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Once again, a blue window appeared. Linus pressed [OK].
[Quest: Recruitment]
[Being a leader is not easy. It is a job that requires vision, direction, and most importantly, loyal followers. For this quest, you must recruit followers who will do your bidding. Rewards shall be given according to the number of recruits.]
[Reward: (Skill) Deputization – 10 recruits; (Skill) Possession – 100 recruits]
[Time limit: None]
[Accept the quest?]
[Yes] [No]
"Being a champion's son, I would eventually have 10 followers working for me, but 100 is a lot of trouble for its worth. Deputization and Possession, eh? Is there a way to learn about these skills?"
Linus' eyes scanned the text over and over again, thinking about the risks and rewards of accepting the quest.
Seeing the boy spaced out, Nina couldn't help but ask, "Linus, is there something the matter? Doing a similar modification to your father's bow shouldn't be so hard, eh?"
"Wasn't paying attention, sorry. Yes, you are right, scaling up the mod for dad's bow isn't complicated. I was thinking about something else entirely." Linus replied.
"You must be seeing things again. Maybe we should see the priests." Julius suggested.
"No, not that. It's something else. I want some time off to think. Please hand me the bow and 20 stone coins, and I'll figure out the redesign." Linus said.
"Alright." Julius replied.
"Nina, dad's bow is a lot bigger and requires substantial redesign. If it isn't too much to ask, can you return in the morning to see the new design?"
"Of course. This project has gotten me interested, so I'll come back." Nina replied.
"I'm glad you're interested. I'll see you again, my lady." Linus smiled, revealing his glittering white teeth to Nina. The lass couldn't help but smile back at her employer.
After the meeting, Linus had the time all to himself. He had yet to respond to the quest. Once more, he scanned the blue window, tracing the text with his index finger while contemplating whether to accept it or not. A tooltip or a smaller window popped out when his finger hovered the text for the skill
[Deputization]
[Type: Active Skill]
[Target: Followers]
[Duration: Until user deactivates it.]
[Deputization allows the skill user to deputize his skills to his followers. The deputized follower can use one of the skill users' selected skill. The number of deputized followers depend on the user's skill level.]
"Seems useful. I want this one. How about the other." Linus pointed his finger at the skill
[Possession]
[Type: Active Skill]
[Target: Followers]
[Duration: 30 minutes]
[Cooldown: 1 hour]
[Possession allows the skill user to acquire the skills of a selected follower for a limited duration. Duration depends on the user's skill level.]
"Wow, these skills are quite cool. I want them both!" Linus' eyes twinkled. He didn't think twice about accepting the quest.
"Now I have some recruiting to do. I have someone in mind." Linus told himself.
"Mother, I need your help. Please get me the brightest yellow fabric." Linus turned to Lina.
In the morning, Linus was seated at the patio, patiently anticipating the arrival of his guest, Nina. With the bow in hand and the blueprint on the table, he gave the articles a final inspection to ensure the accuracy of the plan he prepared.
"Wow!" Surprised, Linus almost dropped the bow. He saw Nina's smiling face just next to his; her emerald eyes glimmered.
"My lady, you could have at least announced your presence. I was frightened." Although the surprise was over, Linus' beating heart didn't calm down. The only thing he knew was that it wasn't a bad thing. It was a developmental thing for kids like him, so things easily get him excited.
"Where are my manners. I'm sorry." Nina apologized and kept her distance.
"No offense taken. Please have a seat and have a good look at the plans." Linus replied.
Nina sat down. Her shiny red hair rolled down as she took off her turban. Right after, she went to work, scanning the new design. "Wow, you really have a talent for these things. The bow is longer, and the wood is heavier, so this design looks different, but works on the same principle, eh?" Nina's eyes glittered, admiring the new design.
"Of course. Something like this isn't worth mentioning." Linus smiled. Then he continued, "Nina, you too are very talented. You did such a fine work on my bow. I hope you won't shy away from receiving more of my projects in the future."
"Why not. I wouldn't get a commission for myself if I just worked for my master. As long as I get paid, everything is fine." Nina replied.
