Arrival [4/last]

[14th Everdusk 2103]

While everyone was busy discussing typical teenage plans for after class, Evan observed them with curiosity. Just days ago, he was in his own world, attending his classes, and now he found himself in this new world, in this new class.

In his world, students would talk about games and magazines, but here, they discussed their aspirations for after class. Evan overheard a student who was so invested in the conversation that he spoke of defeating the bullies who had tormented him for years if he could just level up and get a good class.

Evan was intrigued by their ambitions, yet he was aware of the harsh reality: the success rate for awakening a combat class was a mere fifteen percent. Support and auxiliary classes had a slightly better chance at twenty-five percent each, while the rate for those who remained non-awakened was a significant thirty-five percent.

Despite the odds, everyone held onto hope. For Evan, becoming a hunter was almost a certainty. If he didn't awaken to a combat class and received another, he could still forge a hunter's license using his other classes and join raids. However, if he did awaken to a combat class, it would be like stumbling upon a bundle of notes on the roadside or winning the lottery, eliminating the need for any deception.

He was deep in thought when the classroom door swung open, and a man in his early forties entered with an angry expression.

All the students quickly took their seats, sensing from his demeanor that Mr. Helen was not in a good mood.

"Listen up, students. As you all know, today marks your final day of school, after which you'll be thrust into the vast arena of society where your class will define your future roles. Some of you may become hunters, other supporters, and some may even work for large companies, manufacturing items for hunters. Those who do not awaken a class will become supporting members of society, enhancing it for future generations," he announced, pausing to gauge their reactions before continuing.

"I'm not saying that those who haven't awakened a class for combat or other tasks won't be able to live or thrive in this society. In fact, you may live even more fulfilling lives than the hunters and supporters, as no one knows when a hunter's time might come. So don't be disheartened; move forward and strive to be great individuals who will contribute to our country and humanity," Mr. Helen encouraged, noticing the spark of motivation in the students' eyes.

"Alright, let's not get restless. Please wait patiently until we begin calling you up for the official ceremony," he instructed, observing the buzz of whispered conversations before exiting the classroom, leaving behind a trail of murmurs and gossip.

'Hush... This teacher is exceptionally skilled at motivating students; perhaps he has a skill for it, as even I felt a bit inspired,' Evan mused, recalling that this schoolteacher did hold classes, though they were not as advanced as those in larger schools where high-quality teaching was necessary, and the salaries were too attractive to ignore.

He was just sitting when an interesting topic caught his attention.

"Do you know why Mr. Helen was angry when he entered the classroom?" asked one student, seated in the left rows near Evan, to his friend in front of him.

"Ah, aren't you aware? The competition among teachers from different sections is an annual event," he replied, turning around to explain further.

"You see, every year, as the awakening begins in the final years, teachers from different sections vie to see which class has the most awakenings. The winner receives twenty percent of the other teachers' salaries for the next two months," he elaborated, and with that, the situation became clear to his friend.

{Evan's POV}

The story ignited something within me, reminiscent of novels or manga from his previous world, which might differ from his reality. Perhaps he could locate those fated ones who were sent here by other gods.

"Hi brother, could you tell me the name of the top student in our batch?" I inquired, surprising him and his friend.

"Hey bro, did he just really ask us something?" He questioned his friend, who nodded in agreement.

"Am I not able to speak, or am I a zombie who can't talk? Why are you both so stunned? Please, tell me his name, brothers," I requested, to which he nodded and informed me, perhaps indicating the right path I was now taking.

"The name is Lucas Bennett, and he ranks first in all the classes we attend," he revealed. This name rang a bell; in my previous life, it was well-known. When I arrived in this world, he was considered a pillar of humanity, capable of liberating us from the cage-like existence of these territories. Unfortunately, he passed away before I had the chance to meet him. I learned of his demise a year after his arrival, which means two years from now. Thankfully, I found him here, not yet empowered.

This individual could be eliminated before reaching a rank where defeat is not an option, as many things can happen with early arrivals.

Yet, I was not one to seek the spotlight, being cautious by nature and aware that attracting attention can be perilous.

Still, it's uncertain whether this person and Lucas are the same or not, as the latter is said to be an SSS-rank Dragon magic type mage. And I only know that his name was Lucas and nothing else about it. Without proper information, I cannot justifiably eliminate someone who poses no threat, but if he is indeed the same individual, then he will surely remove the threat before it becomes troublesome. 

These thoughts occupied my mind when Teacher Helen approached and instructed us to proceed to the auditorium for the awakening ceremony.

Following my class, I noticed two other classes had already arrived with their teachers, and we were the third, possibly being called in by section.

I took my place in line and observed many other students entering through the gates.

While standing there, I decided to look for Lucas, but as I glanced towards the second section, Teacher Helen, now with other teachers, noticed and instructed me to stand correctly, hinting that a chief guest might be arriving soon.

{POV End}

"So, Mr. Helen, do you think you can win this year's competition?" asked Cedric, the teacher from section-1.

"Perhaps, sir. Today might be the day some brilliant stars emerge from my class, I believe," replied Helen, glancing at the other three teachers beside him: Tessa, Marlo, and Vaedin.

"Miss Tess, today might be your day to shine since the two brightest stars of the batch are in your section," suggested Marlo from the fourth section.

"Oh no, it's not like that, sir. We shouldn't encourage such talk among the students about our betting," Tess from the second section interjected, aware that everyone knew about it yet they still participated every year for the extra money.

"Oh, come on, Miss tess, can't you just relax and earn some free cash?" Vaedin chimed in, having just organized his class.

"But..." Tess began to protest but was interrupted as two figures emerged from the auditorium gates.

"Students, please be silent as the principal and the guest have arrived," announced Helen, as everyone's attention turned to the guests, and they were shocked to see the man accompanying Principal Miriam Westfield.

The man was clad in a robe, holding a large book, appearing to be in his mid-fifties, though his exact age was unknown due to their significantly longer lifespan than normal humans.

"Hello students and fellow teachers, we are gathered here for the tenth awakening of our school, and today I have invited a guest to oversee it. Meet Master Darian Stroud, a second-tier magic formation master working with the CGA. We have gone to great lengths to invite him, so please pay close attention and heed his words, as advice from a seasoned hunter is invaluable to you all," Miriam addressed the crowd before allowing Darian to take over.

"Hello, students. I hope you are all prepared for the awakening and that you achieve the class you desire. Summon your will and seize the destiny that awaits you," Darian said as he nodded, took a few steps back, and opened his book, which likely contained various mana formation structures.

He began to chant the incantations written within, and the book started to glow, floating before him as a magical formation began to materialize in the air.

To the ordinary children who had never witnessed magic, this spectacle was nothing short of majestic. However, Evan was different; he understood the capabilities of a formation master and knew that this display was modest compared to their true power, which could annihilate an entire town or even erase a city from existence, given the immense strength of a second-tier combat class. Evan, being a support class, recognized that Darian must be using a grimoire acquired through his diligent efforts in the nexus, employing his skills in formation visualization.

As the ritual concluded, a crystal ball materialized above the formation, which then descended to the ground, solidifying from illusion to reality.

With Darian's careful guidance, the setup was complete, and the students were permitted to use it, with those from section-1 approaching one by one.

-- To be continued --

Let me know if you enjoyed it. If you did, then join me in this adventure, and if not, keep reading; perhaps you'll grow to like it in time.