Words left Michael’s mouth.
“System. I’d like to begin my Class Evolution.”
The change was immediate. It was as if a third person had appeared in a room with only two. A blue rectangle floated in the air. Based on the way Tairy had raised his gaze, he seemed to be able to see it too.
[Class Evolution will now begin.]
A strange feeling enveloped Michael. It was as if some type of force had gripped him, making him float in the air. This force brought him closer to the floating System message. Another appeared.
[Choose your next Class.]
At that moment, tens upon tens of small rectangles appeared in front of him. There were so many that it was jarring, polluting his vision. He looked at Tairy, slightly distraught. There were too many options.
“Can you see them?”
The dark elf shook his head and sat down on the room’s only chair.
“Class options show up only to the one undergoing the Evolution. It’s different from its announcement. Are there more than ten?”
Flustered, Michael looked at the options again. Forget about ten, there were likely more than fifty of them. But he toned down the truth.
“There should be fifteen or so. Too many.”
Tairy laughed heartily.
“Ha! Count your lucky stars, kid. A higher number of options means that you would be capable of doing more things well. More than ten Class options is in the realm of the talented, even if they’re all melee-focused or casters. Fifteen borders on genius. I didn’t expect anything less, though. You’re special.”
If fifteen is so great then what about fifty?
Michael held his tongue. He heard his teacher’s voice.
“It’s not too many to consider reading one by one, but you could make the System filter them. I don’t really recommend it though, as you might miss a Class that would really fit you.”
This crossroads was more serious than it appeared. If he took way too long to read the information of all of his Class options, Tairy would become suspicious, as he had been told there were only fifteen. Michael couldn’t carefully read and ponder about tens of Classes while still managing to keep the lie intact. He made a choice.
System, filter out all Classes that give less than twelve Stat Points.
He could only hope that the System could read his mind, given how all-encompassing it was. It paid off. The list of countless Classes was reduced to a mere twelve, as intended. Twelve Stat Points per Level were twice what he currently got. He hadn’t expected there to still be twelve Classes. He went by them one by one while Tairy waited patiently. He narrowed down his choices to five Classes. The first one was the most traditional.
[Class
Experienced Wizard: a trained arcane combatant who relies on magic for different effects. Able to use wands or staves for a bonus to spellcasting abilities, and is specialized in offensive spells. While there are a variety of casters, the Wizard is an advanced path for those who desire to deal more damage. However, it is also weak in close quarters.
Stats: +10 Intelligence, +5 Wisdom, +2 Endurance.
Per Level: +8 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +2 Endurance, +1 Constitution, +5 Free Stat Points.]
At fifteen points per Level – not counting the Free Stat Points - this was the most obvious upgrade path of the Mage Class. He seemed to have skipped the ordinary “Wizard” Class and gone straight into a variation. Judging from its name, it should be better than the ordinary version. It also focused on offensive spells, which he valued highly. For all intents and purposes, it was a good Class. If there were none better, he would choose it. He moved on to the next Class.
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[Class
Sorcerer: a trained caster who relies on quick casting time and superimposition of spells to do battle. Able to use wands or staves for a bonus to spellcasting abilities. While there are a variety of casters, the Sorcerer is a battle-oriented path designed for those who wish to wield battle magic. However, it is also weak in close quarters, in spite of having a large variety of spells.
Stats: +12 Intelligence, +5 Wisdom, +3 Endurance.
Per Level: +10 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +3 Endurance, +2 Constitution, +6 Free Stat Points.]
This time it was an ordinary Class, with no variation. Its stat gains were marginally better than the Experienced Wizard’s, though not by much. Michael was more intrigued about “battle magic” than a boost to his offensive capabilities since they had proven themselves quite sufficient because of his high Intelligence. The only enemy he hadn’t been able to completely destroy within a few casts had been the Great Mushroom, but it was also a Boss in a Dungeon beyond his Level, likely intended for those who had already undergone Class Evolution. It was higher on the list when compared to Experienced Wizard. The third Class was rather surprising.
