Chapter 4 - Class & Rift

Our next class is where we will learn more about rifts since we will be entering them soon. I'm running as fast as I can since I'm excited to know more about them as they are a mystery besides the fact that monsters appear from the ones that haven't been cleared.

Everyone wants to know where they come from and where they lead, is it a fake world generated by some higher power or is it a separate realm where creatures use the rifts to invade us. It is nothing but speculation.

As I arrive I see Silvaria, Kayde, and Arya all at one section holding a spot for me. As I sit down a teacher arrives and introduces herself.

"Class my name is Elvira, last name needn't be said. I will be teaching you runts about the rifts before your first incursion and afterwards to make sure you have everything you need to know."

She walks up to the board and as she touches it we see some symbols appear.

"These symbols represent something, can anyone guess? I'm not going to reprimand anyone I would just like to know where I need to start with some of you."

I raise my hand and she smiles.

"Looks like our resident God has raised his hand. What do you think it is?"

"I believe a few look to represent weather, some sort of location, and even types of enemies."

She claps her hands and gives me a thumbs up.

"Good deduction there Alexios. He is correct as each of these symbols when lined up on any gate can give anyone an idea of where they will be, what type of weather they will face, and enemies they have to fight. In essence it'll help any team most of the time prepare properly for almost any situation."

She starts writing down next to each symbol what they mean.

"Now I would like all of you to write this down into the notes of your system as there should be a tab for it."

We all open our systems and I'm surprised to see something I didn't notice. I start to carefully draw each symbols and write their meaning. As we are writing she continues to teach.

"Now each party leader is supposed to be on top of this to make sure that they all are safe or at least come out alive and in one peace."

Then she starts writing grades down with colors.

"Now each of these colors corresponds to a grade type for how difficult the rift may or may not be. White for E, Green for D, and so on. Make sure you guys write this down too. I wouldn't like to hear how one of you dies to negligence."

On the same page next to the symbols I do the color code as well making sure I write down the little notes next to them too hoping it'll come in handy. Then she points at a random student.

"You there, what is the difference between a goblin in a Grade E rift versus a Grade D?"

The student scratches their head and then looks like he had an epiphany.

"Don't they differ in strength, as in the ones from D are more powerful than those in E?"

She shakes her head and chuckles.

"No, there isn't any difference. Unless there is a change in their race they are the same. The only thing different is in a D-Grade Rift the Goblin is now working under something with intelligence, something more powerful like a variant or a different species."

She starts to write down a bit more about goblins and then turns around pointing at Silvaria.

"You there, can you tell me what golbin society is like?"

Silvaria stands up and smiles.

"Yes, goblins live in a tribe following strict hierarchy. They have a goblin chief who is chosen based on how long they managed to live and their intelligence. It's similar to how dire wolves act but with much more clumsiness."

Notes begin to appear on the board as she continues to speak and we all then write everything down.

"Now there are also a few unique variants of goblins that can be born. There is a Mage, Archer, Assassin, and a few more that you will come across.

As you guys encounter goblins there will be variants seen and maybe even rarely seen popping up in the dungeon. If a tribe manages to give birth to a Hobgoblin then most human settlements or cities are doomed.

Notes for that will pop up on the board if you want to write that down too."

Then as we are writing down the new notes someone else comes in. As we finish we all look up and see our teacher with the new addition.

"Students, this is our Headmaster. He is here to make an announcement."

He steps forward, clears his throat, and then stares at us.

"Children the rifts have been getting more dangerous lately with more and more appearing randomly across the globe."

He starts pacing back and forth in front of us.

"Right now as of this year if any team that performs well will be given full resources and potential for an early graduation. This only applies to the first 3 squads on the upcoming dungeon training."

He steps back and our teacher steps up.

"Now he says early graduation but you would be a student here but no longer be required to take classes, it's free reign. Now any questions?"

Azreal raised his hand excitedly.

"Do we know if there are any rifts that still contain tombs of ancient conquerors currently unexplored?"

The headmaster smiled and snaps his finger.

On the board there is an article talking about two unexplored tombs that have strict requirements to open.

"These two tombs and a couple others require some sort of condition to open. The conditions are unknown as we are actively working on figuring it out."

I then raised my hand immediately wanting my question answered.

"Sir, is there any chance that one of those rifts are somehow connected to Olympus?"

He raised his hand to answer but then looked like he was pondering my question. Then he made a call out of nowhere with a hushed voice.

As he's on the phone all of us student start chatting with Silvaria asking me the first question.

"Why did you ask him that question?"

"I asked because I wanted to know if they actually tried everything."

As Silvaria and I keep chatting the Headmaster then puts his phone away and smiles so bright you'd think he just left the candy store.

"You there young man, the one with the unique glowing hair. You are the one who awakened a system related to Olympus didn't you?"

I nod my head and then he waves me down.

"Young man, what do you say to checking out the rift with me and a few researchers. Of course with you parents permission of course."

"Can I take a couple friends?"

"Only one, limited space on the vehicle we will be taking."

Before I could snag anything Silvaria is already next to me with her arm locked around mine.

"I guess your choice is made boy!"

He starts to laugh at me as we walk off to his office to start a video chat to my family. In the office we sit admiring all of the Artifacts he has from ruins, the large amount of books he has on the shelves all about our history, and speculation on what really happened to some of our ancient civilizations.

He gets my parents on the line and they sound worried, almost afraid even after hearing about my system.

'Hey Iris, is there a high chance that this rift is connected to Olympus?'

'Ok, and thanks Iris.'

"Alexios, you have any clue about what's going on with the headmaster and your parents?"

"No but I'm pretty sure that they are laying into him how much he needs to keep me safe or else."

"What will happen if he doesn't?"

"No clue and I don't want to find out."

The call ends and the Headmaster looks a bit stressed as he gets up.

"You have some very loving and intense parents don't you?"

I laugh and nod my head.

"Yes I do but I've never been on the receiving end of their intensity."

He then guides us to a nearby hover craft where we will be flying in to get to our next destination.

As we launch into the air the Headmaster gets my attention.

"Your parents wanted me to make sure you don't somehow get put inside the rift unless it's of your own volition ok?"

I nodded as I stare out the window and see a large pillar of purple light.

"Is that where we are headed?"

"Yes, that's where the rift we briefly talked about is at."

I couldn't hold in my excitement as we neared the site.