Mathew walked back to the Hearth Crystal. Dr. Garcia was already waiting on him. All of his summons were unsummoned. Mathew had no clue if him ranking up would affect them or their abilities. He didn’t want Agnox to be floating down the road, and somehow be involved in whatever was about to occur.

  Without any fanfare, Mathew placed his hand on the crystal. A blue box appeared in front of him, asking him if he was ready to rank up.

  Selecting the ‘Yes’ option, the world around Mathew faded away. The gray void he’s been in only a few times returned to him. Mathew crossed his arms and waited. Just like his very first rank up, copies of himself walked forward.

  Summoner, Infernal Tamer, Ritualist, Tamer, Frozen Knight, Blue Oaks Commander

  Five figures stood by his sides. The sixth one stood in front of him.

  Starting from his far left, Mathew examined each of themselves with a curious eye.

  This version of him was wearing a mix of red colored hides. A whip hung on his waist that looked like the same one he earned from Morthrus. It was obvious why he was given this class to change into. The fact he had two summons, conquered the Infernal Dungeon, and the Infernal Wolf den he cleared out was the reason for it all.

  Mathew found it funny how much he had grown since surviving that hell hole. He moved to the next option.

  Mathew looked up and down at a version of himself that had ink stains all over his hands and sleeves. He also noted the complex symbols that covered the robe his copy was wearing.

  Mathew moved on to the next one. He was interested in the class choice, but wanted to keep looking.

  This class had one wearing a modified safari outfit. A machete on one side, and a large bird sitting on his outstretched arm. Mathew didn’t miss the staff on the other hip with a green gemstone at the top.

  Moving to the next one was the most visually different. Wearing a suit of blue tinted armor, Mathew before him looked dead. His skin was now blue. In one hand he stood proudly with a giant icicle of a spear. On his back was a kite shield made of some sort of blue metal similar to that of the armor.

  The far right one was a perfect copy of Mathew as he currently stood. His blue robes covered the leather armor beneath. No visible weapons to be seen. A beard that he has yet to shave off the past two weeks was filling in very nicely.

  Mathew peered into his own blue eyes, looking for some sort of secret before looking at the given class.

  Lastly, Mathew eyed over to the obvious Summoner class. Standing in its grand spotlight, the Mathew smiled knowingly. As if he knew Mathew was going to continue down the same path no matter what.

  Both Wispy and Whis floated above his shoulders. Agnox was mid swing with a blazing sword. Jeffery was frozen as if he was about to pounce upon an enemy. There was no vision of what could be. Mathew didn’t need them, he knew the possibilities were endless.

  Mathew noticed one striking difference. There was no list of what powers were given upon acquiring the classes. He returned to his original position, and looked at them all. “I know you can hear me. I want answers.”

  The Frozen Knight Mathew turned, “We are here to answer questions, yet I am afraid you ask more than we can give.”

  “Yea, like I am going to accept that answer. Why do I get to see everything like this? When I was with Agnox and everyone else who ranked up didn’t end up in a place like this. Nobody had versions of themselves to ask questions. Who is really behind all of this. Is it The System? A God?”

  The Summoner Mathew sighed, “You mortals are annoying. Question after question after question. Why does it matter? Power is everything. You’ve done well to have a total of six whole class options. One a continuation of your path. Why question greatness?”

  “Please. If I didn’t question it, then I am a fool.”

  “Well,” The tamer said. “That much is true. How about a game? Guess my question correctly, and I will answer a single question of yours fully and truthfully. Guess wrong, and you get nothing. You will be forced to pick a class, followed by a potential change in profession. Then you will never receive such a reward as this ever again.”

  Mathew started down all his alter selves. “Can I hear the question first?”

  “No.” The Frozen Knight Mathew answered.

  Mathew pursed his lips. “Any Question? That seems almost worth it. Yet, what benefit do I get for doing this? What do I get that the others don’t?”

  Thinking over it, he didn’t see any movement from his copies. No hints. “I’ll think about it. Firstly, I have other questions related to the classes.”

  “But of course. Ask ahead.” The Infernal Summoner said.

  “Where are the lists of skills and other powers I gain for a new class?”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Those are not listed for any further rank ups. For the Apprentice rank, you are given quests with listed rewards. You pick what you want from that list. Further ranks ahead have different ways of doing things.” The Blue Oaks Commander said.

