Author Notes:

Hey everyone, sorry for the slight delay (The date will show it took 3 days, but it only took about 2 days and a few hours :3) (EDIT: WAIT WHAT? It shows 2 days, phew

This chapter is kinda short, since not a lot will happen, but only about 75% of the standard length, so no worries.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 12: I Will Become a Council Apprentice?

Me: ”I will build a new house as my home.”

Hez’Orae: “In that case I hope you have chosen the location, planned on how it should be build and have the resources to do so.”

Me: “Of course I have, Elder Hez’Orae.”

In fact, I was quite rich.

After many successful hunts, I had amassed quite a bit of wealth, more than enough to build a small house.

Me: “I plan on building a small house with a living room, bedroom and workshop in the north-eastern part of town.”

I had been sightseeing for good spots to live this past month, and found a nearly dry area northeast to the village. This would lead to my house degrading slower than if they were built elsewhere, and leave me close to the road out of the village.

To the northeast, there was the elven town, which was the closest to this village. And the only road leading to the village lead to that town.

I was planning to take regular trips to said town, in order to sell loot, buy and repair equipment and become an adventurer, if I felt like it. There was also the fact that I was now capable to learn magic, and from what I know, right now, the only affinities I could learn spells from were Shadow and Blood.

Hez’Orae: “Splendid. For now, let’s end this ceremony, and then discuss the details afterwards.”

After seeing me nod in response, he continued on.

Hez’Orae: “With this, another adult has joined our village. May he grow strong and live long.”

Elder Hez’Orae ended the ceremony with this. Afterwards all the Lizardmen who had gathered came, wished me congratulations, and introduced themselves. Most were younglings under the age of 10, since they all belonged to the day team, but the Elders also congratulated me.

When the last Lizardman had finished and left, my parents came up to me.

Both were clearly proud, and I could see my mother was close to bursting. Not being able to hold back any longer, she ran to me, followed by a hug.

Li’Hiet: “Congratulations, little one, or should I call you Li’Kyes now?”

She asked me with a mischievous smile.

Me: “You can call me whatever you want, mom.”

I answered her with a smile.

Li’Sle: “Congratulations, son.”

Me: “Thanks, dad.”

Afterwards we stood and talked for a bit, mostly trivial talk.

Done talking with my parents, I went into the tribe-manor.

I was going to have a chat with the Elders about where exactly I wanted to build my new house and how it should be build.

We were also going to be discussing what work I would be doing in the village, and in light of me being a mage, I would also be able to become one of the tribe mages, giving me responsibilities as well as advantages.

Entering, what greeted me was something like a lobby, with a female Lizardman sitting behind a desk.

Seeing me enter, she smiled and addressed me before I could say something.

Female Lizardman: “Li’Kyes, was it? They’re waiting for you in the council room; it’s behind the door to my right.”

Bowing my head to her in acknowledgement, I walked towards the door and went through it.

Behind it was a big table in the shape of a horseshoe with Lizardmen sitting around it. In the middle of the horseshoe was a single chair, which Elder Hez’Orae gestured towards.

Taking my seat, I took another look at the Lizardmen sitting at the table.

In the centre sat the tribe-leader, this was easy to conclude since he was the youngest and had the strongest feeling to him. Then from both side of him sat Elders, the further from the middle, the younger they were. Right next to the tribe-leader sat Elder Hez’Orae, this was why I noticed him so quickly.

As I finished looking at my surroundings, Elder Hez’Orae stood and spoke up.

Hez’Orae: “I present to you the young Li’Kyes. The newest addition to our village, first born son of Li’Sle and Li’Hiet. His class is a Mage Hunter variation, giving him the attributes of both a mage and hunter. His natural affinities are Shadow and Blood. He’s level 100, having reached the limit, and has many titles.”

After announcing me, Elder Hez’Orae sat down once again.

Hearing this, many of the Elders were whispering. With my excellent hearing I could make out that they talked about how it was rare and that I had a lot of potential.

