Arthur could tell that something was weird with the system energy, but he could only spare so much attention to the process. Recovering with his own skill still took up a lot of his focus as he tried to figure out another layer to the process.
While it seemed like it had been several minutes to Jacob, in reality, only a few seconds had passed for his family.
Meanwhile, Jacob deliberated his options.
On the one hand, he considered as he remembered how Arthur's magic seemed rigid, as if it was created from a stencil instead of the mind, if I reject it, then I will retain my autonomy in learning my own skills. On the other hand, I will lose the ability to gauge how the people of this world measure their power.
The system was silent this time, since it had already interrupted a similar line of inquiry. It was up to Jacob to figure out what he wanted.
The rejection was considered briefly, but ultimately, Jacob relaxed his own magical field after a bit of mental deliberation. He could only see the upsides to the system integration, and if he felt that he was becoming too reliant on it, then he could probably cut it off in the future.
He relaxed his magical field and allowed the foreign energy into his body to begin the full integration process.
System Confirmation: Integration accepted. Beginning full assimilation.
There was no rush of information into his mind as far as he could tell; the energy just seemed to house itself at a particular part of his brainstem before spreading out throughout his body with little tendrils.
The connection felt tentative, though. It was like he could easily push it out with his own power. He even had to relax the energy he kept wrapped around his body in places to allow the energy to completely integrate.
Once the energy had seemingly touched every part of his mind and body, the slightly overwhelming part of the integration started. Blue screens started flashing up one after another, and he had to mentally dismiss them until he could go through them one at a time.
There was a soft, robotic voice that spoke to him before going silent.
System Notice: Integration Successful.
Behind him on the porch, a collective sigh of relief washed over the family. The chaotic, hovering light had frightened them a bit, but its sudden absorption was the clear, universally understood sign of a successful awakening.
"He did it," May said as she released the built-up tension from her shoulders. She stood up from her rocking chair, a wide smile breaking across her face.
She rushed off the porch, wrapping her arms around Jacob in a tight hug. "Happy birthday, my sweet boy," she murmured to him as he was coming out of the daze caused by that slight overload of information.
Arthur seemed to be at a critical point in using his skill, but Jacob noticed a firm nod from him before he went back to concentrating on recovery.
Caleb walked up next, clapping him solidly on the back. "Welcome to the real world, little brother. Let's see if those system stats match that Tier 1 mana of yours."
Sera and Oren stepped down from the porch as well, offering their own congratulations. Oren gave a respectful nod, one hand resting on his sword hilt out of habit while the other clapped Jacobs's shoulder.
"Now that you're integrated," Caleb said, his competitive edge returning with a grin, "you're going to have to deal with 'The Big 3'. Have you looked at your quest log yet?"
May had stepped back as they stood around Jacob to help introduce him to the system.
Jacob shook his head, "I managed to dismiss the menus, but I'm not sure how to bring them back up."
Oren spoke up this time, "You just have to think about what you want to access. Initially, there are notifications about your integration; you can go over those later. For now, just focus on the 'Quest Log,' and it will show up.
Jacob did as instructed, and a new blue screen popped up after thinking about it for a couple of seconds.
Quest Log
Minor Quests:
1. Feed the Chickens.
Rewards: 100 Quest xp.
2. Visit the Adventurers Guild in Thornhold
Rewards: 200 Quest xp.
3. Pending Class Selection
Rewards: ???
Major Quests:
1. Kill an E-rank Dungeon Boss
Rewards: 1200 Quest xp, 1 Major Class Skill, 3 Free Attribute Points
2. Drink from the Solesthene River
Rewards: 1200 Quest xp, 1 Major Class Skill, 3 Free Attribute Points
3. Slay 12 Zinthar Combatants
Rewards: 600 Quest xp, 1 Major Class Skill, +5 skill levels (pick 1 skill)
Seeing the quests available to him left Jacob slightly confused.
His friends and family noticed the confusion on his face, and each of them understood why, so they began to explain.
"The 'Big 3' are the first three major quests you will see in the log." Oren began, "They are the same type for everyone. One to kill a dungeon boss, one for exploration, and one to defend the land you live on."
"Ok, I see them," Jacob said, "Where is the Solesthene River?"
Caleb raised his eyebrows, but then remembered that the people in this area tend to get the same quests. He replied to Jacob's inquiry, "It's up north where you came from, and it'll require you to fight through the Zinthar, which should be your third quest anyway."
"I take it you all have these same quests then?" Jacob said as he looked around.
Oren was the only one to shake his head no. "Actually, my second quest was to travel to the Arbalax Mountain peak, which is that mountain," he replied as he pointed at the distant mountain.
"As you might expect," he continued, "That is one of the quests I have already managed to finish. I have also slain an E-rank dungeon boss with a team my master put together."
"Wait a second," Jacob said as he turned to Sera, "Have you completed any?"
Sera blushed as Caleb stepped forward to put a hand on his brother's shoulder once more as he replied for Sera, "Bro, you're not supposed to actually ask people which quests they have completed. It's considered rude amongst system holders. Oren telling you his quests was already very nice of him. Typically, you would let someone mention that themselves."
"Oh, sorry," Jacob hurriedly said as he turned back to Sera, "I didn't mean to be rude."
"It's ok," she replied, "I actually had the same exploration quest as Oren for some reason. I went there with some of the other village kids and their older siblings after we had awoken the system. We were scolded for it because of the cold, but we all attained a skill for our class from it."
"Speaking of," Jacob said as he looked through his menu, "I don't see a class in these windows."
This time, May looked a bit worried as she spoke up to help, "It's supposed to be the first thing that the system tells you about as soon as it awakens, look for your 'User Page'."
