else he wouldn't be expanding on such details now.
“A very limited number of institutions are capable of supplying one. Although high-level nobles could probably produce one, it's been long outlawed by the country, and going through the standard procedures like most commoners do is a law by state.” Rushel added.
The question of if it was possible to run through the procedure outside the academy and church's eyes was now answered to me. It was. If you could produce the crystals yourself, then you simply needed to evade the law's eyes.
Analysis.
Item Name: Awakening Crystal
Rank: GRAND
Mana: 9000/10000
Awakens the hidden potential of all sentient lifeforms.
Interestingly, it was registered as a grand tier item, which in a way made sense since it utilized such a powerful core. A maester crafter was definitely also involved in its production since it ranked grand.
“Simply lay your hand on the crystal and will your intent to become more powerful,” Rushel said indifferently.
Sadly, even though I could tell he had minimal interest in me, it looked like he was still somewhat taking his duty seriously. Not good at all. There was a high possibility that the goddess has granted me a class, there was no wat that the priest would allow such a class to slip by unaware. losing it would be catastrophic for my future growth.
Shit, what should I do?
Attacking the priest was out of the question, my father would never allow it, besides I had yet to analyze the priest himself. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a warrior priest or something of the sort.
Maybe I could trick him into allowing the selection? No, it wouldn't be possible, I have no knowledge of the process or how the awakening works. I would be gambling and with incredibly low odds too.
Ughhh. Why didn't my father just allow an at-home awakening of some sort!? He didn't strike me as a particularly religious man.
A sense of frustration was beginning to take hold of me, like a thick fog, making me feel more restless. I hated it when I had no control over my own decisions. When my paths are forced in a singular direction by an outside force. It clouded my vision and made me want to annihilate said intruder immediately.
“Enough.” A voice echoed coldly from the entrance to the room. A voice I had heard recently.
Out from the entrance came Urila, donning the same priest garbs that Rushel wore. Though if I were to be completely honest, it certainly matched him better. The whites and intricate gold linings of the Toga looked boring and wasteful on the priest's ancient form.
“Who??!!” The priest shouted.
“Your direct superior, who will be responsible for the rest of this child's awakening” Urila responded, opening up the linings of his toga revealing three red stripes over a four-pointed star underneath.
“Apologies, Bishop!” Bowing his head hard, it seemed Urila was a rank higher in the church's order. It also seemed like ranking was taken very seriously within the church based on the priest's immediate change in attitude.
Did his father grant him a high position? With the title of duke, it certainly wasn't impossible, and based on my little understanding of how the church worked, perhaps a simple large payment would have been sufficient.
“You may leave,” Urila said.
“B-but—” Rushel tried to add.
“Leave” Urila interjected harshly, his tone laced with almost palpable venom. I guess he didn't like the priest much either.
“Of course, bishop!” Bowing his head one last time, Rushel gave me and my father one last look of bewilderment on his aged face before leaving. I guess he caught on that we were associated with Urila.
Silence soon followed as Rushel left the room.
“I'm glad you made it in time, Urila.” My father said.
I see. So this was all planned.
“You see Tene, it's well known that the church monitors and attempts to control the upper echelons of society through gathering knowledge on their statuses and controlling their potential.” My father said.
I wasn't particularly shocked, an organization holding information on a person's class as well as what classes they could pick gave them far too much power over an individual, yet alone an entire country of people.
“They've been at it for centuries. So obviously, the truly powerful nobles wouldn't just let them run amok as they please. Yes, faith is necessary, but too much faith in a country can only lead to a catastrophe.” My father continued.
“Assigning nobles to the church in powerful positions have limited the power and control of the church over the king's faction. As well as allowing the country's ruling class and the church to never truly be divided, we wouldn't want a civil war on our hands after all. This way, all parties are content and no rising frictions are created.” My father finished.
“I see, so basically. Nobody can tell me what to do or what to pick anymore.” I added plainly. Honestly, I didn't care about what politics or conflicts arose as long as they didn't interrupt my path or my decisions.
“... hahaha, basically.” My father laughed.
“May I begin?” I asked, unable to contain the joy in my voice. I would be taking another step towards my long list of goals today.
Urila and my father nodded.
