Ep. 50 E Class

The combat test concluded with Maya's impressive showing, marking the end of the mage registration process. Kane approached our group, his expression thoughtful as he delivered his final message.

"You all did well," he began, his voice carrying a warmth that hadn't been present during the battles. "Remember how you did today does not determine the course of your strength in the future. You all have a lot of room to grow as both adventurers and mages—this is only the beginning of your journey."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "But without further ado, we will now determine your overall class as a mage by using the average of your two tests today. This will determine the level of jobs you can take as an adventurer and many more things depending on where your journey might take you. For those of you that got low grades, don't fret—you can take advancement tests when you feel you're ready to obtain a higher class."

The clerk from earlier approached our group, holding what appeared to be an ordinary stamp. However, I could sense subtle mana frequencies radiating from it, marking it as something more than a simple administrative tool.

"This stamp is a magic item that will imprint your class on your body," she explained, her voice clinical and professional. "If you ever get a new class, the guild has means of removing it so a new one can be placed."

She moved through the group methodically, starting with the other adventurers. Most received E and D classifications, their expressions a mix of resignation and disappointment. Then she reached Maya.

"Maya: C class mana, C class combat, overall rank C." The stamp pressed against Maya's wrist, leaving behind a glowing letter C that faded to what looked like an intricate tattoo.

Next came Rowan. "Rowan: D class mana and D class combat, overall rank D."

Finally, she stood before me, pausing longer than she had with the others. "Kai..." Her hesitation made my stomach clench. "F class mana, C class combat... E class overall."

The words hit me like physical blows. I'd known my combat score wouldn't be enough to get the rank I wanted, but E class struck deeper than I'd expected. In this world of magic, the truth became clearer every day—there was no room for someone like me. Every attempt I made to forge my own path, to carve out a space where I might belong, the world found new ways to remind me of what I was. A pretender. A liar. A scared boy hiding in a body that wasn't his, in a world that wasn't his home. A world that had rejected me, just as my last one had.

Maya's voice cut through my spiral of dark thoughts, sharp with indignation. "E Class?? Are you serious? He did better than anyone in combat that should b—"

The clerk cut her off mid-sentence. "Yet he has no mana whatsoever, and moreover, he doesn't seem to have the potential for magic in the future. We take the average of the two tests and best determine where you lie. E class is where he belongs right now."

I watched Maya's face contort with increasing anger, her body tensing as she took a step forward. While my heart swelled seeing her so ready to defend me, I knew this confrontation would lead nowhere good. I reached out, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

"MAYA!" My sharp call made her head snap toward me. I met her fierce gaze and shook my head slightly. Though the anger didn't leave her face entirely, I felt the tension drain from her shoulder under my hand as she stepped back into line, swallowing whatever retort she'd been about to unleash.

The clerk, either oblivious to or choosing to ignore the charged moment, offered her congratulations on our becoming registered mages. She then led us back to the initial waiting room where Smith and his group awaited our return, though I barely registered the movement. My mind was still trapped in that moment when the letter E had appeared on my wrist, a permanent reminder of my place in this world—or lack thereof.