"What do you think you're going to get?" My brother asked bouncing up and down excitedly.
"No idea, maybe [seamstress] like mom? You know it's all up to the Goddess' will," I responded, anxiously peering around the large farmer boy in front of me at the long line of templegoers. At this rate I wouldn't get there until nearly sunset.
"Well... I want to be a [knight]! Or a [warrior]! I'll fight off the monster attacks single handedly!" Will boasted. I laughed as he danced around my swinging a stick like a sword.
The farmer boy in front turned around at my brother's words and snorted at my brothers antics before glancing over at me and grinning. I felt my face heat up as I realized it was Tom Miller, the son of the local [miller]. He was tall and broad and handsome. Whenever the topic of boys came up, his name inevitably followed. And now he was looking at me.
At just over five feet, with sandy-blonde hair, a slight figure, bright blue eyes and pouty lips I knew I was pleasing to the eye, but I was still shy around boys. I just had not had much experience as I spent most of my time helping my mother with her work. I had promised myself, that once I got my class, as an adult in the eyes of the law, I would try talk to the other sex more.
I shyly patted my templegoing clothes down, made specially by my mother out of more expensive cloths. I glanced back up and Tom was still staring and I quickly looked back down, feeling a heat growing between my legs. I tried to distract myself by thinking of my upcoming class, to mixed results.
Once a week, everyone who turned eighteen the previous week need to visit the temple and receive their class from the Goddess. The class is mostly random, but their are always rumours that one's life before they get a class has a hand in what the Goddess chooses for you.
Like I had told my Will, I didn't really have an idea of what class I wanted; getting [seamstress] would be a comfortable easy option, but I couldn't see myself loving it. I have always wanted to do something more with my life, to explore and see the world and meet new people. I don't think [warrior] classes are for me though, I just can't see someone with my slight frame being all that effective in swinging a sword at a charging goblin or zombie.
Maybe [merchant] would be a great class, I'd still get to see travel around and stuff, but I'll get to come home and visit my family and friends. [Merchants] also have amazing skills to help them make more money and better deals. And I'd have a good chance of meeting a good husband, since [merchants] are really desirable for their skills and money they can bring in.
"Elly...Elly! Elly! You going in!"
I jumped and stumbled back from my brothers shout. Startled I look up and realize I'm first in line and everyone is waiting for me to get on with it. I feel my face heat up again.
"Oh! S-sorry... just lost in thought," I stammer out to the old priest waiting before me.
He gives a grandfatherly smile.
"Don't worry about it miss, I could barely walk for how nervous I was on my eighteenth birthday!"
I gave a shaky laugh and followed him into the side room. I idly wondered what Tom had gotten as I walked in. Probably [miller] like his father, he looked the part with his big muscles, but I could see him getting [warrior] like my brother wanted. I could easily see him swinging a sword, his muscles tensing as he-
Get ahold of yourself Elly!
I shook my head free of unseemly thoughts and examine the sideroom.
The room was sparsely decorated, with just a bench in the corner and the statue of the Goddess dominating the center. The only spot of colour in the entire room was the old bearded priest's red robes.
"Alright, I know this is an exciting day for you. But I need you to listen before you receive your class from the holy daughter. First you need to be prepared for your class, not everyone gets something they want. When I first got my class I desperately wanted to be a [warrior] and was devastated when I got [acolyte]. But you need to remember, the holy daughter has a plan for us all and you need to trust in her will. It took me a long time to realize that, but once I did I began to truly enjoy my class and realize how perfect of a fit it was for me"
I nodded along to the priest's words. Every child is taught this from a young age, classes often seems completely random. But the Goddess knows what lies deep in a one's soul, and chooses the best class to compliment their inner desires and natural talents.
"It's important that you believe in the Goddess's will and accept your class as swiftly as you can. Otherwise you will lag behind your peers as it is nearly impossible for those of our modest means to change the Goddesses will"
It's rare that someone doesn't follow their class, as you'll be at a significant disadvantage with few to no relevant skills. Very rarely someone is successful in changing their class, but it takes years and years of hard work and will leave one far behind their fellows with a significantly lower level. And there's a far larger chance that the Goddess shuns the individual who refuses her gift. It's far easier to sign up for the army and have the king's skills turn your class into a [soldier], but that option is only for men.
The priest gives his kindly smile and grasps my hand between his.
"Acknowledge your anxiety and you'll be ready to let it go. Let me know when your ready to begin"
I feel my shoulder slump a little as sense of comfort overwhelms me. Probably a skill of his, I'd heard the one of the local priests had [comforting words].
I give a nervous laugh and wet my lips.
"I think I'm ready as I ever will be"
His smile widens.
"Alright, the feeling of receiving the Goddess' grace can be shocking, so feel free to sit in the bench afterwards as you digest your new class"
He paused as he searched for understanding in my face and then intoned.
"[Feel the Goddess' grace]"
His hands suddenly turn hot and I try to pull my hand away, but his grip was too strong for my slight arms and I'm helpless to the effects of the skill. The heat from his hands is joined by a buzzing in my head and begins to increase. Until is suddenly stops and is replaced by what can only be described as a bells chiming in my ear.
[Class obtained: Prostitute level 1]
[Skill gained: Birth control]
[Skill gained: See my worth]
[Skill gained: Sexual illness immunity]]
I gasp and stumble away, finally free from the skill's grip. My horror only grows as the reality of my class sinks in. I'll never be a rich merchant or even a merchants wife, no one will want a woman who needs to sleep with others to advance their class. I won't even be able to make clothes like my mother, as no weaving skills will leave me far slower than is acceptable. Only children are allowed to be so slow, as they don't have any skills.
I stumble to the bench collapse into it.
The kindly priest quickly realizes something is wrong from my pale face and tremoring hands; and quickly muttered a skill.
"[Appraisal]... ah. I'm sorry my dear, I know this isn't what you were expecting"
He sits down next to me and places a calming hand on my shoulder.
"W-w-what did I do? I've never even kissed someone!" My voice shakes as I gaze blearily into the distance.
"You did nothing wrong. The Goddess sees greatness in you if you follow her chosen path."
"B-but, I just don't understand." I feel tears start to form. "Everyone will just see me as prostitute! I'll never get husband and nobody will want to even talk to a-a [prostitute]!"
"Your path is harder to bear than most, but it can be a powerful class. You are already immune to most illness's, and have a skill to get more money!"
I feel the effect of his [calming words] skill come onto me again and let out a shuddering breath. Maybe he was right that there was something there, maybe I can keep it a secret. But, class lists are updated weekly, so tradesmen know if there are any viable apprentices. I have at most a day before everyone knows what I am and the whispers start.
"I don't even know what to do though. I've barely even talked to a boy, let alone- let alone..."
I feel myself begin to panic again as I realize what a [prostitute] has to do to gain levels and money. As I told the priest, I've never kissed someone and can barely even talk to a boy without turning into a mess. How the Goddess thinks I'm the one to seduce men left and right is beyond my understanding.
The kindly priests hand grips my chin a turns my head to face him.
"[Reassuring presence] I may be able to help with that"
I blinked uncomprehendingly, what did he mean? Could he change my class?
"You can practice one of your skills on me and get some experience with your class"
He couldn't be serious! We were in the