บท 3: Status
"It takes a great talent and skill to conceal one's talent and skill."
-La Rochefoucauld
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After the king spoke, an older person came in, holding an odd-looking crystal ball. The old man then explained the status that everyone had. "Everyone, please chant 'Status' in your mind," he instructed.
Doing as instructed Ayanokouji chanted the phrase mentally. Not betraying expectations, a glowing translucent board appeared before each of them. Looking over his status, his class caught his eye.
"Mage: Illusionist? That's interesting," he mused. He felt that he had been turned into a video game character that he had heard so much about as he looked at his stats.
"Amazing," someone whispered in awe next to him, as he read what he presumed was a similar message. Everyone was beyond excited at the small glowing numbers and letters before them. It was almost as they forgot about their situation.
Soon people began discussing their classes as well stats. He halfheartedly listened in, as he wanted to see where he ranked in comparison to others as well as gain some insight into his classmates.
"What's your class?..."
"I'm a fighter…"
"No way! I'm a mage…"
The old man put a stop to their discussion as he said, "Everyone got a good look at their stats? Alright, let me explain then, from the basics. First, we have your level. This number grows as your other stats grow. The highest level is 100, meaning at that point you have reached the limits as a human being. In other words, your current level shows how much potential you've reached so far."
So raising your stats raises your level, not the other way around, and unlike your usual videogame, defeating monsters won't increase your level either.
"Your stats will naturally increase as you train those specific areas. For example, you would practice your magic to increase your MP stat."
Pausing to let that sink in, he continued, "Next, your class. Class refers to your natural aptitude. There are five main classes for combatants. Fighter, mage, rogue, ranger, and cleric. The last one beyond the five is known as the hero and can only be found among the summoned heroes. It is the strongest and most legendary out of the six. Later on, these classes can branch out, specializing in a variety of areas beyond the 5 major combatant classes. This happens when a person becomes level 5. For example, a mage could become a sorcerer or so on. Few people possess a class, nonetheless a combat-oriented one."
"Why do I have a specialization if it only happens when a person reaches level 5?" Ayanokouji thought. Is it some sort of mistake?
"Finally, your stats are simply as they are stated. The average person at level one has stats around 10. Anything beyond that is considered excellent. Of course, you're all heroes, so you should surely have higher stats than that!" the old man said in a raspy laugh.
"Well enough explanations. Heroes, please come forward and place your hand over this crystal. It is an ancient artifact used to read your status and display it. Show us the power of the heroes!"
Ayanokouji frowned minutely. The most valuable commodity at the moment was information and displaying their status publicly was dangerous. He looked over at his class and thought, "I wonder if…"
The old man pointed at someone near the front and said, "Well then, let's start with the person over there."
The person in question was quite timid and was a girl with shoulder-length brown hair. She nervously put her hand on the crystal, making it glow slightly before displaying her status enlarged overhead. Even those in the very back could clearly see the details.
"Ooooh…" everyone wondered with wide eyes as they looked up at the screen. Their eyes were glued to the screen, displaying the letters and numbers associated with the girl
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Anno Enri
Race / Human Lvl 1
Age / 17
Class / Cleric
Strength 12
Vitality 15
Defense 14
Agility 15
MP 20
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"Is that normal?" he thought to himself. He continued to pay attention as people were called up one after another. Eventually, there were down to two people, the blonde-haired from earlier and himself.
When the blonde was called up, his stats showed…
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Kaiba Kinji
Race / Human Lvl 1
Age / 17
Class / Hero
Strength 30
Vitality 30
Defense 30
Agility 30
MP 30
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There were shouts of joy and awe when Kaiba's stats showed. Even the king showed excitement at the potential the hero had. "As expected of the hero. Such high stats even at level one. Defeating the Demon Lord will be an easy task for you. We expect great things from the Hero," the old man said with a suspicious smile.
Finally, it was his turn. He stepped up and placed his hand on the crystal. Warmth emitted from the crystal upon touching. As the last one left, all eyes were on him.
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Ayanokouji Kiyotaka
Race / Human Lvl 1
Age / 17
Class / Mage
Strength 15
Vitality 15
Defense 15
Agility 15
MP 15
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While many shouted in encouragement, most were uninterested in his average stats. The king and old man lost their interest and hurriedly turned to the rest of the students. The king rose once more and stated, "Now that the explanations are over, I understand you must be weary from your turmoils. In preparation, a feast has been made in your honor. Tonight, you can dine and rest. Tomorrow you will start your training. Elaine, I'll leave them to you for the evening."
