[6 Hours Until Awakening]

As the setting sun falls below the towering tree line and the last creature finds its dwelling for the night, a young girl sprints home. Flying through the endless isles of trees and navigating her feet up and over the twisting grasps of the roots below, the young lass eventually finds herself Infront of the only place she has ever know; her home.

Above and beyond the known reaches of the furthest star suspended in space, there sits a man grander than life its self, and a woman whose very presence brightens the darkest nights. They sit across from each other a solar system apart pondering the thoughts of the other and what is to happen this faithful night.

“So...” The man left a tactical silence festering between the two as he constructs the perfect sentence. “Who is she?” His voice booms like a thousand spells haunting the prey disguised as a god.

“She is our entertainment,” Evalia responds as she practiced one million times before, cold, quick, and precise.

“Is that so?” He mocks. “Our grander entertainment is, her?” Why does he even bother? The man thinks to himself.

“I know your suspicions father, but trust me” Evalia pleads. “She will be worth our wait.”

Speaking to her father is a strenuous task, to say the least. Men as old and as powerful as he tends to jump off the deep end after their kids started controlling what used to theirs's. She remembered when her father was a sane being. Back in the days when he still wore a corporeal form, with a smile the shone for galaxies. Now her father barely bothered with the disguise, opting for a more primal collection of void and matter.

“Please my dearest Evalia, enlighten me on how you came to bless such a peculiar mortal?” He demanded rather than ask.

“Ah well, after scouring the planes and planets for years I found this delectable little child to be. She was born to one of the last natural mages which alone should provide us with a once in a century viewing experience; and of course, I some plans in motion to get her life on the excitement track.” Evalia proclaims with the confidence of a seasoned liar.

Her father steeps in thought, and Evalia truly believes she pulled one over on her old man. A small grin begins to tug at her lips, realizing she just might come out of this ordeal with her corporeal form intact.

“Hmm, Evalia.” He begins. “YOU DARE LIE TO ME!”

Oh crap. Evalia thinks as she prepares for the worst.

“You think I wouldn’t discover your horrendous mistake hmm? You don’t think I, the creator of all, know you accidentally gave this mortal your boon?” His voice echoed across the table like the solar system, shattering moons and asteroids that dare exist between him and his daughter.

“Your siblings work themselves to death to fulfill my position and you young lady have one job, ONE! To entertained and provide joy for your family (and the mortal)” The words impact Evalia like a thousand stars.

“Father pl... please,” she begs.

“SILENCE” he commands. “You are lucky today my dear daughter. For you were blessed with a child that has potential. This mortal that your blunder gifted a boon, is somewhat alluring. Daughter of one of the last natural casters, and the freedom to grow up without prosecution gives her many points.”

Oh, thank my siblings I’m saved Evalia cheers in her mind.

“But!” He interjects. “She lacks the knowledge or desire to embrace these abilities. The foolish girl rather follows in her boorish father's footsteps. I suggest you influence the minds of her kin. place her somewhere more interesting. Yes, understand?”

“Yes, yes father! I understand!” Evalia practically yells back in fear. “I’ll get on that right away.”

“Oh, and one more thing dear daughter” Her father teases.

“Yes?”

“I do hope she chooses her mother’s first class. Otherwise, you're in for quite the workout” He taunts holding back an obnoxious laugh.

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“Gods damn! Inhale Whew shit, I’m out of breath. Fuck, maybe I should be running more?”Alym proclaims to an empty front yard.

Tonight, was the night Alym had been looking forward to ever since she a little girl. In the deepest parts of her mind, doubt crept into her bubble of joy and anticipation. Would the event of tonight changer life? Would anything change? Could she finally leave the home she loved but desperately needed to escape from? What about her visions, they all but disappeared when she stopped learning with her mom. Would they start coming back when she awakened, were they gone forever?

Far too many what-ifs plague the mind of Alym, tearing down the wall of optimism she built brick by brick. The daunting reality that her life won’t change after tonight press down upon the young girl breaking the last strands of youthful hope she still had.

Newly defeated by her own mind, Alym took a few slow lumbering steps to her front door. The heavenly food of a celebratory meal did little to restore her confidence. Opening the door Alym is greeted by the familiar sight of her mother preparing the final touches of dinner, and her father setting the newly fixed table.

“There's my special little girl!” dad announced. “You spent a long time out there. Is there a special young dryad we should know about?”

Dad laughed as a blush grew across my face.

“DAD!” I yell back looking for a semi-hard object to throw at him.

“Aaron behave yourself on our daughter's special night,” mom said coming to my rescue.“One only awakens once in their life, and she doesn’t need you prodding at her.”

Thank you, mom, I speak internally.

“Alright, alright I’ll stop messing with her. Come on over Alym dinner ready.” Dad places the last of our plates and takes his seat at the front of the table.

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Dinner was honestly pleasant; the venison was killed today making it quite fresh. Mom has really improved her cooking skills over the last few years and even started collecting a few spices. They gave me some advice about which class to pick and what the experience will feel like. Apparently, it’s different for everyone, but we all share a few unique events during our first awakening.

