Assignment. The first time people get to see their status windows. It is arguably the most important day of a person's life and, for me, that day has finally come. Everyone who graduates from high school goes through awakening on their final day of classes. Guild recruiters and college scouts gather at each high school in the nation to find their next recruits. If someone is lucky enough to be scouted then they can skip the college entrance exam or, in the case of guilds, are funded throughout their higher education. Guild contracts usually come with the stipulation that the recipient has to serve the guild for a certain number of years and the ones scouted by colleges usually have to do at least one run in the pro circuit, lasting about four years. Still, people who get scouted usually have long and lucrative careers after serving their time, making it extremely valuable. “I don't know Don, no matter what I do I can't stop myself from worryin’. I mean what happens if I get some shit abilities to start with. I don’t even wanna think about how my parents’ll react,” Charley continued, nervously talking my ear off about what class and what abilities he wanted for the better part of an hour.
“It’ll be fine Char, we both know that if anyone’s gonna get a good class with some good starting abilities it's gonna be either you are Emily,” Emily Parker, a distant relative of one of the five houses who’s entitled to their support without even lifting a finger, “if I had to bet though, I would probably still bet on you Char. You had the highest scores in the mock combat test and got first place in the combat tournament, you're no slouch.”
“Yeah, but Emily got the highest scores on the magical aptitude test and is THE VALEDICTORIAN, she has a really high chance of getting some sort of mage class with those smarts. Plus, if I get a physical class I’ll have to deal with my parents for even longer,” the gymnasium, where the assignment would be taking place, started to come into view, “I don't know man maybe I'm just worried over nothin’ but I just can't stop thinkin, yknow?”
“Don’t worry man I understand what you're saying but it’ll be fine. Besides, you're one of the first ones up so I bet you’ll get over your fears pretty quickly!” I said opening the doors to the gymnasium. Saying the place was packed would be an understatement, people from every year were gathered even though only the seniors would be getting awakened. The lights were so bright that my eyes had to take a second to adjust and in the center of the gym stood a massive, raised platform with a mana circle in the center. The platform was surrounded by plastic chairs, each assigned to a student. In the first chair is Emily Parker, a short, black-haired, and hot-tempered girl. She had bright blue eyes and wore those round glasses people usually only wore in movies. Her leg was bouncing up and down and her hands were clasped together in a way that telegraphed her nervousness. “Well, I guess this is where we part ways Char, good luck but, I don't think you’ll need it.”
“Yeah Don, good luck,” Charley said with a sigh as he made his way over to his assigned seat in the second row. I, on the other hand, was sitting in the third row on the direct opposite side. The chairs were uncomfortable, but I barely noticed as the last of the students piled in. After the students filled the bleachers, the parents were allowed to make their way in. I spotted my parents and offered a nervous wave. My mom smiled at me, but my dad didn't even seem to notice the gesture. As the adults found their seats the lights started to dim and the principal, a ginger woman standing about five feet tall, started her speech.
“As you all know, assignment is a very important day in your lives, some would argue THE most important. Having said that, I want you all to know that one bad day does not define you, the beauty of life is that every sapling has a chance to grow. One might have an easier time or more sunlight but with enough perseverance, any one of you can become a great oak,” The screen behind her lit and started to display names in order. “When your name is called you will step into the magic circle and receive your awakening. This process takes a lot out of you so if you feel dizzy or nauseous feel free to sit down or lean on the railing to the side. You will then be instructed to call your status window where it will then be displayed on the screens to my right and left. After getting a chance to assess your skills you will be led back down the stairs and into your seat. Any questions?” Without waiting for a response, the screen behind her changed, displaying Emily Parker’s senior photo, “Emily Parker please make your way up onto the stage.” Wordlessly Emily shuffled her way out of her seat and up onto the stage. She made her way to the portal and stood in the center. “Ready?” The principal asked.
“As I'll ever be,” Emily replied, her already high voice cracking as she spoke. As soon as she finished her sentence magical energy started swarming around Emily, her entire body being cloaked by a light blue magical force. The energy circled, solidified, and popped into an explosion that sent cold air into the audience. I could feel my body start to shiver as it reached me. Emily stood staring into thin air.
“Emily Parker,” the principal started, “Class Mage, Subclass Ice Mage. Skills ‘Mana Manipulation’ Rank D, ‘Ice Creation’ Rank E, and ‘Temperature Modulation’ Rank F.”
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“Holy shit,” I said before I could stop myself but, no one turned, echoing the same sentiment. Most people don't get ONE rank E skill upon assignment, let alone a rank D. I looked into the stands where the adults sat and saw a couple of scouters already writing Emily’s name down on their notepad. One had even begun walking out of the gym clearly on the phone with one of his superiors. I looked towards the screen displaying her stats and saw that her mana stat was already in the double digits. My head instinctively looked back towards Emily and as I did, I could see her staring at her own hands in astonishment. Everyone’s surprise was interrupted as the principal started to speak.
