The day had finally arrived. I Giu, sat in the back row of the classroom, my gaze fixed on the one thing that had been my constant companion since I could remember- a fist sized Azure crystal known as the core of intelligence machinery. It drifted gently within my line of sight, a mischievous sprite only I could see. Wit a single thought, it could vanish or reappear. This was my only link to the life I had before., eighteen years ago, when I awoke as an infant on the doorstep of an orphanage in this strange, new world.
For eighteen years, I had tried and failed to unravel its secrets. Apart from controlling its appearance, it had only ever given me a string of garbled information, almost as if mocking my ignorance.
A sudden commotion erupted outside the window. I looked up to see a bipedal, dragon-like creature gliding across the sky, Its scales gleaming with a cold, metallic luster under the sun. The classroom instantly erupted into an excited exclamation. My classroom's chatter pulled me back to reality.
Today was the day of our mass class transfer.
A century ago, game-like rules had descended upon this world. Monsters invaded, and modern firearms became like toys against them. Humanity suffered heavy casualties until it discovered that those who turn eighteen can undergo a class transfer, awaken skills, and level up by slaying monsters, just like in a game. Dungeons appeared across the globe, capable of dropping equipment and treasures. Powerful class transfers could soar through the skies and burrow through the earth, even fighting hundreds alone.
I had yearned for this day for as long as I can remember.
Just as I was losing in thought again, my best friend, Gao Boufu, locked my neck in a playful hold and grinned. "Life and death are fate. Let's just go for it."
This guy was as hot blooded as a bull, yet his dream was to become a priest and a healer. I pulled his hand off and retorted, "With your attitude, you're more suited to be a berserker."
He was about to retort when our homeroom teacher, Deng Shaming, walked in. For once, he looked solemn. He stood at the podium and said in a deep voice, "Class transfer is important, but it's not everything in life. No matter the outcome, remember to live well with the knowledge you gained."
His words quieted the noisy classroom. I glanced at the core of intelligence machinery. which trembled slightly, as if responding to my anticipation.
On the way to the class transfer venue, Gao Boufu leaned over and muttered, "When the homeroom teacher gets serious, he looks really the part."
I nodded, though I felt a bit uneasy inside.
As we neared the venue, the students gasped again. The bipedal dragon was not lying on the playground, dozing. It's massive body exuded an overwhelming sense of oppression. I took a deep breath, the desire to become stronger burning in my chest.
Upon entering the venue, I saw the central area for the transfer ceremony was already set up, with staff adjusting the equipment. Students from five classes, over two hundred in total, gradually gathered. I stood in the middle of the line with Gao Boufu to my right.
Suddenly, I felt an intense gaze. Turning my head, I saw Suma Meow.My heart tightened as I recalled our childhood in the orphanage. I had been the leader among the kids and had often helped her when she was timid. Later, we left the orphanage as required and lived separate lives.
We met again on the first day of high school. She had taken off her mask and glasses revealing a stunning face. But that very afternoon, she ambushed me, nearly stuffing me into a sack, and tried to drag me away. If Gao Boufu hadn't called the security guards, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Since then, I'd always avoided her.
Now, she was staring straight at me, the corners of her mouth hinting at a faint smile. I hurriedly pulled Gao Boufu over to swap places, but he said helplessly, "We're about the same height. I can't block her for you."
Fortunately, the homeroom teacher promptly helped everyone adjust their mindsets, and the transfer ceremony was about to begin.
Seeing that she couldn't get to me, Suma wasn't annoyed. She just looked expectantly towards the ceremony area. I also looked over, clenching my fist. To have the upper hand in our future....relationship...I must become strong.
On the stage, the principal finished his conversation with a man in military uniform and walked to the microphone. The man stood with his eyes closed, exuding a strong stern aura.
The principal respectfully introduced, "This is Major Lee Wugua from the Chunang City Military District. The bipedal dragon at the entrance is his companion."
