“For the next year, or maybe just half a year for some of you, I will be Amillion Starpen, your S-Class instructor. On the very first day of school, we’ve had a small issue…”
The professor, who I’d seen earlier, was introducing herself as our homeroom teacher at the front of the classroom, but I couldn’t focus on what Amillion was saying.
<'You can open your 'Job Selection' interface to choose your class. Be aware that once a class is chosen, you cannot change it, and you will not be able to learn skills from other classes, so choose carefully.>
“How do my current abilities count in all this…?”
After completing the third sub-quest, “Follow Me to the Roof,” I waited inside the lecture hall where I first arrived. It was fine when the professor, who earlier made a fuss about someone fainting, came in as our homeroom teacher.
However, when Professor Amillion started talking, a vague message suddenly floated in front of my eyes, forcing me to make a choice.
No matter what I tried, the message blocking my view wouldn’t disappear, indicating I had to select a “class” immediately.
“As students starting in the S-class, you are among the most talented applicants from countless Academies, and you should be proud…”
“Man, this system really isn’t helpful.”
I tried yelling out things like “Help” or “Tutorial,” but nothing changed as I stared at the message.
The message not only prompted me to choose a class but also displayed the jobs available for selection.
Each class had a “Potential” number in parentheses beside it, which seemed to recommend the best-fitting roles for me indirectly.
“Potential…?”
I quickly thought through the possibilities.
What criteria does the system use to assess which class suits me and what potential I have?
“Knights have 99 potential, but Wizards have only 60.”
While Professor Amillion continued her talk, I glanced at the listed potential numbers beside each job.
At least this way, I appeared to be paying attention in class.
For classes involving physical combat, like Knights, Swordsmen, Shield Bearers, and Archers, the potential numbers were mostly high.
On the other hand, professions like Wizards and Priests had much lower scores.
From the limited information, one conclusion was clear.
My current stats determined the potential ratings for each class.
Since my strength, agility, and endurance stats were high, while my mana stat was abysmally low…
“That must mean…”
“As everyone knows, the S-class is an elite group of only seven students from every year. We offer exclusive benefits and specially designed curricula for S-class students. First…”
“Meaning it recognizes my existing abilities as part of my potential.”
Using Amillion’s speech as background music, I quickly made my decision.
Though I wasn’t sure, my gut feeling screamed that I was on the right track.
If that’s true, then my decision got much easier.
<Would you like to choose Wizard?>
It was obvious — a Wizard.
For the last ten years, I had operated under an intuitive system: physical exercise boosted strength, running increased agility and endurance, but I barely managed to raise my mana stat to 46.
Mana could only be leveled up by studying — studying about circuits, mathematical formulas, and mana distribution.
From the 21st-century Korea, I studied math and science, but magic books were leagues ahead of anything taught at that level.
And my purely liberal arts background, with poor math skills to boot, made magic studies nearly impossible. Initially, I dived into magic books with the thought, “Fantasy is all about wizards!” but eventually gave up.
But if I chose Wizard as a job…
“Since they mention ‘skills,’ they probably won’t make me actually study to cast magic.”
This clearly followed a game-like system. Would they really force me into that?
After minimal deliberation:
<You have chosen the 'Wizard' class. You have earned the title 'Academy Beginner Wizard.'>
“Academy Beginner Wizard,” what a cute-sounding title. Without hesitation, I happily picked Wizard.
<Your job choice has activated the 'Skill Window.'>
“Wow!”
Switching to Wizard didn’t bring instant changes, but the activation of the skill window message thrilled me — it had been way too long since I’d felt excitement like this.
Now I could cast magic without the complicated formulas. Would selecting a skill and just shouting its name do the trick?
…
“Student Ryu?”
“…What?”
I was just about to check out the skill window when a sudden voice snapped me back to reality.
The persistent system message vanished as soon as I focused on the real world. Evidently, the system had resumed its usual operation now that the choice was made.
Where the flashy “Skill Window” message had been, I now found Professor Amillion giving me an intense stare.
“Do you understand?”
“Uh… Yes?”
“Hmm?”
