Miranda

It was a good day for the city at large. The streets were decorated with banners and flowers; the air was thick with the sweet aroma of baked bread and perfumes. Much of the settlement remained empty—there simply weren't enough people to fill it yet. But the area around the palace where they had all concentrated was abuzz with activity. And unlike the earlier crowd, these people were closer—almost like a family. For they had banded together against overwhelming odds.

Mira too was busy preparing for the big event. As she ran down the street towards a large mansion which was home to her parents, she stopped and greeted no less than thirty people. The electric happiness was simply that contagious. The household staff at the gate bowed to her, even though she wore the same maid uniform they did. The only difference was in the quality of material—hers was more crisp. She served the Mayor of the city after all.

"Greetings, my lady," one of the maids who now served her parents said with a bow.

Mira returned the gesture and hurried inside. Thankfully, no one else stopped her before she reached the master bedroom. There she found her parents getting ready for the ceremony like the rest of the city. The scene was comical though, as the maids were trying to help the older married couple in getting ready.

But her parents were swatting at them like flies.

"I know how to put on my damn pants," her father rebuffed the servant holding his clothes. "I have not gone senile yet."

"Oh dear," her mother chimed in. "What is this torture device? I cannot fit in it and continue to breathe."

"This is the latest fashion trend, ma'am," the maid tried explaining.

Mira couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. It was quite reminiscent of the one where they were trying to get Lord Fenrast ready. It was a societal norm for the upper class to indulge in such luxuries. But for those who were used to a simple life, it was just silly.

All attention snapped to Mira at her mirthful laugh. The reactions were varied as well. Her parents were delighted, while the servants were relieved. Her father nearly pushed the young man out of the way as he ran to her.

"Oh, my child," her father exclaimed. "You must save me. They won't let me wear my traditional garbs. Every Barkley has worn it for generations for such formal occasions."

"Hello, my dear," her mother smiled. She too rushed over to hug her tight.

Mira returned the hug. "They are just doing their jobs Papa."

"Bah, I ain't no stuck up noble," her father was adamant. "Don't need all this…," he waved his hand at the assembled help."

"I am not a stuck up noble," Mira corrected him. Her etiquette classes refused to allow her to overlook such language.

"You too, eh?" her father shook his head in defeat. Then he looked at his daughter's clothes, a complicated look marring his face. Even though he didn't say it, she knew what worried him.

"I am happy where I am, papa," she reassured him with a gentle smile. "Truly. I may be the young miss of this large mansion. But I have not forgotten my roots. Like you taught me."

"Your father doesn't want to dress in all this finery while you're still in your uniform, dear," her mother said gently. But she did clarify further. "He is not upset with you serving Lord Fenrast. We are here today because of him. As is most of the city."

"I know, ma," Mira replied while taking her parent's hands in hers. "Which is why I am here."

Mira looked at the other maids, dismissing them to the side with a gesture. She walked towards the hung clothes, carefully sorting them. She finally picked a simple but elegant set for her parents. It wasn't flashy or uncomfortable. But it suited her parents' style and the current event, while also matching the color scheme with her own uniform.

"You have no idea how hard it was to dress Lord Fenrast," she said fondly while presenting their dresses. "He too hates this show. But certain appearances must be held. Not to display our power, but to show our dignity and respect for each other."

Her parents looked at the dress Mira had chosen, nodding in acceptance.

"He is not like the stuck-up nobles as you put it, papa," Mira winked at her father. "He would much rather attend this ceremony in his muddied and torn armor, than the formal wear we chose. But this event is not just about him or us. It is about showing the world who we are. A city of equals, where a young miss can stand proudly in her maid uniform. Where a common leatherworker can rise above the rest based on merit alone. A commoner standing among nobles; an assigned noble's daughter standing among commoners."

Tears welled up in the couple's eyes as they shared a meaningful look. Her proud father hid his though, grabbing the dress before walking off into a side changing room. The servant attempted to follow, but the nimble man was too fast in bolting the door shut.

Mira laughed and dismissed the other servants too. Instead, she helped her mother get ready. As she stood behind the older woman, carefully brushing her hair, her mother's gaze was fixed on Mira through the mirror. The knowing smile was hard to miss.

"A battle maid, huh?" she asked mischievously.

Mira blushed. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Your father may have forgotten to cast Identify," her mother spoke with a twinkle in her eye. "But I didn't. And I am pretty sure your Class wasn't a mage before."

"I just switched it during the siege," Mira replied uncomfortably. "We needed all the healers we could get."

"What's your new Class?" her mother asked.

Mira hesitated but caved under her mother's unrelenting eye. "Threadweaver Custodian. It lets me stitch up wounds on the fly and is what helped me in saving many lives on the battlefield."

