[Name: Chris Kane. Class: Blacksmith. Grade: Rare. Potential (Unique Hidden): Can be recruited as a Forbidden Spellcaster.]
Good grief, this guy's potential is no joke. Time to mess with him a little.
Seeing Max Steel completely silent, Chris Kane thought he was still traumatized.
"It's okay, Max. It doesn't matter if you didn't awaken a strong class. You absolutely mustn't do anything reckless."
Seeing the real worry on Chris's face, Max spoke up right away.
"Chris, I'm fine. Actually, the class I awakened is completely broken and unprecedented."
Chris looked skeptical. "Max, don't lie to me. I saw it myself. Yours is just a white Common class."
Before Chris could finish, Max cut in. "Chris, do you want to go into battle?"
Chris answered without hesitation. "Of course I do. No one in this world can resist the pull of true power. Charging onto the battlefield and cutting down enemies sounds incredible. If you can get a combat class, who the hell would want a life class?"
Hearing that, Max made his decision.
"Alright, no more wasting time. My class is Recruiter. I can recruit people and upgrade them according to their potential. I already checked yours. You can become a Forbidden Spellcaster. So, Chris, will you accept my recruitment?"
Chris was stunned. "Forbidden Spellcaster? What's that? Some kind of Mage?"
Max gave a mysterious smile. "No, it's the Unique Hidden Class. For. Bid. Den. Spellcaster."
Chris cried out in shock. "A Unique Hidden Class!"
His loud reaction made nearby students roll their eyes. "Unique Hidden Class? Like you could ever touch something like that in your lifetime."
But Chris was already thrilled. "Max, no, Godfather, please recruit me."
Max grinned mischievously. "Let me hear you call me Godfather properly."
"Godfather."
Max operated the system and displayed the recruitment window in front of Chris.
"Once you confirm, you will become a Forbidden Spellcaster."
[System detected that the professional is being recruited. The recruitment class is the Unique Hidden Class: Forbidden Spellcaster. Do you confirm the recruitment?]
With a nervous heart, Chris clicked "Yes." He watched as his class column changed from "Blacksmith" to "Forbidden Spellcaster."
"Successfully recruited Chris. Current Class: Forbidden Spellcaster. Grade: Unique Hidden.
The host can obtain all abilities of the recruit and share 100% of their attributes and experience gained."
"Holy crap, it really is broken. System products are definitely high quality. I'm a combat class Forbidden Spellcaster now too, hahaha."
Max opened his attribute panel:
[Strength]: 60
[Agility]: 55
[Constitution]: 45
[Spirit]: 90
As expected of a Forbidden Spellcaster, the Spirit attribute was ridiculously high. After subtracting his base 10 points, he had gained a full 80 points.
He checked the skills. Initial skill: Fireball.
"Eh? That's it? Just Fireball? My grand Forbidden Spellcaster only has Fireball? Oh, never mind, this is actually insane."
The reason Max's mood flipped so quickly was the two lines that followed:
1. Forbidden Spellcasters can only learn low-level spells.
2. Spells cast by a Forbidden Spellcaster default to Forbidden Spells.
At first glance the first rule looked like a restriction, but together with the second it became a massive buff. Every spell he cast would automatically become a Forbidden Spell.
What was wrong with Fireball? If he dropped one, it was debatable whether the target would still exist in this world.
Chris had clearly discovered the same rules and immediately started showing off.
"It's over, Godfather. My Forbidden Spellcaster class can only learn low-level spells. What am I going to do?"
If Max had not seen Chris desperately trying to hold back his laughter, he might have actually been fooled.
"Oh? Is it because any low-level spell you cast automatically becomes a Forbidden Spell?"
Chris was stunned. "Godfather, how did you know?"
"Hmph, your Godfather knows everything," Max said, acting profoundly mysterious.
"As expected of you, Godfather," Chris replied with open admiration.
Max nodded. "Alright, the awakening ceremony is almost over. Soon we will head into the Freshman Trial Dungeon. Perfect time for you to test your new class. You can only become a true professional after clearing the trial."
