Chapter 144: Mage, Warrior, Thief

"Now, then, I'm sure you're aware of the difference between a Beginner and Novice?" Tam asked Kothar, getting up from where the polished wooden chair, and pacing the walls, peering at the many paintings.

"Yes, I know that a Beginner Mage is able to control mana beyond the range of their body, I assume this applies to Warriors and Thieves also?" Kothar's eyes followed Tam, it wasn't like his father to be so restless, he would usually sit patiently while talking to anyone.

"These distinctions, Mage, Warrior and Thief. They are purely arbitrary, based only on the fact that the schools that teach one to control their mana for the purposes of combat were created by individuals of a specific profession. Of course, the Mages rule supreme, for they have never stood at the forefront of battle, preferring research and long range attacks." Tam paused for a moment, and then returned to his chair, realizing how restless he must appear to Kothar, and he didn't want to give his son any reason to worry.

"Additionally, their preference for long range attacks has always meant that mages prioritized long range mana control, which is why they technically would have higher ranks than Warriors or Thieves." Tam's eyes still scanned the room, as he watched the portraits carefully, as one might watch an enemy.

[Something seems off about Tam, you're seeing this too, right?] Silane had held her tongue about Tam previously, but this was completely out of character for Tam.

[It must be the stress of the invasion, Silane. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an AI remembering even the tiniest of details for them. I'm sure he'll be alright.] Kothar dismissed Silane's words, but they were enough to plant the slightest seeds of doubt about Tam's motivation for the war.

"What about Warriors, and Thieves?" Kothar knew that he was brushing whatever was on Tam's mind aside, but if Tam had wanted to discuss the invasion with him,  he would have already done so. He wasn't the type to hold back his words.

"The most important thing to a Warrior is who can stand on the battlefield the longest, so obviously Warriors specialize in their mana reserves. In this way, a Warrior might be able to outlast multiple Mages in combat, all the Warrior must do is defend against their initial attacks. Which is easier said than done." Tam took a moment to sip from a tall glass of the fruit punch that the Multas had brought barrels of as a tribute.

"Next are Thieves, the most secretive in their teachings. You might think that Mages are the most well-read of all. But that isn't the case, it is the thieves who have the most precision when it comes to controlling mana, and in their exploration of mana control methods, they have the best understanding of the mana channels that run through one's body." Tam's voice grew quieter and quieter as he spoke, while the existence of Warriors and Mages was commonplace knowledge, only those that had crossed paths with Thieves were those who were even remotely aware of their existence.

"Though lacking in firepower, they can easily slip through a Warrior's defense and catch them unawares, they are probably the greatest threat a Warrior faces on an open battlefield. Remember, all of these distinctions were based on their applicability on the battlefield. Thieves should more accurately be called Assassins, but it is in their nature to disguise themselves, hence the kinder name, Thief." Tam let out a large sigh as he explained the last portion to Kothar, memories had come rushing back to him, of an impassioned argument between Ophil and Simon, when Simon had first told them what he was really learning.

"So, Mages have the most power when facing groups of weaker enemies, Warriors are most powerful in face to face combat, and Thieves most powerful when it comes to unexpected stealth and assassination." Kothar asked Tam, who was now back on his feet, pacing the room once again.

"Correct, and as I'm sure you've gathered, the Nighthawk unit I've placed you with, the majority of them would be classed as Thieves. Learn as much as you can from them, your fighting style has already incorporated aspects of Warriors and Mages, and it wouldn't harm you to learn a thing or two from them." Tam stopped at a particularly detailed portrait of a man wearing an enormous crown, and stared it in the eyes.

"Of course, Father. But what about the difference between the different levels?" Kothar asked Tam, he had learned much about the different types of professions, but he was still curious about the real difference between the ranks.

"Ah, of course, I knew I would have to answer some difficult questions." Tam said with a small smile, and turned away from the portrait he had been examining.

"It varies between the professions, but there are three main factors that are taken into account. Your mana reserves, your area of mana control and finally your precision of mana control. Each of these things are given a different importance depending on your profession, but these differences begin to matter less and less as you become more powerful." Tam's hand had returned to the hilt of his sword, as it usually did when he was deep in thought. 

"From the Novice to the Intermediate rank, you'll usually know you've achieved this rank from your teacher or superiors, depending on wherever you study the intricacies of mana."

Tam took a deep breath, he was unsure whether this next piece of information should be revealed to Kothar, but he had to teach his son, if he did not, who else would.

"The true hurdle one must overcome is that of domain. That is what truly separates those at the Advanced Rank from those at the Intermediate Rank. Some will go their whole lives without even touching the edge of having a  domain, while others will come to so easily it is as if it's in their nature." Kothar nodded eagerly at Tam's words, this was what he had been eagerly waiting to hear about.