3. System Manifestation

A long week had passed since his 18th birthday and it was the time for the manifestation of each student's system. 

This was a large event for each school in Bastion as it represented the coming of new soldiers and a workforce that would help prop up the economy and military. As such, it was held on the same day every year and all the faculty went to watch. However, no one was allowed to watch a system manifest but those previously ordained by the Government to watch, and they were bound by strict oaths not to tell any secrets about specific people, though generalizations were allowed. This was mainly because it helped to reduce potential assassinations if one of the main 5 Manifester Families were given a child with a strong system and one of the others wanted to get rid of them.

Everyone gained a system, though most got the usual ones that helped with societies construction and continuation, even if some of the skills they gained differed. But the Academy was looking for combat classes, the ones with a fighting chance against the Abyssal monsters and the new recruits for their military schools.

Almost everyone was hoping for a combat class because despite the risks involved, this was the best way to gain fame and fortunes in the fractured societies of Earth. If you could fight on the front lines, you could party when you got back. That was the slogan for the military and funnily enough it actually worked. Most jobs were back breaking as humanity was constantly in need so everyone wanted to be in the military, however, even those that became normal workers tried their very best as what they could in order to rise in levels. Not only to rise in the workplace and earn more for their families, but also in order to protect their loved ones. Even non combat classes could raise their stats and lifeforce by levelling up and in doing so would have a chance at killing monsters should they ever break into the city of Bastion.

"Oi Luke, you scared or what?" James said as he nudged Jack. He had noticed Jack was silently tottering along staring into space as they got closer to them being called for their manifestation. James had no doubt that he would be a combat class, everything pointed to him being one. Despite what the masses think, those in the upper echelons knew that genetics had a marginal factor, but one of the most important factors was actually the will of the person involved. If someone wanted to protect their families, then it is more likely that they will become a shield barer or a paladin, but if they just wanted to support their family, then it was more likely to be a normal construction job. As well as this, another factor was the experiences of the person as that would factor in, if someone was around a certain job all their life then it would be much more likely they would manifest a system that would help them with that job. Of course, the higher ups were forbidden from telling anyone this secret because then everyone would just focus on being soldiers and no one would support the soldiers from the inside. Food is important for everyone and soldiers simply do not have the skills required to support their numbers with farming if they are soldiers. So it makes sense.

Jack only found out about this because James' parents were extremely high ranking officials in the Awakener research team that helped to discover the best ways of getting high ranked soldiers and told James, who obviously told his closest friends and knew they would keep the secret. Not even his uncle Mike knew that Jack knew as that would potentially ruin James' parents careers.

"Nah defo not stressed at all" Jack lied.

"Meh come on it'll be fine" The massively jacked and skilled obviously going to be a combat class James replied.

"Yeah its no stress, we will love you no matter what. Even if you have a system for waste management, which wouldn't surprise me." Leo said with fake sincerity as he placed a loving hand of Jack's shoulder.

"Shut up Leo, not everyone has your lack of care of what they get" Alice replied as she punched the taller Leo on the arm.

"Hey guys, meet at the usual spot straight after getting our systems and tell each other then?" Jack suggested.

"Yeah of course" The rest all agreed.

"JAMES SIMMONS" The lady at the front desk called out.

"Well this is me, good luck" James said with a smile as he made his way through the crowd simply through everyone moving out of the way due to his massive size. He was roughly 6,5 and muscular to boot so everyone that saw him felt some sort of fear.

"GOOD LUCK JAMES" The trio left behind all shouted, making an even bigger smile appear on the giant's face as he parted the sea of people.

The doors at the front of the building opened and James disappeared through as the last candidate to go through came out another side with a crestfallen expression on their face. It was clear that they got something that they didn't want, probably a menial job. It sucked but not everyone could be a combat class.

Another hour passed, with both Leo and Alice being called up and leaving. Alice had a blank expression as she left the hall and went to the park, leaving Jack to wonder what she got. But Leo was different, the second he got out, in his typical manner, he whooped and hollered and cheered. Somehow, after manifesting his system, long golden hair had sprouted from his head, covering him in curly blonde hair that mirrored the finest jewelry. Not only that but the massive grin on his face made it clear that he received a combat class.

"JACK INSEUM"

With nerves racking his entire body, Jack made his way to the front of the hall, marked the box next to his name on the list and went inside the double doors. Despite what he said to his uncle/godfather, Jack was worried about what he would get. Whilst he did not mind carrying on the work of his parents as a botanist as he loved learning about and interacting with plants, they were killed by a monster that found its way inside the walls. They were killed right in front of Jack in their home on the outer ring of Bastion. He can still feel their blood that sprayed from their dying bodies as the monster ripped them to shreds despite their screams of protest and attempts to kill it. Despite his love for botany and entomology, he wanted nothing more than to make sure no one would suffer in the same way that he did.

Inside was a grand hall filled with blue technological lights all leading to a podium at the center. Chirps and whirrs buzzed around him as he walked down the hall. Pillars connected to the ceiling were decorated with sculptures of knights, archers, clerics, rogues, builders, farmers, scientists and administrators. Each exuded auras of grandeur due to the expert craftsman ship that allowed them to exist as beautifully as they did. It was clear that this hall was made for the express purpose of being a place for the new generation to manifest their systems. Around the podium was some sort of seating area in the shape of a semi-circle to allow for people to experience the manifestation of a system. Every seat was filled making nearly 120 people in attendance, all of whom were chattering amongst themselves despite Jack being nearly on the podium.

"Jack Inseum. Thank you for coming." A voice boomed from all directions as Jack was about to step onto the podium.

"Well to be honest I didn't really have a choice, but the thanks is appreciated. Makes me feel special".

Jack's heartbeat was racing, he was sweating like a pig doing cardio in a heat wave and yet he still mustered up the balls to speak to the highly important individuals before him like he just did.

"Step onto the podium, we will insert some mana into your body and your system will activate. Are you ready?"

"Yes sir" Jack stood upon the podium and braced his entire body. For a split second his heart stopped beating as a warm glow flowed into his body, making it light up in a golden light.

A symbol appeared above his head in a shape he could not quite decipher. It was a forest green circle and within were countless multicolored shapes with each looking like some sort of insect. One by one they became alive and started moving through the air around the hall until they rushed towards Jack's scrawny form and imbued themselves inside. 

Each of the spectators looked at Jack and someone started to whisper until the entire crowd erupted with a clamor at what they had just seen. But Jack did not care about that. Instead he was looking at the green status screen before him.

[Congratulations Jack Inseum! You have awakened the System of the /Sovereign of Insects\]

{Good Luck}

[Status]

Name: Jack

Species: Human

Age: 18

Class: Combat/Support

Strength: 3

Agility: 4

Durability: 2

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 10

Insects: N/A

Skills: 1