The entire audience was in an uproar. The principal raised his hand to signal for silence, his voice resounding. "Now I hereby announce the class transfer ceremony for this cohort officially begins!"
As principal Jang Ding finished speaking, two staff members from the Job Changers Association took their places. One picked up the roll call sheet, the other readied a notebook.
"Everyone, please stay seated for now. Sit cross-legged and keep yourself steady. When I call your name, come up and stand in the center of the field. Leave the rest to us. First up, Guale."
A boy came from the line at the staff members call.
"Stand over there and relax"
Hearing this, Guale nodded, then walked to the center of the ceremony grounds. He took a deep breath, unconsciously closing his eyes. With a few simple actions from the staff, the patterns etched into the ground began to pulse rhythmically with light. Gradually, a faint white glow enveloped Guale, only to fade away moments later.
"Job change complete. Come over here and tell me your new class," called the staff member with the notebook.
Guale opened his eyes. With a thought, he summoned his status panel. "Blacksmith." he announced, face falling.
"Blacksmith is a good job," the staff member reassured him, patting his shoulder. "Humanity's made it this far against the monsters because every profession plays a vital role."
"My grandpa was a blacksmith. My dad's a blacksmith. Now me? Still a blacksmith. Three generations of iron mongers," Guale couldn't help but complain.
The staff member's expression stiffened for a moment, but his professionalism quickly kicked in. He forced a smile and patted Guale's shoulder again. "Head back to your place. Next, Fong Wei!"
On the raised platform, Principal Jang Ding, having finished his speech, sat back and watched the ceremony proceed. Suddenly, he turned to the Major. "Old Lee, want to make a bet?"
"Get lost," came the quick reply.
Jang Ding wasn't offended and continued talking to himself. "Now that we're in the era of universal job changes, you still can't really tell much from the ceremony itself."
That seemed to catch Major Lee Wugua's interest. He replied, "At first, people thought the color of the glow during the ceremony would indicate the class's rank or strength. But it turns out there's no connection at all. One thing's been proven, though: the bigger the commotion during the job change, the more powerful the class tends to be. Still, in the end, it's up to the person to walk their own path."
Jang Ding wasn't surprised Lee Wugua had picked up the conversation. He turned and teased, "Just like when you had your job change? There was a dragon's roar out of nowhere."
Lee Wugua nodded, then gestured for Jang Ding to look at the ceremony grounds. In the center stood a boy, a bit thin, but with a determined look on his face. A dusky yellow light flared around him, and the shadowy outline of heavy armor began to form over his body.
Jang Ding spoke up, a hint of surprise in his voice. "That aura… Earth Shield Warrior, right?"
Lee Wugua nodded in approval. "Yeah, a great class for charging into the fray."
In the student ranks, everyone watched the center of the arena, the air buzzing with gasps and murmurs.
"Man, those effects!"
"Damn, that's cool."
Gao Boufu, standing beside me, commented with a touch of envy. I turned to look at him. "Thinking of giving up being a healer?"
"No way! I still want everyone to call me Daddy Gao Boufu!" he declared, puffing out his chest.
Our banter was cut short by the staff member calling out names. "Gao Boufu!"
"Here!" Gao Boufu jumped up, dusted off his pants, and jogged eagerly toward the center of the arena.
Once he was in position, the staff nodded and began the ceremony.
Suddenly, a brilliant emerald green light burst from Gao Boufu. At the same time, everyone in the arena heard a gentle melodic chant echoing from nowhere in particular. Before anyone could react, the light around him began to shift—red, blue, then violet. Each color was accompanied by a change in the chanting, now blazing, now soaring, now urgent, until finally it faded into silence.
Boom
The arena erupted with excitement.
"Damn! If you didn't know better, you'd think we were throwing a rave in here!"
"That was wild!"
"Is Gao Boufu finally going to achieve his dream of making everyone call him daddy?!"
Up on the platform, even Jang Ding and Lee Wugua looked a little unsettled.
