"Very well, attention please. Disregard everything you previously understood as 'normal.' That era concluded in 2010. You are present because your lives, and indeed the world's, have undergone a profound transformation. You are now Players, and it is imperative that you comprehend the new parameters."
Theus shifted in his seat. The woman's directness was jarring, but it cut through the nervous chatter. A familiar knot tightened in Theus's gut, apprehension warring with a morbid curiosity about what she'd say next.
"Precisely," the instructor continued, her voice gaining a measured cadence.
"The year 2010 marked the global emergence of entities previously confined to myth. Gates. They simply… materialized. And their contents were far from benign. We designated this event the Global Awakening, though 'Global Cataclysm' was perhaps a more accurate descriptor for a period." The projector screen flickered, displaying chaotic cityscapes, glowing, jagged gates, and silhouettes of monstrous figures.
Theus remembered the fragmented news reports from his childhood—the initial terror, the breakdown of order. The instructor's words made those distant memories feel heavy and real.
"Subsequently, the System intervened to preserve us," she said, cutting through the grim visuals. "Every individual in this room? You are now a Player. You have been selected, or perhaps burdened, depending on your perspective. The System bestows abilities, facilitates growth, and enables resistance."
The concept of the System had been a mystery until recently. Now, it was his reality.
"Upon awakening, you were immediately assigned your Class," the instructor went on, outlining the basics. "This may range from F-rank to SSS-rank. Your stat ratings, also determined at that precise moment, are pure chance. It is, for all intents and purposes, a cosmic lottery you've already participated in."
She paused, letting the implications sink in. "Some of you will find you possess F-rank to D-rank stat ratings, coupled with common to uncommon classes at best. The rare individuals among you might achieve C to A-rank stats, with rare, epic, or even unique classes. And the exceedingly fortunate ones will receive S-rank, or even SSS-rank stat ratings, alongside unique to mythical classes."
A student near Theus whispered, "SSS-rank? Imagine that!" Another scoffed, "More like F-rank and 'Common Janitor.'"
The instructor continued, "However, it is crucial to understand that this progression is not always linear. Some may acquire an S-rank stat rating yet receive only a rare or even common class. Conversely, others might begin with an F-rank stat rating but manifest an Epic or Unique class, indicating immense potential. It is truly random."
Whispers rippled through the room, now laced with a mix of awe and trepidation. A cosmic lottery, huh? Theus already knew his fate. Primal Tyrant, a Unique class. A flicker of pride, quickly doused by the cold reality of his F-stat rating. An F-rank. The lowest possible. What kind of tyrant was he supposed to be with that?
"Now, regarding the more tangible incentives: remuneration," the instructor said. A collective sigh rippled through the room, the tension easing slightly. "Each monster possesses a magic stone within its core, specifically within its heart. These vary significantly. An F-rank magic stone is typically colored red. An E-rank is orange, D-rank is yellow, C-rank is green, B-rank is blue, and an A-rank is a deep purple." The screen showed a vibrant chart: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and finally, a deep, glowing purple, each with a fluctuating price range.
"Based on current market demand, F-rank magic stones fluctuate from $987 to $2,104. E-rank stones are higher, ranging from $2,478 to $5,114, depending on the stone's purity and mana density. An A-rank magic stone, however, can fetch from $1.2 million to $2.3 million."
A collective gasp swept through the room. "Millions?!" someone exclaimed. "That's more than my dad makes in a year!"
"These higher-tier stones are highly sought after by energy companies, as they are significantly cleaner than Uranium-235 and last ten times longer," the instructor explained. "Magic stones can also be utilized in the crafting of Player weapons and equipment."
A student raised a hand. "What about S-rank magic stones? What are they used for?"
The instructor's expression hardened, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "However, S-rank monsters and above? They do not yield stones. They possess cores." The screen changed, displaying an Ice Dragon core, less luminous than the earlier magic stones, and then, stark and chilling, the highly luminous Chaos Dragon core—an SS-rank, responsible for something called the "Great Calamity."
"S-rank cores, like every superpower country, are utilized for classified purposes. While I am not permitted to elaborate," she continued, "suffice it to say, some phenomena possess power far exceeding a nuclear explosion." The screen flashed an image of a mushroom cloud with a stark "10x Nuclear Explosion" overlaid.
Nervous whispers broke out. "Wait, nuclear explosion? What are they doing with those things?" Millions for a rock? Theus's thoughts raced. And these cores… what could they possibly do with something that made a nuclear explosion look weak? The true power involved was a chilling thought.
"Now, while Players can acquire substantial wealth, the inherent dangers persist," the instructor stated, her tone sobering. "Not everyone survives. Solo gate raiding is not recommended, nor is it permitted for any guild to own a gate, as per UN resolution, to prevent gate breaches and irresponsible management."
