Chương 10: FIRST LESSON

Han Sora tapped her tablet once, and a holographic roster flickered above the desk.

"There are fifty-three of you in this course," she announced.

"That's a good number. Enough diversity for competition… and enough room for failure." A ripple of discomfort moved through the class. Jimin felt it too. Han Sora clasped her hands behind her back.

"Let me be blunt. Not all of you will walk the same path after these three months." She stepped forward, her heels clicking lightly against the floor.

"Some of you will excel in the Unified Academy Entrance Exam and enter prestigious Rifter academies. Those students will receive the best resources, structured combat training and if lucky, guild sponsorship opportunities." Several students straightened proudly. Others looked down.

"Some of you," she continued, "will not enter any academy. Instead, you'll become independent Rifters. You'll grind, raid small rifts, scrape by with low-tier loot, and hope you don't stumble into an outbreak." A few students shifted uncomfortably.

"While some… will take paths that break expectations. Support roles, research departments, mana-engineering institutes, guild logistics, Rift-law enforcement, and even monster-ecology branches under the Association." Jimin blinked.

"Monster ecology? That's a thing?" Han Sora continued, "And a handful will choose civilian life. Perfectly acceptable. Humanity doesn't run on Rifters alone." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully.

"But regardless of your future paths," she said, "These three months will determine whether you survive long enough to see through that choice." Silence settled like a heavy blanket. Then she clapped once.

"So… Let's begin." She tapped the board, and the topic appeared: Basic Fundamental Theory Han Sora paced slowly, speaking with the ease of someone who had repeated these lessons hundreds of times.

"Let's start with what all of you should already know. Spatial Rifts. Dimensional tears. They appear randomly across the world, sometimes right in the middle of cities. You have seven days before a Rift overflows and monsters spill out." She raised a finger.

"Question. Why seven days?" Students exchanged uncertain looks. Jimin didn't know either. He only understood the consequences. Han Sora smiled faintly.

"Because Rift barriers are like bubbles. Stable for a short duration… then fragile as glass once unstable. After seven days, the barrier collapses. No exceptions." She tapped the board, switching the slide.

"Rifts are ranked from F to S based on mana density. F is the weakest, and S is the strongest. Most rifts are one-time rifts. You clear them, they disappear within two hours." She showed a simple diagram of a Rift structure.

"This is why Rifters must leave quickly. One-time Rifts destabilize after clearing." Jimin nodded. He remembered Min Kang-eun mentioning this before.

"Now," Han Sora continued, "compare that to 'Field Rifts'; rare, persistent rifts that reset after being cleared. These are assets used for training, resource farming, and guild operations. Low-rank ones are managed by the National Rifter Associations. Others; by top guilds, prestigious families & academies." She folded her arms.

"Field rifts are safe only because they have been cleared before. But don't let that fool you. Their monsters reset and are still challenging for Rifters." Students murmured. Han Sora shifted to the next topic: Rifter Ranks & Survival Guidelines"The Association sets strict rules. E-rank Rifters; most of you will start here; may solo attempt F and E-rank rifts. But you must join parties for D-rank, but not higher." Her gaze sharpened.

"Attempting above your limit without clearance? Criminal offense." This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Jimin absorbed every word.

"So even after I get that license, I won't be fighting anything above D without permission. That's… reasonable. Though…. frustrating."

"D-ranks can attempt E to C. C-ranks can attempt C to B. B-ranks may attempt A-rifts in proper parties. A-ranks can challenge low S." She paused.

"S-ranks are reserved for national emergency-level crisis. But they can still participate in clearing A-Rank Rifts." The room tensed at that. Next slide. Role of Rifters & Guilds"Guilds are private organizations led by Manaborn elites. Their operations include raiding rifts, collecting rare resources, monster materials and gear production." She glanced at the class.

"Some of you already dream of joining big guilds. Understand something; guilds don't care about potential. They want results." Her tone turned dry.

"Dream carefully." Jimin felt a small sting at that.

"So even with Skillmaster… to them, I'll look useless until I show results." Next slide. Rifter 'Classes'"There are no system-assigned classes," Han Sora said firmly.

