The System Awakens: Rise of the Champion

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The Hall of Ascension

[The 'Adaptation' period is over.]

[In five minutes, you will be transported to the Hall of Ascension, where you will undergo your class selection.]

[Remainign Time: 00:00:04:12]

Damian looked at the system counting down the time until it would transport everyone who had reached level 20 to the Hall of Ascension, where they would be assigned a class.

Damian sighed.

He was already feeling frustrated by the fact that he had only managed to open 10 meridians.

The resistance he faced when trying to open the 11th was overwhelming, like trying to break through a giant rock wall with a small metal knife.

But Damian wasn't going to let this discourage him.

He believed that once he started climbing the tower, he would be able to overcome this limit.

After all, there were thousands of undiscovered opportunities on each floor.

All he had to do was find them.

"Right now, I should focus on the class selection," Damian muttered as he glanced at his physical attributes.

---

[Strength: 45 ║ Agility: 56 ║ Vitality: 54 ║

Stamina: 56 ║ Perception: 66 ║ Mana: 120 ║

Qi: 0 ]

{Stat Points: 65}

-----

"I need to balance my attributes and reserve some for emergency use," Damian thought quietly as he began distributing his attributes.

For a few seconds, Damian pondered with his computer-like mind.

Physical attributes were one of the key factors the system considered when assigning classes.

The type of class assigned would determine the kind of growth an Awakener would experience in the future.

While it was ultimately impossible to predict the exact class one would receive, it was possible to exert some degree of influence.

One way to influence the class assignment was through physical attributes, as well as the skills, techniques, and talents an Awakener had developed through their own experience.

These factors could significantly sway the type of class they would obtain.

This was precisely why Damian had held onto his free stat points until now.

He wanted to use them strategically before the class selection process to maximize his chances of obtaining a class that matched his preferences and strengths.

"If I set aside my magic, I'd like to see myself as a close-range fighter who uses a sword, relying on swift movements and endurance rather than sheer physical strength."

"At the same time, I have heightened senses, but without enough strength to deliver decisive strikes, my speed and stamina will be meaningless. So, I need to ensure I have considerable strength and vitality as well."

Clicking his tongue, Damian began assigning his free stat points with precision and focus.

-----

[Strength: 60 ║ Agility: 70 ║ Vitality: 60 ║

Stamina: 70 ║ Perception: 70 ║ Mana: 120 ║

Qi: 0 ]

{Stat Points: 12}

-----

"This should be good enough," Damian said with a satisfied look.

"There are also the magic spells I've learned, which can greatly influence the class I get..."

Usually, Awakeners follow a single path of evolution, like magic cultivation or Qi cultivation.

However, Damian was cultivating both paths simultaneously.

This dual cultivation might also play a significant role in determining his class selection.

Damian looked around, preparing himself for class selection.

He packed a few items he might need: the [Monster Slayer Sword], a dagger, and a spear he had stolen from one of the warrior nuns.

He dressed in a dark, full-sleeved hoodie, matching dark track pants, sneakers, and a biker's mask that only revealed his eyes, all of which he had picked up from an abandoned store.

He glanced at the countdown timer.

[Remaining Time: 00:00:00:56]

[Remaining Time: 00:00:00:35]

[Remaining Time: 00:00:00:22]

[Remaining Time: 00:00:00:09]

[Remaining Time: 00:00:00:00]

[You will now be transported to the 'Hall of Ascension' to get assigned a class.]

As soon as the countdown hit zero, Damian felt his vision blur for a moment.

When his sight cleared, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

He was standing in a grand hall that looked as if it belonged in a fantasy novel.

The entire structure seemed to be made of gold, with dozens of massive pillars lining either side.

Between the pillars, Damian saw statues of various figures holding all sorts of weapons; some even had wings of various shapes.

The ceiling of the hall rose so high it seemed as if it touched the sky.

At the front of the hall stood a massive crystal, resembling a miniature mountain.

It was at least 50 feet tall and 50 feet in diameter.

Behind the crystal, the wall was intricately carved with an enormous mural depicting a wide array of beings: dragons, giant wolves, a humanoid figure with bat-like wings, others with pigeon-like wings, beings with imposing horns, and many more creatures Damian couldn't even identify.

Damian also noticed hundreds of people who had appeared alongside him.

Although it might have seemed like they were transported here against their will, they were free to leave if they wished.

Still, Damian was surprised to see that so many people chose to stay.

"Before my regression, when I came here, I couldn't obtain any class because I wasn't worthy. But this time..." Damian narrowed his eyes, staring at the giant crystal with an indifferent gaze.

There were around 70 or 80 people standing alongside him.

Even with the intervention of his regression, not many people had managed to reach Level 20.

These individuals belonged to the area surrounding the tower near Damian.

Using the towers as a link, the system transported everyone within a tower's range to its corresponding Hall of Ascension.

Near the Vatican, where Damian had been, there was a tower, so everyone who had reached Level 20 within its range was sent to this particular hall.

For every tower around the world, there was a corresponding Hall of Ascension.

People within the range of each tower were sent to their respective halls.

That was why there weren't many people in the Hall of Ascension where Damian now stood.

Suddenly, Damian narrowed his eyes as his heightened senses alerted him to a pair of eyes watching him from nearby.

He didn't need to turn his head to know who it was.

"The Saintess..." Damian muttered, recalling that she was one of the few individuals who had obtained a powerful class.

He could feel her presence standing not far from him.

"It's you."

"What business do you have with me, Saintess?" Damian asked indifferently.

"What's your level?"

Damian stared at her for a few seconds, deciding that there was no harm in sharing this information. "Thirty-three," he replied.

"...Thanks for telling me," the Saintess said.

She stood in silence for a moment, as if digesting his words, before giving a slight bow and leaving without turning back.

Her warrior nuns, who stood nearby, gazed at Damian with a mixture of fear and hostility.

Damian didn't bother sparing them or the seven Cardinal Generals a glance, even though they, too, were watching him with varying expressions.

Most of the people present were affiliated with the Vatican.

"The Vatican is already growing powerful," Damian thought, his gaze returning to the Prism Crystal. "Once they begin climbing the Tower, they'll become even stronger."

His attention shifted to a striking figure.

A towering woman, nearly seven feet tall, stood in the Hall of Ascension.

Her long, straight, dark hair cascaded down to the floor, and she wore an elegant black Gothic dress with red accents.

The dress fully covered her except for her head.

Her piercing red eyes scanned everyone in the hall with an unnerving calm.

"Welcome to the Hall of Ascension. I will be your host for class selection," the woman announced, her voice cold and detached.

Then, her eyes narrowed threateningly.

"I will warn you in advance. This place exists solely for you to obtain your class. I am here only to oversee the process, and I will not tolerate any misconduct." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Obtain your class, begin climbing the Tower, or leave. If you refuse to obey the rules, you will be erased."

Her tone was absolute, brooking no argument.

She gestured toward the crystal, which began to radiate a brilliant white light, almost as if it were alive.

"Now, one by one, touch the crystal and obtain your class," she commanded, her voice echoing through the hall.

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[A/N: If you enjoyed this Chapter, please consider supporting it with a few Power Stones, maybe some GOLDEN TICKETS, or even a gift! The author may be a little naive, but your support means the world to me. Arigato!]