32 Reine 2 (1/2)

”Is that an order, highness?” Reine asked.

”Never that, it is a suggestion.” Aureus replied.

”May I know your highness's intentions with said suggestions?” Reine asked as she arched her neck.

Aureus framed his response in a diplomatic manner as he replied Reine's query. His main point being the mage whom Reine will contract to, is outstanding in his own way despite a low aether core rating. He stressed that the details of their contracts would be worked out between the two and that he was simply a facilitator as he sees potential in the combination as well as utility for both parties.

Reine's brows creased as Aureus related about Caine's low aether core rating.

Aureus caught the expression and said ”Seeing is more believing than a thousand words, why not have a look?”

Reine bowed and replied that she would do so.

Aureus mentioned that Caine is currently working with Edward and has a high likelihood of being found in the castle's training grounds.

Reine's expression showed confusion as she left the study but it also carried a determined cast as she headed to the training grounds.

—

Edward and Caine were in the midst of discussions regarding integrating golem tactics with the Direwolf company when they spied Reine making her way across the field towards them.

Both men carried a puzzled look at this unexpected turn of events.

Soon Reine arrived and requested to speak with Caine in private.

Edward immediately excused himself saying that he needed to check up on the troops training and can be found at the command tent later should there be any need.

As Edward left, Reine scrutinized Caine and found herself highly unimpressed.

She was wondering for the life of hers, what exactly could Aureus mean by the this particular mage being impressive to the point that he would recommend her contracting with him.

As the silence stretched, Caine stepped from one foot to the other until he could bear it no longer and asked ”Mistress Reine, what brings you here?”

Reine cut to the chase and related how Aureus recommended that she form a spirit contract with Caine due to the potential benefits it would bring both parties.

Caine's brows shot upwards as Reine finished speaking. He appeared to have trouble maintaining his composure as evidenced by his breathing becoming shallow.

Caine decided to start off with an introduction of the Direwolf company and its purposes as well as how it would look like when all components for it has gathered.

”I am one of the three main components. Having an appropriate spirit beast contracted with me will drastically increase my golem controlling powers even without considering the issue of compatibility.” Caine related. ”I believe it is his highness's wishes for you to attach yourself to this company as it is a position that can easily garner military merits as well as having frequent access to the inner council.”

Reine had a look that said she could have figured out everything that Caine just said. What interested her was whether the mage in front her deserved to contract with her.

”What interests me is whether you have the right to spirit contract with me. All else is irrelevant to me.” Reine said in a steely tone.

”How may I demonstrate that?” Caine countered.

”Spirit beasts operate in a hierarchy of strength, I have noted your performance on the battlefield. It is barely passable to be considered for contracting though I will admit that it has a certain degree of impressiveness to it now that I know your aether core rating.” Reine said without a change in expression. ”I am interested in prince Aureus's evaluation that you are impressive. To be frank, I cannot see that now. Tell me, why would prince Aureus evaluate you this highly?”

The silence stretched between the two for several moments only broken by the cry of a nearby sparrow.

”I would not claim to know his highness's thoughts, I would hazard a guess that the likeliest possibility lies in my ambition.” Said Caine as his face took on a determined cast.

The change in expression was noted by Reine and she gestured for Caine to continue.

”It is my dream to vaunt the golem magic branch into being classified as a primary magic branch.” Caine said.

Reine's jaw dropped slightly before she closed it and began tapping her chin as she re-evaluated the mage before her.