---
Chapter 26: Whispered Classes and Ceremonial Threads
Time moved gently in Aetherra, like an old song only the trees remembered.
Ray was now nine.
The year had passed slowly—filled with morning sword drills, afternoon history lessons, and late-night monster stories whispered under blankets. But now, something far more important loomed over everyone like a quiet storm.
The Awakening Ceremony.
---
He sat beneath the old tree, a wooden training sword across his lap, drawing idle circles in the dirt.
"Still brooding, future shepherd?" came Awen's voice from behind him.
Ray didn't turn. "Don't want to be a shepherd."
She flopped beside him, brushing leaves from her knees. "Well, you might be. You know most people get labor classes, right?"
"I know."
She started counting on her fingers.
"Farmer, Miner, Gatherer, Fisher, Trader, Shepherd... My friend Kato's older brother awakened as a Candle Maker. Still mad about it three years later."
Ray sighed. "What's the point of awakening if all you get is a candle?"
"You get your purpose, dummy. Society needs candles too."
Ray gave her a side-eye. "I want to fight."
"Then hope the priest sees something in you." She leaned back and looked at the sky. "Warrior classes are more complex anyway. There's tons."
---
Later that night, at the family dinner table, Ray asked his father:
"What kind of classes are there? I mean, all of them."
His father wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "Alright, listen close."
His mother rolled her eyes. "Here he goes again."
"There are three broad categories," his father said, holding up fingers. "Labor Classes, Combat Classes, and Rare or Hidden Classes."
Ray sat up straighter.
"Most people," his father continued, "awaken into Labor Classes. They're essential. Society needs food, tools, and supplies. Not every kid needs to be a warrior. Some examples?"
He pointed at his mother.
"Your mother's family had generations of Weavers and Tanners. Your grandfather on my side? Maple Brewer. The man could turn tree sap into gold."
Ray laughed.
"Combat Classes are more popular in the cities," his father went on. "There's:
Warrior, Knight, Swordsman, Spearman, Guardian,
Mage—with branches like Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Ice, and Arcane,
Scout, Archer, Duelist,
Then mixed classes: Battle Mage, Paladin, Spellblade."
"And the rare ones?" Ray asked.
His father's voice lowered slightly.
"That's where it gets strange."
His mother interjected, her tone cautious. "These classes come maybe once in a hundred awakenings. Sometimes less. Things like:
Healer,
Beast Tamer,
Spirit Singer,
Rune Crafter,
Soulbound,
Or... classes that aren't even recorded in the Empire Registry."
Ray's heartbeat quickened.
His father finally said, "And then there are Hidden Classes. Not given by skill or talent—but fate.
Things like Shield Knight, Curseblood, Death-Touched, or... worse."
"Necromancer?" Ray whispered.
His father paused, eyes narrowing.
"Don't say that word carelessly. It's... forbidden in most regions. Banned in three empires. Dangerous. Mysterious."
"Because they raise the dead?"
"Because they bend laws that shouldn't be touched," his father said quietly.
---
The next day, Ray wandered to the edge of the city square where his friend Kallen pointed toward a tall man placing silver runes across a stone platform.
"That's the guy?" Ray whispered.
Kallen nodded. "Priest Elnor. The Class Revealer."
He didn't look like much. Wore plain robes. His beard was short and gray. No flashy staff. Just calm, focused eyes that seemed to see everything.
"I heard he once revealed a class that hadn't existed for 300 years," someone whispered behind them.
"I heard he rejected a noble's son from awakening. Said the boy had 'no thread of fate.'"
Ray swallowed. His fingers clenched.
Tomorrow was the ceremony.
And this calm old man would look straight into his soul.
And decide... everything.
------
Chapter 27: The Shepherd of Nothing
The morning sun rose like a golden banner over the city of Vantrea, its rays dancing through temple spires and rooftops. Today wasn't just another day. Today was Awakening Day.
Nine-year-old Ray couldn't sit still.
He had been up since dawn, fidgeting in his ceremonial robes — black with silver trim, stitched by his mother. His usually untamed black hair was combed neatly. Even his boots shined.
His heart was racing.
> "Today I'll awaken. Kiran gave me five classes. Five. No one's ever had that. No one. What if they show up? What if I become a legend today?"
He stared at his reflection in the mirror.