[Class
Arcane Warrior: a battle-hardened warrior who has decided to turn to magic for support during their battles. Able to use all melee and ranged weapons for a bonus to fighting ability. Wields support spells and Skills designed to help bolster their martial might. Powerful in a melee, but lacks proper ranged combat options.
Stats: +10 Strength, +5 Endurance, +5 Constitution, +2 Wisdom.]
Per Level: +8 Strength, +6 Constitution, +4 Wisdom, +3 Intelligence, +5 Stat Points.]
This was more in line with what Tairy was talking about. He had been offered a Class that gave him plenty of Stat Points, but that would take him down another path, one that he wasn’t used to, but might prove to be proficient in. This was a gamble.
I’m more used to being a ranged spellcaster.
That didn’t mean that continuing to be one was the best choice for him. Humans were adaptable creatures. He didn’t know how quickly he would get used to melee fighting, but at least he had already experienced killing another being. It was something to consider.
As his gaze moved on to the last two Classes, however, he realized that all doubt was useless. From the start, there had been no choice other than these two. All others paled in comparison. They were mere filler. Michael read the name of the first of the two.
[Class
Newborn Fighter: a melee-focused warrior of the draconic lineage whose journey is just beginning, and who has proven their worth by surviving. Able to use both spells and weapons to their greatest extent in spite of that. The Dragon blood has not yet truly disappeared. It lives on through you.
Stats: +15 All Stats.
Per Level: +8 All Stats, +12 Strength, +10 Endurance, +10 Constitution, +8 Free Stat Points.]
The others couldn’t even be compared to it. The description mentioned him specifically, while the stat bonuses were off the charts, both immediate and per Level. It was far superior to the Arcane Warrior Class, and even though it wasn’t focused on spellcasting, it still increased all of his stats. From every angle, it was superior, and judging from its stat increases, it also relied on magic from support. Finally, he moved his gaze to the final Class.
[Class
Newborn Caster: a warrior of the draconic lineage who decided to give their all to spellcasting and whose journey is just beginning, having proven their worth by surviving. Allows the learning of many different kinds of spells and Skills, as Dragons once stood on the very apex of magic. The Dragon blood has not yet truly disappeared. It lives on through you.
Stats: +15 All Stats.
Per Level: +8 All Stats, +12 Intelligence, +10 Wisdom, +10 Constitution, +8 Free Stat Points.]
This is it.
The description itself said that the Dragons stood at the peak of spellcasting. Newborn Warrior’s description didn’t have that flair. He was already more used to being a spellcaster, and his physical Stats wouldn’t lag far behind. He would be able to avoid incoming damage by dodging if necessary, while having the necessary Endurance to keep casting spells and the Constitution not to suffer too much if he ended up being hit, as well as to regenerate well enough. The power of his spells and magical Skills would shoot through the roof, and he would be able to acquire Skills related to them with Skill Points as well. It was everything he needed. He turned to Tairy.
“I’ve made my choice.”
The dark elf nodded, his eyes carrying a kind of intensity.
“Can you tell me about it?”
“No. But it is the best option I have.”
Tairy gave him a toothy grin.
“Then go right ahead.”
Michael took a deep breath.
I choose the Newborn Caster Class.
The mysterious force holding him in the air enveloped him completely, seemingly entering his body. He landed back on the ground, hit with the feeling of bearing the weight of a thousand mountains on his shoulders before the feeling completely disappeared. Now, he felt as if he were walking amidst a field of flowers on a moonlit night, free as a bird.
He didn’t need to check his Status Window to know that his Class had been successfully changed. He smiled at Tairy, who was already smiling back.
“Very good, kid. You’re now well-prepared to face the incoming storm. Let’s try to create your second Circle before that. I’ll be able to teach you more spells as well if we succeed.”
Michael readily agreed.
It was time for him to get ready for whatever would happen.