CHAPTER 13: CLASS AWAKENING [2]

The capital city of Astoria, known as Zeron, was a beautiful city.

Walls taller than hundreds of metres were formed all around it, keeping the city safer than almost all threats.

It is said the walls were made by the first king of Astoria, who was a well-known hater of giants.

They say Astoria was the land of giants before it was conquered by humans almost a thousand years back.

The first king of Astoria and his companions were the ones who did it.

’....They really liked to glaze the first king, huh?’

Eden thought as he peeked outside the window, staring at the golden statue of the first king.

The statue was situated right in the front for the world to see.

’How has it not been stolen yet?’

Eden wondered before he quietly leaned back on his seat.

’....This isn’t working.’ he thought, glancing down. ’No matter what I do, I can’t bring myself to forget about it.’

Eden was still in shock after he got to know about the almighty God of this world.

And it was none other than Satan, who was known as the worst being in his old world.

’...What kind of fucking world is run by fucking Satan himself!?’

Eden bit his lower lip as he tried to suppress his thoughts with pain.

To him, who had lived all his life knowing the atrocities of Satan, it was hard for him to believe he was living in his world.

[Why are you panicking so much? He isn’t going to come after you.]

Sana’s voice chimed in his mind, trying to be as cheerful as possible.

’....Are you sure he will not come after me?’

[I mean, we can hop—.]

’Fuck!!’

"Eden?" Evelynn called softly, concern flickering in her voice.

He quickly forced a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah—sorry, just... getting a little nervous."

"Don’t piss your pants on the stage." Abel snickered, not letting any chance to humiliate him.

Eden looked at him then proceeded to ignore him completely.

The carriage began to move as they got the pass from the royal soldiers.

Eden once again peeked out of the window as they crossed the tall walls.

’....They really spent a lot on making it.’

He thought, having a hard time believing that it was a thousand-year-old structure.

The carriage jolted slightly as they entered the inner walls of Zeron.

Wide streets lined with marble buildings, banners bearing the sigil of the royal family fluttering in the wind.

The soldiers in polished armor patrolling every corner.

Crowds of people moved along the sides, their faces full of excitement.

The awakening ceremony is done for everyone, be it commoner or noble.

That’s why, at this time, a lot of people come for their awakening.

And Eden could understand with how many people were roaming around.

As they passed through the gates toward the royal district, he saw the grand cathedral in the distance.

It was an enormous stage with six different orb-like things placed at equal distances.

"That’s where the ceremony will take place," Evelynn said.

Eden nodded wordlessly.

The carriage rolled forward slowly, blending into the long line of other noble families arriving for the ceremony.

Osmund was the first to step out, his heavy boots landing with a thud on the cobblestone.

"Come on," he said, stretching his back. "We should go and rest before the ceremony."

Evelynn followed gracefully, her soft blue gown catching the sunlight.

"Yeah." Eden mumbled, walking out. "I need some rest."

Abel was last to walk out, his sullen face saying more than enough.

’...He really doesn’t like the public, huh?’

Eden thought before he followed his father and mother.

---

The time that was given to Eden was mostly spent overthinking.

And before Eden knew it, the time for the ceremony had already arrived.

The plaza was even more overwhelming up close.

Tens of thousands of teenagers were gathered around the plaza, all admiring the six crystals.

There were six of them so the ceremony could be completed in the given time.

’....I guess, it takes too much energy and manpower to use it on a regular basis.’

Eden thought as he looked around the place.

A baron was just a class above the commoners, so he wasn’t really given any privilege like the other nobles.

A few of the high-ranking nobles had their own mini stage where they stood proudly.

’What a show-off.’

He thought, rubbing his chin.

’Hey, Sana, care to explain about the class awakening?’

[It’s simple. There are six classes, and everyone awakens one of the six except those with unique or legendary or divine classes.]

Eden nodded thoughtfully as he asked, ’What are the six main classes?’

[Warrior, Mage, Ranger, Healer, Artisan, and Shadow.]

Sana’s voice rang clearly in his head.

’Most must awaken Warrior and Mage, right?’

[Yes.]

’...What about unique and the other two classes?’

[That’s the class that is unique to a person or a lineage.]

’...I see.’

The sound of horns interrupted his thoughts.

A group of royal knights marched forward, clearing a path through the sea of people.

The ground vibrated faintly with every synchronized step.

The head priest of the ceremony, a tall man in white and gold robes, stepped up to the central platform.

His voice carried through the plaza, deep and powerful, enhanced with mana.

"Children of Astoria!" he declared. "Today, you stand before the Divine Crystals, the gifts of the Almighty Himself! May your souls be seen, and your worth be judged!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Eden could practically feel the tension and excitement in the air.

"The ceremony will be simple." The priest spoke once again. "I will call upon your name, and you will come forward."

The head priest turned towards the other side of the plaza, where a balcony was covered.

He bowed in that direction. "Shall we start, Your Highness?"

A grunt boomed from the balcony, strong enough to create a shockwave around the place.

Eden shielded his eyes as he looked at the curtained balcony.

’...So, that’s where the king is staying.’

Eden strengthened his body as the ceremony began.

One by one, the names of nobles and commoners alike were called.

Each stepped forward, placed their hands on a crystal, and waited for the light to respond.

The results varied, but most of them were mages or warriors.

But after a while, the excitement began to fade for Eden. It all seemed... predictable.

’Everyone’s just repeating the same cycle,’

he thought. ’Is no one special in this place?’

"Dorian Velmont Astoria!!"

The name echoed within the plaza, making everyone in the place quiet down.

Through the silent crowd, a young man walked towards the stage.

He looked presentable with a long face and broad body structure.

’....The crown prince.’

Eden thought as he remembered his father’s words.

His hair, silver like moonlight, shimmered under the sun.

’He really does look like a prince,’ Eden thought, crossing his arms. ’Even his hair looks like it was blessed by good lighting.’

Beside him, Sana’s voice hummed softly in amusement.

[You’re jealous.]

’No. Just acknowledging that life clearly picked its favorite.’

[Mhm. Sure.]

The priest bowed deeply as the prince stepped onto the stage. "Your Highness, whenever you are ready."

The prince nodded curtly and placed his hand on the golden crystal.

For a moment, everything was still, and then the orb exploded in light.

The crystal’s glow was intense even in broad daylight.

"By the Almighty..." the priest whispered in awe, his voice echoed.

"Dorian Velmont Astoria! Unique Class: Faith Leader!"

’...What type of class is that?’

[It’s meh. Most of the high-ranking paladins have it.]

’Why is a prince having a paladin class?’

Eden wondered as the prince got down, looking pleased with his results.

The monotonous naming continued once again with no other unique class.

Half an hour into the ceremony, and Eden was bored senseless.

He moved away from the plaza and reached back to get some fresh air.

Only to find someone familiar.

"Mother?" Eden mumbled as Evelynn smiled at him.

"Come here."

She said, waving at him.

"I have something that I want you to do, Eden."

Eden walked towards her as she gently grabbed his arm.

"What is it?" Eden asked, looking into her bluish eyes.

Evelynn smiled. "Can you ignore your father’s words,"

She spoke softly as if asking politely.

"And show your real class?"