The Class Selection Hall looked like someone had decided to mix an interstellar cathedral with a wizard's observatory and then pumped it full of glowing tech and floating runes. The dome ceiling displayed a real-time star map, complete with shifting constellations and orbiting moons.
Below it, thousands of students stood before the legendary Astral Core, a crystalline artifact as old as the Academy itself. Suspended mid-air, it spun slowly, casting shimmering arcs of light across the floor like a disco ball that could read your soul.
Jason Arkus let out a low whistle.
"Dude. This place has more lights than my grandma's space disco party."
Xandros glanced at him. "Your grandma has space disco parties?"
"Of course. She's a legend."
Ahead, a six-armed AI drone instructor named CR-773 hovered into view. Its lens glowed sky-blue, and it had the soothing but robotic voice of someone who read bedtime stories to missiles.
"Welcome, initiates," it buzzed. "I am CR-773, designation: Cross. I will guide you through class assignment and planetary distribution. Please do not feed the drones or attempt to hack the interstellar bridge. Both will result in immediate recycling."
Jason gulped. "Recycling? As in, like… spiritual reincarnation, or literal shredder?"
"No idea," Xandros replied.
Cross gestured toward the Astral Core. "Step forward one at a time. Place your palm on the crystal. Your soul data, affinity resonance, and talent structure will be analyzed, and recommended classes will be presented. Final decision rests with the student. You may also refuse all suggestions and request custom class synthesis."
The hall murmured.
"Custom class? That's a thing?" Jason muttered.
"You can literally forge your own destiny here," Morgana said, eyes locked onto the core.
Andrew grinned. "About time the world recognized my worth."
Jason elbowed Xandros. "I hope mine includes something flashy. Like 'Lightning-Wielding Time Lord of Chaos.'"
Ronald Shadowheart, standing beside them, glanced over. "If your class has chaos in the name, I'm switching teams."
Jason gave him a thumbs-up. "We can still be frenemies."
Ronald said nothing. But the calm in his eyes had weight. Not just "I've seen stuff" weight—more like "I've buried planets" weight. His presence was mature, collected… and just standing near him made lesser students shuffle away.
Morgana floated inches off the ground, arms crossed, her silver hair trailing behind her like mist. She said nothing, but her sideways glance at Xandros didn't go unnoticed. A lot of students went through their class selection, until it was the Top 5's turn
Andrew Lionheart cracked his neck and grinned like a guy who just bought stock in his own awesomeness. "Alright, let's get this over with. I've got a sword and a throne waiting."
Jason scoffed. "Okay, Mr. Overconfidence. Why don't you go first?"
Andrew did just that. He strutted up the steps and placed his palm on the Astral Core.
"Candidate: Andrew Lionheart," CR-773 announced.
Andrew strutted up and placed his hand on the Astral Core. The crystal pulsed gold and red.
[Scanning… Complete]
[Affinities: Fire, Wind, Light]
[Bloodline Tier Detected: Golden Flame - Royal Pride Lineage]
[Recommended Classes:]
Solar Arc Dragoon
Celestial Ember Knight
Lionsoul Vanguard
Andrew ran a hand through his hair. "Solar Arc Dragoon. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
Jason clapped. "Yeah man. Sounds like you shoot fire while riding a star. Or yelling dramatic lines."
Andrew winked. "I do have a voice made for monologues."
CR-773 beeped. "Candidate confirmed. Next: Morgana Darkstar."
Morgana glided forward silently and placed her hand on the crystal. A cold shimmer of moonlight enveloped the Core.
[Scanning… Complete]
[Affinities: Ice, Shadow, Moonlight]
[Lineage Detected: Elven Variant - Half]
[Recommended Classes:]
Frozen Eclipse Mage
Lunaris Veil Enchantress
Darkbloom Illusionist
Morgana glanced briefly at Xandros, then said in a calm, honey-sweet tone, "Frozen Eclipse Mage."
Jason leaned in to Xandros. "You think she'll teach me that floating thing? I'd float into class dramatically every day."
"Knowing you," Xandros muttered, "you'd trip mid-air."
Jason grinned. "Worth it."
"Candidate: Jason Arkus," the bot called.
Jason stepped up like a game show contestant ready to spin the wheel of fate.
