Suddenly, I heard June's voice.
"Did you get the class choices?"
I nodded.
She glanced at her palm, where lightning flickered, then spoke.
"I'm sure your academy covered most of the important stuff, but let me give you some advice."
She met my eyes, her tone serious.
"Be careful when making your choice. Think long-term. Almost every Elite Unit member reaches level 50 before finishing probation, which means your second class evolution will happen within the year.
Instead of just picking a class for now, think about what it could evolve into. If you believe a certain choice will lead to a stronger second evolution, go with that.
Your actions between level 25 and 50 will shape your next options, so keep that in mind. Also, consider the rarity, higher rarity means better potential down the line."
I rolled her words around in my head.
"So, rarity matters, but how much? Does it make a big difference?"
June nodded.
"A huge difference. A rare class isn't just stronger, it has better abilities, more potential for growth, and often unlocks hidden evolutions that common classes never get."
"Then shouldn't I just pick the rarest class available?"
She smirked.
"If it were that simple, everyone would do it. A rare class might not always suit your fighting style, and sometimes, a lower-rarity class with the right evolution path can be better. You need to think about compatibility."
I tilted my head.
"What about you? What was your first class?"
She stretched her arms, lightning flickering at her fingertips.
"I started with Iron Vanguard. It was a frontline warrior class, strong, durable, but nothing fancy."
I blinked and commented.
"I am assuming you trained with the lightning element after that."
June chuckled.
"Exactly. At level 25, I didn't have any elemental affinity. Just a good set of combat skills and a talent for endurance. But I started training with lightning, pushing my body to handle it, shaping my fighting style around it."
She raised a hand, and a thin arc of electricity danced between her fingers.
"By level 50, my efforts paid off. My class evolved into Thunder Vanguard."
I nodded at her statement.
That was what I knew as well.
Classes were divided into Six tiers.
- Common : Basic, widespread classes. Example: Warrior, Cook.
- Uncommon : More advanced than Common. Example: Iron Warrior, Advance Cook
- Rare : Stronger and more specialized than Uncommon classes. Example: Battle Knight, Gourmet Chef
- Epic : More advanced, unique abilities. Harder to obtain. Example: Arcane Knight, Alchemical Chef
- Legendary – Unique, high-tier classes with immense potential. Few exist. Example: Deathblade Champion, Heavenly Culinarian.
- Mythic – The pinnacle of power. These classes shape history.
If someone started with a Common class, their chances of reaching Epic at best were pretty high.
But even getting a Common class was rare, considering the state of my world. If you awakened and trained, yet still ended up with a Common class, people considered you just plain unlucky.
If you weren't awakened and couldn't fight, you were still trained in administration, logistics, research, and other support roles.
The majority of the population received an Uncommon class as their first and will end up at rare after their final class evolution.
A small percentage started with Rare and progressed to Epic. An even smaller fraction of that started at Epic.
Starting with an Epic class was… well, epic. But it was also a curse. Expectations skyrocketed. Most people who started with one either died under their duties or barely survived.
As for Legendary classes, I was sure some people had started with them, but if they existed, it wasn't public knowledge.
And Mythic? Well, there was a reason it was called that. It only existed in theory. No human had ever started with a Mythic class at level 25. If it did happen, the person's luck would be so absurdly high even the gods would do a double take.
I sat in silence, my thoughts drifting to the class I would receive.
***** Arkas' PoV
I stood before the 99 members of Unit 02 who were bruised, battered, but alive, just as promised.
Until yesterday, my mind had been filled with speeches, words meant to motivate and push them forward. But now, all I wanted was to leave. There was somewhere far more important I needed to be.
My eyes swept across the soldiers before me as I spoke.
"First of all, congratulations on completing one month of training. I'm sure all of you want to rest and recover, so I won't bore you with a speech.
Vice Commander June will be here soon to arrange your return to PCB. Your reports will be updated with personal comments from me, which you'll be able to access tomorrow.
Your Command-02 rankings are already displayed here, and your rewards will be distributed tomorrow as well.
For now, sit tight, rest, and wait for your Vice Commander."
I turned to leave, but just as I stepped forward, a voice called out.
"Commander."
I turned. Steve.
"Yes?"
His brows furrowed.
"Commander, where's Billion?"
"He's with June. Don't worry, he's fine."
With that, I stepped forward and shot into the sky.
Lightning roared around me as my speed surged. Within moments, I reached peak acceleration, thunder rumbling in my wake as the forest blurred beneath me.
My mind raced with the news June had given me—Billion had killed the level 30 demon and reached level 25.
I wished I had been there to see the fight. This wasn't within my expectations. There was only one thing that could have allowed him to overcome a level 30 demon while being classless and only level 22.
Talent.
I was certain now.
Billion had awakened a talent. And a monstrous one at that.
Soon, I crossed the special zone and sped toward the capital. The massive protective dome flickered with devastating energy, its sheer power a constant reminder of the city's impenetrability.
I came to a stop, floating high above the sprawling metropolis.
My eyes swept across the vast cityscape, taking in its structured chaos. Almost instantly, I felt multiple presences locking onto me, scanning, assessing. I ignored them.
I had only one target.
Locking onto the presence I sought, I shot forward, tearing through the sky toward my destination.
Finally, I landed in front of the military compound. My feet carried me forward with purpose as I strode through the corridors, soldiers snapping to attention and saluting as I passed.
Reaching the room, I didn't hesitate, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
As I stepped inside, my eyes landed on the man I had come to meet.
Sitting behind a black desk, slouched forward with his head resting on the surface, was one of the strongest Grandmaster Rank commanders of the Empire, Edgar Smith.
His long white hair spilled over his shoulders, and his thick beard was slightly unkempt.
Dressed in flowing black robes, he muttered something under his breath, completely unconcerned about my presence.
I shook my head and spoke.
"Edgar."
He didn't even lift his head from the desk, only waving a hand dismissively.
"Go away, Arkas."
I exhaled sharply, already feeling a headache coming on.
"What happened?"
Finally, he raised his head, his eyes suspiciously glossy with unshed tears—fake ones, no doubt.
"I just came back from meeting the Emperor," he muttered, voice heavy with exaggerated despair. "He's given me another mission. Arkas, I'm an old man. I can't handle these high-intensity missions anymore."
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Edgar, I don't have time for tantrums right now. Just tell me what happened to the Feran captives taken by the Holts."
He sighed dramatically.
"You're so heartless, Arkas." Then, with a dismissive wave, he continued, "The cubs are still imprisoned. They're from the wolf and some important bird tribe, so the Holts will hold onto them until they need leverage."
His eyes sharpened.
"Why do you ask? Did you get a mission too?"
I shook my head.
"No. But I'm sending someone on a mission to get them out."
Edgar's eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared.
Finally, he leaned back and muttered.
"You found another kid, didn't you?" He exhaled through his nose. "Arkas, you've been doing this for ten years. You should know by now—our people, our children, they don't have the potential for what you are aiming for."
I smirked.
"I agree. That's why I'm going to create someone who does."
Edgar's gaze darkened and he asked.
"So why don't you tell me more about this new kid you found?"
I grinned.