Chapter 54: Celene's Return and the Priest's Path

Class advancement is one of the most significant milestones in Orion's life. If awakening a job class is the event that transforms ordinary people into the extraordinary, then class advancement at level 15 lays the critical foundation for that transformation.

Class advancement is an event that allows individuals to transition from one class or job to another. For some, this transition follows a linear progression to a more powerful class, while for others, it offers the flexibility to switch between classes that provide diverse skill sets.

This system grants people the ability to choose their skills, build progression, and decide on tactical roles, combat strategies, and team dynamics. It enables them to adapt as they face increasingly formidable enemies and the leveling curve of their journey. When undergoing class advancement, everyone is presented with three choices. Although these options differ, they are interconnected; if your awakened class is Squire, advancing your class will lead to options like Swordsman, Knight, or Fighter. You won't have the choice to advance to Mage or Healer unless you undergo a second advancement and are offered a hybrid class, such as Spell Knight or Magic Swordsman, which are rare.

For support classes like Gabriel's, the choices are as follows:

Priests:Priests possess larger mana pools and a greater array of attack spells. This allows them to serve as secondary damage dealers in a party, but their primary and most effective role is as healers. A competent Priest keeping everyone alive often makes the difference between life and death in a dungeon. They rely on Magic Attack as their main form of offense.

Paladins: Paladins specialize in self-preservation. Often referred to as "armored turtles," Paladins excel at enduring heavy damage to distract monsters and buy time for their allies to strike. Their greatest weakness is low damage output and a limited mana pool, which forces them to be judicious with their spellcasting—a combination of magic and defense.

Dark Priests:Dark Priests are a spin-off class adept in melee combat, wielding a mace and shield to deliver destructive attacks. They excel in wide-area damage, using energy accumulated from continuous strikes. Abandoning the traditional staff, they focus on delivering holy retribution to those who defy sacred teachings. Their magic augments melee power and inflicts numerous debuffs on opponents.

---

Upon hearing Cloud's words, Gabriel began to contemplate his options.

"I choose Priest!" Gabriel declared. He had already thought deeply about his class change, and given his talents, all the options were viable. However, the Priest class was the most fitting choice for him.

To ensure he had heard correctly, Cloud asked, "Are you sure you want to become a Priest?"

Gabriel replied with conviction, "That's right!"

Cloud then opened the Priest Class Advancement scroll, pausing to speak once more in a serious tone. "This is a lifelong decision. If you go back on your word, don't cause trouble!"

Gabriel responded confidently, "Who dares to cause trouble at the Class Advancement Department?"

Cloud opened the scroll and chanted an ancient incantation. The Class Advancement materials in front of Gabriel emitted a dazzling light, rising into the air and hovering above his head. The light surrounding the advancement materials grew larger, suddenly enveloping Gabriel in a blinding brilliance that filled the entire room. Simultaneously, the system beeped.

[Ding! Congratulations on successfully becoming a Priest!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully changing your class. All attributes have increased by 50 points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully awakening the Yin-Yang Harmony Sub Talent: Element Conversion!]

[Element Conversion: Allows the user to convert the element of any skill to another element!]

After a few minutes, the blinding light faded, leaving Gabriel standing in the same spot, his eyes still closed.

Gabriel felt revitalized, sensing the profound changes in his body. He felt both tough and powerful. His already youthful appearance seemed even younger, and upon opening his eyes, he noticed his vision was sharper, his hearing more precise, and his sense of smell enhanced. An overwhelming power surged through his bones and every fiber of his being.

Cloud, who had overseen Gabriel's class change, said, "Kid, congratulations! Your strength has improved. However, you've just advanced your class and obtained an additional skill. The path ahead is the true journey of cultivation!"

"Thank you for the reminder," Gabriel agreed with a smile.

---

After his class advancement, Gabriel was eager to return home and share the good news with his parents. But as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered, "Ah! Right, they're away on a business trip."

When he arrived at his house, he noticed a car he didn't recognize parked in front, blocking the entrance. The house was closed, but the car remained, obstructing his path.

Gabriel muttered to himself, "Sigh! Another person with no parking manners."

He squeezed through the narrow gap between the car and the house to reach the door.

Just as he was about to open it, a pleasant voice suddenly called out, "Little Gab!" He paused and turned to see who had spoken.

