Graduation

[Elijah's POV]

<<January 13, 2023>>

<<Manila, Philippines>>

So, that's what happened about half a year ago. A lot has happened since then. First of all, since I couldn't really enter gates by myself, I got creative with what was given to me and became a trainer at the Philippine Hunter's Association. By using my skill "Commanding Presence", I was able to train new hunters very effectively. Plus, by working as a trainer at the association, I was able to gain influence through my trainees and some of my colleagues, which greatly help level my passive skill "Duke".

[Skills:

- Duke (Passive) (Lvl:15)

A duke exists by how much influence one has. The more influence gained, the more powerful the duke gets.

Influence: 110/1500

- Commanding Presence (Passive)

Has the ability to influence the people around the duke, to a certain extent. The higher the level of "Duke (Skill)", the stronger one's influence on others.

People under the duke's influence will gain a boost in their stats, depending on how high the "Duke (Skill)" is. The duke has full control over who to influence, and when to remove one's influence. The boost in stats will also disappear once the influenced is no longer within the skill's range.

The duke's influence will not affect a person that has a hostile or doubting heart against the duke.

Current bonus stat given: +75 STR | +75 AGI | +75 INT | +75 VIT | +75 Dex | +75 Luck]

Even though I'm stuck at level one, I could still accompany the new hunters inside Iron-Ranked Gates.

By the way, the difficulty level of gates are measured as follows:

Iron-Rank >> Lvl: 1 - 10

Bronze-Rank >> Lvl: 10 - 20

Silver-Rank >> Lvl: 20 - 30

Gold-Rank >> Lvl: 30 - 50

Platinum-Rank >> Lvl: 50 - 70

Diamond-Rank >> Lvl: 70 - 80

*Disclaimer once again! The list above is the gates currently discovered up to date. There might still be harder gates to appear or discover in the future.*

So, as I was saying. By using my passive skill "Commanding Presence", I was able to give a mass power boost to my trainees, which helped them clear gates and level more efficiently. With the fast pace I was going and with the number of licensed hunters I produced; it was bound for the Association to see value in me. After all, a country's strength is measured by its existing hunters. The more hunters a country has, the more influence it wields on a global scale. Of course, The Philippines is far from reaching the level of the powerhouse countries like the US, UK, Japan, Korea, China, and surprisingly, South Africa. Each of these countries houses about 20 Legendary classed hunters, while the US and Korea are both tied for having the most Legendary classed hunters, with 25 and counting.

What's the state of the Philippines, you might ask. Well, we currently have only 3 legendary classed hunters, with the Association's president being among them. Benjamin Dela Cruz was a "First Generation" hunter and a really powerful one at that. He awakened as the <<Legendary>> class, The Boss. The other two are Richard Alonzo and his wife Sofia Alonzo. Guild master and vice-guild master, respectively, of the most powerful guild in the Philippines, Kampilan. Richard awakened as the <<Legendary>> class, Tribal Grappler. While his wife, Sofia, awakened as the <<Legendary>> class, Maid. Of course, there's also me, but I'm not about to broadcast that I immediately transcended to a <<Mythic>> class! People are gonna skin me alive if they knew!

Anyways, I was then promoted to positions I couldn't even imagine, while I became known as the "Nurturer". Almost all the new hunters, that wanted their hunter's license, wanted me as their trainer. Which would naturally result in jealousy and envy from the other trainers from the Association. As for me though, I couldn't care less if they scorn at or bash me behind my back. As we all know, "Haters gonna hate."

I also went from my humble studio apartment to a luxury condominium, that I now own. You could really tell that the Association spared no effort in getting into my good graces. They were afraid that with the talent that I have, I could easily go abroad and get a better-paying job, which isn't wrong by any means. From the very beginning though, I never had the intention of leaving, but of course, I didn't tell the Association that. It's fun keeping the powerful stay on their toes. Also, not to boast or anything, but I could say with confidence that, I worked hard and did a pretty good job. So, I think in a way, I kind of deserve all of what I have right now.

I was also financially stable, with enough money to sustain me for life. I was honestly living the best life, but there's are also things that stayed as they were half a year ago. One of the main reasons why I decided to be a trainer, is so I can find the most suitable and worthy person to be my vassal. Unfortunately, with the time I worked at the association, not a single person fit the bill. So, obviously, my class-exclusive quest has been in a frozen state for a long time.

[Quest! (Class-Exclusive)

Now that you have inherited the will of the fallen duke, you will now have to take your first step in rising to power.

