Sidius woke up with the artifact in his hand, immediately sensing a connection with it.
'What happened?,' he murmured in his head.
As he examined the artifact, his eyes slowly widened in surprise. It was almost unbelievable. The artifact had initiated a contract with him, becoming his spirit artifact. Normally, weapon, armor or any item that is an artifact requires their owner to make a contract for them to be used.
For a spirit artifact to initiate a contract, it was so rare that it is considered just a fairy tale.
Holding the spirit artifact, Sidius carefully observed it. Its appearance changed into a small, beautiful pendant and had even ranked up from G rank to G+ rank.
While the artifact remained a growth type, Sidius was still confused.
"What made the artifact recognize me as its owner?"
Sidius was bewildered, however he quickly dismissed the question from his mind.
"Let's set that aside for now, maybe it's a good thing."
He was still thinking on how he can make Eidos recognize him as its ower because many spirit artifacts had certain requirements for recognition, but he felt that there might be no need for that in his case.
Sidius stood up and stretched his arms, feeling all the fatigue from woking up. He then walked to the bathroom to take a refreshing bath.
After putting on his uniform, he turned Eidos into a necklace and wore it around his neck.
'It suits me well,' he smiled at his reflection.
After a while of tidying up, he left to Edrodorth Academy.
C-2.
Sidius walk inside his classroom. As soon as he stepped in, stares filled with mockery are shot into him due to what happened yesterday.
However, amidst the judgemental gazes, one person caught his attention: Vanessa Rudzpick. She looked at him with a hint of concern, perhaps understanding the feeling of being an outcast herself.
Sidius ignored their gazes and made his way to his seat.
Shortly thereafter, the alarm rang, indicating that it is 7 o'clock. Professor Amelia entered the room holding a crystal box containing various glowing cards of different colors.
The anticipation in the classroom grew as everyone wondered what the professor had in store for them today.
"Good morning, class," the professor's enchanting voice resonated through the room as she placed the crystal box on the desk.
"Good morning, miss Morningsnow!" the students replied while standing up.
The professor nodded and gestured them to sit down.
"Today, you will pick your class. Inside this box are different pass cards, granting you access to the class awakening altar. These are the common classes offered by the academy..."
The students were excited after hearing that. They will finally get a class, the first path to being a ranker.
"You have six options to choose from: Assassin, Berserker, Fighter, Mage, Cleric/Paladin, and Ranger," Amelia continued after projecting a presentation on the white screen. "To select your class, simply pick the card you desire and infuse it with your mana."
As she said that, she infused mana inside one of the pass cards.
"The pass card will glow, and you'll be allowed to enter the altar for your class awakening. Once you are at the center, infuse it again with your mana and you will acquire your class," she continued, "Am I understood?!"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Amelia nodded but before proceeding, she elaborated on each class to provide them understanding.
"The Assassin excels in agility, ideal for one-on-one combat. The Berserker is all about raw strength, going on a rampage without concern for their well-being.
"The Fighter class branches into two: Warriors— skilled in weapons, and Tanks— the masters of shields.
"The Mage specializes in magic, serving as damage dealers in dungeons and battles. The Cleric/Paladin focuses on healing and support magic, they are effective against demons. Lastly, the Ranger is adept in long-range attacks, tracking, and survival skills."
Amelia observed the students as she explained before revealing another green card with more intricate design from other common cards.
"We are also offering a limited number of Beast Tamer pass cards, a rare class specialized by the academy. If you want this class, please register and we'll select a hundred students to join this class.
"But I will warn you students, choose wisely, as your class will remain with you for life unless you possess a change class card, a superior class card, or even a hidden class card! Even our headmaster only has one." Amelia said in a serious tone, emphasizing the weight of the decision.
"Is that clear!?"
"Yes Ma'am!" the students responded in unison.
"Line up alphabetically according to your surnames and follow me to the altar," Amelia instructed before leading the students out of the classroom.
Anticipation grew as the students formed a line and followed Amelia until they reached the altar.
The altar stood tall and imposing, emanating an air of divinity and enigma.
Torches lined the entrance, casting flickering shadows that danced on the stone walls, giving the place an ethereal ambiance. At the forefront of the altar was a massive sturdy door adorned with intricate ancient carvings that keeps chosen from entering.
The Class Awakening Altar was a place where chosens could have their class awakened based on the pass card they chose.
This is a great chance that will change the lives of the classless chosen. For example, becoming a Fighter would have a priority growth in strength or a magic power in case of Mages as long as they continue to train and battle.
Sidius had already decided on his class choice— a mage. With the dagger for close combat, he believed that the mage class would complement his skills perfectly, offering long-range and explosive attacks. Moreover, as a mage, he could utilize reinforcement magic to enhance his physical abilities in close combat as well as hasten his projects such as the magic plates.
He observed the students and the majority of the men picked fighter class while mage class for females. It was influenced by stereotypes.
When it was his turn, Sidius chose the mage pass card without hesitation. Amelia seemed puzzled by his choice, but he paid no attention to it and proceeded into the altar.
Standing at the center of the chamber, he infused his mana into the pass card, and it emitted a yellowish-gold light that seamlessly merged with him.
At that moment, Sidius officially became a mage.
"That's it?" he muttered with disappointment.