A few minutes after Paula left the room Kaylessa shared a look with her son.
"What ya thinking about?"
"I'm trying to decide the best thing to do."
"Care to share your thoughts?" Kaylessa asked.
"Sure, I was trying to weigh the positives and negatives of taking Paula's ability. For positives, I get a very useful ability and essentially never go hungry no matter what. I might be able to conjure foods from a different world and have their recipes figured out. It would be essentially a free meal to sell, thus making some money. Would be good for showing the cooks what I want. I would essentially be guaranteed easy success in the food-making business with her active. I would also be able to figure out how much my active cost."
"For negatives though, I would lose her trust. And although you used your active on her I don't think she even realized it. She would definitely hold a serious grudge as it seems she loves her active. We would also lose a pretty good chef with an amazing active. Hmm also.."
"Calais," Kaylessa interrupted. "How often do you do this?"
"Do what?"
"This positive-negative analysis thing?"
"Umm, quite often. Whenever I have to make a decision and can't decide right away I think about it as such."
"Honey, I'm going to give you some life advice alright? Life is a very complicated thing. To make everything black and white is… an oversimplification of things. Although I won't deny there are some good things about this thinking. A part of life is taking chances and going with your gut. Taking options that scare you or the unsafe option. It can sometimes affect you in an overwhelmingly positive way. For example how I met your Father. He was trying to live apart from his family at the time. He was adventuring and hunting monsters for a living. I was doing similar jobs. One day at the adventures guild in Utarra I reached for a work notice on the work board at the guild. The notice was for Wooverns mask and hooves. These animals are difficult to hunt alone because they often move at night and in small groups. Thus when I grabbed the notice a tall light brown-haired green-eyed man said he would like to join if I would allow it. Now, what would you do in that situation?"
"Well, how old were you? What kind of weapons did you have? Where are you strong? How old was he and did you know him?"
With a sigh, Kaylessa said, "I was 31, long been on my own and plenty strong. He looked similar age and I had never met him before."
"Were you confident…"
"Calais…" Kaylessa interrupted. "What would you have done?"
"I would have asked him some questions. Try and figure out his motives. Get to know him a little. You know, before we went on a possible life-threatening journey to the woods alone."
With a smile, Kaylessa reminisced. "Well, I did the opposite. I trusted the little voice in my head that said this could be interesting and teamed up with him. We went deep into the Warner Mountains forest and hunted an elusive rare animal. And I was charmed by him."
"Oh Come On!" Calais said rolling his eyes.
"Haha, the point is little Calais. Life is full of rights and wrongs. But to decide everything like this is very childish. Sometimes a good thing is wrong at first glance and the same for something that appears good at first. Sometimes you just got to take a chance and choose the option that scares you." Kaylessa said in a caring tone.
"Alright, Mother I understand," Calais said quietly. "Any more advice?"
Pausing to think for a moment Kaylessa said, "master something. Master anything to an extreme level, not through skills. Skills are more a guide and there as a representation of your progress. Many people often with the same level of skill can do different things. So pick something and try to become the best at it."
"Hmm, what did you pick?"
Meeting Calais's eyes Kaylessa said with a smile. "I'll tell you when you are older, for now, I don't wish to ruin your image of me."
That's awfully cryptic Mom. Maybe she was in some bad business? She said she was long been on her own at 31. I still don't know very much about her even living with her for 5 years.
"Okay, I guess. We should call Anton in hear and see about his past and him allowing me to take his active." Calais said.
"Alright, I'll be right back."
A few moments later Kaylessa returned with Anton in tow. "Now Anton, I wanted to pull you aside to see how you stand on a few things. But first, do you mind telling us about your past? Or how you ended up being sold into slavery?"
"It is not a problem Madam. I have been one of servitude since birth. In the Kingdom of Sousein, a royal family rules as I'm sure you know. But we are especially far from there so I presume you don't know their traditions?"
"I do but if you could explain it to my Son I would appreciate it."
"Very well," Anton said turning towards Calais. "The Kingdom does not decide ruler on a whim from ruler to ruler. They do it in a brutally unique way, to say the least. All people of royal blood compete in a series of competitions for the qualifications to rule. First, they are given a set amount of money each and kicked out of the palace. Then after a year whoever made the most money will receive a mark. The mark for the first competition is an upside-down cornucopia on the left temple. They chose any color they want the mark to be. Second is a test where they take volunteers with them into the wild for 6 months. They must hunt and discover rare things. The member who returns with the most total value in things receives another mark. This one is a band across their forehead, in any pattern or color of their choosing. Lastly, if 2 different members each have a mark there is a duel to the death. The winner receives a mark a red line across their face just under their eyes. The winner becomes the sole ruler of the kingdom until they die and the cycle repeats."
Ok, but what's this got to do with you? Calais wondered.
"I am the personal servant of the late Samira Sousein. The receiver of the last cycle's first mark and loser of the grand duel. And the 2nd princess of the previous king, pleased to be at your service."
Wow nevermind… Calais thought.
"Wow, this is certainly unexpected. I assume the current King sold you into slavery after ascending?"
"You would be correct. 5 years ago I became a slave and now I'm here." Anton said.
"So now that you are here…" Kaylessa paused. " What is it you'd like to do?"
"I am merely a slave Madam. I will do as I'm told."
"No," Kaylessa said and walked up to him. She touched his arm with one hand and then touched the back of his collar with the control stone.
"Release."
