Class Awakening

The king nodded, then addressed the gathered heroes once again.

"You have heard my plea, and I ask you now, one final time—are you truly willing to fight to protect my kingdom?"

Kenta, standing with an excited look in his eyes, stepped forward.

"Hell, yeah!"

The others nodded as well.

The king smiled.

"I thank you, brave ones, for agreeing to protect my kingdom. Your courage gives me hope for the future."

His gaze shifted to Eldrin, who stood to the side. With a small nod from the king, Eldrin stepped forward.

"Bring in the Soul Awakening Crystal," he ordered.

The heavy doors of the throne room creaked open once more, drawing the attention of all present.

The sound echoed through the chamber as a group of blue-robed mages entered.

At the center of their formation, they carried a massive, glowing green crystal, with strange swelling patterns carved on its surface. The crystal was encased in a beautifully carved wooden frame that resembled wings. Its rather complex design made it look both ancient and divine.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room as the heroes locked their eyes on the artifact.

"The Soul Crystal," Eldrin said, "is said to be a gift from the gods to mortals. It holds the power to awaken supernatural abilities through the granting of classes and skills."

The mages carefully placed the crystal in the center of the throne room. Its glow intensified as it settled into place. A low hum could be heard coming from it as it pulsed with energy, as if it were alive, vibrating deep within the chest of everyone present, matching their heartbeats.

Miss Tanaka stepped forward slightly, her sharp eyes fixed on the crystal.

"So, this is what will unlock our potential," she murmured, sounding both curious and wary.

Renji's grin widened as he stepped closer, the green light reflecting in his eager eyes.

"Guess we're about to find out just how strong we can really be," he said confidently, his excitement barely contained.

The king raised his hand, silencing the murmurs.

"Prepare yourselves. For once the ritual begins, there is no turning back."

Eldrin raised a hand, signaling the group to step forward one at a time.

"Each of you will approach the Soul Awakening Crystal. It will awaken your dormant potential, and it will be displayed for all to see."

"Please, step forward one at a time."

Renji's lips curled into a grin. "I guess I go first then."

With a confident stride, he walked toward the crystal. As he moved, Takashi mischievously called out, "Look at him, he's been so energetic since we got here, he must think he's become some sort of protagonist from a light novel."

Miko, watching with a slightly skeptical expression, added, "Can you blame the guy? Stuff like this must be his dream. The respect, praise and all that stuff, it's he's oxygen at this point."

Souta, adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful expression, chimed in, "Hopefully, whatever class he gets won't be a weak one... for his sake."

Renji reached the crystal, he placed his hand on its glowing surface, and the moment his fingers made contact, the crystal shone brightly, filling the room with a brilliant light.

Renji could feel something welling up inside him—something warm and powerful, a force filling his heart. It was as though the very air around him vibrated with energy.

Strange glyphs began to appear in the air above the crystal. They floated there, complex symbols that seemed to pulse. Although they appeared as a strange writing, everyone in the room could somehow understand them.

A soft voice seemed to echo through the throne room, announcing his status.

Name: Renji Kisaragi

Class: Paladin (S Rank)

Level: 1

Health: 1500/1500

Mana: 1200/1200 [Double mana ring]

Strength: 300

Agility: 200

Endurance: 250

Intelligence: 150

Skills(slots 3/4):

Divine Smite 〔Active 2nd Order Advanced B rank Skill〕: Channel divine energy into a powerful melee strike, dealing holy damage to enemies.

Shield of Valor 〔Active 1st Order Basic B rank Skill〕 : Temporarily boosts defense and creates a protective aura around allies within a radius.

Aura of Courage 〔Passive 1st Order Basic B rank Skill〕: Increases morale and defense of allies within a certain radius.

---

The glyphs dissolved, leaving only silence in their wake.

Renji looked at the status window, his grin only growing wider.

"A Paladin... Sounds good."

The nobles, who had gathered around the throne room, exchanged surprised and amazed looks among themselve. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"Did you see that?"

"A Paladin, at such a young age... and he's only level 1! Is this a sign of great things to come?"

"I heard that the previous hero who saved the kingdom Donorvel from the a demon hero was also a Paladin—Sir Roderick the Valiant. He was one of the greatest warriors the kingdom had ever seen. If Renji is anything like him, we may have a true leader in our midst."

"This Renji... he carries himself with such confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if he rises to lead our forces one day."

There was murmur throughout the room as the nobles looked at each other, trying to make sense of what they had witnessed.

Some of them were particularly stunned when the glyphs had dissolved and the crystal had finished its display.

"But wait," another noble questioned. "Did that say that voice say he has a second order skill? He's only level 1! How can that be?"

The room fell silent again.

To possess a second order skill at such a low level was nearly unheard of.

Nobles and high-ranking officials, who had seen many adventurers in their time, knew the significance of what they had just witnessed.

Eldrin stepped forward to clarify to the confused heroes.

"Skill orders do not only signify mastery," he explained.

"They also represent the power of the skill itself. Every skill has six orders, and with each order, its power is multiplied tenfold. A first order S rank skill may be powerful, but it's nothing compared to a second or fourth order S rank skill. The rank of a skill matters, but its order is just as crucial."

"For example, an A rank skill is naturally more powerful than a B rank skill, but a B rank second order skill can rival the power of an A rank first order skill. The higher the order, the greater the skill's power."

A noble leaned forward. "But, Elder, the methods to improve a skill beyond the third order have been lost to history. It's said that most masters of this era possess third order skills, and they are over level 30! But to see such a young hero with a second order B rank skill—"

"—Makes him more valuable than anyone could have anticipated," another noble finished with excitement. "This Renji might be the future of our kingdom. He possesses both strength and potential beyond his years."

Renji, having overheard the conversation, puffed out his chest and grinned.

"You know it," he said proudly. "I won't disappoint. Back home I've led my team to victory every time. This is just the beginning."

The nobles exchanged looks, now fully convinced that Renji Kisaragi was not just some ordinary boy.

But indeed a summoned hero!

"Please, someone else step forward."