The year was 3067. Without the slightest bit of warning, the world experienced an unprecedented turn of events. A majestic yet alarming change. Space-time itself unfolded, revealing purple coloured rifts, portals, gateways to other worlds. What followed afterwards...
[Subject is required to choose Class that matches the Innate Mana.]
Twenty percent of the world's population aged 15 and above each received this message in the form of a purple holographic square. Of course, for most of them, their first instinct was to do exactly as the message said. The result, a transformation unlike any other. All of them turned to, in a word, superhumans with special abilities according to the so called "Classes" they chose. This era would thus later be known as the Great Age of Warriors. As if caused by the birth of these superhumans, another message popped up.
[Required number of Warriors has been acquired, as a result, the Harmonia System has successfully synergised with the world's Cosmic Core. Now starting the Trial of Independence: The First And Last Dungeon Break for said Warriors to prove their strength in order to prevent the subjugation of this world. From the portals that have appeared, known formally as Dungeon Gates, invaders from another world will come out and reek havoc. This phenomenon is disturbing the balance of the world. Warriors must now use the abilities that they have acquired to exterminate all the invaders. Once that has been accomplished, the Gates will close and balance will be restored.]
Just as well, what could only be described as monsters numbering in thousands came out from each Gate all around the world. The Warriors, well some of them anyway, without a second thought, spurred into action, and after a long and lengthy battle, the world's subjugation attempt by the otherworldly invaders was prevented. Afterwards, the third and last message was sent.
[Pass. The invasion has been successfully dealt with. The balance of the world has returned. The Trial of Independence has been completed, Warriors will now be rewarded based on their contribution. A large number of new Gates will now appear, however, they will not undergo any Dungeon Break. Furthermore, more Warriors will be chosen to act as the world's protectors, shielding it from the invaders. The invaders seek to dominate the world, as such, Warriors are advised to grow strong to clear the Gates by exterminating the invaders from within. Each time a Gate is cleared, it will close and disappear. Once the last of the Gates has been cleared, the world will be saved. Good Luck Warriors, May The Blessings Of The Deity Of Harmony Shine Upon You.]
"And that's how the Great Age of Warriors began 76 years ago. How was that, did you guys love it?"
"We really loved it big brother! Warriors are so cool, and super strong too!"
"You're also gonna become a Warrior too, right big bro!?"
"Yep, but my Mana Capacity is a little low so I might not be able to choose a strong Class like other Warriors."
"I don't believe that. I think big brother's going to become a really strong Warrior, the strongest in the world even!"
"Hehe, Thanks for that Yuha, I hope I become strong too. Then I can be able to protect the three of you like a big brother should"
My name is Raid, and the three kids I was storytelling to are Anny, Buka, and Yuha. They're three of the 91 kids that live in this orphanage. I used to live here too, but a year ago after I turned 18, I had to go out and start fending for myself. Even when the orphanage's caretakers offered to help me out with the pay for my studies, I decided not to go to college and instead look for a job. I managed to acquire two of them, one as a caretaker in this very orphanage I grew up in and another one as a cashier at a convenience store. It's decent pay, and because of that I was able to rent a stable enough apartment.
"Welp, time for me to hit the road...stay frosty folks."
"Aww, you're leaving already big bro?"
Buka seemed genuinely sad as he said that. Well, we might not be blood related, but I really do see him as my little brother. Anny and Yuha are my two cute little sisters too, heck all the 91 kids in this orphanage are basically my siblings.
"Yeah, sorry spot."
I brushed Buka's head a little to cheer him up.
"As soon as I choose my Class I gotta start packing to head to District-2, but don't worry, I'll still come back and visit every now and then whenever I can."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Hehe, okay then, we'll wait for you. You better keep your promise big bro, or I'll also have to Awaken as a strong Warrior and then kick your butt!"
"Oooh, scary. I better not break my promise then."
"Hehe, that's right! Bye then big bro!"
