COS: Royal Rune

Nassir's snapped up to his father in shock, while he did not expect his father to help much he had hoped he would at least offer him one or two offerings. While he was disappointed it was not the end of the world it was the last clause which truly shocked him. Slavery. That was what would happen to him if he did not pay this debt to the Ironblood Duke. He would become a breeding slave for the Ironblood Duke until he paid off his debt. The Duke might seem like a decent man, but he knew how crazy the families could get when it came to bloodlines. 

He knew from the story that the Schumpeter family did in their Forest Plane and he was not naive enough to think they were the only ones. The Orleans almost certainly did the same thing. He would be forced to breed with all types of creatures, many he was sure wouldn't necessarily be Sapient, for the rest of his life. It was a fate worse than death for him. 

The 'to your debts are paid off' was the same as saying 'for the rest of your mangy useless life'. As there was no way to pay off a debt of eight top-tier offerings in one lifetime, especially as someone without a level. It was simply impossible. 

The fact his father would so easily tell him that he would sell him hurt him tremendously. As much as he knew the man was callous and unfeeling towards his children, he had secretly felt like he was special. He thought he was the one child the Emperor truly cared about, truly loved. He now knew that he was wrong. He might be slightly favored, but he was not loved. Not by the man in front of him. 

He schooled his expression and nodded, submerging the hurt and shock deep into himself and doing his best to forget about it. 

"The deal with Lord Turing was good and you have been rewarded five thousand points. But you have lost twenty thousand point for your actions with Duke Orleans. Bringing your current points, with the tally from previous years included, to two thousand points. Putting you firmly in last place amongst your siblings." The Emperor stated, easily moving on as if nothing had happened.

This did not surprise him much. In truth he expected his points to be in the negatives, but he had not known that their actins before the points system had been calculated and added to their current points. It did not help him any for he was going to bring his points even lower now. 

He took a deep breath and spoke "Your Excellency, I have a question?" 

"Speak"

"Is it possible for us to take a out a loan of points on the promise of return at a later date."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes at him and held it for some time, "It is not something that has been considered." he finally said after some time "What is it that you wish to take a loan out for?"

Nassir let out a deep sigh, this was good it was possible he looked at the Emperor and smiled "I wish to study at the Deepblue as an apprentice of her Excellency Sharon. I wish to take out as many points as it would cost me to study their until I reach my fifteenth year of age"

Emperor Philips eyes widened with shock, Nassir hid the smirk he was feeling. This was something he hid from all except his mother who had no reason so inform anyone else. From what he knew most people expected him to follow the warrior path like both his mother and the Emperor had done, but his heart and talents laid elsewhere.

The Emperor schooled his expression quickly and only let a small chuckle from his actions. He leaned back into his wide chair and closed his eyes in thought. The man sat like that for some time before he opened them. 

"Tell me about your rune, and then I will decide. It has been a mystery for some time. Luthor was unable to even get a hint of what it might be." he sighed and shook his head "Though given his ability, it is not too surprising." he finished and then looked at him expectantly.

Telling the Emperor of his capabilities was not a problem for him, he was proud of them and it would only help his cause. It was telling him about the full extent of them that gave him pause. He wanted to hold on to some of the secrets his rune. His rune had two unlocked abilities, the first was True Sight and the second one he had not explored but it was even more valuable and he refused to share it with anyone at the moment. 

In truth he did not even want to share everything about True Sight at the moment, but given how precarious his situation was he decided that his best course of action was to go all in. So with a deep breath he told the Emperor everything he had learned so far about True Sight, including the talents he had found out about himself and the things he had seen on others. He did not expect it to change his fathers mind on his circumstance of the betrothal, but it would at least help his cause in this moment. 

When he finished Emperor Philip just began to laugh, and laugh and laugh. The longer he laughed the louder he became and the more the room shook, until the room was moving so much and so much debris was falling he was worried that the room might collapse onto their heads. It did not, as his Emperor stopped when he realized how bad the shaking had gotten. He looked down at Nassir with shining eyes. 

"Your request is granted. You will take out a loan of one million points to study under the Legendary Mage Sharon. I will write your recommendation letter tonight, you leave within the week. Now enough talk, I have found myself in a good mood. Let us have a meal." the Emperor said and servants immediately were streaming into the room. The table was change, his seat move further back and soon the table was covered in food more rich in energy than he had ever seen. 

All the while he sat their shocked at how quickly his request had been granted and how easily the Emperor demeanor had changed. He had been prepared to bargain for much more and had prepared for years on how to present it best. It had all been for naught. Although it did come with a price tag much steeper than he wanted. The conversion of gold to points was ten to 1, meaning he now owed the family ten million gold coins. He was not sure it even cost that much to attended the Deepblue, but he was not about to negotiate. 

As much as he wanted to be aggrieved about it he couldn't, he had gotten what he want and though it came at a hefty price he was more than willing to pay for it. So with a shrug he decided to go with the flow and began eating the most energy rich food the Emperor had ever allowed him to eat.