A smile floated about my horse face as I stared at my Status Screen. I don't actually flat out suck at video games, only certain genres. Mainly the popular competitive action ones... which is probably the closest representation of what I'll have to do from here on.

But, more than the practicality of it, having a System means that a lot more fun is about to be added into my life, and that is worthy of celebration... except it happened in exchange for the many things I'd also surely lost.

The thought was sobering, the past hours incredibly hectic. I'm a horse, for fuck's sake.

I was going to lose the apartment I've been staying in for years anyway, but it's still sad that it happened, even if not in the way I envisioned. In ruins, along with the rest of the city.

I wasn't being serious when I wished for the apocalypse to come.

Take a fucking joke.

I shook off the sadness and the looming worry of who survived this cataclysmic event, instead focusing on my Status and what I can do right now.

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Name: Jackal Dolmer

Level: 0

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(Unassigned MANA: 0)

Vitality: 0

Strength: 0

Magic: 0

Agility: 0

Intelligence: 0

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Class: None (2 Slots Available!)

Skills: None

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Okay. Why is everything fucking zero? I'm not... I'm not that weak. And what the hell is this unassigned mana? I have 0. I think I should have more. It's not fair. Unless if it's a bad thing, then it should remain that way.

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[Unassigned MANA]

The amount of power you're able to hold, the purest expression of magic. You may use 1 point of Unassigned MANA to raise any stat by 1 point. You gain 10 Unassigned MANA every level.

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A pop-up window appeared, giving the answer to my questions. Seems like I can appraise shit in the status screen. And from what I understood, Unassigned MANA is basically my Stat Points.

I get it. I'll come back to that later, but now for the juicier parts.

Class Selection.

I would've rubbed my hands together like I had a master plan had I actually still had, well, hands.

I looked around myself, seeing the sun already close to setting. I don't wanna mess this up, and I don't want to be bothered. I already can't take the excitement as I find out what I may become. The Horsezilla Class I lost sounds fucking awesome.

[Class: None (2 Slots Available!)]

I focused on that section, and sure enough, I did get to see the available Classes I may get.

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You have met the requirements for the following Classes!

[Hoovebearer]

[Pony Perpetual]

[Juvenile Steed]

[Herd Mascot]

[Thy Blessed Pony]

[Horsie Theatro]

[Hell Baby]

[Jackal of All Ponies]

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[Hoovebearer]

The ground shakes, as the Hoovebearer runs. Legs evolved for sheer mass and power. Cross vast distances with every single bound. Foes trivialized, splattered into small pieces of gore upon your charge. Shatter it all, with a single passing kick from your behind.

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8 total choices, I believe they were enhanced based on what those notifications said.

This first one seems quite simple and generic, but it's strong. The stable type of strong. Increased running speed, in a different way than just faster legs, instead it lengthens my stride. Perhaps more of a focus on strength than agiliity.

Funny thing is that I wished for opposable thumbs, and this is the furthest thing away from actual hands. No fancy tricks like telekinesis either that may allow me to operate a smartphone.

Still, a good choice. I won't discount it just for being generic. Let's just say being a horse is unique enough.

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[Pony Perpetual]

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

A horse that rides towards its goal without ever stopping. All hindrances smashed through, the opposition resisted, damage easily sustained and healed. Regeneration like no other, a perpetual steed that never stops running.

______________

A class based entirely on endurance and lasting really fucking long. Strong self-healing as well. Maybe still slightly generic, but I'm already liking this more than the first one. "All hindrances smashed through" also gives me the impression that I at least have some offensive options.

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[Juvenile Steed]

You are yet young, a toddler among horses. And yet already you seek to be a valiant partner to a worthy rider. Size no longer a barrier, adjusted to fit whomever your ward. You carry them into battle and let no harm befall then. Enemies kept away by your might as your rider slays them with the aid of your buffs. Two people as one, every advantage shared, a single unit that tears through the battlefield.

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Hmm... Hmmmmmggghhh...

It's a class that is all about me working in tandem with someone. I do wish to meet up with some friends eventually, maybe survive the apocalypse with them. I'm sure we'd have a grand old time. This would allow me to adjust my size as well, so me being tiny is no longer a problem when it comes to being ridden.

Oh! Also, what if there are giants. Would having one ride me give me a massive boost in size. The added weight alone in that scenario should allow me to wreck havoc and destruction.

All that said, I don't like it. My power being tied to someone else, to having a Rider present. The class would be woefully underpowered otherwise. And uhh... I was never an M. I don't think I'd quite enjoy this class. I know I'm a horse, and that's what horses do. It's what we excel at. But goddamit it, I'm my own fucking horse and I'll pave my own way just like how I refused the position in that copy printing business my dad's a manager at in order to pursue my dreams and conquer the world of theater!

...The world ended. Now I'll never know if I would've succeeded or not. Very unfortunate.

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[Herd Mascot]

The face of the herd, the heart and soul of the people. Your mere presence is enough to inspire hope and courage, the spells that you cast a great boon to entire armies. Fear spreads among your enemies as you cast your gaze upon them, their spirits and their power reduced to a mere trifle. For within your eyes are reflected, the will of all that you hold dear.

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Uh, what did I just say about serving as support? Although this one is more tolerable, even though it's even more extreme than the last one, technically. Juvenile Steed just seemed demeaning, and I don't like it!

