The grand auditorium of Glohstead Second Senior High shimmered with ceremonial banners and glimmering mana-crystals suspended like stars above the stage. Hundreds of students filled the tiers in neat uniforms, their excitement and anxiety rising like steam. Today was the day that would determine the trajectory of their lives — the long-anticipated Awakening Ceremony.

  At the center podium stood the school principal, Lord Elvareth Astaveron, a towering figure draped in embroidered robes marked with the golden crest of his noble house. The Astaverons were one of the founding families of Glohstead, and his presence lent a weight of gravitas few could match.

  "Today," Principal Astaveron began, his voice commanding and regal, "you stand on the precipice of destiny. Each of you shall awaken your css — a role shaped by your soul, your lineage, and your essence. This path will define how you serve this world. Remember, there is no shame in any css, only in what you fail to become within it."

  He paused, letting his words echo. His speech was short, but concise, winning the praise of many students.

  "Let the Awakening begin."

  One by one, students were called forth to stand on the Awakening Glyph etched into the stage floor. Light spiraled upward in radiant waves as names were announced and destinies revealed. Some were Warriors, others Mages or Clerics. Cheers erupted for those who received rare or prestigious csses.

  Then came a hush as the next name was called.

  "Nevis Caelora."

  She stepped forward, small among the other students, her soft white hair tied in a low ponytail, her eyes solemn and calm. Though she was mute, she walked with purpose. In her right hand, she carried a sleek, glove-like device wrapped around her forearm — her voice synthesizer. One-handed and discrete, it was her bridge to the world, a marvel of precise input and articution.

  As Nevis stepped onto the glyph, a pale-blue light pulsed outward, different from the others. The sigils spun faster, forming a snowfke pattern. Underneath the pattern, figures of countless creatures emerged and faded before finally settling into a figure that exuded a cold and wild disposition.

  Gasps echoed across the auditorium. As many already figured out what css the girl had awakened. The next decration served to prove their guess.

  "Monster Tamer," the school’s identification crystal finally decred.

  Some students tittered with pity. Others groaned in envy. Monster Tamers were a controversial css — powerful with enough resources, useless without. Most commoners feared it. The rich coveted it.

  Suddenly, a beam of light shot from the glyph to the ceiling, and a glowing silhouette descended. A creature formed from frost and mist — a young Wramoth, a juvenile of a rare and ancient beast species. It nded beside Nevis with a low, soft trumpeting noise.

  The Wramoth stood taller than she did, roughly the size of a compact car. Its white fur was plush like snow-covered velvet, its tusks elegant and carved with intricate runes, ice clinging to their curves. Its eyes — a gcial blue — regarded Nevis with immediate recognition.

  She knelt and pressed a hand to its fur. It was warm, unlike what she learned from the textbooks that said that Wramoths have a cold and icy fur. Her fingers trembled slightly, taking in the meaning of her new css and the beast beside her.

  Hello, she typed swiftly, and her tool projected a soft, synthetic voice: “Hello.” The contract between them has not been established, so she can't transmit her thoughts to her partner yet. So, Nevis used her voice synthesizer to communicate with it. It hummed lightly, its eyes narrowing slightly, it extended its trunk and caressed her hand lightly.

  Following the knowledge that was injected into her head, she lifted her hands in front of her. She started forming hand signs, albeit slow due to unfamiliarity, obscure chanting came out of her mouth as a magic circle emerged from undeneath the Wramoth. Nevis can feel her mana depleting with every chant and hand sign, she only stopped once the magic circle has completely enveloped the Wramoth.

  The Wramoth chirped and nuzzled her, responding to the contract presented to it. It agreed, a pale-blue light shone on its body, as both felt a connection with each other. Inadvertently locking eyes, words flowed through their bond, a single gnce, a conversation without any articution. Nevis led her partner down the stage and onto her css, the eyes of other students followed her figure.

  Whispers moved like waves among the student body. A commoner girl with a high-maintenance css. An orphan with no family support. Her future — either miraculous or doomed.

  Jeanne Lamorac watched from her seat, arms crossed over her crisp uniform. Her eyes gmouring with interest as she watched the figure stepped down from the stage. She didn't know why, even though they're both loners, something about that person just seemed to pull her in.

  Her name was called shortly after. Standing up, she walked with light steps onto the stage, the students locked onto her figure. Coming from a somewhat prestigious family, many were curious about what css she would awaken. She stood on the glyph and light surged upward — golden gears turning in the air like celestial clockwork. The voice boomed:

  "Mechanic."

  Students cpped, not surprised at her awakened css. After all, she hailed from a family renowned for their mechanics in Glohstead city. A solid forty percent of the technological products and advancements inside the city are from their family.

  Jeanne raised her chin, bathing in the envious gaze of the students around her. Mechanics were known for intelligence, invention, and incredible versatility — a strong, flexible css. Still, she felt that something was missing from all this glory.

  Her gaze flicked back to Nevis, who now stood at the side with her Wramoth, silent and still. Jeanne’s eyes narrowed. That girl… something about her was quietly commanding. Distant, but not cold.

  After the ceremony ended, students poured out into the campus pza, buzzing with excitement, fear, and fledgling pns. Nevis lingered at the edge of the crowd, stroking the Wramoth’s neck as it purred like a rumbling gcier. A few students stared at her but quickly moved on.