> "Ray Valen… Shepherd of Death? Bone Tamer? Necromancer? Soul General?"
"No, no, something cooler…"
"Lord of the Black Army?"
"Ugh, shut up, Ray," he told himself, slapping his cheeks.
---
Outside, the village square was already packed. Banners waved in the breeze. Families stood clustered, their children dressed in formal robes. Some looked terrified, others thrilled. There was music, food carts, and whispers carried on the wind.
"Did you hear? Baron Verik's son awakened as a Fire Mage last year."
"I hope my daughter becomes a Beast Tamer… we've got four dogs already."
"I don't care what he awakens into as long as it's not a bloody Cook. We already have six in the family."
Ray stood in line with thirty-seven other children. His hands were sweating.
Awen leaned over. "You good?"
He nodded too quickly. "Y-Yeah. Totally. Perfect."
"You're shaking like a leaf."
"No, I'm just vibrating with power."
She smirked. "Sure."
---
At the front of the crowd stood Priest Elnor, his robe plain but elegant, eyes half-closed as if listening to something far away.
A large stone circle glowed faintly on the wooden stage. Etched with ancient runes and radiant lines of light, this was the Revelation Sigil — the magic formation that would read one's fate and reveal their class.
One by one, the children stepped forward.
> Some glowed blue — indicating water affinity.
Some red — fire.
Some didn't glow at all and were gently taken aside, offered labor positions by guild recruiters.
One girl sparked gold — a rare Divine Thread class: Healer.
The crowd cheered.
Then came Ray's name.
"Ray Valen, son of Markus and Alina. Step forward."
A hush fell over the crowd.
He swallowed.
---
As Ray walked onto the stage, everything felt louder. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. He could feel the weight of the sky pressing down. A hundred eyes stared at him — some curious, some judging, some expectant.
> "This is it," he told himself.
"They'll see it. The five classes Kiran gifted me. All five. Maybe even more."
"I'm ready. I was born for this."
He stepped onto the glowing sigil.
It flared.
Not red.
Not gold.
Not violet or green or black.
It flickered... dim white. Like morning mist.
Priest Elnor opened his eyes.
He looked down at the sigil. Then at Ray.
The priest blinked.
Paused.
Then announced clearly:
> "Ray Valen. Class: Shepherd."
---
Silence.
The wind blew. Someone coughed.
A man in the crowd said, "Did he say Shepherd?"
A few chuckled.
"Shepherd? That's it?"
"No way. He looked like he had magic blood."
Someone whispered, "He's the son of Markus. Didn't he kill a wyvern once?"
"Guess the kid got the sheep genes instead."
Ray stood frozen.
> What?
What?
Shepherd? That… that wasn't… No, Kiran said—five classes. He said I'd be special. I saw them. I felt them.
Where are they? Where is the power?
He turned to Priest Elnor.
The priest was already looking away, gently gesturing for the next child.
> "Wait!" Ray said, but the word barely escaped his lips.
His legs moved on their own as he stepped off the sigil and walked down the stage. He could hear the muttering.
"He didn't even glow properly."
"Shepherd. Tsk."
"My cousin awakened Shepherd and now spends her days chasing goats."
"I bet the parents are disappointed."
He felt numb.
Awen caught up to him, her face tight. "Don't listen to them."
"I… I don't understand," Ray whispered. "It's wrong. It's all wrong."
---
That night, Ray sat alone in the backyard, watching the stars.
> "Kiran… you promised me."
He looked at his hands.
Just small hands.
Shepherd hands.
No dark aura. No necromancy. No power. No fate. Nothing.
> "What the hell happened?"
------
Chapter 28: The Shepherd and the Gods
Ray sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. His room was quiet, too quiet, like the whole world had abandoned him after the ceremony.
He could still hear the villagers whispering.
"Shepherd, huh?"
"What a disappointment."
"Guess even Markus's kid can fail."
His fists clenched.
> "I'm not a failure… I'm not…"
But his chest was tight. His throat burned. Not from anger.
From shame.
From confusion.
From loss.
---
A knock.
Then the door opened gently. His mother stepped in. "Ray?"
He didn't move.
She walked to him slowly and knelt.
"I know it's not what you wanted," she said, brushing back his hair. "But… you're still you, class or no class."
His father appeared behind her, arms crossed. "Ray, a class doesn't decide who you are. It never has. It's just a tool. What matters is you. What you do with it."
