The bustling energy of the Academy gates washed over Siddharth, Vandana, and Avni as they walked towards the main building. Students of varying races and appearances, all around Siddharth's age, chattered nervously or excitedly about the upcoming Profession Selection Test. Siddharth, however, felt a different kind of energy humming beneath his skin – the subtle, constant presence of the Absolute Void System and the raw power he had just absorbed.
"Excited, Siddharth?" Vandana asked, smiling gently.
"Yeah, Mom," he replied, trying to sound casual. His mind was still buzzing from the park encounter and the System's revelations. He had a quest, a skill, and a mission he couldn't share.
Just then, he saw two familiar faces approaching through the crowd: Tanya and Sameer, his best friends. Tanya, a girl with bright, curious eyes, and Sameer, a lanky boy with a perpetual grin, waved enthusiastically.
"Siddharth! Hey!" Tanya called out.
"Principal Vandana, good morning!" Sameer added, giving a polite bow.
Vandana smiled. "Good morning, Tanya, Sameer. Are you two ready for the test?"
"As ready as we'll ever be!" Sameer replied. He turned to Siddharth. "So, Siddharth, going into the dungeon together? We can cover each other's backs."
Siddharth hesitated. He needed to test his newly absorbed Destruction energy, understand how the System would help him integrate it, and potentially work on his quest for the Void Servant revival. Doing that with his friends watching would be difficult, if not impossible, without revealing his secrets.
"Uh, thanks guys, but I think I'll go in alone this time," Siddharth said, scratching the back of his head. "I... I want to see how I handle things on my own." It wasn't a complete lie.
Tanya and Sameer exchanged a slightly disappointed look, but they understood.
"Okay, man, suit yourself," Sameer said. "But hey, can Avni join us? It'll be fun to tackle some goblins together!"
Siddharth looked at Avni, who was clutching his arm. "Avni?"
Avni immediately shook her head, her fox ears flattening slightly. "No way! I'm sticking with Bhaiyya. We always stick together!"
Siddharth smiled at her loyalty. Besides, Avni knew about his grandmother's training and the energies, even if she didn't know about the book or the System. Having her with him was safer than going completely alone.
"Okay, guys, Avni's with me," Siddharth confirmed. "But we'll catch up inside the dungeon! We can group up later and clear some monsters."
"Awesome!" Tanya grinned. "Alright, see you inside, Siddharth, Avni! Good luck!"
"Good luck!" Sameer echoed as they parted ways.
The scene shifted to the grand hall where the Profession Selection Test was taking place. Rows of students lined up before tables laden with glowing crystals – some radiating a warm, soft light (Creation), others a dark, intense aura (Destruction). One by one, students stepped forward, chose a crystal, and absorbed its energy, their bodies momentarily glowing with the respective color before they were guided towards the dungeon entrance.
Then, a hush fell over the crowd. The most beautiful girl in the school, Shanaya, with her striking features and confident stride, approached the tables. To the surprise of many, she reached for a Destruction Energy Crystal. Its dark energy pulsed as she absorbed it, a fierce, determined look in her eyes.
"Wow," Sameer whispered to Tanya, watching Shanaya. "She's even more amazing up close. I wish I could just meet her once."
Siddharth, overhearing, couldn't help but tease. "Keep your mouth shut, man. That's your future sister-in-law."
Sameer spluttered, blushing fiercely, while Tanya giggled.
A short while later, a boy named Rahul stepped up. Rahul was known throughout the school as the son of a successful businessman who dealt in mutant fruits, grown and sold for their energy-rich
properties. Rahul's interest in energy was less about profession and more about... Shanaya. He too chose a Destruction Energy Crystal, a look of arrogant confidence on his face as he absorbed it. His crush on Shanaya was well-known.
Finally, it was time for Siddharth's group. Tanya chose a Creation crystal, as did Sameer. Avni, sticking by her brother's side, also chose Creation, her fox ears twitching as she absorbed the gentle energy.
