Registration

The light from the sunrise filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle light over the bed as Ethan stirred from his sleep. The room was quiet, save for the distant hum of the campus waking up around them. Ethan’s arm was draped over Penny, she was snuggled in close to him and he could feel the warmth of her skin against his. That’d almost be the perfect way to wake up if it wasn’t for his arm being completely asleep, courtesy of Penny using it as a pillow.

He looked down at her, her face still peaceful in sleep and felt a surge of love and gratitude for her. He had been spiraling last night after the reveal of his Class and she had brought him back down to the ground, just like she always did. Despite the shock and uncertainty he felt around his class, he knew he had made the right choice in bonding Penny. He could still feel it, the bond present as he felt at his Mark. It was almost tangible, the way he could sense her presence was both comfortable as well as exhilarating.

He leaned down, gently kissing her on the forehead before carefully extricating himself from the bed, trying not to wake her just yet. Shaking his arm out to regain feeling, he moved to dress quietly, his mind still racing with thoughts around what today would bring. He’d have to register his class with the Guild first thing. He had to talk to Alice. At the thought of his sister, the worries from the night before came back to him. Over a decade they’d been planning to form a dungeon raiding team. How could he, now, with a class like his?

As Ethan finished dressing, Penny began to stir. She opened her eyes and smiled at him, reaching out for his hand. "Good morning," she murmured softly.

"Morning," Ethan replied, taking her hand and letting her pull him down to kiss her gently.

She sat up and stretched, reaching her arms above her head.. “Uhm, wow.. The bond is stronger now than last night, isn’t it?”

“I can feel it more clearly now, though I’m not sure if it’s actually solidified or if we were a bit out of it last night.” Ethan laughed softly. “You’re right, though. I have this clear sense of where you are and a vague sense of how you’re feeling. It must be a benefit of the bond.”

“That would make sense. Want to try healing me?” Penny asked.

He nodded, closing his eyes and feeling inwards towards his class mark. He could instinctually feel the ability he was searching for, Essence touch. Squeezing Penny’s hand, he activated the healing ability. There was a sensation of power flowing out from his hand, he and Penny both feeling it as essence was drained from Penny to pay for the skill’s activation.

The warm feeling spread through Penny from where they touched, easing the sore muscles in her neck from using Ethan as a pillow. “Oh wow, that’s fantastic.” She reached up to rub her neck. “I feel like I just had a massage, the pain in the muscle is completely gone.”

“And how about this?” Ethan activated another skill, this time his enhancement skill, Essence Boost. “Feel anything?”

As Ethan Boosted Penny, she noticed immediately the familiar power, this time feeling much sharper than the healing. She reached inside her class mark and cast her Shadow Minion spell, summoning a small creature made of what appeared to be physical darkness. “Can you believe that? It’s twice the size it normally is!” She shouted, getting up to examine the summoned creature. It stood several feet tall, with vague blobs for limbs. “I was able to summon so much quicker, too, casting the spell felt so.. easy.”

Ethan felt the spell drop as he willed it to, noticing that it appeared to be able to last for as long as there was essence to spend. He felt around his mark, seeking out the modified area that represented Penny. There was a vague sense of emptiness that hadn’t existed when he had looked earlier, likely meaning it represented the amount of essence Penny had available. Ethan explained the feeling to Penny and she felt at her own Class Mark, seeking out the feeling of Essence.

Penny closed her eyes. “I can feel it too. It’s almost like a second mana pool. It feels nearly empty.”

“I can feel the same.” Ethan shared, feeling the same emptiness as he inspected the bond. "But we should get ready to go. Alice will be here soon."

Penny nodded. "I'll be quick," she said, heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead. He knew that registering their classes would be just the beginning of a long journey, once again unable to avoid thoughts of his class ruining things. He chastised himself when he noticed himself fixating on the ‘what ifs’ of the situation. They had trained for the better part of 5 years now and he wasn’t ready to call it quits just because he had gotten such an odd class.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Ethan opened it to find Alice standing on the other side, her expression a mix of determination and apprehension. "Ready?" she asked softly.

Ethan nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Penny emerged from the bathroom, dressed and composed. She gave Alice a small smile, trying to convey a sense of solidarity despite the uncertainty that hung in the air. "Let's do this," she said, her voice steady.

The three of them made their way through the training facility, the halls filled with the usual morning bustle of trainees heading to their classes and instructors preparing for the day. They reached the guild registration office, a large room with several desks manned by guild officials. The atmosphere was professional but welcoming, and Ethan felt a sense of pride as he approached the desk.

"Good morning," one of the officials greeted them with a friendly smile. "How can I assist you today?"

"We're here to register our Classes.” Ethan spoke for the group. “Alice and I just received ours last night."

The official nodded, gesturing for them to take seats at a nearby empty desk. Taking a moment to type, the clerk looked back to them. "Of course. Let's get started. Can you provide your names and class details?"

Alice went first, her voice steady as she recited the details of her Shock Blade class. The official listened attentively, typing as she spoke.

