∼ Class Choosing ∼
Chapter - 037
Grunting, Eric scratched the back of his head. "What do you mean? We don't have a class stone, nor do we have a suitable scribe. But there should definitely be one next town over and undoubtedly one in Boreas."
In response, Aria just smiled sheepishly, lifting the grimoire to indicate it. "Well, a class stone is not always necessary, and while I am not a scribe, I am an apprentice archivist with the skills of a mage."
Eric had no idea what she was getting at, as he only knew of one method to activate the appointment of classes. But Eric had long learned to trust what Aria said so he would not argue that point any further.
Seeing Eric's acceptance, Nyx stepped in to protest. "B-But!"
"You will have to wait." Aria interrupted calmly, putting a soft hand on the demon's head and giving him a caressing pet. "But it will not take long for Eric. For you, it will take a couple of hours. It will be best if we let Eric go first, so we have someone to protect us and stand guard while either of you is undergoing your advancements."
Oh, how divine her touch was... wait - no! She was trying to make him forget!
Just... how preposterous. This was obviously just an excuse for letting the stupid human go first. Nyx was not afraid of any stupid forest monsters. After all, he could always run!
But as Nyx was about to find fault with what Aria was saying by voicing it, her stare that brokered no quarter him shut his mouth before even a single word left.
Reluctantly sitting himself by her side, a haughty harrumph escaped the demon all the while he glared daggers at an uncomfortable-looking Eric.
"Eric, are you familiar with the process?" asked Aria.
"Y-yeah, I've seen it a few times." He said, uncharacteristically hesitant.
"Eric?" She mused, noting his odd behavior.
He sighed. "Sorry, I just never expected to become a class wielder - at least not this early in my life.
He paused. "It's just that... I've been told all my life I would never amount to anything, not my heritage nor anything worthy of living for. But with our recent journey, I've trained much harder and fought life and death to survive. It has all made me achieve much faster than I could've ever hoped."
A smile touched upon Aria's red lips. "It is okay, I understand. But do trust me, you are far from accomplishing what your potential can achieve. Eric, you might be a low-born bastard from the fringes of a country - but you have more grit and determination than anyone I have ever laid my eyes on. You might be reckless, but I know that if you truly strive for it, the world will open its gates wide open for you."
Aria paused before adding. "If not, you can always just beat them open with that thick head of yours. It seems to have done the trick so far."
Eric was stunned, not sure what to say.
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In the awkward silence, Aria realized what she had just said; words without her usual timidity. She blushed, coughing into her hand to clear the air. But even though she had not meant to be so forward with her words, she had meant every single one.
"Come, sit." She said, motioning in front of her.
Doing as she said, Eric sat before the much smaller girl, his frame dwarfing hers. With curiosity, Nyx peered up from the side.
"Although class stones, or rather runestones, are the most commonly used medium for invoking the Codex, any suitable artifact, and individual of sufficient skills, are able to do this elementary ceremony." She explained. "In that case, this grimoire and my profession are suitable, as most any other scholar and runestone would have. Though it is just that I only barely fit the requirement, so the initial class choosing is at most what I can do."
Turning around the large grimoire in her lap to face Eric, she said. "Place your hand atop and close your eyes." She herself closed her eyes. "Focus on clearing your mind. I will do the rest."
Though this book was nothing like the magical stone with runes he had seen those scholar-looking class inscribers use, Eric knew that this book was definitely magical. So he merely shrugged and did as she instructed.
It was almost instant the moment he touched the book's cold surface that he felt a rush of power. He had no reference for it, but he quite easily surmised it as being her mana. He was worried at first since Aria had in passing explained; that for a normal person to have mana injected into their bodies without what she called the [Mind's Sea] could result in severe mana poisoning and permanent ailments, even death for some weaker individuals.
But he quickly discerned that the mana was in fact not entering his body, by covering him in a thin sheen. He wanted to open his eyes, wondering if he could also see what he felt. But before he ever managed to realize that want, his consciousness left the comforts of his mind.
Frowning, Nyx stared up at Eric who sat completely still.
She had asked him to make sure no monsters disturbed them and that he under no circumstances interrupted them.
Almost out of spite of the huge stupid human who had stolen his turn, Nyx would've played a prank to foil the ceremony, but the food magician's last words had set a complete stopper on that idea. "-And Nyx, no fooling about here. Otherwise, I will not be giving you any more food."
It was truly an unfair matter of the highest magnitude.
But just as Aria had promised, Eric came back himself only a handful of minutes later. As he opened his eyes, there was an instant change, and even Nyx felt somewhat intimidated by the brief and almost imperceptible sense of presence he gave off. The only other times Nyx could remember feeling similar intangible presences were when he saw the mysterious human swordsman when he had just come to this new world and the damned warlock who had tormented him for days.
However, this air around him disappeared as fast as it had appeared. Although it was hard to make out underneath his clothes, it did look like his frame changed slightly. While he did not get larger or filled out, there was a definite change. Almost as if he just became, as a whole, taut. Like a bowstring. Ready to fire a moment's notice.
He got to his feet, ignoring the two pairs of eyes that stared attentively at his broad back. Neither Aria nor Nyx was entirely sure what he was doing, but the next moment had them both surprised. Without as much as a warning, Eric had launched a dangerously fast right hand to the trunk of a nearby tree.
With a loud thud and crunch of bark and wood, not bone as would've otherwise been expected, Eric looked at his hand that had only opened a few bleeding cuts along his knuckles in a mix of bewilderment and awe.
What was left from his punch on the trunk was a small indent of his fist. "Huh..." He sounded, disbelief tingeing his voice. "-And who said going with fists was a dead end?"