Then came Siddharth's turn. He reached for a Creation crystal. As the warm, familiar energy flowed into him, he felt the System working in the background, seamlessly integrating it with the Destruction energy already present. No pain this time, only a sense of internal balance.
Ding!
Host's primary energy source identified: Creation.
Secondary energy source integrated: Destruction.
Energy balance maintained.
Siddharth felt a quiet satisfaction. The System was truly remarkable.
After the selection, everyone was directed towards the dungeon entrance. Before entering, they were given escape stones, small Creation-infused pebbles that would teleport them out in case of danger.
"Remember the rules," the instructors warned. "F-level dungeons are the lowest risk, but stay alert. If you're in trouble, use your escape stone. And stick to the designated areas!"
One by one, the students entered the portal, a swirling vortex of light and energy that led into the dungeon.
Siddharth and Avni stepped through the portal and found themselves in a dimly lit, cavernous space. The air was damp and smelled of earth and something... musky. A moment later, they were facing a group of small, hunched creatures with sharp claws and snarling faces.
"Goblins," Siddharth stated, his eyes scanning the monsters. "They're mutants of alley cats. That's why they're so fast."
He turned to Avni. "Okay, there are five of them. You take one, I'll handle the other four. Think you can do it?"
Avni nodded eagerly, a fierce glint in her eyes. "Piece of cake, Bhaiyya!"
Siddharth took a deep breath, focusing his will. He channeled his Creation energy into four small orbs of crackling blue energy – Thunderballs.
"Here goes nothing!" He hurled the orbs.
Zap! Zap! Zap! Zap!
The Thunderballs struck the four Goblins, not killing them, but causing them to twitch uncontrollably, momentarily stunned by the static electricity. He then quickly moved in, using swift, normal physical attacks enhanced by his Creation energy to finish them off before they recovered. He couldn't risk showing his Destruction energy publicly yet.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Goblins crumpled under the force of his enhanced physical blows. They dissolved into wisps of dark energy.
Ding!
Monster Slain: Goblin (F-level).
EXP Gained: 5
EXP Gained: 5
EXP Gained: 5
EXP Gained: 5
Current EXP: 20
EXP to Level 1: 80
Siddharth grinned. It worked! Using just Creation energy was limiting compared to his combined attacks, but he managed. He needed 100 EXP to reach Level 1. Killing these four gave him 20. He just needed... 80 more.
He glanced over at Avni. She had already dispatched her Goblin, using a burst of Creation energy to enhance her speed and deliver a series of rapid, precise strikes.
"Nice job, Avni!" Siddharth said, patting her on the head.
She beamed up at him. "You too, Bhaiyya! That was amazing! Your attacks are getting so strong!"
They spent the next while hunting Goblins, working together efficiently. Siddharth focused on quick, Creation-enhanced physical attacks and Avni honed her own Creation-based combat style. The EXP notifications kept coming. They hunted until...
Ding!
Current EXP: 100
Congratulations, Host! You have reached Level 1!
System Level has increased to 1!
Reward Acquired: Skill - Life and Death Reversal!
Before Siddharth could fully process this, a guttural roar echoed through the dungeon, shaking the very stone around them. It was loud, powerful, and filled with rage. Siddharth felt a chill run down his spine. That wasn't a Goblin.
"What was that, Bhaiyya?" Avni asked, looking scared.
"Stay here, Avni," Siddharth said, his voice serious. "It sounded big. I'm going to check it out. Use your escape stone if anything comes near you, okay?"
Avni nodded, her eyes wide.
Siddharth cautiously moved through the dungeon passages, following the echoes of the roar. He emerged into a large, open chamber and froze. There, stomping around in a fury, was a massive creature – a Hobgoblin, an F-level dungeon boss. It was taller than a man, its skin a sickly green, wielding a crude but deadly club.
But what shocked Siddharth wasn't just its presence, but the fact that it was active. Dungeon bosses in beginner areas like this were always sealed away with powerful magic to prevent accidents. Killing the boss would cause the dungeon to collapse, which wasn't allowed during the selection test. How had it been unsealed?