"A Holy Hymn Priest," Jang Ding mused. "I remember seeing a recording of this class change. It left quite an impression."
Lee Wugua nodded. "A top-tier support class, incredibly versatile. There's one among today's elite professionals who's made a name for himself on the front lines against the monsters."
Gao Boufu, his class change complete, strutted back to the lineup, waggling his eyebrows at me. "Not only can I heal like crazy, I've got all sorts of powerful buffs. So, what do you say? Ready to call me your big brother?"
I could only look at his exaggerated expressions with exasperation, picturing this burly guy belting out songs at the rear of the battlefield. I shook my head, unable to watch. "Better work on your singing first. If it's too awful, your buffs might end up as debuffs."
Whatever image that conjured in Gao Boufu's mind, it sent a shiver down his spine and he quieted down.
As the class change ceremony continued, I suddenly spotted a familiar figure stepping into the center of the arena. Suma Meow.
Suma glanced over at the lineup, quickly finding me in the crowd. She caught my eye and gave me a playful wink.
"Relax and stay focused," the staff member reminded her.
Suma nodded politely in response. The ceremony began.
Instantly, a powerful yet mysterious deep violet light radiated from Suma Meow. At the same time, strange, unintelligible whispers echoed throughout the arena. Shadows and vague, eerie figures began to appear around her, kneeling as if in worship.
"Mom, I want to go home," someone whimpered.
"Now that's what I call a heavy hitter," someone on the platform muttered.
Jang Ding let out a sigh of amazement. "An Apostle of the Cursed Calamity. A nightmare for our enemies. And two top-tier support classes. Today's really been an eye-opener."
Lee Wugua nodded in agreement. "Both the best buff support and the best debuff support in one place. I wonder what other surprises today has in store."
In the center of the arena, Suma Meow, having just completed her class change, opened her eyes. After confirming her new class information, an unprecedented excitement flashed in her gaze. "What a great class."
Then, as if she'd locked on with auto-aim, her eyes instantly found me in the crowd. Her first instinct seemed to be to rush over and drag me away on the spot. But reason prevailed, and she forced herself to calm down, pressing her lips together. Suma gave me a gentle look that promised, I'll find a chance to talk to him later.
With her thoughts settled, she finally turned and walked back to her class's lineup.
I noticed her movements and could easily guess what she'd just been thinking. I felt a bit helpless. So after her class change, she's not even going to pretend anymore.
Huh? I focused my mind and summoned my intellect core, silently cheering myself on. For a happy future, for the initiative.
The intellect core gave a barely perceptible tremor, as if saying, I've got your back, brother.
Soon, the roll call reached me. It wasn't being done by class, so my turn came quickly. I walked to the center of the arena and nodded to the staff. Then I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and steadied myself.
With a few swift motions from the staff, my class change began.
At that moment, in a realm unseen by anyone else, multicolored streams of data flashed by at lightning speed.
Class change initated.
Matching class.
Match successful.
Class: Puppeteer.
Initiating Class Change.
WARNING. WARNING.WARNING.
Anomaly detected.
#*%&....
Class Change Lord of Intellect.
To everyone watching, I was surrounded by a faint, hazy gray glow. It grew a little stronger as time passed, but barely noticeably so compared to the dramatic displays that had accompanied Gao Boufu and Suma's class changes. This was nothing.
In the crowd, Gao Boufet watched the lackluster scene with worry. "Old Chi, looks like I'll have to reluctantly step up and be your godfather."
Suma also felt a pang of sadness. "His class didn't seem promising." She should have been happy about her own class; after all, it might mean she could get closer to me. But now she could already picture the disappointment on my face, and her own joy faded.
The rest of the arena barely reacted. Most people seemed unfazed. Some students who had already finished their class changes had shifted their attention away, whispering quietly among themselves.
Whoosh!
At that moment, right in front of me, the intellect core, visible only to me, suddenly stopped its aimless drifting. The crystalline blue form dissolved, transforming into a dazzling streak of azure light that shot straight into my body and then vanished without a trace.