"Excellent," the official said, turning to Ethan. "And your class?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Essence Bonder."

The official's eyes widened slightly, but their expression remained professional. "An Essence Bonder, I’m not familiar with that class. No mention of it in the archives, either. Can you provide some details about your abilities and the class ranking?"

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady as he explained the basics of his class. "I can create bonds with others, empowering and healing them through essence generation."

The official nodded, eyes focused on the screen as he spoke. “I see. And how are the bonds formed?”

“I can offer them while interacting directly. They appear to be permanent unless the bond is intentionally ended by either side of the bond.” Ethan answered, trying to avoid fidgeting.

The clerk nodded slowly, eyes still scanning the screen. "And how do you generate this essence?"

Ethan hesitated again, unsure of how much to reveal. "It’s a secondary resource alongside mana. Through..” He hesitated, unsure on how to phrase the sexual aspect of his class. “Through interacting with the Bonded we can create essence. It doesn’t appear to regenerate on its own, but I can create both Essence and Bonds outside of a dungeon.”

He hesitated again. “It seems my abilities incentivize long term growth," he said finally.

The official raised an eyebrow at the last statement. "I see. You believe your class is capable of long term enhancement?"

“Yes, I’ve bonded once already, but we’ve only had the time to test some of my abilities. We received our classes late last night.” Ethan explained.

Penny spoke up before the official could ask another question. "Me. We bonded. I'm Penny, Dark Weaver, D rank. We bonded after his class was revealed last night." She went on to explain the benefits of the bond they had tested so far. “The short term Boost and seemed to roughly double my Shadow Minion, though it was hard to measure precisely.”

The official nodded, making more notes. “And the healing you mentioned?” He asked next.

“Limited by touch, the limited testing we did indicates it may fall under the comprehensive restoration classification.” Ethan answered.

Another raised eyebrow from the clerk. “Comprehensive restoration, you’re sure of that?” He asked, typing further notes into the computer.

Ethan shook his head. “No, but the test we tried cured basic muscle pain. The heal spread from where I touched over the rest of her body.”

The official nodded as Ethan explained the different indications for what classification of healing he had received.

"Very well. We'll need to conduct some tests to assess your abilities and determine the best training regimen for you. Expect to receive timeslots for both combat and healing assessments. You'll be assigned a guild advisor sometime by the end of the week to help you build your team and establish a training regimen for your class."

Ethan felt a sense of relief wash over him as the official handed them each a tablet with their new schedules and contact information for their advisors. "Thank you," he said softly.

The official smiled. "Welcome to the next phase of your journey. Oh, one last thing, you didn’t mention your class rank, we need that for all newly discovered classes."

Ethan glanced at Penny and Alice nervously before turning back to the official. “It’s S rank.”

The official froze in place before slowly meeting Ethan’s eyes. “S rank, you’re sure about this?”

“Uhm, yea, it’s S rank.” Ethan replied.

“I’m going to need you to come with me, the two of you can come along as well.” The official said while gesturing to Penny and Alice. “If you’re actually S rank, we need to get someone higher up the food chain involved and they’re going to want to speak with you.” He led the trio down a hallway behind his desk through a secured door. They followed him to an elevator where they ascended to what must have been the upper floor of the building. “You can wait here. Someone will be out shortly I’m sure.” The official pointed at a grouping of chairs and couches that made up a small waiting area.

The waiting area was quiet, save for the soft hum of the building's ventilation system and the distant murmur of voices from behind closed doors. Ethan, Penny, and Alice sat in tense silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The weight of Ethan's revelation hung heavy in the air, and they all knew that their lives were about to change dramatically.

Ethan's mind raced with possibilities and concerns. He thought about the potential benefits of his class. Long-term enhancements for his bonds, increased strength and resilience, but also the challenges. The sexual nature of his essence generation was a significant hurdle, one that he wasn't sure how to navigate, especially with Alice. Penny reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looked at her, grateful for her support, and she offered him a small, reassuring smile.

Alice sat quietly, her expression unreadable. She had always been close with Ethan, but the revelation of his class had thrown a wrench into their plans. She knew that they would need to adapt, but she wasn't sure how. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from down the hall. A moment later, the door to the waiting area opened, and a tall, imposing figure stepped through.

The man was dressed in the formal attire of a high-ranking guild official—a crisp, dark suit with intricate embroidery that signified his status. His hair was silvering at the temples, and his eyes held a sharp, piercing gaze. Behind him followed the official who had brought them to this waiting area. The official stepped aside as the man entered the room, allowing him to take center stage.

"Ethan," the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "I am Guild Master Thompson. I understand you have something rather extraordinary to share with us."

Ethan stood up as the Guild Master entered, Penny and Alice following suit. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Yes, sir. My class is Essence Bonder, S rank."

Guild Master Thompson's eyes narrowed slightly, the only visible reaction. "An Essence Bonder, you say? And S ranked, no less. That is... unprecedented." He paused, considering the implications, folding his arms behind his back. “We’ve had healers, buffers, even a few rare synergy-based classes. But nothing like this.”