This however, it could be a good thing... if my friends indeed survived and we make it back to each other. Maybe someday I'll have an army and we'll do big magical wars! We could have big magical explosions, with pieces of gore and flesh flying around everywhere! It'd be cinematic.

But, ah, I wouldn't put my money in it. I'm not revolted by the idea, but it's not calling to me. I'd say this one is probably a bust.

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[Thy Blessed Pony]

A Pony that has received the blessings of Magic itself, the very embodiment of horse as a concept. A creature that runs vast distances like no other, its kick able to shatter bone and flesh alike. Untiring, unhindered, injuries mended and all sense of fatigue banished. Riders blessed by your presence, allies healed and strengthened.

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Okay. This one does make mention of a rider, but it's plural. I think it's probably metaphorical. It also mentions allies, so I don't think they have to be riding me in order to receive the buff. And hey, I just don't want to be someone's pet. If it's only for battle, or hell, travel, then sure, fine. I can bear with it, specially if it's a friend. Or if I think of it as carrying them after they're pass out drunk or something.

As long as I'm not tied to someone, or having someone, then I think it's fine. I just want to be my own horse, and this class would actually do a far better job of that than Herd Mascot.

It features its own combat abilities, doubles down on what horses are great at doing, from strong kicks, to impressive speed and the endurance to keep it up. I doubt it's as good as Perpetual Pony in those aspects, but it's there and more.

So, offense, defense, healing, buffs, and support for my eventual allies. All in one class. I really think I like this one.

______________

[Horsie Theatro]

The life of a performer, a passion unabandoned even after a horseful transformation. Constructs of light and magic created, a mirage that brings about illusions of wonder. Haunting sounds and beautiful hymns, achieve effects like no other. Dazzle your audience now, with your newfound powers, and conquer the World of theater.

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I'm gonna be honest, it's a cool class. One I'm certain I'd have a lot of fun with.

But, it's a hobby class. And, well...

I looked back outside, from the portion of the wall that had just been destroyed. I marvel at the destruction wrought, shrieks clearly not human nor animal that I know of. The chaos could so very easily spill to where I am right now.

This is neither the time nor place for a hobby Class. Not in the fucking apocalypse.

I felt like tearing up at that. A stronger shot at actually accomplishing my previous dream... except it's no longer feasible, is it? I can keep it up as a hobby, and I fucking will, but there's no longer the infrastructure to actually support it on a large scale. What does it even mean to succeed at theater?

To be famous? Rich? To fill an auditorium? A stadium? For your work to be adapted into film? Rewards? Recognition?

Or perhaps it's enough to simply touch the soul of another human being.

It really fucking sucks that I can't take the class that's likely the most fun.

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[Hell Baby]

A newborn foal found deep in the depths of hell. A survivor among the most extreme of environs. The sinful flames come second nature. Now a mere imitation, but soon to be a torrential hellfire that consumes all. An approaching terror should thou be allowed to mature.

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Very edgy. That alone calls to my sense of aesthetics. But it's not just for pleasure, it sounds genuinely strong. Sure it's more of a transitional class, but it would allow me access to advanced fire magic. A mere imitation of hellfire, but still likely better than the most generic of flames.

If I plan on surviving, then this is a really good investment for the future.

And well, I do plan on surviving as it turns out. I am tempted to pick a class that may best ensure that, with plenty of tank and speed, like say Perpetual Pony. But this class too promises an increase to my survivablity.

"A survivor among the most extreme of environs," certainly sounds like it's hinting at that.

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[Jackal of All Ponies]

From a shifty kid with laughably switching interests, to a part-timer that just loves to exchange one misery for the next. You have taken on the hobby of theatre, many a face you have worn. Now even the essence of your very being has changed to that of a tiny little pony!

Refuse to be constrained by a single identity. Your magic, your power, more than a single school of combat. Instead, you take on the face of many different ponies, each with their own hopes and dreams, strengths and weakness. Become a pony with many identities.

______________

Holy shit, am I going to lose myself?

I looked back at my horse body.

More of myself?

Well, technically, I will be getting more of myself. But I don't know abut getting multiple personalities.

How hard will it even be for me to adjust? In the fucking apocalypse, no less.

Are the new personalities based on my own, or are they random? Because one of those is certainly far worse than the other.

Is it always just one personality piloting? What do I do if we don't get along? Do I have the most control, or is it spread equally among us?

Questions, questions, so many questions. Like, it's fun to think about, but once it actually happens, I doubt I'm gonna be having so much fun then.

I'm sure it's a powerful class, versatility a strong quality in itself. But I don't care if it literally has my name on it, I want nothing to do with it, no matter what else is offered.

The promise of power, a fall from grace. Like the apple Eve ate, which if she and that simp Adam never did, then everyone would be getting free nudes everywhere!

God Damn It!

Jokes aside, switching classes and abilities around is a really fun concept, but it's not nearly enticing enough by itself for me to actually even consider this class, given its side-effects... Or well, it's a feature really, given the way it was described.

I already have to adapt to becoming a horse, I can't take having my mind changed on top of that, if it hasn't been already.

So, all in all, this Class is an immediate bust.

It's not you. It's me.

I might cease to be me.

But I'd still take it over being someone's pet. Fuck Juvenile Steed.