"Sigh, it's already the time, huh."
A young man murmured. The young man has black hair and dark eyes. His name is Argus Orpheus. Argus was inside a store where he currently worked, specifically at the cashier. He was thinking about the event happening tomorrow while waiting for a customer. Several students were chatting inside the store.
"Tomorrow is already the awakening ceremony. I'm excited about what class I'll become."
"I hope I awaken a combat class."
"Me too. I want to be a swordsman."
"I want to become a healer."
"I want to be a mage. I'll blow up those monsters and make money. Hahaha."
Hearing these typical conversations, Argus glanced out the window to his right. As you might have guessed, Argus's world is a fantasy realm called Vesmir. Many races exist here, like humans, elves, dwarves, angels, demons, mermaids, demi-humans, beastmen, and others.
There are seven major continents on Vesmir. The seven known continents are named:
Alfur Continent, where the fairy race lives.
Himmel Continent, home to the skyborne race.
Salvax Continent, where the beastmen reside.
Zentroa Continent, the central continent where nearly all races can be found.
Falas Continent, the largest, where ferocious beasts, magical beasts, and the monster race live.
Gevaar Continent, the most mysterious and sealed continent, according to what Argus knows.
The Zentroa continent is at the center, with Alfur to the north, Salvax to the west, Himmel to the south, Falas to the east, and Gevaar at the far eastern edge next to Falas. Each continent is separated by vast oceans, which are very dangerous due to raging waters and the beasts that live there.
Argus is currently on the central continent, the Zentroa Continent. The world of Vesmir is far from peaceful; it is being invaded by a race intent on destroying all of Vesmir, known as the Abyssal Race. There are also racial conflicts, such as those between angels and demons.
In the world of Vesmir, every race undergoes an Awakening Ceremony upon turning fifteen, at the end of the school year. This ceremony is held at the end of high school for all students.
[Next Day]
Argus and his classmates were next in line for the Awakening Ceremony.
Argus was a loner in class, rarely interacting with his classmates. If there was no teacher, he either slept or read novels. His classmates mostly avoided him, partly because they were wary of him. Despite his laid-back attitude, Argus was among the top five students in their school and was known for his fighting skills. No one dared to mess with this quiet classmate who had a reputation for beating anyone who challenged him, even unawakened students or low-level non-combat class awakeners.
"Yo, Argus... Why the bored face when we're about to awaken?"
Argus looked over at the voice. A young man around his age approached, with black hair and dark eyes like Argus's, and a strikingly handsome face. His name was Rex Obscurite.
"Because I'm bored. Why is everyone so excited? It's just a ceremony."
"Come on, at least show some excitement or nervousness. We're going through our Awakening! It's a special event, and here you are, sitting like an old man," Rex teased.
"Stop nagging. Should I be excited about an Awakening? We're all gonna awaken anyway."
"I know, but if you get a combat class, you won't be bored anymore, right? The only reason you're bored at school is because they just teach us basic knowledge and martial arts. After the Awakening, things will change. We'll finally start real combat training, which you love, you battle maniac. And we can enter an Awakener Academy, which is way more interesting than high school."
As Rex pointed out, Argus was known as a battle maniac—not entirely true, but he had grown up fighting on the streets out of necessity, and it had become a way to relieve his boredom. That was also why he remained a loner; he had grown up around gangsters and street life.
Argus smirked slightly at his friend's words. Just then, a teacher entered their classroom to summon them for the Awakening Ceremony.
One by one, students were called onto a platform with a white orb activated by a Priest. Each student only had to touch the orb, and the Priest would handle the rest. Known as the Awakener Orb, this object had the power to unlock one's awakening. However, while anyone could awaken, their future depended on which class they received.
Classes were divided into three main categories:
1. Battle Class: suited for fighting and hunting monsters. Only about 10% of awakeners belong to this category. Examples include swordsman, mage, marksman, summoner, assassin, warrior, healer, and priest.
2. Auxiliary Class: provides support to the Battle Class. This group makes up about 5% of awakeners and lacks offensive skills of its own. However, auxiliary classes can still learn combat skills from skill books and hunt monsters to level up. Examples include blacksmith, alchemist, and array master.
3. Common Class or Mortal Class: not suited for battle, this group plays a role in maintaining society. They are the weakest category, unable to level up, and make up 85% of the population. They cannot learn new skills from skill books, relying only on their innate skills. Examples include merchant, cook, builder, and gardener.
Classes are also ranked into four levels: Basic Class, Elite Class, Special Class, and Unique Class. Each rank provides varying attributes upon leveling up.
During the Awakening Ceremony, most of Argus's classmates awakened to a Basic Class, with only a few getting Auxiliary Classes and an even smaller number receiving Battle Classes.
"Ugh, why am I a gardener? I wanted to be a mage!"
"I became a cook! Not a Battle Class, but I love cooking, so it's fine. I'll start a business!"
"Wow! A blacksmith! That's a money-making class."
"I'm a warrior, hahaha! I'll be hunting monsters from now on."
Some were disappointed, while others seemed content with their classes. Then the teacher called the next student.
"Rex Obscurite."
"Look, it's the only son of the Obscurite Clan's current head."
"One of the four great clans of the human race."
"Oh, Rex-sama, you're so handsome!"
"Why would the only son of such a big family attend this school? Wouldn't a prestigious school be better?"
"Shh… don't talk too loudly, or he'll hear."
"So what if he hears? The only reason he's here is because that person is attending this school too."
Students began whispering excitedly when they heard Rex's name, their eyes shifting toward Argus. Argus felt their gaze and lazily glanced at them, causing them to quickly avert their eyes and murmur among themselves.
"They say he helped Rex once when Rex was attacked in an alley. Argus happened to be passing by."
"Ever since then, Rex tried befriending Argus, though Argus mostly ignored him."
"It was hilarious watching Rex act like he was wooing Argus only to get ignored."
"Eventually, Argus got tired of Rex's persistence and accepted his friendship."
"After that, they became the 'Twin Devils' at school, taking down anyone who messed with them."
Listening to his classmates talk about their friendship, Rex looked smug, while Argus wore a slightly annoyed expression.
"Don't give me that look and wish me luck," Rex said.
"Yeah, yeah. Just go already," Argus replied.
Rex smiled, then headed to the platform. The Priest greeted him politely, asking him to place his hand on the orb. Rex did as instructed, and the Priest activated the orb.
A moment later, the entire platform darkened. Everyone felt a sudden chill, as though something sharp was pressed against their necks, sparking fear in their hearts. Then, the darkness receded.
"Oh my god, what was that? It was terrifying!"
"I felt like my life was hanging by a thread."
"It's a phenomenon! A special one!"
"Rex Obscurite awakened a Unique Class!"
Even the Priest looked shocked and unsettled by the phenomenon. He had been in countless battles but felt a brush with death just moments earlier. Whenever a strange phenomenon occurred during an awakening, it indicated a Unique Class beyond the orb's ability to fully measure. Taking a steadying breath, he announced the results.
"Rex Obscurite, Unique Class Awakener."