The spar between Darkclaw and Ajax had no stakes, despite this by the end of the match most of the notable figures that had shown up to watch left with one less worry on their mind. If the tournament finals had shown just how powerful Void mana was this spar had shown that it was also situational.

“What is the name of this mana type?” Shadow asked Ajax.

“Void.” Ajax answered.

“Curious,” Shadow pondered. “It seems to be a mix of Shadow mana and Space mana. The result is a weaker mana type than Space but a stronger one than Shadow.”

Ajax had spent countless days while attending the academy working with headmaster Manashaper where the theory regarding mana types was drilled into his head. The higher rank the mana affinity skill was the more powerful the mana was. This didn’t mean that higher mana types were always the better choice; the ranking was simply a correlation between cost and control requirements.

Magnetic mana was only Rare despite both Metal and Lightning being Epic, this was because of how simple it was to control as well as the low mana draw to keep active. In the same way Void was cheaper to use than Space and more easily controlled though it did sacrifice power and versatility for that.

“I’m not sure if it was intentional or not but your display here today did a lot to calm people.” Shadow praised Ajax.

Ajax didn’t comment on that, he had used Void in an honest attempt to end the match quickly, he was also looking to give them a second look at it, with more information it would stop people from putting a target on his back.

“You should both get ready to leave.” The prince addressed both Darkclaw and Ajax. “All of the delve slots had been sold so we will be leaving with the elves in a few days.”

Ajax knew the route for their trip was planned for optimal speed, they would go start with two dungeons in Sylvanthal as they traveled to Deepwood, they would then do a full circle in Deepwood before returning to finish the last three Sylvanthal had to offer. He did not know that they were leaving that quickly.

“Then we should have our second fight tomorrow morning while we still have a chance.” Darkclaw was quick to adapt.

“You’ll have plenty of time for that as you travel.” Shadow cuffed the back of the beastkin’s head.

Ajax was quick to retreat back to the embassy after that as Darkclaw tried to argue his point about a rematch. Once back he went to find his sister and grandfather, since he now had a more concrete timeline it was best to get their opinions on it.

“So we are splitting up?” Judy asked, not all that happy at the premise.

“We have to.” Ajax explained. “Only the people actually delving will be allowed to enter Deepwood.”

“Not only that but both the king and the crown prince have been gone for more than a few months.” Elija continued. “They can’t extend their stay here to wait for them to return. With the amount of valuables we managed to get traveling back without a full escort is just asking to get robbed.”

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“Fine…” Judy reluctantly agreed. “But you best just keep your head down and do the delves, no more international stunts or you really will start a war.”

“I promise.” Ajax assured her before quickly switching the subject. “What have the two of you been doing the last few days?”

“I’ve been training my skills.” Judy answered for herself.

“There was something all of these nobles missed in the market?” Ajax was shocked, with how many merchants there were, that was quite the accomplishment.

“Oh no, everything was picked clean already.” Judy’s shoulders dropped a little since that was the first thing she checked. “I’ve been practicing in the casino’s, so far I am up to ten gold.”

Ajax wasn’t sure how he should react. His life back on Earth had taught him that going into the casino for anything other than counting cards or poker was a sucker’s move. Then again training her skills head to head like this was definitely worth losing a few gold coins over, that she had managed to not just break even but actually win some he was tempted to send her back to the casino for extra practice.

“Adjusting the plans for the next few years to now include everything we gained after selling the delve spots.” Elija answered. “Your grandma is going to be especially pleased with the opportunity to travel to the Republic and Sylvanthal, her skills have been stagnating with Gryndor’s market.”

Much like Judy, Aurora was more of an appraiser merchant, the chance to put her skills to work in two new totally different markets is something that she will jump at. “We’ll try and time it so that Alana and grandma can meet you at the end of your delves in Sylvanthal’s capital.”

That was a smart move. It would ensure that for their first trip not only would Ajax be there as additional support but even the king’s oldest son as well as Anna who could provide a strong shield should anything happen.

Following the talk with his family Ajax went looking for Lexi. Besides simply wanting to spend time with her there was also something he wanted to ask her following the earlier spar, specifically related to the intelligence of the golem he created. The only instance of animation via Life mana Ajax had seen was in the form of the headmaster’s clone spell and while he was sure that spell was more complex the difference in the intelligence of the two creations was too big.

“Baron Heathbound.” a voice called out to Ajax as he was moving through the embassy.

“Lord Ironwhisper.” Ajax politely greeted the man who approached.

To nobody’s surprise House Silvertongue had managed to secure three of the initial spots for the Republic delves where they sent all of their most promising people. What was surprising however was that only one of those spots was taken by someone holding the name Silvertongue, the other two went to House Ironwhisper who was their known vassal house.

The strongest and most promising of the three people House Silvertongue sent was Harold Ironwhisper, he was fifty five years of age and already a level eighty physical fighter with a speciality in assassination. Harold was a small wiry man that one could easily underestimate, a mistake Ajax hadn’t made ever since the first time he saw the man in action inside a dungeon.

“I would like to express my gratitude as well as be the one to inform you that I will be joining you for your extended trip.” the man said with a deep bow.

“Why gratitude?” Ajax asked. If there was one thing he had learnt after years of hearing Abbot Silvertongue complain was to always clarify anything ambiguous when dealing with House Silvertongue or any of their retainers. “House Silvertongue paid for your spots.”

“Because without your actions not even House Silvertongue would have been able to buy me a spot for delving into all these dungeons.” Lord Ironwhisper said. “ It seems Instructor Abbot was right about you, I even have a place in the Generation of Prodigies.”

“The what now?” Ajax suddenly stopped as he heard the words.

“It’s what the nobles are calling the group that is delving into so many dungeons.” Lord Ironwhisper explained. “They are mainly referring to yourself, Lady Manashaper, Lady Goldmancer and Prince Xavier since the four of you will have delved into the dungeons of four different nations at such a young age that you are all expected to reach very high levels. Lord Benedict and myself were also added since we are only one dungeon off.”

Ajax supposed it made sense that the nobles would look to separate them from everyone else. After all, after delving an additional sixteen dungeons compared to others of their generation would skew any comparison greatly. Even if they assumed they only cleared on average two floors per dungeon that would still be an extra +32 to all stats.

“In that case you are very welcome.” Ajax restarted his search for Lexi with renewed motivation. “I look forward to your company on our journey.” Despite the words Ajax was really hoping that having an assassin in training along with them wouldn’t cause any issues once they got to Deepwood.

It didn’t take Ajax much longer as he found Lexi in one of the sitting rooms along with Anna, Xavier and Benedict. Ajax wasted no time as he sat down next to her and clung to her as he tried to restore his depleted social batteries.

“Ajax? What’s wrong?” Lexi could tell that whatever it was wasn’t a big deal but something was certainly bothering Ajax.

“Did you hear what the nobles are calling us?” Ajax asked as he forcefully stopped himself from cringing.

“Sadly yes.” Benedict answered with a sigh as Anna and Lexi nodded.

“I like it.” Xavier said with an upbeat attitude as the other four people groaned.