Rise of the Archmage Alister

Alliana let out another sigh, “I swear, you’re a teen in an eight-year-old’s body. I don’t know what to do with you. You three aren't to have supper with the rest of us tonight. You’ll have gruel and bread instead as punishment.”

Morgan groaned, but Alister and Wisteria had to hide the relief on their faces. That sort of punishment was getting off easy! Alister had had far worse in his last life, though admittedly he was getting spoiled and was a little sad at missing out on the good food of the chefs. Wisteria on the other hand was sure that Lady Alliana’s version of “gruel” was probably still better than her usual supper.

“Now then!” Alliana clapped, “Level ten!! I’m so excited for you! Having a level this high this young is almost unheard of! It’s amazing. Others at this level at your age would be people like certain special knight's schools, or the towers, or, oh I don’t know. It’s very rare. I’m so proud of you! Choosing your first class is such an important thing in your life. You must choose carefully.”

Alister allowed a smile to creep back onto his face, “I’m completely fascinated! There are so many good options! I am doing my best to not be impulsive, but all of them sound good,” he said at a steadily increasing pace, excitement building. "I mean, I've really got to consider! If I go with a more familiar path, it'll be easier to study this system… but I'll get less from it, and I have to weigh that. What is more important?"

By the end of his sentence he was out of breath, and even his still grumpy mother was smiling softly. "Well. I would posit that you may want to consider your family and material position in the world in your choice. There are many classes that help in processes of administration and rulership. You're going to be duke some day after all! Goodness knows that your father wouldn't need me nearly so much if he'd taken a few social, mathematical, and trade oriented skills. You can always take a more… ah… worldly oriented class later," she said, smile turning playful as she gently chided his father in passing.

This just got an eye roll from the duke. "You would recommend these things, of course. It is understandable though. You simply don't understand young men! Especially for our first class, we want adventure, power, heroism! And given your already extensive history of shenanigans, I'm going to guess you're no different. I say you should consider tamer skills in your class choice! There are no stories quite like it. I already told you about Salvator, but I have many others like it, and befriended more creatures than some people have ever seen, nevermind encountered," he said, giving a light smirk back to his wife at the last part. "Besides. You can always take courtly skills later," he continued teasingly before putting an arm around Allania's waist.

The duchess tried to give a look of consternation and a disappointed sigh, but couldn't help it turning to a giggle at the end. "You and your beasts are little different," she said with a warm smile, a hand touching his chest before stepping out of his arm to maintain composure. "Regardless… I suppose he's not wholly wrong in his suggestion, if irresponsible. But in the end, the choice is yours, and I do hope you'll consider the points we've both made here. Unlocking your first class at such a young age… it's not unheard of, but it is very rare indeed. You've got a big choice to make."

Alister had been staring at his list of options as they spoke. They both had very good points. He didn't know what he'd do concerning the gods, and he had no intent to grow fat in a courtly chair, eating fine foods and doing a verbal dance with conniving counts and countesses… but he would in fact be duke someday. More people would rely on him than ever, and he had to admit that his past prepared him not in the least for this burden. He would need a new skillset for this trial. But the world still called to him.

But maybe his parents were wrong. Maybe he didn't need to pick one now, one later. Maybe… he grinned wide, and chose.

His parents saw the thrust of his finger, and let out a little smile of anticipation. "Well it seems you've chosen. Please, do tell!" Said Blas, excited to hear it and hoping he'd picked to follow his father's footsteps.

"Well…" Alister started, hesitating to tell them. It sounded bad on paper, but really fit his goals.

Seeing his hesitation, Alliana tsked and shook her head. "Come now, there's a time and place for theatrics. While now might not be the worst time for it, I really must protest."

"Out with it!" Proclaimed Morgan, ruffling his hair before stopping after a glare from Alliana.

The boy shook her off and gave a glare to match his mother's, smoothing his hair back down. "Well now I don't want to!" He huffed, doubt creeping in. His parents wouldn't like it. He considered telling them that he would inform them later, but his plans were shattered when Wisteria stepped forward and gently tugged at the hem of his cloak. "Please, Alister? I'd really like to know," she said in the sweetest tone, softly pouting.

His heart about skipped a beat, and he could swear he heard an "aww" from one of the passing servants. Color flooding his cheeks, he snatched his cuff away and muttered in a flustered tone, "W-well… I guess I could tell you…"

Steeling himself, he let out a sigh before mumbling. Alliana raised a brow in obvious question before he spoke again.

"I said I picked arcane rogue…"

This got surprised stares from everyone, all covering mixed reactions. The first and most obvious was a burst of laughter from his cousin, drawing all eyes in the room. "Ah! Arcane rogue! What a lad you are! Brilliant choice!"

This just got another raised brow, this time from both parents. "In what sense?"

Alister's face paled a bit at the obvious displeasure on their faces. Arcane rogues were tricksters, thieves, charlatans, and conmen. To say you were an arcane rogue was tantamount to admitting a criminal history. "Well… see…"

Morgan clapped a hand on his shoulder and stepped forward. "Relax, cousin. I've got ya," she said, giving her most charming Cheshire grin. "See, they've got a bad rap, and not for no reason, but his logic is completely sound. They've got social skills, adventurous skills, a flare for magic, and subtle magic at that, not to mention being able to see through the tricks of others because of their own knowledge. The perfect first class to choose for a young man hoping to succeed his father and mother as both a wise and fairhanded duke and as a leader of military force and icon of strength. I regularly travel with an arcane rogue, and they managed to get us out of scraps that none of the rest of us could hope to finagle in our favor."

This made the pair look deep in thought for a minute, occasionally glancing at each other and sharing silent messages. Eventually, Alliana spoke up. "Well… you make a compelling point, Morgan, but we must consider the optics of this. When word gets out of this, he will be fighting a serious uphill battle. I'm sure for a time you watched your coinpurse around this companion of yours, yes? What do you suppose the equivalent response is when you have the livelihoods of counties and even other duchies to consider?"

This just got a pause from Morgan. "Well… I guess…"

"But it's what he felt was right and would make him happy. Are the perceptions of others more important than that? Besides, I believe in his ability to overcome those bad ideas and thoughts of him and use those skills to help his people and friends," Wisteria said, surprising everyone present.

This just made his parents sigh. "You know, it's hard to be upset about it when you put it that way… just know you've got a difficult road ahead of you, Alister," said Blas, taking his wife's hand again, "But I do think she's right. You can do it, and you didn't choose poorly. We'll just have to help you."

Alister felt his cheeks burning red and waved them off, looking away, “Come on. Enough of this mush. You’re all far too sweet. Wisteria! What are you choosing?”