"So, when do we go?" asked Ajax.
"That is flexible. To be frank he requested us to come with Jean only after Jean reached the knight stage. So, it depends on how long it takes for him to do that," said Dean.
"That is kind of a weird request," said Ajax.
"It is actually a sort of training mission for Jean. Usually, a noble can't make such a request from the border guard, but the viscount was one of us and he has merits and contacts he could still use. So, he put it like this as it wasn't much urgent for him," said Dean.
"So, if nobles and royals have worked or still work for the border guard, you can ask for such things?" asked Ajax. He had already believed that such things were possible but just wanted to confirm.
"Of course. You were accepted now because you joined the guard, but your uncle Bhairav and sister stayed here under our protection and then left. We couldn't provide either them or you protection from the current king, if Bhairav didn't have merits," said Dean.
"Ok," said Ajax after hearing Dean. "I will be going now. I hope there is nothing more left to discuss?"
"Wait. We have more to discuss," said Dean.
"What else is left?" asked Ajax.
"When do intend to breakthrough to knight stage? When are going to form your mana core?" asked Dean.
"I still didn't hit the limit. I am still able to get stronger at a good pace," said Ajax. "It is good to hit the limit before getting a mana core, right?"
"Yes, it is true," said Dean.
"You have that golden eater core, right?" added Dean.
"Yes, that is the only beast core I have. I kept it safe in my badge," said Ajax pointing to the special chef badge he was given.
"Ok. Good. Then, I will get right to the point. Do you know knights use mana weapons which are different from what those without a mana core use?" asked Dean.
"Using mana with weapons kind of allows them to pass their attributes and some effects on to the weapons. It allows those weapons to cut through stronger defenses," said Ajax.
"Not bad, but you are only half right," said Dean.
"What did I miss?" asked Ajax.
"At knight stage onwards, you understand that even if one gets stronger physically also as they progress in cultivation. Even if they don't specially cultivate their body, their body slowly increases in strength as they progress," said Dean.
"I know that. That is why to harm them. As they grows stronger, their body defenses improve. So, we need stronger mana weapons from knight stage onwards," said Ajax.
"Yes, their defenses improve, but I said they grow stronger overall. It isn't just the opponent's defenses, but the user's strength and speed which also improve. The armor and shields are also improved version similar to weapons," said Dean.
"So?" asked Ajax.
"Well, the main strength of mana weapons can only be shown when you circulate your mana through them. It makes them strong and sharp enough. Most materials get stronger on more exposure to mana. That is the same principle which is used with weapons too. So, if you can't circulate your mana through them, they are not strong enough," said Dean.
Hearing it Ajax immediately understood the crux of the problem. It was simple material science. You can't cut a stronger material with a weaker one. It is similar to how only a diamond could cut another diamond.
"So, if I use normal weapons it will break when I fight knight stage cultivators," said Ajax.
"Even if you use normal mana weapons, they will also break against others who can circulate mana through their weapons," said Dean. "The same goes for armor, too."
"So, that is why you asked about when I can create a mana core," said Ajax understanding Dean's current concern.
"Yes, it poses quite a big problem. In a battle, sooner or later, the opposition will notice that you are stronger and will send knights against you. I believe you also wouldn't like to just fight against normal body strengthening cultivators either, right? If you could breakthrough to knight stage, everything would be fine," said Dean.
"So, should I breakthrough in that case?" asked Ajax.
"That would be wasting your potential. Only when you see your limits in one stage, you should breakthrough to the next stage. If you were just another trainee, I would have asked you to do it. But you are not. You have strong backing and general Dustblade asked us to help if possible," said Dean.
"What can be done?" asked Ajax.
"Well it not a problem with just you, there are many steeds and many cultivators keep pets. All beasts don't have strong defenses or tough skin, but they make good steed and pets. They don't have techniques to move mana through armors and it is very hard, sometimes impossible to train them to do so. So, a solution came up which can be used," said Dean.
"Is it stronger materials which we need to use?" asked Ajax.
"Stronger materials wouldn't really help and are a waste. That was the first solution attempted when they wanted to provide armor to beasts. Using materials that make the armaments of a baron or duke stage cultivator will make it strong enough, but with stronger materials it will also get harder to circulate mana through it. It will impede the training of the beasts. If we use it for you, it might have a similar effect," said Dean.
"What is the alternate?" asked Ajax.
"It is the oldest assumption that all material get stronger with more mana. As long as they aren't overused and broken in batters, even weapons and armors used for long time by experts become stronger due to same reason. Using that concept, some smiths tried to circulate mana with the help of a mana core from beasts instead of actively circulating mana. It produces the same effect of a cultivator active circulating his mana through it," said Dean.
"So, that is why you asked for the core?" asked Ajax.
"Yes, to be frank. Syam has given all the merits of killing that beast to you. So, you have the right to use the entire carcass. The leather from the beast is almost at baron level and will be strong and flexible enough to use as armor's base. It will be sufficient for any knight stage fighter and as it forcibly broke through baron stage, a knight stage cultivator can circulate mana through it," said Dean.
