"Queue up, in an orderly line."
The teachers looked at the crowd of aspiring students who were chattering among themselves, and urged them to quiet down.
In the front of the line, a group of students dressed far better than the rest stood, ready to go. Behind them, at a hand's distance, stood the rest of the students, waiting for their turn.
The nobles had priority over the common students in everything they did. This was not merely due to the difference in class or wealth, but because of the contribution of their ancestors and their parents to the world. This would also serve, the higher authorities believed, as a source of motivation for the commoners to work harder.
"Quiet up. The awakening tablet is being brought now.", the headmaster spoke, and almost immediately, all chatter ceased.
The headmaster's eyes closed, and with a motion with his staff, traces of magic flowed out from his body and entered into the circles inscribed within the ground.
On the platform next to the headmaster, a platform opened up and from underneath, a grey stone obelisk rose up, with unreadable runes inscripted all over it.
"My dear students, today is the day you turn into adventurers, scholars, soldiers, aspirants of a higher power.", the headmaster smiled.
"Your starting points does not reflect anything. No class is to be counted out, and there is value to be had in everything. Your hardwork and your efforts are the greatest decider in your...."
As the headmaster started his speech, Cid was in great thought, ignoring this guy entirely. The first time was inspiring, but there was no need to pay him any more heed now.
He stood right behind the line of nobles, at the forefront. He was not named the best of the commoners for no reason. Consistently being ranked at Number 1 in academics, he outshone even the nobles, with their private education. If not for the distinct class difference, he very well would be the first in line to receive his awakening.
He stared at the back of the heads of those who were involved in getting him dead drunk yesterday. This was definitely not a random occurence, and he knew who was involved in it.
Rumia Redon, son of the City magistrate.
Cid was puzzled in his first life, having woken up only the day after the ceremony, and had been greatly ashamed at having to wait a whole year to take the awakening again. By then, his cohorts were already way ahead of him, and Cid had to struggle significantly to catch up to them.
Cid was humiliated and helpless when it happened.
When the nobles ask you to drink, however, there is little you can do. Cid was naively manipulated by Rumia's friends into drinking way more than he could handle.
Not a bad strategy. If all means fail, make your own.
Cid knew why he did it too. It wasn't for any grand purpose. He simply wanted to secure the spot of Junior Inspector, reserved for the top scorer of each year. It was a very prestigious role, and it was linked directly to the federal government.
He suspected that Rumia wasn't the only one behind this, and his father was also involved somehow. Having a junior inspector son was a matter of great pride for any noble family, after all. And they never doubted the methods they used to get ahead.
Rumia turned his head back, as if sensing something. He turned, his eyes shocked as if he saw something which wasn't meant to be there.
His head veins throbbed, as if they'd burst the next second. He would've started charging at him if not for the incessant glares from the man next to the headmaster, which made him stay in place.
Cid let out a lazy grin and mouthed something to Rumia, provoking him even more.
"And now! Come, change your destiny. Let us start with Rumia Redon, the best of the noble class!"
The headmaster beckoned for Rumia to come up to the platform, forcing him to abandon all anger. He huffed and adjusted his coat, putting on a smile, and walked up to the monolith.
"Rumia, are you ready to receive your class?", the headmaster smiled at him.
"Yes, sir. I've been waiting my whole life.", Rumia responded.
The headmaster laughed and said, "Well boy, it's ready. Put your hand on it, and close your eyes."
Rumia did what he was told, and immediately fell into a stupor, as if being guided by something. To Cid's eyes, and no one else's, astronomically tiny traces of divine power floated around the obelisk surrounding Rumia. It did not last more than five seconds.
In that time, Rumia's eyes moved wildly, though it was closed. His eyebrows scrunched. His veins popped out again, his hair raised all throughout his body. It was as if he had been stared at by something beyond his understanding.
Rumia suddenly awoke, unstable. He grabbed onto the railing next to the obelisk, trying to steady his gait.
"Boy, what did you awaken?", the man next to the headmaster asked.
Rumia paused for a second and smiled, "Knight Class."
An applause rang out through the entire school, as if surprised and jubilated.
"Knight Class? Isn't that one of the epic classes?"
"I've heard there are only a few of these epic classes throughout the entire country every year!"
"Right? How lucky!"
The murmuring intensified, and neither the headmaster nor the man next to him stopped it.
The man grinned at last, breaking his stern facade.
"Well done, my boy. Truly you have not wasted my name. You will be rewarded duly.", the man pat Rumia on the back and left immediately, as if disdaining watching these children any longer.
Rumia's eyes held a complex emotion. For him, that was the first time he had been praised by his father. It was an achievement on par with his awakening, for him.
"Right, next up. Nina Colhrom, come up!", the headmaster spoke, his mood better than before. He would have something to show off at the meetings this year.
He pat Rumia on the back, and Rumia smiled at the headmaster and walked off the platform, greeted by his friends, teachers and admirers, showering him with praises.
Indeed, there would be no greater honour.
Cid looked at all of this and chuckled.
Too bad he's going to die, soon.
The upcoming selection trials for universities all over the country were coming up. If history remained the same, he knew that Rumia would be killed by some other races. This year's trials were to be the most deadly of all. The greenhouse flowers who were not used to killing and surviving would never make it, no matter how talented they were.
That's also why he did not intend to take any revenge on Rumia. No sense wasting breath on a dying man.
Well, it's still child's play compared to the Beros Qual.
Cid did not linger much longer on this thought. That was his final mission here, and would take quite some struggle and time to get. His plans had to be meticulate.
He watched, as boys and girls went up to the platform, one by one, awakening all sorts of classes, some great, some good, others stranger.
He watched his good friend Mike Theon walk up to the platform. He was always a giant, over 205cm at the age of 18. He towered over everyone, but had a pleasant personality. He was also a noble, but showed no temperament that matched a noble.
Unfortunately, he awakened the gardener class, reduced to growing plants and magical flowers. It was actually a good class, on par with many rare classes. In terms of making money, it was excellent.But it was a matter of grief for the giant.
Cid knew that this was a blessing for the big guy, however. He was among the few that survived from this batch because he did not go to the selection trials, having obtained a slot in a vocational school. In a way, it ended up a boon for him.
Being alive and gardening was better than being dead and fighting ghosts.
"That's it for the nobles!", the headmaster boomed.
"Congratulations on your awakenings. You will be briefed on everything after this, so stay behind."
The headmaster, having done his part of the duty, looked at the vice headmaster and went off the stage.
"Now, from the commoners. Number 1, Cid Sidle, please come up to the platform immediately.", the vice headmaster called out.
Rumia looked up from within his friend circle, looking pensive. Some things would become difficult if this fellow were to awaken an epic class by chance, he thought.
Cid looked around, and gradually walked up to the platform, looking at the obelisk, as if wanting to gleam some secrets from it.
The vice headmaster coughed, and said, "Uh, please put your hand on it."
Cid smiled and without speaking, put one hand on the obelisk and closed his eyes.