Awakening – Classless
The eternal enemies... Heaven and Hell.
Many, many years had passed, and yet the conflicting forces still waged war.
Why drag humanity into this conflict, anyway? Some sided with the Light, others with the Darkness. There was no rest, not even in eternity. And even after death, if one of the two were ever defeated, then perhaps the eternal war would finally stop.
The past had been turbulent. Peace was never part of the equation. It would be a joke to say that demons were peaceful and good. Even the angels were neutral.
Renji was excited as he watched the students undergoing the awakening ceremony. The altar brimmed with a bluish aura that could be felt even from where he stood. The Priestess stood at the awakening altar, assessing the students as they awakened.
This was when he was still twelve, at the very start of his academy life. All his experiences would be tested while he was still in his youth.
He screamed inside. He was nearly losing his cool.
But on the outside, he could only smirk.
All he could see now were the Seven Emperors, currently present at the ceremony. He bit his lip as he watched them from afar.
He felt sweat dripping down his forehead, his excitement was getting out of hand.
The Priestess had finally finished her preparations for the awakening. She would now help the students discover their classes.
In Renji's memories, there were six primary classes one could awaken:
Warrior, Guardian, Scout, Mage, Dark Mage, and Shapeshifter.
"I will now call your names one by one. As I call you, please step forward and proceed to the platform," the Priestess announced.
"Ren Griffith!"
She was the class beauty and their top student.
As she stepped onto the altar, the boys stared with wide eyes.
She averted her gaze, maintaining her image and dignity.
The Priestess placed her hand on her head, and in an instant, divine energy surged. Her eyes glowed.
Class – Berserker
Innate Skill – Enhanced Regeneration
Talent – Weapon Junkie
Martial Path – Weapon Specialist
"I envy her!"
"That's our goddess, Ren Griffith!"
"Talent and beauty in the flesh!"
"Wow, amazing!"
"That's OP!"
Everyone was impressed.
She had already achieved Second Awakening, something that usually took years! Yet she accomplished it on her first try.
Even more, her talent was incredible. It was only a matter of time before she became one of the top rankers in the school.
"Wow, a prodigy… a talent that appears once in a hundred years! I'd like to mentor her personally," said the Principal.
"To be taken in by the Head Principal himself… she'll be in good hands," added the Vice Principal.
"Indeed. Indeed," murmured the Head Professor, stroking his beard.
Renji felt proud for a moment. But it wasn't surprising, she was the daughter of the strongest Hero.
Hero Class S-Rank 1.
A dual class: Brawler and Telekinetic - Rein Griffith.
Meanwhile, S-Rank 2 was a Priest with immense regeneration and healing.
Next came his best friend, Eric Alistair.
He awakened as an Elementalist.
Innate Skill – Bottomless Mana
Talent – Faster Incantation
Martial Path – Elemental Extremist Fist
There were rare cases of people awakening two classes in Academy, this was called Double Awakening.
Come to think of it, the world of Earthea was once peaceful.
A society free from monsters.
Until one day… portals appeared.
And through them came monsters who slaughtered humanity.
Earthea became a battleground. A war for dominance against monsters and demons.
The world nearly collapsed. Half of humanity's territory became corrupted, Dark Lands, teeming with monsters.
In response, schools were built, to train the next generation of fighters.
Next came the future Seven Emperors.
First was the Dragon Emperor, Earl Brawn.
He stepped onto the altar and awakened the Dragon Knight class, under the Shapeshifter category.
Talent – Faster Shapeshifting
The Shapeshifting Guardian was impressed and wanted him as a disciple.
Next was the Magic Emperor, Kale Ainhearth.
He awakened Elementalist and Telekinetic....a Double Awakener!
Talent – Faster Mana Regeneration
Then the Time Emperor, Rein Bromund, who awakened the Spatial class.
Talent – Faster Skill Cooldowns
The Vice Principal, also a Spatial class, wanted him as a pupil.
Next was the Martial Emperor, Ken Darus.
He awakened Berserker and Lifestealer.
Talent – Tenacity
He would train under the legendary Martial God, a Head Teacher.
Then the Beast Emperor, Drey Timur, who awakened the Beast Shapeshifter class.
Talent – Faster Stamina Regeneration
His mentor would be the Beast Master.
The Holy Emperor, Ley Reynald, awakened Paladin and Priest.
Talent – Health Regeneration
He would become a spear and shield. Nearly unkillable in combat.
His mentors would be both the Priest Headmaster and the Guardian Headmaster.
Then it was Renji's turn.
He was excited.
He climbed the altar, standing before the Priestess. A dark aura emitted from his body.
His name was called.
The Priestess placed her hands on his head and her eyes shone with a golden radiance.
She smiled at him.
She had seen a vision, one that could bring hope to humanity.
Renji closed his eyes. He didn't expect much.
But then...
The Priestess began sweating heavily.
"I'm sorry, Renji... you have no awakening. You are deemed classless."
"Though... I can see that you possess Martial Techniques," she added softly.
Class – Classless
Innate Skill – Limit Breaker
Talent – Ultra Mastery
Martial Path – Infinite Martial Arts
She was nearly speechless.
Martial Techniques were basic combat techniques used in physical fighting.
There were countless types, and Renji had mastered all of them.
He smirked, already planning his next move.
He would master the Immortal Martial Arts.
But he heard the snickers.
The scowls.
The whispers.
He felt their eyes judging him.
"Pfft! Hahaha!!" they laughed.
"Hey, Renji's just a country bumpkin, right? No powers at all! What an F-class trash!" one bully mocked.
It hit him...he was officially the weakest in the academy.
Others had overwhelming powers.
He had nothing.
They checked his record:
Classless. Nobody.
He was ridiculed...told to give up his dreams.
He was ranked F - class.
The school had a ranking system.
He was dead last.
But maybe it was better this way.
Let them underestimate him.
He would face-slap them all soon enough.
He descended the platform and continued watching the rest of the awakenings.
Aside from the Seven Emperors, not many others awakened strong classes.
But a few...
A few had great potential.