“Emily Parker, please make your way down and into your seat,” this snapped Emily and everyone else back to reality as she wordlessly made her way back to her seat, her eyes never leaving her hands. “Thank you, Emily, next Jared Oakwell please make your way to the stage.” Jared looked as pale as a ghost as he made his way to the stage and I couldn't blame him, it was nearly impossible to follow up that performance and still be seen as impressive. “Jared Oakwell, are you ready?” Jared gave a slight nod and by the time his head was raised a gold light had already surrounded him. This light faded just as quickly as it had arrived leaving Jared standing in the circle dumbstruck. “Jared Oakwell, Class Martial Artist, Subclass N/A, skills ‘Cultivation,’ rank F and ‘Force Palm,’ rank F,” in comparison to what the crowd had just witnessed, this was much more average, especially so in reference to his stats. After a minute was given the principal once again started “Jared please make your way down to your assigned seat,” a smile appeared on Jared’s face as she spoke. He looked around at everyone, his smile never fading as he made his way back to his seat. About six more students passed in a similar fashion, nothing coming close to the show that Emily Parker had put on. “Charley Ardton,” I could see Charley jump as his name was called, “please make your way to the stage.” Before standing Charley looked around and locked eyes with me.
“You got this,” I mouthed, hoping to ease his nerves.
“Thank you,” he mouthed back, feigning a smile. He started up the steps, hiding his hands from the crowd inside of his deep pockets. He stood inside the magical circle and after a nod magic started to swirl around him. The magic had two distinct colors, a scarlet red and bright gold. The magic formed a dense cocoon around Charley, holding for a second before beginning to slowly move inwards, collapsing around Charley’s tall figure, the magic absorbing into him. Once the magic had completely faded, Charley fell to his knees panting heavily.
“Mr. Ardton, once you’ve caught your breath, please open your status window,” the principal said, clearly uninterested in the well-being of Charley. After catching his breath Charley opened his status window and closed his eyes trying to listen to what the principal was about to say. “Charley Arton Class: Knight, Subclass: Support, Skills ‘Aura Control’ Rank D, ‘Haste’ Rank E, and ‘Healing Aura’ a rare passive skill that is currently Rank D.” Once the principal had finished Charley’s eyes shot open as he looked around into the crowd spotting his mother and Father with their eyes open wide and mouths hung agape. Then he looked towards me. Our eyes met and I could tell by the look inside of them that he was asking for confirmation that what he just heard was reality. All I could do at that moment was give a nod as he was ordered by the principal to make his way down and into his seat. Before he started down the stairs though, he took one more look into the stands to find his parents who had already started talking with one of the many scouts about their son. After Charley had sat down another thirty or so students went up. “Donald Parmer, please make your way onto the stage.” Her words cut through me, sending shivers down my spine. I started to make my way towards the stage, my heart pounding through my chest. I felt as though I could count the beats of my heart. I looked towards the crows and spotted my parents. My mother’s face still displayed her nervousness, but my father’s face was cold, unfeeling. The four steps that separated the floor from the top of the raised platform seemed to go on forever. Each step carried more weight than the last until the magic circle came into view. It was an extremely complex magic circle made by a master among masters, the peak of magical ability. “Are you ready Mr. Parmer?”
“Yes Ma’am," I said after a deep breath. Immediately after the words left my mouth, I could feel the magic swarm around me. It was a deep and unending white, the texture looked like silk. I tried to reach out to touch it, but my body was frozen in place, the overwhelming force keeping my body perfectly still. The magic condensed around me like a cocoon of pure silk. The magic was HOT burning my skin as soon as it touched it. I tried to scream but my jaw wouldn't open, the sound wouldn’t come out. I felt something deep inside my soul jerk to freedom but, I also felt something locked in place, permanently becoming stagnant, unchanging. Then the magic disappeared in an explosion like a bubble being popped. I fell to my knees, I realized that throughout the entire process, I had failed to breathe a single time. It felt like I had just been submerged completely in lava, my skin still felt like it was on fire. My first breath outside of the bubble hurt so did my second and third. My mouth and throat were completely dry, all water having long dissipated. “Donald, once you have caught your breath, please open your status window.” Those words jerked me back to reality and made me feel slightly more grounded.
“Status window: open,” I muttered to myself as a blue window appeared in front of me.
“Donald Parmer, Class Unassigned, Subclass N/A, skills ‘Parry’ Rank F and ‘Counter’ Rank F,” her eyes widened as she made her way to the last line of text, “Stat lock: Defense.”