Today the normally sleepy Dacian town of Dravulora was bustling with activity as all the young adults flocked to use the class crystal as it only visits Dravulora's adventure guild once a year. In general, powers can only be awakened by those with exceptional talent, and most of those that attempt to do so suffer gruesome consequences. The crystals reduce the risk of mishaps greatly, although using a class crystal is not foolproof, and every year there are reports of failed awakenings throughout Dacia every year. Due to this risk, the adventure guild restricts the use of the crystal to adults.

Startled awake by the chill in the air, Aaron threw off his covers, his tall, thin frame shivered as a cool draft snuck into the poorly insulated shack. He quickly pulled on the rough burlap clothes catching his reflection in the cracked mirror above the washbasin. Seeing the state of his hair he tried to use his calloused hands to tame the black mess. Seeing that he was just making it worse he rubbed the sleep out of his sunken brown eyes and reached for a stale loaf of bread, picking off the mold as he started munching on it. As he ate, he looked back at his one-room house, ensuring he didn't miss anything. "Almost forgot you," he muttered as he walked out the door grabbing his falx sliding it into his rope belt careful to not let the curved blades inside edge cut himself or the rope.

Aaron was met with the sight of Dravulora; the chilly mountain wind hit him harder than it had inside. He shivered and wished he had a cloak to keep him warm. Despite the early hour, the village was already coming to life with excitement in the air. The inns were full of noisy travelers from the surrounding region who had come to get their powers at the guild that day; the smell of the most expensive spices and meats wafted out as the innkeepers tried to make the most of Dravulora's one-busy time of the year. There were already groups of young adults making their way through the muddy streets to the guild hall on a hill overlooking the town square.

Aaron smiled and started humming a tune he had learned in church as he started his own trek down the muddy streets. As he walked down the street, he passed the church of Utu where a familiar short, balding, old man in slightly stained priest garb tended to a garden.

“Good morning, Aaron!” greeted the old man with a toothy smile peeking out from his long black beard.

“Hello Dad, up early to see your favorite son on his way to get awakened?”

“Bah! Utu wouldn't let me sleep through a sunrise,” he mocked as he pointed at the sun peaking over the trees. Aaron opened his mouth to tease him more before he was interrupted,

“Run along now; you don't want to have to wait until next year,” he said shooing Aaron away with a smile.

Aaron pushed the rest of his loaf of bread into Father Harvey's hands. “For the new orphans,” he said kindly before resuming sloshing his way through the mud to the guild.

Watching Aaron run off, Father Harvey whispered to himself, “Utu, that boy is going to get himself into trouble looking out for others more than himself.”

As he walked, he noticed a person wearing a green hood trip and fall in the mud while walking out of an inn. Aaron chuckled but still jogged to go help them up. Looking down, he saw the person's hood fall back, revealing a red-headed freckled girl with green eyes. She was wearing leather armor that had seen better days, especially now that it was covered in mud. He offered his hand, and she accepted the help as he pulled her up.

“Thank you,” she whispered gratefully, pulling up her hood and trodding on before giving him a chance to reply.

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“Weird,” he muttered, continuing on his way.

As Aaron approached the guild hall, he slowed to a stop; he had seen it a few times, but never this up close as orphans were normally kept away from the town square by the guards. Standing tall and proud, its impressive structure was a testament to the skill of the craftsmen who built it. The foundation was made of sturdy gray stones, while the walls were made of wooden planks that had been expertly carved and polished to a rich brown hue. The entrance was a massive oak door with intricate ironwork, adorned with symbols of the different monsters. Above the entrance was a towering bell tower that chimed only in times of need. Large windows with thick glass decorated the upper parts of the walls, letting light in but giving no view of the insides, leaving them a mystery.

As he gaped at the building, he heard a mocking voice,

“I didn't realize the peasants were so hungry they were trying to catch flies.”

Aaron snapped his mouth shut, turning to see Edmund Stormchaser looking at him with disdain written across his handsome face, while golden hair seemed to glow in the morning sun. Not a speck of mud on him or his finely tailored clothes despite the conditions, courtesy of having a mage father. Aaron frowned but ignored Edmund and started to head into the guild, only to hear another voice.

“You don't know what you're missing out on; they are in season,” said a familiar voice. A smile lit up Aaron's face as he turned and saw his adoptive brother, Thomas, walk up.

Edmund snorted before pushing past Aaron and entering the building.

Thomas was dressed much like Aaron, but he had a long beautifully crafted pugio tucked into a rope belt and a hood made of ratty leather, which he wore in such a way that it obscured his features, barely letting his hooked nose and a few locks of curly brown hair peak out the front.

Thomas walked over slapping him on the shoulder. “Are you ready to get our classes?”

“Yes, hoping for some sort of thief class?” Aaron asked with a grin.

“Who, me? I am a stand-up citizen,” Thomas said with a sly grin.

Aaron shook his head as the pair made their way inside.

The pair were greeted by the sight of a packed building filled with young adults lining up to get their classes. To their left, they saw a large bulletin board with various job postings for adventurers. On the opposite wall, they saw a massive fireplace, currently hosting a small fire that somehow warmed the entire massive room. To the right, and where the lines lead there was a long desk where receptionists greeted new members and handled paperwork. About every so often, a door opened next to the desk, and a person walked out after awakening their class. Some looked like they were on top of the world, while others looked like they had just bitten into a rotten egg. In addition to the people looking to get their class, they could see a handful of veteran adventurers milling about trying to see if any new adventures were worth picking up. The air was filled with the sound of chatter, laughter, and occasional shouts as some adventurers tested their skills against one another, showing off for the new generation.

Thomas nudged Aaron on the arm, pointing to Edmund disappearing into the crystal room, bypassing the entire line. “Seems that money can get you anywhere, even to the front of the line,” he said, green with envy. “That will be us soon.”

“It can, but it isn't right,” Aaron said, although envy was in his eyes as well.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, but being a goodie two shoes has never gotten you or Dad anywhere. At least what I do has gotten me a decent weapon,” he said, unsheathing the pugio slightly showing its lethal gleaming blade. “You, on the other hand, came to the guild with a half-rotten, second-hand falx.”

Aaron paused, deciding not to argue this point once again, as they had had this conversation many times before. “Let's get in line.”

The pair stood in line for what seemed like ages. Aaron started to regret giving the orphans the bread when his stomach started growling, although he quickly reminded himself that they needed it more than he did. As they waited, he started to fidget.

When he had gotten up that morning, he was so sure this would turn his life around. He thought to himself, his heart racing with uncertainty, “I gave away the last of my food; what if I get a class like cobbler? I don't even have money to afford materials, or even worse, farmer or even-”

“Next!” said a rotund, bubbly woman dressed in fancy clothes, pulling Aaron out of his thoughts. “Hi, you are here to use the class crystal?”

"Yes,” he said, trying to keep the nervousness from causing his voice to tremble.

“Great! You can go in as soon as you fill this out, and the current person awakening leaves the room,” she said, handing over a paper and quill. She looked him up and down and added, “If you needed someone to read it to you, I will do so gladly,” with a pitying smile.

“I know how to read,” slight frown on his face.

The form was all standard information like age, place of birth, and occupation. As he finished filling out the form and placed it on the desk, a person exited the crystal room, meaning it was his turn. He walked up to the door hear pounding in his chest. With one last turn to look at Thomas, who replied by shooting a thumbs up and a smile. He turned the knob with a short prayer.

"I needed an opportunity to help myself and the world."