Chapter 45: Mass Class Awakening
The flying carriage descended and landed at the base of the mountain. Hans wished they could fly higher to the second peak where the temples were located, but the holy mountain had sacred rules that had been strictly followed for centuries.
He didn't want to break the rules and risk incurring the wrath of the high priest, who was rumored to be one of the strongest Awakened in the human domain.
Although he was strong and hot-headed, Hans was very intelligent and knew how to choose his fights very well.
As the flying carriage arrived, casting a shadow over the people below, loud chatter erupted from the visitors who gazed at it with dreamy eyes. Children pointed at it, asking their parents what it was.
"It seems most of them aren't from the Royal Capital," Gordon commented.
"True, this carriage is common there… I'm guessing most of them are from the neighboring towns," Hans added. "They must be here for the tournament as well."
"Although it's expensive, I'm glad we used it. If we had taken a normal carriage, we'd still be in the west by now… not to mention dealing with bandits."
When the expensive carriage landed, the people expected noble-looking kids to emerge. However, the kids that stepped out looked just like them.
A bunch of country bumpkins.
"Eh? How did they even afford this thing?" a dumb-looking green-haired kid with a carrot in his mouth inquired as he watched the kids of the Cromwell Barony step out one after the other.
From the way they dressed, everyone instinctively knew they weren't from the capital, where it was rumored only the rich could stay. People said the roads were golden, and you could even see silver coins on the ground.
Of course, most of these stories were exaggerations made by people who had never been to the capital but hoped to go there.
"For them to afford this, they must be doing pretty well compared to our town, I guess," a taller boy close to the green-haired kid shrugged.
The green-haired kid chewed the carrot in an unappealing and disturbing way, with pieces sticking to his mouth. However, his eyes lit up when he saw someone step out of the carriage.
"Uncle!" he shouted at the top of his voice, running over to where the members of the Cromwell Barony were standing.
They all looked at the kid with green hair and eyes that was running towards them. Hans, who had also looked over, had an excited expression on his face when he saw this boy. He opened his arms and hugged the boy.
"Jared, my boy, how have you been?" Hans exclaimed, hugging the green-haired boy tightly.
"I've been good, Uncle Hans!" Jared replied. "I've missed you so much! What brings you here?"
Hans chuckled and ruffled Jared's hair. "I'm here for the class awakening, kiddo. But I'm glad I got to see you too. How's your mother doing?"
Jared was the son of Hans' sister, who had married in another town and left the Barony some years ago. Hans hadn't seen the kid since his last visit two years ago, and a rare smile appeared on his face as he chatted animatedly with the green-haired boy.
Jared talked about his mother's carrot and vegetable farm, then about the envoy from the Armstrong Duchy and their reason for coming to the Holy Mountain.
During his story, the others heard him mention the same white-haired boy who had beaten all of them, including the adults. Hans' expression changed because it seemed what had happened in the Cromwell Barony also occurred in the other towns.
But somehow, they'd all kept it a secret out of fear of being embarrassed.
'To think he also beat the kids in Landon Barony… this is a clear show of strength. Is he testing the waters or something?' Hans was confused by the duke's aim and the reason for his actions.
He knew the duke was specifically targeting the Cromwell Barony because of the appearance of the Dimensional Rift, but why do the same to the other towns?
Some time later, the other kids introduced themselves to Jared Landon, the son of the Baron in his town. Jared greeted them back politely with a silly smile. Everyone greeted him except the beautiful girl with black hair streaked with red.
Seeing her, his heart began to race. She seemed deep in thought, and her thoughtful expression only made her appear more stunning.
"Who is she?" he asked, noticing she seemed different from the rest and a bit detached.
"Forget about it, bro!" Rab said, patting Jared on the shoulder. "She's Nyx Aegis Cromwell, Granddaughter of Baron Nathan, the flower of our town, and twin sister of our commander Nox Cromwell."
"You have no chance; she's unreachable," another added. "Don't even fantasize about being with her."
"Granddaughter of a Baron, and her brother is a commander," Jared repeated, looking lost.
'She seems to be about five years old, and her brother is already a commander. I really have no chance with her,' he thought.
After a few minutes, Hans glanced at the others and nodded. "Alright, kiddo, it's time for us to get moving. We don't want to keep the children waiting."
After saying goodbye, Jared disembarked but couldn't help staring at the unreachable goddess…the only girl who had made his heart race so wildly.
'Seems like I have more reason to work harder and win the tournament. If I could, she'll certainly be impressed.'
"Longy," he said, looking at the tall boy beside him and adjusting his hair. "Do I look handsome?"
"Y-yes, you look handsome. If you can stop chewing the carrot like that, you'll look even less stupid."
"What do you mean by that?"
***
The Holy Mountain had three peaks: the first peak was the gathering spot, while the second and third peaks were where the statues of the various class patron gods were built.
"I heard the third peak is where the statue of the Goddess my mom and sisters worship resides," Nyx said as she climbed the mountain, the blizzard of snow bashing against her face. "That's where I'll awaken my class."
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