Christo's Woe

Seeing the unmoving Jian, Drai asked Christo, "What happened to him?"

Smiling wryly, Christo replied, "I think he was shocked by your words. It's not really your fault. Prideful people tend to be more affected by others' words."

Christo then walked toward Jian and helped him up. It took a while for Jian to recover with a bit of help from Christo's tea.

"Drai, let Jian explain first. I'm afraid he won't be able to last if you keep mentally attacking him," Christo helplessly advised Drai.

Drai wanted to argue but seeing the now seemingly frail Jian, he just nodded.

Christo then gestured Jian to continue which he agreed reluctantly.

"So, like I said, my class is called Cultivation Prodigy," Jian said warily. "Cultivation here is a term from fictional eastern literature. Its essence is to cultivate oneself to transcend from being human, which is an act that defies the Heavens. Its end goal is to comprehend the Dao, and become an immortal."

Drai somehow got goosebumps upon hearing this. Recalling Christo's advice, he decided to silently listen instead of commenting.

"So what you're saying is your class and power originated from eastern fiction?" Christo asked.

"Yes. I was a fan of cultivation novels and often imagined myself wielding such powers. When I saw this class as an option during my Revelation, I was so happy that I instantly chose it without even considering the other options. It seemed reckless at that time, but since it got me admitted here, I guess it turned out to be a blessing," Jian explained.

"A side-effect of the class, as you have seen, is that my personality kind of warped into that of a stereotypical prodigy in such novels. I used to act like one before evolving, but now it feels natural as if this is what I've been like all along. I guess wielding such powers comes with its own downsides."

Finishing his explanation, Jian felt anxious. He knew most people viewed him as childish and weird. His overbearing disposition had helped him stay true to his class without heeding others' opinions. If his roommates also decided to ridicule him, he would still persevere. But it would spell a lengthy torment for Jian.

"That's pretty amazing, Jian." Christo said as his face lit up. "The supernatural powers given by the System can also be considered as something out of fiction, but your class proves that there's a certain possibility for humans to create a class template.

"By having a clear image of a fictional identity along with its powers and underlying mechanisms, one can evolve precisely as imagined. But of course one would need to have great interest in it, and this can't be forced as many studies have proven.

"But with deliberate exposures disguised as natural events, such interests may be artificially induced. What's left is the System's judgement regarding these kinds of machinations…" Christo muttered as he was deep in thought.

Listening to Christo, Jian was stunned.

'What is this guy? I thought that he might be repulsed by my class, but instead he was thinking of a breakthrough for humanity. Why isn't he in the Viridian Technocracy?' Jian perplexedly thought.

Then he looked at Drai, the person who worried him the most. It was Drai who had been actively commenting about him.

"So you aren't a farmer?" Drai asked.

"No. It's just the same word but with a different meaning," Jian patiently explained.

"I see. I guess I was wrong. I thought you were a cosplay class, but it looks like you're not actually acting and dressing up, since now you're basically that character, right?"

"I guess so," Jian replied.

"Well okay then. If you really can't help it, just do whatever, speak weirdly and whatnot. I'd also be uncomfortable if someone told me to stop being myself. But I might hit you if you cross my bottom line though. So just be careful."

Hearing this, Jian was slightly surprised.

"Truthfully, I think it's okay if I suppress my personality in front of you. There's actually this trope in cultivation novels where an arrogant prodigy would get his face slapped by the secretly overpowered main character before changing his attitude. I think my experience is rather similar to that. So I don't actually feel conflicted, and I've promised to do so anyway," Jian said sincerely.

"Then it's all good," Drai replied as he smiled. Now he wouldn't have to think hard whenever Jian talked.

Jian felt relieved, as his roommates didn't react negatively to his class. He also finally realized that Drai wasn't making fun of him with his comments. He was just being too honest with his thoughts!

"I guess that's it for Jian. Now it's my turn," Christo said.

Drai and Jian turned to Christo as they listened curiously.

"So, my class is called Pathfinder. It's based on my greatest interest which is adventuring," Christo started to explain.

