“Father, I want to join the Priesthood.”

  Lord Varus Ordheim, my father, regarded me from across his desk. He held in one hand the letter from Father Wolric while his other hand tapped a rhythm. It was always hard for me to get a read on his thoughts, but I could tell the news that a Dungeon Portal spilling out Undead into the graveyard in his city had not pleased him.

  “Yes,” he began, “Father Wolric mentions that here.” He waved the letter. “What he doesn’t mention is why?”

  I had already put a great deal of thought into answering the very question I knew was going to be asked. Yes, my second life did provide a level of comfort many others in Aramyr didn’t have and I had spent most of my time surrounded by safety. Ordheim is a bustling port city rich and prosperous and the family I had been born into had ruled it since its founding. I wanted for nothing, and the Ordheims’ rule was respected. Yet, I was feeling the changes and it wasn’t just gaining a class. It was the feeling that I could finally make a difference in the world. I wanted to do something on my own for the betterment of others and discover my purpose. In order to do that, however, I would need to leave Ordheim and make my own way in the world beyond the safety net to which I had grown accustomed. I was convinced it was the right thing to do. I only had to convince my father I wasn’t meant to be a Merchant before I sprung the truth on him that the decision had already been made and I was already a Priest. I still wasn’t sure how to answer the question of whom.

  “I don’t believe I’m suited for the Merchant Class,” I began. The Duke gazed at me from across his desk, hands folded under is chin. His beard looked whiter than I had ever noticed before or perhaps it was from the bright moonlight shining through the skylight above. How old was he again? We never celebrated his birthday. He leaned back in his chair and stared at me for what seemed like forever.

  “The Merchant class brings with it many benefits, Kenric. You would initially gain the Barter skill and then eventually gain Appraisal. These are both gateway skills to wealth. Your Charisma attribute would also increase exponentially with every level you gained and eventually once you reached a certain threshold your very presence will have an effect upon those around you.”

  “What sort of effect?” I asked curiously. I knew little about attribute thresholds and this was the first time my father, or anyone for that matter, had ever taken the time to explain them to me.

  “Well, people with lower attributes, especially in Wisdom, will be drawn to you and be more likely to believe your words. A high Charisma will allow you to sway others, even large crowds will be compelled to give you their full attention. Merchants also get to travel extensively and will often gain access to rare and even legendary items adventurers recover from dungeons without the need to risk themselves. A high level Merchant can gather a collection of items even a Duke would envy!”

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  Wow, that does sound interesting. Gods, he is going to punish me, isn’t he?

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and felt sweat running down my back. I thankfully had the foresight to clean myself up and change my clothes before meeting with my father, but I was already thinking I would have to change my shirt again for the sweat stains I was creating. I had unequipped the magical items I had acquired from the dungeon-the boots, amulet and staff along with the ring I hadn’t gotten around to trying- and stored them in my new Inventory space. I didn’t yet have an excuse thought up for having such precious items in my possession. My hands were nervously fidgeting with the Shard of Ara Eliana had given me. I had still not found a private moment to absorb it, however one was supposed to do that.

  “Sir, I…I want to heal the sick and while I will always serve this family, I believe I have been called to service by the Gods to do more than just count coins.” That last part about counting coins may have been a bit much, as the Duke frowned slightly, but he also seemed thoughtful. After a few moments, my father spoke again.

  “I originally planed to send Tanis to the Church, did you know? Obviously it isn’t possible considering his condition.”

  I nodded my head. Yes, my brother Tanis would likely be incapable of ever gaining any sort of Class. He was faced with many challenges that would likely consume the greater part of his life. The Duke continued.

  “Admittedly, it is typical for noble houses like ours to send younger sons to serve the Church of Light. It is a worthy tradition.” I hadn’t known that. The Duke read my thoughts in my expression. “Oh yes, I had an Uncle that was sent to Shadowguard to become a Priest. No idea if he is still alive or not, it’s been ages. Still…” he leaned back in his chair and looked up through the skylight. “I have noticed you seem a bit more, shall we say, blessed with better sense than some of your siblings most of the time.” I fought to keep the smile off my face. It was only a question of whether he was referring to Errol or Gwyneth for completely different reasons. “I had been planning to have you expand Ordheim’s interests as a Trade Ambassador. Yet, I suppose one of your cousins could fill the role if they might be persuaded to do more than just hunt and race drakes.”

  I sat up a bit straighter. Was he actually agreeing? I hadn’t even needed to pull out my last resort excuse of already having a class! Things might work out after all! Perhaps having a higher Wisdom was the reason? Maybe it makes me look more mature?

  “However, you will need to ask both your Mother and your Aunt Elsbeth to get their blessings for this as well. Understood?”

  “Yes, Father.” Inside I was already celebrating. My Mother wouldn’t be an issue. She was a pious woman and despite being an Ordite as most in Ordheim were, she would have no issue with her son serving the Church of Light, so to speak. The other part that included serving the Shadow and Elemental Pantheons however? I would have to keep that to myself.

  I stood up and left my father’s study, a guardsman closing the door behind me, but I was already pondering my next challenge. A most unexpected one too.

  “Aunt who?”