When Cass told his parents he was planning to go hunting with Luna, they told him to wait 2 more days before going. Cass imagined they had a good reason for requesting this, so he decided to wait as they had asked.
When the agreed-upon day arrived, Cass and Luna were called into the living room by Lucius.
'I'm glad you agreed to wait these 2 days, Cass, I promise it was all worth it'. Lucius was sitting at the kitchen table, and in front of him were a number of clothes laid over hidden items.
'When someone turns 18, they usually receive gifts based on the system that they unlock. Families with a little spare cash will usually present their children with a kind of starter kit. That's why we didn't give you any gifts on your birthday, we were waiting to find out what skills you had.
On this table are your birthday presents. This is your starter kit.' Lucius removed one of the cloth coverings, unveiling the first item. It was a silver ring with a small red gem embedded in it. On the ring were a number of runic engravings. 'This is your decoy storage ring; it goes on your right middle finger.'
Cass put the ring on and admired it. It was well made, but it did not seem that the materials themselves were particularly expensive. He remembered seeing similar rings in the port town on his last visit.
'This ring is the exact same one that is mass-produced to make storage rings. These are sent to artificers who have the appropriate skills, and then they are enchanted. They sell them without enchantments in the port town, so nobody should be able to tell the difference.'
'Thank you Father! Now I can use box as much as I want!'
'Still be careful. Even the smallest storage rings sell for almost 500 gold coins. If a bandit or pickpocket sees you use it, they may target you for it. Now, to item, or I should say items, number two.' He once again pulled back a cloth, showing 4 small bottles.
'These are tempering resources for you to use. They are all tier 1, and you have 10 of each. If you intend to go hunting or you get hurt in a fight, they are essential and should be carried around for emergencies. First, mana pills.
He held up one of the bottles, which was made of blue stained glass. 'Mana pills can replenish 100 mana every time you take a pill. They are for emergencies only. Mana pills are great if you need to replenish right then and there, but they are highly addictive, so take care.'
He placed the blue glass bottle down and picked up a similar bottle made from green-stained glass. 'Healing pills, take one of these and your healing capacity will speed up for a short period of time, but it uses your mana to do it.
If you take one when you're low on mana, you will pass out and become vulnerable. If someone is unconscious, you can break the healing pill in your mouth and force it into theirs, it will dissolve in their mouth, no need to swallow.'
The green bottle went back onto the table, and Lucius then picked up the final 2 bottles, which were identical and made of red-stained glass. 'Tier 1 tempering pills. Take one of these before you start tempering, and it will give you a slight boost in mana absorption. One is for you, Cass, and the other is for Luna.' Cass nodded at his father, but Luna shed a tear and held her hands to her chest, touched by the generosity of her family.
'You can only start using these when you surpass mid-stage neophyte, but Luna, once your mana pool is formed, you can use this to help with your body tempering.'
Lucius then turned to one of the larger sheets on the table and pulled it back. Underneath were 2 steel short spears with leather-wrapped handles. They were made of a single piece of steel that had been shaped and then wrapped in leather. The blades of the spears were about the same length as the handles.
The spear blades were sharp, and there was a distinctive barb on one edge of the blade. 'Twin short spears. I've never seen short spears before, but Orin assured me that there are people who can use basic short spears after unlocking spearmanship.
I asked him to make sure he balanced them for parrying sword blows, stabbing, and throwing. You can use them to slash flesh, but don't expect them to cut through armour as they are now.
These are strongest as piercing weapons. The advantage is that they don't look like they are a thrown weapon; they look like strange swords. So you could catch a few people unawares with this.'
Cass marvelled at the spears. He could not wait to take them outside and start running through some of the combat forms that became available to him. Only 2 more cloths were left on the table. Lucius removed the largest one.
Underneath was a full set of light armour. There was a set of Shinguards, bracers, and a breastplate. It was steel plate mounted over leather and had buckles so it could be put on and taken off easily.
'When we took your measurements for your birthday celebration outfit, Adeline had her brother contract an armourer in town to make these. The steel plate is very thin and light, and it doesn't cover any joints. It protects your vitals while allowing you free movement. Perfect for when you need to throw one of those spears.'
Again, Cass was astounded. He could tell that the design was muted and anyone who looked from a glance would only see normal, cheap armour. But the craftsmanship was excellent. If he cared for it, this armour could last for a very long time.
'The armour should protect your vitals from 1-star beasts without issue. Don't count on it being an absolute defence against 2-star beasts, though. Anything similar to what Luna hunted on your birthday could pierce right through this with their claws.'
The final item sat on the table, waiting for Lucius to reveal it. Before he grabbed the cloth, he turned and looked at Luna. 'Luna, I am sorry I was totally oblivious to how much you cared for Cass. I am terribly bad at picking up on that kind of stuff.
When you showed up at the party with that bear, I was flabbergasted. When Cass accepted you, I was even more so, but I wasn't disappointed at all. I heard what my two wives put you through to give you the kick in the backside you needed, but I couldn't do anything for you at that time, that's why, this one is for you.'
He pulled back the cloth to reveal a round metal disk. Upon closer inspection, Cass saw that it was a piece of steel decorated to look like a full moon.
'This is a hair ornament made for battle. If you tie your hair with this before you fight, it shouldn't get in your way. I had Orin shape it like the moon. This is my gift to welcome you into the family.'
Luna stared at it for a few moments, picked it up and gracefully tied her hair with it. She then walked towards Lucius and gave him a tight hug. 'Thank you, father-in-law, I will treasure it forever!'
'I'm glad you like it. If Cass ever makes you cry, tell me and I'll beat some sense into him.' He ruffled Luna's hair and turned his attention back to Cass.
'For now, your responsibilities in this family are very simple, Cass: train, break through and attend the mage tower entrance exam.
We are willing to pay the 10 gold for each of you to take it, however, it might be best if you took this opportunity to hunt beasts and dive into some of the small dungeons around here in order to train and make a little money.
paying your own way might be a good lesson in resource management during times of combat.'
Cass picked up the spears and the pills and stored them in his box. Then he collected up the armour so that he could equip it.
'Thanks once again, Father! Come on, Luna, let's go hunt.'