The next day as the wind rustled through the training ground fields, two figures can be spotted as they made their way across it.
Spotting them, Edward waved.
Caine and Tiffany then stepped up to Edward while looking at the trainees sloshing about in the mud under barbed wires.
"Wouldn't want to be in their places, that's for sure," said Tiffany while shuddering.
"Caine, it was my intention for you to join this company to become its company mage. However, an advisor of the prince has raised several concerns with me regarding this."
Caine said nothing for several moments as his eyes roved over the training in progress.
"What will these combatants specialties be after training?" Caine asked.
"They will specialize in taking out key enemy objectives in one quick strike," replied Edward.
"What will be my role?"
"The golems are to play a defensive role. You will be in charge of tying up enemy combatants while the strike team goes for the objectives in an ideal scenario."
"Strength of opposition?" queried Caine.
"We will make it a point to not encounter massed resistance, hence most opposition will be weaker than us in general."
"In the event, they are stronger?"
"We will eliminate their core strength before moving on to said objectives. "
"The concerns of this adviser being?" Caine asked while tapping his cheek with his finger.
Edward looked Caine in the eye as he replied, "Your aether core being too weak. Despite your skills, you can only be considered a weak link in combat."
An angry tsking sound came from the side, "Caine is perfectly competent in combat, who is that old geezer to be making judgments before he even sees Caine?"
Caine's mouth curved as he shot a glance at Tiffany, "Tif, it's fine. The concern is valid. In fact, I would be surprised if no one raised this issue. Don't you think it will be suspicious if we are to get so many benefits but no one raised any concerns over doubtful points? "
"Having a small aether core is not a doubtful point." Tiffany was stamping her foot at this point.
"Tif, I believe the main gist of the adviser is whether I would get men killed in combat due to my perceived lack of combat ability. It is valid. Would you trust an apprentice mage to throw a fireball onto a 200m target on his first try?"
"No, but that is not the point I am trying to make."
"I understand, I've an idea to resolve this. No worries. "
Caine turned back towards Edward, "Edward, any suggestions for resolving this issue?"
"There is the simplest method available. Duel him." Edward's expression was neutral as he replied.
Caine nodded, "It is the fastest and most direct method."
"I must warn you that should you undertake this method, your opponent will be a former adamant class combatant." Edward said in a cautious tone.
"When can I meet this adviser? "Caine stopped tapping his finger.
"Tomorrow at noon, here," replied Edward.
"Very well, I will be here. I must go back and prepare now. "
—
"Caine, do you have confidence against this former adamant class opponent? " Tiffany asked as they journeyed down the cobbled paths towards the mercenary guild.
"Confidence yes. Chances of winning, not so much." Caine beamed as he replied.
Tiffany blew a breath through her nose, "Be serious!"
"I am. I hardly think a former adamant being the adviser of an imperial prince will be an average person."
"I intend to head to the mercenary guild and procure materials to upgrade several of the golems I will use tomorrow."
Tiffany shot a worrying look towards Caine.
"There is no point in hedging now, I will invest what I can into what I have now." said Caine.
Looking over Caine's demeanor, Tiffany changed course.
"Let me know when you are testing the golems. I will help out."
"Thanks Tif, appreciate it."
—
Later that afternoon, at the shed Caine was working in tinkered with various metallic sounds, Tiffany had a forlorn look on her face.
(I suppose it is too much to hope that prejudice of his aether core abilities will not follow Caine everywhere)
(How do I know what it feels like to bear such a burden? I've been rated at 8 ever since the coming of age ceremony and will develop into a 9 in time. Everywhere I went, people said I was a powerful mage. I would become a strong asset for the Magi Order)
(Being a candidate for Flame Empress was par for the course. With my rating and skill in fire manipulation, it was natural)
(I wonder how life would have been different for me had I been born with a low aether core rating. Would I've been outcasted among my own kind? Could I've fought against it despite the odds? Would I've persevered?)