When all their whispering stopped, the tribe-leader spoke up.

Tribe-leader: “As the tribe-leader I welcome you to my tribe, and I hope that you will become a great asset for this village. Now, onto the first matter. Elder Hez’Orae, if you will.”

To this, Elder Hez’Orae once again stood up.

Hez’Orae: “Yes, the first matter is about the house. Where will it be built, how, and does he have the resources to do so. If you will, young Li’Kyes.”

This time I stood up, as Hez’Orae took his seat.

Me: “Honoured tribe-leader and Elders, I want to build a small house of wood with a living room, bedroom and workshop. The place I have chosen is in the north-eastern part of the village on a dry patch of land, along the road leading out of the village. I should have sufficient resources to pay for the materials and workforce involved in building it, in form of money, pelt, leather, fangs, claws, bones and meat.”

The first thing you have to say in an audience such as this is something akin to what I said. It will show that you respect your Elders. You might think ‘How can Lizardmen care about such manners?” The answer is that even if we are Beastmen, we still have our pride.

As I sat down, and Hez’Orae spoke up.

Hez’Orae: “The land there is unoccupied and will from now be yours. We will contact the workforce that will build your house and have you pay for it when it’s done. Now, onto the second and last matter. It’s be about your role in this tribe and taxes. Due to you being both a mage and hunter, we can offer you to be either a tribe mage, hunter or both. Selecting tribe mage will lessen your taxes, give you many responsibilities and give you right for lessons to become an Elder once you become old enough. Hunter will give you standard taxes, but you will be allowed to live as you like. Both will slightly lessen your taxes, give you some responsibilities, allow you to hunt as you like, as long as you fulfil your responsibilities, and give you the right for lessons. What do you choose?”

After thinking for a bit, I chose the one that gave me the most options, both.

Me: “Honoured tribe-leader and Elders, I will choose to become both. I will become a tribe mage, with the responsibilities, and become a hunter that supplies the tribe with food and riches.”

Tribe-leader: “Smart choice, young Li’Kyes. Surely you will not disappoint and live up to your reputation.”

To this praise, I bowed towards the tribe-leader, showing my appreciation.

Hez’Orae: “Indeed a smart choice. Well, now to the taxes. The taxes for a hunter is 1 gold every month, while for a tribe mage it is 75 silver. Since you chose to do both, but only half of each, you will be taxed to pay the tribe 85 silver every month. Of course, this tax can be paid in both money and items. Now that the most important matters are settled, we will answer your questions, if you have any.”

Me: “I do have two questions, honoured tribe-leader and Elders, and that is about the responsibilities of a tribe mage, and how to wield mana and create magic.”

To this I saw several nods of understanding.

Hez’Orae: “To answer the first question, a tribe mage’s responsibilities are to help the tribe in different matters, some matters are to heal wounded and others are to supply mana if anyone has any magic tool that uses mana crystals. However, most matters are to provide council to other Lizardmen in small matters in which they wouldn’t seek council from an Elder. Since tribe mages are more educated and knowledgeable that other Lizardmen, it’s their job to council and guide the others. Of course, in times of war or great dangers, they have the same responsibilities as any other Lizardmen, and are required to assist in any way they can.”

I see, so I will more or less become a council apprentice.

Hez’Orae: “The other question about mana is a bit harder to explain, and since you have affinities that no one else in this tribe has, I suggest that you go to the elven town and seek a teacher there. Anything else?”

Me: “No, that is all, honourable tribe-leader and Elders, thank you for your wise council and guidance.”

As I was saying this, I bowed deeply, trying to convey my sincere gratitude.

Tribe-leader: “Then, you’re dismissed, young Li’Kyes. May grow strong and live long.”

I stood up, bowing once again, and left the room.

Heading home, I looked forward to getting my own home and go to the elven town to learn magic.

My future was already looking bright.

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Author Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D

Anyway, comment and all that stuff, if you want, and then I'll see you guys next time! :D