Then he saw them – Rahul and two other boys, scrambling away from the enraged Hobgoblin, their faces pale with terror. The boss was right on their heels.
The scene shifted briefly, a memory or a system-provided glimpse of the recent past.
"Alright guys, we've all awakened our professions!" Rahul boasted, swinging a fist that crackled with Destruction energy. "I'm a Fist Warrior now! Goblins are too easy. We should go for the boss!"
His friends looked hesitant. "Isn't that too dangerous, Rahul? We just awakened."
"Dangerous?" Rahul scoffed. "It's just the lowest F-level dungeon! Piece of cake." He had been bragging about his power and profession ever since the selection. They had easily cleared some groups of Goblins, boosting his confidence and impatience.
They searched until they found the chamber with the sealed Hobgoblin. A glowing magical barrier shimmered around it.
"See?" one friend said nervously. "It's sealed. We can't fight it."
"Can't fight it?" Rahul grinned, pulling a small, dark stone from his pocket. "Watch this. My dad got me this a few days ago. It's a Suppression Stone. It can suppress any normal seal."
He pressed the stone against the barrier. The magic flickered, then vanished. The Hobgoblin, free from its seal, roared in confusion, then saw the intruders.
"Alright! Attack!" Rahul shouted, charging forward.
They unleashed their newly awakened abilities, but the Hobgoblin barely flinched. Instead, its eyes glowed red with fury. It swung its club, sending them flying. Two of the boys, injured, managed to use their escape stones and vanished. But Rahul and the remaining two had their stones knocked from their hands.
CRUNCH!
The Hobgoblin's massive foot landed on the fallen stones, crushing them to dust. The three remaining boys turned and ran for their lives. One, limping badly, stumbled and fell.
The scene snapped back to the present.
Awakened? Siddharth thought, understanding dawning on him. Did they awaken that?
Author's Note: When a person 'awakens' a profession, it's not just about gaining the energy type. It's an innate understanding of how to channel and use that energy in a specific way associated with their profession. For example, a Swordsman instinctively knows how to channel Destruction energy through their sword for enhanced strikes. They don't gain techniques like energy slashes immediately; those must be learned and practiced. Awakening provides the fundamental method of energy application for their class.
Siddharth saw the injured boy lying on the ground, the Hobgoblin towering over him. He couldn't just stand there.
Before he could act, a flash of dark energy zipped past him. Shanaya, moving with incredible speed and grace, appeared beside the injured boy, pulling him back just as the Hobgoblin's club smashed the ground where he had been. Shanaya then turned, facing the boss alone, her Destruction energy swirling around her fists.
"Get him out of here!" she yelled to the other two boys, who were frozen in shock.
Siddharth didn't hesitate. He couldn't use his Destruction energy publicly, but he could still help with his Creation energy. He dashed forward, coming up alongside Shanaya.
"Hey! Need a hand?" Siddharth asked, channeling his Creation energy into his hands, ready to defend or disrupt.
Shanaya glanced at him, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "You? What are you doing here?" she asked, deflecting a swipe from the Hobgoblin's club with a powerful, energy-infused punch.
"Saving the day, what else?" Siddharth retorted, dodging another attack. He focused his Creation energy, creating a sudden, thick fog around the Hobgoblin's head, momentarily obscuring its vision.
The Hobgoblin roared, swiping blindly. Shanaya used the distraction to land several rapid strikes on its legs. Siddharth followed up by conjuring a slippery patch of ice under the boss's foot, making it stumble.
"Wow, you're fast!" Siddharth commented as Shanaya zipped past him, a blur of dark energy. "Are you a Rogue? Or maybe a Ninja? Or maybe a really stylish cat?"
Shanaya shot him an annoyed look but didn't reply, focusing on the fight. She used her speed to weave through its attacks, landing quick, powerful jabs infused with Destruction energy. Siddharth, balancing his energies internally but only manifesting Creation outwardly, created small gusts of wind to disrupt the Hobgoblin's balance while also readying bursts of light or localized gravity changes.
