The morning after undergoing the profound, destiny-altering Elven Awakening ritual deep in the mystical woodland glen, Eric awoke feeling restless yet brimming with anticipation, the incredible arcane powers newly awakened within his core yearning for release and exploration.
Once dressed, Eric immediately focused his thoughts inward, manifesting the glowing ethereal status interface only he could see. He carefully examined each panel and page, reacquainting himself with the details now that the initial shock had passed:
Name: Eric Alaric Emberhart
Age: 5
Race: Human
Class: ?
Skills: Imagine (EX) [Hidden]
Level: 1
HP: 200/200
MP: 100/100
Strength: 15
Defense: 8
Agility: 8
Dexterity: 7
Eric remained utterly astonished to discover his class field was shrouded in impenetrable mystery, marked only by a single ornate "?" placeholder where the actual class name belonged. The boy furrowed his brow contemplatively as he prodded at the interface, but no amount of probing yielded any further insight into the true extrapolated meaning behind this conspicuous omission.
What possible deeper significance could this unexplained vagueness surrounding his class hold? Would its essence only manifest organically through continued deeds and experiences along his winding destined path, rather than being predetermined all at once by mere happenstance of birth?
His bafflement only grew when examining the solitary skill he currently possessed - Imagine (EX). Once again, the specifics of this skill's power were obscured from external viewers by the notation [Hidden], denying Eric knowledge for now of its true miraculous nature which transcended the constraints of traditional ranking systems.
Clearly, much information relating to his full potential and the extent of the incredible powers simmering just under the surface still awaited full revelation at later stages of Eric's monumental journey. For the present, he would simply have to be content with letting fate unveil each piece in its proper time.
At breakfast that morning, seated beside his parents and venerable grandfather Lord Feywood in one of the grand palace's ornate dining halls, an intrigued Eric decided to subtly broach the topic on his mind, asking, "Grandfather, what exactly do the various arcane symbols next to one's skills signify? And does the appearance of one's class ever remain obscured temporarily for certain reasons?"
Lord Feywood's wizened face creased into an indulgent, knowing smile at his grandson's innate curiosity and impatience for power and real understanding. "Patience, young one," he advised sagely. "In due time, the true nature of your gifts will become clear. For now, know that one's class is never fixed at birth, but rather reveals itself when the time is right through noble deeds and diligent perseverance. As for the tiered ranking of skills, each symbol signifies a level of mastery..."
Eric listened with rapt attention as his grandfather went on to explain the various grades of power known to their people—from everyday cantrips and minor magics ranked at the lowest F and E levels, all the way up to the realm of demigods at the highest SS and SSS ranks that only those with ancient bloodlines could ever hope to reach. Beyond that, none could say for certain what awe-inspiring heights still awaited at the true apex of the skill tiers...