Choices

"A-are we obligated to do this?" Alex says, his voice trembling and his gaze unable to maintain eye contact with the red-haired nun.

"..."

Silence. Shit, he asked the forbidden isekai question.

Now's when they blow up a 16-year-old's head in a graphically disturbing scene, showing their true claw—

"Of course not," Lady Evelyn responds with a smile.

"As stated before, we brought you against your will, so we'll take responsibility and support you in this world... As long as you don't do anything against the law, of course." She continues, calming the mood.

Okay, I wasn't expecting that. Seems this world is less barbaric than I imagined—that's great.

"Of course, I believe you haven't yet experienced much of this world's brutal nature because, from what I've discovered, you all came from a very peaceful environment..." She says, walking toward Alex, who visibly shrinks.

Here it comes.

Against my expectations, Evelyn just runs her hand through his hair, as if petting a child, and continues: "But outside the great capital and away from the big, thick walls, guards and laws that protect you, people fight for their lives daily. Wild animals, magical beasts, enemy species, and perhaps the most dangerous—humans," Lady Evelyn conjures a small flame at her fingertip, making it disappear quickly, "can easily end your life. Sometimes because you entered the wrong place, sometimes because you witnessed something you shouldn't have, sometimes for a coin or a piece of bread, or even simply because they wanted to..."

Standing up, Lady Evelyn changes her tone: "Of course, you can stay inside the city forever or hire guards, but having the talent you possess and having the opportunity you're receiving to focus on the area that interests you most, does staying weak still make any sense?" Alex listens, shaking his head in denial, but still says:

"Can't we just go home?"

With this question, the sparkle in the eyes of the quieter, more introspective students at the dinner table was visible—and of course, discontent from those who were enjoying this new lifestyle too.

"Unfortunately, that's impossible," Evelyn says, running her hand through Alex's hair and down to his cheek.

With this response, the second and larger group of students seemed relieved, and the first—those who wanted to go home—seemed to lose hope.

Indeed, people react differently to different stimuli, and this woman seems to handle it surprisingly reasonably.

"Well, I'll let you decide, and in two days, Father Francisco will come collect the papers, or if you don't want to choose anything, your answer." The curvaceous nun says, getting up and leaving the dining room with her procession of priests.

Sound of door closing

"..."

With the nun and her priests' exit, the environment was engulfed in silence, which was gradually filled by the group of students excited about the magical situation.

"Well, things could've been worse," I say, breaking the silence of my group of colleagues.

"You were very brave, Alex. Your questions cleared up a lot of doubts," I continue.

Sorry for not doing anything when I thought you'd lose your head, buddy, but let's try to stay out of dangerous clichés.

"Really, you did well," Joseph agrees, while Dan gives Alex a few pats on the back.

"I also want to receive affection from that nu—" Dan says, smiling, before being interrupted by a slap on the arm from Clara, who looked at him grumpily.

Finally having time, I focus on the paper delivered by the priests.

To the special invocators: Below are the classes that harness your unique affinity for magical particles.

Your ability to sense and manipulate these particles exceeds almost all human natives of this world, granting you exceptional potential regardless of path chosen.

## Wizard (Arcane Scholar)
Masters of magical theory who manipulate particles through academic understanding and precise formulas

Subclasses:
- Elementalist - Specializes in manipulating particles to control elemental forces (fire, water, earth, air, lightning, etc.)
- Mage - Those who study magical principles and seek power through knowledge
- Diviner - Reads the flow of particles across time to glimpse possible futures and hidden truths

## Enhancer (Self-Augmenter)
Physical combatants who infuse their bodies with magical particles for superhuman capabilities

Subclasses:
- Berserker - Channels particles to amplify strength and speed through emotional intensity
- Monk - Precisely controls internal particle flow for perfect balance, speed, and striking power
- Knight - Forms particle barriers for defense while enhancing weapons with magical effects
- Assassin - Uses particles for stealth, heightened senses, and enhanced precision strikes
- Duelist - Manipulates particles for supernatural reflexes and precision in one-on-one combat

## Harmonizer (Support Specialist)
Experts who regulate magical particle flow in themselves and others

Subclasses:
- Healer - Repairs physical damage by guiding particle regeneration in living tissue
- Buffer - Enhances allies' capabilities by optimizing their particle utilization

Note: Your exceptional sensitivity to magical particles means you may discover hybrid approaches or entirely new paths not listed here. Your journey of particle mastery is limited only by your dedication.

Choose with care, invocators. Your particle affinity is your greatest gift in this world.

"This seems like a game..." Helena murmurs, also reading the paper beside me.

Game? Finally someone's recognizing the impracticality of the current situation?

"If a game like this existed, I'd definitely know about it," Dan retorts, dismissing the possibility.

"Yeah, really, what you said doesn't make much sense," Joseph completes, making the others agree.

What the fuck?

Yeah, maybe the world somehow messes with everyone's mind to normalize the situation.

Looking at Helena, I see her frowning while paying attention to the text's content.

"What are you guys gonna do? Will you choose a peaceful life or actually accept this offer?" Clara says, waving the paper.

"I'll definitely choose the Wizard path. If I choose Elementalist, will that nun be the teacher? She seemed to do fire magic," Dan is the first to respond, receiving a disgusted look from Clara.

Joh, the grumpy chubby kid, responds right after: "I'll clearly be a powerful Knight!"

"..."

Silence
Yeah...

Dan, putting his hand on Alex's shoulder, asks excitedly: "Let's follow the Elementalist path?"

"I don't know... I think I won't choose any path," Alex says, lowering his head.

"Hey, stop being a coward, we'll be together!" Dan exclaims, shaking Alex by the shoulders.

At the same time, Helena turns to me, squeezing the hand she was still holding to get my attention while asking: "What do you think?"

"Honestly, I think we should think calmly about everything. We have two days to respond and choose a path we like," I respond, drawing everyone's attention from our group.

"I agree, we need to think calmly," says Joseph, getting up from his chair. "Now, Oliver and Helena, you haven't left the castle yet. Since everyone's already had lunch, shall we take a walk around the city?" Joh, Joseph's faithful follower, gets up right after while still holding a chicken thigh.