Chris was pumped. "Just watch me perform."
...
On the stage, the principal called out the final name. She was the undisputed school beauty of Ironvale High School and its recognized genius. She ranked first every year in martial arts, academics, combat, and swordsmanship.
The principal looked at the girl below the stage with expectant eyes. "Luna Blaze, come up for awakening."
The dean and several class teachers were talking quietly. "It seems this year's students only produced two Epic-grade classes. I hope Luna can bring some hope to Ironvale High."
One teacher said proudly, "Luna will definitely awaken a Legendary class or higher. She is a true genius and one of the school's recommended students."
Luna's class teacher was especially hopeful. A strong awakening from her would also bring rewards.
The principal looked at the slightly nervous Luna and comforted her. "Don't be nervous. Just place your hand on the Awakening Stone."
Luna followed the instructions. Under the eyes of the entire school, she slowly extended her right hand and pressed it onto the stone.
In an instant, the Awakening Stone emitted a green light. Seeing it, Luna's face turned deathly pale.
She knew exactly what the green light meant.
[Life Class, Nanny, Advanced]
"A life class? A Nanny?"
"The heavens are jealous of true talent."
"It's not fair. Is hard work really worthless? It's better to just be born lucky and awaken a good class."
"School Beauty Luna..."
For a moment the scene fell into chaos. Some students felt pity while others gloated.
Even the experienced school leaders could not help but sigh.
The principal's face showed clear pity. "Child..."
In a single moment, over a decade of hard work had been wiped away. Luna's entire future felt destroyed.
Luna stubbornly held back her tears. "Principal, I'm fine."
The fall of a genius was common. The dean immediately crossed Luna's name off the recommended students list.
Although the principal hated to do it, he still addressed the students below the stage.
"The awakening ceremony is over. Next is the Freshman Trial Dungeon. Students, please form teams and prepare to enter. Those who awakened life classes may leave. You do not need to participate in the trial."
All awakened professionals had to complete the Freshman Trial Dungeon to officially become true professionals and gain the ability to level up in dungeons.
Life classes did not need to level up in the same way. They relied on their life skills. However, they could still attempt the trial if they wished. That was why the principal gave them the option to leave.
The principal sighed deeply. Out of four hundred awakenings, nearly half were life classes. Of the rest, most were support classes. There were fewer than a hundred true combat classes.
"It seems the hope of the Eastern Region will have to rely on other schools," he muttered.
During team formation, no one wanted to team up with Luna.
The principal gently advised her. "Child, there is no shame in giving up. Your life comes first. With your grades, you can still return to the school as a teacher. There is no need to walk the dangerous path of a professional."
Luna shook her head stubbornly. "Principal, I want to try. I want to participate in this trial."
"Stop pretending. Since you awakened as a Nanny, why not just go home and take care of babies? Why act pitiful here? Who are you trying to impress? Or are you hoping some guy will feel sorry for you and carry you..."
The principal instantly exploded in anger. "Who said that? Step forward right now."
A pockmarked-faced girl was pushed out, stumbling. She panicked. "Principal, I'm a Rare Priest."
The principal showed no mercy. "Expelled immediately. You are also banned from ever participating in any trial for the rest of your life."
Still furious, he addressed the entire student body.
"Currently, the Kingdom of Valoria is surrounded by foreign enemies. Terrifying demons eye our lands with greed. Every citizen of Valoria is a compatriot. After awakening, we are all comrades who should be able to entrust our backs to one another. Behavior like this makes it impossible to trust anyone. After the awakening ceremony, personal attacks, mockery, belittlement, or exclusion of any kind are strictly forbidden. We must unite to resist our enemies. Any violators will be expelled and stripped of their professional rights."
The principal's rage was obvious. A second later, his tone softened as he looked at Luna.
"Student Luna Blaze, I respect your choice. But it is too dangerous for you to go alone. You should find a team."
Luna shook her head. "No one will team up with a life class. No one..."
"I'm willing to team up with you."
"Me too."