21 Chapter 21 (2/2)
”But you are an exception. A talent like no one has seen in centuries. I think the best chance that the King would lift this restriction was if we had an exceptional mage come along and shake everything to it's foundation, make them all see that mages are a force to be reckoned with. Please don't think badly on the King, he's still quite young and has received bad advice but he's got a good heart. ”
Wilfred reflected on everything that was said. It didn't quite surprise him that things were this way but he was a bit curious about why mages had such a bad reputation. They seemed like they would be really useful to a Kingdom even if just to support the cultivators not even taking in consideration all the useful things they can do for the economy. It was possible someone planted seeds of distrusts towards mages to weaken the Kingdom.
”So you've mentioned, 'we' mages. I take it you're also one? Also I'm curious as to your position within the mage Corps.”
”Naturally. I wouldn't be able to be part of the mage Corps if I wasn't. I hold the t.i.tle of Warlord which ranks second in the Mage Corps. There are 8 who hold this t.i.tle and we oversee Brigadiers. I would like to ask a favor of you. You will likely get many requests from Captains to join their squads but I'd like if you could join my younger brother's squad.”
”Oh, and why is that? Someone actually came to ask me some time ago. Captain Alfonse If I recall correctly.”
Not able to hold it in, Tybias burst out laughing. Perplexed, Wilfred sat awkwardly wondering why this was the case, he drank a bit of tea waiting for the baron to finish his laughing fit.
”Haaaa..I'm sorry. Alfonse is my brother, it just seemed such a coincidence hahaha.”
Wilfred smiled, indeed what a coincidence.
”Alright, so let me get this right. You want me to join your brother's squad, rise through the ranks and make the King change the way the mage Corps is ran. Why?”
Tybias stood up and faced the window overlooking his garden with his arms behind his back.
”Most of the n.o.ble believe we are superior to the commoners. We do indeed have more wealth, are more educated and cultured but...is it truly the case? Can the commoners not help to make this Kingdom greater? Take for example Ansellus, very strong mage but a commoner. If he was a n.o.ble, he would undoubtedly be a Warlord like myself but he is being held back at the rank of Justicar. Meanwhile, much inferior mages but n.o.ble have risen through the ranks and sit higher than him, giving him orders. Is it not surprising that we lose many mages to the adventurer's guild or foreign nations then? I'll admit that i stand to gain by you joining my brother's squad. It will look good on the family name if he should benefit from your success as well. I will however, support you as best I can. It must not be easy for you having no support from your family.”
The last phrase was particularly insulting for Wilfred. In this world as well as on earth, his parents had not been able to support him in his endeavors because of what little they had. They had shown him plenty of love and care though and that what was really mattered. The baron was right however that it was harder for him than for example Lucy or the other rich mages at school. While the academy restricted the use of bought items, there was nothing stopping them when they became adults to get that much stronger.
The baron was a patriot which Wilfred could relate to. He wanted the best for his Kingdom and was even in favor of supporting commoners unlike most of the other n.o.bles. What really made Wilfred like him was how honest and matter of fact he was, it was refres.h.i.+ng. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense for him to join the mage corps. His mind made up, he addressed the baron.
”Very well, it seems like a good idea and I will join your brother's squad but on one condition.”
Tybias looked at him with a very serious look, bracing for the potentially unreasonable demand WIlfred would make.
”Name it.”
”I want my academy friends to also be joining the squad, Lucius and Lucy. We work well together.”
The baron visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping.
”That's all? Easily done.”
”Thank you. I do have some more questions however, in regards to the mage corps. The general structure of the army, are we currently in conflict with any other nation, how many mages are part of the army, how advancing ranks works. The more you can tell me, the better.”
Information was the most crucial thing one can have and one can never have enough of it. Wars were won or lost depending based on information being available and on time.
The baron sat back down and drank more tea, his mind thinking on the questions Wilfred asked of him.
”There are a total of 6 ranks in the mage corps. The Lord General is the one giving the orders, he reports directly to the King and in times of war works together with the Lord General of the army as well. Then there are the Warlords such as I who receive the orders from the Lord General and pa.s.s them onwards to the Brigadiers. We also take part in the battles, fighting with the strongest cultivators. The Brigadiers are about 20 and quite strong on their own, they supervise the Justicars. The Justicars are the highest a commoner can rise up to, their numbers are around 35 to 40, it varies somewhat. ”
Tybias resumed his explanation after taking a small breath.
”Most promotions are based on power, one must be a strong mage in order to advance. It is hard to compare cultivators and mages, since their fighting styles vastly differ but in order to rise to Justicar, a mage must be able to defeat single handedly a level 20 cultivator. No one has been able to defeat one without being able to use Journeyman level spells however. If I had to guess, there are probably close to 700 soldiers that are at that level in the regular army. Now, under the Justicars are the Captains who lead the squad mages. There are 47 Captains as last I heard and under their direct control are 4 mages and 6 soldiers. These soldiers are selected from the regular army to come learn how to fight with mages. These aren't the best te army has to offer however, they keep those for themselves but they are capable and would be equivalent to a level 10 cultivator. Under the Captains are the squad mages which is where we all start. The number of mages vary, especially when it comes to the academy graduates advancing into the 4 years of mandatory service but there are roughly 300 to 400 mages at that rank at all times.”
”We are not currently involved in any conflict but relations with the Elves are somewhat strained as of late. We've had a bad harvest and had to renege on our contracts with them to supply food to them.”
Taking all of it in, Wilfred crossed his arms and thought a bit.
I don't think they're employing the mages efficiently. It seems all the 'honor' is reserved for the cultivators who fight on the front lines and we're delegated to defensive duties. Not that it's a bad thing but there's a lot mages could do support wise to help our own cultivators overcome the enemy's.
”Thanks, it gives me a good idea of what to expect. It's getting late, I should be going. Thanks again for taking the time to receive me and give me this information. I'll be seeing you in 3 years then?”
”Indeed. Thank you again for agreeing to help. Let me get the driver to accompany you home, I've heard a terrible rumor about a strong person roaming the streets late at night and attacking young boys.”
The baron then winked at him.
Chills ran down Wilfred's spine. s.h.i.+t, he knows? How...No matter I suppose, he seems like he needs my help but I'll have to watch out, he's likely got eyes on me and I don't want to get blackmailed.
Wilfred was escorted outside where it had started to rain and boarded the carriage. Tybias waved him goodbye and Wilfred replied the gesture but was now wary of the seemingly nice baron.
When the carriage was out of sight, Tybias entered the estate and closed the doors, collapsing into his chair shortly after.
”Was a terrifying young man. That look he gave me when I made that comment...I was sure he'd try to strike me down. I would think he would have been more pleased that I had taken care of his little problem and made sure it wouldn't come out that it was him who was the culprit.”
A figure clad in black entered the room and knelt before the baron.
”What did you find out Cavlil?”
”I went into the store after he exited it and found a new item for sale at Galerion's shop. Like nothing ever seen before. I can confirm it was indeed an artifact level item.”
”Hmmm, it seems rumors about his unique skill are indeed true. Keep an eye on him but make sure nothing happens to him. Also try to prevent the d.u.c.h.ess from making contact and finding out about him, we don't want to be dealing with that right now.”
Cavlil saluted and left the room, leaving Tybias alone who inclined his head back and rubbed his temple with his left hand. He had a premonition that he would be getting many headaches soon.
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