I was born only a few years before the System bound my universe to the vast multiverse. The beings my parents spoke of—elves, dwarves, dragons—may seem like myths, yet they’re woven into my everyday life. I can imagine how, for someone who had lived almost their entire life surrounded only by other humans and familiar farm animals, the existence of these diverse and intelligent species would be difficult to grasp.
The System’s integration began with three intense years—a true trial by fire for the adults. Numerous tutorials were assigned to everyone over sixteen, the most common being brutal survival challenges. Participants faced monster-infested landscapes, fought formidable bosses, and braved the most unpredictable danger—other humans. On the other hand, children under sixteen were given a foundational education on the vast multiverse, guided by teachers from all walks of life. Through pristine tomes, detailed writing exercises, and immersive lessons, we absorbed everything the adults were learning—but from the safety and comfort of our quiet dormitories and bright classrooms. My favorite teacher was a dryad from the Sylvan Pantheon. She taught us how common mana affinities respond to our environments, shaping our abilities in subtle but powerful ways. For instance, an ordinary fish would naturally find it easier to wield water and ice, while an elemental born in the heart of a volcano would feel a stronger resonance with fire and earth. She also explained that, while we could use magic, discovering affinities that truly resonate with us would be impossible until we receive a class or profession at sixteen.
While the adults had the opportunity to choose a basic class before beginning their tutorials, children are only given this choice upon reaching their sixteenth birthday. The selection process differs somewhat from what my parents experienced; they weren't offered the option to select a profession in their introductory rooms, whereas we are. We can't choose both a class and a profession simultaneously, but we can select a profession from a basic list. I've already made up my mind to choose a class over a profession when my time arrives.
Professions can be acquired by working as an apprentice under a craftsman or someone with a specialized skill, or they can be gained through repetitive practice. I love to draw, and even before I left my tutorial, I resolved myself to pursue a profession that involved that passion.
Many people disagree with my way of thinking, but my parents assure me that I'm making the right choice. They don’t see a profession among the basic options that would evolve into something aligned with my chosen path. In contrast, any of the basic classes can develop into virtually anything I desire, as long as I keep pushing myself and avoid stagnation.
During the selection process, a System Guide will re-explain ranks, levels, stats, skills, and titles to us. Although we’d gone over these things in our tutorial many times with many different tutors and instructors, it felt like this was the System’s way of covering its metaphorical ass. Although the System could act as it pleased—whenever and however it desired, exercising absolute control over everything—it appeared to possess a moral compass. It opted to grant free will to all, while subtly guiding, and giving them the necessary tools that would help with survival. For anything born in Universe #1 through Universe #48, the System adopts a markedly different approach, taking a more hands-off stance. After all, even Universe 48 has had a billion years to develop its civilization and education system.
We are Universe #49, and the multiverse has now entered the 49th Era. Each era, lasting a billion years, brings the integration of a new universe into the multiverse. However, in approximately two thousand years, the System is expected to treat us like every other universe, withdrawing the comfort of its extra attention.
Although I spend most of my time in my room—drawing, or practicing with the two light wooden swords given to me by my parents. I met my best friend, Erica, in school. We don’t have much in common, yet conversation always comes easily. She’ll be going through selection at the same time as me. Although we’d already turned sixteen, selections are typically grouped into four groups yearly to reduce travel costs for orphanages, schools, and parents. Erica and I often spend our time exploring the parks around Sylvanel, the city we call home, named after the Paragon Sylvanus, who established the Sylvan Pantheon. The values of the Sylvan Pantheon differ among its members; some seek to create new life and spread it to the areas of the multiverse that lack life, while others advocate for the natural continuation of the cycle of life. As a result, the pantheon is home to various sub-factions and political parties. My father, Sylvanel’s lord, is like a mayor with a monarch’s authority over anyone who settles in our sanctuary. While many would characterize him as benevolent, granting citizens as much freedom as possible, I see him as a tyrant who never allowed me to go out until I completed my schoolwork. Many of the gods who serve the Paragon, Sylvanus, see my father as the very embodiment of Sylvanus and his ideologies, which in turn makes me the spoiled rich kid in the eyes of my peers. That’s one of the things I appreciate about Erica; she doesn’t view me as the son of Sylvanus’ chosen pupil, but simply as me—Jackson, the guy who enjoys sitting in the grass under trees and drawing. Don’t get me wrong; I wish I could be a social butterfly, but my father’s powerful position on Earth has forged a chasm between me and my peers. It’s painful not knowing who truly values my company and who merely seeks to gain something from me.
