Cheaper 1 - birthday

In a small corner of the world you will find the human kingdom of Promena. In Promena humans live happily, but for one man it's a special day.

“Happy birthday!” David is groggily waking up by his family shouting. He hasn't had much sleep since the anticipation kept him up all night. It's his 20th birthday and it marks the start of a new chapter in his life. Today he will get his first level and unlock the classes he has worked on for the last eight years.

“Did you level up while you were asleep?” Asked Sara, his little sister.

“Nope not yet, but I guess you would've noticed if I had” answered David yawning “it's not a subtle thing to level up, I mean, there's a loud Ding and you're enveloped by a pillar of golden light”

“Ooh I'm so looking forward to seeing it! None of my friends has seen it yet, so I'm going to be very popular when I can tell them about it!”

“Sure you can, but first your big brother needs to get dressed so we can eat breakfast. We’ve got a lot to do today so we better get started” their mother broke into the conversation.

Few minutes later David sat down at the table ready to eat. For breakfast they had oatmeal mixed with nuts and fresh fruits. It was a kinda normal, but today they got orange juice mixed with sparkling wine. David had tasted the mix once before when his friend Emilian had his 20 year birthday a few weeks ago.

A loud Ding resounded and a pillar of light shot down from the sky and hit David, bathing him and his family in a golden light which gave an invigorating feeling to all of them.

“Congratulations” his father said, “you're now an adult, and can now choose for yourself which way you wish to progress. Lets see what the world has awarded you for your work so far first though. Honey, do you mind bringing the Mirror of the Mind?” He turned to his wife and asked

A Mirror of the Mind is a magic tool that allows humans to view their status, and all families in Promena owned at least one each. Mirrors like that is mostly used for people who has just had their first level, as learning the spell to watch your own status is considered quite basic.

David was shaking with nervous anticipation. He knew he had worked hard, but it was not always people got the classes and skills they hoped for at the first level.

For the past eight years David had worked hard maintaining a strict schedule of studying and doing exercises enhancing his connection with the primal plane of magic. He had opted out of weapons training since he couldn't find any weapons he were comfortable with.

Now at the age of twenty, he would receive a number of classes and skills based on the knowledge and experience he had accumulated, but sometimes a random skill would show up. David really hoped he wouldn't get any random skills since they rarely worked well together with what the owner had worked for.

“Here you are, David, let's see what you got” his mother handed the Mirror to David and looked with anticipation at her son.

David placed the Mirror in front of him at a slight angle so that he could see the top of his head. Slowly the Mirror clouded over as if it was hit with steam. When it was no longer discernible what the Mirror was showing words started to appear.

>> Level 1, Human <<

>> Classes <<

> Mage

> Scholar

> Riftwalker

strength 12

Dexterity 15

Vertality 13

Willpower 21

Intelligence 19

Affinity 22

>> skills <<

> basic elemental magic <

> speed reading <

> basic cleaning <

> basic pattern recognition <

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

David was ecstatic, not only did he get the mage class he had hoped for, he also got the Riftwalker class which increased affinity for energies from other planes, one of which is mana, the energy from the plane of magic.

Deep down David had hoped he would get an advanced version of the Mage class, like Flame Magistrate or another of the elemental improvements. He knew it had been unlikely but he was still a little disappointed that he only got one caster class and that it was the basic one too.

“Congratulations son, you've worked hard and it seems the Paragons have chosen to award you with the class you've hoped for, and even give you the Riftwalker too.” His father smiled at him “let's all go down to Charles’ and get you your first staff”

David's eyes lit up “sure, I really hope he has one that fits me”

Of cause David had been to Charles’ place lot the last few months looking and trying out different staffs in case he got the classes he hoped for.

“Before we go, I would like you to open a gift we’ve got you.” His mother said “it's something which will make us less anxious when you leave home”

His mother went into storeroom and came back with a large rectangular gift wrapped in white linen.