"Let's see what the multiverse thinks of me today," he muttered, slapping his palm onto the core.
[Scanning… Complete]
[Affinities: Lightning, Earth, Chaos]
[Lineage: Encrypted. Access Denied.]
[Recommended Classes:]
Stormrend Vanguard
Chaos Circuit Brawler
Arcane Gambit Trickster
Jason blinked. "Trickster? Really? I mean, sure, I'm handsome and unpredictable, but come on."
The Core glitched for a moment before updating:
[Special Variant Activated: Gamble Architect – Outcome-Based Wildcard Class]
Jason's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah. I pick that one!"
CR-773 paused. "Caution: May cause unexpected magical side effects."
Jason pumped his fist. "That's how I live my life, baby."
Ronald stepped forward without a word.
Even the air seemed to tighten around him.
A few students flinched. Jason nudged Xandros. "Why does it feel like the temperature dropped five degrees?"
"Pressure," Xandros murmured. "He's stronger than yesterday."
"Wtf, how does one get that strong in a day?" Jason was mildly shocked
Ronald placed his hand on the Core. The reaction was immediate. Darkness twisted around his figure, and the Core began humming at a deeper frequency.
[Scanning… Complete]
[Affinities: Void, Darkness, Time]
[Lineage Tier: Temporal Abyss – Tier 4 Confirmed]
[Recommended Classes:]
Voidstalker Reaper
Chrono-Phantom Vanguard
Abyss Warden
Jason's jaw dropped. "Time? You got time?"
Ronald spoke for the first time during the process. "Chrono-Phantom. I'll take it."
No theatrics. No smile. Just pure, unshakable confidence. The kind that makes people shut up and listen.
And finally…
"Candidate: Xandros Darkhaven."
All eyes turned.
Xandros stepped forward.
He pressed his hand onto the Astral Core.
Silence.
Then:
[Initiating scan...]
[Error: Structure Anomaly Detected]
[Soul Architecture: Unreadable]
[Attempting deep-layer decryption...]
The Core shuddered.
Cracks webbed across its surface.
Jason leaned in. "That's not normal, right?"
Andrew muttered, "He's breaking the damn thing… who the hell is he?."
The Core glowed wildly before letting out a burst of energy.
[WARNING: SYSTEM FAILURE – CRITICAL]
With a flash of light and a low crack, the entire Core shut down and shattered into fragments of floating light.
CR-773 hovered in stunned silence, smoke puffing out of one of its ports.
"Candidate Xandros: Unable to assign class. Manual review required. Recommendation: Headmistress override."
Jason whispered, "So… you're saying he broke the most advanced soul scanner in the galaxy…"
Xandros shrugged. "Guess I'm homeschooled now."
Moments Later
Before anyone could process what just happened, the lights dimmed, and a massive holographic figure appeared above the dome.
Headmistress Lucy.
Her veil swayed gently, and she spoke with a voice that somehow sounded like silk and authority had a baby.
"Congratulations on completing your class assignments."
Jason exhaled in relief. "Finally. I'm starving."
"But," she continued, "we are not done."
The room darkened further.
"The Awakener Academy believes in pressure. In challenge. In growth. Therefore, as part of your orientation… you will now participate in your first live test."
Andrew frowned. "Wait, what?"
Morgana's eyes narrowed.
"Effective immediately," Lucy said with a smile, "you will be transported to Planet Nythra-9—a low-magic, high-hostility survival environment. You will be dropped in randomized teams. Objective: survive for 24 hours. Points awarded based on cooperation, combat, and tactical thinking."
Jason's eyes bulged. "Hold on, hold on. It's our first day! I haven't even unpacked!"
Almost everyone was panicking, and Jason did not remember a scenario like this in the novel
Lucy smiled. "Real threats don't wait for preparation, be ready at all times."
Before anyone could argue, the floors glowed and platforms began rising.
Xandros stepped onto his, expression neutral.
A quest message flickered across his vision from his system:
[Quest activated]
[Take first place in the test]
[Reward: I don't know, anything master wants]
He smirked faintly, knowing it was a quest from Layla. It was rather playful than serious.
Moments later, he—and the rest—vanished in bursts of light.
The real trial had just begun.
--- ✦ ---
Hey guys, how are you enjoying the story so far? Please support me by sharing power stones!!!