Chapter 148 - The 5 Classes of Mages

We all stood still in what seemed to be an empty floor, dimly lit by a few globes of light fixed along the walls. There were some statues decorating the area, as well as swords in display cases, their gleaming blades drawing attention with their beauty. The door behind us had closed, leaving us uncertain about what was coming next. The air was thick with tension, and no one had any idea what to expect.

"There was supposed to be a senior here," Chloe said, her voice breaking the silence as she glanced around, trying to spot any sign of life.

I quickly searched for Syvis and Thyra, who seemed to understand how things worked here better than the rest of us, but they were nowhere to be found. Cylla, by my side, went unnoticed by the other students. Only someone familiar with moon panthers would recognize her for what she really was. As we passed the other students, they likely saw her as just an ordinary magical cat. Moon panthers were so rare that many bestiaries didn’t even mention them, considering them practically extinct and something no one would ever see in their lifetime.

The only thing that immediately gives her away as a Moon Panther is the white circle on her forehead, but that's a detail only those who've researched the species would recognize. Even then, she's just my familiar. There are people out there with monstrous boars that could definitely cause way more damage than a little cat.

I had seen a number of dangerous familiars among the other students, and I’d heard that some seniors even had bears.

"Everyone, calm down. There must be a reason for this," a voice tried to soothe the growing tension in the room.

At that moment, the ground beneath us began to shake.

"Are we going to fall again?" Chloe asked, her voice a mix of anxiety and nervousness as she looked around.

But this time, the floor didn’t collapse. Instead, it started to move—upward.

As the floor ascended, the globes of light on the walls lit up one by one, illuminating our path as we climbed higher and higher. The sensation of rising filled the room, and the speed of our ascent gradually increased. We all held on tightly, trying to keep our balance as the movement became more intense.

Just as suddenly as it began, the trembling stopped. The sensation of movement ceased, and we realized we had arrived somewhere.

A door opened, revealing a staff member in a white coat, the academy’s logo proudly displayed on his chest. His smile was welcoming as he greeted us.

"Welcome, new students. Please proceed down the corridor to the right," he said in a calm, collected tone.

Some of the more eager students dashed ahead immediately, causing a bit of confusion in the hallway, especially with the larger and slower familiars in tow. I, Chloe, and Cylla took our time, observing the surroundings through the windows along the corridor.

"We're back on the surface," I commented as I looked outside. The scenery was vastly different from the dungeon; tall trees were visible in the distance.

"We must be far from the entrance to the grounds. That underground transport must have taken us quite a distance," Chloe remarked, analyzing the distance through the window.

A familiar figure, Syvis, the blonde elf, joined us, overhearing our conversation.

"That's why no one can see much of the academy from the outside. It’s located in the middle of a wilderness area near the city, surrounded by a wall of trees," Syvis explained.

"I live here already, so having to make that trip with you guys was a waste of time, but at least I got to check out the underground tunnel," Thyra chimed in, her tone cheerful.

Chloe looked surprised. "You live at the academy?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Of course," Thyra answered casually. "My aunt is the director. The staff has homes on the academy grounds."

"I imagine there’s a surface path to get here," I commented, thinking of how convenient it must be for those familiar with the place.

Syvis nodded in agreement. "My father studied here and told me a few things. We took that underground path just so the new students could see the Inverted Tower. Everyone wants to explore it as soon as they learn about it."

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When we finally reached the auditorium, we looked for a place to sit.

"How about that row?" Chloe suggested, pointing to one towards the back. I walked with them, carrying Cylla in my arms. Most of the familiar animals had been taken to a designated area, but since Cylla was small, I could keep her with me.

"Is that what I think it is?" Thyra asked, eyeing Cylla curiously. "She's going to grow up big and dangerous, isn’t she?"

Thyra tried to reach out and pet Cylla, but Cylla bared her claws and growled, giving Thyra a clear warning to back off.

Thyra let out an amused laugh.

"That’s right, little panther, strike anyone who comes near you," Thyra said, flashing her own claws playfully.

This girl is crazy...

The auditorium was filled with curious whispers as all the students settled in. There was a buzz of anticipation in the air. The lights dimmed until the room was pitch dark, and then, the stage lit up.

Chloe lightly squeezed my hand, and Cylla snuggled into my lap, getting comfortable to watch the show.

