25 Caine Smith 3 (1/2)
”You were far stronger than I anticipated. However my evaluation is not changing. If I were in charge of the company, I would not induct you into its ranks.”
”However, I am not the commander. In addition, I am willing to hold my judgment until you return from the core hunting trip with Edward.”
”I look forward to sparring with you once again after you receive the spider queen core. I believe it would be a good fight then.”
Caine had a neutral expression as he replied ”Why did Edward say you were a formal adamant tier combatant? I can tell that you did not go all out in the match earlier.”
”My purpose was not to defeat you. It was to evaluate you. I am not underestimating you, not many combatants on your level could have forced me to trade blows in an even manner. Make of that what you will.” Tarin turned and left the grounds to the loud cheering of the crowds.
Tiffany stepped up to Caine along with Johan and a blond-haired man.
”Caine, this is Prince Aureus Astrea.” Tiffany introduced.
”Highness, I greet you. Caine Smith at your service.”
”I heard the last part of your conversation with Tarin. Whatever faults Tarin may have as a person, lying is not one of them. He speaks it as it is. He has an uncompromising stance when it comes to recruitment standards. Do not take it to heart. I am impressed by your performance. It is perfectly reasonable for you to join the Direwolf company in my opinion.” Aureus smiled as he related.
”Understood, highness. Thank you for the concern.”
”Hey Caine, can you customize some of these golems for training purposes? I believe they would be a great help in training militia and elite troops.” Johan asked in an eagerly from the side.
”No problem. Who is footing the bill?”
”There will be forms to fill but that is no issue, I can requisition those materials after you come back from the core hunting expedition.”
”Very well. I will look forward to that then.”
—
At the castle's study later…
”It appears Johan has a question he wants to ask you, Tarin.” Aureus was smiling brightly as he opened the conversation.
”Little Johan, don't bother. I did not activate Mass on the first strike as I wanted to see whether Caine prepared a counter-measure in the event an opponent broke through all his stratagems.”
”Did he?” Johan asked.
”In my opinion, yes. It was a guess between left and right for Caine and he went the wrong side. As simple as that.”
”He had to have known you had Barrier up. Unless he hit you with a direct shot of Bolt, there was no way he would have won.”
”I agree. I judge his decision to fight to the end despite knowing it was a foregone conclusion, admirable. For a mage, at least. Not many mages would have his resolve to see the fight through.”
”I judge him perfectly competent. Even if he is unable to control 100 golems, he is able to control 9 golems with exquisite skill. He is no different from an upper tier damascus combatant when he and his golems are in full flow.” Johan added.
”The issue does not lie in his personal skill, it lies in his application on the battlefield. Would you have diverted resources to save a damascus combatant in the middle of a raiding operation for your company?”
”No, I would not.”
”Regardless, if he cannot hold his own during an operation especially of the kind Edward is envisioning, it is a far greater mercy to cut him out now then have soldiers paying the ultimate price later on.”
”We could mitigate that with the use of teleportation seals and stasis orbs. Having a strong golem mage guarding the fallback teleportation point is a great boon. Especially in the event of being overwhelmed. Golems can buy enough time for a complete retreat.”
”What is your highness's opinion?” Tarin turned towards Aureus.
”Tarin, the methodology that brought you to first Tribune of Triem army is showing itself. I agree with that logic however I am of the opinion that we should relax the expectations on Caine.”
”Am I missing something, highness?”