Julian’s bracer screen started flashing as more text appeared.
[WARNING: You only get to choose your class once.]
[Choose carefully.]
[Tri-Bracer System version 7.346751]
[The classes presented for you are based on your performance during the tutorial.]
[Class Breakdown]
[TANK]
- Guardian
- Magister
- Barbarian
[HEALER]
- Druid
- Witch
- Medic
[ATTACKER]
- Ranger
- Warlock
- Fighter
[SUPPORT]
- Researcher
- Reclaimer
- Evolutionary
“Hmm,” Julian hummed.
“Everything okay?” Maria asked, still looking over their loot.
“Have you guys checked out the class options?”
“Looking at it now,” Andre said. “I’ve only got 3 options. All Tanks.”
“I have Healer and Support options. Looks like 6 in total,” Kiyoka said.
Julian shrugged. “I have 12.”
Maria chuckled. “Of course you do, chosen one.” She smirked at him as she pulled up her options. “I have 3. All Support. Why is it like an MMO?”
Julian sighed. “This decision is important. If we plan on sticking together, we need to build our party properly.
Andre stared at Julian. “It’s fairly simply, dude. I can only pick a Tank option. Maria can only pick Support. Kiyoka has options, but with Maria getting a Support class, that just leaves Healer. That means you’re the attacker.” Andre shrugged, sitting back against the wall.
Julian shrugged, returning to his bracer. He was at least going to check it all out. He clicked on [TANK].
[Tank Breakdown]
[As a Tank class, you and your Eidos serve as the vanguard, protecting your party and those who need it.]
- Guardian (Elemental)
Guardians bolster themselves with Affinity-Based Abilities, partnering with their Eidos to create an unbreakable defense.
Abilities Include:
[Elemental Mitigation]
[Elemental Taunt]
[Advanced Elemental Control]
Abilities Vary depending on Eidos Partner
- Magister (Resource)
Magisters make use of the resources of their Eidos to manage their team effectively.
Abilities Include:
[Resource Tapping]
[Resource Pooling]
[Advanced Resource Regeneration]
Abilities Vary depending on Eidos Partner
-Barbarian (Physical)
Barbarians rely on the physical attributes of their Eidos to serve as the greatest threat.
Abilities Include:
[Battle Frenzy]
[Temporary Statistic Increase]
[Advanced Combat Commands]
Julian’s eyes grew wider the more he read. “Good luck tanking, dude.” He looked over at Andre, and saw he was deep into his bracer, breaking his options down.
Julian clicked on [HEALER] next.
[Healer Breakdown]
[As a Healer class, you serve not only the party but those around you, striving to ensure survivability.]
- Druid (Elemental)
Druids work within their Eidos Elemental Affinity to strengthen the power of healing abilities.
Abilities Include:
[Regeneration]
[Eidos Advocate]
[Advanced Elemental Control]
- Witch (Resource)
Witches make use of the resources of their Eidos Partners to heal more effectively
Abilities Include:
[Shielding]
[Elemental Boosting]
[Advanced Healing Buffs]
- Medic (Physical)
Medics focus on physical attributes of their Eidos, letting their partners focus on combat while they take over the responsibility of healing.
Abilities Include:
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
[Remote Healing]
[Resource Tapping]
[Advanced Combat Commands]
Kiyoka broke through the silence. “So, Corona has been awesome as a healer. Should I pick Druid or Witch?”
“Witch,” Maria said immediately. “If you can be a witch, always go witch. Wait, what does a druid do?” She moved over to Kiyoka, taking a look at her bracer.
Julian sighed. He liked the idea of Druid.
He clicked the [ATTACKER] option, focusing on his own personal choices
[Attacker Breakdown]
[As an attacker class, you focus on meeting the ferocity of the wilds with your own, carving out a path of safety for others to follow.]
- Ranger (Elemental)
Rangers work with the affinity of their Eidos partners to explore the unknown and better connect with the world around them.