"A combat Class huh?" the smile on her mother widened. "At least it has thread weaver in its name. Your father will be ecstatic that you incorporated your leatherworking into it."

Mira felt happy and proud that her mother was satisfied with her choice. She had generic non-combat Classes before. But after witnessing all she had while serving Lord Fenrast, and seeing the city's dire needs, she couldn't help but volunteer to take up a riskier Class option.

A soft touch on her wrist brought her back to reality.

"I know you are content with where you are," her mother spoke softly. "But I can't help but ask again: is this the path you wish to follow?"

Mira didn't answer immediately. She weighed her words carefully—this time wanting to put her mother's worries to rest for good.

"Yes," she replied with confidence. "Besides, this is the only way for me to follow him." She looked out the window towards the city palace. "He brought us back from the brink of despair. And yet, he demanded nothing in return. Everything he does is beyond the norm. Elevating our family to lead. Allowing the entire city to reroll their Classes for free with no restrictions. Even letting us reap all the XP during the siege."

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Mira still remembered the day she turned eleven. When she walked up to the Class crystal with her naïve hopes and dreams. Only for those dreams to shatter when the officials politely steered her toward non-combat roles. All under the guise of serving the city. But ever since Lord Fenrast took control, everything was turned on its head. Rather than demanding they hide behind the walls while the combat Classers took care of the horde, they were all given a choice. Wealth, power, information. Everything was shared freely.

When her parents were promoted to a leadership position, the only thing she feared was having to leave Lord Fenrast's side. A worry that was put to rest soon after.

"If that is what you wish," her mother gave her blessing. "Just be careful."

"I will," Mira reassured her.

She didn't share her secondary Class though. That would needlessly worry her mother. It was a Class she wasn't even allowed to consider the first time, even though no one had bothered asking her about it. Even now, no one knew about it. Not out of callous disregard, but because they wanted to protect her.

Threadweaver Custodian | Ranged/Magical | Rare | Stats per level: +5 INT, +5 WIL | A support Class that excels at midrange healing and other support type Spells. Gets a boost in regen rates when an ally is injured.

Guardian Angel | Ranged/Magical | Mythic | Stats per level: +9 INT, +9 WIL | A demon's target cannot be saved; an angel's charge cannot be killed. Your presence is the antithesis to pain and suffering, allowing your allies to fight beyond their mortal shell's capabilities.

Mira smiled as she imagined the day when she would reveal her true worth. When she would stand with those who were trying so hard to protect her.

* * *

Aenon

A soft music could be heard from beyond the closed doors as Aenon and others stood in a neat line. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for the big reveal. Aenon stood in the lead of course, with Talia and Nocthrya on either side of him. The others stood in pairs of two behind them. Thalindra and Jenny, Ignar and Velastra, Boff and Toff, Bane and Venge. The four pups stood right behind their parents, and the remaining six wolves closed the line.

They were just waiting for the signal to step forth.

Talia looked nervous, while Nocthrya was bursting with excitement. The two kids barely reached Aenon's waist and were holding his hands.

"It's alright little one," Aenon reassured the girl, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Talia had been uncharacteristically quiet since she came to the city. Even when Borin announced taking her in as an apprentice, her smile didn't reach her ears. And Aenon could sense why. He knelt beside her, putting his hand on her head.

"You did nothing wrong, Talia," he said softly. "You are free to run and explore wherever you wish. It's my mistake for having failed to protect you. It will not happen again. I will make sure of that."

"You are not upset?" she asked timidly.

"No," Aenon replied with a smile. "Now cheer up, princess. The whole city is waiting to see your smile."

That finally put her mind at ease, as a cute smile bloomed on her face. Aenon gently stroked her head before taking his earlier position.

"You too, Noct," Aenon said with a wink. "Walk straight, and protect her like you always do."

He pushed the two kids forward, making them stand ahead of him. Talia grabbed the boy's hand, who gripped it firmly. Aenon could feel the protective energy radiating off Nocthrya. He placed a hand on Talia's head, growing a crown of vines and flowers. The gesture delighted the girl, making her forget the nervousness.

"It's time," Thalindra announced, making everyone stand straighter.

As the door creaked open, a flurry of petals fell from above. Nocthrya and Talia were the first ones to step forth, a loud cheer echoing the grounds. And as each member strode forward, the noise only went higher. The regal march was directed along a path made by soldiers on either side, their weapons held high in silent salute.

At some point, Henry and Mira joined them as well, flanking Aenon from the sides. Aenon was quite impressed with Mira's body language, for it mirrored Henry's stoic stance. The rain of flowers didn't abate even after the procession walked onto the stage.

Borin, Mira's parents, and the other newly appointed city leaders were already present on the platform, along with Mrs. Ashvein, who stood to the side with a proud smile. Despite all the décor, her eyes were glued to her granddaughter as she led the march. But she did look at Aenon for a moment. Aenon responded with a respectful nod.

