Old Thom took the box with the shovel and replaced it with the sack of coins in the young man's hands.
"This is 20 gold and 80 silver."
Jacob was unsure of how much this was, so he turned to Arthur, who had his jaw hanging wide open. So Jacob handed his dad the money, who seemed to be unsure of taking it.
But the old man continued, handing the enching tool to Jacob, who could now see that it was not just silver like the one at home. This one had a core that was more of a blue color.
"This etching tool has a core of mithril. It is useless to me and most of the mages, as well as the wizards in our kingdom. To you, it is a priceless artifact. The mithril makes this beyond the value of the curious trinket that you have brought me, which leads to this third object."
He picked up the dagger and showed it to Jacob and Arthur.
"This dagger is made of adurable material."
He grunted a little when he said this, almost like his words were forcibly changed at the last moment, which caused Arthur to sweat a little. But the old man continued like nothing had happened.
"I want that dagger enchanted in the same manner as this little gardening tool. You do that, and the etching tool is yours for good."
He patted Jacob on the head, sending him off toward his older brother.
"Now, Arthur, I think it's time we talk. Just you and me. Adult stuff, ok?"
Arthur gave the old man a knowing look and a nod after making eye contact. Then he turned to his boys to usher them toward the door.
"Alright, boys, go wait at the wagon. This won't take long."
The boys looked a bit dazed, but they walked through the gate to wait at the wagon as directed by their father.
Once the boys were gone, Arthur turned to see Old Thom looking at him.
"The young one is abnormal. Beyond just gifted. Is his mother really May?"
Arthur was immediately taken aback, looking like he had just been slapped in the face.
But Old Thom pressed on, instead.
"No, no, it looks like you didn't father a bastard. Could it be the other way around? Have any random Grand Wizards or maybe the king come through your village lately?"
At this point, Arthur was quite flabbergasted. He managed to spit out a reply, regardless.
"Guh, uh, Thom! No, he is mine. Ours. May is his mother, and I am his father. I am sure of it."
Old Thom stared into Arthur's eyes, his own eyes glowing a bit with a slight cerulean light.
"Hmmm, I see. I would accept if he were the product of some random power house wandering through the village and taking that beautiful woman for themselves. But for him to be born that way naturally, of a couple of farming peasants. . . Well, that has not happened in centuries. And the last time it happened caused upheaval in all of Meldra, not just our little kingdom here."
Arthur started shaking his head, his facial expression a bit awkward.
"Thom, what are you talking about? Are you saying there is something special about the awakening that Jacob has experienced?"
Old Thom scoffed.
"Special? That kid has nearly the magical power I possess after over a century of honing my abilities. And I am not some weak sorceror, either. While I was not trained in an academy like those pompous wizard jackasses, I still found my way. I could still give the best of them a run for their money. And for an upstart little snot-nosed brat that hasn't even unlocked the system to come along and be granted that power?"
Old Thom started pacing.
"He needs to be kept away from any other type of magic for as long as possible. If too much power is given in too short of a time, you could end up with a little monster on your hands."
Arthur had gathered his bearings by this point.
"My son will be nothing like the monsters! He is a kind boy! He has a loving heart. And you should see how caring he is for the chickens. You wouldn't say this if you knew him. Besides, it's hard to believe he has the power you say he does."
Arthur picked up the trowel, turned weapon.
"Sure, this shovel is much more powerful than the enchantment intended, but from what you have said before, it is just the type of leeway inscription has over other types of enchanting methods.
Thom shook his head, giving Arthur kind eyes. Like a grandfather looking at a grandchild.
"I reached out with my magical field and brushed against his. There was more than just raw power. It was controlled. He coils it around himself like an extension of his own body, and I am not sure if he is even doing that on purpose."
Arthur chuckled a bit at this point, partly because he couldn't believe the absurdity of it. Partly because he couldn't even understand why Old Thom was so upset.
"Even then, you know how the system is. Even someone born with magic still tends to inherit the family skills. As far as I know, the mage class is only given to those trained from a very young age until the awakening of their system. You probably know more about this than I do."
Thom nodded his head.
"Indeed. You are correct in that he will most likely be given the farmer class. But that can change. All it takes is one life-altering experience, and the system can evolve the main class. And the gravity of that experience tends to be subjective. Like someone graduating from an academy. Or winning a life-or-death battle."
Arthur threw his hands up in the air.
"Gah! I would give him that experience if I could! He deserves more than just this farm, and as his father, I would do anything to see him succeed. To see him go as far as he can go. As far as he wants to go."
Thom moved in and patted his back.
"I know why you brought him here, for me to see. And if I have not made my stance clear, my friend, I will have to deny you your request to train the boy. It is too dangerous. Someone like him needs to find his own way, or live as a farmer."
Arthur hung his head at these words, denied of his request before he could even make it.