Ahmet was nervous. More nervous than he had ever been. Maybe a bit scared too. After all, today was the most important day of his life. Today was the day he received his Calling. Ahmet had heard some of his older siblings talking about how special it was that they all got callings at seven, how it made them more important than everyone else. That it made them better. He wasn’t sure he agreed with that. After all, Remi and Jacob were a lot nicer than his brother’s, and they didn’t get Callings until they were in their hundreds. And if he had learned anything from his father about what Balthazar considered important, kindness was the biggest one. It was even written on the steps of the main temple. ‘Kindness is the most important step on the path to righteousness, and the hardest one to take’. It was even written on the first step!

So Ahmet figured his brothers and sisters were just making a joke. They did that a lot. But he did agree that getting a Calling was really important. Especially for them. Everyone in their family had Callings after all. Which just led him back to being nervous. He wasn’t all that sure what his god wanted, but what if he didn’t meet those standards? He wasn’t super strong, like Kemal, or able to light things on fire like Currana. In fact, he was the only one in the family who hadn’t had a Beast bloodline manifest before his seventh birthday. In the entire history of his family. He had actually checked. His dad had said it wasn’t a big deal, that it happened all the time, but Gabriel had looked in the family records. Every. Single. Person. Had already manifested something by seven. Even if it was just making their fingers glow, or being able to polish stuff by touching it.

So he was worried. What if Balthazar looked at him and said, “You’re not good enough.” ? He didn’t know what he would do. All Ahmet wanted was to grow up to be like his parents. His mom was one of the strongest Paladin’s the Theocracy had seen in over a thousand years, and his dad was easily the strongest and most devout priest in the same period. All his brothers and sisters had strong or useful beast bloodlines, and several were already accomplished Paladins.

The more Ahmet thought about it, the more certain he was that his god would reject him. There was no reason for Balthazar to give him the same gifts his siblings and family had gained. He wasn’t very smart or skilled. He had only the lowest rank of sword skill even though his mother had begun teaching the basics when he was three. Even Mirtona had reached mid-novice by seven, and she was easily the worst out of all of his siblings in direct combat. Yet he was somehow worse. In fact, Ahmet wasn’t very good at anything. Everything he tried, everything all the tutors and scholars his parents had tested him on, he failed at miserably. His Portfolio was practically barren. Nothing ever stuck.

Breaking through the negative spiral his thoughts were diving ever deeper into, there was a sharp knock on his door, followed by a soft, kind voice. “Young master. Are you prepared? Your father should be ready to leave within the next few minutes.” The owner of that voice was Jacob, the aging head butler of Light’s Aegis for the past seven hundred years. Jumping at the sudden intrusion, Ahmet quickly glanced at the mirror in front of him, confirming that everything was as it should be.

His robes were all in order, just the way his father had shown him. The white and gold contrasting heavily with his dark brown skin. They looked much heavier than they were, though right now, Ahmet could swear they weighed a ton. He looked ready, but he didn't feel ready. Still, he needed to go, or else Jacob would begin to worry.

"Right, Jacob. I'm coming." he said, maybe a bit louder than he intended. Before his growing nerves could overwhelm him. Ahmed stepped quickly to the door and whipped it open.

Standing before him was Jacob. He was a rather average man in his later years, with wrinkles lining his face, and hair white with age. Still, he stood with the same unshakable bearing of dignity that he always did. Ahmed's siblings disparaged Jacob for his plain looks. He had normal, pale skin, with no scales or fur. Nothing to speak of a beast bloodline. Maybe that was why they got along so much better than Ahmed did with his siblings. After all, Ahmed had none of those things either. Just another reason he wasn't as worthy. He didn't even look the part.

As if he could sense Ahmed’s negative thoughts, which he very well might considering some of the benefits from his Butler Calling, Jacob reached down and laid his hands on Ahmed’s shoulders and gently shook him. “You are just as worthy as your brothers and sisters, in spite of what they have told you. Look to the steps and ask yourself whether or not you haven’t fulfilled a single one. I would even dare to say that you are far more worthy in the eyes of Balthazar than any of your siblings.” With that, Jacob swept his eyes over Ahmed and gave a firm nod before patting his shoulders just as firmly. “Come, young master. It's time that you were shown just why it is that we all care for you so deeply.”