"It depends on fighting-styles." She went down the list smoothly.

"Warrior-types: close-range specialists. Mage-types: mana manipulators. Summoners: who control beasts or constructs. Ranger-types: long-range experts. Assassin-types: stealthy and fast. Support-types: healers, buffers, debuffers. Hybrids… complicated but flexible. And finally, Special-types." Her gaze lingered on the class, almost knowingly.

"Special-types are rare. Special type of skill-users. Hard to categorize." Jimin kept his face neutral. Next slide. Skills & Leveling"Skills can be learned naturally through experience, through artifacts and manuals, or through unique means depending on the individual," she said.

"You increase skill-levels through usage, training and killing monster, " Her tone softened slightly.

"Skills grow with you. But some grow only when pushed to their limits. Keep that in mind." Jimin's chest tightened. That sounds… way too on point. Han Sora continued teaching; covering monster classifications, the basic ecology of rift creatures, Horde Theory, the importance of mana control, and surviving early rift encounters. Time flowed without Jimin noticing. He was fully absorbed, taking notes rapidly. Finally- DING–DONG!! The bell rang. Students sighed collectively; some relieved, some wishing for more.

Han Sora tapped her tablet.

"Your next class is combat training. Good luck with that" Mixed reactions filled the room instantly.

"Combat class? Already?"

"I'm not ready!"

"This is going to be fun."

"I hope the instructor isn't strict…" Han Sora gathered her things.

"You have ten minutes. Training hall is at the east wing. Dismissed." She walked out with the same composed stride she entered with. As soon as she was gone, the classroom erupted. Yuna stretched her arms.

"That was… a lot." Jimin nodded.

"Yeah. But that was kinda interesting."

"What do you think combat class will be like?" she asked.

"Probably testing or basic stances. Maybe evaluating our awakenings." Yuna hummed.

"I hope he's not too strict. I heard some combat instructors literally throw students around." Jimin blinked.

"That's allowed?"

"Guess what…" she said with a grin. Students started leaving the classroom, buzzing with nervous energy and competitive excitement. Jimin and Yuna stood up, gathering their things.

"Let's go early," Jimin suggested.

"Better to pick a good spot."

"Agreed." They walked toward the hallway; unaware that someone leaned against the far wall, arms crossed. Kang Dae-ho. His lips curled into a slow, mischievous grin.

"So that's where you are, Jimin," he muttered.

"Let's see how long you last." His eyes followed them as they walked away.

The training hall was nearly twice the size of the classroom, with reinforced flooring, safety wards, and equipment racks along the walls. Students were already gathering, forming small groups. Yuna and Jimin found a spot near the middle.

"Crowded," Yuna said, glancing around.

"Everyone looks nervous." Jimin scanned the hall. Students compared ranks, showed off minor skills, practiced moves they clearly didn't know how to perform properly. He felt no urge to do any of that. It was the first day. But he had already seen a few students being ostracized and even bullied. The reason; their rank was E-1 or they were simply poor, rootless with no background. Jimin wasn't the only E-1 rank here. There were always some E-1 ranks, after every awakening ceremony.

But why were they treated like that? The answer was simple. It's human nature to feel superior by suppressing the weak. Everyone here was considered weak compared to the real world outside. And they knew that themselves. That's why they dumped their insecurities on the E-1 ranks; who were the weakest; the bottom of the food chain. To get validation; to feel strong. Being poor was another issue.

As this society was rotten to the core; driven by money, power, politics of the rich, prestigious families, guilds and organizations. Full of classists and racists. Jimin got special treatment, because he was someone who checked all the boxes; who was even considered to have no skills on top of that. He knew where he stood. He was weak. Physically at least. Rank-wise definitely. But he had Skillmaster.

"Hey." A voice cut through the noise. Jimin turned; and felt a familiar irritation flash through him. Kang Dae-ho stood behind him, wearing a smug, sharp grin.

"So," Dae-ho said, cracking his fingers, "ready to get your ass handed to you in combat class, trash?" His eyes gleamed with mockery and challenge. Jimin met his gaze silently. Tch... Of course. This bastard again.