Meanwhile, Rahul, watching from a distance as he helped his injured friend retreat, saw Siddharth fighting alongside Shanaya. His face twisted with jealousy and rage. Who the hell is this kid? Why is he helping her? And how is he even fighting that thing?! He had seen Siddharth choose Creation. This didn't make sense. He's just getting in the way! Getting attention!
"Stay back!" Shanaya yelled to Siddharth, her attacks getting more aggressive. "This thing is tough!"
"Relax, I got this!" Siddharth channeled his Creation energy, focusing it into a powerful burst of light aimed at the Hobgoblin's eyes. "Take this! Blinding Blast!"
He landed the attack. The Hobgoblin roared in pain, shielding its eyes.
"Blinding Blast?" Shanaya asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice despite the tense situation. "What kind of attack name is that?"
"A functional one!" Siddharth replied, dodging a wild swing. "Distraction is key!"
They continued their unconventional tag-team. Shanaya, the elegant, deadly fighter, and Siddharth, the unpredictable Creation-wielder with questionable attack names, supporting her with creative Creation effects. The Hobgoblin, battered and confused by their combined assault, finally swayed and crashed to the ground with a deafening thud. Its body began to dissipate, leaving behind a dark, pulsating core.
Ding!
F-level Lowest Boss Monster Slain: Hobgoblin.
EXP Gained: 50
Current EXP: 150
EXP to Level 2: 50
Siddharth blinked. 50 EXP from the boss! He was at 150 now. He needed 200 for Level 2. Just 50 more.
Shanaya walked towards the dissipating boss, her expression serious, and reached for the monster core.
"Hey, uh, Shanaya?" Siddharth asked, feeling a bit awkward. "Can I have the monster core? For... research?"
Shanaya paused, looking at him for a moment. Her expression was unreadable. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible nod, she withdrew her hand. "Fine," she said, her voice cool. "Take it."
She turned and walked away without another word, her figure quickly disappearing down a passage.
"Wow, she's... cold," Siddharth mumbled to himself, picking up the still-warm monster core.
Just then, Tanya, Sameer, and Avni rushed into the chamber, their faces full of worry.
"Siddharth! Are you okay?!" Tanya exclaimed.
"We heard the roar! And saw the boss!" Sameer added, looking around nervously.
Avni ran up and hugged him tightly. "Bhaiyya, you weren't hurt, were you?"
Siddharth hugged her back. "I'm fine, guys. Don't worry. Everything's okay." He quickly hid the monster core in his pocket.
"What happened to the boss?" Tanya asked, looking at the dissipating energy.
"Oh, uh... someone else handled it," Siddharth said carefully, not wanting to reveal his part in the fight or Shanaya's involvement just yet.
As they started walking towards the dungeon exit, they talked about their experiences.
"I'm a Mage!" Sameer announced proudly, conjuring a small, flickering flame in his hand.
"And I'm a Water Elementalist!" Tanya added, making a small orb of water float between her palms. "But I need a Water Spirit to really get powerful. For that, I need a Spirit Summoner. They're really rare, though."
Avni, who had been listening quietly, suddenly perked up. "I'm a Spirit Summoner!"
Tanya's eyes went wide. "You are?! Seriously?!" She grabbed Avni in a spontaneous hug. "This is perfect! You're just what I needed!"
Everyone looked at Siddharth, waiting for him to announce his profession. He felt a pang of awkwardness.
System, do I have a profession? Siddharth thought, slightly panicked.
Query acknowledged. Host currently possesses potential for Class acquisition. Class will be identified upon completion of the Hidden Class Quest.
Status: In Progress.
Requirement: Compatible monster core. Skill Level 1 achieved.
Remaining task: Perform the revival.
So he didn't have a profession yet, not technically. He had a class, but it wasn't like the standard professions everyone else got.
"Uh, guys," Siddharth started hesitantly. "I... I didn't really get a profession."
Tanya, Sameer, and Avni stared at him, dumbfounded.
