Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Awakening the Class (2)

She smiled again and raised one finger

”The first is through our Class Encyclopedia Program. The Guild will provide an Awakening Stone at no cost to you... but in exchange, your class will be publicly recorded, and the Guild retains the right to document all details of your awakening and class progression.”

Seeing the wary look on Jake’s face, she continued smoothly,

”This is a program officially approved by Great Island Lord, Duke William himself and it’s a joint effort supported by many merchant guilds. The goal is to record the progress of humanity’s classes and awakenings for the greater good.”

Jake nodded slowly as he heard this.

Sure, there might be some hidden intentions behind it, but since it only recorded his class details, it didn’t seem that bad.

’Most common people probably go this route anyway,’ he thought.

He was seriously considering it himself as he didn’t want to waste three gold coins, and who knew when he’d even earn that much?

If he stayed classless much longer, he might not even find decent work to survive on.

But then the woman smiled again and lifted her second finger.

This time her voice softened noticeably.

”The second free option is to enter a... contract with the Guild. In exchange, we will provide you with a high-grade Awakening Stone.”

Jake stared at her. ’...So this is their real intention, huh.’

There was no such thing as a truly free lunch in this world... especially not when the item in question cost a thousand gold coins.

He wouldn’t even be surprised if signing that contract meant the Guild ended up owning half his life.

Still, curiosity got the better of him.

”What kind of contract would that be?” he asked.

The woman’s smile didn’t waver. ”That would be confidential. But in essence, it means you would have to work for the Guild for a few years.”

Jake clicked his tongue. ’Figured.’

No way he was walking into that trap.

He’ had to take the first option as he wanted to awaken his class as soon as possible, and not get tangled in some shady long-term deal.

He looked at the woman. ”Then I choose the first free option.”

She studied him for a brief moment.

Her smile deepened ever so slightly, but she didn’t seem particularly surprised.

Most people in his position made the same choice.

”A wise and... practical decision,” she said. ”Please follow me.”

She stood and led him to a smaller, private room at the back.

Jake sat down across from her.

In front of him, she was already holding a small, ornate box.

She set it down gently on the table between them.

Click.

The lid opened.

Inside, resting on a cushion of deep blue velvet, lay a stone the size of a small egg.

Its surface shimmered faintly, as if something inside was breathing and pulsing with a dim, silvery light.

Jake stared at it with open curiosity. ”...So this is an Awakening Stone.”

”Mm.” The woman nodded. ”A special standard-grade stone provided under the Class Encyclopedia Program. Unlike ordinary ones, it will display the details of your awakened class for all to see.”

She paused, then added calmly, ”Before we proceed, I must inform you of the terms again.”

Jake crossed his arms lightly and nodded. ”Go ahead.”

”Once you use this stone, your class will be recorded by the Guild,” she explained. ”Basic information only.... class name, classification and initial evaluation. But your personal details remain confidential.”

Jake nodded again.

That much he’d already expected and doesn’t seem that bad.

”There is no fee,” she continued. ”However, the Guild reserves the right to reference your data for internal records and... broader statistical purposes.”

When he heard all those fancy words,

’... So it’s basically for research,’ Jake thought inwardly.

But since it didn’t seem to harm him directly, he just nodded again.

”Fine by me.”

He wasn’t naïve and there was definitely more going on behind the scenes.

But right now, he needed power more than he needed to avoid every possible shadow that he couldn’t see.

The woman inclined her head slightly. ”Then we may proceed.”

She slid the box a little closer to him.

”Place your hand on the stone,” she instructed. ”Then focus your mind. Do not resist whatever you feel.”

Jake stared at the stone for a long moment.

Up close, the faint glow seemed... deeper.

Almost like staring into fog with no end.

His heartbeat slowed... then picked up again.

’This is it...’

The moment that would decide whether he remained a nobody... or became someone who could actually survive.

Jake exhaled slowly and placed his hand on the stone.

The instant his skin made contact.... something shifted.

A sharp chill shot up his arm, followed by a strange warmth spreading through his chest.

It wasn’t painful... but it wasn’t comfortable either.

It felt like something was searching inside him.

Jake’s fingers twitched.

”...Relax,” the woman’s voice came, softer this time. ”Let it guide you.”

Hearing her, Jake forced himself to calm down.

He loosened his thoughts, allowing whatever that strange energy was to flow freely through his body.

After a moments passed.

Then—

The stone began to glow.

Faint at first... then brighter... and brighter...

Until the light finally stabilized into a steady, clear radiance.

Jake remained silent as he slowly pulled his hand away.

By then, the woman had already taken out a pen and a scroll.

She leaned forward slightly, eyes scanning the details now displayed on the stone’s surface.

”Oh?” she murmured,

”A Warrior Class? Hmm... not bad.”

She began writing it down, her expression returning to professional calm... but her tone carried a trace of disappointment.

”Warriors are straightforward, reliable, and well-balanced. It’s one of the most stable classes for many people.”

She glanced up at him briefly with a small smile.

”You won’t have a hard time finding work with this.”