The scene opens with a bloodied battlefield, littered with the lifeless bodies of demons and angels alike, both fallen and holy. The stench of death hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid smoke of the scorched earth. The landscape is a wasteland, a testament to the brutality of the battle that had just unfolded.
Not far from the carnage, hidden within the shadows of a cave, lay three figures. Two were gravely wounded, their bodies barely clinging to life. One was the archangel Michael, whose once radiant armor was now stained with blood, his wings torn and battered. The other was the fallen archangel Lucifer, his wings scorched and tattered, his face twisted in agony as he fought to stay conscious.
The third figure, In stark contrast to the injured angels, stood tall and composed. His presence was almost ethereal, though his features were hidden in shadow, making him an enigmatic figure in the midst of the ruin. He gazed down at Lucifer, a look of sympathy in his eyes.
"I'm sorry that you had to suffer this fate," he murmured, his voice laced with regret.
His eyes shifted to both archangels, and he sighed deeply. "I'll make it right."
A brief pause followed, the words after "I'll make it right" lost in a quiet murmur, as if the figure's voice faltered, or the meaning was veiled in secrecy. The only words that were clear came at the end, filled with finality and determination.
"Take this new life and…" Another break in his words, this time leaving a lingering silence.
Suddenly, the scene faded, shifting from the cave of despair to a small, dimly lit room. A young man lay in bed, his body drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as though he had just run a marathon. His eyes flickered open, a look of panic written across his face. He bolted upright, the nightmare still fresh in his mind.
"Shit, that same dream… when will it stop?" Lucian Cross muttered, rubbing his eyes as if to rid himself of the lingering remnants of the vision.
Glancing at the alarm clock beside him, he saw the time—almost 7:30 AM. He groaned, realizing he was running late. With a sigh, he threw off the covers and reluctantly dragged himself out of bed. It was the last day of school, and though he had hoped for it to be a day of relief, it held no joy. It was the day of the awakening ceremony, a day that would determine his future and his job class, though Lucian's expectations were low.
School, in his mind, was nothing but a hellish place. A place where he was used and trampled on, his life a series of miserable days. But today—today was supposed to be different. It was his last day, and maybe, just maybe, the ceremony would bring something good. He didn't dare dream too big, but a small hope flickered inside him. Perhaps he'd receive a decent job class—maybe something humble like a baker, like his late grandmother, or a cook, like his mother. Or maybe—just maybe—a fire mage like his father, who he had never known but who had passed away when Lucian was just a baby.
The past two years had been the hardest. Ever since his grandmother's death, Lucian had been left alone to fend for himself. With no family left to turn to, he was forced to take on four jobs just to survive, covering the expenses of his house, school, and personal needs.
As he stood before his mirror, Lucian's gaze fell upon a picture on his desk. It was an old photograph of his parents—his mother and father, smiling as they held a baby in their arms. Lucian had no memories of them, as they had died when he was just a year old. But his grandmother had raised him with love until her passing two years ago.
Shaking off the thoughts, he moved on with his morning routine—taking a quick bath, brushing his teeth, and eating a simple breakfast of cup noodles with fries and eggs on top. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him going. He quickly rushed out the door, hopping onto his old bicycle, the tires creaking with age but still dependable enough to get him to school.
When he arrived at the school, the ceremony hall was already filled with students, parents, and faculty. It was a grand event, though Lucian could hardly muster the energy to care. There would be no classes today, only the ceremony to witness the awakening of new abilities.
Lucian took a seat in the second row, in the first line. He preferred it there—most students avoided the front row, feeling uncomfortable with the attention. But Lucian was used to being overlooked. It didn't matter to him where he sat, as long as he could endure this final ordeal.
As soon as the hall was filled with students, both final year and juniors, the atmosphere grew tense. Whispers of excitement and uncertainty buzzed through the crowd, but silence fell when the vice principal stepped up to the stage. His voice boomed, commanding attention as it echoed across the hall.
"Silence!" The vice principal's voice cut through the murmurs, making the entire hall quiet, giving full audience to the principal.
The principal, a tall, imposing figure, stepped forward with a dignified air. He began his speech, his voice steady and filled with authority.
"Today marks the beginning of your journey," the principal proclaimed. "The powers and abilities you awaken are not merely gifts—they are responsibilities. The demons that threaten humanity grow in number, and it is your duty to fight back, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Whatever class and ability you awaken to, do not let it discourage you or inflate your ego. Let it be a resolve, a commitment to protect our world. The fight for humanity's survival starts here."
The principal's noble speech resonated deeply, though for Lucian, it felt like little more than a distant echo. The weight of his own struggles overshadowed any sense of inspiration he could have felt.
As the principal stepped back, the vice principal took his place once again. He was slightly shorter, but his presence still commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
"Now, we will begin the awakening process," the vice principal announced. "It is simple, but it is of great importance. This is the moment that will define the path your life takes."
He gestured toward the large white crystal at the center of the hall, its surface gleaming under the lights. It was the size of a fortune teller's stone, pulsating faintly with an otherworldly energy, as if it was alive with anticipation.
"This crystal is fused with mana, and all you need to do is touch it," the vice principal continued. "The crystal will reveal the class you are destined to awaken to, and the color it shines will indicate the grade of that class."
The students leaned forward, hanging on every word, eager to hear more.
"There are five grades of color," the vice principal explained, his tone steady and informative.
"Bronze—this indicates a non-combat or support job class. These are the foundations of society, but they are not suited for combat."
"Silver—this indicates a basic combat or support job class. These jobs are the beginning of true strength, suitable for those who will defend humanity."
"Gold—this indicates a rare combat or support job class. These are the chosen, those with abilities that will shape the future."
"Diamond—this indicates a hidden or unique combat or support job class. Few are blessed with such rare abilities, but they are the ones who will tip the balance of power."
"Platinum—this indicates a mythical or divine combat or support job class. These are the legends. The powers of gods and mythical creatures flow through you."
"Once you touch the crystal, the color will light up, and a large white screen behind it will reveal your class grade, from F to SSSS rank, and the potential that comes with it," the vice principal continued, his voice unwavering. "If you awaken more than one class, the crystal will change color multiple times to reflect each class you are granted."
Lucian's heart pounded in his chest as the vice principal finished his explanation. This was it—the moment that could change everything for him.