(When I first met Caine at the outer realm, had I known about his aether core rating then, I would have been hesitant in accepting him as a traveling companion)
(It was an absolute shock for me when I found out about his rating. By that point, he has saved my life more than once on the road. I never imagined the consummate golem controller who has such skill had such a low rating)
(What Flame Empress, what talent rarely seen in a century. Those titles are not worth a cent in my eyes compared to the deeds of the man before me)
(While I wish he would no longer face such discrimination, I understand that is an idle thought. There is more at stake here than consideration for another person's feelings. Unless he can change his fate somehow)
(But, how could someone change something one is born with? If fate were so easily manipulated, life would not be so harsh for so many people in the Three Realms)
As Edward took a break while drinking water he noted Tiffany's expression.
"Tif! What is on your mind? You seem to be considering something unpleasant." Caine jogged over as he finished his water.
"I was just thinking about the discrimination you had to face due to your Aether rating," Tiffany replied while her face remained a mask.
"That? Just a small matter. There isn't much to think about is there?" Caine had a bright eyed look as he brushed the matter aside.
Tiffany fought the urge to roll her eyes and feeling like she is stepping on eggshells, she formulated her reply .
"Don't you find it unfair? There should be no reason unknown men should judge you simply based on your rating. At least, wait until after assessment. "
Laughing sounds echoed from Edward which caused Tiffany's frown to deepen.
Appearing to sense something, a coughing sound began replacing the laughing.
"They have assessed! My combat ability's ceiling is determined by my rating and without a grade 5 spider queen core or spider spirit beast companion. They are not wrong. "
"I cannot change the thinking of others. I can only control my own actions. While I intend to pulp that so called adviser into the muddy ground tomorrow, I understand the chances of that being low."
"Nevertheless, I've done my best. Is there anything else I should be doing?" Edward replied while extending his arm and pretending to invite Tiffany into a mage dance.
"I cannot understand why someone like you is born with such a low rating while other disgusting, incompetent mages are born with a decent rating." Tiffany tossed her flaming hair to the side as she said.
This time the laughter was long and loud but to Tiffany's ear it seemed more like a cry being hidden.
It was several moments before Edward replied, "I cannot speak for mistress fate. Her plans are well beyond my ken. As strange as it may seem, I am thankful to be born with this rating. If not for my experiences in the past, I would not be the man I am today. For that alone, I am grateful. "
"If it wasn't for my low rating, I would never have been shunted into the Golem Artificing branch. If I never went there, I would never have met all the great friends and mentors that I did. Had I never met those people, I would not have the dream of vaunting the golem magic branch into primacy. My life would be a far darker one had I not met those people."
Edward's eyes carried a blaze and as his gaze landed on Tiffany, the intensity tapered off as his gaze turned firm instead,
"Raize is an outlier. He is one of those rare mages born with a rating of 10. Him being the number one candidate for Flame Emperor is within everyone's prediction. However, I do not agree. I believe the one truly worthy of the title Flame Empress stands before me and no one else. "
"I do not see any of the other candidates scrambling around the outer realm, seeking an appropriate monster core for oneself. Instead, they are relying on their elders back at the order or the institute to provide them with it. In time, they will return back to their original shape, a weak willed mage. "
"Of course, I realize I sound a little like sour grapes now. I am open to the possibility of being wrong but Tif, you being the Flame Empress. I don't doubt that for a second. "
Tiffany had a cheeky smile as she extended her arm and took up the embrace for the beginning of the mage's dance.
"If only I had your confidence of me in myself. Well then, I had better put in the effort to make Flame Empress with such august blessings? Yes?"
"Other than raw power output, which part of Raize is better than you in terms of being a fire mage?"
"Enough about Raize, we should finish this dance so you can continue carrying on modifying your golems."
Against the setting sun, on top a hill, two figures danced with each other. Scarlet flew in the breeze and twined with raven. A tear tracked down which disappeared with the soft touch of a thumb.