The coachman parked the carriage near the Viscount's manor. It was significantly larger than their own, resembling a small castle. A soldier clad in plated armor, far superior to the leather worn by their own guards, stood at the entrance.
As the family stepped out of the carriage and approached the gates, a large guard halted them.
"Halt! State your business."
Arthas, familiar with their protocols, stepped forward. He had passed through these gates countless times before, first as a squire and later as a Baron. The guards, ever wary of strangers, had once regarded him with suspicion, but now they recognized him as one of their own. "I am Sir Arthas, a Baron of Viscount Edward. We are here to visit my lord."
The soldier scrutinized Arthas before shifting his gaze to Eleanor, who held Aldrich in her arms. After a moment, he gave a curt nod. "You may enter." He then turned and shouted to the inner guards, signaling them to open the gate.
Arthas nodded in gratitude, and the family of three passed through the gates. They entered the grand manor, where a steward greeted them at the main door.
"Welcome back, Sir Arthas. The Viscount will arrive shortly."
Arthas exchanged pleasantries with the steward while Aldrich quietly observed his surroundings, mentally comparing the lavish estate to his own home.
'It's much larger than ours, and the soldiers are better equipped.'
Soon, Viscount Edward Bolkiah entered. Despite his age, his towering and muscular frame spoke of his warrior past. He was, without a doubt, a formidable presence, likely at least a Tier 3 Enhanced Warrior.
With a hearty laugh, Edward opened his arms and pulled Arthas into a bear hug. "Arthas! It has been too long! After the Battle of Kretel, you disappeared."
Arthas returned the embrace, patting the older man on the back. "Good to see you too, my lord."
Edward turned to Eleanor, a playful smirk on his face. "And who do we have here? The Rose of House Kane."
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "And here stands the Windbag of House Bolkiah."
Edward roared with laughter, then noticed the baby in Eleanor's arms. He stepped closer, peering at the child. "And who might this little one be?"
Arthas placed a hand on Eleanor's shoulder. "This is Aldrich, our fourth child."
Edward studied Aldrich's face, and Aldrich stared back, unflinching. The Viscount chuckled. "I like his eyes—full of spirit. I only hope he takes after his mother in looks."
Dark lines appeared on Arthas' forehead as he resisted the urge to smack the old Viscount. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject. "My lord, we've come to see your priest. We wish to have our child's talent appraised."
"Ah! Of course! We shall go at once. Let me don my equipment first!" Before Arthas could protest, the Viscount had already disappeared into the armory.
Eleanor chuckled. "Still as energetic as ever."
Arthas smiled, recalling his past. Orphaned at a young age, he had been raised and trained by the Viscount himself.
"Indeed."
Moments later, Edward returned, now clad in leather armor with a greatsword strapped to his back. Arthas sighed and facepalmed but chose to remain silent.
"No time to waste! Let's go to the church!" Edward declared, leading the way with two soldiers accompanying them.
As they walked, Arthas inquired, "Any news from the kingdom?"
Edward sighed. "Tensions are rising between our army and the orcs of the Southern Desert. For generations, they have remained in their barren lands, but recent skirmishes suggest they are becoming more organized—perhaps even uniting under a single warlord. Worse still, some humans have betrayed us and joined their ranks, offering them tactics and weaponry they previously lacked."
Eleanor remained silent, merely squeezing Arthas' hand in concern. Aldrich, though only a child, listened intently. 'Great, my first year in this world and we already have war looming. Can I at least get a baby rattle before dealing with geopolitical tensions?'
"We'll discuss this after the appraisal," Arthas said, and the Viscount nodded in agreement.
Before long, they arrived at the church. A nun stood at the entrance, carrying a donation box. "Good afternoon, Lord Edward. Would you care to make an offering?"
Edward tossed in a few copper coins. "May the All-Mother bless you," the nun responded as they entered.
Aldrich noted this reference to Jan'ahrem, the deity worshiped by humans in this world. She bore similarities to the god from his past life, believed to be the creator and guardian of humankind. He made a mental note of this female god.
Inside, they approached the altar, where a priest knelt in prayer. Arthas stepped forward cautiously. "Excuse me, could you appraise my child's talent?"
The priest opened his eyes—milky white, yet he did not seem elderly. He appeared to be around forty, close to Arthas' age. "Of course. Lay the child here."
He gestured to a pedestal draped with white cloth. Eleanor carefully placed Aldrich down, whispering, "Stay still and behave."
The priest took a bowl filled with a viscous liquid resembling water. Dipping two fingers in, he traced a swastika symbol on Aldrich's forehead. Then, he began murmuring an incantation, his voice incomprehensible to those watching. The air grew heavy with an unseen force, the priest's murmurs intensifying as the glow around Aldrich flickered. A sudden hush fell over the room as the energy concentrated around the child, crackling with invisible power.
Ding!
Aldrich's mind jolted at the unexpected notification.
UNKNOWN ENERGY DETECTED!
Invading Host. Reject? Yes/No
He chose No without hesitation.
A new notification appeared:
[Hidden Quest: Class Selection]
Requirements: 0.5 in all attributes
Reward: Class Selection (based on appraisal results).
'Oh, come on! I just got here and I'm already failing the talent check? At least let me cheat a little,' Aldrich grumbled as he quickly checked his status panel.
[Status Panel]
Age: 1 / 75 years
Class: N/A
Health: 4.1 / 4.1
Mana: 13.9 / 13.9
Strength: 0.41
Agility: 0.41
Intelligence: 1.39
Vitality: 0.41
Skills: N/A
Skill Points: 2
Unused Attribute Points: 0.55
Experience Points: 1000
System, distribute 0.1 to Strength, Agility, and Vitality.
[Updated Status Panel]
Age: 1 / 75 years
Class: N/A
Health: 5.1 / 5.1
Mana: 13.9 / 13.9
Strength: 0.51
Agility: 0.51
Intelligence: 1.39
Vitality: 0.51
Skills: N/A
Skill Points: 2
Unused Attribute Points: 0.25
Experience Points: 1000
Before Aldrich could complete the changes, the priest frowned. "The child is weak. He cannot receive the All-Mother's blessing."
A sigh of disappointment escaped his parents—until the light surrounding Aldrich suddenly grew brighter.
The priest gasped. "He barely made it! Praise the All-Mother!"
Ding!
[Hidden Quest: Class Selection Completed!]
Requirements: 0.5 in all attributes (Achieved)
Reward: Class Selection
Aldrich grinned in excitement. 'Alright, RNG gods, don't fail me now!' He mentally shouted, 'Claim!'
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED A CLASS SELECTION TICKET (Permanent).