Name: Thomas
Age: 15
Level 7: 85/1600
Health: 45/50
Mana: 100/100
Stage: 1st Circle Mage
Mana absorption rate: 5 mana/min
Breathing technique: Lazy Dragon Monarch
Bloodline: Gold Dragon Monarch
Titles: Beloved by Mana
Strength: 8
Agility: 6
INT: 10
Charisma: 6
Wisdom: 5
SP:10
Abilities: Appraisal
Description: Ability to analyze any person or thing within 2 levels of your power band. ex: you can view up to 3rd circle mages but are unable to view 3rd circle and beyond.
Store: Unlocked
Skills:
Fireball Lvl 1 (85% progress)- DMG: 120 (adjusted depending on natural defenses/resistance)
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"THOMAS! We're here!" Two voices shouted in sync, ensuring that he had truly entered a new stage in his journey.
Making their way in the room, Lorilei and Alice noticed Seraphina on the couch. Bowing quickly they launched into an interrogation, "Thomas we just found out you were out here and you've secretly been with this woman? Do we mean nothing to you?"
The beginnings of a headache already starting, Thomas responded. "She showed up yesterday and I had no idea that she knew I was exiled. Everything happened so fast, I honestly didn't think to message you ladies. We met one time so I didn't think that you would care that much. Besides, as I mentioned to Sera, I'm no longer a member of a Ducal family. Our marriage proposals should be null and void at this point. You're free to find a match worthy of your talents."
"I think we're perfectly capable of determining who is worthy of our talents, Thomas." Lorilei responded with heat. "You formed your mana core minutes after I told you the theory behind it. MINUTES, Thomas. That is insanely gifted. I have a feeling that you'll surpass me in magic in no time but I won't let it be that easy. This is the first time I have an actual rival and I'm excited."
"I'm excited to be here, too." Alice spoke softly. "I wrote you a letter after I got home from your party but Lady Gloria told me what happened. Sorry it took us so long to get here."
"Well, now that you're all here I want to explain my plans for the future. At least, the future I foresee in this town. Sera was kind enough to clear out our bandit problem with her personal guard. I have instructed my own people to begin production of soap but I have a few more tasks I would like help on if you all don't mind. Wait here, I'll go get the designs."
Walking into his room and closing the door, Thomas immediately brought up the System screen to review the potential blueprints that he could implement for the town. Soap had originally relied on his own knowledge from earth but looking over the blueprints, it could be found for a single system point. He saw with the complexity of the plan, the more the system points were required for purchase. The individual plans that caught his eye were a plan for a city-wide sewer systems and magic-infused stone walls. Not only would these walls have increased defenses, they would auto-repair if given enough time and had a shock effect if monsters or invaders got too close. The sewer system would be the first step toward providing every house with an internal bath and toilet. Additional system points would be required for the plans that Thomas had. Both plans were 5 system points which would drain his current point totals.
Deciding the framework for a better city required risk, he bought both plans. The palisade walls had held so far but if what he experienced in the woods was the beginning ring of the forest, he would need much better defense if the stronger monsters came out. Both plans fell out from a pocket in space in rolled scrolls, neatly contained by a tied piece of string. Collecting these scrolls, Thomas went back out to rejoin the ladies. Spreading out the sewer plans, he mentioned it would be a labor intensive job that would require craftsmen from the capitol to achieve.
"Sera, see if you can utilize your contacts to find the right people. Offer them gold for relocation and an appropriate amount of gold upon completion of the project. I would like to have us complete this task inside of a year or two if possible."
"Will do, Thomas. If we account for 200 gold per craftsman and 100 gold for an artisan, then 500 gold upon final completion of the projects, you're looking at 800 gold all in for this public work. That's all covered by the gold recovered from the bandits. I would advise the remaining gold be used to facilitate a mason being brought in as well. You'll need them for the wall you plan to build, especially if you want to extend that wall beyond the palisade. Planning for future expansion is wise at this point." Sera finished, adding what she assumed Thomas' plans for the future might require.
Alice added in, "If you'd like Thomas, why do you let my trading caravan take care of your soap sales for you? We can sell it in our stores and send the profits back here for reinvestment."
