Rye approached the registration building, his heart a tangle of excitement and apprehension, though excitement outweighed the fear. He had always admired climbers from afar, watching them ascend impossibly tall towers, and now he was finally here. Standing before the grand entrance, he couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the building itself, its sleek curves and towering spires a testament to ambition.
Stepping through the revolving door, a wash of bright light forced him to shield his eyes. Gradually, he adjusted, revealing a bustling registration lobby alive with activity. People floated in mid-air, chatting and laughing as if gravity were optional. Others hurried along the ground, or zipped past in bursts of speed that left brief afterimages in their wake.
Swoosh!
It's very active here, he thought, a small thrill coursing through him.
As his eyes roamed the crowd, a pang of self-consciousness struck him. Everyone seemed decked out in specialized gear, trinkets, and exotic accessories, while he stood out in nothing more than a plain polo shirt, jeans, and a modest pouch bag.
Making his way to the registration counter, he was met by a vision of calm elegance. The woman behind the desk had golden-blonde hair that framed her face like a halo, striking blue eyes that seemed to sparkle beneath delicate glasses, and a figure that could have belonged in a painting. Her voice was soft, melodic, carrying a warmth that instantly put him at ease. She looked up from her writing, smiling.
"Good morning, sir!" she greeted, her tone bright and cheerful.
Rye's voice betrayed him. "Ah… y-yes, h-hi!" His words came out shaky, and he cursed himself inwardly. Damn it, I'm so nervous… I can't stop my voice from trembling.
"I… I would like to register as a climber," he managed, forcing politeness into his tone.
"Ah, of course!" She clapped her hands lightly, a gesture almost childlike in its delight. From beneath the counter, she produced a pen and a sheet of paper, sliding it toward him. "To register as a climber, you'll need to fill out this document. Once completed, you'll officially become a climber!"
Rye inclined his head slightly, bowing in gratitude. "Will do, ma'am."
He glanced down at the paper, expecting the usual questions, name, age, occupation,but paused as his eyes fell upon a section that seemed… quite unusual.
[Class: ]
[Skill: ]
[Magic Power: ]
[Strength: ]
A whisper escaped him. "System…"
The panel before him flickered to life with a soft ding, confirming his suspicion. Nobody else seemed to notice. He leaned closer, comparing the panel to the paper:
[Name: Rye]
[Class: Necromancer]
[Skills: Summon Undead Lv.1, Aura Detection Lv.1, Commander Lv.1]
[Traits: Coward]
[Magic Power: 10]
[Strength: 1]
Hm… it's the same, he thought while observing the panel.
"Ma'am, what's this at the bottom of the paper?" he asked, pointing.
The woman paused mid-writing, adjusting her glasses to examine the sheet. "Oh…!" she exclaimed, her smile gentle and knowing. "That's your evaluation paper."
"Evaluation paper…?" Rye echoed, puzzled.
"Yes," she replied. "This section records your stats after the evaluation examination. Every new registered climber must complete it, not doing so will result in imprisonment! Upon completion of the examination, you will be given a card that will prove you've officially registered as a climber."
"I see," Rye said, handing over the paper slowly, almost as if the act itself could steady his nerves.
The woman adjusted her glasses, tilting her head slightly as she scanned the document. Her movements were deliberate, graceful, almost regal. "Well then, sir, that's all!" she said finally, a smile playing on her lips. "If you would, could you kindly go over there?" She gestured with a delicate hand toward a section of benches along the side, where people were already seated.
Rye blinked, caught off guard. "Wait… I'm starting already?"
She tilted her head, her smile softening. "Well, you can postpone the examination until tomorrow…"
He let out a slow sigh, the tension in his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Never mind. I'll take it today," he said, determination lacing his voice as he moved toward the benches.
As he neared the seating area, he took in the scene. People filled the benches in a spectrum of attire, some in simple, civil clothing, others equipped with armor, weapons, and a myriad of trinkets that marked their roles and experiences. The diversity made him feel both small and strangely exhilarated.
Hmmm… he murmured to himself, scanning for an empty spot.
Stepping closer, his eyes caught a familiar figure. The woman who had bumped into him earlier, the same one from that awkward encounter while he was moving boxes to his apartment was seated there. She wore the same outfit as before, her posture calm, composed, and entirely unbothered.