Okay, yes, I am now actually excited. Well, I was excited before, but now, finally getting a dedicated [Glyphcaster] class? Getting some sort of mage or even a mage-fighter hybrid class? Moving my [Glyphcasting] Skills out of general, and being able to finally get some new and better— or at least more versatile— Skills to replace them? I could practically squee with delight!

"No, please, don't." Phina says. "I don't think our eardrums can take it."

"Fine, fine," I mutter. "Ooh, looks like our first option is here already."

[Class: [Rainbow Mage]]

[Many mages choose to specialize in a single element or school of magic. In doing so, they learn the intricacies of their chosen school, its strengths and weaknesses, and how to bolster the former while overcoming the latter. But you have learned that the jack of all elements, master of none, is oftentimes better than a master of one.

The [Rainbow Mage] maintains this hybrid focus, maintaining the ability to equip more protective armor and—]

I skip the rest of the class description, pausing only long enough to briefly check through the stat changes before moving on to the more important implications.

[[Strength] +0, [Speed] +1, [Vitality] +0, [Mind] +8, Maximum [Health] +50, Maximum [Ether] +500 when choosing this class. [Mind] +2, 4 Free Stat Points per level.]

I delve into the fine print of the class, and sure enough, System spells, like my [Glyphcasting], are subject to minimum [Mind] requirements and chances of spell failure if one doesn't control their magic properly during the casting process— with potentially disastrous effects for failure, as I know all too well. And wearing heavy armor exacerbates this risk to a not-insignificant extent. This particular mage variant can wear medium armor— breastplates and the like— but is still penalized by full plate.

It is possible to overcome that limitation, but it will require burning a Skill slot on it. Which… considering I'll be planning to move both [Intermediate Glyph Manifestation] and [Glyphcasting] over, is more prohibitive than it sounds. It'll also require me spending a fair bit of time practicing with my spells in order to get the relevant Skills offered to me in the first place. Very frustrating, especially considering all the other things I'm going to have to do in the coming months.

"Still, better that we read the fine print on all of this before we chose our classes," Phina says.

"Oh, absolutely. Just, you know, not sure why I wasn't surprised that the System had some sort of way to screw us over in our moment of triumph!"

"Oh, and let's make sure we check those [Ether] regeneration rates as well."

"Yeah, we definitely haven't forgotten about that. Not after last time."

And it looks like the regeneration rates are all roughly half of what they were when I was looking at my Level 32 classes. Most of my Angel themed classes are at [Mind] x5 to [Mind] x7 per hour regeneration, while [Ethertechnologist] is up to [Ether] x8. Meanwhile, this first class on the mage side is also at [Ether] x8. Even if I choose [Valkyrion] and a half-mage class like this, I'll still be at [Mind] x14, which is a 40% increase from before.

"Next option?" Phina asks.

"Next!" I say.

And another hologram appears, this time featuring me in quite the scandalous getup. As in, revealing enough with both the legs and the cleavage that I don't know if Chloe is going to like or hate that I'd be expected to wear something along these lines. I'm carrying a massive staff with ornate decorations and a long, bladed crystal as its magical effector. My robes— to the extent I'm wearing any— are a mix of white and black, twisting and spinning in on another in a pattern that looks like miniature black holes orbited by massive jets of light.

[Class: [Eclipse Mage]]

[You have mastered the celestial forces of push and pull. You have trained in the arts of [Light] and [Darkness] alike, learning that neither is intrinsically good… or evil. You have come to an understanding of the magic of controlling and manipulating [Gravity], and how it can be used both for creation… and destruction. And your knowledge and desires will send you to the edge of the solar system… and beyond. Choose this class, and further your mastery of celestial magic in both its incarnations.]

[[Strength] -2, [Speed] +0, [Vitality] -2, [Mind] +14, Maximum [Health] -100, Maximum [Ether] +999 when choosing this class.

I wonder if the System is offering me this class specifically for clearing the Eclipse Tower over the past couple of days. The aesthetic is certainly correct, a mix of light and dark that looks positively galactic. And the stats are… nothing to sneer at. I would get a [Mind] x10 regeneration rate just from this class, along with Skills that give me additional power when I'm using either [Light] or [Dark] spells. And I would get some System spells in each element, along with one at level 90 that is [Eclipse] element? Looking more closely, it seems to be a spell that deals both [Light] and [Dark] damage simultaneously.

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Sadly, it doesn't seem to feature an elemental transformation like what Kristil can do. The details do suggest that the upgrade path should eventually allow for such a transformation, but it'd likely be either at the Level 96 tier or maybe Level 128, depending on how thoroughly I commit to following this particular path.

I also would be restricted to mage armor— robes like Chloe's, more or less— unless I wanted to spend a Skill slot to use the type of armor I'm currently using. At least I can still use bucklers and other small shields without penalty. From the hologram, it looks like I can use some sort of staff that resembles Filia's current swordstaff configuration. I will likely need to get some sort of gemstone effector to better channel magical power through my weapon, but that shouldn't be insurmountable. Just more work. So much more work.

"Well, nothing worthwhile is ever easy," Phina says with a smile.