Ha!
Up on the high platform, Jang Ding and Lee Wugua immediately noticed the change. They stood and moved to the edge, peering down.
All around me, within the faint gray glow, specks of brilliant blue light began to appear. At first, just a few, then more and more. In no time, the hazy gray radiance was completely overtaken by a magnificent blue brilliance. The blue light around me grew brighter and brighter, so intense it was almost blinding.
"Not good! Close your eyes!"
"Who threw an A1 flashbang?!"
"Take cover!"
It wasn't until the light finally faded that everyone present cautiously opened their eyes again.
On the platform, Jang Ding and Lee Wugua exchanged glances, a trace of astonishment and suspicion flickering across their faces.
"Have you ever seen anything like that?"
"Never. Could it be…?" They looked at each other, drawing in a sharp breath. "A new class? Or a unique one?"
Inside the arena, the commotion around him seemed to fade into the background for me. I could feel the transformation was complete. Taking a deep, uneasy breath, I opened my status panel.
Name: Giu
Class: MechMaster (Unique)
Level: 1 (0%)
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Spirit: 30
Constitution: 10
Equipment: None
Core Item: Mech Core (Level 1) - Functions [Collapsed] - [Click to Expand]
Skills:
Mind Link (Level 1)
Mech Empowerment (Level 1)
Mind Link (Level 1): The Sovereign can establish a one-way link with Mech soldiers within a psychic network, issuing commands quickly and flexibly to direct them in battle. Current maximum link range: 100 m. To upgrade this skill, raise the Mech Core level.
Mech Empowerment (Level 1): The Sovereign can grant intelligence to Mech bodies, turning them into loyal Mech soldiers. Current maximum intelligence level: Low. To upgrade the skill, raise the Mech Core level.
I sucked in a sharp breath as I finished reading my status panel, practically contributing to global warming with how hard I inhaled. The excitement and anxiety I'd felt moments ago slowly faded, replaced by a single overwhelming thought: I'm never eating beef again.
After all, according to what I'd learned from my textbooks, the total of all four attributes for a standard level one class was just 25 points. For example, a typical level one mage would have Strength: 5, Agility: 5, Spirit: 10, and Constitution: 5.
But as a Mech Master, my four attributes at level one already totaled 60 points.
What's more, the level one attribute values set the growth rate for future level-ups. For my class, every level meant: Strength +10, Agility +10, Spirit +30, Constitution +10.
In other words, when I reached level 10, my total four primary attributes would add up to 600 points, equivalent to what a regular class would have upon reaching level 24. And that's not even counting bonuses from equipment and other sources.
I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself down. Then, with a thought, I opened up the previously collapsed functions behind the Mech Core.
Mech Core (Level 1)
Function One: Mech Generation Space. Generates and stores mechanical bodies. Once the maximum number of bodies is reached, no more can be generated. Recycling mechanical bodies can somewhat reduce generation time. Currently, one mechanical body can be generated every 10 minutes. Current body limit: 10.
Function Two: Mech Repair. Recycles or automatically repairs damaged mechanical bodies within the generation space. Repair time depends on the extent of the damage. If repair would take too long, the core recommends recycling and generating a new body instead. The user can choose whether to retain the intelligence already assigned to a body.
Function Three: Please upgrade the Mech Core to unlock.
Function Four: A series of locked functions.
I scrolled straight to the bottom: The core's level will increase in sync with the user's class level.
So, the mechanical bodies required for the Mech Empowerment skill are actually generated by the Mech Core. Realization dawned on me, and I nodded to myself before closing the attribute panel.
I turned around and nearly jumped in surprise. At some point, Jang Ding and Lee Wugua, who had been watching from the high platform, had left their seats and were now standing behind me, quietly waiting. They hadn't interrupted me while I was checking my stats.