With Erica, I feel secure knowing shes not drawn to me because of my identity, because her father is the lord of a neighboring city. She came to Sylvanel to escape the vultures seeking to take advantage of her, but word travels quickly, and soon the same thing she ran from, followed her here. So now we sit under trees in my family’s insanely large estate drawing and reading in silence.
As we speak, Erica and I sit beneath our favorite tree, its expansive canopy shielding us from most of the sun, simply relaxing as we await the call from my parents to let us know when it’s time to head to the teleportation pad for Dawn, the major city where our selection will occur. Rather than splitting costs with our peers, Erica and I decided to pay a little extra for teleportation to travel alone. Usually, we wouldn’t talk much when simply relaxing, but today a quiet tension lingered, a constant undercurrent of anxiety. After this, we’d be expected to join hunting parties and establish our reputations by proving our skill and strength in whatever paths we chose. Though we silently agreed to stick together as long as possible, we’d never discussed my class choices.
“What class are you leaning toward?” Erica asked.
“I’m torn between Sorcerer, Striker, and Ranger,” I replied.
I caught Erica’s eye as she tried to suppress a grin. “Well, your base stats are solid for all of those. If I were you, I’d go with something that capitalizes on your speed—your agility stat is the highest in our generation. Your intelligence is high too, but I can’t exactly picture you as the little bitch, that flings magic at people from a hundred yards away,” Erica laughed, though her advice was sound.
"Aren’t you set on Sorcerer? Sounds like you’re just calling yourself a coward now. Besides, our starting classes won’t define our whole path—you could be a Spellblade in a few days, and I could become an Inkweaver," I pointed out.
Erica nodded thoughtfully. “True, but you could still become an Inkweaver even as a Striker or Ranger. For me, it’s more about the kind of Inkweaver I’d want to become.”
I had to admit, I hadn’t thought of it that way—choosing a class focused on agility and then evolving into an Inkweaver would naturally push me toward close-range combat with magic, whereas Sorcerer would lean toward long-range. I’d been a bit shortsighted; my parents always stressed that a basic class wouldn’t define me, but I’d overlooked the part where it would still nudge me in a certain direction. Choosing Sorcerer felt safe, but also distant—exactly what I’d been taught to avoid.
“That’s true…” I admitted, wincing as the realization of my lack of preparation hit me. She stood, brushed the dust from her pants, and let out a resigned sigh as she turned toward the house.
“Come on, let’s just get it over with.” Without a second thought, I rose and trailed after her, casting a quick wave to my parents as we passed through the wrought-iron gates and stepped onto the main road, the golden light of late afternoon casting long shadows around us.
We walked in mostly comfortable silence, pausing to greet local shop owners who offered words of encouragement. As we arrived at our destination, I gazed at the extravagant teleportation pad, which shimmered with dark leylines interwoven with tiny white specks that resembled stars. It was a testament to the space magic required to forge one of the multiverse's magical wonders. I had always been terrified of teleporting, ever since my first experience left me vomiting the contents of my stomach. Teleportation nausea was a common issue for first-timers. Even though it wasn't either of our first times, the memory of that previous nausea still made me hesitate. Erica nearly had to drag me onto the pad, offering me a lighthearted nod. I braced my stomach as she said to the attendant, 'Dawn City, please.' The attendant nodded and adjusted a dial on the control panel while I held my breath and shut my eyes.
We teleported in an instant, and to my relief, I experienced no nausea. My eyes stayed closed, but I could hear the cacophony of voices, shop owners hawking their wares in the streets, and children laughing as they headed home from school. As my eyes opened, Dawn City’s Victorian architecture unfolded before me—a beauty I rarely appreciated amid the city’s constant chaos. Ornate facades with elaborate ironwork and tall, arched windows rose around us, each building whispering stories of a forgotten age. Even the air seemed to hum with restless energy, carrying a blend of distant chatter and street sounds that felt almost as tangible as the cobblestone beneath my feet, making the city’s atmosphere both impressive and uncomfortably alive.
Navigating Dawn City is always a challenge. No matter what, you have to stay vigilant about your surroundings... and your belongings. In such a densely packed city, pickpockets roam freely, eager to grab anything that isn’t firmly secured. If they could, some would probably take the clothes right off your back. The walk to the Guide Hall is short, but the crowded streets make it hard to get through. Thousands of kids our age hurry to their selection, anxious parents whispering about which profession their child should choose, and merchants loudly peddling their wares fill the air with constant noise and motion.
