Class Choice
Mark watched as Elthorn looked around, his eyes were wide.
“Is Mark's core projection, showing us the Nexus Sea?”
Alexander pondered for a second before responding, “Yes and no” he finally said.
Mark looked away from the water and stared at Alexander, confused. Elthorn spoke before Mark had a chance to ask.
“What do you mean by that, it’s clearly the nexus sea look how beautiful the crystal-clear blue water is.”
“Yes, it is the Nexus Sea but its more than that, here Let me show you” Alexander said, “Elthorn could you please remove one of your gauntlets?”
Mark watched as Elthorn nodded then with a thought his gauntlet vanished.
“Good now would you please look at the shore where the water laps on to the sand.”
Mark watched as Elthorn’s gaze met the sand and then the edge of the water, Elthorn stepped back, his eyes were wide in shock looking at his arm and hand, but he never shouted out. Mark was surprised by the reaction until he looked closer, and his eyes went wide as well, Blood fell like rain onto the dock from a ton of little cuts on Elthorn’s arm. Mark stepped a bit closer, “are you okay?”
“How is this possible? I have a diamond-grade body, and my core is also body-focused.”
Mark sighed another question to add to his list, what was a body focused core and a diamond body.
Alexander answered, “Yes Mark, Elthorn will be fine.” He smiled at his old friends’ stunned face. “And to answer your question Elthorn, look up at the light above us.”
Mark and Elthorn both looked up at the same time, Mark shielded his eyes with his hand, not that it helped in any way. He tried to focus but he just wasn’t able to make out anything buy a blinding light. He looked at Elthorn, he wasn’t shielding his eyes but staring up at the light, he looked to be even more in awe than before.
Elthorn looked to Alexander and then to Mark, “What is your core class Mark?”
“I don’t have a class yet; we were going to wait until after you arrived. And what does the beach and sun have to do with my core?” Thinking about it none of this made sense how was someone like Elthorn an aged warrior surprised by this, I don’t even have a class yet.
Alexander cut in before Elthorn could answer. “Why don’t we finish your introduction to the Nexus, your core class which I am sure you are excited to figure out will help with your questions then we can tell you what your core represents.”
Mark watched impatiently as Alexander conjured the three spheres again, he couldn’t wait to start his new life, he was still worried about Silva, but he knew that there was nothing he could do for her right now, if Elthorn wasn’t rushing off to go find her there was little he could do. He had focus on getting stronger and then maybe he could help. The spheres pulsed their respective colors as they started to slowly merge, after a minute a large ocean blue sphere hovered in front of him. Mark could hear a faint noise coming from the sphere, he listened intently as he slowly walked closer to it. He stopped a few feet away when he was able to make out some of the sound, it was the sound of waves and the wind. What was even more interesting than the sound was that he could smell a mix of salt water and the smell of newly bloomed plants.
“Please step just a bit closer and put your hand on the sphere, this will do a couple things. It will reveal your class as well as awaken your interface, this has been known to make some feel lightheaded or even sick.”
“My interface, do you mean like a computer interface?”
“Yes, exactly like a computer interface, it will be a screen provided by your bond with the nexus and only you can see it unless shared. It will have a few tabs to help keep track of your basic information such as name, health, stamina, mana, and even your attribute stats. It will also help you keep track of your progression, items in your nexus storage, and there is even a note tab for anything you might want to make note of along your way.”
“Wow, that’s super helpful.”
“Indeed”, said Alexander. “Okay, Mark now if you are ready, please put your hand on the sphere.”
Mark moved closer and the smells and sounds of the ocean intensified. Stretching out his hand, here goes nothing he thought, and he touched the sphere. The sensation was almost overwhelming, he could feel something awakening inside him it was invigorating. He felt satisfied if that made sense like he was full for the first time. Mark heard a loud PING.
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Welcome to Nexus!
We are happy to tell you that you have successfully integrated into the Nexus. You have eight class choices to choose from, six common, one rare, and one epic. These choices have been picked by us as they resonate well with the strengths of your core. Here are the six common classes. Mage, druid, cleric, swordsman, rogue, and warrior. The rare class choice is Echo Mage. The last epic class choice is Sea Druid.
The six common choices were familiar but the last two were new too him Hoping this would work so he could talk to the Nexus without Alexander and Elthorn finding out he tried talking directly too it in his mind.
