The next day, while Edward and Tarin were discussing matters for the inception of a new special forces, Caine appeared with Tiffany.
"Introductions are in order, Augustus Tarin, special adviser to Prince Aureus Astrea. Former First Tribune of the Triem army."
"Caine Smith, golem mage apprentice of the golem artificing branch of MagiTech Institute. "
Both Caine and Tiffany's brows rose towards their hair as they heard Tarin's former rank.
"Isn't Triem army that army of Astrea Empire's first general? "
Caine nodded towards Tiffany.
"I will be direct. Tarin has various concerns regarding your appointment to the Direwolf company. With regards to the issue of personal strength, Caine has requested a one on one duel with Tarin to resolve it."
"If both participants are in agreement, we will hold the duel outside in short order."
"May I know what are the other concerns adviser Tarin have other than my personal strength?" Caine looked Tarin straight in the eye without wavering.
"Some fire then, more than that is needed to survive on the battlefield though, lad." Caine did not break eye contact.
"I heard people say that the magi of the Coalition are bigoted in their view of people with low Aether ratings. I never imagined that it is the same for the Empire." Tiffany glared at Tarin after speaking.
Edward had a calm expression on his face as he glanced toward Tarin.
Tarin smiled, "Provocation on this level will not work, lass. My concerns are simple."
Tarin did not raise his voice but a commanding aura emanated from him as looked at Caine.
"The lives of one hundred men lies on your abilities as a mage. "
"Do you have what it takes to keep them alive?
""Can you cut down your foes where they stand?"
"Young mage, this is not a game."
"If you do not have the resolve nor the ability, it is far better to give up now."
Tiffany had a slightly mollified expression on her face but she refused to budge a single inch. Her entire body language was primed as though ready for a confrontation.
Caine raised a placating hand towards Tiffany and gestured with soothing motions.
"I understand your concerns. I cannot change the fact that I possess a low Aether rating but if any Reich Dynasty forces were to stand between my goal and I. I would cut them down without hesitation," Caine said. "I understand that words are easy. I am ready for the duel."
—
As the group stepped towards the fields where the duel would be conducted, Caine noticed that the stands were filled with bodies and loud cheers. A man with piercing blue eyes headed up to the group.
"Johan Hans, first centurion of Astrea Empire and Prince Aureus's aide." Edward introduced.
"You are the golem mage Edward tried so hard to recruit? Mmm, I am looking forward to your duel with Tarin. It has been a long time his old bones had a good workout. It could use a good pounding. "
"Young Johan, don't instigate others to do your dirty work. We could exchange pointers later. "
Johan raised his arms in an instant. "No, if I win, there is no glory. If I lose, there will not be any good times for me for a long time. Who would take such a deal? "
Snorting sounds accompanied Tarin as he walked towards his position in the field.
The mage in charge cast a magic-body barrier on Tarin as he reached his position.
"Caine, good luck," Edward wished in a low voice.
Tiffany nodded her head animatedly.
As Caine neared his position, he felt the mage casting the barrier on him too.
"Whoever breaks the barrier of his opponent wins the match!" The mage at the side said in a voice that echoed across the field.
Caine took a deep breath and summoned his golems.
9 golems of steel surrounded Caine. As they got into formation, many in the stands were struck by the martial bearing of the golems.
"Those golems… they do not appear to be normal golems?" Johan was looking at the golems carefully.
"They have been upgraded extensively by Johan. They are upper steel tier on average," Tiffany said.
"9 steel-tier combatants? That is not enough," Johan said as he shook his head.
"We traveled from the Coalition's holdings to the Empire's. Did you think we could have survived the journey just by relying on those golems? "
Johan nodded and made no further comments.
"It appears I was not too late after all. I heard there would be an interesting duel here today." A dignified voice floated over the group.
"Highness!" Johan and Edward began bowing towards him but Aureus raised his hand.
"Ah, the Flame Empress candidate. I heard your name was Tiffany. A pleasure to meet you. I am Aureus Astrea. I am glad I am able to meet two of my new retainers today. "
Tiffany appeared dumbstruck for a moment before bowing towards Aureus.