“I overheard the priests guiding you on the initial directions. After your classes have been listed, use analysis on the crystal and select the one you desire. We will instruct you on the best classes and where they rank when you have begun.” Urila added coldly. I wonder if he would have interrupted the ceremony if my father hadnt asked–Nope, he wouldn't have. Just based on the limited interactions I've seen with him and my father, id gander that he owes my father something.
“Ok,” I responded.
Putting my hand on the crystal sphere, I directed my will to become stronger in it. Every living being had an inherent will for improvement, so it honestly wasn't that difficult, at least for me anyway.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Soon a soft white glow filled the room and words in a foreign language began to scribble itself against its surface. Words were scribbled in light blue and dark blue in different parts of the sphere.
Two classes?
No, looking at my father I could see a look of anticipation on his face, as if he was expecting something more. Urila on the other hand had a slightly disinterested look as he watched calmly over my awakening.
Suddenly, all at once, three soft gold hues soon appeared on the surface of the Sphere, written on separate corners.
“...Three divine classes!!” My father shouted, clear surprise apparent on his face. Even Urila, who I have barely ever seen so much as a sliver of shock ever appear on his face looked bewildered, as his eyes opened wide in shock, no longer calm and composed.
“Divine class?” I asked.
“Hero level classes. A tier of class that most need to go through stages of evolution to achieve. The boy who got the Justice hero class is also listed as a divine class.” My father said, shock still apparent in his voice as his hands began to shake. Shake? My father soon began smiling widely.
I see, It wasn't surprise that had now taken my father, but joy.
“Although Divine classes come in all different types, some being initially far more powerful than others, one thing that's common is that they will always have far more potential than the common to special classes. The rankings for your first awakening are Common -> Rare -> Special -> Divine. The two classes you gained before were ranked Rare and special.” My father explained.
“But I can only pick one,” I said dejectedly. A shame.
“A bit greedy. Arnt you?” Urila spoke up from the side, recovered from his initial shock he now looked at me with his arms crossed. His fingers were digging harshly into his arms, almost as if he was restraining himself from something.
What is he holding himself back from?
“Once you have mastered your chosen class, you won't need to worry about good evolutions, This is just your initial class Tene, There are stages beyond Divine that will be now far more easily accessible to you than others. Just pick the class that encapsulates your skills the best. I'll be here to guide you.” My father said proudly as he walked up to me and scruffled my hair playfully. A huge smile was permanently plastered on his face.
“Haha wait till I tell Zedri about this…” My father whispered under his breath.
I can still hear you… and whos Zedri?
Suddenly, a final black light shone eerily from the surface of the crystal, both my father and Urila had far more pronounced reactions this time, almost jumping back in fright.
“Impossible!!” My father shouted.
“Tene, what did you do to gain a cursed class!!” My father said. For the first time in my entire life, he seemed genuinely mad at me. I couldn't help but feel a tightness rise up in my throat. I never knew such a reaction would cause such a feeling to move within me.
“Whats a cursed skill?” I asked dejectedly. Perhaps sensing the sadness in my voice, my father seemed to finally calm down. Urila on the other hand continued to stare daggers through my soul. I could even sense some hatred in his gaze.
“Sorry my daughter, I had forgotten about your blessing. Cursed classes are classes outside of our god's domain. Even this, however, isn't enough to breed a cursed class. It would have to run counter to our goddess, counter to life, nature, and everything she has built itself. Otherwise, she wouldn't have labeled it cursed.” My father replied, his tone murky with apprehension.
“Don't pick that class Tene.” My father warned. My father had warned me not to do things many times, mostly in front of my mother just to placate her. This time, however, I could tell, he truly wouldn't allow me to pick this class.
“...One of the sages shares such a class, perhaps it could be of benefit to her,” Urila proposed, his emotions under check just as quickly as they had collapsed. In all respect, this was the first time I had ever seen him lose to his emotions this much.
I wonder where that resentment came from.
“The sage you speak of is insane, Urila.” My father said.
“But he is by far the most powerful,” Urila responded. There wasn't a shred of doubt in his voice, but I sensed something under its guise, something obsessive.
“I'll be the one to decide,” I interjected. I realized that I truly did care about how my father treated me, but one thing I would never give way to was my own values. Whether he still loved me or hated me afterward would be up to him alone to decide.