"I mean more, much more than that, Nina." For a moment, Linus felt his heart skip a beat. "I want to better our relationship." Linus turned to Lina. "Mother, if you don't mind. Please."
Lina came out of the house delicately holding a strip of yellow fabric in her hand. She went behind Nina. "Stay still, young lady. This won't take much time." With a wooden comb, she brushed her hair, and used the fabric to tie them up neatly.
"There, that looks pretty for a girl like you. Shame you can't see it, but the bright yellow color of the fabric accents your red hair very well. You look lovely. You ought to take care of yourself more." Lina told Nina. She then stepped away and turned to Linus. "Son, it's all up to you now."
Linus clenched his fingers tightly – his palms sweated heavily. Being mentally advanced, he thought he wouldn't feel the nervousness, but he couldn't control his feelings well. Although he wouldn't want to admit it, he secretly held admiration for the lass. "Hold it, it's just business." He told himself with his inner voice.
"Nina, first, I would like to formally apologize for the mistake the other day." He told Nina.
Dyes weren't easy to acquire, so colored fabric was rare. The ribbon, too, looked special, so Nina hesitated. "All for that? It was nothing. I get that all the time. You don't have to do this." She replied.
Linus took her hand, and grabbing it firmly he said "Please, accept. More than business partners, I want us to be friends."
Nina swiftly took her hand and looked away, covering her face. "If that's what you want, sure…"
"Errmmm!" Julius coughed, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. "It sure looks more than that." He remarked, grinning, obnoxiously shoving his face in front of the kid. "You sure grow up quickly. I wonder if you already have hairs down there."
With his face reddened as well, Linus pushed his old man's face away. "That's none of your beeswax. Get lost old man. Either this or that, I needed her help. Besides, doesn't she look good with it?"
Julius whistled loudly. "Sure, it's nice to be young."
"I'll be on my way. Thanks… a lot." Nina bowed. Shortly after, Linus sent Nina away with the bow, the blueprint, and the payment.
The next day, Nina came back with the completed product. Julius quickly snatched away from her hands the newly improved device. Without saying a word, he dashed to the range, eager to try the new weapon.
"I'm sorry 'bout my old man. The brute does things his own way. By the way, did something good happen to you? You look pretty, today." Linus noticed. Nina wore lighter clothes today, tracing her ample bosom and other womanly curves, exposing some of her delicate skin. The clothes, although plain, only made her natural beauty stand out.
Blushing, Nina twirled the ribbon with her finger, saying "Thanks. This simple thing does wonders. Not only do I have to worry much about my hair getting caught by tools, but it's a lot more comfortable than wearing the turban."
"Good for you!" Linus replied.
"HEY! You love birds ought to see this, come here quickly!" Julius screamed.
The arrows quickly ran out. Wood splinters flew as targets get hit and split and even destroyed and uprooted by the force of the shots. The family cheered him on as more targets get hit. With a wide grin in his face, Julius couldn't hide his happiness.
"How much was this?" Julius asked.
"20 stone coins." Linus replied.
"That's way too cheap, kid. You ought to profit some more. The price of 100 stone coins for this bow should be fair. Here's 80 more coins." Julius handed the kid the payment. Linus was thrilled to receive much.
"Nina, come here. Here's 40 more coins for you." Linus split the bounty.
"I didn't do much. That's way too much for the woodwork I did." Nina refused to accept the payment.
"I didn't do anything at all but draw. You ought to accept this much." Linus replied.
Nina couldn't refuse Linus this time. "That is very generous of you. Thank you very much."
"You're welcome, I hope to see you again soon." Linus sent Nina away.
The next day, Linus was busy practicing archery when the Julius came to him, screaming, "HEY BRAT! You've gotta hear me out!"
"Slow down, you've gotta catch your breath Pops." Linus replied.
"I demonstrated the bow to my brothers and they were blown away. I told 'em they could get this for 150 coins, and they didn't hesitate to ask theirs to be done by you. This is business. If you're willing, more than a hundred of our brothers would like to place their orders."
"Sure, tell them to come the next day."
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