"Highness, Tiffany Anglovich of the Magi Order, at your service. "
"Dispense with the formality. It has been some time since Tarin wielded the blade. I confess, I am anticipating this duel. "
—
Light shimmered around Caine and Tarin.
Two gloves and an armor manifested on Caine.
A sword and a glove manifested on Tarin.
Lines of Aether energy lanced out from Caine's gloves and connected with his Steel golems.
The golems immediately moved towards Tarin in a formation- keeping Caine well in the backline with 3 golems guarding him.
Tarin's glove glowed green, and he advanced in a burst of speed to the side and tried to approach Caine from an angle.
Caine moved his golems to block Tarin's path.
(As long as he is entangled with the 6 golems, it is my victory) thought Caine.
(However, I fully expect him to break through the 6 in front. The 3 golems by my side are my true ace)
(Will he approach?)
Seeing his path to Caine blocked, Tarin engaged the golems.
Tarin's glove glowed yellow. Roots sprang from the ground and held down the first golem. Tarin then engaged the remaining 5 golems.
His glove glowed green and white. As he flitted like a shadow amongst the golems, Tarin's arms were a blur as he hacked, slashed and riposted, whenever a heavy blow was about to land on him, a white shield would materialize.
Caine's hand movements increased in tempo as he tried to land blows on Tarin with his golems.
(Three stars swordsman, adept usage of Aether spells. I have yet to land a hit on his barrier. Did Edward say he was a former adamant combatant? Which part of this is former?) Caine thought as his mind searched for ways to damage Tarin.
Caine then began a combination move that exposed an opening in the formation encircling Tarin in return for an aggressive rate of attack.
Tarin's glove glowed green. His blade became blurrier as he attacked the opening and broke through. Tarin's boots pounded the ground as he made towards Caine.
(Got him!) Caine's armor glowed with a purple light.
A purple lightning hydra materialized behind Tarin and spat a bolt of lightning at Tarin's back. At the same time, all three of the golems unsheathed blades from their forearms extending their range in an instant and attacked Tarin from different directions.
A white shield formed behind Tarin, blocking the lightning bolt.
He parried a blow from the golem facing in front of him and received two blows from the remaining golems. Tarin's barrier dimmed by half.
Tarin broke past the 3 golems and resumed his advance to Caine.
Caine detached the Aether threads and both his gloves glowed purple.
Bolt.
A purple lightning bolt lanced from Caine's right hand towards Tarin.
Tarin dodged it without even batting an eyelid.
As Tarin landed on his feet a lightning bolt smashed its way onto his right leg.
Tarin's barrier dimmed to quarter radiance.
Tarin's blade whipped forth towards Caine and as it connected, Caine's barrier glow reduced to half strength.
The combatants separated after that.
(This is it) thought Caine as both his gloves glowed purple and red.
Tarin advanced.
Bolt. Scattershot.
A lightning bolt lanced from Caine's front and a series of mini-fireballs shot from Caine's right side.
Both missed as Tarin dodged towards Caine's left and landed a barrier breaking blow on Caine.
"Augustus Tarin wins!" The mage at the arena end announced to great roars of cheering.
—
Johan shared a look with Aureus. Aureus smiled and nodded.
Johan ceased frowning and started applauding.
Edward did not catch the looks passed between Aureus and Johan as he was conversing with Tiffany. "Tif, what was that hydra? Is that the ability granted by an artificial grade 5 monster core? Is that not valuable even amongst the mages?"
"You are correct, on both counts. The artificial core was a gift by one of Tarin's mentor at the institute."
"Those three golems appear different from the six. Are the blades of golems normally so powerful?" asked Edward as he narrowed his eyes in the direction of the three golems.
"Nah, those golems were just upgraded by Caine yesterday. He came up with the plan to put the six golems up as bait to lure his opponent into closing within the three upgraded golems. We practiced the encirclement tactic last night. I could only break through the three golems after several attempts."