Team EXAD

Took a magic train to the Association and was there before I knew it—went in and while it was full of Players, there was only like a quarter of people compared to the Evaluation Center. Went up to the counter and the lady greeted me, "Welcome—could I see your note please?"

I handed over my note to her and she put it on a purple orb that began glowing upon contact with my note—I'm guessing she's getting information about me that way? Did they imprint my information to the note using magic? "Sir Dantes, please take a seat anywhere you'd like to. In roughly ten to fifteen minutes, you'll be called in to get assigned with a team," I replied, "understood—thank you."

I'm the lowest Level… I'm going to work with a team? Fucking bullshit.

Impatiently tapped my feet on the floor and waited. Hated this situation—I knew I'd work with people, but didn't think I'd be assigned with a long-term team—or I guess I'm only assuming it's going to be that.

Then finally a man dressed in all black came up to me; he had a rather care-free and confident vibe to him; his aura was also especially different from that of normal people you'd commonly see on the streets. "Hi Dantes, I'm Arial—nice to meet you!"

I liked him already. "Nice to meet you, Arial," the man then commented, "interesting aura you got going on. Anyhow, let's move!" This rubbed me the wrong way, but I understood that I had a pathetic evaluation—my aura was probably off the charts in terms of being shit.

Followed him to a room and as soon as I entered it, noticed two others looking at me—a boy and a girl. "Take a seat, Dantes," I sat down next to the two and then Arial went in front of us. "So, as you already know, I'm Arial—a high ELO player that is assigned as your Team Leader—pleasure working with you, kids!"

Then held up a badge that began displaying his information holographically:

Arial Grimmer

Level 8 with 806 ELO

Rated 76 in the Im City

Status: Gold

Missions completed:

109D

117D+

98C-

54C

2C+

7B

6B+

15A-

14A

3A+

1S-

0S

0S+

0SS

0U

0X

Damn… He's done so many missions… he's genuinely experienced; this is what my goal is. I wonder what System he has… or what's it even like.

"You'll also be getting these badges soon—you're starting at the bottom, but I'll take you to the top! So, to start… introduce yourselves in the arrival order—first to last!"

Glanced at them… I'm last I guess, huh…

Felt a little awkward—my confidence was in shambles because of my Level. 

First was a tanned guy that looked straight out of a fantasy book; wouldn't call him handsome but most girls would definitely consider him that. "Errr… I'm Xter. Uhh… I'm level 5 and I have the 'S' System. Pleasure working with you."

To no one's surprise, everyone was surprised!! He has an 'S' System?! As a Level 5?!

The girl and I did have a lot of impact written on our faces, but only Arial said anything. "That's impressive, Xter—not only is your Level impressive, you have one of the highest-tier Systems in the whole Im city; in fact, I have the 'A' System, which is lower than yours."

And he doesn't even appear condescending… I'm dumb.

Next went the girl—she's rather pretty—an asian girl with a cute face. "Hi, my name is Ella! I'm 18 and my Level is 4 with 497 ELO! My System is 'B+'! Looking forward to working with all of you!" Afterwards, she warmly smiled and sat down; she really is quite adorable; she didn't speak until now, but she also has a really nice soothing voice.

It's humiliating though… I'm Level 1… and my ELO is at the bottom… I feel so nervous that I don't even want to introduce myself.

Well… I can't keep them waiting… here goes nothing…

"I'm Dantes W. Reaper, I'm only Level 1 but I plan to climb up, so don't go easy on me! Pleasure!"

Sat down but then… "And your system?" I… deliberately left it out… however… I had no choice but to reply here… "I… uhhh… didn't get it yet."

Arial just moved his head in "ohh…" but I could see a mild spile pop up on Xter's face—not surprising, he's the highest Level here apart from our Leader.

"Well, that sums up the introductions! Since all of you showed up to the Association, I suppose all of you are ready and excited to become Players?" We tilted our heads in affirmation. "I'll be taking you on a training program while we take on some low-rank missions together—they'll be overly easy for the purpose of me educating you more about your Systems, Association System, Abilities, and so on! Then once you get the hang of it, we'll take on some C- and even C missions. Is everything clear?"

"Yes, sir." "Pleasure." "Got it!"

"Well then, in that case, hold up your notes and I'll emby them with my magic—I'll turn them into badges that'll display your information."

I was the first one to have my note turned into a badge… I held up my note and then Arial put his hand on it, closed his eyes, and the note started glowing—suddenly it transformed to a badge that began holographically displaying my information. 

Dantes W. Reaper

Level 1 with 2 ELO

Rated 98807 in the Im City

Status: Bronze

Missions completed:

0D

0D+

0C-

0C

0C+

0B

0B+

0A-

0A

0A+

0S-

0S

0S+

0SS

0U

0X

Additionally, a new window popped up…

[SYSTEM STATS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE]

I guess it's because I didn't get my system yet? I'll get it soon enough…

Before others had their notes turned into badges, Xter glanced at me in slight arrogance and surprise. "You have something to say, Xter?" I said in a disappointed tone. I guess my Level combined with my ELO is rather unprecedented; it's not surprising that he's acting this way but nonetheless it's humiliating for it to be this way.

Ella Reyes

Level 4 with 497 ELO

Rated 3576 in the Im City

Status: Bronze

Missions completed:

0D

0D+

0C-

0C

0C+

0B

0B+

0A-

0A

0A+

0S-

0S

0S+

0SS

0U

0X

B+ System

MANA: 387

STRENGTH: 2

DEFENSE: 16

AGILITY: 11

INTELLIGENCE: 6

On the other hand, Xter just had to compliment her… "Oh wow, Ella, your MANA is unbelievably impressive… that's really high for a Level 4 or even a Level 5 or 6."

She gently giggled and then, with a smile, "Thank you! I had no idea it would be this high… but I guess my stats are tailored towards Healers, aren't they?" She had mild disappointment in her voice; Arial cut it off: "Not necessarily, Ella, high MANA can be useful for many things—sure a Healer is one, but most Mages in general are the ones with highest MANA quantities—your stats are great!"

And then… Xter's badge showed up…

Xter X. Dominico

Level 5 with 522 ELO

Rated 3261 in the Im City

Status: Silver

Missions completed:

3D

2D+

9C-

0C

1C+

0B

0B+

0A-

0A

0A+

0S-

0S

0S+

0SS

0U

0X

S System

MANA: 59

STRENGTH: 84

DEFENSE: 11

AGILITY: 109

INTELLIGENCE: 19

Ella and I were surprised to see that Xter already had missions completed, but Arial wasn't—I was prompted to voice something about it regardless, "how come you already have completed missions?"

He looked away, "you know what the name of this city stands for, right?"

"Huh… errr… ooh… Im City is… Immigrant City, right. Then I guess you did some missions in your homeplace?" So, do other places use the same grading systems for missions?

No answer.

Truly had an interesting mix of people here…

"Well anyhow, guys… from today on, we're Team EXAD—E standing for Ella, X for Xter, A for me, Arial, and D for Dantes—we'll be starting tomorrow!"