Thinking about his User Page, he found what looked like a character sheet with some useful basic information about himself.
User Name: Jacob Hemlock
Age: 12
Integration Status:Complete
Class:??? (Evaluating Class)
Jacob frowned. "It says my class is evaluating. There are just question marks next to it."
May looked relieved, but Caleb tilted his head. "That's weird. It usually just snaps to whatever you have the highest affinity for based on your childhood and knowledge."
Jacob mentally focused on the ??? to see if he could pull up more information. The moment his intent touched the text, the blue screen flickered violently, turning an ominous shade of crimson. A piercing, metallic chime rang in his head.
System Error: Bloodline Curse Detected
Curse Origin: Paternal Lineage
Effect: Forced Class Assignment - Peasant Farmer (Grade: F-[LOCKED])
System Notice: Class evaluation terminated. Assigning cursed class...
Jacob's breath caught in his throat as he felt like he plunged straight into icy water for a moment. A curse? A forced and locked F-grade class? He looked up, about to shout to his father, but his voice died in his throat.
A few feet away, Arthur was entirely still, his eyes were narrowed and focused on something only he could see.
All this time, he had been pushing his recovery skill continuously since they stepped out onto the porch, trying to understand the last sliver he needed to gain the last level.
He had been sitting at level 9 for a while, and the constant, deliberate exertion finally tipped the scales.
Deep within Arthur's own soul, a brilliant golden light fractured the rigid blue system panes, and a familiar robotic voice sounded out within his mind.
Skill Level Up:Mana Flux Lv. 9 -> Lv. 10 (Class Max)
System Alert: Final condition met.
Arthur gasped, staggering back a step as a cascading waterfall of golden text flooded his vision, completely overriding his usual interface.
Hidden Quest Completed: Break the Bloodline Curse Conditions Met:
Max Level in Peasant Farmer Class (60/60) - Confirmed.
Max Level in Pitchfork Mastery (50/50) - Confirmed.
Max Base Stats for Peasant Farmer Class (10/10) - Confirmed.
Actively lead a successful farm - Confirmed.
Minimum revenue in relation to farm size - Confirmed.
Minimum success rate in raising cattle - Confirmed.
Minimum employee satisfaction - Confirmed.
Raise 10 Skills to Max Class Level (10) - Confirmed
Rewards:
[Lock] for Rank-F Class (Peasant Farmer) Revoked
Feat Achieved!
Class Upgraded: Peasant Farmer (F) -> Farmer (E)
Arthur stared at the glowing words, his heart hammering against his ribs. Memories of his life leading up to this moment rushed back in an instant. Old Thom's cryptic ramblings, the sorcerer's insistence that Arthur learn every skill he could get his hands on, and the strange demands to expand the farm and treat his workers like family.
He knew that the crazy old man had acted as a mentor for the men of his family. The old man was written about in the journals. What he didn't know was what exactly the old man was pushing them toward.
Apparently, Old Thom wanted to break this curse all this time. But for what reason?
Arthur couldn't think about it too long, as the system had more to say to him.
Reward: Epic Feat Unlocked
Reward: Epic Title Granted - He Who Breaks Curses
Title Effect: Eliminates all bloodline-level and below curses for all generations after the earner.
While Equipped: the earner is immune to any curses up to the bloodline-tier. Grants limited immunity to weak poisons.
By focusing on the title for a moment, he was able to equip it.
Oren was the only one who seemed to be able to see the title, and it caused his eyes to go wide from whatever identification skill he possessed.
Simultaneously, Jacob watched in astonishment as the crimson error screen in his own vision froze. The red borders shattered like brittle glass, dissolving into a shower of golden sparks before returning to the previous blue screen of the standard system interface.
System Notice: Bloodline Curse Eliminated by external source (Title Effect: He Who Breaks Curses)
System Notice: Forced class assignment revoked. Class evaluation resuming... Please wait for a suitable class to be generated.
Jacob let out a long exhale as he released the stress that was building up over being forced to be locked into an F-ranked class after he had reluctantly allowed the system to integrate within him.
He looked over at his father, who was staring right back at him, the older man's chest heaving slightly with exertion and shock.
Neither of them said a word about the golden light or the shattered curse, but a silent understanding passed between them. Whatever had just happened, Arthur had fought a massive battle within the system and won.
"Well," Jacob said, clearing his throat and forcing a relaxed smile for the rest of the group. "It says it is still evaluating. I guess my magic is making it work a little overtime to figure out where I fit."
Everyone who noticed the pause and silent exchange between father and son kept it to themselves. They all knew the duo would reveal whatever happened in due time.
Caleb laughed, clapping him on the shoulder again. "With the way you blow up hammers, I'm not surprised the system is confused."
"It's getting late," Arthur suddenly announced, his voice carrying a new, profound weight. Once again, Oren seemed to be the only one who could measure the meaning of that weight.
Arthur looked around the small group, his eyes settling on Jacob.
"You've had a long day, son. And a long four months." He addressed Jacob with a tired voice, "In the morning, after you get some good sleep, meet me in my study. I have some free time tomorrow, and since you finally have the system, I am going to teach you the language skills you need. It's time I finally showed you the Hemlock journal."
There were murmurs of agreement, and everyone shuffeled tiredly into the house and said their goodnights with promises to talk more about the system in the morning.
Jacob finally collapsed into his bed. The house was entirely silent, save for the distant chirping of crickets outside his window.
He lay on his back, staring up at the darkened ceiling. With a thought and a slight delay, he pulled up the glowing blue interface once more, working his way through the minor menus and exploring his new reality before sleep finally pulled him under.