The golden rays of dawn poured through the crystalline windows of Dawn Academy, casting light upon cobblestone walkways and trimmed gardens. The air was alive with excitement and tension—the academy had released the details of the upcoming advancement exams.
For most, it was a time to prove one's progress. For others, it was the looming wall of failure.
Jered sat at the edge of his bed, restless eyes tracing the announcement slip in his hand. The words were burned into his mind "Contest of Strength for Warriors. Contest of Mana for Casters." A contest of raw power. No tricks. No strategy. Just might.
"Damn it..." he muttered. "I don't even have a class yet."
Two years had passed since they joined Dawn Academy. Two long years of theory, light combat, and mission support. Two years of learning, growth and now, judgment. Level 20 was the threshold, and he had reached it way long before now he was almost 21.
But without a class, passing would be impossible.
He clenched the slip tighter in frustration and stood. He didn't have time to wait any longer. He stormed out of the dorms and toward the highest tower of the academy, where the Dean's office stood, a place few dared to visit unless summoned.
But Jered wasn't like most students.
---
Dawn Academy Dean's Office
The heavy doors groaned open as Jered pushed them with both arms. Books floated through the air under subtle enchantments. Gilded scrolls lined the glass shelves. Magical artifacts hummed lightly in their seals.
Behind an imposing polished obsidian desk sat Dean Vasra, Dawn Academy's leader and Jered's older brother.
Vasra was a man of profound dignity. Tall, with silvery-blonde hair neatly tied back and eyes like storm-forged steel. In his white and blue robes of office, he looked every bit the champion the academy revered.
"Brother," Jered said, saluting mockingly. "Got a minute?"
Vasra didn't even glance up from his parchment. "If it's about the class trials, no. You're late."
Vasra's deep voice, calm as ever, responded, "You should wait."
Jered's brows twitched. "Wait? For how long?"
"Until you've grown. A class is not a solution. It's a burden, a path chosen. You've yet to understand what you even want from that path."
"I'm almost level 21 ."
"That's not the problem," Vasra replied.
Jered frowned. "Come on. You know how I've been training—"
"I want a class. What do you suggest I should offer to the system?" Jered asked, trying to hide the desperation in his voice.
"You're not ready. Wait another week. You might get something decent if you calm your idiotic pride."
Jered turned stiffly, hands in his pockets, fury simmering beneath his skin. "So that's it, huh? From family to failure."
"From brother to student," Vasra corrected coldly. "Get out."
The words stung, not because they weren't wise, but because Jered couldn't afford to wait anymore.
---
Meanwhile, Kaelen had found himself cornering Tashi right after the academy lessons.
"Tashi, you promised," Kaelen said, his tone dripping with accusation.
Tashi blinked, confused. "Promised what, exactly?"
"The XP. You said after Jered recovered and our theory was done, I'd get my overdue share."
Tashi adjusted his glasses. "I said I'd consider it. That is not the same as promise."
Kaelen crossed his arms. "Well, I'm done waiting. I need that XP. Don't forget, I saved Jered's life, not once but thrice. He was half-dead when you picked him up. If not for me, your 'little theory group' would've been one man short."
Now this brat has taken blackmailing a level up.
All this time Jered had become Tashi's personal servant and would often massage him. He had grown fond of Jered.
Tashi sighed. "Are you demanding experience from your instructor now, Kaelen? That's bold."
"No. I'm reminding you of a debt. Pay up."
They locked eyes. A long moment passed. Then, to Kaelen's surprise, Tashi actually smiled.
"Fine. You'll get it. But you better be ready for the next stage of your training. Once you're Level 5, there'll be no more excuses for slacking."
Kaelen beamed. "Deal."
---
That evening, Jered sat alone under a tree at the edge of the academy gardens. He picked up a pebble and flung it into the bushes. His frustration boiled inside.
He didn't like begging. But there was no time left.
Sighing, he stood up and made his way to the Staff Quarters.
Jered's anger hadn't subsided. Vasra's dismissal stung more than he thought.
"Tch. Wait, huh? I'll wait while everyone else passes me."
He stopped in front of the same door Kaelen had stood at moments ago
Knocking once.
"It's open," came the familiar bored voice from inside.
he stepped in. "Professor. Got a minute?"
Jered stepped in. Tashi was at his desk, scribbling something with a feathered pen. He didn't look up.
"What do you want?"
"A class."
"Go ask Vasra."
"I did. He told me to wait."
Tashi chuckled. "That sounds like Vasra."
Jered stood silently for a moment. "I can't wait anymore. The exam is in two weeks."
Tashi looked up now. Something in Jered's eyes must've moved him, because the smirk vanished.
"What's your level now?"
"Level 20, almost 21. I need a class."
"And you don't have any item to sacrifice, do you?"
Jered shook his head.
Tashi got up from his chair and walked over to a large cabinet at the corner of the room. He opened the lock, muttered something under his breath, and pulled out a sealed box and opened it with a whisper of ancient runes.
Inside it lay a crystal of Green-gold flame. It pulsed with divine warmth, an item of sacred origin.
"This is called Dauntless, a sacred flame. It was found in the aftermath of the Battle of Hollow Bastion. I've had it sealed for emergencies."
Jered stepped forward, blinking. "You're giving it to me?"
Tashi closed the box slowly. "No. I'm lending it to you. You'll sacrifice it, and whatever you become—make sure you don't waste its legacy."
Jered took the box with both hands, reverently. "What will it give me?"
Tashi smirked. "That's the best part. I have no idea."
"By the way used it now or the flame will extinguish" Tashi hurried Jered.
"Oh ok."
Jered sat down crossed legged.
He placed the Dauntless flame in front of him, and opened his system.
You have reached Level 20.
You may now unlock your Class.
Offer one item of significance to initiate the process.
Jered selected the flame.
Item: Dauntless (Sacred Flame of Hollow Bastion)
Initiating Class Manifestation...
Bright red light engulfed him.
Images. Emotions. Courage. Pain. A battle without retreat. A knight standing alone. Fire that burned not to destroy, but to protect.
Then came the final screen.
Class Unlocked: Dauntless Warden
Type: Tank / Support
Class Traits:
Healing abilities scale with bravery (The higher the threat and the longer you stand your ground, the stronger your healing).
Passive Skill: Flame of Resolve - Generates a barrier when at critical health.
Active Skill: Rallying Blaze - Heals and buffs allies based on how long you've endured.
Will you accept this class?
Chance available 2/3
Jered sat there speechless. His class… wasn't the powerful warrior he imagined. But it was powerful in a different way.
It was him.
The protector.
The stubborn friend who always stood by Kaelen.
He clenched his fist, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Let's see them try to mock me now."
Jered smiled slowly. "Accept."
The flame engulfed him. He didn't scream, didn't falter. The sacred fire didn't burn, it renewed. When the light faded, armor of ember and gold shimmered across his body. A sigil appeared on his chest, its shape forged from the very fire that he chose.
Congratulations. You are now a Dauntless Warden.
- - -
The next morning, Kaelen noticed something different. Jered walked taller. More solid. Like his spirit had been hardened overnight.
"Did you…"
Jered smiled and nodded. "Dauntless Warden."
Kaelen blinked. Then grinned. "Now that's a name."
"It's a support tank, apparently. My heals get stronger the longer I stand in danger."
Kaelen tilted his head. "Sounds stupidly brave."
"Yeah. But it's also stupidly me."
They both laughed.
And somewhere far away, in his quarters, Vasra's eye twitched.
"TASHI!!"
The roar echoed through the hallways.
Tashi, already sipping tea and reading a book in the courtyard, chuckled to himself.
"You're welcome."