When he opened his eyes, he was lying on a bed.
At his bedside stood a boy his age, with green hair and orange eyes, who was looking at him with curiosity.
"You're finally awake! I'm Maximilien Baiel. I also took the test… But you probably didn't notice me with my lousy scores: 90% strength and 80% mana. It'll be a miracle if I get accepted…"
Damons encouraged him in a friendly tone:
"Don't worry, results aren't everything. And anyway, it's not over yet, we still have the weapon test."
Maximilien smiled a bit more sincerely.
"Yeah, we'll see. Anyway, I'm glad you're awake. With my lousy scores, I barely existed next to you… You shone so brightly."
Damons gave him a reassuring smile, a bit more confident than before:
"We all have our strengths. You just have to find yours… and make them explode. I'm sure you can do it. Come on, see you for the next part."
The moment had come. The weapon test was about to begin.
Everyone had to choose a weapon.
The descendant of the Arcanum asked:
"Are we forced to choose a weapon if we don't usually use one?"
"Your name?" asked the examiner.
"Altaïr Arcanum."
"The weapons here are artifacts. They serve to enhance your skills to assess your potential."
Without a word, she stepped toward the barrels where weapons were piled. Her eyes slowly scanned from one blade to another, as if trying to perceive the hidden power within each object. There was neither hesitation nor haste in her gestures — only a strange concentration, almost mystical.
Then, after a long silence, her fingers rested on a scepter. Her choice was made.
Lucas, more pragmatic, immediately headed toward a pair of gauntlets with worn leather but reinforced joints made of blackened metal.
The noble-looking candidate chose a shield with the poise of someone who already knew his worth.
As for Maximilien, he grabbed a slender bow, whose string vibrated slightly.
A list of classes materialized before Damons's eyes, thanks to the system, each linked to a category of displayed weapon:
Swordsman, Mage, Martial Warrior, Assassin… and many others, shining with an ethereal glow.
He froze for a moment… then a big smile split his face.
"Wow…!"
A flash of excitement crossed his eyes. His heart was pounding, as if about to explode.
"There are so many possibilities…! So many paths to take…!"
His fists clenched, his whole body vibrated with impatience.
"This is… so cool!" he shouted, his voice full of fire.
No matter the obstacles. No matter the difficulty. He knew now:
He could accomplish anything.
His gaze quickly scanned them, but he didn't hesitate for a second.
He grabbed a pair of sharp daggers, dark and elegant, as if forged from the shadow itself.
[DING!]
A scarlet light illuminated before his eyes.
[System] CLASS SELECTED: ASSASSIN
A mechanical, calm but sharp voice echoed in his mind.
Specialty: quick elimination, stealthy movement, vital strike.
[System] STATUS UPDATED.
Symbols scrolled before him, inscribing in the air his new abilities as if destiny had just been etched into his very soul.
He clenched his fists. A shiver ran down his spine.
He had just chosen the path of the Assassin.
Not on a whim. Nor by instinct.
But to surpass the Ravencier — the greatest family of assassin players the world had ever known.
His family.
And this time… he would never be left behind again.
[SYSTEM]
CONGRATULATIONS. FOR CHOOSING YOUR FIRST CLASS, YOU ACQUIRE A NEW SKILL.
A cold energy passed through his body, awakening a hidden power.
SKILL ACQUIRED: STEALTH.
A thrill of excitement ran through his limbs.
His senses sharpened. The silence around him became almost tangible, as if the world was holding its breath.
He whispered, eyes shining:
"This is… incredible…"
"With this, no one will ever see me coming."
A predatory smile stretched across his lips.
"The game begins."
Proud of his choice, Damons prepared himself.
⸻
NOTES: ARTIFACTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM WEAPONS: THEY DO NOT SERVE TO FIGHT DIRECTLY BUT TO AMPLIFY THEIR BEARER'S ABILITIES. THEY CAN STRENGTHEN THE BODY, MAGIC, SKILLS, OR EVEN BOOST THE POWER OF EXISTING WEAPONS. SOME ARE ALSO DESIGNED FOR CRAFTING OR TECHNICAL USES. HOWEVER, WELL-OFF CLASSES AND COLLECTORS SOMETIMES PREFER TO KEEP THEM AS LUXURY ITEMS, NEVER USING THEM IN COMBAT.