"Bye big brother" Anny said, with a bright smile on her adorable little plum face.
"Yes, bye big brother" Yuha followed looking equally cute.
"Bye guys, y'all better grow big and strong, okay? And Buka, make sure to protect Yuha and Anny, got it?"
"M-hm! I will big bro"
So I left. As I approached the orphanage entrance gate, an old man was standing there as if waiting for me.
"So you're leaving already, huh?" He said.
Gam Sukala was his name, he's a retired Warrior. Old man-Gam is what I call him though, he didn't like it at first but he slowly got used to it.
"Huh? Old man-Gam, don't tell me you're actually gonna miss me?"
I said that while smirking.
"This brat" He said, smirking himself too "You've grown quite arrogant over the years, huh? What happened to that little brat who used to call me "daddy", crying his eyes out whenever he had a nightmare."
Damn, shots fired.
"Ah c'mon old man, don't just blurt out my dark past like that. How am I supposed to get a girlfriend if people hear you talking that way about me."
He's right though, sure I may act all arrogant right now but the truth is, this man has been like a father to me, raised me ever since I was basically an infant. I was told he found me one night, out in front of the orphanage building's front door while I was no more than three months old, give or take. I was in a basket with a note written "His name is Raid" so yeah, I never knew my biological parents, not even how they look or sound but to be honest, I don't care. The caretakers at the orphanage that raised me my whole life, now those are my real parents.
"Oh, so is that the real reason you're moving to District-2? Cause you wanna get yourself a girlfriend, ah okay now I see"
"Well, I did hear that there's some seriously pretty girls there"
"Well now, you don't say, maybe I should head over the too" He said that while harbouring the most mischievous smile I've ever seen from him.
"Don't joke around like that"
"Heh, yeah well, even if I could leave. I highly doubt I would. The Youth Preservation Orphanage, this is where I truly belong. This'll always be your home too kid, never forget that, okay?"
"I won't. Thanks for taking care of me all these years...dad"
"Hey now...what's this? You choose now of all times to call me that...you tryna make me cry or what?" He chuckled.
"Sorry, I'm just...really grateful, you know?"
Now I feel like crying.
"Well... I'll be off now"
"Yeah, well...a-about damn time!. Go knock 'em dead, alright kid?"
Heh, look at this old man. Is he some kind of tsundere? Weird.
"You got it, old man"
So I left.
I went straight to my apartment driving the luxury car old man-Gam gave me for my 18th birthday. After I arrived, I headed to my room then locked the door.
"Alrighty, now it's time to choose a Class"
As soon as I said that, a purple square like hologram popped up in front of my face, it's contents:...
Name: Raid
Surname: ???
Affiliation: Awakened Warrior Candidate
Innate Mana Capacity: 3077
Accumulated Mana Capacity: 328
Overall Mana Capacity: 3405
Strength: 825
Speed: 937
Health: 854
Intelligence: 910
[Choose Class?]
[~Yes~ or ~No~]
My Mana Capacity is relatively low compared to other Warriors. When I first Awakened as a Warrior Candidate, I was 16 years old. Three years worth of Mana training, and all I've managed to accumulate is 328 Mana Capacity. Even average Warriors have shown to be able to accumulate ten times the Mana in that amount of time. As I suspected, chances are, I'm not gonna be able to choose a strong Class for myself.
I found myself wondering if I should go for it or not. Maybe if I keep training a little more then, I'll be able to increase my chances by stacking up my Mana Capacity a little bit more....
"No! If I keep procrastinating this any longer, I might end up as a middle aged man who still hasn't chosen his Class just 'cause he isn't satisfied with his Mana Capacity. Right here, right now! I have to choose, it's now or never! Just...please don't be E-Rank, gimme D-Rank at least, I promise I'll be satisfied!"
I pressed the Yes' button. What came after was a despair unlike any other. A realisation that I am, irrefutably...WEAK!
"What the heck is this!!?"