Kaden knew that there was nearly always constant skirmishes at the border of human and Cari territory. It had even recently intensified. There was no need to be concerned whether or not he would be able to find human subjects for his experimentations. All Kaden needed was to have a few captured alive.

As usual, Kaden did not waste any time and, basically as soon as he got the orders that would help him gather his subjects, he left north towards the border.

He was pleased to notice Ciner was nowhere to be seen. She had been near constant annoyance while in Frika and her behavior was incomprehensible. She had no method for following him.

"Hopefully the next time I meet her I will be strong enough to kill her", Kaden told himself.

As for how to grow strong quickly, Kaden had some ideas, but he had not yet decided on any of them beyond the usual training. If his plans worked out the way he hoped, there were some very good sources of cultivation materials available.

This didn't even count in whatever could be at wherever the black pentagon was going to lead him. There could be a lot or very little to none. What if someone had looted the place already a long time ago? No, Kaden wouldn't plan on that until he knew what was available.

Kaden made his way towards northern Frika. He was going to different direction than from where he originally came from. Following the shore to the east there was land connection out of Frika and this is where the main border with most conflict was located. It was the only sensible attack route.

Any humans coming over the sea would be consumed by the desert. The attacking force would need to be at least Condensation stage to even make any sense. They would then have to deal with hostile land and Cari with no easy way to resupply. Maintaining a land route was neccessary. Cari would face very similar problems, if they were the attacking side.

What lied at the border was a vast wasteland. It was the site of the near continuous conlict between Cari and humans for thousands of years. The border saw near constant battle. It was very much like Madakar except without the unstable space that generated remnants and it was Cari against humans instead of other Cari.

"For humans, the border is probably the source of most higher cores and materials from killed Cari", Kaden thought to himself. "And as usual Cari treat it as a training area where weak die and strong grow stronger."

Only most persistent plants grew in the area. Unlike Madakar where fights were generally between Lower Cari with occassional bout between True Cari, the border saw far more often True Magi and True Cari. Number of humans and Cari was also larger.

Simply put, the place was ravaged regularly by devastating attacks. Anything too weak would get shredded apart.

"If I do deem my experiments successful, I probably will have to take a route around the entire area", Kaden continued his thoughts. "Trying to cross the border directly is a suicide."

Kaden had never been to the border area nor anywhere close to it. It was very easy to notice. The largest portion of what Kaden saw in the distance was the blasted wasteland. Yet, what was more noticeable was the sheer quantity of fortifications in the area. The mana coursing through seemingly endless amount of formations was almost like a permanent glow in Kaden's senses and it continued all the way into the horizon.

Different sections of the fortifications was maintained by the higher Cari clans. By the word 'mainteined' it merely meant funding, mercenaries and such things. For example the portion maintained by phoenixes, while well kept, there were probably no phoenixes around at all. Yet, they had a lot of say in what happened there. It also meant some portion of the resources taken from slain humans went to the clan.

They were rather independent. It also seemed like those actually doing the fighting didn't like it when someone came to mess around their order. To Kaden this seemed very odd, but it was the usual Cari politics. Those actually fighting at the fortifications likely saw it as their territory even if in the end they answered to the higher clans and had to send out some of their gains as sort of a tax.

Kaden found he got some nasty looks when he landed at the fortifications.

"A phoenix came? What does he want?" Someone said.

"The feathered bastard probably comes to demand more resources like they have recently", someone else said. "But to come personally?"

Kaden ignored it all. He didn't really care how the borders were kept up. If letting them be independent and do better work when they had more to gain from their personal work, then Kaden would agree with it.

While he came with some demands, it wasn't for resources and he expected his work to aid those fighting humans at the fortifications. That should make him regarded positively rather than negatively. While he didn't care about proving himself, it would happen.

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"Who gives orders around here?" Kaden asked.

He was ignored as everyone continued whatever work they were doing.

Kaden released his core.

"Who gives orders around here?" He repeated his question.

This time someone stopped and replied.

"Korkud", some lizard type Cari replied and pointed at certain formation defended section nearby. It was a stucture made with magic. Someone had simply pulled up earth and hardened it. With the formations on it, it would last for a while, but a good bombardment might break it. The building was basically disposable.

Kaden made his way towards the direction. "I have a feeling Cari should really change this system here", he thought to himself on the way. "This can't be efficient ... and yet it has held on for thousands of years."

Kaden entered the building. Again he got some nasty looks.

"Who here is Korkud?" Kaden asked. He again ignored all the behavior.

