I appear in a black and dark blue room with subtle glowing white moving patterns on three walls. The fourth wall is a transparent window or force field that overlooks a planet that looks somewhat similar to Earth, but clearly isn’t. Massive structures stretch kilometers into the sky below us like gargantuan pyramids. Between them are towers that stretch even higher. I have no idea where I am, but I do know the two characters that are here with me.
Kauran and B’esloor are buzzing out at how quickly I’ve finished the Trial and debating about whether it’s some kind of record. They try to involve me in the conversation, but they make so many references to a whole bunch of people and past dates that don’t mean anything to me that I can’t even keep up. It does lift my spirits a bit, though, considering that I may be near or at the top of the KCT results and I start to turn my mind toward the next step.
I also have some very brightly colored and insistent notifications to open that I’m keen to get to. Despite their protests that I need to stay with them and understand the significance of what I’ve just achieved, I manage to convince them to give me some time to myself, mostly by threatening to Portal somewhere else.
The first one I’m expecting from the XP I gained from the third Trial, and my excitement starts to build as I consider what an Ascended Class might offer me.
Level Up!
You have reached Level 30 as a Human Sentinel
+4 Aura, +4 Mana, +65 free Attribute points to assign
You have 65 free Attribute points to assign
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
You have 2 unallocated Class Skill points
Would you like to allocate them now?
(Y/N)
The allocation of these points was decided a long time ago, so I drop all 65 free Attributes into Constitution and the two Class Skill points in Sentinel’s Fury to bring it up to 8, almost as powerful as it can be without an Evolution.
I open the next notification with excitement and then a pause. Is this something I want to do right now, irrespective of what happens with the KCT results?
Congratulations!
You are eligible for an Ascended Class Evolution!
Depending on circumstances, Ascended Class Evolutions may take up to 10,000 UTUs.
It is advisable to avoid intensely hostile environments during Ascended Evolutions.
Banked XP will be released upon Evolution.
Would you like to proceed?
(Y/N)
I stride back over to Kauran and B’esloor across the dark, space age floor and glance out the window again. The view really is stunning.
“How safe is this place?” I ask them and glance around.
B’esloors pinched face looks puzzled.
“We’re above a core SSA Homeworld and surrounded by some of the most powerful technology and beings in the Universe. Anything can happen, especially with someone like you, but this is one of the safest places in the Universe.”
“Can I bring some people here, for up to 10,000 UTUs? Is that possible? I would consider it a favor. I have something I need to do and while I’m doing it, I won’t be able to protect them.”
“You’ve earned that and more, Bronwic,” says Kauran as he floats toward me. He seems to take my request as an official one for help, and I’m fine with that if it means everyone can be protected. B’esloor is quick to jump in and agree.
“Of course! Consider it done. There’s virtually no chance at all that the KCT will be over so soon, although once word gets out about how fast you’ve completed your Trial I expect a number of competitors to abandon their Trials. Especially the really dangerous ones.”
Something about that feels wrong to me, but I put it aside for later. I don’t see any reason to delay, so I spend half an hour creating Portals to bring my family to this space station.
It doesn’t take long and feels good to have everyone together and safe. Uncle Ant looks old but spry, and is still spending his time moving between Settlements I own to upgrade them with his bodyguards. Logan has gained another Level and is only three away from gaining his Mythic Skills; Carter and the rest of the family who are all doing well. None of them know they were the target of attacks during the KCT and I remind them to always be on guard, just in case, but it’s a tough balance. I don’t want them to creep around all day in fear. I also convince Tatiana to come with them, after a very short time to connect with her.
As I watch the kids marveling at Kauran in particular and the view from the space station, I feel odd. Normal but not normal. None of this is normal. It’s unsettling to feel a bit of comfort and warmth creep in when most of my time is spent in combat.
“You’re going to be safe, Uncle Bronwic?” Millie asks me as I let everyone know I’ll be gone for a short time.
“Yeah, kiddo. They’ll take care of you here and I’ll be back real soon, in less than a day. Maybe even real short, I’m just not sure.” I smooth down her long blonde hair and marvel at how tall they’re getting. She’s strong and wiry with an open, warm grin and a tough underlying sense of resilience. “You guys enjoy something a bit different. Maybe a tour of the space station or even the planet can be arranged?” I ask, eying B’esloor.
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“Kauran and I have some things to take care of, but yes that can be arranged,” he agrees. There are a few people wandering in and out of the large room setting up some notification screens, food, and equipment for a Portal that leads directly to a top class sparring facility… a special request from Logan, but Mille seems almost as interested as he is, even though her Class selection is still a couple of years away.
I decide to use a secure room on the space station instead of Portaling to one of the safe spaces I’ve set up on Earth, since this seems just as safe and I’ll be wrapped in a cocoon of protective energy during the transition.
When I’m settled, I call up the notification and mentally will the Evolution to begin. Golden light surrounds me and I feel wrapped in a super dense core of Mana that my new Affinity plugs into right away. I’m curious about the patterns of Mana that form the cocoon and get lost for a few minutes watching them closely. It’s like looking at a masterpiece I can’t really understand and can’t pull apart. It’s mesmerizing, but I don’t think at my current understanding of Mana through my Affinity I can learn anything meaningful so I pull myself out of it and focus on my Evolution.
Congratulations on achieving your Ascended Class!
Based on your progress and special achievements to date, the following four Classes are available for you to select from.