I was nearly dragging Erica through the crowd, using my above-average height and frame to push my way forward and ensure she didn’t get swept away by the rush of people. Erica is on the smaller side, and in a crowd like this, especially without the stat boost a class provides, things could get risky for her. My advantage is that I look like I could knock someone’s head off—even if a quick Identify skill would reveal the reality behind my appearance. We drew a few glances from passersby, as we always did—looking every bit like the classic young couple in love. My feelings on that aren't complicated, but I can’t speak for Erica. I’ve spent nearly every day with her for the past two years, and somewhere along the way, I started to love her as more than a friend. Even though I sense she might feel the same, I stay silent, afraid that confessing could risk everything if she doesn’t share those feelings. Before the System, it wasn't uncommon for people to find love at a young age; my parents dated in school and married shortly after graduating college. However, with the advent of the System, social norms are evolving. Given that the average human lifespan exceeds 150 years across the multiverse and the possibility of immortality exists, the idea of choosing someone to spend the rest of your life with at sixteen feels increasingly unrealistic.
I’d been lost in thought for quite a while, only snapping back to reality when Erica started flicking me on the arm, having noticed that I had completely walked past the Guide Hall.
“Earth to Jackson. Guide Hall is right here.” Erica flicked me again.
“Sorry, I got lost in thought.” I glanced up at the towering structure, the only skyscraper on this side of the city. Long skywalks extended from it, reaching toward other floating buildings connected by blue, tentacle-like streams of eerie magic. It was both beautiful and mesmerizing, an architectural marvel that never failed to capture my attention. The floating buildings on the right were for class selections, and on the left, profession selections. The central building served as the intake hub, directing people to their respective destinations. The Hall doubled as a hotel, restaurant, and library that offers a wealth of information about the multiverse—all managed by multiple System Guides.
As we entered the Guide Hall, we were met by a spacious lobby bustling with activity. Six human secretaries, who’d taken on System-appointed roles, worked behind sleek desks, assisting people with directions. We made our way to the shortest line, whispering to each other as we took in the pristine white marble floors, marveling at how beautiful—and almost unnaturally spotless—they looked. Dark steel accents lined the polished white marble floors, creating a sleek, modern contrast. Black pillars crafted from solidified magic spiraled upward, their surfaces flickering with ethereal blue and silver lights that pulsed like a heartbeat. These mystical pillars, wide and unyielding, provided vital structural support, holding the weight of the skyscraper. They gave off an otherworldly aura, their magical glow illuminating intricate symbols etched along their lengths. The entire lobby felt like a delicate blend of elegance and power, a testament to the fusion of architecture and arcane forces that kept this towering building standing tall.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
We moved toward the shortest line, though it was still fairly long. Despite the secretaries only handing out Earth IDs—something everyone received at sixteen—the wait was anything but quick. As we waited, we chatted about small things: the unseasonably warm weather, or how long we each thought we’d take to make our choices once we got into the selection room. Erica was convinced she’d decide quickly and that I’d hold us in Dawn City for hours. Luckily, we didn’t need to shop for armor and weapons like many others. Erica’s parents had given her a basic set to cover any class or profession she might choose, and my parents had an armory I could raid. So, while equipment shopping wasn’t on our list, I had mentioned wanting to explore the city later to find someone with a drawing profession whose work would inspire me.
We only waited about ten minutes before it was our turn—quicker than I’d expected.
“Name, date of birth, and city of residence,” the secretary prompted, barely glancing up from her screen.
“Jackson Taylor, March 18th, 2008 BS, Sylvanel,” I replied.
“Erica White, March 28th, 2008 BS, Sylvanel,” Erica added. We both used “Before System” or “BS” for our birth years, as it was customary on Earth to separate dates from before the System’s integration for clarity in situations like this. The secretary paused briefly as if waiting for something, before reaching into what appeared to be a spatial storage and pulling out two IDs.
“Hallway on the left, first elevator for profession selection. Hallway on the right, first elevator for class selection. Have a nice day,” the secretary said in a flat, mechanical tone.
Erica and I headed to the right side of the lobby. Thankfully, there was no line for the elevator, so our trip up was quick.
"Have you decided yet?" Erica asked.
"Not completely, but I’m leaning heavily toward Striker. Your advice made sense; choosing Sorcerer would feel like selling myself short. I might still go for a split between Intelligence and Agility with my free points, though. I’ll decide once I’m there,” I replied. “Are you still set on Sorcerer?”
“Yeah,” she said, a little too quickly, before biting the inside of her cheek and watching the elevator numbers climb, marking each floor as we passed.
Erica had a natural calm about her, rarely showing negative emotions. When she did, it was subtle—barely noticeable unless you knew her. Her tell-tale anxious habits were biting the inside of her cheek or bouncing her leg. I didn’t usually need to ask what was making her uneasy; if it were something important, she’d share. I could only guess that the pressure of class selection and the transition into adulthood stirred some nerves, just as it had for me. I was better than her at keeping my emotions from my face, she could never tell when something was bothering me.
