CHAPTER 244: MECHANIC

The inside of the Association was quiet.

Most counters were closed. The magic boards showed a red banner: [EMERGENCY—PUBLIC ACCESS SUSPENDED]. A few guards stood near the stairs.

Logan frowned, not expecting the place to look like this. So did Gabriel, though his emotions were perfectly masked.

The receptionist looked up as they entered.

"Sorry, we’re closed due to an emergency. If you came for Awakening, please go to any church in the Capital. They’re still open—"

Gabriel removed his mask before she could finish speaking. He didn’t say anything.

The receptionist froze when she saw his face—the face of one of the most popular and influential figures in the entire Valerian Kingdom.

She swallowed hard. "Y-you’re..."

"Call Vice President Sebas," Gabriel said calmly. "Tell him Gabriel Reyes is here. We only need a room for a quick Awakening. Five minutes. We won’t interfere with your emergency."

The receptionist nodded rapidly, stuttering. "Y-yes, right away!"

Inside the association building, the vice president, Sebas, was reviewing reports when a young staff member burst in, almost tripping on the polished floor.

"Vice President! You... you won’t believe who’s here!"

Sebas frowned slightly, his tone bored. "Calm down. Who?"

The man gulped. "Gabriel Reyes, sir. The MVP of the Inter-Guild Display Event. He’s in the lobby!"

Sebas froze. "What?" He shot up from his chair so fast the papers on his desk scattered. "You’re certain?"

"Yes, sir! I saw him myself! The receptionist confirmed it too—she almost fainted when he showed his face!"

"Idiot! Why didn’t you bring him up immediately?" Sebas barked, already grabbing his coat.

He hurried out and ran into the elevator. A few staff members glanced at him, surprised—they’d never seen the calm and composed vice president move that fast.

Meanwhile, in the reception hall, Gabriel stood patiently near the front desk, arms folded. His mask was off, his expression calm but unreadable. Beside him stood Logan, looking both nervous and excited.

The receptionist kept glancing at Gabriel like she was standing before royalty. Her hands trembled slightly when she tried to offer him tea.

Logan looked around with awe. ’It appears Sir Broken is also very influential in this world as well,’ he thought, eyes wide.

The association building was nearly empty, clearly cleared out for the emergency—but somehow Sir Broken was still able to bypass it!

If you didn’t hold a certain level of power and influence, something like this would be impossible.

Gabriel ignored him. His focus remained on the people passing by, who kept throwing quick, curious glances his way. Even without the mask, his face was recognizable from the broadcasts.

A minute later, Sebas arrived. He was tall, wearing a black vest over a blue coat, and his smile was a bit too wide.

"Sir Gabriel! It’s an honor to meet you again!" Sebas extended his hand quickly. "To think the MVP himself would come to our humble association..."

Gabriel shook his hand firmly. "I’m not here for attention. I came because my junior needs to awaken his class."

"Of course, of course!" Sebas nodded eagerly. "We’ll make it quick and private. Follow me, please."

---

They walked through a long corridor lined with glass walls and runic lights. Staff and adventurers peeked curiously from behind desks, whispering as Gabriel passed by.

"That’s him..."

"The guy who humiliated the Holy Church!"

"Why’s he here?"

Gabriel pretended not to notice. Logan followed quietly, trying not to trip over his own feet.

Sebas finally stopped in front of a heavy silver door. Two guards stood at attention.

"This is the special awakening chamber," Sebas explained. "Only association staff and registered candidates can enter."

He turned to Logan. "You’ll be going in alone. After the class awakening sequence is activated, you’ll find yourself in another world. Just follow the system prompts."

Logan nodded quickly. "Got it."

He hesitated for a moment, looking at Gabriel. "Sir, if I mess up—"

"You won’t," Gabriel interrupted, his tone firm and confident.

That was all Logan needed. He straightened his back and entered the chamber.

---

Outside, Gabriel was chatting quietly with Sebas.

"I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to show up in person," Sebas said, trying to sound casual. "Most people would send a subordinate."

"His case is a bit special. I had to be here myself," Gabriel replied, not bothering to elaborate. It was a clear sign that he didn’t want to talk further.

But the old vice president would be damned if he missed the opportunity to converse with someone as influential as Gabriel.

Sebas chuckled nervously. "Right... makes sense. The rumors say you’ve successfully formed your guild."

No answer.

Sebas cleared his throat with an embarrassed smile and quickly changed his tone. "W-well, if you ever need support from the association, please consider us. We’d be honored to cooperate."

Gabriel gave a faint nod, neither agreeing nor refusing.

The door to the chamber opened at that moment. Logan stepped out, eyes shining.

"I did it!" he shouted. "I awakened as a Mechanic!"

Sebas blinked, his mouth nearly hitting the floor.

Gabriel felt like facepalming at how loud he was, but then he reminded himself that Logan was a newbie and didn’t realize the importance of the class he’d just awakened.

"Mechanic?" Sebas blurted out. "Are you sure about this?"

Moments later, the staff member who had conducted the test stepped out as well.

"Yes, he really did awaken the Mechanic class."

"Show me your stats," Gabriel ordered quickly.

"Y-yes, sir!"

Logan hurriedly pulled up his system interface and shared it.

---

[Player Status]

Name: Legendary Logan

Level: 10

Class: Mechanic (Rare)

HP: 100

MP: 200

[Stats]

Strength: 10

Agility: 14

Intelligence: 20

Perception: 25

Endurance: 19

Skills: Basic Engineering Knowledge Lv.1

---

Gabriel studied it for a few seconds and gave a small nod; however, inwardly, he was grinning like a madman.

A Mechanic! He finally had a Mechanic among his subordinates!

Logan’s chest swelled with pride when he saw the pleased expression on Sir Broken’s face.

At that moment, Gabriel turned toward Sebas and the staff who had conducted the Awakening. An oppressive aura exploded from his body, crushing down on them like a mountain.

"I hope Vice President Sebas won’t reveal any information about this?"

"Y-yes, sir! We’ll keep our mouths shut. No one will know about this," Sebas replied instantly.

"Good." Gabriel nodded in satisfaction, then started to walk away with Logan following behind him.

Their next destination was none other than Edgar Darkmore.