"...Investor?"
Nael muttered in confusion, his voice barely audible as he glanced up at the projection panel above.
The glowing runes materialized with their usual flashy effects:
________
[ Class: Investor ]
[ Grade: Common]
[ Primary Stat: Focus]
________
The crowd's reaction was... underwhelming.
A few polite claps scattered through the audience, but most people had either turned their attention elsewhere or were discussing how 'useless' or 'trash' his class was.
Common classes were hardly worth celebrating after all. But they were the perfect topic for gossip and ridicule.
"...another Common class? What a waste of the ceremony."
"Investor? What's that, he gives people money?"
"Probably some useless merchant subclass. Trash."
...And so on.
But Nael ignored the crowd and their words. While he descended from the platform, countless questions continued spiraling in his mind.
The most obvious and important one being-
'An Investor? What kind of class is this?'
He had every class compendium he could find to prepare for this day. Thought about what he would do if he awakened each class, from Common to Mythic. He even had a backup plan, even if he couldn't awaken and became Mundane.
But this... this was a variable he had never considered. There was no record, no footnote, no legend of a class called 'Investor'.
It was a complete unknown.
A blank space in a world that categorized everything.
The initial shock gave way to a cold, sinking dread.
'I'm done for,' the thought hissed, cutting through his carefully constructed optimism. 'I ended up with a Class no one has ever heard of.'
How was he supposed to process it? How could he change his life now?
'Urgh...'
Nael moved through the crowd on autopilot, the snickers and whispers of his fellow graduates washing over him.
"That Class nerd got a dud," a voice sneered as he passed.
"Haha, the irony! He got a class he doesn't even know!" Another joined.
"..."
Nael didn't react to them and continued walking. Surprisingly, instead of dampening his low spirit even further, their words acted like a splash of cold water. It shocked him out of the spiral of despair.
'...'
He had spent most of his life being overlooked, preparing for a moment that might never come. He had built philosophy on making the most of what you were given.
Was he really going to abandon it at the first real test?
'...No.'
The cold dread in his gut didn't vanish, but it was met now by a spark of stubborn defiance. He recalled his own lines again. That's right...
'It's not what you get, but what you do with it...'
'Fine, challenge accepted,' he thought, his jaw tightening. 'But let's learn what 'it' is first.'
The mystery of the Investor Class was now a problem to be solved, and Nael had always (almost) been good at solving problems.
But that was a task for later. Right now, he had a more immediate, more important concern.
He quickly returned to his class's row, his eyes searching for the familiar cascade of silver hair. Her previous spot was empty.
'Where is she?' A frown creased his brow.
He turned to a classmate sitting nearby and tapped their shoulder. "Damian, did you see where Mireille went?"
"Oh, her? She left just a while ago," the boy replied without much interest. "Looked kind of pale, actually. Maybe she went to the infirmary."
"Oh, thanks," Nael said, already moving.
He quickly exited the ceremonial grounds, his mind now focused on finding his only friend rather than dwelling on his 'useless' class.
'Her turn will come soon. I need to find her quickly.'
He searched around the various academy buildings near the ceremonial grounds, checking the usual spots where students might retreat.
'Hmm?'
Just as he passed through the archway leading to the eastern courtyard, he noticed a figure leaning back against the large oak tree that dominated the center of the space, partially hidden by its massive trunk.
'Found you.'
Nael quickly ran toward her, but as he drew closer, his steps faltered. Mire was sobbing quietly, her knees up to her chest and her face buried in her arms. Her hair fell like a curtain around her, trembling with each suppressed sob.
He slowed his steps but quickened them again, driven by concern. Crouching down beside her, he called out gently.
"Mira... Mira... Hey, it's me."
She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve and turned toward him, her cerulean eyes still red and puffy. Despite her obvious stress, she managed a wobbly smile.
"N-Nael? How... how did it go? Did you get a good class?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
Nael nodded with a faint smile, not wanting to burden her with his own concerns. "Yeah, it went fine. But what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Mira dodged his gaze, looking anywhere but him. "I-It's... it's nothing. Really."
"Come on," Nael said softly, settling down beside her against the tree trunk. "I won't tell anyone. Don't you know I'm the best person to keep secrets?"
She glanced at him sideways, and despite her tears, a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips. "That's because nobody tells you their secrets."
Nael clutched his chest dramatically, his face contorting into an expression of mock hurt. "Ouch! Right through the heart, Mira. And here I thought we were friends."
Mira looked away from him, her voice barely above a whisper, but Nael still heard it clearly.
"W-we are friends..."
Then she went silent again, her shoulders hunching as if trying to make herself smaller.
Nael frowned and glanced at the time.
'Not good, our class's turn will end soon.'
Nael glanced back at Mira. "Then come on, we need to return quickly. Or you will miss your turn."
"N-no," Mira shook her head, pressing herself further back against the tree trunk. "I-I won't go."
"Huh? Why?" Nael asked confusedly.
She didn't reply.
Nael knew something was wrong, so he took a firmer tone and asked again.
"Mira. Tell me what happened."
"..." Mira hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her academy uniform. Finally, in a voice so quiet he had to strain to hear, she spoke. "Father..."
"H-He got into an accident."