The Class Showcase

Stark woke up in the morning feeling refreshed, he just had gotten the best night of sleep ever, even in his previous life he couldn't sleep much because of work, but everything in here seemed fine.

Except for the fact 5 seconds later he remembered that today was the 'big' day.

Not only was it his graduation ceremony from 'Lotus' Academy, but this also meant he would have to participate in this 'Class Showcase' event to continue his life in this world.

He had absolutely no way of knowing what could happen there except for the book he had read two days ago, but he had the overall gist of it.

He took a shower, ate some food he had bought from a convenience store nearby, then left, yet again with the same school uniform.

Once outside, he remarked that many people weren't wearing his school uniform, instead opting for armors and clothes with powerful materials (at least for their levels), they also didn't have their usual backpacks, instead they were carrying ones filled with items, and also had their weapons in hand, showing them to others.

Some had small animals/creatures on their shoulders (beast tamer), while others had a wooden cross in hand (exorcist).

Stark on the other hand had nothing, his only weapon were his fist, and he would make sure to beat up everything in his way, he was especially angry after yesterday since most people didn't even consider his performance yesterday as legit.

***

Once in front of the school gates, he saw text written on the giant screen at the top of the academy.

[Head to the gymnasium if you are a third year]

Following the crowd of people, he found himself in front of the giant building, many teachers beside the doors to welcome the students.

There were at least three hundred people inside the gymnasium, all third years who would participate in the 'Class Showcase' and hopefully become stronger.

And after a few minutes inside, minutes where the atmosphere was filled with talking and flexing, the doors of the gymnasium closed, and all the lights went off.

Suddenly, everything became silent as all the students were looking at the stage that had been set.

The 'Class Showcase' wasn't the only interesting part about this whole ordeal, it was also the fact that the group 'Golden Dragons' would be the ones to explain the event and bring them there.

Golden Dragons are a mercenary group specialized in the development of the youth, with the sole goal of making the new classifiers stronger and increasing their chances of survival in the 'rifts'.

Obviously, all their members were extremely powerful and famous, many of them envied by many.

'…' Stark stared at stage with a blank expression, and a few seconds later…

~FLASH~

Five golden pillars of light appeared on it, and what came out of them were three men and two women, each with their respective outfits and weapons in hand, all looking powerful.

"Oh my god!"

"Is that Yuli, the heart master?"

"And that's Alex, the ice magus!"

While most people were amazed by their sudden appearance, the one in the middle, a man in his mid-forties with short white-hair as well as a monocle cleared his throat, resulting in the entire gymnasium to go silent.

"Today is a big day for all of you, it is the start of your lives as classifiers," he began his speech, his voice filled with authority, "I know many have only been dreaming of this moment all this time, but do not forget that fighting is not a game, and that you will truly be risking your lives today."

Next to him, a woman with long blue hair and magnificent ocean-colored eyes stared at the students, a staff in her hand, "The rift you will be going to today, as most of you know, is a beginner level one called 'City Ruins', the recommended level is 5 to 15, so it is advised to be within that range, but i'm sure most of you already are!"

"Wait a damn second," Stark stopped for a few seconds to check his status.

[Level:] 2

'…' he shrugged, 'Oh well…'

"You, as well as many other recognized middle schools from Fellarburg will be participating in this event, as you may all know, the best performing people will probably have all eyes on them, so I advise you to try your best, while also making sure not to die, there is no second life after all," the man in the middle continued, a bittersweet smile on his face, a sign that he had seen hundreds of people die already in front of him.

Through the books he had read, Stark realized that there wasn't just one academy in Fellarburg, instead there were dozens of them, each of them specialized in their own classes or future professions.

Meaning that most of the population that wanted to improve their skills without going to an academy would need to move away, be scouted by a powerful teacher/guild, or just keep going solo/creating a party.

And so just like that, the Golden Dragons' speech ended.

Following that, the students inside the gymnasium were guided toward several buses that were set outside the school to guide them toward the first rift.

Rifts in this world are basically like dungeons where monsters and items spawn, they are a portal to other worlds, and each of the recognized ones are classed by level and difficulty.

There are seven difficulties: Beginner, Novice, Advanced, Hell, Nightmare, Determination, Death.

Thankfully enough, the first one was only a beginner level with a 5-15 level requirement.

But this didn't mean this was easy, far from that, it was only the first one they would need to go through, and even then, many will succumb to the monsters.

Without delay, all students boarded a bus heading towards Leforia, which is located southeast to Fellarburg.

As they drew closer to Leforia, all the students inside the vehicles felt a surge of excitement, and even Stark wasn't spared from that.

For many, it was the first time they were going to get first-hand experience in combat as most only got to their levels using their wealth.

'Pay to win bullshit…' Stark groaned as he looked out the window, the seat beside him was empty as no one wanted to sit next to him.

The bus journeyed on, and before long, they reached their destination.

When they did, the sun had already begun descending, announcing the fact the afternoon was soon to end.

They were now just outside what was called the 'safe zone', every single rift was outside of it, making it impossible for anyone to go without at least risking their lives just a bit.

Not far from them, many corpses of decaying creatures eliminated by the Golden Dragons were resting, making everyone realize the extent of what they were going to do from now on.

"If anyone wants to give up, speak now or silence yourself forever!" Oliver, the leader of the Golden Dragons spoke, "There will be no help inside the rift, and I can promise you way too many new classifiers die before even completing it."

But nobody spoke, they had gone too far to give up now, plus it was either completion and improvement, or the risk of being disowned or kicked out of their family home.

In front of the students was a giant ruin, obscured by a dark aura everyone could sense, no matter their levels.

It was the [City Ruins] dungeon!

Noticing no one was moving, Oliver smiled, "It is great to see such determination, you may now do whatever you feel is right."

And just like that, they were allowed to move around now.

'…' Stark stared at the ruins before him, a face full of excitement, 'Welp, it's now or never, who cares if they don't believe in my capabilities, I don't need them anyway…'