"What?! No profession?" Sameer exclaimed. "But you were using energy! And you killed those Goblins! And... and the boss..."
"Yeah, I know," Siddharth said, feeling a little sheepish. "It's weird. I've been using energy for a long time, since Grandma taught me. Maybe... maybe I got my profession a long time ago, and I just don't remember what it is yet? I'll try to remember later and tell you guys."
It was a flimsy excuse, but it seemed to satisfy them for the moment. Tanya still looked concerned.
"Not having a profession could make things difficult for you in the future, Siddharth," she said seriously.
"Don't worry about me," Siddharth smiled, trying to reassure them. "I'll figure it out."
As they approached the dungeon exit portal, Siddharth stopped.
"Hey, guys, you go on ahead," he said. "I think I want to stay in here for a bit longer. There are a few more things I want to... test out."
Tanya, Sameer, and Avni looked at him, but seeing the determination in his eyes, they nodded.
"Alright, but be careful, Siddharth," Vandana said, stepping through the portal after them.
"We'll wait for you outside!" Avni called out.
Siddharth watched them leave, the portal swirling closed behind them. He was alone in the dungeon now. He needed to complete that quest. He needed a bit more EXP to level up his skills first, though. He had 150 EXP. He needed 100 for each skill to get them to Level 1. He would need to hunt a few more Goblins. He spent a short while doing exactly that until his EXP total reached 200.
Ding!
Current EXP: 200
He found a secluded corner in the dungeon. He had the Hobgoblin core. He had the EXP needed to level his skills to 1. This was it. He would complete the quest and get his class.
Time Skip
Some time later, Siddharth stepped out of the dungeon portal, blinking as the brighter light of the outside world hit his eyes. Vandana, Avni, Tanya, and Sameer were waiting.
"Siddharth! You're finally out!" Vandana said, relief flooding her face. "Are you alright? Nothing happened?"
"I'm fine, Mom, don't worry," Siddharth reassured her.
The organizers began collecting details from everyone for placing them in appropriate academies based on their awakened professions. Sameer enthusiastically shared his Mage profession, and Tanya proudly declared herself a Water Elementalist, confirming Avni as her newfound Spirit Summoner. Rahul, looking disgruntled, gave his details as a Destruction Fist Warrior.
When it was Siddharth's turn, he gave his name and basic information. "I'll... I'll submit my profession details tomorrow morning, if that's okay?" he said to the instructor.
Vandana looked at him, a hint of concern in her eyes, but she didn't press. "Yes, that's fine, Siddharth," she told the instructor.
Rahul, passing by, sneered at Siddharth. "You took that core! I unsealed that monster!"
Siddharth met his gaze calmly. "I killed it. You would have died."
Rahul's face darkened. "You'll regret this."
"We'll see," Siddharth replied, a quiet confidence in his voice.
Back at home, after dinner, Vandana turned to Siddharth, her expression gentle but serious. "Alright, Siddharth. Tell me everything that happened in the dungeon.
And why you didn't give your profession details today."
Siddharth recounted the general events, omitting the System and the specifics of his quest and new skills. He talked about hunting goblins with Avni and encountering the boss.
"And the boss?" Vandana prompted.
"Someone else handled it," Siddharth said carefully. "A really strong girl. But... about the profession. I told Tanya and Sameer I didn't get one, but... I think I remembered something." He paused, building up to the revelation.
"What is it, dear?" Vandana asked, leaning forward slightly.
Siddharth went to his room, his heart pounding. He needed to confirm it, make it real. He pulled out the Hobgoblin core. This was it. The final step of the Hidden Class Quest.
He held the core, channeling both Creation and Destruction energy into it simultaneously, guided by the System.
Flashback: Inside the Dungeon, after everyone had left and Siddharth had hunted more Goblins.
Siddharth stood alone in a secluded corner, the Hobgoblin core in his hand. He had just reached 200 EXP.
System, I want to use 100 EXP to level up Energy Conversion and 100 EXP to level up Life and Death Reversal.