He gestured for the team to sit again, though he remained standing. Why don’t you explain it to me in detail. Don’t worry about sounding impressive, focus on being clear.”

Ethan nodded and outlined the basics of his class, focusing on the essence generation as a secondary resource, the in combat abilities, and the long-term enhancements he could provide to his bonds. He kept the nature of the essence generation vague, not wanting to reveal the deviant aspects of his class.

Guild Master Thompson listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "And you have already bonded with someone?" he asked, looking at Penny and Alice.

Penny took a half step forward, nodding. "Yes, sir. I’m a Dark Weaver, D rank. We bonded last night after Ethan's class was revealed. Ethan was able to double the strength of my Shadow Minion, at least temporarily. We’re still testing the limits."

Thompson's eyes flicked back to Ethan. “This bond persists outside of combat then?”

Ethan nodded affirmatively. “My abilities all appear to be interconnected. Not simply burst abilities, but an entire system. We haven’t had a chance to test it, but it seems the focus of the class is long term growth.”

The Guild Master exhaled slowly, then walked to the window, staring out at the training grounds below. “Do you understand what this means?” he asked, not turning around. “A class that can permanently enhance others. That can scale with time, not just power.”

He turned back, eyes sharp. “This isn’t just a combat advantage. It’s political. Strategic. If word spreads, every guild, every faction with ambition will want a piece of you. Some will offer money. Others will offer protection. And some… will not ask.”

Ethan swallowed. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

“You need to,” Thompson said. “Because I have. And I won’t let the guild lose you to some backroom deal or coercive contract. But that means we need to move fast. Quietly.”

He tapped a few commands into his phone, then looked up. “You’ll be assigned a team of private advisors. Not one of the usual trainers, those I trust. Your team will train in isolation until we understand the full scope of your abilities. I want you to remain quiet about the long term aspect of your class.”

Ethan felt the weight of those words settle on his shoulders. He had expected attention, maybe even scrutiny, but not this.. Ethan hesitated before speaking. "I want to form a team with Penny and Alice. We have trained together for years, and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses."

Guild Master Thompson nodded, seeming to approve of Ethan's plan. "Very well. We will need to conduct some tests to assess your abilities and determine the best training regimen for you. I want you to meet with our guild advisors immediately. They will help you build your team and create an advanced training regimen tailored to your class."

Ethan felt a sense of relief wash over him as the guild master spoke. He knew that this was just the beginning, but he was determined to make the most of his class.

"Thank you, sir," Ethan said.

Guild Master Thompson nodded. "Welcome to the next phase of your journey, Ethan. I have no doubt that you will make a significant contribution to our guild and the fight against the dungeons." Speaking next to the clerk who had brought them up. “Please escort them to the faculty annex. I’ll have someone waiting for you.”

As the guild master turned to leave, the clerk stepped forward. "I will show you to your advisors' offices now, if you’ll follow me," he gestured for Ethan, Penny, and Alice to follow him.

The trio followed the official down the halls, their minds racing with thoughts of what was to come. They knew that they would face challenges and obstacles, but they were determined to overcome them together. As they entered the advisors' offices, they were greeted by a team of experts; trainers, strategists, and mages who would help them navigate the complexities of Ethan's class and build a powerful, cohesive team.

The team arrayed in front of them was a far cry from the individual advisor they had all expected. Ethan was momentarily stunned as the team being assigned to him was introduced. It seemed they had been warned and briefed during the walk here. They were clearly pulling out all the stops for a new S-ranked Class.

The first advisor they met was a tall, muscular man with a stern expression and a no-nonsense attitude. He introduced himself as Trainer Harris, and he would be responsible for Ethan's physical training and combat skills. "Ethan," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Your situation is unique, and it will require a different approach to training. We will focus on enhancing your natural abilities and teaching you how to use them effectively in battle."

Next, they met Strategist Lee, a woman with sharp eyes and a keen mind. She would be responsible for developing Ethan's tactical skills and helping him understand the best ways to utilize his class in various situations. "Ethan," she said, her voice calm and measured. "Your class has the potential to provide significant benefits to your team, but it will also present unique challenges. We will work together to develop strategies that maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses."

Finally, they met Mage Thompson, a woman with a warm smile and a gentle demeanor. She would be responsible for helping Ethan understand the magical aspects of his class and teaching him how to control and enhance his essence generation. "Ethan," she said softly. "Your class is unlike any other, and it will require a delicate touch. We will work together to help you understand your abilities and use them effectively."

As the advisors spoke, Ethan felt a sense of determination wash over him. He knew that he had a long journey ahead, but he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way. With Penny and Alice by his side, and the support of the guild behind him, he was confident that he could make a significant contribution to the fight against the dungeons.

"Thank you," Ethan said softly, looking at each of the advisors in turn. "I am ready to begin."

The advisors nodded, seeming pleased with Ethan's determination. "Very well," Trainer Harris said. "Let us start. We have a few questions for you.."