You start out as Rank 1 class.
The four Rank 1 classes are Swordy, Mage, Archer and Cleric.
Everytime you get to choose a new class, your rank increases by 1.
At every new rank, there are always 2 new classes to choose from and additionally the 3rd option of re-picking your current class.
Everytime you re-pick a class, the circle of that class increases by 1.
Let’s say you pick an Archer as your Rank 1 class.
Once you are ready to class change, you get the 2 new class options: Ranger and Quarrel Shooter to choose from. Additionally you get the choice of the class you are currently at, the Archer.
So in total you are left with 3 classes to choose from for your Rank 2 class:
Archer, Ranger, Quarrel Shooter.
If you pick Ranger as your Rank 2 class, your class would be referred to as:
Archer C1, Ranger C1, since you picked both archer and ranger once and their circles are still at one.
If you pick Archer for a second time at Rank 2, your class would be referred to as:
Archer C2, since you are now in the Archer’s second circle.
But no matter which class you would choose here, your class Rank would be 2.
Choosing the same class repeatedly and hence increasing it’s circle will increase the level cap of that classes skills and unlock new skills for that class.
There is a maximum of 3 circles for every class, so you can not choose the same class more than 3 times.
Hope that helps.