Start spreading your influence! By spreading your influence, you will gain authority!

Influence: 100/100

A duke without his vassals is as good as dead. Search for a worthy individual and make them into your first vassal!

Vassal: 0/1

Time: Unlimited

Rewards: ???]

Today is really a wonderful day. The sun shone brightly, while the birds chirp happily. I took my time walking to work, and just basked in the sunlight. Today, another batch of hunters, that I've trained, are finally getting their hunter's licenses. It's pretty bittersweet, since getting attached to my trainees during the time we all spent with each other, was inevitable for me. I always feel like a proud parent, seeing their children ready to face the harsh world head-on.

When I arrived at the towering skyscraper of The Hunter's Association, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration every time I see it. I mean, it's just so majestic and perfect in my eyes.

After I reached my daily quota of admiring The Hunter's Association building, I then started making my way inside. As I make my way, colleagues greeted me left and right, while many also stared daggers at me.

Hearing the usual:

"Look at him strut like he owns the place! Ugh, I really can't stand him"

or the

"Who did he suck off to get into the president's good graces?"

Like legit, hearing the same ol' thing every single day, makes me chuckle. I mean, can't they be more creative with their insults. Eventually, all I started to feel for them is pity. If they could spend more time doing their jobs properly, rather than gossip about other people, then maybe the Association would also reward them for their hard work. My skill is a big part of my success, but don't get me wrong, I also work my ass off to get to where I am today. I mean, staying as level one, I would have to continue risking my life in entering gates, to train my trainees. If people could just see the hard work behind all the success, then maybe some might actually start doing their jobs properly. But alas, I guess people would just rather mock than letting their insecurities show.

Greeting my colleagues back with a big smile, while ignoring the haters, I headed to my office. Riding the elevator to floor 26, I then headed to my office, where my assistant is already waiting for me.

"Good morning, head trainer!" The perky, red-haired lady, known as Shelly Del Rosario, also known as my trusted assistant, greeted me with enthusiasm.

"Morning!" I greeted back as I walk over to my mahogany table and took a sit on my soft chair, which feels like clouds. "You're livelier than the usual, and I also noticed the new hair color. What's the occasion?" I asked with an amused expression on my face.

"Well, as we all know, today is the day where another batch of new hunters, that you have trained, are getting their hunter's license. That means this day calls for a celebration. Since new graduates mean bonus pay. And since I work for you, means that I, as well, will be benefiting from having a bonus pay!" Shelly spoke unashamedly and confidently, which is one of the things I really like about her. Her no-nonsense attitude is really refreshing to see when everybody else is just hiding behind masks. I would rather work with people who can speak their minds than those who waste time by beating around the bush and getting to nowhere.

"Ah, yes! Capitalisms!" I said with a smirk.

"A girl's gotta eat." Shelly smirked back.

And with that, I could help but chuckle at our daily banter. Shelly and I really do understand each other, and our good-natured banters are one of the things that I really look forward to every day. Of course, this is just between us, since if people heard us right now, we would both be canceled, all over the internet.

"So, here are the new hunter's licenses. They came in not too long ago, still fresh from the Association's manufacturing department." Shelly said as she carefully placed a stack of glass-like cards on my table. "The graduation will be held at 10 AM, so until then you are free," Shelly said as she double-checks my schedule on her tablet.

"Thanks, Shelly!" I said in gratitude as really having her makes work so much easier. I honestly believe that without her, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"No probs! If you need anything else, just page me." Shelly said with a cheerful tone in her voice, as she headed out of my office.

Now left alone in my office, I picked up one of the hunter's licenses and began to examine it. The reason they appear glass-like is because they are made with mana stones. The one thing that became a hot commodity when first presented to the world. With the existence of mana stones, life became easier and more productive. They are used in almost anything, from transportation to city development. They can even be consumed in small portions, giving the consumer a boost in stats; given that they are a hunter since mana stones are lethal poison to non-transcended. With their endless potential, mana stones are really a blessing to society.

These glass-like cards serve as a hunter's identification, giving them legal credibility from The Hunter's Association. This license will give them access to enter gates and sell the loots that they've gathered, to the association. A hunter's license also separates the hunters signed by the association from the illegal ones that move from the shadows.

Now that I have time to spare before the graduation ceremony, I decided to sit back relax and enjoy some peace and quiet as I continue reading from where I left off yesterday.