Then like a stone smashing through a glass window, my mother drops a spell bomb to end all bombs.

“Honey your father and I were thinking about you recently, and we wanted to know how you might feel about exploring the world?” she asked far too casually considering the impact of the question.

“What’d you say, mom? I don’t think I heard you right.” I responded confidently I must of miss heard her.

“I said, how would you feel about leaving the forest,” she replied in the same tone as before.

“Wait, you mean it! Yes! Yes! I’d love to explore the world!” I practically exploded in my seat with excitement.

Why suddenly did they choose this? What happened that would make them willing to let me leave?

“Umm, mom, dad, what caused this?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Well dear, we can’t keep you here forever. It’s not fair to keep you here forever, and besides, you’d run away eventually.” Dad explained.

Well, I can’t argue with that logic. I’d been thinking about what I was going to do after tonight and running away was somewhere near the bottom of the list. I just couldn't imagine the look on my parents when they realized I ran away. It just hurt too much to even think of.

“So when would I head out?” I curiously questioned.

“Ideally? Tomorrow.” Damn mom, just keeps dropping bombs why don’t you.

“Tomorrow?”

“Wel yes of course. Every day you spend here is another day you're wasting whatever class you pick.” Dad started. “I mean, Alym you’ve survived out here for your whole life. Believe it not you have the skills to survive the weeklong walk to the nearest town. All you need is some supplies we’ve kept tucked away.” Dad promptly tells me.

“Seriously? I really get to leave tomorrow, I’m so excited!” I exclaim before realizing my rudeness “Not that I don’t love you two, but you know how I feel right?”

“Of course, we do Alym.” Dad comforts with his simple words.

“Why don’t you head off to bed dear. You're going to have an eventful tonight, and we can pack everything you’ll need.” Mom explained.

“Right, I’m off!” I begin to get up and practically sprint. “Love you both!” I yell as the door closes.

I jump into bed not even bothering to throw my nightdress on before wrapping myself in a cocoon of blankets. Whence fully submerged in my wool cave I... I sleep? Hmm, ok so it’s a bit harder to just sleep than I thought. Staring up at my barren ceiling, I’m left to ponder what is to come tonight.

Neither dad nor mom explained what the awakening truly felt like. Considering it was different for almost everyone I guess trying to explain the whole thing would be hard. I never really questioned what the system is or how it works. How much could a little voice in our head affect us, do these skills really give you any powers? Perhaps it just measures your level of skill, the classes do nothing more than monitor your expertise. Although that doesn’t exactly explain the stories of grand hero's and generals with the ability to change the tides of battle with one ability.

Meh, who knows, who cares? I guess all my questions will get answered eventually, right? Just wish I could pass out like normal; anything would be better than waiting till midnight.

“1...2...3...4...5...” I whisper counting the dozens of imaginary sheep jumping across my mind. They say counting sheep helps you sleep right?

“Yawn well I guess it's working huh.” she voiced to herself. “6...7...8...9...10...1...11...1...1...”

Alym finally drifts into the realm of sleep, absorbed into the vast darkness of her mind.

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“What the hell!” I exclaim.

Where am I, what is the place? Looking around all there is to see is an abyss darker than the night sky. Within the abyss lies a dot of white scattered across my vision, only noticeable when I squint my tired eyes.

As I try to take a step forward on the solid air, I find myself incapable of moments. At first, I believed that my surroundings were staying still, but upon a quick investigation, I note that not a muscle within my body will move. Not my legs nor my hands, not even my neck, the only parts of me with any function left are my mouth and eyes.

As I begin to panic, one of the dots contained in the abyss begins to grow bigger and bigger. Challenging the abyss for my eyesight the white blob moves closer. Only as it draws near to a being to make out the figure contained within the white sphere.

From within the sphere, a figure begins to emerge through the white shell containing it. Clawing past the barrier a creature stars manifesting from within. A creature with ears too big for its head struggles out of the freshly made hole. Its teeth are too large for its smallmouth, it’s cover with matted fur, and has beady red eyes. From within the white container, a giant rabbit appears.

“Really, a rabbit?” What the hell is going on here?

“Really, a human eww.” The rabbit mockingly responds.

“A talking rabbit! Oh, my gods!” I can’t help but yell.

“Oh, look a dumb human. I must really be lucky today” The rabbit sarcastically says.

“Hey! Why you got to be so mean Mr. Rabbit?” Seriously what was this guy's problem? This is the awakening, right?

“You're my problem lassie, I was taking a fine nap before you came and woke me up.”

“Oh, well I’m sorry, but could we please do this whole awakening thing now?” I mean the quicker I’m out of here the quicker he goes to bed, right?

“Ack, fine let's get this over with.” The rabbit claps its fluffy paws creating a blast of sound that shatters the white orb into several distinct pieces.

As the shattered pieces begin falling to the floor, a current of wind that never existed before sends them flying towards the young girl. As Aylm moves to protect her head, the shards stop in place midair. Congealing together the remaining fragments being to from tablets from which words appear.

