Upon hearing this, the crowd instinctively stepped back,widening the space the area around the crystal, until only the children remained within its glow. A slightly chubby child hesitated before asking , " Will our entire status window be visible to everyone when we awaken our class?".The old man turned to him with a calm expression and replied, "No, only the name of your class will be displayed. You can check your stats on your own afterward".
The first to step forward was the same youth, though hesitation weighed on his movements, and nervousness was clear on his face. He glanced at the man in black robes,who offered him an encouraging nod and said, " Dont worry. Just place your hand on the crystal and feel the energy flowing through your body ". The boy obeyed, pressing his hand against the towering violet crystal and closing his eyes. Moments passed–two steady breaths–before, suddenly, a window materialized before him.
[Awakening Successful...]
[Class: Chef]
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Tears welled up in the boy's eyes as he stared at the glowing window. His breath hitched, and in a voice thick with emotion, he exclaimed, "My father....he was chef too. Now, I can walk in his steps".
He stepped away from the crystal and took his place at the side.
The ceremony pressed forward, more youths approaching the crystal, each revealing their destiny one by one. Then finally, it was the mayor's son's turn.
He strode forward with unmistakable confidence, chin lifted high, his movements filled with the arrogance of certainity. As he placed his hand on the crystal, an intense red light erupted from its core,blindingly bright. Gasps filled the air as the crowd instinctively shielded their eyes. When the glow finally dimmed, their gazes snapped back to the scene–only to find the old man standing frozen, his eyes wide with shock, staring at the flickering words before the boy.
[Class:Infernal Knight]
With mild shock, he shook his head before turning to face the boy. His voice carried both intrigue and admiration as he said , " when I arrived here, I never expected to find someone with the Infernal Knight class. Well you might be in luck. I know someone–a peak master at the third evolution–who has been searching for one final disciple. He resides in the Blazewind Expanse and shares your class. If he takes a liking to you, he may choose to take you under his wing."
Leon smiled at this and said " Then I'll have to thank you in advance. I'd also like to invite you to our mansion for dinner tonight–my father would be delighted to meet you."senior, and would also like to invite you to our mansion for dinner tonight".The man laughed, nodding slightly before turning back to the ceremony. His voice carried across the crowd as he called for the final person to step forward.
As James began walking towards the crystal, Leon's voice rang out, laced with sarcasm. " Senior, let's not waste anymore time. He's just a commoner–he won't awaken anything worthwhile. We might as well head to the mansion and meet my father instead."
James swallowed hard, ignoring Leon's words as they echoed around him. He wasn't rich, powerful, or born into privilege–but that didn't mean he was worthless. Then, a familiar voice surfaced in his memory–gentle yet firm. The old caretaker had told him this many times before:
"Strength isn't in titles or status–it's in perseverance. No matter what the world says, as long as you keep moving forward, no one can decide your worth but you."
The words settled deep in his heart, steadying his breath. He wasn't a warrior yet, but he knew one thing for sure–he would fight for his own path, no matter what class he might have.
James said nothing. He didn't glare, didn't give Leon the satisfaction of knowing whether the words had affected him. Instead, he simply stepped forward, his focus locked onto the crystal.
Let them think what they want. He would prove himself –not through arguments, but through action.
With steady hands, he reached out, pressing his palm against the violet crystal. The cool surface pulsed beneath his fingertips, and for a brief moment, everything else faded–the murmuring crowd, the sneering remarks, the weight of doubt. Then, the air around him shifted.
A glow, faint at first, then building, swirling within the crystal's depths like embers stirring to life. The crowd hushed, their skepticism momentarily forgotten as they watched the phenomenon unfold.
The towering crystal pulsed once more, then–a golden light erupted, flooding the space with its brilliance.
The sheer intensity of the glow caught everyone off guard. Gasps filled the air as the golden radiance reflected off wide–eyed faces, painting the surroundings in shimmering warmth. This was no ordinary awakening.
Then the text appeared–sharp, distinct, carrying weight beyond its simple words.
[Class: Arcane Ranger]
The old man took a slow step forward, his gaze locked onto the glowing words."A hybrid class", he murmured, his voice carrying both intrigue and admiration. "One that merges the precision of an archer with the mystical prowess of a Rumemaster. Rare but undeniably formidable."
James stared at the golden glow surrounding him, his heart beat steadying. Weak at first–but as he grew stronger, so would his abilities. He would wield magic and marksmanship alike, combining the two into something greater. A path unlike any other.
Leon's smirk faltered.
The golden glow surrounding james cast long shadows, illuminating the awe in the eyes of the gathered crowd. Leon clenched his fists.
He stolen the limelight–the moment that was supposed to belong to him. The son of the mayor. The one destined for greatness. Yet here James stood, bathed in the brilliant radiance of the crystal, with a class far rarer than most. A class with undeniable potential.
Leon forced a chuckle, though it rang hollow. Even if it looks flashy what use is it? The strength of a class is measured in battle, not in spectacle."
But as the old man stepped forward, his expression unreadable, Leon felt a flicker of unease. There was something about the way he regarded James–it felt like he was looking at someone...unique.