Affirmative. Skill level upgrade in progress.
Process Complete.
Ding!
Skill - Energy Conversion has reached Level 1!
Skill - Life and Death Reversal has reached Level 1!
Update: Skill - Energy Conversion (Level 1) description available.
Skill - Energy Conversion (Level 1): Allows the Host to transmute Creation energy into Destruction energy and vice versa with increased efficiency. Can also purify and absorb corrupted or hostile energies.
Update: Skill - Life and Death Reversal (Level 1) description available.
Skill - Life and Death Reversal (Level 1): Can now be used on the cores of lowest-level F-rank Dungeon Bosses (including the Hobgoblin).
Initiating Void Servant Revival. Standby.
Siddharth held the core out. A strange sensation filled the air – the merging of two opposing energies. Black energy, swirling and violent, erupted from the core, growing, expanding, consuming the light in the passage. It was terrifying, chaotic, like a piece of the original Void war being reborn. It felt like looking into the maw of a nascent black hole, tearing at the fabric of reality. The energy reformed, solidifying into a twisted, monstrous version of the Hobgoblin. Its skin was darker, almost black, its eyes glowed with a dull, lifeless red, and a faint, inky aura pulsed around it. It looked like a creature born of consumed galaxies, a twisted mockery of life.
Ding!
Void Servant Revival Complete: Hobgoblin (F-level) has been added to Host's command.
Hidden Class Quest Complete!
Identifying Host's Class and Trait...
Class Confirmed: The VoidBringer
Trait Confirmed: The Void Master
Congratulations, Host! You have successfully awakened your Hidden Class!
Siddharth stared at the Hobgoblin Void Servant. He had done it. He was... The VoidBringer.
End Flashback.
Siddharth, back in his room, unsummoned the Hobgoblin Void Servant with a thought. The creature vanished into a puff of inky black smoke. He had just wanted to see it one more time, confirm it was real.
He lay back on his bed, still processing everything. The System, the skills, the class... and the monster core in his pocket. He could revive them. Command them.
A new thought, a hopeful, aching thought, entered his mind.
System, can you... can you revive my grandmother?
Query acknowledged. Host's wish confirmed. Processing feasibility for Human revival.
Analysis complete. Human revival requires significant power, far exceeding Host's current capabilities.
Recommendation: Increase Host Level and power significantly. Upon reaching sufficient power, the System can attempt the revival process.
Siddharth's breath hitched. She could be revived. It wasn't impossible! It required power, a lot of it, but the System said it was possible!
Tears welled up in his eyes, but they were tears of relief and hope, not sorrow. His grandmother wasn't truly gone forever. He had a mission, a class, and now... a driving purpose.
Thank you, System, he thought, his voice thick with emotion.
You are welcome, Host. My purpose is to guide you.
Siddharth lay there for a while longer, the weight of his new reality settling in. He had secrets now, bigger than ever before. But he also had hope.
Later that evening, Avni came to his room. "Bhaiyya? Dinner's ready!"
He smiled, a genuine, lighthearted smile that felt foreign after the day's intensity. "Okay, coming!"
They went to the living hall, where the aroma of food filled the air. Vandana smiled when she saw him, noting his unusually cheerful mood.
"Well, you seem happy," she observed, placing a plate before him at the dining table. "Did I make your favorite tonight or something?"
Siddharth grinned, picking up his fork. "Something like that, Mom." He looked at her, at Avni, the two people who had given him a home and a family when he had lost everything. They were part of his purpose now. He had to become powerful, not just for his grandmother, but to protect them too.
He took a bite of his food, then met Vandana's gaze. "Hey, Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"I remembered my profession."
Vandana's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? What is it? What did they assign you?"
Siddharth smiled, a touch of mystery in his eyes. He wasn't assigned it. He was it.
He put down his fork, the energy of the day settling into a quiet confidence. Sitting at the dining table, he met her gaze directly.
"It's called... The VoidBringer."
And with that, Chapter 5 came to a close.