Getting Ranked

'Tomorrow, I finally unlock the system!'

Kyle was walking back home, thinking of the next day and all of its implications.

'But, I do hope I get a combat class. Or maybe a support one! But I really don't want an auxiliary one...'

Combat class and support class users were those that fought directly in the battlefield, either through direct combat or by helping in combat, such as by providing buffs or healing. However, auxiliary class users were those that essentially became the new workers. They were the people that could create items, including blacksmiths, alchemists, and even certain types of magic classes. They worked away from the front lines and dungeons, creating weapons and items for use by the others.

Kyle reached his house, grabbing a can of soda and downing it in a few seconds. He lazed around watching T.V., and doing a bit more research or playing games. As he watched the clock tick down, he realized that maybe he could just wait until 12. He wouldn't need to sleep just yet. Then again, that would ruin the surprise. So, he slept. And in the morning, a message greeted him.

[Welcome user Kyle Smith. To open your status, simply state 'status' in your thoughts or out loud.]

'Status!'

[Opening Status...]

[Name: Kyle Smith

Class: Holy Puppeteer (Support)

Health: 60/60

Mana: 110/110

Level: 1

Strength: 7

Vitality: 6

Agility: 7

Intelligence: 11

Perception: 8

Active Skills: Heal, Summon Golem

Passive Skills: None]

After he said the word in his head, a small panel full of information appeared in front of him. This panel was currently visible to no one but him. In his excitement, Kyle began to speak out loud.

"Yes! An elemental puppeteer - and a light element at that!"

Kyle was very excited. His pretty rare class more or less guaranteed that he would get a nice position n a medium sized guild, but his abilities were practically everything he wanted. His summons meant he could still partake in the battle, earning him some nice EXP, and he could stay back to heal the injured without worry.

'Oh right, I should head to an assessment center to register and find out my potential.'

Kyle quickly took a shower and got dressed. When he looked at the time, he found it was 10:00.

'Let's see, the nearest center is fifteen minutes away by car. I better hurry, the faster I get registered, the faster I can quit my job and head to a guild! Hopefully I get a C rank, maybe even C+?'

As he got into his car, he fantasized about what his rank might be, and how much better his life is gonna be without having to work in the factory. Driving by, he quickly realized something was wrong as his phones issued an alert.

'What? There's been a dungeon break at the Maybrick Library? That's just up ahead...'

As he drove a little farther, he found that an area around the library was quarantined. outside it, he could see several people lying down on the ground. There were a few priests, but it seemed they all only had minor heal. Kyle was conflicted for only a few seconds before he quickly parked nearby and got out of the car. As he headed over to the area, a police officer stopped him.

"Sir, this is a restricted area. If you could please leave-"

"I have the skill Heal. Would it be okay for me to help out?"

At that, the officer looked stunned, then hesitated a bit.

"Do you have your license?"

"Ah, no, I got my ability today. But if you'd like, I can give you a demonstration."

The officer had a cut on his leg, likely from an earlier fight with monsters.

"Heal."

[Skill "Heal" is being used. Mana 100/110]

A small panel showed up in Kyle's vision, but he concentrated on the skill. Back when he thought the word 'Status,' a ton of information rushed into his mind. After sorting through it on the way, he realized they were about how to activate his skills. It was almost like instinct. The officer watched on as his cut was healed almost instantly.

"Alright then, thank you. I'll take you to the priests that are over there. Please, help them out as much as you can."

"Yes, of course."

Kyle smiled at the officer. He could tell that the officer was genuinely concerned about the civilians, and that made Kyle glad that there were people like that. As he made his way over to the injured people, one of the priests saw him and realized he must be help.

"Excuse me sir, but do you happen to have the skill Heal?"

This took Kyle by surprise, but remembering his research, he realized this must mean that there was a patient that couldn't be healed by the skill Minor Heal. Due to that, he put on a grave face.

"Yes, I do. Is someone in critical condition?"

The priest looked relieved.

"Yes, the patient is losing blood quickly and has gone under 10 percent. Had it not been for you, he might have - no, never mind. We should get over there quickly."

The priest led Kyle to a man that looked horrible. Cuts all over his body, and blood pooled around him. From the equipment, he looked to be a combat class user - most likely a swordsman. Kyle quickly got to work.

"Heal."

Kyle's eyes glowed with a soft, yellowish light.

[Skill "Heal" is being used. Mana 71/110]

The wounds on the man's body slowly disappeared. Kyle's eyes returned to normal, and he was panting slightly. Looking at the panel in midair, he realized that he had already regenerated one mana. And, just as he saw on his research, Heal varied in mana cost depending on the wounds of the target.

[Level up from 1 > 2. Consult Status for further info.]

