It was early morning, today was the day! I was to receive my class today along with all the other students in their 15th Winter here at Borgons Military Academy, 10 years of training specialising in swordsmanship was all coming to this point.
I excitedly got out bed getting dressed in his mostly tattered academy uniform, once an orphan adopted by the academy at the age of 5 in the hopes of training and guiding boys and girls into becoming future soldiers and adventurers to ensure safety of the kingdom and more importantly fight against the demonic threat, I had mostly been a stellar student, exceeding with the sword but proficient in other weapons such as the daggers, the polearm, and mace, so there was never a doubt in my own mind or the mind of his instructors that I would be offered a combat class, they even suggested I may get an uncommon class, this was to be his best day he was sure of it.
I sat with my two closest friends George and Lukas at the academy in the dining hall now turned auditorium, the dining tables pushed to the back and all the chairs lined up in rows with all the older students getting their classes today from the local Temple, in total 8 of them were due to get their classes all of them fidgeting as they eagerly waited.
"Well what do you think you'll get" he heard George whisper next to him.
"uncommon swordsman" I answered with confidence, "you both know I'm the best in class at the sword, the system wouldn't give me anything else, I'm sure of it" he heard a small snort of laughter beside him from Lukas.
"not likely, you'll probably end up a Warrior most students here do we are not special enough for fancy classes" Lukas said trying to shut down that dream.
This brought me back to his thoughts, I was sure I would be destined for something special I felt it.
I knew how few people got above a common class here in the academy with most graduates getting a basic combat or healer class, and the rare few getting a common magic class.
The issue was the academy had no tutors for magic and since their ultimate goal was to provide career soldiers to the war front or adventurers to protect the cities and towns from the ever growing monster dangers that were encroaching upon them, they were not worried about specialisations or focusing on niche training.
After what seemed like eternity had passed, they heard voices from the hall it was muffled but it was surely the academy staff greeting the priest from the temple.
Before long the door to the dining hall opened and a hush fell across the room as their arms Instructor Michael led an old man dressed in grey robes down the middle of the room towards the front, in his hand he held what appeared to be an Orb of sorts wrapped in a cloth.
"That must be the artifact that gives us our class" I whispered to nobody in particular as I heard other hushed whispers from the students surrounding me.
"Silence" Michael stated ending all chatter and whispers immediately.
"We have eight students today who will be undertaking the choosing and moving forward, after today you will be considered adults in the eyes of the Kingdom and we will ensure you are taken in by the appropriate group in short order, I expect great things from some of you and I expect you will all remember your training" Michael said to the group.
I could have sworn Instructor Michael was looking at me when he said he expects great things, these thoughts were quickly interrupted at Michael went on "When you're name is called, come to the front I will now allow Elder Peter to instruct you all before we start"
Most of us had heard the Elders instructions over the years since we all sat in the same room watching our seniors get their own classes on the year of their 15th birthday, but it was always amazing to watch.
"Thank you for that introduction Instructor" Elder Peter started, his voice soft but everyone heard him clearly "Yes, when your name is called I will get you to come forth and place your hand on the Orb of Choosing, your class and a short summary will be provided to you as well as displayed above the Orb for all to see, I will remind you all classes cannot be changed and nobody has control over what class you get outside of fate itself, lastly as I'm sure you're aware from your lessons here, this will also be unlocking the System for you, now Instructor if you please let us start" Elder Peter than proceeded to unwrap the Orb showing what appeared to be a clear crystalline Orb about the size of a melon.
With that Instructor Michael started calling out names by alphabetical order.
"Amanda step forward" A tomboy looking girl practically leaped from her chair before stumbling forward, composing herself as she reached the Orb.
"Place your hand on the top of the Orb child" Elder Peter softly said with slight hesitation she placed her hand on top and a soft blue glow appeared from the Orb.
A soft awe sound came from the younger students at the academy before words appeared above the Orb between Amanda and the Elder.
"Class: Acolyte Uncommon, Seems you'll be joining us at the Temple child" the Elder stated with a small smile on his face.
"Please be seated" he said gesturing to the 8 seats off to the side set aside for those of us once we were done.
Amanda slowly walked away appeared to be both shocked and surprised by the decision of the orb.
She was never the best at combat training however she excelled in survival and medical practices, taking her seat against the wall.
A yell cut through "Brandon" Michaels voice called, ending all the mutterings of the children, a young boy that I never really got along with approached the front with a smile on his face, confidently put his hand on the orb without any further instructions from the Elder, after a brief moment the Orb glowed blue text appearing "Class: Soldier, Common" Elder Peter read out.
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With a smile Brandon turned to go take a seat along the wall without further instruction from the Elder.
"Darren" Michaels voice called out, quickly he approached clearly very nervous before also receiving Soldier and sitting next to Brandon whispering to each other.
"Gemma" a small girl one of the quietest of the Academy slowly approaching placing her hand on the Orb before the Elder called out "Class: Cleric, common, always good to see healers, take a seat child" as Gemma was walking away taking a seat at the far end of the others.
Michaels voice rung out "George" "This is it" I heard George say as he got up and strode forward, placing his hand on the Orb "Class: Soldier, Common" the Elder said, a smile appearing on Georges face as Lukas and myself gave him a nod and a smile knowing he got what he wanted.
"Lukas" with that his other friend was called forth "good luck" I whispered "you too" Lukas said getting up from his seat confidently putting his hand on the Orb "Class: Swordsman, Uncommon" Elder Peter stated, a giant smile appearing on Lukas's face as he gave me a thumbs up before taking his seat next to George.
This was good though I thought, we trained together, I was always slightly better at the sword than Lukas, so surely if he got it I would too.