The collar fell from Anton with a clank. Antone was stuck in shock and appeared to be overcome by emotions.
He stood still for a few seconds more before collapsing down to his knees. Tears ran down his face and he mumbled incoherently.
Jesus Mom you really overdid it this time. This is crazy he was already bound and unable to refuse our commands. And SHE JUST RELEASED HIM LIKE THAT!
"TH… ou, Th..nk you, Thank you," Anton said meeting Kaylessa's eyes.
"I will not forget this and I am eternally grateful." Anton collected himself and inhaled a deep breath. Straightening his back and raising one knee, he tilted his head down and said. "I shall give my life to you and your family Madam Ithai. But I have only one wish."
"Speak it," Kaylessa said.
"I wish for the death of Ruzan Sousein, The current ruler of the Kingdom of Sousein!"
"We shall give you the means to do so. But we will not get involved and you will serve as a servant to our family for free for 25 years."
"I do not oppose, but may I ask what means you mean to give?"
Hearing this Kaylessa smiled. She glanced at Calais before turning back and sitting down in a chair. She crossed he legs and said, "Tell me, Anton, have you ever wanted a different active?"
Dude, I think my Mom is a villain. Calais said in awe of his Mother. Her gamble had worked and they had gained something better than a slave. Anton was now a servant who wanted to serve. Wanted to help Calais and his family however he could. And any former servant of a royal would be more than welcome to have around.
"Many a time Madam. Why do you ask?
"The means to which I offer are a new active skill of your choosing."
"I beg your pardon Madam but I still don't understand. You can give me any active I would like?"
"Actually this is the reason you were purchased, Anton. I don't know the limitations of the active besides that it doubles its cool down and mana cost for each active held. So we were going to ask if we could test it on you. So the offer stands, would you like a new active."
Still, slightly confused Anton said, "...Yes I would."
"Then Calais, go ahead."
Receiving his Mothers confirmation Calais walked up and laid a hand on Anton for ten seconds.
"What is the name of your active?" Calais asked just to confirm.
"[Im not short]."
Nodding Calais thought, take the active [Im not short].
Upon using his active, Anton immediately grimaced and his eyes widened. Then a purplish white liquid burst out of his arm where Calais was touching. Most of it was absorbed into Calais's hand but a small drop fell and evaporated upon touching the stone floor.
"It's gone, MY ACTIVES GONE!" Anton said a second later.
Status!
Calais Ithai
Human
Male
Age: 5 Years
Level: 10 (12,700/51,200)
Health: (100/100)
Mana: (40/140)
Stamina: (10/10)
Vitality: 10
Endurance: 10
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 10
Senses: 9
Mind: 13
Clarity: 12
Magic: 14
Charisma: 12
Luck: 0
Free Stat Points: 10
Skills:
Tier 1: Swimming (LV10) Meditation (LV10) ) Time Sense (LV10) Listening (10) Mathematics (LV10) Reading (LV10) English (LV10) Economics (LV10) Spanish (LV10) French (LV10) Russian (LV10) Italian (LV10) Japanese (LV10) Arabic (LV10) Mandarin (LV10) Composition (LV10) Sense Mana (LV10) Acting (LV10) Breath Control (LV10) Atillin (LV10) Humming (LV10) Ambidextrous (LV10) Hide (LV10) Balance (LV10) Sneaking (LV10) Reading (LV10) Crawling (LV10) Lie (LV10) Flute (LV10) Writing (LV10) Map Making (LV10) Poise (LV10) Singing (LV10) Dancing (LV10) Cleaning (LV10) Fiddle (LV10) Harp (LV10) Viola (LV10) Guitar (LV10) Bagpipes (LV10) Climbing (LV10) Trading (LV10) Wrestling (LV10) Learning (LV10) Hiding (LV10) Jumping (LV10) Athleticism (LV10) Pugilist Skills (LV10) Running (LV10) Swords (LV10) Knives (LV10) Spears (LV10) Staffs (LV10) Aim (LV10) Throw (LV10) Athleticism (LV10) Quiet Step (LV10) Tracking (LV10) Dodging (LV10) Cooking (LV10)
Tier 2: Eavesdropping (LV10) Linguistics (LV10) Converse (LV10) Cartography (LV10) Calligraphy (LV10) Sprint (LV10) Quick Reflexes (LV10) Pain Resistance (LV10) Poison Resistance (LV10)
Tier 3: Detect Lie/Truth (LV10)
Tier 4: Eidetic Memory (LV6) Polyglot (LV1)
Active Abilities: [What's Yours Is Mine, What's Mine Is Yours], [Im not short].
There it is huh, and I'm down 100 mana. So it will take a day and 100 mana to use again while holding [Im not short]. Or will it be 2 days and 200 mana?
"You can really do it… And now you could give me an active of my choosing?" Anton questioned looking between Kaylessa and Calais.
"Yes, although I haven't tested it. My active lets me give and take actives. So if you have anyone with a good active just let me know haha."
"Now now, this is not the time for that," Kaylessa said. "I'm sure you are in shock and we have plenty to discuss Anton. But for now, you should take some time and gather yourself. You have a job starting tomorrow morning after all."
Breaking out of his awe Anton nodded his head and said, "Very well Madam I shall retire for the night." Anton got up and bowed, but as he was exiting Kaylessa said, " and remember. Not a word about this to anyone Anton."
Nodding again Antone left leaving Kaylessa and Calais alone in the lounge of their home.