“Alright kiddo, last day until we head back on the road. We’ll be doing a sweep of the area to try and kill the rest of the goblins. We’re gonna send a tough one your way though, so be ready.”

I nod as I watch Uncle Moren and the two bodyguards disappear into the trees. I sit in the clearing with my sword on my lap waiting. I continue to enjoy the chill that continues to grow colder by the day, along with the rustle of leaves and bushes.

I look down at my beat up sword and meditate on what it means to me, how it has affected my path to power.

‘Who would I be without you? Where would I go? What would I do?’ I think to myself.

Hearing a slight rustle in front of me, I open my eyes to see a goblin, though this one is a bit different than the rest I’ve seen.

It’s smaller than the rest that I’ve seen, by almost half a foot, with scrawny, twig like limbs and two daggers in it’s hands.

‘Is this really supposed to be my opponent? What were they think sending a runt like this to me? Is this supposed to be like some sort of test?’

Before I can ponder these questions further, the skinny goblins, charges me at blistering speed.

‘Holy shit this little fuck’s fast!’

I throw my guard out sloppily at his dagger heading straight for my artery in my thigh. I try to counter with an attack of my own, but it backs away swiftly before my sword even comes close to landing a blow.

‘Ok so this is a new one, how the hell am I supposed to do this?’

I press forward my attack and continue to swing towards the little guy, but it’s far to agile for me, deftly evading every single one of my blows. At the same time, he peppers my arms and legs with small cuts that, while not an issue right now, can quickly grow out of control if continued.

Deciding this fight needs to end quickly, I swing my blade and wait for when it comes in close to counterattack.

When it does, I quickly summon my spiritual energy and will my blade downward towards it’s neck. The little thing somehow keeps it’s calm during this though, and pivots out of the way. All I got for my efforts was a small gash on it’s chest.

It pivots again, this time towards me and scores a gash on my side in return. I swing quickly towards it, and it yet again evades, continuing out game of cat and mouse.

‘Goddamnit, how many points of agility does this asshole have? He’s running circles around me!’ I exclaim to myself while gritting my teeth.

I press my attack further, sending out a fury of well placed slashes. Finally I start to make progress as my attacks seems to be putting more pressure on the goblin.

The pressure of the engagement seems to be to much and the goblin decides to try and disengage. I’m not having any of it though, as before it can jump backwards out of my range, I once again summon spiritual energy and will a slash that was originally heading for his head to his leg.

This shocks the little thing, and fruitlessly tries to pull it’s leg back. My sword lands, dealing a wound so deep I can see bone.

With the goblins mobility hampered I press once more, slashing out towards it’s neck.

It manages to put it’s daggers in the way of my strike, though it gets sent flying for it’s efforts. I charge at where it’s about to land, and send a quick thrust into it’s chest.

Understanding that dodging won’t be possible, it instead allow itself to be pierced like a kabob on it’s shoulder, and slides down the length of my blade while sending it’s dagger straight towards my face.

Before this can happen, I swing my blade to the side, sending the little bugger tumbling yet again.

I stare at it as it slowly attempts to stand up, to no avail. Deciding to end it’s misery, I walk up to it and bring my blade down, swiftly severing it’s head from it’s body.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I sit in silence for a few seconds before I hear clapping coming from the trees. I turn and see Uncle Moren smiling from ear to ear.

“Rowan my boy! Congrats on tier 2! Good to see you didn’t pass out this time! You did make it to tier 2 didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I’ll finally get a class.” I sigh in relief.

“Well good! Head back to the campsite and get your status all sorted, I wanna be outta here by noon.”

I nod and make my way back.

While walking back I continue to think about my cultivation, specifically what element I resonate with. It’s been a constant presence in my thoughts over the past few days.

I’ve thought over almost any element I can think of, including some weird ones Uncle Moren has been telling me about.

Things like sound, crystal, even space or time, though the latter two sound way to complicated for me.

‘Hmm, maybe that’s it…. Something uncomplicated, something… simple. Definitely on to something there, I can feel it.

I make to the camp before I have time to continue that train of thought any further.

Gael noticing me, walks up to me and pats my shoulder while saying enthusiastically,

“Congrats young man! I heard the good news from Moren! Tier 2 is a big deal! Its going to be your first class after all. The foundation of all your future class upgrades. Now do you understand the specifics of class rarities?”

“Uhhh…” I stupidly mutter out.

‘Guess I forgot to read up on it.’ I think to myself sheepishly.

“No worries! Ill give you a quick refresher!” He says while chuckling.

I nod.

“So first thing you need to understand is that rarity does not equal strength, a common misconception among youths. All a rarity means is as the name implies, how rare it is. A legendary class is just as strong as a common class, where the legendary class differs is that higher rarity classes are often more tailored to the person who has it.”

"Also, each class will give a certain amount of AP and SP. Some classes give less SP and more AP, and vice versa. Some classes give less of both in favor of stronger starting traits or class exclusive skills. Some classes even allow for status upgrades instead of multiple skill selection options or traits, such as a racial or attribute enhancement. Sometime in really rare cases, they can give you a brand new stat entirely. Really what I'm trying to say is that every class will give you something different, but most of the time they'll equal out in terms of benefits."

I nod once again to indicate my attention. He continues,

“What this means is that people with higher rarity classes are usual more dynamic and synergistic with their class. Oftentimes, though, some people are just more suited to less rare classes. A compatible person with the common Soldier class with be just as strong, if not stronger, than a lot of people with higher tiered classes.”

“So how do I know which class I’m most compatible with when I look at my options?”

“Gut feeling.” Gael says seriously.

“Uh that’s it? No, like, scientific method or reasoning? Just gut feelings?”

“Yup, trust me kid, almost any class the system shows will be at least somewhat compatible with you, but the one that you want, like really really want deep down, you’ll pick. Ask anyone with their class, they’ll tell you the same thing. Plus, if somehow you don’t like the direction your class is going, there’s always class upgrades given by the system every once in a while.”

“Gotcha, anything else I need to know?”

“Nope, though there are a few rarities outside of the common to legendary spectrum. Unique classes are classes specifically developed by the system for a person, These are only really given out as some sort of reward though, so unless you’ve done something crazy while we haven’t been watching you, you don’t have to worry about this.”

“What are the others?” I ask curiously.

“Legacy classes are classes created by people who have ascended past tier 20, and have given specific requirements to the system for acquisition. A commonly known example is of the former Emperor of the Laglian Empire, Mythos.”

He continues,

“It’s said that he created a class and whoever acquires it is the rightful heir to the throne. The current Emperor is just his son and is constantly on the lookout for people that may have this class, though I suspect it’s not to willingly give up control of the Empire.”

I nod, indicating for him to continue,

“The last type of classes are virtue classes and sin classes, and unlike the others, these classes are a step above the rest in terms of power. This power comes with great restrictions though. For example, a person with a sin Greed class are required to embody greed at all times of the day. Most of the time this isn’t an issue, as the people acquiring these classes do so anyway.”

“What happens if they don’t embody it?”

“They die.” Gael says seriously.

“Oh…”

“So if you’re offered one of these classes, just know the risk you take. Anyway I’ll leave you to it, I need to start packing up and gathering supplies.”

I nod appreciatively, before he turns and walks towards our tents.

‘Ok time to check out my options.’ I smile eagerly.