Time To System Unlock:

0 hours

20 minutes

57 seconds

Tobias had ditched the box hours ago back in the alley and stuffed the valuable spurs in his pants pocket. The sharp spines had almost instantly cut through the fabric, so he wrapped them in a thick rag he used to wipe his hands. Using the rag as cushioning, he stuffed them in his other pocket.

Not that it mattered much. He was told people who had specific classes could feel magical signatures. If these spurs were meant for the Overlord, it likely had a doozy of a signature.

Probably the only reason no one had come looking for him yet was that it was approaching midnight. The only people out and about were Support pathers coming home, guards patrolling, and night hunting warriors who would be out in the forest lands.

Time was on Tobias’s side — at least until morning when Brock realized the package had not been delivered. Then he would come looking.

Tobias was not entirely sure why he had kept the spurs, except as perhaps a final act of defiance.

When he had just under twenty minutes until he could unlock the System, he crept back into the barn. There was no sign of Brock. The lamps had all been turned low. Even the normally anxious horses were asleep, except for the Clydesdale stallion who watched him with angry eyes.

Tobias grabbed a stool and sat near him… Though he kept out of range of his teeth.

It didn’t matter that the horse didn’t like him. He was awake and Tobias didn’t feel like being alone right now.

He waited in silence, waited for the System to count down, waited for Brock or one of the guards to come and drag him away. Whatever happened first.

Tobias wasn’t normally a person who remained passive in his life — even while playing a dullard, he had to be constantly on the lookout for danger — but there were some situations where the result was out of his hands.

He had thrown the dice the moment he took the magical spurs for himself. Hiding them would have been a death sentence as well, so he might as well keep them. Who knew? Maybe he could sell them later.

Five minutes until System unlock. He activated the gray screen to watch the seconds tick by.

At thirty seconds, his hand crept down to touch the metal of the spurs hidden in his pocket. It felt warmer than just his body heat could account for.

Ten seconds and he looked at the stallion. “Well, here goes nothing.”

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

The screen which had been gray for the last eight years, flashed to green and read: System Unlocked.

That was instantly replaced by a new box:

You have unlocked the Support Path.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Of course I have, he thought with bitter relief. Bitter because as a Support pather, he would not be able to fight or ever truly defend himself. The relief came with knowing, the theft of the spurs aside, he would be allowed to live.

Choose your class.

Tobias closed his eyes for a moment to gather himself before he allowed himself to look and choose.

Servant (General) - Common

A servant is a general class and defined by the dedication of their life to the well being and success of others. A servant has the capability of excelling in a wide range of supportive roles, which may later specialize through class evolutions. The servant is always at the ready, embodying selflessness.

Farmer (General) - Common

Farmer is a class which is deeply attuned to the land. Their expertise lies in tilling soil, planting crops, and raising livestock. Though not trained in combat, farmers have endurance and physical fortitude. As the farmer takes on more duties and learns his or her craft, they may specialize into more powerful sub-classes. The farmer embodies finding resourceful solutions to problems while nurturing life.

Butler (Household Staff) - Uncommon

The Butler class is a specialization of the Servant class. Trained in the art of service, the Butler anticipates the needs of their master and executes tasks on their behalf with flawless efficiency. Their presence keeps moral high and smooths the way for those greater than themselves. Butlers who excel may further specialize in Household Management and Bodyguard classes. The Butler is the quiet guardian who maintains household stability.

Leather Worker (Craft) Uncommon

The Leather Worker is a Craft class which possesses a deep understanding of the properties of leather. They can fashion flexible armor, clothing, and household items. The Leather worker knows the value of every part of a creature and harvests without waste. Leather Workers may specialize into further aspects of their craft, and evolve their class.

Steed Tamer (Tamer) - Rare

The Steed Tamer specializes in training, care, and breeding of steeds for battle. Though the Steed Tamer is a Support Class, their connection to animals allows them to excel in mounted combat. A high leveled Steed Tamer can create formidable partners on the battlefield and is a veritable force to be reckoned with.

He blinked. Then he reread the list again, just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Then Tobias glanced at the stallion who glared back at him.

“That’s not a help,” he told the horse. “Do you know how strange this is? People usually get a couple of decent choices out of a lot of bad. I got… well, one. And it’s amazing.”

Well, for him there wasn’t a choice at all. It was not like he was going to pick Butler and serve the Overlord in person. He would rather gouge out his eyes.

Tobias focused hard on Steed Tamer.

As he did, the spurs in his pocket flashed hot before seeming to cool again.

And for the first time, Tobias could see his own sheet.

Name: Tobias

Age: 18

Level: 0

Rank: 0

Titles: 0

Skills: 0 (locked until first steed is tamed)

Steeds: 0/1

Would you like to add your first steed?

“I...” His mouth dropped open, and he rose from his seat, shock and hope mingling together to send a thrill up his spine. Perhaps he was slow on the uptake, or maybe he just refused to believe good luck could happen to him. But it hit him just then that this was truly a special class.

And special classes were always exploited by the Overlord.

Tobias needed to get out of here, and for the first time, he might have the ability to do it.

For the first time, Tobias could take his own destiny into his hands.

Without another thought, he once again concentrated on the final line of his sheet.

Add your steed.

Some instinct told him he would have to lay his hands on the animal in order to ‘add’ it. Whatever that meant. That was going to be a challenge.

His gaze flicked to the Clydesdale stallion, which gave him a baleful look in return.

The other two options were the flea-bitten mare, but she was too heavily in foal to safely ride. The mule had a good mind and was healthy, but he was only a mule. This stallion was so exceptional that even the Overlord knew it.

Tobias wanted him as his own.

“You’re going to be my steed,” he said. “Do you have a problem with that?”