ReinZero
QQ voters, geniuses at opposing their own goals.
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2013
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Making up your mind, you casually stride out of recruitment field with the two girls following after you. You don't bother paying the guards much heed, that's under your 'escorts' purview unless you choose to do so. Which is pointless unless the situation calls for it. After all, any half decent Proper Noble or better has enough instruction to understand when it's appropriate and when it isn't. If you don't know well enough, one has a good chance of failing a test or wind up responding... poorly. A skill that thus lends itself to many things and aids in allowing one to keep suspicions and caution in check and not rampant.Leisurely walking to your destination, you consider making light talk for a few moments before settling on a decision. "What do you (two) make of it (the progress)?"
"This one apologizes for the scarcity of recruits for my lord's project," answers Izuna. "This one believes that Lin-san would be better able to elucidate."
It's a matter of protocol and a consequence due difference in status and position. The siblings are technically the lowest of the social hierarchy within your circle, whereas Izuna is the highest. On the other hand, Serilda and Aila are excluded from the normal hierarchy due to being directly tied under you. Of course, in private it is not a problem, in public however, it is stupidly complicated at times. It does not particularly help that you would need a fairly good, justified excuse to fix the issue with regards to the Lin sisters as they are the only ones that are of Commoner social status. "Qia, what do you think (of the progress)?"
"It is fairly normal when combining my liege's standards and the (limited) domain that they can be drawn from without invoking excess," says Qia, with particular care to avoid outright stating a specific point: Drawing people from outside the land your Family formally oversees would draw unwanted attention and potential political problems with others. Even if you don't, there's a limit to how frequently and how many people you can draw from from your the lands under your Family's oversight.
The matter itself is somewhat different from the methodology that's employed by the South Central and North Western regions. Namely, the land 'granted' to vassals technically belongs to the Shogunate and thus can be redistributed freely if so chosen. Of course, this practice is both useful yet at the same time problematic in and within itself- though unless it is because the vassal is undeserving of the lands 'granted' to them, it is only fair that the vassal be compensated if not 'granted' lands of equal value, in some manner, equally lest the Shogunate stains its name and reputation.
It does however, mean if one plans accordingly, it is possible to effectively force a vassal assigned to one's prior lands into allying with them. This of course, requires building excellent relations and demonstrating more than sufficient skill and ability to bring the populace prosperity. Furthermore, when one has their lands reassigned, it also means that one can take all their vassals with them. This naturally, includes even troops that they've took particular care and effort to invest in above the usual cut.
Which is why you have those with potential who didn't make the cut recorded down. The current project would help allot a small force that you can pass off as a deep investment loyal to you that you can take with you for certain should- no, when you're assigned more or better lands. The second rate potentials are a longer term project for once you have more funds, though whether or not they meet investment standards is of negligible concerns- you'd profit from it anyways.
"A shame," you shake your head as you speak, "but I suppose it can't be helped."
Neither respond to your words. Because there's no actual need for kissing up to you over it, which is not formality. At all. But you at least need to dismiss the problem formally as a matter outside the control of whomever you assign to a task in question. Of course, unless you really don't believe that it's out of their control or they it was intentional or just due temper. The exception is if another matter comes up before you can respond, which gets messy rather quickly. It's why the girls aren't very keen on it, even if you don't mind- for the most part- when in private.
"Qia," you say, as to formally skip over Izuna, "What of the second rate (list of) candidates?"
"Passable, though making use of them (for your plans) is more..." Qia trails off for a moment while finding the word for it, "impeded by costs. The usual three."
In other words, money, time, and instructors. The last one is the least significant if you can afford them- however, to maintain the timetable you have set out for it, that's woefully impractical. You would need far too many instructors for the degree of personal instruction needed to tailor a course that would bring them to the requisite minimum to be cost viable. It's why you have the Lin sisters, Izuna, and Aila working on the matter- though Qia is only partially so. "I see. Any other (potential) issues?"
The three of you continue on in silence for a few moments.
"... potentially. If everything (you have planned) is included...," Qia pauses for a moment as if uneasy about it, "there would be complications."
"I see." It's as excepted. Bringing those already in their late tens to late twenties to a standard equal to a Magic Knight in time to retain their peak physique and condition requires them to possess an Affinity for at least one magic and sufficient 'potential'. They are not the only 'option', several exist. However, that is already at the absolute minimum you can go.
The most obvious is to take children that show particular potential. But that method is the most obvious and has no guarantee of any loyalty to you. Furthermore, the time investment is around a decade- usually more and requires even more instructors. It's possible to decrease the time and numbers needed, but that option would already render this one moot.