"That would be me", Korkud, a strangely white lion type Cari replied. Still a Lower Cari, but clearly in the higher stages. Nearly True Cari.

The white fur shifted around in a curious manner and it took some effort to look at him directly. Kaden had not seen such Cari before, but unusual Cari were rather common.

"I will require some aid", Kaden said and handed out the orders Kranor had given him. "You might feel like this is waste of your time, but if it works, I will allow you to get benefits of the success. At least as long as I remain here afterwards."

"Hmph, I almost expected one of you phoenixes to actually come fight for once", Korkud said in a dismissive manner as he looked at the orders. "Sure, we can get you some humans, but it might take some time. They don't usually allow themselves to be captured alive. You may lounge about while you wait, but we can't offer you any special treatment."

That last part was said in condescending manner. Kaden had to repeat his thought again that this situation should be changed. Why was the phoenix clan funding this specific portion of the fortifications when those doing all the fighting there had a very very low opinion of the clan?

Then again the phoenixes were generally regarded as rich prideful pricks. They would pay you to do work for them, but while doing so, they would look down on you along their beaks. Even so, Kaden knew there were some very loyal followers. Kaden himself did not feel much of that pride.

"The clan is probably well aware and has not done anything. Its not my place to interfere." He thought and then said to Korkud. "I'd rather do some work. Do some work on formations to pass time, but I believe on the battlefield I would become a target."

Korkud quietly frowned for a moment. He didn't expect Kaden to offer himself for some work.

"You may perform maintenance on formations", Korkud said. "Find Harsol and show him your work. We don't need you breaking our formation by accident so he will measure you skill first. She is a Hive Bear. Look for the buzzing of Death Wasps. Oh and if you do choose to repair formations, get to safety when True Magi or True Cari sweep the battlefield. I don't want to have to explain to the phoenix clan why you died."

"Understood", Kaden replied and walked out.

Kaden went to look for this Hive Bear. They were generally solitary. Kaden was not sure how and why this one had chosen and managed to learn formations and the come work among others. Not that he cared much.

It wasn't that hard to find the bear. Its not difficult when they house other beast or Cari depending their level in their bodies. The Death Wasps. The wasps get a mobile fortification, the bear, and the bear gets mana rich honey. If you ever heard the sound of Death Wasps, which was not exactly buzzing, but something more resembling howling, you should usually run away unless you were prepared to fight.

After Kaden saw some wasps just sitting about and watching his approach, it wasn't hard to find their source.

"What do you want?" A voice said near Kaden. It resembled more like plants and earth put together in shape of an enormous bear. Among the plants growing on the bear numerous Death Wasps were toiling.

"Korkud asked me to show you my work with formations before doing some maintenance", Kaden replied.

"You actually agreed to do some menial tasks?" Harsol questioned with some surprise.

"I don't want to waste time", Kaden answered. "What I came here for may take time. I may as well take a look at the formations here, some of which far exceed my skill and some are likely different from the ones I usually make."

A few wasps flew about Kaden.

"Show me your strongest barrier", Harsol said and a few wasps buzzed away and landed on a portion of the fortifications clearly showing where the formation was to be made. "This place was annihilated a few months ago. I have been rebuilding this part since then. If your work is good enough, you can help me."

Another group of wasps carried in some materials for the permanent formation. Kaden noted the materials were pretty high grade even. He couldn't help but wonder about the costs. If the fortifications were destroyed relatively often and had to be rebuilt with such materials, in the thousands of years, it must have been an enormous cost.

Anyway, Kaden spent a few hours carving the permanent formation while Harsol observed. The section was very small and Kaden guessed the bear only wanted to see the quality.

"You work is ... acceptable", Harsol eventually told Kaden after she gave a really close look. "Look around what I have made."

Kaden did so.

"Do you see the difference?" She questioned, but continued before Kaden could answer. "No... don't answer that. Yours is exactly what one would expect from someone like you. Precise and pretty. It works and does what it needs to, but here all that doesn't matter. What matters when blastwave from a True Magus hits the walls is brute strength. Any frilly extras, balancing channels, reserves, resonances... none of that makes difference. You are wasting your time."

Kaden had to agree. He had his style. Proper high quality formations. Yet, when you wanted a barrier that would only need to be able to take the hit, you only needed power. It could be repaired later, if some part did fail. In truth, it was expected to fail.

As for the skill level of the Hive Bear regarding formations, Kaden expected it to be about his level. Perhaps slightly stronger since the bear was also slightly stronger.

"There could still be something to learn here", Kaden thought to himself. "I also will get the feel of bulk work."

Kaden followed Harsol to work.