"But…" Ray whispered. "Kiran said I'd awaken five classes."
His mother tilted her head. "And maybe you will. In time. Some awaken more than one later. But don't let one day make you forget who you are."
"I wanted to be a hero," he mumbled.
"You still can be," Markus said, ruffling his hair. "Or a monster. Or a goat trainer. Entirely your choice."
Ray blinked.
"…Goat trainer?"
Alina sighed. "He's trying to make you laugh."
Markus raised a brow. "I mean, imagine your own goat army. Thousands of bleating soldiers—"
"Okay, okay." Ray actually smiled for half a second.
His mother kissed his forehead. "Rest, my little Shepherd."
They left the room.
---
Ray stared at the ceiling. "Shepherd. The most basic, useless class…"
A pulse of warmth rolled through the room.
Then a golden circle burned into the floor.
Six figures appeared in a flash of divine energy—each one glowing with overwhelming power, radiating authority and charisma.
> "What the—!?"
One god with green leaves in his hair waved casually. "Yoo, Little Ray! Miss us?"
Another—covered in flames, smoking slightly—grinned. "So this is the room. Cozy."
A tall woman with moonlight eyes whispered, "So mortal. So small. So… dusty."
But then came the voice.
Booming. Echoing. Furious.
> "HOW DARE YOU LOOK DISAPPOINTED?!"
Ray's hair stood on end as a massive goat-headed god in golden robes stormed forward.
"SHEPHERD CLASS IS A GIFT, YOU ARROGANT LARVA!"
Ray fell off the bed.
"Wait—what? Who are you?"
"I AM THE GOD OF SHEPHERDS!"
One of the other gods, a silver-armored man, mumbled, "Oh no, here we go again…"
The Shepherd God threw a fist in the air. "DO YOU THINK WEAKLINGS GUARD FLOCKS AGAINST MONSTERS, RAIDERS, AND WOLVES?! NO! SHEPHERDS ARE STRATEGISTS, TAMERS, DEFENDERS OF LIFE!"
Ray blinked. "Uh…"
Another goddess—her robe stitched from stars—sighed. "You're scaring the child again."
"I AM INSPIRING HIM!"
---
The Shepherd God pointed at Ray.
"You think it's weak? Listen well, whelp! Shepherd Class has:
Beast Bond: Tame anything. Yes, anything. Dragons, too. Eventually.
Call of the Flock: Summon allies to your side no matter where they are.
Guardian's Path: Defend your people like a fortress on legs.
Divine Growth: Your flock becomes stronger with you.
And The One Who Watches: You see threats before they happen. You are never caught off guard."
Ray blinked. "That… sounds awesome."
"IT IS AWESOME!"
The Flame God muttered, "Here we go. You feed one goat a lightning berry and now he thinks he invented strategy."
Ray raised a brow. "Wait… why didn't I awaken all five classes?"
The other gods looked at each other.
"…Oops," the Moon Goddess whispered.
"…It's kind of our fault," the Leaf God admitted.
"See," said the Storm God, scratching his neck, "you were supposed to awaken in the God-Gifted Realm, but…"
"You fell into the wrong portal," the Star Weaver said.
"You landed in the mundane system realm," the Flame God finished. "Kinda… glitchy. Doesn't recognize divine blessings."
Ray stared at them, deadpan.
"…You let me fall into the wrong world?"
The gods all looked away.
"Technically it was the goat's fault," said Moonlight Lady.
"Technically it was YOUR turn to watch the portal!" the Shepherd God shouted.
"You were busy trimming your beard!"
"IT'S A HOLY BEARD!"
---
Ray just covered his face.
"I died. Got sent to another world. Gifted five classes. Landed in a broken system. And now my divine guardians are blaming a portal glitch?"
Flame God shrugged. "Pretty much."
Ray sighed. "I can't believe this is my afterlife."
---
The Moon Goddess suddenly looked serious. "Ray. Listen carefully. Because your soul hasn't adapted fully to divine energy, we can't stay with you anymore. Not for a while."
"You're not strong enough to hold our presence. Even this moment is burning your spiritual core," the Leaf God said, voice soft.
Ray felt it now—a warmth cracking inside him.
The Shepherd God knelt before him, golden eyes serious now.
