Breakfast meeting

The examination used both visual and tactile observation, as well as magical scanning. After a few minutes, Frederick gave him a clean bill of health. Just in time for Alexia to come back with his breakfast. Frederick left, as he had a lot of work to take care of as well.

While eating, he glanced at Alexia's face. The bruise he had made earlier was nearly gone, and he guessed there would be no traces left by noon. His appreciation of the healing made him think about the magic of the world. While anyone could use magic, not many could use it beyond basic proficiency. Magic was usually classed into several categories.

There was elementalism, using the elements, such as fire, water, ice and lightning, in various spells. Summoning, making a contract with a spiritual being such as elementals and spirit beasts, to summon them to one's side for battle or another specific task. White magic, encompassing healing, exorcism and buffs. Black magic, using debuffs, curses and necromancy. Magecraft, the arts of alchemy and enchanting.

On the other side of magic was ki. To cultivate ki, one had to harness their own life energy and mix it with natural energy. Said life energy was directly linked to the conditionning of the body. The stronger the body, the more ki could be generated. Ki could only be used in some form of enhancement, and quickly dissipated outside of the body.

There were 2 categories of ki use: Reinforcement, using ki within one's body to boost strenght, speed, durability or even sensory organs. Coating, the act of channeling ki into a part of the body or a tool, to add an instantaneous effect to a physical attack, or a temporary attribute on the limb/tool. Adding an element to a ki attack was only possible due to the natural energy used in generating ki.

Just like magic, anyone could cultivate ki to a basic level, but beyond that it required talent and dedication. It was nearly impossible for a fighter to reach a high rank without being able to use ki to a decent level. Mages and fighters were given a rank depending on their skills and energy manipulation proficiency: novice, apprentice, expert, advanced, master, and finally, grandmaster/archmage.

Learning magic was expensive if one didn't have enough potential to attract the eye of someone looking for an apprentice, a noble looking for useful subordinates, or easy access to a trainer or relevant books. Thus, magic users were prized. Cultivating ki wasn't nearly as expensive, but the time needed for it required the practionner to have someone support him for basic life necessities in the early stages.

Ki users were thus more available and less prized than mages, but still a valuable ressource. Erwin showing no talent for either despite being the son of the king and a strong magic user, drastically lowered his value in the eyes of people.

Soon enough, just as he finished eating, William and another man entered the room. William was a young man with short light brown hairs and brown eyes. He was fairly tall and well built, and was 25yo. He had been recruited by Elizabeth when he was 16yo, so he had known Erwin for 9 years. He was an expert spear user, very capable with both reinforcement and coating, and was knighted at the age of 20.

"Your highness, it's good to see you awake and well" he said with a small smile.

On one hand, William was grateful to Elizabeth and admired her. On the other hand, he disliked Erwin for his lack of talent, and more importantly, his lack of efforts in trying to become someone worthwhile. Despite that, even without his loyalty to Elizabeth prompting him to look after her son, he wouldn't want him to come to harm.

"Thanks William" Erwin responded, before turning to the other man. "You're the one who had been in charge the region until then? What's your name?"

"I am Robert Collins, your highness. I am the uncle of the current baron Collins, whose land is neighboring Darkmoor. I've been managing the town and the nearby village for the last 30 years. It is a relief to see his highness in good health."

"Nice to meet you, and thank you. As you have probably guessed, I called you 2 here to know the current situation of Darkmoor. Summer is ending, and it's well known that spring and autumn are the time when the magical beasts are the most active, and the barbarians races are also the most active during autumn."

"There are 500 soldiers in Darkmoor, and 150 of them are stationed in the village" William started. "Their equipment is getting old, the repairs are getting less and less effective. To compensate for that, they are at least quite experienced. However, we are lacking magic users, both healers and attackers. The last competent ones died or left. The next 3 months are going to be very difficult."

Feeling that he was done, Erwin turned toward Robert. Said man released a short and soft sight before speaking.

"The civilian population is mostly comprised of people that didn't have much choice but to come here. They often don't have the best qualifications, be it for farming or crafting, and as the years passes, the quality of the newcomers seems to lower" he said with some disdain and exasperation.

"We are barely able to produce what we need at the best of times, and must often rely on external help. It is the sale of some of the uncommon magical beasts cores and parts that keeps us afloat, and the buyers and sellers aren't afraid to make things difficult for us because we desperatly need them."

"I see" Erwin replied as he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. 'So, we need something to make up for the lack of mages, something to make up for the limited food and equipment production, and something to give the middle finger to our usual trade partners.' "William, I will need to know the complete composition of our armed forces. Lord Collins, I need to know the details of our production capabilities. Put it on paper and bring it to me this evening."

"Yes, your highness."

"As you wish, your highness."

With those words, the 2 men left the room.

"Alexia, I know we haven't been here for long, but how familiar are you with the castle?"

"I know where the main areas and the important rooms are, your highness."

"Hearing 'your highness' so much is getting tiresome. From now on, don't call me 'your highness' unless it's in the middle of an official event. Understood?"

"What?" she replied with wide eyes. "You are a prince of the realm! I can't do that!" she finished while bowing.

"Yes, you can" he replied with a tone of finality. "As for being a prince? People may respect my title, but most of them don't respect me, and look down on me" he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Being called 'your highness' feels like a sarcastic joke played on me."

Alexia looked at him with a complicated expression for a while before answering.

"Then, please allow me to call you 'my lord' instead. You are still a noble of royal blood, and the new ruler of Darkmoor."

"That's fine, I guess. Anyway, give me a few minutes to change, then give me a tour of the place."

"Yes, my lord."