28 Chapter 28 Stella Meets Sylva (1/2)

Joseph's tears had dried, and he was happily humming to himself as he prepared to work on his next bit of magic training. She had really changed the way she thought of him, since the incident, and had even gotten to the point where she felt overly protective of this strange boy. No one in her whole life had gone to such extremes to make sure she felt safe and cherished. It was very odd. And now, he had given her something else. The system.

(SYSTEM ACTIVATED.)

(ACCEPT OPPORTUNITY?)

(Yes) (No)

The yes and no were blinking in her line of sight, as she stared at them in wonder. No wonder Joseph seemed to be absent minded so often.

”What do I do?” she asked. ”It wants to know if I accept…the system?”

”Accept it of course,” he said with a small smile.

If this was how he had become so powerful at magic, then he must really value her. The thought caused a lump to form in her throat, so she couldn't tell it yes. However, as soon as she thought it, the words in her vision changed.

(STATISTICS)

NAME: Stella ???

AGE: 8

(PRIMARY STATS)

STRENGTH: 8

DEXTERITY: 12

INTELLIGENCE: 10

HEALTH: 11

(SECONDARY STATS)

HIT POINTS: 10

WILLPOWER: 10

PERCEPTION: 12 (+1)

FATIGUE: 11

(ADVANTAGES)

PATRON – Joseph, constantly around, provides all equipment

ATTRACTIVE - +1 reaction due to natural good looks

STATUS - -1 reaction due to being a servant

COMBAT REFLEXES - +1 to all active defenses, +1 to fast draw a weapon, +2 against fear, +6 to awaken, you will never 'freeze' in a surprise situation, +1 against surprise attacks or +2 if you are the leader of a group

DANGER SENSE - +1 to PERCEPTION in order to sense impending doom, an ambush, or hazard.

DESTINY - ???

HONEST FACE – you look honest, reliable, and harmless

(DISADVANTAGES)

DEAD BROKE – No money owned personally

SOCIAL STIGMA – Minor

PHOBIA – s.e.x terrifies you

(SKILLS)

COOKING

DANCING

KNIFE

DIPLOMACY

HOUSEKEEPING

ETIQUETTE

STREETWISE

”Wow,” she whispered.

”Just remember, that you can't tell anyone about it, okay? No one can see what you see, when it concerns the system. Also, it can talk to you, and answer questions,” he said very seriously.

(MISSION – CHOOSE A LIFE GOAL)

(REWARD –10 LIFE POINTS)

”It wants me to choose a life goal,” she said, looking at him.

”Then choose one,” he said, smiling wider.

”Oh, umm, what should I choose?”

”I don't care, but you should really get photographic memory with your first ten points. It will help you learn everything way faster.”

She nodded, uncertainly. She didn't even know what that was.

”You can spend an hour with me at breakfast, lunch, and supper, nine hours sleeping, and two hours for etiquette. Everything else you can spend training whatever you want. I'll tell dad in the morning so he can arrange batter tutors for you.”

”Okay,” she said, absentmindedly.

Joseph loved to organize things, and was always very mindful of how he spent his time. She wasn't as dedicated in that fas.h.i.+on. She did try to stay on a schedule, so that she could make sure he was fed on time, but he was almost obsessed with his time spent.

”System? What do you think I should do, since Joseph won't tell me?” she hoped that it had a good idea, because she was clueless.

(I MUST REFRAIN FROM CHOOSING FOR YOU, SO THAT YOU DO NOT BLAME ME LATER IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE WHAT YOU DID NOT WANT. YOU MUST CHOOSE ON YOUR OWN.)

Pursing her lips, she turned and sat down on the edge of her bed. Why did she had to be given all of the hard choices? All she ever wanted was to have a safe place to live, away from the grabby hands of men. She really hoped she could have that by staying with Joseph, and since she had promised to stay with him, she guessed, she might make her life goal to remain by his side forever.

(LIFE GOAL – REMAIN BY JOSEPH'S SIDE FOREVER?)

”Wait! What does that mean?” she cried out in her head, almost giving a squeak that Joseph might hear. Glancing at him, she saw that he was already immersed into his study.

(EVERYTHING YOU CHOOSE TO DO FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD, WILL BE DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY YOUR LIFE GOAL. ALL MISSIONS GIVEN TO YOU, AND ALL OPTIONS OFFERED WILL BE GEARED TOWARDS HELPING YOU OBTAIN YOUR GOAL.)

(CAUTION: THIS LIFE GOAL IS NEVER ENDING, UNLESS JOSEPH DIES…)

Her breath caught in her throat. If Joseph ever died, she would be left defenseless. His father had already made it clear she was of no use to him. She could never allow that to happen!

”I will accept this life goal! I want to make sure nothing ever happens to Joseph!”

The concept that in order for her to be able to keep Joseph safe, for her own safety, she would have to grow strong enough that she would not really need Joseph, never occurred to her.

(LIFE GOAL – REMAIN BY JOSEPH'S SIDE FOREVER)

(MISSION – CHOOSE A LIFE GOAL)

(COMPLETED)

(REWARD – 10 LIFE POINTS)