When I turned around, Jang Ding and Lee Wugua exchanged a glance. Finally, Lee Wugua's expression grew serious as he addressed me."Giu, the Shinga Empire only needs your class name for our records. We won't ask about anything else. Of course, if you choose to give us a false class name, that's your decision. In these times, with the constant threat of monsters, we need more strong fighters, and we value every seed that might grow into one. Everyone has their secrets, and the Shinga Empire will respect that to the fullest. But please remember, if anyone abuses their power to commit crimes or disrupt internal order, the Shinga Empire will never tolerate it. Only by standing together can we fight back against the monsters and ensure the survival of humanity. Grow without worry. As long as you prove your worth, the Empire's resources will be at your disposal without hesitation. I look forward to the day we fight side by side, or even the day you surpass me."
With that, Lee Wugua gave me a crisp military salute.
I could feel the sincerity in his words. I mimicked the gesture, returning the salute. At the same time, I couldn't help but feel a surge of respect. There was a reason humanity on Blue Star had managed to come this far after the cataclysm.
With that, the class change ceremony continued. Jang Ding and Lee Wugua returned to the platform. I made my way back to the ranks, meeting the curious and envious gazes from those around me head-on.
"Godfather, please take me as your child!" As soon as I sat down, Gao Boufu scooted over and wrapped himself around my arm.
"Oh, but what about your grand ambitions?" I teased.
"No conflict at all. No conflict. From now on, you're the boss," Gao Boufu declared with a grin.
Not far away, Suma watched me and Gao Boufu banter, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. He really does look strong in that role, she thought. For a moment, she was transported back to our childhood at the orphanage, remembering how I had always protected her. When will it be my turn to protect you? she wondered. But I, Suma Meow, am not giving up. She silently cheered herself on. Suma wasn't exactly a forceful person by nature, but when it came to anything involving me, she always found a special kind of courage.
Time passed, and soon all the students had completed their job transitions. Principal Jang Ding stepped up to the microphone on the platform.
"Students, your new roles are set, but your futures remain unwritten. No matter what, just like this transition process, every profession has its own unique brilliance. Your next goal is the big exam in twenty days. As you all know, good resources are limited, and powerful items and equipment are even scarcer. To make the most of these resources, to maximize their effectiveness, and to cultivate those who can stand on their own and turn the tide of battle, schools of various ranks have been established. These academies will help you grow better and faster. The top academies, in particular, gather the best resources and are the cradle for elite professionals."
As he spoke, Jang Ding's gaze swept over Suma Meow, me, and Gao Boufu, lingering a moment longer on me.
"The big exam is your chance to show what you're made of. Each academy will send out invitations based on your exam results. Next, those of you who have transitioned into support roles can head to the logistics branch of our city's Job Changers Association to register and start developing your new careers. The big exam will also have special sections for support roles. As for combat and auxiliary professions, the exam will focus on different aspects, but one thing remains the same: strive to become stronger. Whether it's leveling up, honing your skills, increasing your proficiency, or your performance in battle, I look forward to seeing you all shine in the big exam."
With that, the job transition ceremony officially came to an end.
Having turned into a literal beacon of light during my transition, I naturally became the center of attention as everyone began to leave. Standing in the middle of the transition hall, I found myself deep in thought.
Reflecting on Principal Jang Ding's speech, the intelligent machinery core was still generating my mechanical body, and I still didn't know exactly what attributes my mech warrior form would have. But just looking at the exaggerated four-dimensional stat growth of the MechMaster class, plus that unique mutation prefix, it was obvious this profession was anything but weak.
With that settled, my next goal was clear: ace the national exams and get into a top-tier academy. Top academies didn't just have unmatched precious resources; they also offered the best environment for rapid advancement. For someone like me, who had always dreamed of becoming a top-tier powerhouse, there was no better place.
At the same time, support-type classes like Gao Boufu's and Suma Meow's weren't judged primarily by level in the exams. Instead, their performance was measured by how well they supported others in battle. For combat-focused classes like mine, though, level was a crucial factor in overall strength.
