The next morning, as the dense fog settling over Evershade slowly dispersed, the castle's vast training grounds echoed with the sounds of metal clashing against metal and the rhythmic shouts of soldiers.
Cassian, Eric, and Marquis Aldren stood on an elevated platform overlooking the training ground, watching the troops drilling below.
Cordelia, a few steps behind them, manifested her boredom by kicking pebbles on the ground with her hands clasped behind her back.
Cassian had kept his promise and saved the Marquis's son from his painful fate. Now, it was time to collect the reward for this favor.
"What is the number of soldiers you can give us?" Cassian asked, not taking his eyes off the soldiers training in the field.
"Over 10,000 battle ready soldiers in total," replied the Marquis.
"Although seven thousand of these do not possess a mana core, they are skilled warriors with the necessary discipline and strength."