Excitement filled the students as they began to chatter amongst themselves, discussing their statuses and the upcoming feast. Bowing to the king, Elaine once more led the class, leaving the room behind towards the dining hall.
Yet, Ayanokouji remained for a moment, turning his head towards the man seated upon the throne. Upon that throne, the man sat, looking down on those heading to the door like little ants beneath his foot.
Then, the king caught his gaze and held it for what felt like minutes before smiling as a grandfather would to a little kid.
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The hall was massive, featuring a long table that could comfortably hold 40 along with towering pillars on either side. Candles cast shadows on the floor and lights upon the mouthwatering food. Meats, vegetables, and all manner of desserts decorated the plates. Drinks and liquors were served by maids and butlers. The students couldn't hide their astonishment.
It was slightly problematic when not a single person stopped those underage from partaking in the alcoholic beverages. Only a few of the girls were able to persuade them not to partake in the alcoholic drinks. Even then, it was too late for a few.
Food was quickly devoured as talk arose among the group. Some created their own groups, branching off from everyone else. Others socialized among everyone, trying to befriend as many as they could. A few guys that were drunk tried to flirt with the maids, much to the displeasure of the girls.
Of course, they were those who weren't in any groups at all, preferring to eat and drink by themselves. Alone, they tried to find some sort of peace to themselves.
Ayanokouji found himself on the terrace, overlooking the vast expanse of buildings that stretched off into the distance before meeting a grassland. Stars sparkled like diamonds in the night as a silver crescent illuminated the landscape.
"So someone else was already here?" someone from behind said.
Without turning he said in a monotone voice, "It was getting a bit much in there." The figure walked up next to him and leaned up against the railing.
"You're not like the others are you?"
"I have no idea what you mean. I'm completely average compared to everyone else here," he said with an idle look, finally turning towards the figure. She had black hair that extended to the middle of her back. She had a small nose and piercing emerald green eyes along with a student's uniform consisting of a skirt and white button-up underneath a black blazer. This was the one from earlier who spoke up about going back.
"Perhaps, but that's not what I meant. You were the only one that didn't become an excitable monkey over mentioning the word hero."
Ayanokouji didn't respond, instead electing for silence as he gazed out towards the cityscape. After a while, she asked aloud, "What are you thinking?"
After thinking for a moment, he responded, "That it wouldn't be so bad to stay here."
With an eyebrow raised, she asked, "You're joking right?" only to get silence in return. "You too want to be some hero and defeat this Demon Lord?" she accused. Ayanokouji simply stared back, his face surprisingly serious and his eyes holding an odd look that she couldn't quite place.
"Who's to say in a few years we'll be able to return home?" Her eyes widened in surprise at those words. "We've been told it will take a few years to open a way home yet no evidence has been given. It's ignorant to believe what we've been told. After all, it's what everyone wants to hear. Even then, if it's possible, then what? It's not like things will return to normal for us."
"What you're saying is irreverent," she said, but her words weren't as steadfast as before. "If there's an opportunity to return, why shouldn't we grasp at it?"
"True, but time changes everyone. Who's to say that our time here won't change our outlook on life here, or is a few years simply insignificant in the grand scheme of things?" Once more, he turned to gaze out at the scenery before him. "I'm just saying it wouldn't be so bad to stay."
The girl remained silent, not sure what to make of his words. He was right as there was no concrete proof that there was a way back. They only had the words of the woman that summoned them here to believe in. There was too little information that they had. They could even be pawns in the king's game for all they knew.
Ayanokouji continued to gaze off before the girl suddenly said, "Sera Sinclair."
"An English name?' he thought to himself. She did appear American now that he looked.
Slightly surprised by the sudden introduction, he said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
Content with their introductions, they ended up in peaceful silence. Each in their own reverie. Boisterous noises of laughter and chattering echoed in the background as they stared out into the night. The events of the following morning would truly change the way the 26 students found themselves in this new world.
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A/N: So stats were finally introduced. I couldn't decide on what to put as I didn't want to take too much time on updating them every time. I drew inspiration from that of Arifuerta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest. I didn't want them to magically become OP or something like that. This way scaling becomes easier to handle.
Having them gain a class at level 5 was an idea that I thought of. That way their training, etc. influences what it is going to be.
If you guys have any ideas on how to deal with statuses, comment to help me out. If there's anything confusing make sure to let me know!
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