Chapter 71
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2030, Planet: Grimoire
Once Moline heard Lamberton's suggestion, he was skeptical. "Did Commander Darmono put you up to this?" He'd heard something similar from the Commander a few years ago and had turned it down flat.
True, at the time, his charges didn't receive the same quality of instruction, nor did they have any way of gaining practical combat experience.
Still, Moline was wary of using this situation instead of mock sparring. A sigh escaped him. "I will propose this suggestion to the instructors and see what they think." An idea occurred to him. "I'll see if a modification in how the casting is done as well."
Lamberton frowned at him in confusion. "Why're you going to do that?" Now, he appeared a bit miffed.
"Think about it," Moline gave him a scenario. "In times of battle, what is one of the major weaknesses of mages and magicians?" He prodded Lamberton.
Lamberton grimaced. "There isn't sufficient time for speaking and hand movements." He sighed. Isn't that why we have psychics to take up the slack?"
That kind of dependence was disturbing, to say the least. "We're losing more of them in constant battles." Moline point-blank let Lamberton know of information he'd been receiving daily.
It was a disturbing trend that hadn't yet reached the local's ears. "Mainly because they're being conscripted into the military," Well, Moline was going to end that assumption right now. He watched Lamberton's face darken with rage. "After minimal training in anything but new spells and support information," Moline growled irately. "They're sent as support to Empires and Kingdoms from which they either return as corpses,"
Here, Lamberton blanched in acute shock.
Moline didn't care as he continued. "Worse yet, they chose to maintain a permanent citizenship because they supposedly receive better benefits, higher status, and premium treatment."
Lamberton exhaled. "For how long has that been happening?" He demanded with disbelief.
Mission accomplished. Moline didn't want to do it his way. Now, he had someone's attention who might be able to make some drastic changes and push them through in the government.
"From approximately the same amount of time, the Republic has been established from what I've ascertained." Moline rubbed his forehead. He returned to his original topic, for which he wanted approval. "If the magicians, mages, and elementalists had alternate ways of casting that didn't require hand gestures or speech." He tried appealing to Lamberton's practical and logical mentality. "How much faster could they react?" Moline had one youngster in mind when he mentioned that alternative.
While it was true, Moline knew of several dozen others who'd failed the practical exams because they weren't allowed alternate casting methods. "I know this has always been the approved and mandated tradition,"
Lamberton nodded in agreement with his statement. He snorted and sighed when Moline added. "I think it's about time to look at different ways of handling that problem."
Moline shrugged when he added another point of contention. "We've lost too many promising magicians and mages because of that restriction. I feel that the rogues comprise many of the disaffected population."
At that point, Lamberton rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll bring it up at the next debate." He paused and, to Moline's surprise, suggested. "With the practicum being altered with this new way of casting." He shrugged when Moline grunted in surprise. "It could be used as evidence to support the alteration of the mandated and outdated casting rituals."
Moline hadn't thought that far ahead, but Lamberton was right. "All right, when do you suggest we make the practicum take place and where?"
Lamberton came up with a specific date. He tapped his jaw. "How about we also bring in other academies to participate?"
Moline was horrified. "I don't think the orphans are ready to go against the elite of the academies." He folded his arms with a sigh. "On the other hand, I suppose this would be a good way to catch the attention of recruiters for different institutes."
Lamberton nodded. "This would also be a chance for merchantmen and other businesses to see what else the artisans can do besides make exquisite goods for trade." He pointed it out mildly. "It means they won't be restricted in where they can work when first taking on internships."
Moline was silent and sighed. "True, I can screen out troublemakers and exploiters before they can create smokescreens to fool gullible individuals." There was a slight edge to his voice. There'd been another rise in scams that targeted street children once more.
Lamberton grunted. "Unfortunately, I've discovered some of those gangs of thugs are untouchable." He shook his head angrily. "I learned several of them are sponsored by academic institutes and certain powerful families with ties to kingdoms and empires bordering the Republic."
"Hmm," Moline exasperated. With each day, week, month, and year that passes," he aired his genuine opinion of what was happening with the world. "I feel this Republic is more of a puppet than an independent body of city-states."
Lamberton winced when Moline shook his head wearily. "I did hear rumors of another Republic being set up elsewhere." He folded his arms in frustrated annoyance. I hope that once established, it fares better than this one, which is becoming increasingly corrupted." Moline looked at Lamberton while he remained silent. Do you believe that others who are suspiciously dead might actually be heading to that other place?"
Lamberton shrugged. "It is more than possible. I can't say for certain what is happening, honestly."
Moline shook his head. "Well, I'll get on the horn about discussing this new method of practicums that would include actual combat experience in real-life scenarios." He made his decision with calm acceptance of the reality they faced. "It would be better to incorporate that type of training while such situations are happening than to delay it infinitely."
Lamberton cleared his throat. "May I accompany you? I'm about to arrive at the Orphanage with the merchants I mentioned earlier. I was just returning from the area of conflict as it happens."
Moline was surprised but merely nodded. "Of course, it would be better to occupy those warehouses now before the conscription order comes down." He didn't doubt that it would happen very soon.
Moline exhaled wearily. "Give me ten minutes to get down there." he grimaced as he rose. "I don't want to look like a bad host for arriving in a tardy fashion." He'd rather have valid evidence that they weren't available for conscription.
Lamberton laughed. "I won't hold it against you." He promised.
They both turned off their video calls, and all equipment was immediately shut down. Moline made sure to lock up the room before he headed to the entrance.