Note that this will be your final Class Evolution.
If you reach Level 30 as an Ascended Class, further XP gains will be converted over time into Ascension Points that you can use to upgrade Attributes and Skills.
I know from research and speaking with Taiwo that Ascended Class Levels require an order of magnitude more XP than Legendary Class Levels and that jumps again as each Tier is reached, then further again at Level 30. Even with my accelerated rate of XP gain and the fact I started at Mythic, my progress is going to slow down substantially.
Excited, I call up the notification outlining my potential Class choices. The first one is no surprise.
Ascended Class (Unique): Human Sentinel
Fortunate species have a champion who stands watch, protecting them from hostile forces and each other. The few Sentinels that exist in the Universe give even the most powerful organizations and individuals pause when considering hostile action.
Always on guard, the Sentinel will challenge all comers, prevent surprise attacks, and stand time after time to defend, protect, and advance humanity’s best interests.
The Sentinel becomes whoever they need to be to protect their species.
Class Attributes: +5 Mana, +5 Aura, +85 free Attributes per Level.
Attributes scale with AMLs.
Class Skill Branches: Combat / Protection / Judgement.
Evolution selection unlocked.
Class Quest completed through Title Grant - Savior of Earth.
I expected a continuation of what got me here and I’m not disappointed. Ascended Classes usually get up to 78 Attributes per Level, even at Enhanced, so this Class is clearly something special. I’ve never seen or heard anything like that small line in the description that you could almost miss, ‘Attributes scale with AMLs’. A small line with a potentially massive impact depending on the scaling factor. I focus on it, but there’s no additional information forthcoming. Given everything that’s happened so far, I feel a strong pull to select this and continue the mission that’s driven me to where I am today.
Ascended Class (Unique): Dark Mana Knight
Tempered through circumstances thought impossible, the Dark Mana Knight is a unique Class in the history of the Universe.
Class Attributes: +20 Mana, +30 Aura, +60 free Attributes per Level.
Further Saturated Mana Interface Evolutions and integrations are possible.
Effects related to Mana absorption, processing, and advancement doubled.
Multiple Skill and Affinity integrations with Dark Mana Knight Skills is highly probable.
Class Skill Branches: Combat / Dominion / Utility.
Dark Mana Knight Evolution selection unlocked.
Class Quest completed through Title Grant - Dark Mana Tempered.
This is a pretty significant departure from my path so far, but rejecting it out of hand seems premature. There’s no doubt that the SMI Evolutions and integrations I’ve been through, including the level of integration I’ve achieved with my Affinities, have boosted my power significantly.
Ascended Class (Enhanced): Galactic Enforcer
Roaming the Universe, Galactic Enforcers are feared and respected amongst all within the Sapient Species Alliance and many outside of it. Invested with the full power of the SSA behind them, Galactic Enforcers have limitless resources at their disposal and answer to no one.
Class Attributes: +5 Mana, +5 Aura, +10 Constitution, +10 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Luck, +10 Perception, +25 free Attributes per Level
Gain inherent Galactic Enforcer exclusive Class Skills: Quantum Pursuit Lock, Interstellar Command Network, Warden Protocol
Class Skill Branches: Combat / Protection / Investigation.
Evolution selection unlocked.
Class Quest completed through SSA Clearance 9 or above qualification.
No doubt a lot of people would give up a lot to get an Enhanced Ascended Class like this, but it’s not for me. My involvement as a High Enforcer and with the SSA is a byproduct of other things that I’ve done or tried to accomplish, rather than because it’s really where I want to focus. I can’t imagine that changing, despite how much Taiwo wants me to shift my views on it. On the other hand, the last one definitely sparks my interest.
Ascended Class (Unique): Human Combat Paragon
Fortunate species in the SSA have someone who embodies their fighting spirit and has the ability to emerge victorious from situations otherwise thought impossible. There can be no more than one Human Combat Paragon at any point in time and is the perfect example of humanity’s ability to produce a combat champion. The Paragon is the standard of excellence that all others aspire to.
Class Attributes: +5 Mana, +10 Aura, +15 Constitution, +10 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Charisma, +35 free Attributes per Level
Gain inherent Human Combat Paragon exclusive Class Skills: Adaptive Combat Mastery, Unyielding Resolve, Battlefield Instinct, Martial Focus
Class Skill Branches: Single Combat / Mass Combat / Resilience.
Evolution selection unlocked.
Class Quest completed through Koldaavi Combat Trial victory.
This Class sounds like an upgraded Sentinel, specializing in combat and with a more offensive leaning build, although it doesn’t have Attributes that scale with AMLs. I can already take a beating with the best of them and often find it’s my firepower that’s lacking, so maybe this is the best option.
Not for the first time, I wish there was more information available to guide me on these choices. I look over the options again a few times and consider how each of the Classes might grow, and what Skills they might have. How they might complement or synergize with what I already have.
I think about what I want to accomplish. What Class might have the most immediate punch and what might have a longer term advantage. Could they be the same Class? Can I have my cake and eat it too?
There’s some pressure to choose, but this is important so I take my time. This choice will be with me for the rest of my life.
Eventually, I’m ready. I’m fully committed, and I make my selection. Gold light and rushing Mana infuse me and lift me up, my whole body tingling. The Mana and my SMI pull me apart and then put me back together in a warm glow. I’m lost in it with absolutely no concept of time or reality.