As we arrived at our floor, the color drained from Erica’s face. “Jackson?”
“Yes, Erica?” I replied, guiding her through the elevator doors.
“Follow our hearts?” She managed the best imitation of a smile she could muster.
“Always,” I assured her. “Let’s meet back here once we’re done—I won’t take long.” I gave her a reassuring smile before heading toward the left hallway.
“Jackson, you promise we’ll stick together?” Erica asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“Of course,” I replied, keeping my back to her to hide the huge grin spreading across my face. “No need to worry—we’ll look out for each other, just like we always have.”
I listened to the soft click of her shoes fading as she walked toward an open room in the opposite direction. Taking a steadying breath, I nodded to myself and headed down the hallway, scanning for an available room. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, and a wave of dread settled in my stomach as I neared the room where I’d finally choose my class. I can do this, I reminded myself. It’s just a selection—nothing more, nothing less.
As I stepped forward and turned the doorknob, waiting for that reassuring click, a wave of relief washed over me, as if I’d just been hit with a calming skill. I opened the door to find a stranger—a System Guide. Yet, strangely, they felt familiar. Some kids who’d returned from selection mentioned this odd feeling, like meeting someone you know yet don’t really know. It was a bit like being called to the principal’s office: unsettling, yet somehow expected.
"Jackson, please have a seat, and we can begin," the System Guide said, gesturing to a chair positioned in the center of the wood-paneled room. Guide Rooms are designed to reflect what feels most comfortable to each person, and for me, it resembled my own bedroom—minus the familiar furniture scattered around.
I gave a quick nod and took my seat.
"Before selecting your class, we’ll review levels, stats, ranks, skills, and titles," the System Guide began. "But first—do you want to change your mind and head to profession selection?"
"No," I replied firmly.
"Then let’s proceed. If you would, pull up your status screen into your vision."
Status.
STATUS
Name: Jackson Taylor
Age: 16
Rank: H
Class: ??? Lvl 0
Profession: ??? Lvl 0
Race: Human(H) Lvl 0
HP: 100/100
MP: 110/110
ST: 87/100
Attributes
Vitality: 10
Strength: 12
Agility: 19
Endurance:10
Wisdom: 10
Intelligence: 16
Willpower: 10
Perception: 11
Free points: 0
"Good, above-average starting stats," the System Guide remarked, making a slight, thoughtful nod, as if filing it away. "I'm sure you've heard that before."
"Now, let's go over ranks and levels. Each level you gain provides additional stats. For instance, if you choose the Mender class, you'd receive two points each in willpower, wisdom, and intellect, along with one free point to assign. Every two levels in either your class or profession, you'll gain a race level, as a human you gain two free points and one in all stats per race level. Race levels are crucial—at level 50 in your race, you’ll evolve into a Rank G human. With each rank advancement, whether or not you've evolved your class, your stats per level will increase accordingly." The Guide looked for understanding in my eyes before continuing. “Here are the level requirements for each rank.”
System Guide
Rank H 0-49
Rank G 50-99
Rank F 100-149
Rank E 150-199
Rank D 200-299
Rank C 300-449
Rank B 450 - 699
Rank A 700 - 999
Rank S 1000 - 1999
Godhood 2000 - ∞
“Any questions so far?” The Guide asked.
“I’m all good,” I responded.
The Guide nodded, continuing, “Let’s go over stats quickly. Vitality, Endurance, and Wisdom all impact your health, stamina, and mana—each point in one of these stats adds 10 points to the corresponding attribute. All humans start with ten points in each of these by default. Strength determines your physical power, while Agility measures your speed, precision, and overall finesse. Intelligence governs the quality of your mana, affects how quickly you think, and influences the damage dealt by mana-based skills. Finally, Perception involves your senses—sight, smell, taste, touch—and, in some cases, your instincts. Willpower relates to your mana regeneration speed and your resistance to mental attacks. The formula detailing how each point in Willpower affects your mana regeneration can be found in the 'Statistics Explained' book in the library.” The Guide took a deep breath, signaling the end of the explanation.
“Skills are gained every ten levels in Ranks G through F, every fifteen levels in Ranks E through C, and every twenty levels in Ranks B through S. These skills can be improved, evolved, or even discarded through consistent practice. For example, if you were to focus on manipulating your mana to move objects, the System might offer you Telepathy as one of five possible skills when you reach level ten or upgrade the base Sorcerer skill Object Manipulation into Telepathy. You may also gain skills by accomplishing feats with practice, understanding or doing something a skill could help you do without one, grants you one.”