"In terms of raw power, my class probably doesn't compare to both of yours. And most of my skills were chosen based on their utility for adventuring. So, please be gentle with me," Christo said as he winked.

Drai and Jian both scratched their heads in embarrassment. They felt that Christo had already marked them as brutes.

"I guess that's it. There's not much to say about my class. It's not very useful inside the academy. But if we happen to travel outside, especially in the wilderness, then you'll be grateful for having me in the party," Christo said confidently.

"In cultivation novels, cultivators would often explore some ancient ruins or hidden realms, hoping to find treasures like pills, secret arts, weapons or artifacts, and even inheritances. You would probably love it there," Jian mentioned.

"I wish Gaia were that magical. Unfortunately, our supernatural era has only spanned around 500 years. There are hardly any ancient ruins here, and they're mostly filled with mundane items and human remains," Christo lamented.

"So if Gaia's so poor, where do you plan to go adventuring?" Drai asked.

Hearing this, Christo laughed in amusement. "Drai, I didn't say we're poor. I just said that we aren't as magical as a fictional world. There are still many things to discover other than ancient ruins, such as abandoned research labs and ruins of the old nations and kingdoms.

"There are also unexplored regions that are too dangerous even for evolvers. And even in the seemingly tame wilderness, there might be valuable minerals and plants unknown to us!" Christo excitedly explained.

"Hearing you talk about it makes me want to go on an adventure too," Jian said. "My powers are meant for fighting but there's not much fighting going on in our nation other than in the battle arenas. It's good and all, but what I want is a fight for survival where living or dying can be decided in a split second!" Jian declared spiritedly.

"You can just fight Drai if you want to die that badly," Christo said.

"Cough, cough! Ahem, anyway... what I wanted to say is that a lot of power-based evolvers are wasting away in these peaceful times. Imagine if we were currently in the Century of Chaos. Every day would be so exhilarating and our lives would be significantly more meaningful! We would be toppling nations while erecting new ones!" Jian proclaimed with a raised fist, showing his fighting spirit.

"Jian… Only those who've never seen war yearn for war," Christo sternly said. His smile was nowhere to be found, replaced by a hardened face with a pair of cold eyes.

Drai and Jian was surprised by the change in Christo's demeanor. They didn't think that he would be able to make such an expression.

"I'm sorry if I offended you, Christo. That wasn't my intention," Jian said apologetically, worried that he somehow had struck a nerve.

Realizing that the other two were looking concerned, Christo's face softened. Then he went back to his previously smiling face, albeit looking a bit forced.

"Don't worry, you're not at fault. I was just reminded of something personal."

Jian felt that Christo wasn't being completely honest, but he decided to leave it at that. Everybody has their own secrets and Jian wasn't someone who liked to probe.

However, Drai didn't share the same sentiment, as such thoughts simply never occurred to him.

"Do you hate war, Christo?" Drai innocently asked.

'This guy is so dense! He can't even read the atmosphere!' Jian thought in disbelief.

Looking at Drai's eyes filled with childlike curiosity, Christo hesitated. He knew Drai wasn't one to read between the lines, so he could only say things bluntly.

Finally, Christo replied, "Yes, Drai. I abhor war."

Drai nodded and said, "I thought so. You looked very angry. What made you hate war that much?"

Christo contemplated briefly before answering, "War is hell, Drai. We're lucky that we live in such peaceful times that we are able to glorify war," Christo said as he glanced toward Jian who was feeling awkward.

"I don't blame Jian for thinking that way. War has always been a topic of interest among the populace. And many cultures glorify war to a certain extent through various means.

"The most decorated veterans are viewed as heroes. Movies and literature often depict war in such a way, omitting the atrocities while highlighting the spirit and glory, that people have been looking at it through rose-tinted glasses. 

"Don't get me wrong. I know that certain situations may necessitate war. If necessary, I would also participate in a war willingly.

"I don't condemn war in general, Drai. But I hope that you don't see war as something noble. It is but a means to an end, and a very vile one. War has always been hell. Sadly, the dead do not speak."

Concluding his words, Christo's eyes closed as flashes of memories filled his mind, memories he wished would be forgotten.