Abilities Include:
[Elemental Tracking]
[Affinity Boosting]
[Advanced Scouting Commands]
- Warlock (Resource)
Warlocks tap into the affinity and resources of their Eidos, using them for themselves.
Abilities Include:
[Resource Tapping]
[Bond Symbiosis]
[Advanced Elemental Control]
- Fighter (Physical)
Fighters work alongside their Eidos, braving the challenges side by side with them.
Abilities Include:
[Battle Bond]
[Share the Pain]
[Advanced Combat Commands]
The more Julian read, the bigger his smile grew. Ranger seemed to rely on the elemental aspects of the world, especially with how the world had changed recently, while Warlocks straight-up bent the elements to their will. Fighters on the other hand fought side by side with their Eidos. That seemed dangerous.
Then again, everything was dangerous these days.
“You good over there?” Maria asked, watching Julian with a smirk on her face.
“Oh yeah, just going over my attack class options. What about you?”
Maria shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. Support doesn’t seem as cool as the other classes.”
Kiyoka looked up. “That’s not true! They sound pretty awesome!”
“Really?” Maria looked back at her bracer.
“Did you even read them?” Julian asked.
“A quick glance, maybe.” Maria smiled sheepishly. “I was distracted by Kiyoka and her Witch options.”
Julian shook his head as he tapped on [Support].
[Support Breakdown]
[As a support class, you fill the immediate needs of the party and community as a whole, helping pave the way for unity and peace between Humanity and Eidos alike.]
- Evolutionary (Elemental)
Evolutionaries work closely with their Eidos Partners, able to adjust and adapt to any situation.
[WARNING: Evolutionary Eidos Summon limit reduced to 2 permanently.]
Abilities Include:
[Temporary Evolution]
[Temporary Adaptation]
[Advanced Evolutionary Branching]
- Reclaimer (Resource)
Reclaimers lead the charge into the new world, seeking lost technologies, information, and resources to further the advancement of Humanity and Eidos.
[WARNING: Reclaimer Abilities favor out of combat scenarios.]
Abilities Include:
[Dosing]
[Forager]
[Advanced Zone Stabilization Commands]
- Researcher (Physical)
Researchers work within the system itself to discover new possibilities.
[WARNING: Researcher Abilities may conflict with Tri-Bracer System. Some creations may be rejected.]
Abilities Include:
[Create]
[Schematic]
[Advanced Technical Commands]
Julian stared at his screen. “Dude, these support classes sound powerful.”
Maria finished reading and over to Julian. “I think I have to go Researcher. Imagine creating items that the system includes as loot drops!”
“I don’t know,” Kiyoka mumbled.
Everyone looked over at her.
“According to this, Reclaimers could potentially be the ones who establish zones in the future, including safe zones. That sounds way overpowered.”
“Yeah, but they try to balance it by limiting its combat potential.” Julian pointed out.
Maria shrugged. “I want to make shinies. I was already working in software development, and I have a solid grasp of the Tri-Bracer. Let’s do it.” She clicked the screen, finalizing her choice.
Suddenly, she let out a cry of pain, holding her bracer covered forearm to her chest.
“Maria!” Julian cried out, holding her.
Kiyoka summoned Corona reflexively.
“It hurts!” Maria cried, gritting her teeth as her bracer flashed.
Julian looked her bracer over.
[Class Infusion: Complete]
[Maria Ramirez: Researcher]
Maria gasped, trembling as she held her forearm. “The pain’s stopped. God, that sucked.”
Julian looked at the others. “Well, who’s next?”
After a beat, Andre sighed, holding his bracer up. “Well, Barbarian sounds fierce, but I think I’m going Guardian. Besides, Oryx’s Earth abilities and Dorffi’s Physical ones make them tough as is. Let’s capitalize on those.” Andre finalized his class options and braced himself.
He suddenly grunted in pain, clenching his jaw as the bracer infused whatever it was into his system.
Finally, he let out a harsh exhale, holding up the bracer for everyone to see the screen.
[Class Infusion: Complete]
[Andre Taylor: Guardian]
Saying nothing, Kiyoka tapped her bracer and steeled herself. The only sign of any discomfort she showed was the occasional pause in her controlled breathing.