Aenon's suspicions that there was more to his teacher were all but confirmed. But he didn't wish to pry the subject unless she decided to do it herself. He knew a thing or two about buried pain.

The music reached a crescendo once everyone was in position on stage. The air smelled of soothing incense and flowers, while a cool breeze kept the temperature at an optimal level. The applause went on for another minute and only dialed down once Henry stepped forward.

Aenon saw the City Admin's eyes scour the crowd, an indescribable feeling rising in the man's soul. They had prepared a script of course, but Henry must have decided against it at the last second.

"Most of you are from Earth," he began, his voice loud and clear. "Which is why those of us who aren't, can tell you that this is a strange day. Evolution ceremonies like these are common fare throughout the Multiverse, even small families with any modicum of success will throw a feast to recognize the incredible achievement. But what's different today is the people gathered here."

Henry turned to the stage, his eyes watching every person one by one. He turned back to the crowd.

"In all my years serving noble households, I've never attended a gathering where I couldn't distinguish between a commoner and nobility; between a combat Classer versus the non-combatants. I see no barricade dividing us, no line to separate one group from the others. All I see before me are a people who have bled together."

The statement washed over the stunned crowd as they looked around them. In all their excitement they had completely missed the absence of city guards, corralling them into sections based on their standing in society. There were no elites, no rich men, and no adventurers.

A deliberate choice on Aenon's part. When Henry had asked for his input on the seating, he had only given one instruction. "Let the crowd flow naturally."

And looking at the outcome, Aenon was genuinely pleased. Unlike the first time he stood on this stage, he didn't see three distinct groups.

"And I must say," Henry added. "It's one hell of a scene."

The sudden expletive from the usually formal man shocked several people, especially Mira who stared at her mentor with wide eyes. The City Admin stepped back with a bow, his little speech concluded.

Borin took center stage next. "Step forward lassie," he called out Jenny first.

The confusion was apparent on her face as again this was unscripted. Thalindra looked at Aenon with a questioning look, as she too must have realized that this was his doing.

Jenny stepped up, unsure what this was about. The mystery deepened as Aenon walked and joined Borin. Aenon could feel the cluelessness in her soul.

"Of all my companions, I've known you the longest," Aenon began. "And your growth has been nothing but miraculous. Which is why me and Venge wanted to give you something special."

The four wolf pups trotted forward before sitting proudly behind Jenny. Their jet-black fur had begun to dull, taking on a lighter sheen of blue.

"Wolves are pack creatures, their loyalty absolute," Aenon explained. "Winning their trust is a feat unlike any other. My pack chose me because they found a kindred soul in me. But you are different. You earned the right to be called a pack-sister not because you were born for it. But because you grew into it."

Jenny's eyes widened as she finally realized what this was about. Her open jaw only showed her surprise.

"When I left you to train with Venge," Aenon carried on, his voice booming throughout the courtyard. "I was merely trying to give you the resources to stand on your own feet. But you went above and beyond. Venge now considers you a part of her litter. And so do the pups. Which is why it's only right that you be given the appropriate role. Jenny, meet your pack. Pups, meet your new Alpha."

The stunned silence lingered for a moment before the crowd erupted. The pups stepped up and bowed before Jenny. The ice warrior though was too stunned to speak, her eyes shifting between the submissive wolves, and Aenon. Looking at her paralyzed in disbelief, Venge came forward and gently licked her face.

"Go ahead, my daughter," she spoke tenderly. "Make us proud."

Bane stood aloofly to the side, simply watching everything silently. Aenon knew the guy wasn't big on showing emotions, even if he was damn proud of the turn of events.

Jenny shook her head, breaking out of her reverie. She approached one of the pups, the female one she was closest to.

"Name her," Aenon sent a private message to Jenny. "You'll be surprised at the outcome."

"I will call you…," Jenny said softly. "Luna."

An arctic chill descended on the world, as once again the world froze in time. Only this time, Aenon noticed the barrier sealing them off from the outside. He said a mental thank you to the System Nurse, who simply harrumphed in response.

As the world resumed, emergency barriers had to be set up as the cold got too much to bear. Velastra had to personally heat the area to prevent them from freezing over.

A clear white dome had enveloped Jenny and the pups, sealing them from outside observations. Even Aenon's Soul Sense couldn't see what was happening inside.

Borin was proudly stroking his beard. He conversed with Aenon privately. "You did good lad. Raising this poor kitten into a proud wolf, bahahaha, never seen the likes of it."

Aenon merely smiled, waiting in anticipation like the rest. It took ten minutes for the snow globe to dissipate, revealing an incredible sight.

Four snow white wolves surrounded Jenny. The biggest of the bunch stepped forward.

"I greet the Alpha," Luna spoke in a female voice for the first time.

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