"But we'll be watching. Always. And remember… a Shepherd doesn't lead by being the strongest. He leads by making others stronger."
Ray nodded slowly.
"I'll remember."
The gods smiled, then vanished in a swirl of stars and wind.
---
Ray sat in the silence of his room again.
> "Shepherd, huh?" he whispered to himself.
"Well then…"
"Let's raise a goddamn flock the world's never seen."
He grinned.
------
Chapter 29: System 15 and the Shepherd's Domain
The room was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Ray sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was exhausted, emotionally fried, and starting to consider giving up everything to become the world's first anti-social sheep trainer.
> "Maybe I'll start a quiet farm. Name my sheep. Punch villagers if they judge me."
DING.
A sharp digital ping echoed in his head.
Then—
> "Hey, Dumbass. Finally woke up, huh?"
Ray blinked.
"…What?"
A screen burst open before his eyes:
> [System 15 Activated]
—Connection to Host: Stabilized.
—Syncing Soul Pathways…
—Memory Fragment: Recovered.
Then a shadowy figure in a golden coat appeared in front of him, arms crossed, a sharp grin on his lips and sarcastic amusement in his glowing purple eyes.
> "Surprised to see me? Let me guess—you thought you'd been ghosted by your System?"
"…Are you 15?" Ray asked slowly.
> "The one and only. Most glorious, sarcastic, beautiful error code in the multiverse. You may call me… God's Gift to Sarcasm."
Ray groaned. "I was hoping for a friendly AI. Not a mouthy gremlin."
> "Friendly AI? Please. I'm not your digital girlfriend, I'm your evolution engine. Also, how dare you—my coding is flawless."
---
A golden flash passed through Ray's mind.
> Memories of the God Realm returned—floating islands, divine laughter, and the six chaotic gods arguing over what to name him.
Ray gasped. "I… remember them. All of them. Even Kiran."
> "Yup. Soul sync finally stabilized. Took longer because your soul's still soft. Like overcooked noodles."
Ray glared. "That sounds like your fault."
> "Wrong! That sounds like genetics."
---
[Status Screen: Online]
> Name: Ray
Age: 9
Class 1: Shepherd (Hidden – Divine Variant)
Class 2: ???
Class 3: ???
Class 4: ???
Class 5: ???
Level: 1
HP: 120
MP: 200
God Points: 0
Inventory: Empty
God Market: Locked
Domain: Unclaimed (500m Radius)
Ray blinked. "Wait—I really have five classes?!"
> "Ding ding ding! You win the prize: Divine Overload!"
"…How does it even work?"
> "You were born in the God Realm, touched by six gods, and then accidentally slammed into a low-tier mortal system. The crash corrupted your awakening—only one class opened. The rest? Locked behind achievements."
"Achievements like…?"
> "Choice, touch, or dope moments," 15 said, floating and snapping his fingers. "Pick a path, touch rare items, or survive high-tier monsters. You know, the usual nonsense."
Ray nodded slowly. "So the rest of my classes are like… bonus unlocks?"
> "Correct! Think of yourself as a lootbox with trust issues."
---
Ray looked at the "God Points" section.
"Why do I have zero?"
> "Because you're poor."
"Hey!"
> "God Points are earned via quests, system missions, or from doing things that amuse the gods. Like getting slapped by a chicken in public. Or slapping back."
"…Do I even want to know what's in the God Shop?"
> "Locked for now. Too powerful. But eventually you'll get access to the God Market, Soul Forge, and Skill Bazaar. Think fantasy Amazon—only more chaotic."
---
Ray scrolled to the bottom.
> Domain: 500 meters (locked)
"…I have a Domain?"
> "Yup! One of your god gifts. It's an isolated space tethered to your soul. You can enter it, control it, shape it. Over time, it'll grow stronger."
Ray's heart pounded.
"Can I… go in now?"
> "Be my guest. But don't expect fireworks. It's basically an empty backyard with depression."
---
Ray closed his eyes.
A soft hum buzzed in his bones.
Then—
The world shifted.
The room disappeared.
He stood in the center of a lush green field, soft grass underfoot. The sky above was a gentle twilight, and the edges of the world blurred into nothingness.
A perfect square: 500 meters by 500 meters.
No trees. No animals. No buildings. No weapons. Just grass. And wind.
> "…This is it?"
15 floated next to him. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"It's bare. I've seen potatoes with more personality."
