The field at Brighton High School was packed with over a thousand people, all eyes fixed on the very center of the grounds.
Standing there was a woman clad in a flowing blue robe, a status bar floating above her head:
[High-Level Formation Mage, Level 63]
Her pale fingers traced intricate patterns in the air, and as she moved, a pentagram began to materialize on the ground below. In each of the pentagram's five points stood a student, each looking noticeably tense.
A flash of white light filled the air.
The teacher overseeing the ceremony, expressionless, announced the students' new classes:
[Chef], [Carpenter], [Blacksmith], [Warrior], and [Dancer].
The students who'd been assigned civilian classes looked dejected, but the boy who'd landed the Warrior class was grinning from ear to ear, thrilled to have drawn a combat role.
Standing among the other students, Bastion felt a wave of nervousness. Even though he'd lived two lives, moments that could shape your entire future had a way of getting to you.
That's right, Bastion was a reincarnator. He had come into this world as a newborn, but with full memories of his past life on Earth.
Here, history had mirrored Earth's in many ways—until five hundred years ago, when a rift of chaos split open, and creatures from The Abyss invaded, plunging humanity into slaughter.
Along with the chaos came a new set of "game rules": at eighteen, every person could undergo a class change. The warriors of previous generations fought in dungeons, hunting monsters and collecting treasures to grow strong, sacrificing their lives to hold back the Abyss at Ironhold Fortress. It was thanks to them that humanity had a fighting chance.
"Bastion, any idea what class you're hoping to get?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind. Turning, Bastion found himself face-to-face with Billy, his oldest friend, who'd been in the same class as him since childhood. Billy was nothing if not loyal, and wasted no time in chattering on:
"Eh, you'll be fine, probably. Sure, there's a bit of luck to it, but your mental strength definitely matters too. You're top of the class every year—your mind's as sharp as a steel trap! Unlike mine; I swear it's like my brain's half asleep in class."
"Dad's hoping I'll get the Chef class, to keep me safe. But, honestly, I'd rather be a fighter so I could see Ironhold Fortress with my own eyes."
"Good luck," Bastion replied, though he himself felt a strong pull toward Ironhold.
Ironhold Fortress was the gateway to the Abyss, a place that had swallowed generations of brave souls who had fought to contain the Abyssal creatures and prevent them from advancing. The outpost held centuries of epic tales of sacrifice.
The ceremony continued.
"Next group, Billy Carson, Elena Hart, White…"
Taking a deep breath, Billy strode to his place, while murmurs rippled through the crowd as they recognized Elena. The girl had fine, delicate features, made memorable by a small beauty mark just above her upper lip.
"That's the youngest of the Hart sisters, isn't it?"
"Yeah, they've got some insane genes. Her two older sisters were top of the class, too, and both got rare combat classes. I wonder how Elena will do."
"She's probably not that strong. Bastion's the top student this year, and she's only second."
"Maybe. But you never know. High grades don't always mean high mental strength. Maybe she just studies way too hard."
Elena ignored the comments and took her place at the formation's center along with the other four students. The Formation Mage gave each a small nod, and they positioned themselves at the points of the pentagram. All eyes turned to the center as the intricate formation began to glow.
White light flashed, far brighter than with the previous group. The crowd fell silent in awe, watching as a cold wind blew through the field and thick flakes of snow began drifting down.
Snow. In the middle of summer.
Bastion's brow arched. "A class change phenomenon?"
It was said that these phenomena marked the awakening of a particularly strong class. Given the snow, there was a high chance it was an ice-related class—but who among the five had triggered it?
The teacher in charge seemed thrilled, her fingers tracing beams of light that completed the formation's magic. The snowfall finally stopped as she turned to the crowd with a beaming smile:
"Elena! Ice Witch! Hidden Combat Class!"
"Billy, Paladin, Combat Class."
"White, Masseuse, Civilian Class."
At the announcement of Elena's hidden class, the crowd burst into excited murmurs.
"A hidden combat class! Isn't that the first one this year?"
"It's a strong one, too. The Ice Witch has serious crowd control and powerful AOE attacks—a total monster in dungeons and battlefields alike!"
"The Hart sisters are as impressive as ever!"
Even Principal Michael, whose beard had long since gone gray, was beaming ear to ear, looking as if he'd just been given a new lease on life. He praised Elena warmly: "Wonderful, wonderful! Excellent work. Keep it up, and I hope to see your name in the top ten for the entire city when the final exams come around!"
Elena smiled and nodded, leaving the formation with her group, but not before casting a curious glance toward Bastion. She seemed to be wondering what class he would get, this boy who had always managed to stay just one step ahead of her.
Billy rushed back, beaming.
"I did it! I actually became a Paladin!"
"A combat class! Sure, I'll be a tank, but I don't mind—I can finally make it to the battlefield! Ha! In the future, you take the damage, and I'll follow up with killer blows! We'll crush it!"
"Congrats," Bastion said, genuinely happy for his friend.
The ceremony continued, though no new and unusual classes appeared.
"Lee, Farmer, Civilian Class."
"T.J., Chef, Civilian Class."
Finally, the principal called a familiar name, and the crowd tensed, standing a little straighter.
"Next group, Bastion, Ryder, Lucy…"
"Oh snap, Bastion and Ryder are in the same group?"
"Drama alert!"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you know? Elena likes Ryder, but Ryder's totally into Bastion, and Bastion has a thing for Elena. It's wild!"
"That juicy? But I heard Elena was into Bastion, and Ryder just hated him because Elena was extra nice to him."
Hearing his classmates gossip, Bastion chuckled wryly, marveling at how much a simple story could twist and grow.
Ryder stepped out as well, casting a sideways glance at Bastion, his expression reading, Let's see who pulls the stronger class.
Bastion ignored him and walked confidently toward the pentagram under the watchful gaze of the crowd.
The Formation Mage gave him an encouraging smile, and Principal Michael was watching expectantly, hoping that Bastion could deliver another hidden class that would put Brighton High on top. Other schools had far better resources, and one hidden combat class from Elena wouldn't be enough to win the city's competitive rankings.
Standing at the peak of the pentagram, Bastion watched as the Formation Mage carved mysterious symbols into the air. A soft voice sounded in his ear.
"Don't be nervous; you don't need to do anything. Just relax and enjoy it."
A warm sensation spread through him, as soothing as soaking in a hot spring on a winter's day.
White light flashed, and Bastion closed his eyes.
The crowd's gasps exploded around him!