"Ok, the manufacturing costs?" started Ajax.
"All initial weapon and armor manufacturing costs are borne for all guards by the border guard management, but under a certain limit," said Dean. "The maintenance and further costs in case of break or loss should be born be you."
"Oh. Ok. So, you need the core for a weapon. I guess the core isn't usually accepted for manufacturing costs," said Ajax as he removed the core from his storage and held it out for Dean to take.
"Yes," said Dean. "But there is also another issue. Usually a core allows us to inscribe a skill of the corresponding beast onto the weapon. This skill can be triggered by the user easily. The metals and materials for the weapon are also selected based on it. The materials aren't an issue, but if you use a core for circulation, it can't be used to inscribe a skill on the weapon. It is considered a waste. You get to choose if you want to have such a weapon."
"Use it for the weapon. I don't really care about the skill," answered Ajax quickly.
"That was a quick decision," said Dean.
"Don't think much. I will get more cores which can be used for it," said Ajax. "So, get me a spear with the core attached to it."
"Can't do that. That is the other limitation," said Dean. "With artificial mana circulation, except for master smiths, most can't produce longer weapons like spears or staffs or bows."
"Is he cleverly trying to use this to dissuade me from using a spear?" thought Ajax suddenly.
"Don't think I am saying this to dissuade you from using a spear," said Dean. "You have been quickly shifted to this division. So, you don't understand few things. In a war, the most common used weapons are spears and are used commonly in army formations phalanxes everything. For that we have surplus and even if you break a few no one would care. The weapon I am talking is the personal weapon which is provided to members of hunter division."
"Can you read minds?" asked Ajax smiling in an attempt to joke.
"Cute," smirked Dean.
"Sorry, it kind of became a habit to think that everyone is trying to trick me," said Ajax.
"No problem. It will keep you alive," said Dean. "So, the core will be used for a sword."
"I would prefer an axe," said Ajax. Ajax hid little not experience training with a sword. Even though, he was trained with a sword in his family palace, it was the simplest of moves which he was trained. It didn't count as battle experience in Ajax's perspective.
Compared to that, he had used an axe a lot more in his past life. Axes are much easily available in cities as well as rural areas. It was a commonly used tool by woodcutters which were prevalent in every village. Even in cities, the mall, theaters, buses, etc. all had axes which were to used in emergency kits. So, it was the most easily accessible weapon. So, he had a lot of experience using it.
"Haven't you always practiced with a sword with your family's techniques too?" asked Dean.
"I have already told you that I can't use my family techniques anymore. Even before the coup, I was trained in the sword as it was the darkblade technique is based on," said Ajax. "But I am good with axe."
"I won two fights with Jean using an axe. I am quite good at it," he continued seriously.
"You wont change your choice whatever I say, right?" asked Dean. As he looked at the confident expression on Ajax's face as he nodded, Dean knew that he was right and that Ajax wouldn't budge on this.
"You are a stubborn fellow. You know that, right?" he commented.
"Thank you," said Ajax. "I have a certain design and specifications in mind. Will they make it according to it?"
"Go on," said Dean as he pushed a couple of sheets of paper and a pencil towards Ajax. Ajax quickly started to draw while Dean looked over.
He quicky created an axe with a handle measurement of about half a meter and two inches in diameter. Then he drew a semicircular crescent shaped axe head with a span of 15 cm attached to it.
At the rear end of the head came a pointed conical piece about 2 inch long and 1 inch in diameter. It also had two small hooks coming off at the top and bottom. Following that he drew a simple leather grip at the bottom of the handle and added another small lotus petal shaped point.
"You are quite a bit of an artist," said Dean looking at Ajax.
"Did you ever practice smithing?" continued Dean.
"No why?" asked Ajax.
"I mean, I don't know if the design is feasible or not," said Dean.
"Oh. It should be," said Ajax. Though he didn't see it as a prince, He had copied the design from a weapon he used in his real life. At that time, he had been in a museum and he found the nearest weapon he could find. In that mission, he had to use it due to the circumstances, but he really like it. Later, he collected information about it and came to know that it was a common design in the easter countries like China and India. So, he knew that it should be easily done by most smiths.
"You have seen it somewhere before," guessed Dean.
"Hmm," nodded Ajax.
"I will see if it can be done. Else, will contact you again. If done, I will get the armor and axe to you in two days," said Dean. "Now you can get out."
"Thanks, instructor," said Ajax standing up and making a half bow. Even if Dean had known his identity, he put quite a bit of effort in helping Ajax. Ajax was grateful to him and hence, made the gesture.
"Just don't change to other weapons, later," said Dean.
"Sure," nodded Ajax and walked to the door.
As he opened the door, he again heard Dean calling to him.
"Are you good at any other weapons beside the sword and axe?" asked Dean.
"I can use a bow to shoot. It was considered to have a long range attack method and it was good way to hunt," said Ajax.
"Only that, right?" asked Dean to which Ajax just smiled and left the room.