"Sara" Michaels voice cut through his thoughts after her it was his turn nerves taking over, Sara approached the Orb placing her hand on top Elder Peter stated "Class: Archer, Common" Sara smiling wandered over to the seats, before I heard my own name called out.
This was it.
As I got out of my seat I could feel a wobble in my legs before I steeled himself, taking a deep breath.
I trained for this. I was ready.
Stepping forward looking at Elder Peter I placed my hand on the Orb feeling a slight coolness to the touch before it started to glow, I could have sworn it glowed brighter than the others, then words appeared in front of me between myself and Elder Peter, I immediately felt my breath catch
Class: Arcane Chef
Rarity: Rare
"Feed the body, Grow the soul"
Elder Peter paused for a moment seemingly taken aback before stating "Class: Arcane Chef, Rare. How curious I have never seen this one before, take a seat we will talk shortly child" he said softly.
Feeling incredibly deflated and confused, I barely heard the words and didn't move, I felt my world crashing down around me, I didn't get a combat class? How could this be?
"I've never even cooked before, how?" I said in stunned disbelief.
"We'll talk shortly child you must take your seat now" Elder Peter stated with a level of patience in his voice.
Instructor Michael had no such patience however taking me by the shoulder and with a small amount of force guiding me towards the seats, the whole room was in shock at different things.
One was a rare class, none of them had seen a rare class before.
His friends however were shocked at the fact it was not a combat class, how could the best swordsman not get even a basic combat class.
Taking a seat next to Gemma he barely heard the closing words from Elder Peter.
Still trying to wrap his head around what had happened, It felt like in just a second his whole world had been shattered, all his dreams of glory gone in an instant.
He would never be a valiant warrior killing powerful monsters.
He'd never be a famous adventurer who took down a legendary Dragon.
He'd never even see a Demon on the front line, what was he going to do.
Around him the younger students of the academy got up, leaving the room to go back to their respective lessons, many eyes lingering on him as they left.
He felt his own friends eyes burning a hole into him as they stared at him mouth still open but saying nothing to him.
Eventually Michael and Elder Peter came over to the 8 of them standing before them when Michael got their attentions "Right, with this you are now all considered adults in the eyes of the Kingdom, with that your studies at the Borgons Military Academy have come to an end, I hope you will all go forward and make us proud, to those who have Soldier Class, Sergeant Glass is waiting out front with a carriage to take you all to the Barracks your training will begin immediately"
"Miss Amanda" Elder Peter said softly, "You will be returning with me to the Temple to start your training as an Acolyte, we will first figure out which God has taken a shine to you and will escort you to the appropriate Temple, you may be lucky and join the Children of Fate here with us" he stated with a chuckle and appreciative smile.
"Miss Gemma, I will also be taking you with me and dropping you off at Dunhearth Medical Pavilion where you will be taken underwing and shown the ropes on being a successful Healer" he added.
Michael took over in the conversation "Sara, Lukas you'll both be embarking on the journey of adventurer. I suggest you both head over the the Guild hall where you will be taken in and assigned a mentor, I wish you both the best of luck"
All eyes fell on me after that before Elder Peter spoke, "Master Trevor, I do not know anything about your class, nor have I heard of it before, I would ask that you please come with me so we may investigate further and perhaps find some insight on it" I didn't even respond just slowly nodding not knowing what else to do.
"Right, well you all have 30minutes to pack up your belongings and make your goodbyes, some paths will divert entirely while some of you will stay in contact, good luck to everyone" Michael stated before turning and leaving the room, not even making eye contact with me at all.
Still sitting unmoving he noticed that Lukas and George had come to him with a laugh Lukas said "Well, here we are looks like I was the better swordsman in the end" trying to make light of it.
However this just earnt him a frown from me "Oh come on its a Rare class, surely you wont be stuck in a random kitchen for the rest of your life, have you even pulled up your status screen yet or looked at your abilities" said George.
This did trigger something in me, I had not looked at any of that yet as I mentally brought up my status screen
Name: Trevor
Class: Arcane Chef
Rarity: Rare
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
"Feed the body, Grow the soul"
Hit points: 140/140
Mana: 50/50
Stamina: 140/140
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 11
Endurance: 14
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 4
Charisma: 3
Willpower: 12
Perception: 8
Luck: 6
Abilities:
Basic Meal Prep: 1
Butchery: 1
Knifework: 1
Looking over this nothing stood out as special, He tried to bring up extra information on his class and abilities
Arcane Chef
"Feed the body, Grow the soul"
Class Evolution: None
On Level Up:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Wisdom
+1 Dexterity
+2 Unassigned
Basic Meal Prep
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
"Can craft basic meals at an increased pace"
Butchery
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
"Able to identify usable parts, Increased yield from target"
Knifework
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
"Efficiency with a kitchen knife"
I was at a loss, nothing here stood out to me, it all looked mundane why was it called an Arcane Chef, where is the Arcane part of it?
This ultimately made me feel worse if that was at all possible, breaking me out of my brooding were my friends looking at him expectantly
"Well?" Lukas and George said at basically the same time.
"There's nothing, it just looked like regular cooking abilities, I don't even have a fire starting ability" I said still very dejected.
Both of them looked at each other and shrugged unsure how to cheer me up or even if it was possible at this point.
"Ah well, maybe Elder Peter will discover something for you?" George said with whatever hope he could muster.
George and Lukas quickly made an excuse to go and pack leaving me alone on the chairs, none of the students really needed to pack much we all knew what was happening and were prepared to go.
This was really just for last minute goodbyes but I did not blame my friends for leaving, they had their whole lives ahead of them to look forward to.