“Alright, how do you want to start hm? Shall we sort by date unlocked, alphabetical, strength?” The rabbit assaulted me with questions until I broke.

“Hold your damn paws! First off, what are you? Secondly why a rabbit? Third sort what exactly?” Gods this rabbit just makes me... ahh!

“Ack, mortal.” He said after a long silence “One, I’m your guide through your awakening. Two, I have no idea why I’m a rabbit, I’m to appear as whatever strikes you deepest. Last were sorting your available classes dummy. Done now?” The last bit dripping with sarcasm.

“Um, alright then. I guess that covers... something at least. You uh clearly want to go back in that... thing. So, give me my classes by their strength I think.”

The rabbit lazily lifts a paw as one of the shattered fragments flies Infront of me with a title and inscription carved into it.

[Gardener] – You do not farm but rather, you garden. You take care of plants of all kinds, and they grow with your touch.

Yea, no. This is the weakest of them all so makes sense that it is something like this. All right on to the next two.

[Forest Child] - You have grown up surrounded by non-magical aspects of nature. You do not converse with plants or trees, but they do feel at home to you. Forests will always feel like a second home to you.

[Out Cast] - One way or another you are an outcast to society; people will hate you and you may find yourself alone and abandon but living through that experience will make you stronger.

[Forest Child] actually seemed kind of cool, but I don’t know how much it would help in a village. The other one is just a complete no-go. I guess living out here makes us outcast but it’s kind of a stretch.

“Alright, these next ones are weird in a way.” The rabbit began. “They are classes that can be very weak or moderately strong so be careful.

[Hermit] - You have spent a long time alone (rude). You spend much time with your thoughts and visions, harnessing this powerful magic can fill your soul.

[Runner] -You dash a duck through the trees like an expert. One day you may even run through the air.

[God Blessed] -You have been blessed by a god.

[God Blessed] was short... too little to go on really. I don’t really want to spend the rest of my life by myself meditating or something so [Hermit] is out too. [Sprint] strikes my fancy, dad told me about couriers that run across oceans. Travel is important to me right now, so maybe it’s a good fit.

“Up next is... ah! We have the normal tier, let us see what you got.” The rabbit proclaims with a newfound enthusiasm.

[Novice Hunter] - You have spent enough time hunting the creatures of the world, will you continue to hunt deer, or will you go after something bigger?

[Novice Architect] You have spent a large amount of time fixing your home, gain the skills to one day build a castle by yourself.

[Novice Cook] - You have gotten tired of people making poor food, so you decided to make your own poor food. Over time you grew in skill and eventually many will come from around the world to try your dishes.

[Novice Blacksmith] - You have a deep passion for the art of smithing. For now, you craft nails and tools, but one day you may create legendary weapons feared across the world.

Damn, all of them pique my interest, to be honest... well some more than others. Of course, I want to be a [Blacksmith], but [Hunter] might save me from danger while traveling. Even if it does involve... killing.

“Chop, chop! We’re almost done here. Hm... no classes in the upper tier, but you do have one that uh... doesn’t really fit anywhere.”

[True Necromancer] - This is not something you have learned; this is something you are. The power of souls lies within you. Become the world's greatest healer, talk to dead across the world, or build an army for all to fear, the choice is yours.

“Huh, perhaps you're not too boring after all lass” The rabbit laughs retreating into the background.

Where the hell did, I learn necromancy, I mean yes it always interested me but I never studied it. You know what forget it, I do not think becoming a [Necromancer] is going to do me any favors.

So then, what do I pick? I think [Blacksmith], [Hunter], [Runner], and [Cook] are my choices. Now the hard part, narrowing it down to one.

[Hunter] is the first to go, as useful as it I am just not ok with blood yet. [Cook] after that, yea I like it but, not as a job or anything. That leaves [Runner] and [Blacksmith]. The problem is I know nothing about either class past the early levels, and I do not know myself, to be honest. I do not know what I want, there is just so much I have never experienced.

Stirring over the choice in my head, the same roadblock keeps popping in front of me. The lack of knowledge is damning to my choice, but I think safe is better than sorry right now.

“Sir Rabbit, I’ve made my choice.” I hesitantly say. “I pick [Novice Blacksmith]”

“Tsk, tsk, and here I thought you might be interesting, very well.”

“So, what happens now?” I ask with a hint of irritation over his comments.

“You wake up.”

Congratulations! You have earned the [Novice Blacksmith] class.

Congratulations! Due to prior experience, you have leveled up.

[Novice Blacksmith] Level 1 --> Level 4

Skill obtained [Knowledge of Forging]

Skill obtained [Minor Strength]

Skill obtained [Minor Endurance]

Skill obtained [Hammer Mastery - Weak]

General Skill Obtained [Cooking]

General Skill Obtained [Skinning]

General Skill Obtained [Wood Working]

General Skill Obtained [Forest Sprinter]

Name – Alym

Race- Human

Age- 16 year

Class 1 - [Novice Blacksmith] - Level 4

Class 2 - [Locked]

Class 3 - [Locked]