  “And what was that about a profession change?”

  “Depending on what you pick, you have the option of changing your profession. A small list will be given, and you choose from there.” The Tamer answered.

  “What about my class upgrade?”

  The Summoner grinned. “Ahh, I was wondering when you mentioned that. You may upgrade any class you see here. Only after selecting it.”

  Mathew caught onto the wording. He ‘may’ do so. Meaning he could save the upgrade until later. Did he want to do that?

  “What does an upgrade entail? Does it improve the rarity? The stats? What does it exactly do?”

  The Frozen Knight pointed with his ice spear at Mathew. “It does all that and more. An upgraded class from The System unlocks a class's true potential. Doing so naturally is…impossibly difficult. At this rank? Impossible without an act of a God.”

  Mathew filed that information mentally for later. He absolutely would save the option. There was no using it now. He had no research, no pool of choices. Using it on the Summoner was an obvious choice, but there was something extra that caught his attention.

  The only two Very Rare classes mentioned an Axiom. It must be a requirement for the rarity. “I’ll save the upgrade for next time. Once I have more axioms.”

  Mathew didn’t need to think about what option to pick. There was only one that made sense. He walked forward to the Summoner class and selected it.

  The other classes faded away and an option to change his profession opened. The list was small:

  Mathew took a deep breath and inwardly groaned. “Can I get a description of each of these?” He asked.

  There was no response from his summoner copy. Mathew started to chew on his thumb. The stress was building. He wanted to pick Leader very badly. The fact it was Very Rare meant the benefits were great.

  If he compared it to his class choices, he knew it was related to his Axiom as well. Did he want to give up his Contract Scribe profession? One thing he did know, was a change in class didn’t remove already gained power.

  The only thing at risk was his ability to create laws and enforce contracts. Did a Leader have the same capability?

  Logic said yes. A leader enacted laws. That has been one of his biggest achievements as the leader of Blue Oaks. Creating order. Giving people a goal and purpose. If The System wanted to screw him over by taking that away, then so be it.

  It was risky. Oh so risky, yet Mathew was more than sure he wouldn’t lose that power. If anything, it would grow stronger.

  Without any more hesitation, he selected to change his profession.

  Mathew appeared back outside next to the Hearth Crystal. He was ready for the increased sensory his body would now have. His entire body was overloaded.

  Nearly an hour later, Mathew had grown used to the new senses. He could hear a conversation nearly a quarter of a mile away without straining. He could smell the food for today’s dinner nearly halfway across the base.

  It was almost too much. If he wasn’t mentally ready for it, he would have been knocked out by the sheer amount of information his body was now bringing in.

  Mathew opened his eyes and immediately opened his menu.

  “How do you feel?” Dr. Garcia asked.

  “Better. I’m getting used to the senses. I’m having trouble ignoring the feeling of the fabric on my skin. It makes sense why the more expensive clothing is higher quality. I would hate to try and feel normal jeans at this rate. It would feel like sandpaper to me now.”

  Garcia smiled. “Good. I wasn’t able to watch your upgrade take place. It must happen inside where we rank up. However, I can assure you, you are physically perfect. Your soul seems to be stronger as well.”

  Mathew noticed her eyes shine similar to how Bob’s glows when he used the soul sight skill. “That’s good to hear. I plan to do a soul check up before bed. I need a long rest.”

  “Sleep is one of the best medicines one can have. I can’t recommend it enough.”

  “I thought laughter was the best?”

  “That’s the secret Mathew. The best medicine is what the patient needs right then. They don’t teach you that in nursing school. You learn how things really work through life experiences.”

  Mathew returned to his home. Lindsey was not there, but his bed was made and looked recently washed. “Damn I love having a maid.”

  Climbing into bed, Mathew’s mind couldn’t help but jump to the world quest in just three more days. He looked at his scarred hands. “I hope I’m strong enough. Because I refuse to lose. Whatever the rewards are, I will get them. Those class quest rewards are exactly what he needed. More summons and a combat ability.

  Mathew would gladly take either option, but he heavily preferred to get Mana Shield. Unless he could recreate it himself. Sleep slowly claimed him as he continued to think of varius ways to complete the Spell Quest.

  Join the discord!