Selecting the right building had taken longer than Thomas had anticipated but he wanted a building close to the city center without necessarily being on the main street. He wanted to be close enough for foot traffic without the trouble that main street placement might bring in the form of potential thefts. Deed in hand, he headed off for the training arena located on his family estate just inside their stone walls, housing and training their knight squads. Stepping into the arena, the smell of steel and sweat clung to the air. The arena already in the progress of midday training, the grunts and cries of knights as they thrust their swords echoing off the walls.
Walking further into the arena, Thomas spotted his father dressed in training gear talking with two others. The first was a man of medium build, lean muscles evident under his training tunic; twin swords hanging from his hip. The 2nd was a female with an assortment of knives strapped to her waist.
"Father." Thomas called out as he closed the distance.
"Ah, Thomas. I was just explaining to Jack and Rose about you. Jack is our resident dual wielder and Rose has become something of a knife legend. You may pick one of them to be your body guard moving forward. Just know that in our family, the bodyguard is a long term position so choose carefully."
Thomas looked over the two guards carefully thought truthfully, how was he to gauge their skills. He didn't think he would be in any danger any time soon son instead he chose to have them answer a question. "You two, if you had to pick between saving me and saving the city, who would you pick and why?"
Rose looked confused by the question but answered first, "You, milord. As part of the ducal house, your safety is paramount."
Jack took a moment longer to answer but said, "Honestly, young master I would save the city. A ducal house without a city would be a landless noble and a failure in the eyes of the King. No offense, but you're also the 4th son. If you were to die, there are others ahead of you so the line continues."
I can see now why there was no room on the door. It makes sense but you didn't have to say it so bluntly.
"Thank you both for your honesty. I would like to select Rose as my bodyguard with the caveat that she prioritize the safety of small children slightly ahead of my own."
;Rose agreed, "Of course, milord. It will be my honor to serve."
The pair took their leave and headed back toward the main house when they were intercepted by Lady Gloria and her entourage of maids. Ever since she had bathed with soap, it looked and smelled like she had continued to bathe.
"Thomas, how soon can you prepare another batch of this soap thing you gave me. I should like to share it amongst my friends."
Gave is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, lady.
Presenting a soft smile, Thomas stated, "Regretfully, Your Grace, the earliest I would be able to provide another batch for several guests would be in a week. If your friends attend the birthday party, I will make sure that they leave with some."
"See that you do." With that the Lady of the House walked away, not overly thrilled that she had to share the wonderous creation but eager to see how this boosted her own standing within her circle of friends.
"What's on the agenda today, milord?" Rose asked as they continued around the estate, not quite going in yet as she had expected.
"Now? Now we exercise, starting with a run." Thomas laughed, starting his training after so many months neglecting it while perfecting his soap production. It was much different reading how to make something than actually doing it, despite the system offering tips and tricks. The hours passed in sweat and exhaustion, the limits of his body painfully evident. Rose decided to engage in the exercises as well though not having nearly as hard of a time as Thomas given her years of training in service to House Plantagenet.
Finally finishing the last squat, Thomas heard the ding of the system that he had not heard for some time.
***Exercise quest completed. Please note: It is advised that even though the rewards were a one time thing, Host should still keep up with the exercises.***
Why isn't this a recyclable quest?
***Host, if you were to get a strength point every set of this exercise, you would quickly break the world. This reward will only become available If you form your core and progress through the mage track or form aura and progress through the Knight track. For completing your first mission, I will add on a randomized ability.
Name: Thomas Plantagenet
Age: 14
Level 2: 5/50
Health: 50/50
Mana: 0/0 (Core not formed yet)
Bloodline: None
Talent: Low
Strength: 7
Agility: 6
INT: 9
Charisma: 3
Wisdom: 5
Abilities: Appraisal
Description: Ability to analyze any person or thing within 2 levels of your power band. ex: you can view up to 3rd circle mages but are unable to view 3rd circle and beyond.
I've been meaning to ask this, what's the average stats?
***Host, what is average? As you complete missions, average/superior will cease to have meaning.***
Welp, guess I just keep moving on. Completing missions and getting stronger seems to be the standard route for transmigration. To be honest, I had so much fun creating soap for a sense of normalcy that I hadn't thought about other things.
Laying awake later that evening, Thomas decided it was time now that he was completing missions to ask further details about the system and the world in general. He didn't know enough about his place in this world, only that might made right and he was woefully lacking in both strength and coin.
So System, give me a rundown on how magic works in this world.
***Host is advised to find a teacher. The system is not here to give you everything but to reward your hard work.***
C'mon, system. Tell me something about magic. I don't know nearly enough.
***Host you have been here for 6 months. Rome was not built in a day. Tell you what, in recognition of your recent ambitions here is an update to your mission log. ***
**Ding Mission updated**
Find a mage expert and learn how to form a mana core.
Reward: Mana Core formation, mana gathering technique, +1 system store point, 50 exp
System store point? You have a store now?
***Not now host, your level is too low***
***********************************************************************************************
Over the next several days, the estate became much more lively though if you asked Thomas he wouldn't have noticed much of it. Most of his days were spent refining materials and creating additional bars of soaps. Taking advantage of the lack of oversight with the activity in and around the estate, Thomas began gathering and adding different flowers to the soaps hoping to increase the scents offered. So far, no such luck with a long lasting fragrance outside of lavender.
Finally, his birthday arrived with more flair than he had received in his previous life. Maids flittered about with a nervous energy with many notable figures of the kingdom arriving. First to arrive were the various dignitaries of the empire, low level nobles hoping to network with a pressure not to be the last one to arrive. Next to arrive were the Osterland family, nobles from the kingdom of Valois to the East. There had previously been border disputes given the fertile farmland found in the Southern and Eastern provinces but such incursions had died down in recent years. Leading the way from the string of carriages in this procession was Draven Osterland. 16 years of age and considered a prodigy of Aura, he carried himself with the swagger of someone not used to following orders.
"Hmmph, barely passable for a hovel back home. Let's get this over with so we can go. I don't know why I get sent to these country bumpkins."
"Young Master, please!" An exasperated voice behind him whispered. "House Plantagenet holds the knights that drove back our last assault before the treaty. They are not one to just spout these things openly about."
"Relax, I'm just frustrated." Drake grumbled.
An attendant could be heard shouting, "Now presenting...." prior to the doors of the ballroom closing.
Servants scrambled to stow their carriages away to make room for additional incoming guests. The next arrivals boasted a sigil of a white wand in front of a blue lightning bolt. Stepping out of the carriage came a young lady, platinum hair set in an elaborate braid. Her steps measured and assured, posture straight as though walking into Court. Walking into the estate and heading toward the ballroom, her eyes scanned the crowd for nothing in particular while making polite conversation with those she passed.
Walking through shortly after she passed was another vision dressed in a blend of gold and white complimenting her hair perfectly, the dress molded to her figure. Her eyes remained straight ahead, proceeding to the ballroom with little going across her face. Steps kept a measured pace, moving towards the rest of the party.
The last to arrive was Seraphina von Kaizer, flanked by two guards dressed in formal attire. Their silver tunics matching the silver dress of their lady standing in start contrast to her jet black hair. A look of quiet confidence graced her appearance as she was directed toward the ballroom so that the festivities might start.
Thomas was being dressed in his finest tunic, navy blue fabrics sliding gently over lean shoulders as attendants cinched the cummerbund at the waist. Thomas was a mess of nerves as this would essentially serve as his introduction into high society. Starting things off on the right foot would either open doors or close them for good. As the attendant finished fussing over his waist, he looked over; surprise etched on his face.
"Wait a minute, you're..."