"Where am I?" I inquired, my hand instinctively reaching to support my aching head. A sharp headache pulsed in my forehead, adding to my confusion.
[Please choose a class from the five.]
My mouth fell open as I read the message. I had been in my house, diligently preparing for my examinations, when a luminous circle materialized beneath me, transporting me to this mysterious place.
[ Hero ]
[ Mage ]
[ Swordsman ]
[ Archer ]
[ Assassin ]
[ Unclassed ]
Five options materialized before me, reminiscent of a game, or more specifically, an anime. It felt like one of those scenarios where a character dies and gets reincarnated.
"Did I... die?" I muttered, my fingers tracing the contours of my face in disbelief. "There were so many things I wanted to do before... before..."
What did I want to do? Become a doctor? An engineer? The thought felt mundane, uninspiring. Perhaps death wasn't so bad after all. Now, in this new realm, I could finally pursue my deepest aspirations and ambitions, far beyond the constraints of Earth.
"I can also go on a journey of slaying dragons or demons!" I said. The possible scenarios gave me goosebumps.
[ Warning! Please choose your class fast! ]
"Yeah, definitely not the hero," I muttered, ignoring the warning, my gaze fixed on the options before me. In most animes and novels, the 'Hero' class is often portrayed as weak, outshone by secondary characters.
I shook my head. "Not for me," I affirmed quietly, eliminating the hero option from consideration.
'I nodded, acknowledging the flaws in each option. "Mage, too weak. Archer and Assassin, too many flaws," I muttered, dismissing them one by one.
"And 'Unclassed'..." I paused, considering the possibility. "Unlikely to be anything super cool," I concluded, shaking my head.
"Finally, 'Swordsman'," I proclaimed, a wave of contentment enveloping me as I made my decision.
"It's not my top pick, but there's an inexplicable allure to the swordsman class," I pondered silently, struggling to convey the rationale behind my selection.
With determination, I clicked on 'Swordsman,' eager to uncover what the subsequent screen held in store.
[ Please choose three skills among the five. All skills can be further evolved. ]
[ Sword Aura ]
[ Blind ]
[ Intimidation ]
[ Split Image]
[ Growth Increase ]
"Hmm.... Can I get an explanation?" I asked with confusion as I rubbed my head. But no explanation came up.
It looked like I had to choose based on the name and on luck.
If I had to choose, it would be [ Blind ], [ Split Image ] and [ Growth Increase ].
[ Thanks for choosing your class and skills. May you have a great adventure! ]
As the robotic voice ended, a blinding white light enveloped me.
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As I step through the towering gates, I'm greeted by a vast chamber adorned with intricate tapestries depicting legendary battles and noble lineages. The air is heavy with the scent of exotic incense, lending an otherworldly ambiance to the surroundings.
Massive marble columns rise to meet a vaulted ceiling adorned with golden embellishments, casting regal shadows upon the polished stone floors below. Glittering chandeliers hang from above, casting a warm, ethereal glow upon the assembly of courtiers and dignitaries gathered below.
At the far end of the hall, upon a raised dais, sits the king's throne, a magnificent seat of power adorned with precious gems and gilded ornamentation. The king himself, clad in resplendent robes of rich fabrics and adorned with jewels, exudes an aura of authority and wisdom as he presides over his court.
Servants and advisors bustle about, attending to the needs of the royal mages, while guards stand vigilant at every entrance, their imposing presence a reminder of the king's unwavering protection. In this hall, time seems to stand still, as if the very essence of another world has been woven into its tapestries, its walls echoing with the whispers of centuries past.
"Commence the summoning of the hero at once!" The king's voice thundered through the grand hall, his gesture commanding attention as he raised his hand with unwavering authority.
"Yes, my king," I replied, my voice steady despite the anticipation coursing through my veins. With a subtle nod to the assembled royal mages, a silent understanding passed between us, and they immediately set to work, their practiced movements fluid as they began to inscribe the intricate runes of the summoning circle upon the polished marble floor.
A tangible shift in the air enveloped the room as the magic took hold, a palpable hum of energy resonating from the center of the circle. The raw power being channelled was unmistakable, drawing the gaze of all present as tendrils of mana swirled and danced within the confines of the magical sigils.
As the intensity of the ritual grew, a sheen of sweat broke out on the brows of some of the mages, their concentration unwavering even as the strain of the spell weighed heavily upon them. Sensing their fatigue, a servant moved gracefully amongst them, offering silent reassurance as they wiped away the beads of sweat with a pristine white cloth, a small gesture of support amidst the mounting tension.
"No matter what, the casting must not stop unless the hero is summoned," I emphasized to the mages, determination etched in every word. As the strain of the ritual began to take its toll, mages whose mana reserves were depleted were swiftly replaced by fresh reinforcements, ensuring that the magic circle remained unbroken.
After thirty tense minutes, we had rotated through approximately 42 mages, each stepping in seamlessly to sustain the arcane energies required for the summoning. Those who had started the ritual were now recuperating their mana reserves with the aid of restorative potions, poised to rejoin the effort if the hero's arrival remained elusive.
"This task would have been far simpler had the three grand mage been among us," the king remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of longing as he voiced his regret to me.
As the king expressed his lament, his voice echoing with a wistful tone, I nodded in agreement, acknowledging the sentiment.
"You speak truth, King Aric," I replied, a tinge of sympathy coloring my tone. Though I longed to offer assistance, my skills as a swordsman were limited within the realm of magic. My expertise lay in combat, where I could wield my abilities to protect and defend.
As our gazes remained fixed upon the intricate magic circle, a sudden shift in the air caught our attention. The circle, once static and inert, began to pulsate with a radiant glow, illuminating the hall with its newfound brilliance.
"Everybody stop!" I called out urgently, my voice cutting through the tense atmosphere as the mages halted their efforts, yet the magic circle continued to radiate with an otherworldly brilliance. The summoning was indeed successful—the hero was being called forth.
A blinding light engulfed the entire chamber, prompting mages, soldiers, advisors, and servants alike to shield their eyes from its brilliance. Amidst the glow, the silhouettes of five figures materialized within the circle's confines, their forms shrouded in the ethereal luminescence.
Unable to tear my gaze away, I remained transfixed, bearing witness to the emergence of the next generation of heroes. In that moment, amidst the radiant glow of the summoning, I knew that the fate of our world hung in the balance, entrusted now to the hands of these chosen champions.
As the brilliance of the light began to fade, all eyes in the chamber were drawn to the magic circle, where the figures of the five summoned individuals now stood. Confusion and wonder flickered across their faces as they surveyed their unfamiliar surroundings, clearly disoriented by their sudden appearance.
"We did it!" exclaimed the mages, their voices filled with jubilation as they embraced one another, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks. The advisors and soldiers, their expressions ranging from astonishment to disbelief, watched on as the scene unfolded before them, unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of what had just transpired.
In that moment, amidst the celebration and awe, the fate of their world seemed to hang in the balance, the arrival of these five individuals heralding the dawn of a new era filled with hope and uncertainty alike.
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Author's Note:
- This is the start of a new beginning. I hope that those who read it, read it till the end.