Inside the Grand Hall of Jakartha City's Academy, the atmosphere crackled with tension and excitement.
Students packed the enormous chamber, each one holding a freshly awarded certificate the symbol of their success after six months of relentless dedication. Whether they specialized in Alchemy, Blacksmithing, or something else, the results of their hard work now rested in their hands.
DING!
A bell-like chime rang out as the final student stepped down from the stage.
Dozens of eyes glistened with anticipation. Whispers danced like sparks in the air.
"Will the Alchemy Guild pick me?"
"I heard the Blacksmith Guild is offering apprenticeship contracts on the spot!"
"This is it… this is our future."
Representatives from the Capital City's prestigious guilds stood along the stage's edge, their gazes sharp, assessing, cold as forged steel and hot as molten gold. Cloaks bearing the guild insignias fluttered slightly under the wind enchantments Alchemy Guild's green flame sigil, Blacksmith Guild's red hammer, and the Production Hall's emblem of silver gears. They not only hardworking for Otherworlders Continent, they Hardworking for Whole Samsara World. If any hidden Gem they found this newly continent they takes them to Samsara World's renowned areas for Samsara World's development.
The tension built like a forge under full bellows.
Just as students began moving toward the guild lines.
WHOOSH!
The giant crystal orb at the center of the stage flared to life.
FWOOM!
Glowing runes lit up the ceiling as the magic sound transmission device activated once more. A voice deep, calm, and laced with authority echoed across the entire hall, resonating in every chest like a heartbeat.
"Before you take the next step…There is something important you must know."
THUD!
Dozens of footsteps halted in sync. The Grand Hall fell into sudden silence.
CRACK!
A faint magical ripple surged through the orb, casting brief shadows along the walls.
Everyone turned toward the stage, eyes wide, breaths held.
Jack, sitting in his seat with his certificate resting on his lap, narrowed his gaze.
He could feel it. This wasn't just some formal announcement.
Something new coming. Something that would shake this grand hall and students, perhaps even the paths they all thought were set in stone…
And in that moment of calm before the storm
BOOM!
The double doors of the hall slammed open.
A gust of enchanted wind howled in as cloaked figures stepped inside.
A new presence had arrived.
One that didn't belong to any known guild.
Inside the Grand Hall of Jakartha City's Academy, the buzz of excitement had only just begun to settle until the magic sound transmission device lit up once more.
WHOOM!
The crystal orb pulsed with a deep blue glow, and a calm yet commanding voice echoed throughout the hall.
"We, the Academy management of Capital City, have selected top students who demonstrated exceptional talent and performance in their respective Production Class fields… to join a newly formed and highly exclusive program The Elite Class."
The words struck like thunder.
BOOM!
Gasps rang through the chamber. Even the Guild representatives stiffened, glancing at one another with surprise.
"Only the best of the best have been chosen. The Elite Class is a special course designed to train these outstanding students up to the level of a 3-Star Adept Master."
MURMUR…
"The duration is six months. But… if any student completes the training early and reaches the 3-Star mark ahead of schedule, they will graduate immediately. There's no pressure, only potential."
"This program has been crafted by the Higher-Ups and implemented across every Academy in the Otherworlders Continent."
A low hum resonated from the orb as the voice deepened slightly.
"Now listen carefully. If your name is selected, you will have a choice to either remain here and join the Elite Class, or proceed with your original plan to join a Guild or the Production Hall."
THUD!
That line landed heavy on the hearts of many.
The stakes had just changed.
"This is a rare opportunity. At the Academy, Elite Training is provided completely free of charge. But if you choose the Guilds or the Production Hall, unless they offer sponsorship, you'll be investing your own pocket funds."
PAUSE.
Then, a softer tone… almost personal:
"But if you ask me… I recommend staying. The Elite Class provides personal mentorship, access to advanced production tools, private refining chambers, and priority over exclusive materials."
The air grew still.
"Now… I will announce the list of students selected for this Elite Class Program."
The orb glowed brilliantly as tension wound through the hall like a stretched bowstring.
Even the confident expressions of the Guild representatives began to crack. This announcement wasn't in their script.
"If your name is called, report immediately to the Grand Hall Auditorium to receive your Elite Class ID Card and Uniform. If you choose not to participate, you may keep them as a souvenir."
"And one more thing… The Elite Class is equipped with the most advanced training equipment in the entire region. This is no ordinary class."
WHOOSH!
A golden glow shot up from the orb as names began to appear in shimmering light, each echoing loud and clear across the hall.
DING!
"Lyra – Production Class: Alchemy."
DING!
"Doran – Production Class: Blacksmith."
DING!
"Kael – Production Class: Alchemy."
Then…
DING!
"Jack – Production Class: Alchemy & Blacksmith."
CRACK!
A hushed gasp rippled through the crowd.
Even the Guild envoys froze. Eyes widened.
Dual path?
Jack rose from his seat with steady steps. His face remained calm but his presence pulled all attention like a forge's heat.
BANG!
He stepped onto the auditorium platform and accepted a sleek badge and folded uniform.
As his eyes scanned the ID card, a glowing line caught his attention:
Elite Class Member – Dual Path: Alchemy & Blacksmith.
BOOM!
The murmurs exploded into full whispers.
"No way he got selected for both?"
"Didn't they say he just hit peak Novice Master in only six months?"
"Freak… no monster."
Guild reps scribbled notes, others whispered into magical communicators.
Jack, unfazed, turned and walked back with quiet confidence.
More names echoed across the hall but they were few.
Very few.
Only a handful were called from the thousands gathered.
The odds were cruel. The selection, merciless.
1 in 100.
Now, the real question lingered in the air.
Who would stay and join the Elite Class?
Who would chase fortune with the Guilds or Production Hall? And who would be left behind?
But before anyone could act…
BEEP–BEEP–BEEP!
A piercing alarm rang out from every student's waist pouch.
DING! DING! DING!
All Ascendants' Adventure Guild ID Cards lit up in crimson red.
An emergency signal.
A warning.
The kind that only triggered for one thing.
Disaster.
The entire hall froze. Guild reps instinctively reached for their weapons, even though they can't interface parsonally at Otherworlders Continent because of Contract. Teachers activated protection spells.
Something big was coming.
Something no one was prepared for.
--------
So what could be happened?
What Adventure Guild's Emergency Alarm?
What will face Jack and other Ascendants of Jakartha City Native?
Is it Fortune Or Misfortune?
Or Is Opportunity Or Death Sentence?
Stay Tuned!
To Be Continued..!!