22 Caine Smith (2)

Caine leaned forward and stated that Tiffany is a strong mage even by the Magi Order's standards. She is one of eight candidates for the title of Flame Emperor- the title given to the strongest fire mage of his/her generation.

"Raize is the top candidate for the title of Flame Emperor though." Tiffany said as Caine finished.

"I am willing to pledge allegiance to Prince Aureus until the spatial gates re-open should I receive the core or spirit beast within the next three years." Caine clasped his hands together as he stated his conditions.

Taking the lead from Caine, Tiffany stated the same conditions for swearing allegiance.

"Let me confer with his highness, I will return here tomorrow at noon to let you know the results." Edward replied as he bid farewell.

—

"Tif, what do you think? Do you think Edward is pulling our legs with his offer of grade 5 monster cores?"

"The rarity of a core is determined by the rarity of the demon beast and how hard it is to hunt them down. Only King level and above beasts have a chance of developing a grade 5 monster core."

"To slay a King level beast, one would need to battle their entire tribe. If lucky, it will be a small tribe but if the tribe is small, it is likely the monster core will not hit Grade 5. Even if they had a spider queen core, I cannot imagine that House Astrea will bestow it upon a retainer on random."

"Let us stop with the speculation, we will find out more tomorrow when Edward returns." Tiffany had a firm stance when she replied.

"You are right, I heard there is a good play going on at the southern settlement. Want to take a look later?"

—

As Edward made his way to the castle's study, his mind was churning over the various cores he has transmuted. As he turned the corner to the study, he concluded that he has transmuted neither a spider queen nor salamander core. Smiling wryly, he knocked on the half open door and entered.

Aureus was poring over a map depicting the entire outer realm with his gaze fixed upon the center of the map. His brows smoothed over as Edward entered and he turned to greet Edward.

Edward reported that his mage recruitment proceeding apace. He then launched into an explanation about the two mages and listed their conditions for joining House Astrea as retainers.

Aureus remarked that while the golem mage does not appear special, a Flame Emperor candidate is another matter.

Aureus paused before continuing that taking on retainers from other powers is a common practice in the Three Realms but no lord will be foolish enough to order such retainers to betray their homeland.

"Highness, it is not Caine's current capabilities that intrigue me, it is his potential." mused Edward as he a contemplative manner took over.

Aureus tilted his head and looked at Edward while waiting for him to go on.

"Highness, much of the magical community agrees that the golem magi branch has more or less plateaued in terms of their potential as a magic branch, yes?"

"However, what if that is not the case at all? The crowning glory of that branch was a mage centuries earlier who could control 8,000 Iron tier golems and became the overlord of a region in the Eastern Coalition. What if that mage had been in command of 8,000 tier Damascus tier golems?"

Aureus snorted before replying, "Then the boundaries of the Empire's eastern border would most likely be different from what it is today."

"I have overheard that this mage's ambition is to vault the golem magi branch into being considered as a primary magic branch one day."

Aureus looked admiring as he expressed his thoughts that he thought Caine was interesting. At the least, he has no lack of ambition and despite what he must have went through with the Magi community he still has such a goal.

"I wish more of my brothers and sisters had such ambition."

Edward had a puzzled expression on his face at Aureus's words which resulted in Aureus adopting a dismissive tone as he explained that with a low aether rating in the magi community, one would be considered no different from a common peasant perhaps even lower as the peasant had the good sense to not choose a career in the magical arts.

"Saying that Caine had a pleasant experience with the magi community is akin to saying the four great houses of the Empire is one big happy family. Full of smiles and good cheer." Aureus's tone was dripping as he finished off.

"From what I understand, those organizations appear to be centers of higher learning and research too," Edward asked. "Surely not all magi there holds such bigoted views such as a man's life being determined by the circumstances one is born into?" asked Edward.

"We have a term for it here, City of Gold on the outside, Gutter Society on the inside. Just because they are in a place with first rate infrastructure and systems does not mean the people there are first rate. They can be far more trash like than the people out in the frontiers." Aureus was dismissive as he replied.

Edward waited for a few moments to pass before changing the topic.

"Highness, regarding the monster cores, I wish to request a company of 300 men from your personal army and head towards the demon beast areas to hunt for them."

"Granted. Kill as many of the beasts as you can. It will lessen the burden on us later when the beasts congregate."

Edward bowed before leaving the study .

—

As Edward headed to the Dancing boar the next day, his head churned as he considered what Aureus mentioned to him the previous day. He found himself assessing Caine in a higher manner as he considered his possible past.

As he stepped into the inn, he saw the mage duo by a table with a jug and two plates of food. Stepping over the crowd, he arrived at side of the mages.

"Caine, Tif! Great news, his highness is agreeable to the conditions you have suggested."

Edward looked delighted at he related the news to the two magi. "I am heading to hunt some monster tribes to procure a spider queen core and salamander core. Would you two like to join me?"

Caine and Tiffany were looking delighted until they heard Edward's latest question. Looks of puzzlement crossed their faces.

Edward went on saying that he has managed to borrow 300 elites troops from Aureus's personal army therefore hunting small tribes of demon beasts are no issue.

"The chances of attaining a grade 5 monster core from normal king level demon beasts are not high. Do you have a plan?" Tiffany replied as she pulled a chair for Edward.

"I do. I just need the location of the demon spider and salamander tribes." Edward replied as he sat.

As Caine poured a mug for Edward, the latter produced two emblems with a blood red background. He introduced the emblems as marks of being retainers of the blood royal which will grant entry in and out Everdawn castle.

Caine and Tiffany accepted their emblems with a smile.

Caine then ventured, "Won't you stay for a meal? It's on me."

Edward had a wide grin as he nodded.

—

As Edward was in the midst of reviewing the Direwolf company's training when Tarin approached him, "I heard you recruited the golem mage."

Edward nodded.

Tarin said that based on his experience, he would recommend dropping this mage for the overall benefit of the company.

Edward's jaw dropped as he turned towards Tarin and gestured to for him to continue.

Tarin had a closed stance as he related his concerns. He heard the mage is skilled and a superb artificer to boot but he has a weak aether core. No matter how hard he struggles, he can only be considered a weak link in combat at the level the special forces will operate on.

"To have the company's survival hedging on a factor such as a weak link as this mage." Tarin was shaking his head. "In my opinion, the company would be far better off without the mage than with it."

Edward had a contemplative look as Tarin narrated.

"I understand where you are coming from, Tarin. How about this, I will set up a meeting between the mage and us, two days hence? Raise your concerns to Caine then and see how he defends himself from there."

Tarin considered for a few moments before nodding.