A graceful figure appeared in the center of the stage, her movements fluid. She wore a long black dress with purple accents, adorned with accessories that shimmered in the spotlight. She exuded an air of quiet authority.

"Welcome, new students," said the woman, her voice clear and strong as it echoed through the auditorium. "I am Ellise, professor of Advanced Structures and Constructions. Today, I’ll give you a brief introduction so you can better understand how the academy works and the mage classes present in our society."

The professor raised one hand, and with a smooth motion, summoned a stone golem that formed beside her, its rocky body letting out a deep rumble as it moved.

"An earth-element summoner," Chloe whispered to me, impressed.

Ellise continued, a slight smile on her face. "During your first year, you will all take general classes covering various subjects. But by the end of this period, you will need to make a choice that will shape your curriculum going forward. Don’t worry, you’ll still see your friends and classmates, but you’ll have specialized lessons with those who choose the same path."

With a wave of her fingers, five smaller golems emerged from the ground, each carrying a different object made of stone.

The first held a sword, the second a bow, the third a potion flask, the fourth a helmet, and the fifth a heavy hammer—all made of solid stone.

"These represent the symbols of the five mage classes in our society," Ellise continued, pointing to each golem in turn. "Combat Mage, Archer Mage, Healer Mage, Engineer Mage, and Builder Mage."

Each word seemed to weigh on the students, who stared in awe and curiosity at the representations of the classes.

"By the end of this first year, you will decide what you wish to become in the future," Ellise said, her voice carrying across the room.

The students began whispering to one another, exchanging curious and anxious glances.

"We will help you discover your true potential throughout the year," she assured us. "So don’t worry, you’ll naturally find where you fit best." She snapped her fingers, and the five smaller golems crumbled into dust before our eyes, disappearing as if they had never existed.

The larger golem, however, remained, stepping forward with a heavy, resounding thud.

"The first category is the Combat Mage," she declared. The golem summoned a stone sword and performed a few fluid movements, demonstrating weapon handling. "Combat Mages are magical knights who fight on the frontlines, using their weapons in tandem with offensive spells. They form the vanguard in battle."

With a snap of her fingers, the stone sword transformed into a bow.

"The Archer Mage, on the other hand, operates from the backline, casting long-range spells. They specialize in precise, strategic attacks. You'll discover which class you belong to by observing your mana type."

Another snap, and the stone bow morphed into a potion flask.

"The Healer Mage is vital for keeping combatants in the fight," she explained. "Their magic has healing properties, allowing them to keep their allies fighting. Although they can assist in battle, it’s crucial that they stay out of direct conflict due to their essential role in keeping everyone alive."

The golem then changed the potion into a helmet.

"The Engineer Mage," Ellise continued, "is the magical architect of our society. They are responsible for creating magical devices, rune enchantments, and even magical barriers."

Finally, the helmet turned into a large stone hammer.

"And lastly, the Builder Mage," she pointed to the hammer. "They are the ones who shape the world around us. A mage of this class can use the earth element to raise structures, the water element to irrigate crops and create rivers. With fire, they can heat the soil in winter, ensuring agricultural production, or fuel the energy stones that power our cities. The wind element can help transport heavy objects or clear snow from roads during winter."

With a final snap of her fingers, the large golem dissolved into dust, just like the others.

"These are the five main mage classes. The choice will be yours, and your journey begins now."

Professor Ellise walked across the stage, eyeing the students.

"Each mage class is fundamental to our society, and here at Apsalon Academy, you will learn to become the best in the class you choose. A mage will always find work, but a mage trained at Apsalon will never be without a job," she said, her face now displaying a confident smile.

She paced the stage, her eyes sharp like those of a predator, observing the reaction of each student.

"Over the next five years, you will work hard to become not just good mages, but EXCELLENT mages. We do not produce mediocrity—we produce the best. Those who fail to meet our standards will be discarded, and I don’t care what surname you carry. Here, everyone is equal. What we demand are results. If you don’t have what it takes to achieve them, we won’t waste our time on you."

An absolute silence fell over the auditorium. The weight of her words hung in the air like a thick fog, and many students, exchanged discreet but tense glances.

The professor smiled again, this time with an air of challenge. "A little reality check does some spoiled nobles good," she added with a sharp, acidic tone.