“Titles. You earn titles by accomplishing significant feats. For example, clearing your first dungeon grants you the Dungeon Explorer title, which provides a 1-point stat boost for each dungeon you complete, up to a total of 50 in Rank H. A comprehensive catalog of all public titles is available in the library. All species that undergo integration automatically receive the titles Endless Tongues and Awakened upon selecting their class. The Awakened title offers percentage-based stat bonuses. And the Endless Tongues, allows you to understand and speak all languages in the multiverse.” The Guide paused briefly before asking, “Any questions?”
I nodded my head, remaining mostly quiet throughout the process. I had already learned this in my tutorial and had been regularly reminded of it by my teachers at school.
“That brings us to your class selection,” the System Guide said sharply, and a screen materialized in front of me.
Class Selection
Sorcerer - A basic caster class. The sorcerer focuses on using mana in combat. While the sorcerer is weak in close combat, the sorcerer uses long-range, powerful, and devastating magic. The sorcerer commonly uses weapons with high mana conductivity, such as staves, focuses, and tomes. A sorcerer is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +3 Int, +2 Wis, +1 Will, +1 Per, +1 Free Point
Mender - A basic support class. Menders use mana to heal injuries, remove poisons, and curses and boost the power of themselves or allies. While the mender is weak in combat, they are invaluable to groups of fighters. A mender is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +2 Will, +2 Wis, +2 Int, +1 Free Point
Juggernaut - A basic fighter class. Juggernauts use their power and durability to their advantage, at the cost of speed. The juggernaut commonly uses heavy two-handed weapons or, a combo of a one-handed sword and a shield. A juggernaut is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +3 Str, +2 Tough, +1 Vit, +1 End, +1 Free Point
Warrior - A basic fighter class. The warrior favors both speed and power at the cost of being slower than an assassin, and weaker than a juggernaut. The warrior has a vast amount of weapons at their disposal, more often using two-handed weapons or light weapons. A warrior is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +2 Agi, +2 Str, +1 Tough, +1 End, +1 Free Point
Striker - A basic fighter class. Strikers use their speed to their advantage, at the cost of power and durability. The striker commonly uses their fists, light weapons, daggers, shortswords, and throwing weapons. A striker is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +3 Agi, +1 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point
Ranger - A basic ranged class. Rangers use speed to their advantage at the cost of durability and strength. The ranger commonly uses a bow and arrow, with light weapons as a melee option. A ranger is not a specialist in any affinity.
Stats gained per level: +2 Agi, +2 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point
Before I could even consider the other classes, I quickly blurted out, “Striker,” hoping to save myself from spiraling into anxiety.
The Guide let out an actual "hmph"? Wait what?
"Very well." The Guide snapped again, and I suddenly felt a strange tingling sensation, as if my entire body had fallen asleep momentarily.
You have selected “Striker”
Class Level up!
+3 Agility, +1 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point
You have learned 4 Skills
Identify (Common)
Identify what you are looking at.
Dash (Common)
Gain a burst of speed
Body Enhance (Common)
Gain a +3 Boost in STR, AGI, and VIT.
Lasts 1 hour
Power Strike (Common)
Focus your mana into a body part or extend your mana into a melee weapon, generating an additional surge of power with each strike.
I watched the notifications stream into my vision, each being important, but the rush of gaining stats was overwhelming, like pure euphoria coursing through my veins. It was addictive, a kind of drug designed to pull you deeper into the pursuit of power. I knew this feeling would eventually fade as I progressed into each rank—my parents had explained that the first few levels in a rank always felt like this. The rush never completely disappeared, but it became duller with each level gained. The stat gain flooded me with a ridiculous amount of energy—it felt like I could run forever. I was eager to get out there and start leveling, though I knew Erica would want to go home and prepare before we left the nest.
"Everything feels alright?" the Guide asked, snapping me back to reality.
I nodded. “Amazing, even.”
“That’s the preferred reaction. You should now have access to the inherited titles you gained at integration,” the System Guide replied. “But proceed with caution—you’re not invincible. Goodbye.” With that, the Guide vanished without a trace.
I hardly paid any attention to the Guide popping out of existence. It was common knowledge they weren’t ones to waste time with unnecessary conversation or fuss. Being part of the System itself, they only spoke out of courtesy and already knew precisely how you felt or if everything was functioning as intended. Instead, my mind was on finding Erica, hoping she’d finished as quickly as I had. She’d been a nervous wreck before, and once the dopamine faded, I started worrying about how she was holding up.