Without the aid or asset of an Academic State's Educational Curriculum/System, significantly reducing the time needed for normal/average Commoners is almost impossible to achieve. Obtaining and procuring their curriculum format is relatively unviable as its nature has since already became a 'fact' of reality itself and further complicated by the various personal touches that each Academic State imparts onto their 'original' template, which is then further tampered with to suit their chosen profession or magic they teach. Without all relevant components one will simply not function or if it were, it would merely cease functioning.
Consequently, a teacher from one teaching outside of the appropriate facilities and conditions will be little different- or potentially worse- than a normal teacher. Establishing the necessarily facilities and retaining staff required to establish one would draw unwanted, negative, attention by others within the nation, and worse- you would be unable to 'take' and retain those whom were taught from there unless you managed to instill sufficient loyalty and devotion into them. A factor that is more difficult to bridge due to the 'middle man', that the institution would act as, greatly further weakening any direct connections between their benefit being tied to your deliberation selection of their persons.
As you muse to yourself, you pass through the 'lowered' gate of the miniature castle that the EAC base themselves out of. Three floors tall 'Keep' and a thin two 'floor' tall single outer wall is all that it's composed of. A rather fanciful accommodation but one formed purely from use of Alchemy and relatively simple in design. As it's made from Alchemy and the EAC are all Alchemists, it's fairly normal for them to modify the interior as needed.
That is why, you come to a stop after entering the 'Keep'. No, rather, a direct path has already been opened up because you're dropping by. It's in the same vein as the gate. The Etherclad Alchemical Knight on lookout duty is responsible for handling and making these arrangements. Anything less would be slacking- and by their standards, an offense towards your person. This of course, extends to prior and current heads of the Artio Family and the officially recognized heir. Which is why Irena and all other EAC members present have already formed up into rows directly facing the entryway while already kneeling (on one knee).
The 'Keep's' gate itself is already closed almost immediately after. The reason is simple, but for you there is exactly one reason the promptness is satisfying for you. Mere that- "Carry on."
A wordless nod by the EAC members present is all the formality they perform before promptly doing so. Except for Irena as she strides towards your entourage.
-they are fully willing to accommodate your preference for more mild formalities. For example, there are no avenues of direct view of the inside of the 'Keep' where you are, which summarily means the scope of expression and physical interaction is also relaxed. Of course, there is a limit to how loud one can be, but even then, that is a deliberate action or a show of inadequate self control.
Irena merely carries out a quick half bow towards you and a nod in Izuna's direction. That's all the additional formality she does for the sake of foiling people who would attempt to seek any bit of detail to cause trouble with. After all, barring absolute excessive and blatant overstep of authority and bounds of others, most methods and sources of wrangling the 'truth' out can be overcome as long as it's true from the person that's telling it.
"My apologies for the hasty clean up your Majesty," says Irena, her tone as sincere as her pure white hair, presently bound into a Eastern styled bun- an unfitting appearance in ways, but one that is indicative of her efforts at having to help with the 'workshop' area clean up and clearing in under a minute. Of course, there's also the little stain left on the back of her left shoulder, so she tried.
"""It's fine."""
The three of you respond simultaneously. Identically.
Blinking as she smiles, her gray colored eyes shining in apparent relief, "Since Qia is here, I suppose your Majesty wishes to have her go over the records and procedures... or perhaps view promising ones? Or do you just miss me?"
"Talia-san." Izuna almost immediately moves to your left as her eye twitches slightly.
"Now now, I'm sure his Majesty will be fair about it," says a grinning Irena. Her rather unprofessional demeanor is completely at odds with her formal knightly styled alchemist's uniform. Then again, it matches the rainbow patterned work apron tossed right over it.
Izuna steps back and moves behind you as if deliberately trying to hide her expression from the other two. Qia merely tilts her head slightly as she looks on from the side in (probably) about as much confusion as you are. Irena merely grins wider.
So which do you decide on?
[ ] Have Qia go over them while you...
---[ ] Go back first.
---[ ] Have Irena show you the promising ones.
---[ ] Socialize with Irena?
---[ ] Mess with Izuna for amusement.
[ ] Have Irena show you the promising ones
[ ] Roll with Irena's suggestion on 'fairness'. Because.
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A/N: My apologies about the delays (especially on character sheet), was trying to at least maintain 1 update per 1~2 days at minimum (or at least during events). RL's been a bloody busy/hectic. Anyhow, character sheet is mostly complete, mostly the key information parts of it needing to be filled in. I am able to answer questions, it'll probably take me a while to respond though (in accordance with length of response).
