At dinner, the Reshin clan members and their housekeeper, Haruto, enjoyed a meal together. Little Kenji caused a delightful commotion at the table, bringing smiles and laughter. After dinner, Haruto took Kenji to his room, while Renji and his father, Kazuki, started a conversation.
"Father, who is stronger, a magus or a warrior?" Renji asked with curiosity. Kazuki glanced at him, chuckling, and replied, "Both magi and warriors have their strengths. At the same rank, a magus might be slightly stronger, but their social status is significantly higher. For example, an eighth-rank dual-element magus would generally outrank a ninth-rank warrior in terms of social standing."
"Why is there such a big difference in status if the power difference is minor?" Renji inquired. Kazuki explained, "You should first understand the magi ranking system. There are nine ranks. The first and second ranks are junior magi, third and fourth are mid-level, and fifth and sixth are senior magi. The seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks are immensely powerful. Above the ninth rank are the Saint-level magi."
Kazuki continued, "The reason for the high status of magi is their incredible destructive potential. A warrior, even a Dragonfire Warrior, can kill many with a single strike but would struggle against a massive army. However, a Saint-level magus can obliterate entire towns or armies with a single powerful spell. Such capabilities make them more feared than an entire army."
Renji nodded in understanding. "Let's focus on magi of the eighth and ninth ranks, then. They too possess spells that can dramatically alter the course of a battle. This is why they hold such high status," Kazuki said with a light laugh. Renji, grasping the importance of magi in the war-torn Aerthos continent, agreed.
"Oh, and Father, I read that magi have weaker physical strength compared to warriors, yet I saw that magus effortlessly dismount from the Dragon King. How is that possible?" Renji asked. Kazuki suggested they discuss this later and explained that people on the Aerthos continent typically live around 120-130 years, with powerful magi and warriors living up to 200-400 years, and Saint-level combatants achieving eternal life.
Kazuki further elaborated, "The long lifespan of powerful warriors and magi is due to their absorption of elemental energy during training. This energy strengthens their bodies and extends their lives. Warriors and magi both use natural elemental forces for their training and to enhance their physical strength."
Renji was enlightened but still puzzled. "But why are magi said to have weak bodies?" Kazuki clarified, "Magi are weaker compared to warriors of the same rank in physical terms. An eighth-rank magus may have similar strength to a second or third-rank warrior, but a high-ranking warrior's physical strength surpasses theirs."
Renji felt embarrassed by his oversight. Kazuki added, "Despite their physical vulnerability, magi use magical protective spells like 'shield of earth' or 'shield of light' for defense, and powerful magi also employ magical beasts for protection. A magical beast can shield a magus and allow them to focus on casting spells."
Renji's eyes lit up. "How can one acquire a magical beast?" Kazuki chuckled and explained, "There are two ways: either by making the beast willingly serve you, which is challenging and requires defeating it in battle, or by using a soul-binding magical array to enslave it. Only a seventh-rank magus or higher can set up such an array."
Renji was stunned. "Isn't there another way?" Kazuki said, "You could buy a soul-binding scroll, which is extremely rare and costs about ten thousand gold coins. Even with the money, finding one is difficult."
Renji realized the difficulty of obtaining a magical beast. The only feasible path, given his family's resources, would be to become a seventh-rank magus first. This posed a significant challenge, particularly given his slim chances of having the natural talent for magic.