Qanda quickly began explaining. "There are two things that determine the resources allocated to our Factions. First are the Field Exams. The overall score achieved during it can be added to the Faction itself at the end of each month."

Linfel found it strange. "Then we are pretty much fucked, no? With Alvin, we only have five members, after all. Other Factions have several tens, if not hundreds. How can we even compete with it?"

Qanda agreed with him. "Indeed. If the Field Exams were the only possible method, it would be a lost battle. However, that is the one that is worth the least towards the Faction's overall ranking. The part that really determines most of the score for the Rank is the Faction Wars. Well, the official name is Faction Competition, but no one really uses that name."

"Faction Wars?" Alvin and Connor had heard about it, although they never participated or paid attention to it. "How does it work?"

"There are five types of events during the Faction Wars, and the wars happen once every six months only," Wanca continued. "They are the Magic Diagram Runes Exam, Magus Combat Exam, Master Familiar Combat Exam, Familiar Combat Exam, and last but not least, the Team Combat Exam."

"So many combats..." Alvin couldn't help but feel a chill on his back. Even though he made up his mind, it wasn't like he became an incredibly brave Magus out of nowhere.

Both Maguses and Familiars of the Floating Blades Faction smiled at the same time, and that even included the shy Rin. Right after, Milia commented. "Magus have a great status in any country. They can be famous, can build their own companies and have great chances of success, can remain anonymous, pursue their own dreams, it doesn't matter."

Her malicious smile increased as she looked straight at Alvin and Connor. "However, you must never forget. Maguses and Familiars are ultimately the country's strength! The planet's strength! They are raised ultimately for combat! To protect their home if it is attacked. To conquer others if it is needed. Maguses and Familiars exist for that sole purpose! Now that you have become a Magus, even if you are only a Level One Magus, you will not be able to escape this reality."

Alvin swallowed hard. "G-Good thing we are in a quite peaceful time..."

"Hahaha!" Pamil laughed even more. "It is so good to be naive. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss." He then added. "There is no such thing as peaceful times."

Alvin, Connor, Linfelia, and Tratil looked all genuinely shocked by the revelation. From the looks of it, things weren't as simple, and they had no idea.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

However, Qanda noticed that Linfel didn't share the same shock as his companions. 'Does he know about it?' He thought to himself.

To be more specific, it wasn't that Linfel knew anything. Instead, it was just that he never believed a country with something like Maguses and Familiars could truly be considered peaceful. He came from a time where wars occurred every second, where strength reigned supreme. Horan made absolutely sure Linfel understood this principle. From the very start, Linfel expected the background of things to be a lot more chaotic than what could be seen on the surface. Pamil's words just confirmed the obvious to him.

Milia took the opportunity to mention a few examples. "Have you followed the news? If you have, you should have heard about the conflict that broke out in Rasfol Country against Wenfis Country around a year ago."

Alvin and Connor nodded with their Familiars. Linfel was the only one who didn't now anything, although he could guess what Milia was about to say.

"Those two countries were just like ours, they were living in 'peaceful times.' However, go to the magical network and search for it. Search for any clues that could lead these two countries to such a conflict," Milia asked. "I'll tell you what you will find... Nothing!"

"If you are still skeptical, you can search for Kramandel and Sosmari Countries. Same thing, no clues of a possible war, but now those two countries are at their throats," Milia gave another example.

"You mean..." Alvin seemed to finally understand.

And Qanda confirmed. "Yes, all the conflicts between Maguses of each country always happen behind the curtains. You will hear absolutely nothing about it until it finally explodes. Every country has its own keg powder waiting to be ignited, and ours or our neighbors are no different. You just have never heard about it because it is never made public."

"However, the reasons are usually extremely simple," Pamil didn't stop either. "Maguses and Familiars need resources to continue improving. Resources are acquired through the many sources of a territory. In the end, more territory, more resources, more High-Level Maguses and Familiars."

Linfel faintly smiled. "When there are not enough resources for the Maguses and Familiars anymore..."

"Exactly," Qanda confirmed. "You will have to look for it elsewhere, and this elsewhere always has an owner... or a country, if you may. Will that country just sit still and wait for it to be taken away? Absolutely not, and we are no different."

Qanda then looked at Pamil as if asking for permission. Pamil noticed that and pondered a bit before ultimately nodding. Finally, Qanda spoke. "To be honest, our Heffal Country is reaching saturation, and because the other countries around haven't had any wars in a while, they aren't much different. Do not go around spreading this news, but it won't take long before a powder keg finally explodes, and this explosion will immediately ignite the other kegs around."

"What?!" Alvin and Connor were shaken. "It can't be, right?"

"It totally can," Pamil confirmed. "Because of my background, I know that small skirmishes between Maguses have increased severely in the past few years, and it is only growing. Once again, you won't hear about it anywhere, nor should you spread this news if you don't want to be silenced. However, you guys better put your all into your Magus training. It might not be long before you are put at the forefront of a real combat field."