Analysis.
Item Name: Awakening Crystal
Rank: GRAND
Mana: 200/10000
Awakens the hidden potential of all sentient lifeforms.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Archer - Rare
A class that gives the user true proficiency and growth with the bow, unleashing deadly attacks from afar with precise accuracy.
Requirements
reach a high enough proficiency with the archer skill.
Learn one true sight skill.
Hmmm, there seemed to be no information regarding the benefits or in what way the class would change my status. Either way, I wasn't going to be choosing this class even in the worst-case scenario. Willing for my next option, I couldn't help but begin to feel slightly excited. This was the first step toward my many goals.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Sword Saint - Divine
A prodigy with the sword, you have gained a high level of mastery in a short time and have shown a righteous heart that despises evil. A class that enables a chosen few to truly reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Divine energy permeates your swordsmanship amplifying it a thousand fold, eradicating evil and vanquishing the darkness.
Requirements
Reach a high level in the swordsmanship skill[Advanced sword mastery lv 100/100]/Rapid growth in the swordsmanship skill before first awakening.
Rudimentary control over magic.
Kill over 100 evil-aligned beings.
Evil?? How did it even classify that?
I hadn’t even finished reading before deciding I wasn't going to pick such a boring class. Yes, I had killed a multitude of goblins, but that wasn't because they were Evil, or because of my so-called righteous heart. It simply felt good. I guess the system only took note of your deeds and not actually how you felt or your reasons for carrying out such deeds. Not exactly the best way for selection in my opinion. Also, it seemed anyone could more or less gain access to the class by gaining the max level in sword mastery, which although difficult, could certainly be accomplished by any talented individual. The difficulty would then just be timing it with an awakening, which other than at ten, wouldn't happen again until a class evolution.
Next.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Magic Brawler - Special
A prodigy with melee combat, you have gained a high level of mastery in a short time. Unleash a series of devastating attacks from up close or defeat your opponents from afar through magically charged attacks.
Requirements
Reach a high level in the Melee combat skill[Advanced melee combat techniques lv 100/100]/Rapid growth in the melee combat skill before first awakening.
Rudimentary control over magic.
Defeat over 20 beings with your bare hands.
Killing things with my bare hands wasn't exactly my proudest achievement, so I doubted I would be picking this one. Though it did say defeat not kill. The class itself spoke for my least desired characteristic, my muscle-brained trait. Otherwise, it seemed like a very plausible pick for children who just received their first class, although simple to get it seemed to have a range of close and far-ranged attacks.
Next.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Apprentice void magician - Divine
The beginning of mastering the arts of void magic, a rare and powerful class that enables the user to shift and manipulate the ridges of the void.
Requirements
Void Aura Skill
Rudimentary control over magic.
Like the sword saint skill, this class also shined with a golden luster. I would assume that my father had probably received a similar class. The fact that a divine class only needed one requirement showed just how powerful the Void Aura skill was. This was currently at the top of my pick list.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Dimensional Weaver - Divine
The beginning of mastering the arts of void and matter manipulation magic, Causing rifts in the seas, splitting the earth, and moving space. Users of this class will gain control of the workings of the world itself.
Requirements
Void Aura Skill
Matter Manipulation skill
Rudimentary control over magic.
Now this was a class that would be incredibly foolish not to take, not only was it oriented in the ways of the goddess, but it incorporated all my most powerful skills. I could tell it was a vast improvement to the last class, so it seemed not all divine classes were ranked the same at all.
I should pick this. There was no need to even look at the next class, no matter how powerful it would be, its negatives would simply outweigh in positives. My father would be greatly disappointed in me too.
But there was something in my soul telling me to just look at it, to not abandon the next Class. I didn't know what it was, but I had to at least see it.
Next.
Tene Renhart - Classes
Fallen Angel of Time and Space - Cursed
Lost for eternity with everything stolen from you, you have been given one last chance at redemption. Annihilate all your enemies, or fall once again.
Requirements
Void Aura Skill
Matter Manipulation skill
Yafels Blessing[Goddess of Time]
Wings of Supremacy
...thats that. If I truly wanted to succeed in my goals and become stronger. I would need to pick this class, I didn't have a choice. I apologized to my father in advance within my heart.