Kyle's eyes widened slightly. He'd managed to level up? However, for now, he didn't think much of it, as he continued to heal other patients while two priests took over the swordsman. Soon, people from the Panther Guild took over the healing and the patients were quickly brought back to full health. As Kyle was leaving, he saw someone come up to him. Realizing it was the swordsman that he healed, he stopped to see what he was going to say.

"Hey, kid! Thanks for the healing, I thought I was a goner! I'm Jay Silvanis."

At the mention of his name, Kyle's eyes widened. Jay Silvanis was well known around here. Although he was a swordsman, his rank of A+ was well known, to say the least. However, he was also leader of the Panther Guild's A team, known as the Beastkin. This was because Jay could transform into a monster for a short period of time, hence the name of his team. Furthermore, Jay's brother, Blake Silvanis, was an SS rank user, with the title of "Druid King." He held a large control over beasts and nature itself, and had a similar skill to Jay, though he transformed into a much more fearsome beast: a dragon. For these two reasons, there was practically no one who wouldn't know of Jay, at least in this area.

However, Kyle realized that Jay didn't seem happy, even though he wore a smile on his face.

"You know, you don't have to force yourself to smile."

One thing Kyle couldn't stand was someone who was being fake. He knew what is was like to hide behind a mask, pretending that you're fine when you really aren't. And ever since his father was betrayed and nearly killed by someone who acted like they were a good person, he hated this behavior. As such, he said these words without really thinking. Jay's eyes widened, but then he stopped smiling. But just as quickly, he started again. The only difference was this time his eyes were watering and the sadness was clear.

"I can't. That isn't what they would want..."

Kyle quickly realized what he meant. He saw none of the other team member which could only mean... they were wiped out. Since his monster form was powerful, then that could explain why Jay survived, but the others don't have that kind of defense or power. Kyle, unsure of what to do and feeling slightly embarrassed at what he said, left after saying one thing.

"I'm sure they would want you to be true to yourself, not hide behind a mask."

Although it seemed amazing to Jay, for Kyle, he felt even more embarrassed after saying something like that. Especially with how he walked away, it made it seem like he was deliberately trying to be cool.

'Whatever, I'm at the assessment center now, I should worry about this.'

As Kyle got out of the car and saw how many people were getting C and above ranks, he became less nervous.

'Yea, I should at least get C, right?'

Then, he remembered the level up from before. He quickly checked his status.

[Opening Status...]

[Name: Kyle Smith

Class: Holy Puppeteer (Support)

Health: 70/70

Mana: 120/120

Level: 2

Strength: 8

Vitality: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 12

Perception: 9

Active Skills: Heal, Summon Golem

Passive Skills: None]

Looking at his status, he wasn't surprised.

'Well, at least I know it's not A- or beyond...'

Ranks A- and beyond all give bonuses superior to those of B+ and below, however they have an added benefit. When leveling up, you normally get only one point in every stat. Certain quests can give rewards that increase one or more of the stats independently of level ups, but those are usually quite rare. There are also certain pieces of equipment that can give stat bonuses, and they are less rare than the quest rewards, but those require you to have the gear on. Thus, whenever you take the gear off, you are still quite vulnerable. However, ranks A- and beyond all gain extra stat points per level up. A- up to A+ doubles the points given, while S and beyond give triple. As such, in the higher ranks, there is a big disparity between them. At the same time, it means that those with higher ranks grow much faster than the other ranks below them.

"Kyle Smith! Your up!"

Kyle, hearing his name, quickly go up and headed over to the hallway where the lady was waiting. She led him to a room, inside of which a large ball seemingly made of crystal was placed on a desk. Kyle thought he saw a faint glow, but it was hard to tell as, if there was a faint glow, it was almost non existent. The lady that led him here closed the door and sat on the desk with the crystal ball.

"Go ahead and place your hand on the ball. Depending on the assessment, a value will be assigned and you rank will be given from there."

Kyle had heard all about this. Values 1-30 were F rank, and you would get assigned either a - or a + depending on if you were lower in value or higher in value. That means someone at 30 value would get a rank of F+, right on the cusp of E- rank. Values 31-60 were E rank, 61-90 were D rank, and so on. A value of 181 would be a rank of S-, the bottom tier of S ranks, but an S rank nonetheless. Kyle placed his hand on the ball and waited for the lady's answer. Her eye's opened but quickly returned to normal.

"Your value is 145, a B+ rank."

Kyle was stunned, and then filled with joy. He was smiling as he was led outside. A rank of B+, and only 6 points away from the rank of A-, was very good. Now, he was sure he would get a good position in a guild. Furthermore, as long as he saved up $1,000,000, he would be able to get a potential enhancing potion, which would allow him to go up to the A- rank, possibly even A rank.

As he was headed home, he didn't know that someone was already accessing his files to recruit him.