Asd looked at the catalogue in front of him and the list of recommended magical classes. It was quite a lot, going so far as to show theoretical classes that have not been fully formed or achieved yet, there were recommended classes from the academy, and he saw merit in one of them. the Battle Mage class, but apart from that the academy had suggested summoner due to his earth summon mutation, and elemental mage. A mage can only have three classes, anything else would probably be domestic paths like warrior, farmer or doctor. Either way the issue of classes isn't one that's too focused about in Boria, it was only mainly circulated amongst the military, mages, nobility and royalty. The common people didn't not even have a conception of what classes were or what they could do.
But classes were just designations on a particular field of knowledge and proficiency. The mana interface tracked these classes and their growth and helped differentiate the class abilities from others. Either way, Asd had an idea for three classes that he wanted. Rune-Engineer, Battle-Mage, and Druid. Apart from the battle-mage class, both Rune-Engineer and Druid were advanced classes from the base classes of Rune-smith and Shaman. The battle mage class was basically a physical oriented combat mage that augmented their fighting capabilities with spells and buffs.
Battle mages won't be casting massive spells that would probably clear large swathes of enemies, but they were the ones you sent to the frontline when you needed to get things done. I9t wasn't really what he would pay much of an attention to, but the class appealed to the lion in him, and just as Chelsea had previously said, it would be completely unwise to not utilize the speed and strength that was afforded to him due to his Werelion genes.
Summoning would have been an exclusive ability conjoined with his earth element, but now that path was closed off to him. However, similar avenues like contracts with spirits and using them to create totems and hexes would tie in well with his previous summon ability. So even though he couldn't summon, the mutation used to be a part of him, and in that regard Asd hoped the talent could translate over into other 'summoning' like classes. It would help him utilize his strengths properly, not to mention Shamans could summon and control spirits, and there were tools in existence that once made could become incredibly powerful if a spirit is bound to it…. A living weapon or construct.
The rune-smith class would help him make really awesome stuff, like the golems he had come in contact with. It was a larger avenue of strength, because it meant with enough resources he could make an enemy that would keep himself and those he cared about safe, now add on the spirits a shaman can summon and control and add them into golems. The synergy between both classes was amazing, and it went on further into their advanced classes of Rune-engineer and druid. He has had enough time to think this through properly, to fully understand himself and the kind of path he wanted to walk for his future,
Werelions who had come before him would have wholly focused on classes that meant they could cause the most damage on the battlefield. They would have gone with the element al mage classes and spells that were destructive in nature. But perhaps it's that mentality that had caused them to lose a war and become slaves for a thousand years, it was time for a change. If the Weres; what's left of them anyway are to move forwards, then they had to discard the archaic and traditionalistic way of doing things. They had to adapt and grow, when the war started the Weres were no more than nomadic barbarians without a significant civilization to fall behind. They had no empires, no kingdoms, no cities and no towns.
They were an extremely simple minded people, heck at the time the entire world went crazy and started taking them as slaves the Weres were not even capable of working metal, not to mention building defenses that could stand against the airships of the empires. Asd couldn't repeat the mistakes of his ancestors; the world now had tools that could be sued in not just giving himself a better life, but fighting back should the situation ever arise. He didn't for one second think he had the goodwill of the emperor or anybody at all! Except perhaps for Rhea.
Asd looked up at professor Mona f0r a few seconds, he had already made up his mind, but there was more at play here than what he wanted. And the academy already said they were going to be making choices for the students, which was good, but there was a still the option of them actually controlling the growth of the students. They wanted a cohesive unit with functional abilities on a battlefield, rather than people running off to do their own thing, so he wasn't so sure he had the freedom to choose his own class.
"Are you sure I can choose my own class?" Asd asked professor Mona, he was testing the waters, he really needed to know just how much freedom he had to choose his own path.
"Young Asd let me let you in on a little secret about the truth of classes and the mana interface." She said to him with a smile on her face, Asd nodded in acquiesce.
"The mana interface was not created, in fact it's impossible for them to be created by any living being. Some three thousand years ago, locations with unique ancient structures were discovered. Over the years these structures had unique names, but over time we started calling them System Servers. These servers spawned the mana interface units that shared a connection with them, a connection we call networks.
We have no idea who made these things, but their discovery made it possible for magic to be tracked and even automated. Gaining control of these structures mean gaining control of the land and location they're found in. then they in turn will spawn the mana interface that will can track the growth of individuals, regardless of whether or not they are mages. The mana interface is a tool with a potential for endless growth and specialization, it can give the common man the power to overthrow the empire. And the way it does that is through classes.
The classes will help you grow and instead of learning spells from the library or any other mediums. Your class or classes will give you the spell module to practice and master, giving you even more intricate mastery of it. Mages are powerful because of their classes, and no class is useless. So it doesn't matter which is chosen, you will become strong. However, a class is an important aspect as you can only ever change and discard or advance a class seven times. Any class you choose now will be a base class that can be advanced at least three times. Taking and changing a class will remove the potential of that class to advance, and that is why hardly many mages make it past the 4th circle. You can make your choice, but I would advise you to try and trust your teachers and the academy, we have more experience and will not steer you wrong.
I know you don't have fond relations with the academy because of how they have treated you, but please know that I only have your best interests at heart, so please trust me to at least pick the right class for you, even if it's just a single class."
Asd didn't rust this elf, she felt even more wrong than the other professors, but he wasn't under the illusion that he was fully and wholeheartedly free from their influence. It was just a single class, and he'd rather not have their eyes on him all the time. He could just as easily not focus on the class they chose for him and focus on his other classes. Like she said, his classes would level up, but that slot is limited, perhaps it could be a bit different for him due to his talent as a Triskele mage, but it wouldn't be wise to put his hope on that. in the end it didn't matter what she chose, no matter what he had to be a Rune-smith, it would give him the tools he needed to protect himself. because what was better than one Werelion… 7 more Werelions, automatons… or in magical terms... golems!
"Fine, I'll let you guide me for just a single class, so what is your suggestion?" Asd asked as he looked up at her with a pensive look, feeling as if he just gave someone the sword with which to behead him, and her bright smile did not make him feel any better.
"For now just keep a slot open for me to decide, perhaps the emperor will have some input of his own. Your mana interface will change from a mana interface to a mana system once you choose your first class. Everything significant you do from then on will be experience to help all of your abilities grow. I'll take the time to observe you and figure out what will fit you best. But in the main time Young Asd, what choice will you be making for your first class?" Asd looked up at her with eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn't let that stop him. He felt as if she was keeping something from him, but he couldn't tell what, and the fact that she wasn't telling him what class she wanted him to make gave Asd pause. She wanted him to keep a slot open, well he would keep two open. Just in case he had to pick a third class that would offset whatever she chose, but for now he had his first choice.
"Rune-Smith, I'm going to become a Rune-Smith."