Childhood Friends

"Hey, Elric!" Klein called out as he grabbed Elric's shoulder. They walked side by side along the path to the Mountain. Elric glanced to see Klein's' smug look, a bright expression paired with his light blue eyes looked like something happened so Elric checked to see what it was all about.

Simultaneous with his intentions, a hologram-like screen popped out from Klein's forehead and presented all his information.

[Name: Klein Steele] [Race: Human]

[Job: Apprentice Miner][Age: 12]

[Class: Transmuter] [Stage: Newly Awakened]

[Status: Normal]

[Physical]

Strength - 5

Agility - 3

Vitality - 8

Dexterity - 4

[Mental]

Intelligence - 4

Wisdom - 2

Charisma - 1

Sense - 2

'So that's what he's so giddy about early in the morning.' Elric thought as he viewed Klein's status screen.

Since Elric was at a young age, he could always view the status screens of the people around him if he wanted to know more about the person. He never told anyone, not even his grandparents. He didn't want them to worry or cause people to be more hostile than they already were.

"Elric, I have some great news! I awa—" Klein said with the biggest smile on his face until he got interrupted.

"Did you awaken?" Elric blurted knowing what his friend was going to say.

"How did you know? I haven't told anyone yet except my parents."

"It was written all over your face, my friend." Elric answered.

"What are you guys talking about?" Another person walked beside Elric and startled Klein as they looked to see who it was.

"It looks like you awakened as well Alice." Elric confirmed as he already checked her status as soon as he saw her with a slightly different expression

[Name: Alice Cornflower] [Race: Human]

[Job: Apprentice Miner][Age: 12]

[Class: Transmuter] [Stage: Newly Awakened]

[Status: Normal]

[Physical]

Strength - 4

Agility - 4

Vitality - 7

Dexterity - 5

[Mental]

Intelligence - 7

Wisdom - 5

Charisma - 1

Sense -5

"Yes, I did." She answered with her usual deadpan expression. Unimpressed by what Elric did, but anonymous to Klein who was more shocked.

"How Elric!? How can you know that? She did not have any expression on her face and said one sentence." He exclaimed.

"Instinct? I just feel it." Elric replied.

"You're the only person I know, who could read even Alice." Klein declared.

As they walked together, a crowd of people their age came closer and started to throw insults at Elric.

"Hey, Traitor! Did you awaken yet? Oh, wait, I forgot that you were classless." A rounded boy said as they tried to walk closer still yelling out insults.

"Have fun at the mines Greyreid! Has your grandfather taught you how to swing a pickaxe yet or did he croak already?" Another unpleasant looking child said as he laughed with his annoying group.

"What did you say!?" Elric snapped and lost his usual cold demeanor. He stepped in front of Klein and confronted them but was halted by Alice's hand that grabbed onto his shoulder and said.

"Ignore them. They're not worth it. It would only cause a scene and would trouble your grandfather" Alice reminded Elric of their caution towards standing out. He didn't want to cause anything that his grandparents would worry about since they were already treated as outcasts even in their village.

"Having your little girlfriend protect you because you're useless?" They laughed again as they kept on insulting Elric. Klein suddenly stepped up having enough of their slander against his friends.

"Why don't you tell that to my face Capri and see what happens." He threatened. The young lads couldn't say a word since Klein and the Steele family were veteran miners and had a good standing in the village.

"That's what I thought. Keep walking then." Klein commanded when they grew silent as the group of bullies walked past them without turning back.

"Are you alright? Anyway, check this out" Klein asked Elric and randomly picked up a rock on the road and walked faster to get in front of both Elric and Alice.

He gripped the stone and closed his eyes, focusing as he almost tripped while they walked. Then he opened his hand and was slowly covered by a thin sheet of what looked to be the rock he picked up on the side of the road. His hand was completely coated up to his wrist so he couldn't bend his fingers and make a fist.

"I've been practicing with my Father. I'm now a fully-fledged miner. I can't wait to test this out." He said as he demonstrated his abilities to his friends.

"I still need more control like my father, but he said that I'll naturally get it with years of experience." He added.

The three kept conversing throughout the trip but it was mostly Klein bragging about his training and such. The two appreciated Klein's positive energy since he always brightened the mood.

After an hour of what seemed to be endless walking, the guards' stations at the entrance of the mine came into view. Then a voice was heard coming from the leader "Alright! Everyone line up with your guides and don't make any trouble! Alchemists at the front and Classless comes after they've picked up their pickaxes. Let's move!".

"We'll see each other inside. See you later guys!" Klein said as him and Alice went back to their parents side to line up

Elric and his grandfather along with the other Classless went and got the pickaxes they were going to use for the day.

"Listen up! The government is graciously lending you this equipment so you better be grateful and take or if it! If you break government property, not only are we going to take it out of your pay but you will be punished as well!" A man with a thick beard and a huge build and glowing yellow eyes shouted. He seemed to be one of the ranked officers in charge of overseeing this base.

"If you get it then keep moving!" He yelled once more.

The Classless villagers quickly moved to join the others to line up and enter the cave. Two armed soldiers were stationed just outside the entrance that kept the line in order. The entrance was just as big as a standard doorway.

However, when Elric went past the entrance he couldn't help but react.

"Woah..."