The Awakening Hall shimmered with blue magic circles.
One by one, students stepped forward and claimed their futures.
"Riya Malhotra — Wind Archer, B-Rank!"
Applause filled the hall.
"Kabir Rathore — Fire Knight, A-Rank!"
The entire academy erupted in cheers.
Arjun Verma stood in the back, hands trembling.
"Next — Arjun Verma."
The hall grew quiet.
He stepped into the glowing circle.
Mana surged through his veins like ice water. The crystal above him flickered… then cracked faintly.
Golden letters formed in the air.
[Class Assigned: Shadow Servant]
[Rank: F]
Silence.
Then laughter.
"Shadow Servant?!"
"Is that even a combat class?"
"He's literally a background character!"
The instructor coughed awkwardly.
"Shadow Servant class holders specialize in… support."
Support.
That single word crushed him.
Kabir walked past him, flames dancing around his gauntlet.
"Don't worry, Arjun," he said softly. "Every team needs someone to carry bags."
More laughter.
Arjun walked out of the hall, eyes burning.
For the first time in his life, he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
But fate wasn't done humiliating him.
That evening, an announcement echoed through the academy.
"All F-Rank students must participate in tomorrow's Beginner Dungeon Trial."
Whispers spread.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Many F-Ranks never came back.
Arjun stared at the dark sky outside his dorm window.
Maybe this was destiny.
Maybe this was the end.
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow… he would enter the dungeon.
And everything would change.