Thomas stroked his chin in thought, "That's not a bad idea Alice. I was going to have my attendant, David, try his best at managing sales and distribution but this works out much better. I hope you won't mind me utilizing your trading company. Wait, I thought at the party you said you wanted a trading company?"
Alice softly laughed, "Almost right, Lord Thomas. I said I wanted to make my own money. Luckily for us, my father gave me one store to manage. I renamed it a few days ago and we're already doing good business."
"What's the name of this shop?" Seraphina interjected, curious about this recent development.
"Silver Wind Trading." Alice replied coolly.
"YOU OWN SILVER WIND?! Thomas, accept. Accept immediately. Her shop is gaining traction because they trade honestly and fairly without worry from noble pressures. Everyone who shops there does so because from pauper to prince, you feel like a noble. Your soaps will reach the widest market there. You should also open a headquarters here and spread the word through your shop in the capitol where the headquarters is. Passive migration through word of mouth to be closer to the action." Flashing a thumbs up to Alice, "Nice job, Sis." Alice blushed, unfamiliar with receiving compliments.
"Alright, that sounds like a plan. Alice, I'll leave the book keeping to you. Please involve David and the other former slaves. I want them to learn and have jobs that they can support themselves with."
"Former?" Alice questioned.
"Oh yes, I'm setting this town up as a slave free city once we start growing. Here, station of birth will not matter. I'll promote those that show talent and punishment will fit the crime. Too often in the duchy I saw people get away with heinous acts just because they were in the nobility. Even if I have to do it town by town, city by city; there are things I want to change in the Empire."
"Careful, Thomas." Seraphina interjected. "Things like slavery are not just legal, they're enabled by the Crown. Make too many enemies, and trouble will come to you before you ever have a chance to go looking for it."
"Oh, I see. Will this cause a problem for you if it comes to that?" Thomas prodded gently.
"Hahaha, of course not. I'm from a branch family remember. We're tolerated, not accepted. I stand with my husband."
For once Thomas did not argue with his new title.
"Lori, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Lori? Fine, what is it?" She would never admit to it but he had ignored her almost since she entered the room and it was frustrating competing for attention when everyone was exceptional.
"I have a mana stone that I would like to see if it can help me jump to the 2nd circle. I know you said my mana has to be full and a mana stone is usually required to push through to the next level. I need your help."
At this point, Lorilei couldn't be surprised anymore. She was clearly dealing with a genius. Just his sewer and wall defense alone would have made him sought after in kingdoms around the continent. Now here he was a week and a half from forming his core and he was ready to go to the 2nd circle as a mage. "Sure I'll help but on one condition. After this, no breakthroughs for a while. You need to understand the power your wield before immediately rushing to the next band. A fireball that once lit up a target for a 1st circle can destroy the target and the wall behind it as a 2nd circle. Your output will increase, your damage increases, your control increases. All of these things will require practice to master. So no more after this."
"Agreed." Thomas readily accepted. He had the same inklings as well. Additionally, he wanted to grow his level and add additional spells to his list. Who knew when having other elements would come in handy. Looking around the gathered strategy meeting, he was thankful they had all come.
These three ladies would be the linchpins in his plans. He still was not entirely sold on the idea of marrying 3 women or how he would choose between the 3 when the time came. Only time and experience would tell how this would play out and he was excited for the journey.
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Far to the east, in a dimly lit room; a plate shattered against a stone wall.
"What is the meaning of this, Father? You said I could have my revenge! You said his blood would pool at my feet and now you're accepting the Empire's so called punishment? Have you lost your senses?!"
"Have you lost yours?" A calm voice echoed in the shadows. "I may be your father but I am still the Grand Marshall, leader of the armies of Valois and head of House Osterland. Don't you forget it again, boy."
"Now....if you have calmed yourself, we are taking another route for vengeance. One that aligns with the Valois goals as well. For the past century, we have paid royalties and tithes to the Empire. Payment for a war our forefathers were unable or unwilling to win. We have bided our time, waiting for the Empire to grow complacent and weak. Soon, they will remember the terror of the Valois. Soon, it will be our turn at the head of the table. Just follow orders and keep your eyes peeled. The winds of change shall soon blow in our favor."