Professor Amillion furrowed her brow and eyed me suspiciously.
Instinctively, I glanced at Cynthia next to me, but of course, there was nothing she could do.
Cynthia only gave me a look that said, “Hurry up and answer!”
“Um, would you mind explaining that again? I don’t quite follow…”
“…Sigh. You don’t understand?”
Using my laugh and the classic “Please explain again” student move, but Professor Amillion remained unimpressed, glancing at me for a bit more before letting out a sigh and repeating herself.
“Traditionally, the top-scoring new student becomes the student representative. You, Student Ryu, will represent the new students until the next promotion exam.”
“Oh…”
“In addition, the student representative serves on the student council. After today’s classes, there will be a new student council meeting, so your attendance is required. If you don’t understand that, well, I’m astonished.”
“Uh, a meeting?”
It was a series of nonstop surprises.
First, the system popped up demanding a job selection, and now Professor Amillion was telling me I was the student representative, which meant joining the student council and attending their meetings.
“But today…?”
“Today yes. After classes end, we’ll also likely be sharing dinner.”
“Could I possibly skip it?”
“…Excuse me?”
Professor Amillion gave me an incredulous, almost amused scoff and stared at me.
Frankly, being the student representative or joining the council wasn’t exactly a job I was excited about, but it was a manageable position for someone like me, the Black Shadow Guild Leader. The issue was tonight’s schedule.
“But today…”
“Exactly today.”
“But… isn’t there a way to decline?”
“Ah, so you have some very important engagement, I gather?”
“Um, yes, there’s quite an important matter…”
Sensing she was holding back her frustration, Professor Amillion paused to take a deep breath and then calmly spoke.
“Besides the representatives of each class, even the Chancellor is taking time out of his busy schedule to attend this first meeting. Perhaps you’d care to provide some valid excuse?”
“…”
Why was the Chancellor even attending this student council meeting? And why was it so urgent?
Professor Amillion’s sharp gaze was hotter than when Cain collapsed earlier and now was fixated on me. It wasn’t the look of a teacher checking on her student but rather something more like a foe.
This Academy was truly impolite. First, during the entrance exams, they unexpectedly asked me to talk about being the top-ranked student in front of everyone. Now, I’m randomly required to attend a supposedly crucial meeting.
“What about people who have other plans?”
“…Though, it is unusual for a freshman to have such plans…”
For a moment, I almost began questioning myself, but I quickly snapped out of it.
Regardless of what Amillion might say, I had an important appointment tonight. After all, it could be the day I finally find “it,” the thing I’ve been desperately searching for the last year.
“Professor?”
“Yes. Go ahead, I’m ready to hear your rebuttal.”
“As the student representative, it wouldn’t look good if I’m absent. I absolutely agree.”
“Hmm?”
Whatever I said, it seemed Professor Amillion was ready to rebuttal, but she calmed down slightly when I started with agreement.
“But I have a truly unavoidable reason, so how about letting Elaine, who came in second place, attend instead of me? Not that I don’t intend to go — I plan on going and leaving early if timing works — but…”
“Hmm…”
“And… Someone from a powerful family like St. Claire, not just a commoner, should be present to give us freshers more clout. I, personally, don’t know much about these noble council things.”
“Hmm…”
Professor Amillion, who was about to lose her temper, nodded slightly in agreement as I continued my plea.
I’m almost there—just a little more persuasion, and this could work!
“Me, attend such a prestigious event? Would it be okay?”
“Of course! It’s not a prestigious event, it’s boring. Truthfully, Elaine would be a much better student representative than me.”
“There is no way…”
It was child’s play to convince Elaine compared to Professor Amillion.
“Exactly. You are the right person for maintaining our image among the newcomers, especially among the noble students.”
“Two representatives together, not bad at all.”
“Yes!”
When Professor Amillion finally gave her approval, I couldn’t hide my inner satisfaction.
“But… do I have any standing to attend such an important meeting?”
“Aw, it’s not such an important event. It’s just another boring task, frankly. Besides, you’d represent the freshmen better than me.”
“That’s hardly true…”
Compared to persuading Amillion, cajoling Elaine was a breeze.