"Very well, let us return to your immediate responsibilities," the instructor said, her tone more serious now. "Now that each and every one of you has awakened, you will receive your Player Student Cards today. Your progression is capped at Level 10 until your Class Mastery Assessment." This implied they had the class, but needed to master it before going further. "You will exclusively engage in recommended gates, and always under the supervision of a B-rank Association Agent.
Since each of you possesses unique skills, combat types, tactics, and strategies, the Association does not conduct standard classes. You are at liberty to pursue your own development within the Player Association gates, but B-rank agents will maintain oversight to ensure your survival before your Class Mastery Assessment. You may form dedicated parties with one another or operate independently if you are so inclined."
"And before you receive your Class Mastery Assessment, you will enter the arena for the exam tournament." She paused, letting that sink in. "The primary purpose of this assessment is a comprehensive graduate certificate evaluation, ensuring every Player gains familiarity and achieves a foundational mastery of their assigned classes and abilities before proceeding to become a fully licensed Player."
"During this three-day period, you will undergo intensive evaluation and training in the use of your abilities. Since each of you has already received two class skills upon awakening, reaching Level 10 will grant you another, providing a minimum and ample arsenal for your future endeavors.
"This assessment also serves as a crucial opportunity to be recruited into various guilds and to build your reputation within the broader Player community, should you effectively showcase your class and skill mastery. Remember, even an SSS-rank stat and a Mythical rank class are rendered useless if one lacks the understanding and control to wield them. Losing a match in this tournament does not signify a failure of the assessment itself; however, winning the exam tournament will earn you a highly coveted Epic rank equipment piece."
"Following your Class Mastery Assessment, your final Stat Rating and Class Rating will be recorded, you will receive your Player License with that rating, and then the benefits will commence. You will receive a $4,000 monthly allowance if you achieve a minimum of five recorded gate raids, and a 30% discount on Player equipment for new Players, sponsored by the Player Bureau of Association, for a period of three months."
"Additionally, for newly awakened Players who lack permanent housing or reside in rented apartments, the Player Bureau of Association provides access to dedicated hotels and rooms. While this benefit becomes available after a six-month period, those who possess stable housing are encouraged to conserve these resources for those in greater need. These PBA-sponsored hotels offer complimentary food, Wi-Fi, and room service, reflecting the Association's commitment to the well-being of new Players."
A collective sigh of relief, or perhaps renewed excitement, filled the room. Tangible rewards. Then, everyone received a notification. A PDF file materialized on their personal System interfaces, detailing the Class Mastery Assessment requirements.
The instructor gestured to the projector, which now displayed a comprehensive checklist:
Solo Raid (Optional):
Party Raid Evaluation:
Boss Raid Evaluation:
Solo Boss Raid Evaluation:
Party Synergy Rating:
Party Leadership:
Combat Skill Evaluation:
Class Effectiveness:
Class Mastery Evaluation:
Base Class and Player Overall Rating:
"These," the instructor explained, "will be the necessary forms that you will need to be rated by the B-rank agents. There are hundreds of cameras and sensors within PBA G-Rank Gates that can evaluate all of you individually. This data will reflect on your overall rating, which will become your final Player rating. Do note, however, that the highest one can achieve at this stage is an E-rank."
A murmur went through the students. "E-rank? That's it?"
"Precisely," she affirmed. "No Player who has yet to receive their first class advancement has managed to break the D-class threshold. Breaking E-class means you surpass licensed Players below Level 50, though Unique, Legendary, and Mythical classes are an exception to that rule. That is how overpowered those classes are."
Theus's heart gave a slight thump. His class was Unique. He might actually break D-rank.
The instructor continued, "Everyone who breaks D-rank will receive a full Epic set equipment, tailored to their class, or its equivalent monetary value, which is one hundred million dollars."
A stunned silence, then an explosion of excited whispers. "One hundred million?!" "Are you serious?!"
The instructor allowed the reaction to settle before delivering her final words. "During these three days, all of you will receive free hotel accommodations. You will need to get those list items evaluated, and to do so, raiding PBA student-rated G-rank gates is required. You only have three days to fulfill all of that in order to participate in the tournament exam. You may withdraw from the tournament if you wish, in which case you will receive ten thousand dollars, but you will forfeit the Epic rank equipment, which can be sold for at least five million."
The lecture ended. Theus remained seated for a moment, letting the overwhelming rush of information settle. The randomness, the danger, the immense power, the potential future—it all swirled together.
Level 10. Just Level 10. That was the immediate goal, the threshold for the rigorous Class Mastery Assessment and the arena tournament. But beyond that, beyond the crucible of the arena and the challenge of truly mastering his Primal Tyrant abilities, lay a future he couldn't yet grasp. An F-stat Tyrant. What terrifying, exhilarating power did he now possess, and how would he wield it with such a fundamental limitation? The questions hung in the air, unanswered, as Theus finally pushed himself to his feet, stepping towards a reality irrevocably changed, his unique class a beacon and his F-stat a heavy chain.