When he turned, he was met with the sight of a beautiful, alluring woman. Her face was angelic, with lips as red as roses and cheeks as rosy as flowers. Her long, black hair flowed down her back, and her faint fragrance was particularly captivating to Gabriel, whose senses were heightened from his recent advancement. He stood there, absorbing the scene, momentarily stunned.

"Little Gab, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," the woman said again.

"Oh! Yhen?" Gabriel, still dazed, asked in confusion.

"Yes, it's me," Yhen responded.

---

This woman's name was Celene, though her nickname was "Yhen." She was the daughter of one of Gabriel's parents' party members from their adventuring days, and she had grown up alongside Gabriel and Tigram as a childhood friend. She was one year older than Tigram and Gabriel.

When they were young, Tigram had always called her "Sister Len," but children often mispronounce words, so "Len" became "Yhen." Over time, she became accustomed to the nickname when Tigram and Gabriel addressed her.

Celene was considered part of the Heart household. When she was a baby, her parents had left her in the care of Gabriel's parents after they retired from adventuring. Ever since, she had grown up alongside Gabriel.

---

"You're back?" Gabriel asked.

Celene chuckled softly and playfully tapped Gabriel on the head, scolding him, "How many times have I told you not to be so rude? I, Yhen, am older than you, so you should call me Sister!"

Although Gabriel received a hit from Celene, it was more of a tap, considering his enhanced body. He responded jokingly, "Aw!" and rubbed his head for added dramatic effect.

Seeing Gabriel's antics, Celene smiled widely before continuing, "Hey! I've been waiting outside the house for a couple of minutes, you know! Are you going to let me stand here for another hour?"

Realizing his oversight, Gabriel was about to joke, "Did you forget your keys?" but, seeing her sharp eyes, he hesitated and instead said, "Ah yes! Let me just open the door!"

---

Inside the House

"Are Mom and Dad at work? When will they be home? I want to treat them; it's been a long time since I last saw them," Celene said.

Gabriel responded jokingly, "When you say 'treat,' you mean buying some ingredients and having Mom cook, right? Hehehe, I know you just want to eat Mom's cooking! You glutton."

Caught red-handed, Celene's face blushed, a rosy color spreading to her ears, making her look both cute and alluring. She replied, "No! I'm here this time to treat them," but her face, already red, grew even redder as she spoke. She was so embarrassed that if a hole had opened beside her, she would have gladly jumped in.

Gabriel just smiled, then shifted his attention to her companion and asked, "And you are?"

The man's gaze was fixed on Celene, seemingly never leaving her. He looked very handsome, dressed in a large sweater and cargo pants. Upon scrutinizing his overall look, Gabriel reached a conclusion.

"He's quite trendy; he must be rich!" Gabriel muttered softly.

Hearing his question, Celene introduced her companion, "This is Mr. Wu. He accompanied me back."

The man beside Celene spoke, "You're Gabriel, right? Celene told me about you…"

He stood up and extended his hand. "My name is Alfred Wu. I'm attending the same university as Celene…" Alfred paused before adding, "I'm a student, a local from Flame City."

Gabriel shook Alfred's hand politely. He noticed Alfred looking at Celene with the same infatuated eyes as before.

Gabriel sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, "A classmate or a bootlicker, eh?"

Suddenly, Gabriel froze.

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he vaguely sensed a flash of ruthlessness in Alfred's gaze.

However, Gabriel dismissed it and, after sitting down, asked, "Yhen, why are you back all of a sudden?"

Celene teased, "Why? Can't I come home for a visit?"

Gabriel retorted, "I remember that Flame City's Blue Fire University has strict rules. You can't leave the school without a special reason."

Then he added suddenly, "Ah! Before you respond, Mom and Dad won't be home tonight. They're on a business trip to the capital. If all goes well,

 they might be in Caryl City tonight."

At this moment, Alfred, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

"Actually, Celene came back for something…" He sounded embarrassed, but was suddenly interrupted by Celene.

"Hmph! I'll tell you later, once Mom and Dad are back," Celene said. She then changed the topic, "How was your assessment?"

Hearing her words, Gabriel chuckled to himself, thinking, "Of all the techniques, the one thing she learned from her father is the art of switching topics!"