Despite the ripples of drama and personal turmoil spreading through the audience, the job transfer ceremony continued without pause. One by one, students were called forward. Cheers and groans filled the square as each revealed their fate.
Some were crushed by the revelation of a life-class profession. Others burst into joyful celebration as they awakened combat classes. Victory and defeat, joy and regret—every face reflected a different future.
And then, finally—
Leon Graves, class monitor of Class 1-A, stepped forward, full of fire and ambition.
He had waited long enough.
With clenched fists and narrowed eyes, he stormed up to the altar. He barely waited for the officiator's nod before thrusting his palm onto the sacred stone.
White light erupted around him like lightning flashing on a stormy sea.
> "Leon Graves, job transfer successful: Combat Class—Thunder Swordsman!"
"Talent Level: A Grade."
A murmur of surprise and admiration rolled through the crowd.
"Whoa! Thunder Swordsman? That sounds badass!"
"A combat profession AND A-Level Talent? That's solid!"
"He must be some kind of lightning magic swordsman—probably strong burst damage."
Even the teachers and principal nodded approvingly. Though not on the same level as the S-Talent students, Leon's class was still highly respectable, and there was hope he could be admitted to Kyoto University.
But Leon?
He wasn't smiling. Not at all.
He descended the altar, jaw tight and steps stiff.
This was not enough. Not when Lucas was an S-Level hidden class. Not when Alexis had brushed him off like dirt on her shoe.
Still, trying to salvage some pride, Leon approached Alexis directly, steeling his nerves.
"Alexis…" he began, forcing a smile. "Would you consider forming a team with me? My skills are quite good despite my A-level Talent. I—"
"No."
Alexis didn't even let him finish. Her tone was cold and final.
"Also, don't call me Alexis. We're not that close."
Ouch.
The rejection hit like a slap. Students nearby winced. Even teachers tried not to look.
Leon's fake smile crumbled. He turned in silence and walked back to the group, fists clenched and face pale.
Inside, he was boiling.
> "Damn you, Lucas!"
"If you hadn't made such a big scene, she never would've turned me down!"
He stared daggers at Lucas, who stood a few feet away chatting with Mason, looking unbothered and cheerful.
Leon's jealousy burned like fire. You deserve to fall, Lucas. I'll surpass you. One day, you'll regret standing in my way!
---
Lucas raised an eyebrow, noticing Leon's glare.
"Huh. What's his problem?"
Then, digging into the memories of this body, it clicked. Oh, right—Leon had also liked Alexis. He'd tried to impress her many times. With Lucas now elevated and visible, Leon's thunder had been thoroughly stolen.
Lucas smirked.
"We're both ex-simps, bro. Chill."
But he didn't voice it.
Instead, he turned back to Mason, who was struggling to keep his face straight through all the chaos.
"Hey, you good?" Lucas asked, patting his back.
Mason nodded, but then leaned close. "You're way too chill about being the center of attention. Also… is it me, or is that guy over there imagining your funeral?"
Lucas laughed. "I've faced worse than angry ex-squad leaders with thunder swords."
---
As the ceremony continued, Lucas used the downtime to explore the system-generated memory archive in his head. It was like flipping through a scrapbook of someone else's life—except it now belonged to him.
Everything fit seamlessly.
He remembered growing up in the same neighborhood as Mason, both of them raised in modest homes in a lower-middle district of Tianhai City. They'd been in the same class since grade school, always side by side through homework disasters, lunch thefts, and disciplinary notices.
They weren't the best students—but they were always best friends.
Their grades had usually hovered in the middle-to-lower zone. Not the worst, but not scholarship material either. Brothers in mediocrity, as they called themselves.
"We've come a long way," Lucas said softly, placing a hand on Mason's shoulder.
"Huh?" Mason blinked.
Lucas gave a solemn nod. "Good brother, just wait. I'm gonna take you to the top."
"…You sure you're not just trying to make me call you 'Dad' again?"
Lucas grinned. "Would you?"
Mason narrowed his eyes. "Don't push it, old man."
---
The ceremony stretched on into late morning. Over 1,000 seniors went through the altar.
In the end:
300+ awakened combat professions
The rest became life-class professionals
Talent grades ranged from SS to F, with most clustered in D through B
There were no failed awakenings, thankfully. That sort of tragedy only happened once a decade.
But there were exactly three students who awakened S-Level Talent.
Lucas.
Alexis.
And one more—a quiet student named Chen Cheng. Unfortunately, Chen's class turned out to be a life profession: Pharmacist.
The teachers all sighed in disappointment. An S-Talent wasted on a non-combat path?
But the old principal stepped in personally, offering encouragement.
> "Even life-class S Talents can be legendary," he reminded them.
"Pharmacists, blacksmiths, tailors—they're the backbone of society and war alike."
And he was right. A high-ranking pharmacist could craft potions more valuable than gold. There were combat guilds that would kill to recruit one.
Still, many couldn't help but feel it was a missed opportunity.
---
Finally, the old principal took the stage with a wide smile. He was practically glowing.
"Students!" he called out. "Today marks the beginning of your new lives!"
He gave a passionate speech about potential, teamwork, and courage. And then—
> "All combat-class students, report to the training grounds tomorrow at sunrise. You will enter the novice wild zones outside the city. Monsters await. Growth awaits."
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
Then, the principal added:
> "Lucas Kane, Alexis Lane, Chen Cheng—please stay behind. I would like to speak with you personally."
---
Minutes later, Lucas found himself in the principal's office, seated across from Alexis and Chen.
The atmosphere was… awkward.
Alexis sat stiffly, her expression unreadable. She hadn't looked at him once since they entered.
Chen, the quiet pharmacist, looked a bit overwhelmed to be in the same room with two S-Level hidden combatants.
And Lucas?
Lucas was chillin'.
He leaned back comfortably until the old principal entered with a warm laugh.
"Ah, good, you're here! Please, sit, sit. No need for formality."
He was practically giddy.
"This year's ceremony was a grand success! And you three—you are the gems of our academy."
He walked over to Lucas and clasped his hand.
"Especially you, Lucas. Hidden class and S-Talent? Incredible!"
Lucas smiled. "Thanks, sir."
The principal turned to Alexis. "And you too, Miss Lane. I expect great things from your Frost Mage class."
She nodded coolly.
Chen tried to smile and was met with equal warmth. "And don't worry, Chen. You may not fight on the frontlines, but your path is just as bright. Perhaps even brighter."
Lucas found himself genuinely liking the old man.
He didn't play favorites. He recognized talent in all forms.
---
And so, with the ceremony over and a meeting with the school's highest authority concluded, a new chapter quietly opened in Lucas's life.
The system inside him buzzed with potential.
The wilds outside the city waited with danger.
Rivals were already forming.
And friendships—true ones—were beginning to deepen.
Tomorrow, the real journey would begin.
Monster hunting. Team battles. Leveling up.
But for today?
He just wanted to enjoy being a good brother.
___________________________________
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