Ahmed looked at Jacob questioningly, not understanding what he was referring to, but the aging butler simply spun neatly and began walking rapidly down the hall without even a backward glance. Ahmed hoped this wasn’t one of Jacob’s jokes. He had such a strange sense of humor. Shaking his head, since he knew he wouldn’t find anything out until Jacob wanted to tell him, Ahmed hurried to follow after the butler.

All his wondering came to an end though, as he stepped out into the main receiving hall. He was more than a little out of breath from trying to keep up with Jacob. The spry old man could really move. His breath completely disappeared though when he looked out onto the floor of the receiving hall below him. Standing in uniform order on the brilliant marble floor, was the entire house staff. Actually, now that he looked more closely, it was even the training staff and tutors as well. All looking at him as he stepped up to the banister.

“WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK TODAY YOUNG MASTER!” Echoed loudly around the hall as everyone below cried out simultaneously. Ahmed was beyond surprised. He just stood, unable to respond. This was nothing like the send off his siblings received. They simply left, and returned with a calling. Here were gathered over a hundred people in the massive receiving hall, all wishing him luck on what was most likely one of the most important days of his life. He was deeply touched by the kind gesture.

“I believe you should respond, young master.” Jacob said from behind him, the normally composed man as close to open laughter as Ahmed had ever heard him.

Ahmed glanced back at the old fox, seeing a slight smile on his wrinkled face. Suddenly, he realized that Jacob had put this together. He might have known how nervous Ahmed was about his calling day, and done this as a sign of support.

Whatever the reason, Ahmed didn’t really care right now. Instead he would much rather recognize the support he was given. Shaking his head, Ahmed smiled down at all the staff gathered below, many of whom he recognized. Many of them he considered friends. Breathing in deeply, he spoke. “Thank you so much everyone. I will do my best to meet your expectations and make you all proud to call me young master.” He said, putting all the emotion he could into the words. “I appreciate everything all of you do to support our family so that we can continue to do what Light’s Aegis was called to do.” He finished with a bow.

These were the words and ideas his father had carved into his head from as early as he could remember. Light’s Aegis was a family, but it was also a creed. To protect against threats to the Theocracy, both internal and external. So that the citizens could live without fear of the mana beast and foreign powers. Ahmed could not be more proud to be a part of that family, that creed, than in that moment.

A soft grip took hold of his shoulder and pulled him up straight, drawing Ahmed out of the moment. Turning, Ahmed saw his father standing behind him with his usual kind, warm smile that never seemed to drift. Ahmed had never seen his father angry, or even upset. He was like a solid Boulder Oak, unwavering in the face of anything, only ever growing despite any adversity. Seeing that smile filled with pride raised Ahmed’s mood even higher.

“Well said, my son. I am glad to see that my lessons have reached you. And I am just as proud of all of you.” The High Priest said, turning now to address the crowd of staff, tutors, and trainers down below them. “You do my family and the entire Theocracy a great service in your work, and an even greater service still in your avid support of Ahmed on this momentous day. Thank you. Now everyone, please, return to your tasks. This estate can’t run without you after all.”

The staff all bowed to the master of the house before scattering into the several adjacent hallways, and several exiting the front of the house. Watching them leave Mahun turned to Jacob. “I suppose this was something you cooked up.” The words were a question, but the slightly amused and knowing tone indicated that the head of house already knew the answer.

“Yes, master.” Jacob responded promptly, with a slight bow of his head. Ahmed had noticed on several occasions that the sly butler was never anything but straightforward with his father. He would even joke with his mother, but Mahun only ever received direct, precise answers. “I felt that a tangible show of support was appropriate, considering the circumstances.”

Mahun let out a sigh, although his smile didn’t slip. “Yes, I suppose that's true. Exemplary service as always, Jacob.”

“I live to serve, master.”

“As is ever to our benefit. You are a testament to your forebears.”

Jacob simply gave a deep bow in response. Straightening, he gestured toward the front door. “ The car should be along shortly, if not already waiting. If there's nothing else, master, young master. Have a pleasant trip.” With that, he turned sharpley and walked back down the hallway.

Mahun shook his head. “He really does enjoy messing with all of you far too much. I believe he sees it as building character.”

“Really? I thought he just had a weird sense of humor.” Ahmed replied.

Mahun laughed, “I suppose that's also a good answer. Come on now. We have places to be, and Balthazar should not be kept waiting.”

Ahmed jumped, practically running for the door. Suddenly, he wasn’t nearly as worried about this day as he had been.