--
Tsss!
The sound akin to an abrupt gas leak was heard after TJ's VR pod opened.
Even as the glass cover rose, indicating that he could now get up, TJ remained motionless in the pod. He's awake but only staring emptily at the ceiling.
He's adjusting to reality. It's something that tends to happen to people after their first time using VR Pods. It's a normal side effect that has never truly disappeared no matter how much the advanced VR tech has improved. It's something that could only be alleviated after continuous use.
It's not all-out paralysis, though; TJ can move. It's just that he's feeling a little discombobulated right now. But as seconds ticked, that sensation was disappearing.
Eventually, he released a breath. Now, the lingering effects and visions of the VR world have completely subsided for him. His mind and spirit have returned to reality.
That's only when he stepped out of the pod. Even then, he moved very slowly just in case. He didn't want to topple over and damage anything in this room if he could help it.
"Stay for a bit and readjust. Drink some water, and don't move around too much. After about 30 minutes, you should feel completely normal again. Only then can you go home."
Mr. Eden's voice echoed in his ears. And it's probably not just for him; it's for others too.
TJ looked around the room slowly and saw that only a few students were left. Him, Lily, Sieg, the two repeaters, and a few of their other classmates as well.
Some of them were still lying down on the pod, still waiting for the side effects of the VR to fade; others had already sat up and gotten off their pod.
TJ continued looking around. Inevitably, his gaze landed on the large system window hovering at the center of the room.
It displayed a list of names, their names. And at the end of each name were the results of their practical exams.
There were only two results: pass and fail. The former is written in green; the latter is in red.
And in that list, more than half of the names have failed the practical exam.
Try as he might, TJ couldn't help but inhale sharply at the sight. More than half of his batchmates have failed at the exam that mattered the most. Had they failed the three previous exams prior to this one, there might've been a chance for them to recover, but failing this?
Yeah, they're done for.
Now, TJ wasn't one to sympathize too much. He only ever had 2 friends, and they were Lily and Sieg; the rest remained largely unknown to him. He never really cared too much to inquire how they're doing; they also never went out of their way to talk to him.
By all means, the majority of his batchmates were strangers to him.
But even so, he still felt bad somehow. He knew that some people were just destined to fail; these people never took their training seriously, never took the initiative, and were determined to only play around. They never took the school's warning to heart even though the staff has repeatedly shown them that they meant their word.
TJ had nothing to say to these people. They're trash, plain and simple. They deserved this fate. Maybe repeating another year would leave them a sufficient reason to work harder next time.
As for those who worked hard but still ended up not making it, these people were the pitiful ones, and that's especially because he knew that they tried their best. They're the ones who must be feeling really miserable right now.
Alas, the school will not bend their rules for them. A fail is a fail. Better luck next time.
TJ passed, obviously. His name was even at the very top of the list. And from what he had seen, Lily and Sieg passed their exams too.
He never doubted their abilities, but he was still relieved to see that they passed anyway.
It would also seem that luck also favored others because TJ saw those whom he never expected to pass, pass as well. He had no idea how that happened, and frankly, he didn't care.
After a while, TJ summoned his own profile, and his eyes immediately landed on his exp pool...
**
Rank: 5★ Novice (500/500)
Exp: 1000 (Capped)
[Alert!]
[Maximum exp reached. To gain more, it's advised for the user to advance to Apprentice Rank.]
Congratulations, you are now eligible to receive a Class Transition Quest! ]
[To change your class, you must:
Get a Class Transitioning Scroll
Use it and complete its class-related questline
Reach 1☆ Apprentice Rank
Please choose wisely. Once you use a Class Transition Scroll, you are stuck with it until the next time you become eligible.]
[Reminder: Grandmaster Rank and below only have a total of three (3) chances of transitioning to another class.]
**
TJ made it after all. Not only did he fill the exp needed for 5★s, but he even accumulated enough to upgrade his rank to Apprentice Rank with that additional 1000 exp.
The only reason why he hadn't increased his rank yet was because he wanted to complete his Class Transition Quest first. Had he ranked up first, the notice would've been nullified. He'd have to wait until he reaches the pinnacle of the Apprentice Rank before he becomes eligible for Class Transition again.
Obviously, he didn't want to wait that long.
However, a new problem arises.
'I need a Class Transitioning Scroll first.'
Unlike skills, though, Class Transition Scrolls aren't available on the Professional Market. Such an item is strictly controlled by the government.
One had to know that transitioning to another class is a big deal regardless of status. It's a decision that requires multiple perspectives: one's own and third parties—like teachers, high-ranking professionals, and sometimes even psychiatrists.
Class transitions are life-changing events, literally. It doesn't just change one's skills and raise the ceiling of their potential. It also changes the trajectory of their professional career, a.k.a. their life.
This is one of the main reasons why Class Transitioning Scrolls couldn't be sold in public.
His best chance at acquiring one was by enrolling in a university. And he might have to stretch his patient until then.
TJ shook the thought out of his head. Out of sight, out of mind. He didn't want to keep thinking about it because the more he does, the more impatient he gets. He might end up doing something reckless.
"Hey, ready to go?" Sieg's voice returned him to the present. Lily was also standing beside him.
"Yeah, I'm good. Let's go?"
"Let's go."
Before leaving the room, TJ looked at Mr. Eden and nodded. The gruff man nodded back before looking away.
This wasn't their last day here; they'd return tomorrow to receive their final results, and by the end of the week, they'd be graduating, so they also don't have many days left.
The three of them walked home in relative silence. Each seems to be immersed in their own thoughts.
"You boys filled your exp pool completely?" Lily asked out of the blue.
"I did."
"Same," Sieg and TJ replied. The former turned to him and said, "Thanks for the hint, by the way. I would've left as soon as the quest was finished if you didn't say anything."
"Don't mention it." TJ shrugged. "I wasn't so sure either, but I'm glad I ended up being correct."
"I ended up cutting it very close because of the bear," Sieg grumbled. "The rest were alright, even the tiger. But that bear? Ugh."
"Yeah, the bear took the longest to kill. It could take several of my 'Pink Sparkles'; it's unfair."
'There she is again with her magical girl agenda.' TJ sighed. Alas, that's just Lily in a nutshell.
"How about you, TJ?" she asked.
"Easy. I have a gun." TJ shrugged.
"Oh. Oh, right! I forgot. Good for you then!" She exclaimed, her tone not showing any signs of envy or jealousy. "But I won't lose! One day, my Pink Sparkles will be stronger than bullets! Believe it!"
"Sure, sure."
"Speaking of which, it seems that you'd become a real Magical Girl soon!" Sieg's eyes brightened as he recalled it.
Lily shared his enthusiasm, saying, "Yeah, I really am. Master said she already prepared a scroll for me. She's fully supportive of my dream, and so are my parents."
"Nice," TJ commented, but deep down, he feels a bit envious.
Unlike Lily and Sieg—yes, this includes him because Sieg's a descendant of combat pros—TJ didn't have a trusted and supportive adult that would provide him with a Class Transitioning Scroll.
"TJ—"
"Don't." TJ stopped her before she could say anything more. "I know what you're thinking. Don't. Just, don't."
Lily wanted to protest, but Sieg held her hand and shook his head. Also, she [Empathy] could feel TJ's resolution. He's not angry or upset. He's not disappointed that she even implied it at all. He just wants her to drop it.
This isn't up for debate. If she pushes, that's when TJ will be upset with her. So, she had no choice but to forget it.