Under everyone's gaze, Gavin stepped onto the awakening array.
No one held out much hope for him—after all, with his carefree attitude and motor mouth, he seemed destined to awaken something like [Chef] or [Pet Groomer].
But as the light flared, a thunderous hum erupted from the array, silencing the entire field.
A towering shield-shaped projection slowly rotated in the air, radiating weight and pressure.
[Frontline Combat Class · Rare Tier: Greatshield Warrior]
"Holy crap, I really turned into Shield Bro?" Gavin stared blankly at the prompt for two seconds, then burst out laughing.
"I knew it! With this body, I'm born to block for the ladies!"
He jumped down the platform while waving his arms. "In the dungeon, anyone touches my teammates—I'll slam my shield in their face!"
Laughter broke out around them. Even if Gavin had awakened a frontline combat class, his mouth was still his sharpest weapon.
"Too loud," Ryan said calmly.
"Come on, I'm excited." Gavin slung his arm over Ryan's shoulder. "You control, I tank. Perfect combo."
He glanced beside Ryan. "Hey, where's your little demon? Not tagging along?"
"Returned to the summon space," Ryan replied flatly.
"Wait, you can store it?" Gavin looked genuinely jealous. "That's way too convenient! I still have to lug my shield around..."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Though honestly, that thing always looked like it wanted to bite me anyway."
Once the final student completed their awakening, Principal Hope stepped forward, cleared his throat, and addressed the crowd:
"This year, 120 students participated in the awakening ceremony. Eighteen of you awakened into frontline combat classes—well above the usual average."
"Congratulations."
Applause rippled through the crowd.
Hope's voice turned serious:
"Starting tomorrow, all Frontline students will head to the Emberflame Province Beginner Zone to begin leveling in preparation for the Combat Entrance Exam next week. Your performance will determine your eligibility for higher institutions."
"As for support class students, representatives from various guilds will arrive tomorrow for your follow-up training and task registration."
Among the crowd, some were excited, some disappointed, but most carried a nervous anticipation.
Hope swept his gaze across the students, his tone softening:
"What you gained today isn't just a class—it's the beginning of your fate. I hope you live up to it."
With that, the ceremony officially ended.
Students gradually began leaving the training field.
Ryan was just about to leave when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
He turned around and saw Emily standing in front of him, slightly out of breath.
Her violet hair fluttered in the breeze, defiant and proud.
"Ryan Blackwood," she said calmly, though her tone held a trace of unwillingness.
"You won the awakening today."
"But inside the dungeon, I won't lose to you again."
Ryan glanced at her and nodded expressionlessly. "Good luck."
His voice was even, emotionless, as if he didn't care about winning or losing—yet that calm only made him seem stronger.
Emily's eye twitched slightly. His indifference clearly annoyed her, but she didn't push further.
"Oho~ confession time?" a familiar raspy voice cut in.
Gavin strolled over with a wide grin.
"Emily, don't tell me you've fallen for our boy Ryan? That tone just now—mm, 10 out of 10."
Emily instantly turned, her gaze like ice. "Shut up."
Gavin shrugged. "Alright, alright, just saying. Teasing's not illegal… yet."
Emily ignored him, snorted coldly, and turned to leave, her long hair slicing the air like a blade.
Gavin watched her retreat with a smirk. "Tsk. Fiery girl like her is actually kinda cute."
"She could beat you in a fight," Ryan replied plainly.
Gavin: "..."
Night fell.
Ryan returned to his apartment—a small, modest place.
He locked the door, kicked off his shoes, and sat on the edge of the bed in silence.
The room was quiet, the only sound being the occasional wind brushing past the window.
There were no parents. No family. As far back as he could remember, he had always been alone.
He was used to solitude, used to closing the door and expecting no answer on the other side.
He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
Scenes from the day flashed through his mind—his awakening, the vision, the defensive array, the forbidden class, the demon's submission...
But there was one thing he hadn't told anyone.
When he stood inside the awakening array, he had seen more than just the phenomenon.
He saw two distinct visions.
The first showed an enormous demon, clad in armor and a flowing cape, standing atop a scorched battlefield.
Its eyes radiated cold dominance as it gazed upon the land below.
Beneath it, countless demon legions surged forward, laying siege to cities. Blood and fire painted the earth in apocalyptic hues.
Ryan still remembered the crushing pressure from that moment—
As if the entire world was groveling beneath the demon's feet.
But then the vision shifted.
That same awe-inspiring demon, once godlike, lay broken and burning.
Its armor was shattered, flames licking at its body.
Standing beside it were three shadowy demon figures—silent, yet exuding a bone-deep aura of betrayal.
The fallen demon coughed blood, its eyes still blazing with fury.
And its final words echoed in Ryan's mind:
"Traitors... I will return."
Ryan jolted upright, soaked in cold sweat.
Moonlight spilled through the curtains, casting a pale glow across his bed—
As if painting that vision in spectral silver.
He pressed a hand to his forehead, his eyes filled with turmoil and doubt.