Soon enough, she revealed her bracer.
[Class Infusion: Complete]
[Kiyoka Miura: Druid]
“Aww, but what about witch?” Maria pouted.
Kiyoka chuckled. “Druid had a deeper connection with Eidos. I wanted to focus on that.” She rubbed Corona’s feathered head, causing him to lean into her cheek.
Still pouting, Maria looked over to Julian. “You know, witch is still an option.”
Julian shook his head. “Sorry, we need an attacker class.”
“Poo,” Maria folded her arms as her pout deepened. “I want a new party.”
Julian laughed as he turned to his bracer. He wasn’t the best in combat himself, so he knew fighter was out. That left Warlock and Ranger.
Warlock tapped into the elements and resources of the Eidos using them as their own. It even hints at elemental control. As awesome as that sounded, it still sounded like he would be fighting, just more at a distance.
Ranger, on the other hand, seemed to work more in tandem with their Eidos and their affinities. It also had a balance of in combat and out of combat utility. Plus, the world was an unknown quantity now. It wasn’t for Omen running point these past two days, they would have been overrun and ambushed a long time ago.
It was obvious to him which one they needed.
Julian pressed [Ranger].
[Finalize Class Option: Ranger?]
[Yes] [No]
Julian held his breath as he pressed [Yes].
The sharp pain was instantaneous. He felt needles pierce into the under part of his forearm within his bracer. He grunted in pain, feeling sweat dampen his brow.
It suddenly stopped, his bracer screen flashing at him.
[Class Infusion: Complete]
[Julian Koste: Ranger]
Julian’s screen flipped to his status screen.
[USER INFORMATION]
[User: Julian Koste]
[Class: Ranger]
[Rank: Bronze]
[Level: 5]
[Eidos: 2]
[Bond Points: 10]
“How am I already level 5?” Julian asked.
He clicked on [Level].
[Level:]
[Level is determined by the collective average level of your bonded Eidos.]
[Omen: Level 5]
[Oberon: Level 5]
“Oh,” Julian muttered.
“What’s up?” Andre asked.
“Our levels are tied to the levels of our Eidos collectively. Talk about forcing us to thrive together.” Julian muttered.
As everyone looked over their new information, Julian noticed a new option screen appear.
{Universal Tamer Abilities]
[Ability Share]
[Impart]
[Ability Catalog]
[Technique Catalog]
As he looked the abilities over, a roaring noise below caught their attention
“What the hell?” Andre asked, looking over the edge of the roof.
Down below in the yard of the dorms, a crowd had reassembled. Some people were in rough shape, but it looked as though tamers had turned on each other, fighting against each other.
Julian watched as a familiar lion charged at what looked like a vulture.
“The mob is back,” Maria groaned, getting to her feet. “I was just beginning to enjoy my spoils. Why don’t we go break our new classes in and teach these guys a lesson?” She placed her hands on her hips, striking a pose before jogging off towards the door.
“Isn’t she support?” Andre asked, walking off after her.
Kiyoka sighed, getting onto her feet and stretching as Corona let out a caw of protest. “We will rest soon, I promise.” She scratched his head as she took off after Andre.
Julian shook his head and laughed. He stood to his feet, immediately feeling Omen reaching out across their bond.
“It’s go time, buddy.”
Omen growled in response. He jumped to his feet, darting into Julian’s shadow.
“Obi?” Julian called out.
Huh?
You ready?
Ready for what, boss? I was sleeping.
Trouble’s back.
Do I need to tie them up again?
Julian chuckled. Maybe, we will see how it goes. Stay close with me, okay?
Don’t have to tell me twice.This hood is too comfy, anyway. Imma rest and tie them up from here.
Julian took off towards the door after his party.
Getting lazy on me now, huh?
Julian felt a mental shrug from his scarab beetle.
Meh, I don’t want to put too much effort into tying them up. I hear that’s how kinks are formed.
Julian stumbled through the door after his party as his laugh echoed through the stairwell.