Jason was excited to take a trip to the capital city of Ocane, it would be the first time he had gone any distance from the village. Before they left, he had said his goodbyes to both Garrick and Claire. They were now close and he was going to miss them. The journey to the capital would take a couple weeks, so at the very least he would be gone for a couple of months. He would be gone long enough that he would spend his 13th birthday in the capital.
Kindly the royal family sent a carriage to collect them. It was an impressive sight. Though it was made from wood it had metal finishings that were all made of fine metals like gold and silver. On the side was a large red royal crest, which had three parts a fierce-looking dog on the right, a sword on the left and a crown above.
While Jason was checking out the carriage, Amelina was more interested in the horses that would be pulling them on their journey. She had always liked horses so seeing these particularly impressive royal animals was a treat. Like most animals, they also took kindly to her attention as she petted them.
Thanks to the carriage the journey would be fairly comfortable. Although Jason was worried that the trip was going to be quite boring.
As the carriage made its way along the road most of the time Jason would just stare out the window. His mother sat inside the carriage with him. She had brought a number of books to read as she was a voracious reader. His father was sitting in the front with the driver so that he could watch out for any danger. As they travelled further north it wasn't just monsters they had to worry about but also bandits. The hope was that the seal of the royal family on the coach would frighten off the smaller bandit groups, but they feared it might equally attract some of the bolder groups.
Though it was only getting to the end of their first day on the road Jason, already bored with the journey, decided to check his Status.
[Name: Jason Cross]
Race: Human
Age 12
Status: Champion- Kiara (Unknown)
Level : 44
Titles : The last Champion (N/A)
Blessings: True God's blessing (N/A), Follower's Blessing (N/A) Champion's Blessing: Charity (+25% growth to the holder and to other followers)
Affinities: Swordsmanship, Elemental Magic (100% Boost) Healing Magic (75% Boost) +Hidden
Incompatibilities: Bowmanship, Light Magic, Dark Magic (90% Decrease) Necromancy (None) +Hidden
HP: 5,300
Mana: 10,600
Strength: 235
Agility: 235
Dexterity 235
Intelligence 235
Vitality 235
Guile 139
Skills: Identify (Divine] Lv. MAX, Understanding (Divine) Lv. Max, Vision of Rylax (Divine) Lv. 1, Blistering Slash (Silver) Lv. 1 {Temporary}
Talents:, Libran Swordmanship (Bronze) Lv. 6, Libran Language (Bronze) Lv. Max, Basic Arithmetic (Bronze) Lv. MAX, Swimming (Bronze) Lv. 2
Companions: Ava (Guardian)
Stat points: 344
Skill points: 86
His levelling up had really slowed down lately. He knew that if he wanted to grow more he would have to fight some more challenging opponents. However, he still had a number of points to spend in fact they were really starting to stack up. 'I still don't want to spend the points till I fully understand the system, maybe there is someone in the capital I can ask.' Jason mused, but he quickly thought better of it. It would inevitably give away that he had a system.
"Will there be other Followers or Champions in the capital? It might be a problem if they also have some way to identify me having the system?" Jason asked.
"There shouldn't be. There aren't too many Followers on the Libran continent, Emperor Ealric has made sure of it. I hear they are more common on other continents. You don't need to worry there shouldn't be anyone at the ball or in the capital. They wouldn't come to the birthday of a princess and Ealric himself definitely won't come he is paranoid and rarely leaves his castle for anything."
"So Ealric is a Follower? Is he a Champion?"
"Yes he's a Follower but not a Champion."
"Who is his patron God and who is the Champion if not him."
"His God is Njord, God of the sea, it's how he manages to keep this continent so isolated. He doesn't have the strength to fight the forces of other continents but he can keep them away. At least that is the rumour. I have never left the continent so I can't say for certain. As to the Champion, it was a long time before I was born so I'm not certain but it's said that Ealric killed him." Amelina said.
"Killed him! Why would he kill a fellow Follower?"
"I don't know. As I say it's only rumour but given the sort of man he is, it is possible." She said with her anger for the Emperor clear to see.
'What had driven him to do such a thing,' Jason thought to himself.
With this new information, he had a lot to think about and it all made him feel overwhelmed. Jason turned back to look out the window. As he did he had a worried look on his face that did not escape his mother's notice.
"Jason you have a lot to deal with, both thanks to your status and sadly my own history, but whatever happens we are here to help you. It's a funny thing being a parent, hopefully, one day you will understand, but all your father and I want is for you to live the best life you can and choose your own destiny. We will do all we can to make sure you can."
"I know mum. I love you."
"I love you too Jason."
He then found himself wrapped up in one of his mum's wonderful hugs and all the fear seemed to slip away.
They were interrupted by the carriage stopping.
"Alright I think we will camp here for the night." They heard Garion shout from outside the carriage.
They all had brought tents to sleep in and despite just sitting in a carriage all day the travel left them tired, so after eating some food they quickly went to bed.
The next morning Jason was woken early by his father entering his tent.
"Jason it's been a while since we went hunting do you fancy it?" Garion asked with a smile.
Jason was still sleepy but he quickly leapt up not wanting his father to change his mind. "I would love to."
"All right get ready, when you're done let's go hopefully we can leave before the driver wakes up."
Jason threw on his clothes as quickly as he could and picked up his sword. He was keen to show his dad how much he had improved. His mum was also awake to see them off. She didn't say anything but was clearly anxious. He noticed that his dad had brought a big bag and was putting on his full armour so he was confused it didn't seem necessary just for a hunt.
Noticing his son's confused face Garion said "Oh didn't I mention we are going to hunt a monster." He said with a smirk.
He said his goodbyes to his mother who told him to stay safe. After putting on his own far less impressive set of armour, not for the first time, Jason looked at his father's sword with some envy. It wasn't that he didn't like his, but his father's had an impressive aura of grandeur that made it look particularly special. Jason hoped one day he would become worthy of a sword like it. All ready they set off into the nearby woods.
"I've heard that you have improved, but I think I will be the judge of that." His father said teasing him.
"Who knows dad I might catch up to you sooner than you think, you're getting old do you think you can keep up old man." Jason replied. Earning him a playful shove from his father.
"Keep up, hahahaha, do you know who you are talking to." He then stopped laughing and returned to his serious tone. It was always captivating when Jason saw this side of his father. "These woods are a lot less dangerous than the one's near our village but we don't know what we might find. We need to be careful. Stick with me if it's more than you can handle I will deal with it. But I'm keen to see what you can do."
They continued to head deeper into the forest and didn't hear or see anything at all for a while. The forest wasn't as dense as the southern forest. It also didn't have the same intimidating aura. However, as they went deeper he felt a familiar feeling. One he hadn't felt for a while. He had even tried to meditate to improve his ability to feel it but had little success. It was his sense opportunity. This time it didn't feel the same as when they had found the mine but it was definitely there.
"Dad I can sense something that way, I think it is my ring again."
"Please tell me it's not another mine are you some sort of metal diviner."
"No I don't think it's a mine this time. It's something else but I'd like to see where it leads."
"Okay, I'm happy to try it."
Jason took the lead as they continued into the forest. He really hoped he wasn't leading them into danger or worse another mine. 'I really don't want to spend the rest of my life playing some weird version of minekraft.' Jason stopped himself as soon as the thought ended, he couldn't quite recall what he even meant by that.
This fear, however, was alleviated as they eventually found a clearing in the forest. Instead of a cave this time there was a small village, made up of a collection of very crudely made huts. Before long Jason could make out some people as well.
"What are people living in the middle of the forest?" Jason asked.
"Those aren't people, those are goblins."