So, from now on, leveling up quickly would be my main focus. If I could guarantee solo monster hunting, I'd gain experience at the fastest rate. Going solo without a party to split the experience was one of the most effective ways to level up fast.
I studied the mech function description, thinking things over. I didn't know the exact stats of the mech soldiers yet, but having ten of them at level one as helpers should make solo grinding possible. I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises the MechMaster class would bring as I leveled up.
"Giu! Want to team up?"
"Boss! Carry me!"
"Add me! I'm great at keeping beds warm!"
"Get lost, you're a guy. What do you mean by keeping beds warm?"
"Giu, look at me! So what if I'm a guy? I'm shivering here."
As soon as the event ended, I was swarmed by enthusiastic classmates. It was my first time facing this kind of scene, and I was momentarily stunned, but I quickly regained my composure.
"Sorry everyone, and thank you for your enthusiasm," I said politely. "I'm setting my sights on the top academies, so I need to level up quickly. I'll be focusing on solo grinding for now. Sorry, everyone."
Hearing my polite refusal, the classmates around me were a bit disappointed, but they understood.
"A top academy, huh? Yeah, you'll need to level up fast for that."
"True. If you want to level up quickly, solo grinding is the way to go. Combat classes are like that, not like us support types."
Speaking of support classes, my words gave the surrounding students a new idea.
"Gao! My long-lost father! I'm your child you never knew about!"
"Su! Look at me! You like Giu, don't you? Girls, let's help her win him over!"
I watched as Gao Boufu, who'd just been squeezed aside, was now surrounded and hailed as everyone's godfather. I couldn't help but smile. Meanwhile, over on Suma's side, a quick-witted girl declared she'd help Su win my heart, making Su, who'd been a bit down, instantly beam with joy. Soon, other girls caught on and followed suit, seeing a shortcut to their own goals.
I, noticing all this, felt a little embarrassed. I couldn't help but think, There's no shortage of talent anywhere.
And so, after a round of friendly competition and selection, Gao Boufu assembled a father-son team with himself at the core. The stalwart Earth Shield Warrior who had shown impressive skill during the class change ceremony was also among them. Meanwhile, Suma formed her own squad, a die-hard fan club dedicated to helping her win me over.
But playtime was over. No one dared take the big exam lightly. After all, their futures were on the line. Even though both of them were support classes, they chose their teammates with great care, ensuring a balanced lineup. With the teams confirmed, everyone was ready to give their all for the next twenty days in preparation for the exam.
On the other side of campus, Jang Ding finished arranging follow-up tasks with the school staff and saw off the representatives from the Class Change Association. He stood with Lee Wugua, watching his students gradually trickle out of the school gates.
"Today was really something," Jang Ding said with a sigh. "In previous years, there were barely a handful of top-tier support classes in the whole province, and our school just produced two. Not to mention Giu… no one's ever seen anything like what happened with him." He couldn't help but feel proud. The students' outstanding results reflected well on him as principal.
Lee Wugua, ever the soldier, viewed things from a different angle. "That's right. The new generation is the future of our people. Seeing them grow stronger is truly inspiring."
Jang Ding chuckled. "So, was the trip worth it?"
Lee Wugua grinned. "Of course. But aren't you in a hurry? Giu's situation is the real priority now. I'll have my dragon partner take the footage of Giu's class change back right away. Hopefully, his appearance will bring a breakthrough to our deadlocked front lines."
The two men exchanged a glance, both filled with hope for a brighter future.
At the school gate…
"Old Chi, have you decided which top academy you want to go to?" someone called out.
"I'll think about it after the exam. Don't go celebrating before the game's over," I replied with a laugh.
"Uh, fair enough. See you at the big exam!"
Suma Meow secretly observing.jpg.
The sun was just setting, casting a warm orange glow over everyone. Our long shadows stretched across the ground, intertwining and then separating as I said my goodbyes at the gate. One by one, the shadows untangled, and each person with their own shadow stepped toward a brighter tomorrow.
The class change was over, but it was both an ending and a new beginning.