【Gravekeeper】

“W-What... what do you want to do?!”

The youth shrank back against the wall, clutching his chest and staring at Erich warily.

Seriously, brother, why are you acting so girly? Erich stared at the youth beside him in bewilderment. This made him look like some kind of creepy uncle cornering a young boy. No, no, no, Erich was absolutely straight, and he had no intention of doing anything to this guy. His target was the book.

The train chugged to life, and Ash City slowly receded outside the window. Erich continued in a tone he thought was imposing but actually looked like a common thug to onlookers: “The train has started. You can't run even if you want to. If you don't want any trouble, hand it over and let me have a look.”

The youth was on the verge of tears. She usually enjoyed reading coercion-themed doujinshi, but she never expected it to actually happen to her. Dammit, she had already changed her appearance, and she carried the heavy responsibility of reforming the sect. To think her grand adventure hadn't even started, yet she was about to lose her innocence to this strange guy!

The youth—or rather, the girl—put her bag down, closed her eyes, and began to unbutton her clothes. Her voice was filled with immense grievance. “I'll let you look. Just don't tell anyone about 《On Reincarnation》.”

Then, her hand was grabbed by Erich, stopping her in her tracks. She opened her eyes in confusion, only to see Erich with a face full of dark lines.

“Are you out of your mind? I want to read the book, not look at you! I'm not interested in guys!”

“Oh, oh, oh.” The girl quickly pulled her clothes back up, her face burning red. She warily scanned the carriage, then sheepishly slipped the book into a leather cover and handed it to Erich, reluctant to let go for a long moment.

Erich didn't feel like wrestling with her. Using his physical strength, he firmly pulled it away. Ignoring her pitiful gaze, he flipped the book open and began to read.

Class. A promotion path controlled by the major sects, independent of the path of mana. Just like a mage's rating, it was divided into nine ranks. In the game, once one's spirit—meaning their total mana pool—reached a certain level, they could obtain a Class from a corresponding deity by performing a specific feat. Classes provided by different deities were mutually exclusive; once you chose a path, you had to walk it to the end.

The first rank of the Class provided by the Lord of Death was called 【Gravekeeper】. One only needed to fully read a book about death to change classes. In the game, this was represented by using a class change book, and then you would become a Gravekeeper. It was incredibly simple.

But now, it seemed it wasn't that simple.

The carriage wasn't very noisy. After all, there were no young children, and everyone made sure not to disturb others. It had been a long time since Erich had read a physical book so seriously. This copy of 《On Reincarnation》, written by the Silent Order's second-generation Grand Priest, Cassian the Silent, detailed the entire journey of a soul from birth to returning to the embrace of the Lord of Death. It was quite fascinating.

Erich spent a day and a night reading the book. His day of intense study made Irene—the delicate youth sitting next to him—see him in a whole new light. The two gradually became acquainted, and she would often explain parts he didn't understand.

On the morning of the second day, the train arrived at its first stop: Frostfire City, the city where the main residence of the Edmond family was located. It was from here that Erich had been exiled to the northern wasteland.

Returning to his former home, Erich didn't feel much. He merely opened his status panel with anticipation.

【Name: Erich】

【Level: 30】

【Experience: 3100/3800】

【Attributes: Strength: 72; Constitution: 26; Spirit: 43; Will: 24; Charm: 12】

【Free Attribute Points: 4】

【Class: None】

【Skill List: 【Vertical Slash Lv.10】【Shell Lv.1】】

After killing the Pearl Mother, he had leveled up twice, and his attributes had increased slightly. However, the most important field, Class, was still empty.

Irene, sitting next to him, couldn't see the status panel. But seeing Erich's constipated expression, she asked, “What's wrong, Erich? Are you okay?”

Erich had told her his real name. Since he heard Irene was also heading to the academy, there was no point in using a fake name. Even after finding out Erich was the profligate son exiled from the Edmond family, Irene's attitude toward him didn't change much, which surprised Erich a little.

Erich thought for a moment and asked, “Why am I still not a Gravekeeper even after finishing 《On Reincarnation》?”

Irene wasn't particularly shocked by how much he knew about the Silent Order. She simply said, “Who told you that reading a book makes you a Gravekeeper? You have to pray to the Lord of Death with devout faith. Only then will our Lord bestow divine grace and elevate a devout person into a Gravekeeper.”

“Really? I'm well-read, so don't lie to me.”

Devout faith? Erich hadn't even seen a statue of the Lord of Death. Combining this life and his previous one, the only ritual he had performed related to death was probably digging a grave for Isa. Did that count as devout? He didn't think so.

Seeing Erich's bewildered face, Irene couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

Erich instinctively nudged himself further away. This guy's gestures were way too girly; he was starting to feel a bit creeped out. But Irene didn't seem to notice Erich's wariness and instead gestured for him to lean in.

Erich hesitated for a moment but leaned his ear closer anyway.

Irene lowered her voice, her warm breath brushing against his ear. “You need to watch over a graveyard of a certain size for one night. Personally clean every single tombstone, and memorize the names and birth and death years of at least ten of the deceased. At dawn, if you can feel that they are still there... then you will awaken.”

After listening, Erich thanked her solemnly and immediately pulled away.

“Brother, I really do like girls.”

Irene laughed again. “What kind of person do you think I am!”

Erich pulled away even further.

On the platform of Frostfire City, people were loading cargo. Irene fished out two pieces of dry bread from her bag and handed one to Erich. Erich took it and took a bite, nearly chipping his teeth.

“Are you going to the academy alone?” Erich asked, chewing the bread.

“Yeah.” Irene broke the bread into small pieces and ate them in tiny bites. “There's no one left in my family, so I have to find my own way.”

Erich didn't pry. This world had no shortage of orphans, especially those who claimed to be orphans. Just like he had no shortage of enemies.

“What about you? Why are you going to the academy?” Irene asked in return. “You've been kicked out of the Edmond family, and you still want to study?”

“Going to school is the only way to turn my life around. Without a degree, background, or money, I can't exactly live off my looks.”

Irene sized him up for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Actually, I think you could.”

Erich stuffed the last bite of bread into his mouth, slid even further away on the bench, and decided to stop talking to this person for the time being.