"Kissing Chloe is pretty easy."

Phina rolls her eyes at me. "We both know what I meant."

I grin, only to see Phina shaking her head at me with a smile on her face.

"Anyway, Sera. As much fun as it would be to continue to bicker and match wits with you until the heat death of the universe, I do believe we promised our Chloe that we wouldn't spend all eternity in here. I do think we should move on with our next offering."

"Alright."

I focus on my mage classes, willing the next one to appear before me. Unlike the first two classes, that really lean more into the wizard attire, staves and robes and pointy hats and everything, this class is actually wearing appropriate levels of clothing. As in, armor, and pants. Or at least long skirts. The sort of things I wouldn't feel embarrassed about wearing around town, or in the classroom. And I'm carrying around a book… that I'm somehow using as a weapon?

[Class: [Glyphcasting Scholar]]

Now that's more along the lines of what I'm talking about! The first two classes I've been offered are definitely mage classes, but in the pure mage, with System-generated spellbooks and the limitations thereof placed upon them. This is the first true [Glypcasting] class variant, and my eyes only widen with glee as I begin reading through the description.

[You have pioneered the study of glyphs and their functionality, pushing yourself through challenges large and small, braving danger of all types, all in the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge which most definitely is power in your hands. The [Glyphcasting Scholar] has studied a thousand glyphs and plans to learn ten thousand more, ensuring that she is prepared for any and every situation.

On the battlefield, she seamlessly weaves strands of primordial magic together, countless hours of preparation giving her the skill she needs to create magical effects both great and small. In the classroom, she imparts her wisdom and experience to the next generation, helping them stand upon the shoulders of giants.]

[[Strength] -2, [Speed] +0, [Vitality] +1, [Mind] +9, Maximum [Health] +100, Maximum [Ether] +666 when choosing this class. [Mind] +2, 4 Free Stat Points per level.]

One thing in particular catches my eye. This class actually has a substantial noncombat Experience gain component. I will actually be able to level this class by teaching and conducting [Glyphcasting] research, rather than solely through combat. On the one hand, this is absolutely incredible; I want to be able to teach and get stronger for it. Were there not the whole political upheaval going on, this would be a colossal point in the class's favor. As it stands, however, I'm confident I won't be able to avoid fighting further.

"Well of course not," Phina says, trying to cheer me up. It's hard to remember that she doesn't just wear my face. She is me as much as I am me, and knows everything I'm thinking as I'm thinking it. Then again, the same is true in reverse.

"Right. The whole, 'sent here from another universe to fight against the System' thing we have going. Still, I think this is the best class option we've been given as far as our mage class options are concerned."

"But who knows? Maybe we'll be given something even better."

"Phina, would you do the honors?"

Phina does an elaborate bow, flourishing her arms to the side like a game show hostess, revealing another hologram that depicts a version of us fighting in a suit of armor, wielding a magic sword sheathed in crimson flames. Like the [Rainbow Mage] and in sharp contrast to the [Eclipse Mage] class I've been offered, this one seems to be a hybrid mage-melee class. It hadn't been our original idea to choose a hybrid class, but after learning what I now know about how actual pure-mage classes function and the limited defensive utility they have, I'm worried a half-mage class might actually be my best option.

[Class: [Elementalist Spellblade]]

[The [Elementalist Spellblade] is a practitioner of both magical and close-quarters combat, seamlessly blending together martial prowess with mastery of the arcane arts into a cohesive whole. Not content to cast spells at a distance, you have demonstrated a propensity to take the fight directly to your opponents, attacking them with weapons and blasts of magical energy alike. This class is a direct evolution of that fighting style— sheathing your weapons in different energies to target enemy weaknesses, all without sacrificing the defenses or strengths of a melee combatant.]

[[Strength] +2, [Speed] +2, [Vitality] +0, [Mind] +4, Maximum [Health] +50, Maximum [Ether] +250 when choosing this class. [Strength] +1, [Mind] +1, 4 Free Stat Points per level.]

If [Glyphcasting Scholar] is the class that's going to really play up my ability to employ [Glyphcasting] and serve as a nuke on the field of battle, [Elementalist Spellblade] plays up my [Elemental Ether Strike] to an equally large degree. I would be able to continue to use martial weapons and armor, meaning I wouldn't need to either get Filia reforged or figure out new armor. I would not gain access to a dedicated list of System-granted spells, although I would get some Skills that help me recover [Ether] more quickly.

The problem, to the extent there is a problem, is that there's no real concrete upgrade path from here that I can see. Pure mage classes get stronger spells, [Glyphcasting] involves more intricate patterns that I can Manifest and control, getting the same result through more roundabout methods. But this class… It just, I don't even know how it's supposed to evolve. I guess I get stronger techniques? It seems like a great class for me right now, but I'm concerned it might end up more of an albatross around my neck by the time I reach Level 96 and get another chance to reexamine who I am and where to go from there.

Thankfully, Phina is on the case, presenting me with another option. It's not the one I've really been looking forward to finally revisiting, but damn if it doesn't speak to who I am as a person.

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