  Then, a shadow appeared beside her.

  Jeanne.

  “Hey,” she said.

  Nevis looked at her with a calm, curious gnce.

  “I’m Jeanne. From 3-A.”

  Nevis nodded. Her fingers began moving over her device.

  “Hello,” the voice said. Then: “What?”

  “I saw your Awakening,” Jeanne continued. “That’s… a rare Wramoth. And you looked calm. Most people would be crying or fainting. Or worse.”

  Nevis tilted her head, eyes staring into Jeanne, trying to figure out what she was getting at. “I’m used to surviving.”

  Jeanne smiled faintly, her cheeks slightly pink from the stare. “I like that.” She paused, eyeing the icy creature beside Nevis. “I know what kind of maintenance your css needs. You’re gonna struggle alone.”

  There was no pity in her tone, she knew that the other didn't like that tone. Nevis didn’t flinch, her eyes still staring at Jeanne, waiting.

  “That’s why I want to talk to you.” Jeanne said, her hand tugging at the back of her blouser. “Privately. There’s a café near South Wing. I already reserved a room.”

  Nevis’s fingers danced. “Why?” Her replies, short and concise, still staring hard into the other's eyes. Like she wanted to peek into her soul.

  Jeanne gnced away, a hint of pink in her cheeks. “Because I want to offer something. And because I think you might be the only person I’d like to work with.”

  Nevis looked at her for a long, measured moment. Contempting the offer, it's tempting, but, she had already made it here just by herself. She wanted to try, even if she knew that it's nigh impossible for a commoner, not until she got a stable job at least. But, that would take years, she still had half a year of senior high and four years of college ahead of her. Even if it's hard, she's not willing to throw her shot just like this.

  She shook her head, typed: "I refuse. I'm giving it a try first."

  The Wramoth snorted approvingly, before carefully nuzzling against Nevis. Causing the tter to rubbed its head with a soft smile.

  "I... See." Jeanne took a deep breath, turned around and said. "Think more about it, I'm always avaible at 'Daily Cup Cafe' at 4:00-5:00 PM. Just have the staff notify me."

  After that she walked away, her steps stiff, and her shoulder shaking from time to time. Nevis tilted her head, wondering why she was crying, it was just a simple rejection. Tossing the matter into the back of her head, She walked to the locker room where her luggage was stored. A medium backpack containing her books and a violin bag. Slugging the backpack over her shoulders and the violin bag in her left hand, she set off for the library, she had some books she wanted to browse.

  Arriving there, the librarian was already outside, ready to close the library. Quick, Nevis typed: "Wait ma'am Isolde!"

  The librarian stopped and turned to see Nevis running towards her. She smiled and waited for the girl, her eyes gently nding on the tter's running figure. Ma'am Isolde waited for a moment for Nevis to catch her breath before asking.

  "Why are you heading here so te, Nevis? Shouldn't you be heading to work now?"

  "There's a few books I want to borrow, Ma'am Isolde." Nevis typed, then showed the time on her phone [4:45]. "There's still fifteen minutes left before closing time."

  Ma'am Isolde nodded and pushed open the door once again, entering first, she turned on the lights. Revealing the vast library with rows of bookshelf that never seemed to end. Ma'am Isolde took a step and disappeared, to only appear a moment ter with some books in her hands.

  "These should be the books you are looking for, assuming it's reted to your css and the young fel following you."

  Nevis received the books and reviewed the titles on them. 'Monster Tamer 101' , 'Biology, Habits, Characteristics of a Wramoth' , 'The Basics And Principles of Ice Magic' , 'Basics Of Monster Food Preparation' , 'Basic Magic Ingredients Ats'.

  "I also need books for rider's license examination," Nevis typed.

  Repeating the same trick as before, Ma'am Isolde appeared again with two more books on her hand. Handing it to Nevis, she appeared behind the desk, quickly registering the borrowed books onto Nevis' name. Then she quickly cleaned again and moved out of the library with Nevis, before completely locking the library.

  "You know the rules, return the books within one month of borrowing." After she reminded, she disappeared quickly.

  Nevis was left there staring bnkly at the ground where Ma'am Isolde stood at. Well, it looks like someone is eager to sign off at work. Ignoring it, she turned to the books in her hand, before setting them on the ground. Opening her back pack, she pced as much as she can inside the backpack, ultimately fitting three more inside. Good thing that she always prepare for a situation like this, taking out an ecobag from a pocket, she pced the remaining books inside it.

  When she was done, she looked up and saw the Wramoth staring at her. its eyes closely observing every movement she makes. Though, it would be rude to keep calling it 'Wramoth' when that is its species name. Heck, Nevis didn't even knew if it was a girl or a boy.

  Sensing her thoughts, the Wramoth sent out a thought prociming that it was a she.

  'A girl eh? Quite a big and good girl you are then.' Nevis thought, while rubbing her furry head. That was when she caught sight of her tusks, she wondered and asked her.

  'Can I put my bags on your tusk?'

  The girl nodded and took the initiative to retrieve the Ice energy lingering on her tusks, so that the bags can be hung safely. Nevis smiled and hung the bags on the tusks, one on each tusk. Now she's only left with the violin bag in her hands.

  'Now that all school matters had been handled, it's time to go to work.'

  Xenodia