This was tough, while it would be a blast to summon creatures it be fun to throw spells around. Becoming a swordsman would be awesome as well, combing that with magic is kind of a dream come true.
Congratulations, the Sea Druid class has been successfully awakened.
Mark was overwhelmed and thrilled he was going to sling some crazy spells. He tried to look at his character tab hoping to find his class info but the screen in his vision disappeared as he tried.
“Wait”, Mark blurted. He tried to get the screen to come back but no response.
“What’s wrong, did everything go alright?” asked Alexander.
Mark tuned around and saw Alexander looking quizzically and he had to chock back a laugh at the anticipating look on Elthorn. While it was easy to see the features of Elthorn in Silva it was at this moment when he was beaming and excited for news you could really tell that he was indeed Silvas dad. It reminded him of when he brought home a test results that she helped him study for. He smiled back at them, “Everything went fine”, but then it was his turn to look puzzled. “Alexander why did you ask if everything was okay? I thought you knew about everything that happened in the center of the nexus.”
“Ah well normally you would be correct, while my domain and responsibility as the Nexus Elder is the seed or as you say the center of the Nexus. I can’t see within your core, while you were picking your class you were completely inviable to my senses. Your core is deeply personal, and I can’t see anything about your core unless you show us.
“So, Mark what class did you choose?” Asked Elthorn
“Elthorn give Mark a moment. Why did you shout out wait when you came back to yourself?”
“Oh, yeah I wanted to check out my character tab to see my new class, but when I focused on the screen it disappeared before I could find the character tab.”
“I see, I see”, said Alexander. “The screen that you saw was a Nexus system message telling you that you are now integrated into the nexus, and you have all the advantages that the rest of the people in the Nexus have. You will have to focus on your own screen by just thinking about it and it will instantly pop up.”
Mark hid a smile at Elthorn's very noticeable impatience. Focusing like Alexander suggested, the screen materializes in his vision. The screen was indeed just like a computer, it was a white semi-transparent screen with five tabs on the top he focused on the first tab labeled Character.
Satisfied with his results he looked up to Elthorn and Alexander. “I had eight classes to choose from.”
“What eight classes, really eight.” Blurted Elthorn
“Yeah eight, said Mark Is that odd?
“Well, it’s not unheard of for someone to receive seven class choices, Silva and I received seven choices. I can count on one hand how many times it is.
"I had the six basic normal rarity classes, one rare class, and one epic class to choose from."
"An Epic class!" Elthorn exclaimed "That is the first time hearing of a choice like that." He looked to Alexander, "Have you ever heard of anyone else receiving an epic class choice at the beginning?"
"I have but not for a very long time, I have only heard of four in the thousands of years I have been doing this."
"Really that’s wild. So, what class did you choose Mark?"
"I chose the Sea Druid class; it says it’s an epic variant of the regular druid class."
"It’s an evolved epic class even, you must have more than one strong core." Elthorn commented.
"Well the description said it’s a spirit and strength-based class."
“So two strong cores, that is outstanding Mark.”
“Very good indeed.” Alexander clapped. “Now that this completes your introduction and some, we need to decide where to send you. Elthorn, I am guessing you have an idea on this.
Elthorn’s smile widened even more. “I do indeed, Mark do you want to see the home of Silva?”
“I would love to visit your home; Silva told me the city there is home to the best blend of tea.”
“Ha, you are of Silvas blood, no doubt in that. Yes, Elderbloom city has many wonders.”
Mark watched as Elthorn conjured some small coins from the air.
“Here take these coins, it’s not a lot but it will let you do a bit of shopping when you arrive in the city. I will also have a room reserved in the Bearsong Inn for you. You are of course welcome in my house as well, but I think a night out by yourself getting used to the city will be good for you.”
“Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
“You are welcome, Mark, why don’t you come by the mansion in the morning, and I will introduce you to your new family. Just ask one of the guards in the city for directions to the Orchid Grove Mansion.”
“I will, thank you.”
“See you in a couple days then. Goodbye Alex.”
“Goodbye Elthorn.”
Mark watched as Elthorn walked through a tear and vanished.
“Okay Mark, your turn. Good luck out there, with your class I am sure you will be going on many of adventures.”
After saying goodbye, Mark walked through a tear to start the next journey of his new life.
