The academy's lecture hall was alive with anticipation. Students shuffled to their seats as Professor Selene Arclight approached the podium. Today's lesson was about classes in Alora and the grading system that measures their mastery—knowledge every student needed if they hoped to climb the ranks.
Arthur Frederick sat quietly among the crowd, observing the restless whispers of nobles and ambitious commoners alike. Most had already displayed their skill during the first expedition, but no one knew that Arthur had chosen the rare Shadow Manipulator class—a decision that would quietly define his path.
Professor Arclight's voice cut through the murmurs. "Every individual in Alora belongs to a class. Your class defines your abilities, your strategies, and how you interact with the world. Today, you will learn the types of classes recognized globally and how the grading system measures proficiency and potential."
A holographic display shimmered into life, showing six major class categories:
Class Types:
Warrior – Masters of melee combat and weapons, relying on raw physical strength.
Mage – Wielders of elemental and arcane magic, capable of strategic and destructive spells.
Beastmaster – Bonded with beasts, commanding them in battle and for exploration.
Assassin / Shadow – Specialists in stealth, speed, and precision attacks.
Tactician / Strategist – Experts in planning, battlefield control, and manipulation of systems.
Hybrid Classes – Rare individuals who combine multiple specializations effectively.
Arthur's eyes lingered on the Shadow Manipulator category. His System quietly ran simulations: with his strength and speed bonus, the class could let him outmaneuver most peers, even if his mana was halved. Efficiency, timing, and clever application would be key.
Professor Arclight continued: "Classes are further divided into grades, which measure proficiency, control, and potential. Grades determine what missions you can undertake, your combat effectiveness, and your eligibility for elite assignments."
Class Grades:
Grade E – Beginner, learning fundamentals, basic skill control.
Grade D – Competent, able to handle standard challenges.
Grade C – Experienced, moderate combat or system usage efficiency.
Grade B – Skilled, recognized in regional missions, can lead small teams or handle elite beasts.
Grade A – Exceptional, capable of high-level missions, recognized across Alora.
Grade S – Legendary, rare individuals whose power can shape nations or history.
Arthur quietly compared these grades with his System's calculations. The Misfit condition remained hidden, but his interface analyzed class potential, efficiency, and growth paths. With careful effort, he could reach high grades faster than his peers, even if the world demanded twice the work from him.
Professor Arclight concluded: "Your class type and grade are your foundation. Growth, strategy, and ingenuity determine your true potential. A student who understands their class fully and applies it wisely can surpass peers who may seem stronger on paper."
By afternoon, the students moved to the training hall for Physical Education. A massive hall with polished wooden floors, racks of training weapons, and a few tame beasts for practical exercises greeted them. The murmurs started immediately.
"Physical Education?" one student scoffed. "This is pointless. As long as we have mana, we can destroy anything."
"Mana alone isn't enough," another added, rolling his eyes.
Instructor Kaelen Ryn, a tall, muscular man with an aura of authority, strode forward. His voice boomed across the hall: "Fools! Thinking mana alone will make you unstoppable is like assuming water in a container can destroy everything by itself. Mana is destructive, yes—but untrained, it erodes the body and will break you from the inside."
He lifted his hand, summoning a glowing sphere of energy. "Observe!" With a flick, it surged forward, impacting a wooden training dummy. The energy tore through the dummy but left scorch marks on the floor and cracks in the walls. "You need resistance, control, and harmony with your mana. Physical strength and endurance allow your body to withstand the output. Without it, your body will crumble long before your opponent does."
Arthur watched silently, analyzing. The lesson wasn't just about muscles; it was about integrating physical and magical potential. Every student could blast mana, but few understood how much synchronization with their body mattered. His System calculated efficiency for his Shadow Manipulator abilities—the half-mana penalty would matter less if he trained his body to be more resistant.
Kael Draven muttered under his breath, clearly impatient. "Physical training is useless." Liana Maxwell simply observed, taking mental notes.
Arthur remained composed, ready to apply his Misfit advantage later in practical exercises, when subtlety and strategy mattered more than raw power. The afternoon session promised to test not just physical ability, but control, adaptability, and precision—exactly the kind of training a Shadow Manipulator could excel at with careful calculation.
As the session began, the hum of energy, clashing of weapons, and focused murmurs of students filled the hall. For Arthur, this was another opportunity