> "Don't insult potatoes. They have layers."
Ray---
Chapter 30: "My Garden of Divine Mayhem"
Ray sat cross-legged in the center of his tiny, grass-covered Domain.
500 meters on all sides. Flat. Empty. Peaceful… and boring.
He sighed. "It's kinda… underwhelming."
> "It's called a starter pack, not a paradise," 15 deadpanned. "You want God-tier forests and dragon hotels on day one?"
Ray rolled his eyes. "Can I at least plant something before I go insane from boredom?"
> "Now you're talking. Let's open the Domain Shop."
A faint hum echoed in his ears. His vision shimmered.
---
> [DOMAIN SHOP UNLOCKED]
Welcome, Ray.
Current Balance: 1200 God Points
Items available based on Domain Level: 1
Size: 500m Radius | Limit: 10 Active Objects
---
Dozens of glowing panels appeared before him.
Categories labeled:
[Plantation: Fruits & Herbs]
[Beast Trees]
[Weapon Trees]
[Artifact Saplings]
[Mystic Buildings] (LOCKED)
[Environmental Features]
> "The shop expands as your Domain levels up," 15 added. "Right now, pick wisely. Your God Points aren't unlimited, peasant."
Ray stuck out his tongue. "I'd like to see you budget on a shepherd salary."
---
He opened the Plantation tab first.
Basic Spiritual Grass Patch – 50 pts
Healing Herb Mix – 100 pts
Fruit Tree (Common) – 80 pts each
Elemental Fruit Tree (Rare) – 150 pts
> "Get at least one herb patch unless you enjoy bleeding out."
He bought:
1x Healing Herb Mix (100 pts)
2x Common Fruit Trees (160 pts total)
Next tab: Beast Trees
Frost Wolf Tree (Tier 1) – 400 pts
Fire Tiger Tree (Tier 1) – 500 pts
Baby Slime Tree (Tier 1, cute & chaotic) – 300 pts
> "Start with the wolf," 15 said. "Reliable, smart, loyal. Like a fluffy dagger."
Ray purchased the Frost Wolf Tree for 400 pts.
Then the Weapon Trees tab caught his eye.
Iron Weapon Tree – 200 pts
Rusty Blade Tree – 80 pts (Joke?)
Repeating Arrow Shrub – 300 pts
> "Get the Iron one. The rusty one gives tetanus."
Ray nodded and got 1x Iron Weapon Tree (200 pts)
Remaining: 340 points
"Anything else worth grabbing?" he asked.
> "Try the utility trees. Boring but helpful."
He scrolled through "Environmental Features" and grabbed:
Water Well (Basic) – 100 pts
Storage Chest (Mini Warehouse) – 80 pts
Basic Defense Totem (Alerts + Mild Shock) – 150 pts
Left with 10 pts.
> "Congratulations, you're broke. But your Domain isn't garbage anymore."
Ray confirmed the purchases.
---
The Domain rumbled.
Grass split, dirt lifted, light flowed like rivers. It was like watching the world be born—if the world were obsessed with trees and wolves.
The Fruit Trees grew first—simple but healthy. Pears and apples glistened under Domain sunlight.
Next, the Healing Herb Patch—rows of glowing plants radiating soothing energy.
Then the Weapon Tree. Swords grew on branches like fruit—thirty iron blades swaying in the breeze.
The Frost Wolf Tree rose like a totem—runed bark, icy blue leaves, and a howl in the wind.
A wolf pup appeared beneath it, pure white and sleepy. It yawned, then curled up next to Ray's foot.
Finally, the Defense Totem pulsed faintly. The Well gurgled. The Storage Chest opened itself dramatically.
---
Ray looked around.
His empty land… now a young sanctuary.
"Not bad for a broke Shepherd, huh?" he grinned.
> "You're still broke. And still a Shepherd. But now you're a Shepherd with a beast tree and sword tree, so maybe not a complete failure."
Ray crossed his arms. "You forgot something important."
> "What?"
"I own a wolf. You have to respect me now."
> "…Respect is earned, not adopted."
---
Ray lay back in the grass.
Trees swayed gently above him. The pup nuzzled against his side. Blades rustled on branches. The herb patch buzzed with life.
He smiled. This was his Domain now.
It was just the beginning.
---
[Chapter End]
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