As 9:45 AM hits, I got up from my chair, carefully carried the stack of newly made licenses, and headed out of the office. By exactly 10 AM, I arrived at the classroom where all my trainees await with excitement and nervous anticipation on their faces.

The graduation went smoothly. There were a lot of shouting and tears of joy. People may look at them as if they're crazy, but they don't understand that for some of these new trainees, the hunter's license that I handed out is their key to having a more comfortable life. Ever since the world changed, hunters became the top of the food chain. They are highly sought after to clear gates and are paid handsomely. So being a hunter, for some, is their key to getting out of poverty.

Seeing the ecstatic expressions in my trainees' faces, made my heart so full and proud. I felt so fulfilled and joyful, knowing that I helped these individuals reach their key towards a better life. But there's also a sting in my heart, knowing that I might have also helped them reach their key towards a shorter life. I'm not foolish and ignorant in believing that once a hunter gets their hunter's license, everything would be sunshine and rainbows from thereon. Being a hunter is a lot more dangerous than many people would make and fantasied it to be. More often than not, I would receive news that a hunter that I've trained had died inside a gate, not long after they received their hunter's license. It would devastate me of course, but that doesn't change the fact that hunters die on a regular basis inside gates. It doesn't change the fact that being a hunter for a living is a very very dangerous occupation. That fact is indeed hard to swallow, but everyone has to sooner or later accept that fact.

After ending the graduation ceremony, I returned to my office and did some work. I was so focused on my work that I hadn't really noticed that the sun had already come down. Stretching out my sore muscles, I decided that it was time to call it a day. Checking my phone, I got a notification that my bonus pay has already been transferred to my bank account. And let me tell you, the zeros that I saw, almost made me fall off my chair. I don't know what the finance department has been smoking lately, but they have been really generous as of late, and I ain't complaining. At all!

After transferring Shelly her much-deserved bonus pay with an added incentive, I got up from my chair and started tidying my desk. As I was gathering my things, a loud squeal rang across the hallway outside my office, immediately putting me on high alert. I spirted to the door and opened it as fast I could. But what actually greeted me was the sight of a busty, red-haired lady twerking in joy. When Shelly caught sight of me, she sprinted in my direction, in her 6-inch stilettoes and almost tackled me to the ground.

"Oh my God! Eli, you are the best boss ever!" Shelly said as she jumped up and down for joy, while embracing me.

Affected by her infectious excitement, I couldn't help beam at the sight of my assistant's joy. Just the sight of her joy-filled expression gives me the comfort and confirmation that I have achieved to be the type of boss that I sought out to be.

Gently pulling Shelly away from me, before looking at her with a grin on my face, I said to her "Of course, it's my responsibility to take care of those working for me."

"Well, I'd say I did a pretty good job myself, but still thank you! You are so generous in giving out bonus pays!" Shelly said with so much happiness on her face.

"Well, you should be thanking the finance department. They've been really generous, lately." I told her

"I don't know what they've been up to lately, but thank you Lord for our finance department!" Shelly said gratefully, looking up.

Chuckling, I said, "Well, I'm gonna head out for the day."

"Sure thing boss! Happy weekend!" Shelly said with a wink.

"Even though it's the weekend, don't party too hard, alright!" I said with a stern voice, trying to be the imposing and strict boss. But Shelly just laughed out loud.

"I'll try my best!" Shelly said as she sashays back to her table.

With a permanent grin plastered on my face, I let out a happy sigh and slowly shook my head at Shelly's antics. People might think that Shelly and I's work relationship is inappropriate in a professional setting, but I know that we both walk a fine line of respect for each other. I as her boss and her as my assistant.

Anyhow, once I gathered all my belongings, I bid Shelly farewell once again before heading out. Once I got to the ground floor, I was met once again with greetings from my colleagues. Greeting them back with a nod or a simple wave, I walked towards the exit of the Hunter's Association.

As I stepped out of the building, I was welcomed with a wave of the chilly night breeze. I slowly breathed in, filling my lungs with fresh air through my nose, before slowly letting it all out through my mouth. It was a calm night. The soft glow of the moon, paired with the twinkling of the stars, truly is a sight to behold. It's funny because a year ago, one might not be able to appreciate such beauty, because of the intense industrial pollution covering Manila. But when the catastrophe befell, millions and millions died. With the great decrease in population and the rise of mana stone usage, nature finally had the chance to start healing itself, back to what it once was. Although it'll still take a long time for it to fully recover. What really matters is that it could finally take some steps towards its restoration.