David wondered what it could be while he unwrapped the gift. He knew it couldn't be a leather armor since it was customary for young people to earn their first armor themselves.

He was quite surprised when he opened the gift and found a large kite shield made of wood with metal reinforcements near the edges.

“Thanks mom, dad, I don't know what to say” he had mixed feelings “I really don't know how to use a shield..” he smiled awkwardly “but I'm sure I'll learn to wield both shield and magic!” He hastily said when he saw his mother's face drop at his comment. “Really, thanks a lot”

“You know your mother and I only wish the best for you” his father said “it makes us a lot more comfortable knowing you at least has something to protect your life until you earn you first armor. And don't think I don't know how Mages tend to not use real armor! You better not join that trend just because it seems cool!” His father said sternly.

David mumbled some confirmation, it was not the first time his dad had lectured him on the importance of good armor. “Let's get to Charles’, I can hardly wait to find a staff” David changed the subject back “we also got to go to the Fountain of Sealing so I can pick up my starter quest”

Charles’ was the go to shop for low price equipment, which meant that most low level people went there, both to buy and sell. The available arms and armor changed often so Davi really hoped the Staff of minor Alacrity was still there. He had found it in the shop last week but couldn't buy it since he hadn't had his birthday at that point and no one would sell real equipment for youngsters under twenty - after all, you newer knew which shills they would get.

Kim hailed David and his family when they entered the shop. She was the current owner of the shop and a friend of David, in fact she was a friend of almost all youngs and low leveled. She had a certain charm which made people instantly like her. That and her friendly prices were the main reasons her reputation was so good.

Rumors said she used to be an adventurer when she was younger. Everyone used to be adventurers so it was highly likely she also had had that occupation at some point.

David smiled at Kim “I got the Mage class, and guess what?” He called triumphantly

“What? Did you get an upgraded or specialized class too?”

“I got the Riftwalker class” he answered proudly

“Congrats, that's a strong class to earn as a starter” she smiled back st him and reached under the counter “I guess you're still interested in the Staff of minor Alacrity?” She pulled up a brown, plain looking staff about one and a half meters long.

“Yeah that's the one I hoped I could get” he looked at his dad

“Can I inspect it?” Is mom asked

“Sure”

“Looks like an okay beginner staff, not too unwieldy and no unnecessary enchantments or ornaments. Have a good balance too if you have to use it as a weapon” she mumbled, loud enough for the rest to hear.

“Please don't use it as a club” Kim said “it might break, and the enchantments might explode destroying your hand if you do”

“Oh it should be plenty strong for a beginner to use as a makeshift club, it's not like he'll do that regularly anyway, right?” His mom asked

“No I would most definitely not go melee if I can avoid it” David answered

“Pass it over here please, I want to have a look too” his dad stretched his arm towards the staff.

After a brief inspection he nodded in agreement “yeah it does seem like a weapon that will fit the way you've trained, David. Increasing your casting speed can save your life if you're in a bad situation”

“Thanks mom and dad” David said with a smile “we'll take it” he said to Kim “how much is it?”

“It'll be 285, 250 since it's your first”

David handed her the money “thanks, hope I'll soon be back for a nice set of armor, we're off to the Fountain, see you around”

Leaving the shop David felt like he could take on the world. New shield and new staff, what more could wish for?

There were a lot of young people near the Fountain of Sealing, all people who were there to either pick up or turn in the mandatory quest of Powering the Plane. The quest was quite simple, get to level five and come back to deliver the accumulated power. It would cost you your hard earned levels, but you would be awarded with some attribute points across the board which was nice. It was also this quest that powered the demiplane humanity lived on, so it was quite important to do it. It was customary to do the quest once per class you had, which meant whenever someone got a new class they would come back and do the quest once more.

David approached the Fountain and placed his hand on the side

>>quest<<

Powering the Plane

Reach level five and turn in the accumulated power.

Do you wish to accept?

David selected yes.