"No, wait don't just take that as a reference. I would still recommend you breakthrough to knight stage as soon as possible," said Raban.
"Why?" asked Ajax confused.
"You know how many limit breakers got stuck due to going much stronger than the standard value?" asked Raban.
"Is it high?" asked Ajax shrugging.
"More than ninety percent just get stuck at a cultivation level, due to this. It is only due to records and observations of various failure do we have the current knowledge of cultivation. There is a reason for us to consider certain values as the standard limit for cultivation stages and we only came to those conclusions after various failures happened. The reasons could be different and varied for different people," said Raban.
"Only few specific clans and constitutions in the world have made, specific clear methods to handle limit break scenarios and breakthroughs in the world. Without them, it is almost impossible to succeed," Raban added further.
"Don't the border guard or Darkhan dynasty have their methods in that case?" asked Ajax.
"The military has few but those are for the case of specific constitutions. To be frank those are developed by specific border guard clans for their usage and special constitutions that occur in those clans. They can't be used by you," said Dean.
"These clan are all usually hidden ones and ancient clans that don't bother with mortal world. Darkhan dynasty is far from it," said Raban. "You don't have one. Already enquiries were made and this is the information we received from your grandfather, the emperor."
"Oh! Then, how did Syam become a limit breaker. He is from an ancient clan?" asked Ajax wondering if he could try to get some knowledge from the captain.
"His case is special. No one knows much about him, but he was vouched for by someone in the top and he has his own methods. Can't be used by you. General Krev already enquired and it is a dead end," said Dean.
"Moreover, your case is more special. I haven't even heard of limit break at body strengthening stage," said Dean. "All the above clans mentioned don't have limit break at your stage."
"So, even he recommends a quick breakthrough?" asked Ajax.
"The advice I gave you to breakthrough when you increase isn't beyond a thousandth was approved by the general. He knew that you wouldn't accept our advice to breakthrough as soon as possible," said Dean.
"I still suggest you do it as soon as possible," said Raban. "The breakthrough is also the shortest way to increase your strength."
"It still feels like doing so would hamper my long-term growth," said Ajax. "I doubt that clan would make special methods for limit breakers, if it doesn't provide long term improvement of strength. Am I right?"
"He passed the test," said Dean looking at Raban. "Just tell him and let it be," he continued as he walked away leaving Raban with Ajax.
"Fine," said Raban.
"What is happe," started Ajax as Raban lifted his hand to stop him.
"I left a few things before. Though clans managed to perfect some methods specific to themselves, even ordinary folks do break limits themselves. I am too am one. I am retired as I didn't manage to breakthrough to King stage because of the same," said Raban.
"You are a limit breaker and decided to retire," asked Ajax surprised. In a cultivation world, it didn't make much sense to him that a limit breaker would do something not related to using that excess strength. It would mostly be used in fighting.
"Don't confuse that limit breakers are only good fighters. Excess strength allows them to be better at many other things like cooking, smithing, etc," said Raban shaking his finger in admonishment.
"Anyway, I was asked by his highness, the Darkhan emperor to look after you. I think you can guess why he did, right?"
"To make sure, I don't get stuck at a level," said Ajax.
"Yes, but that is only one of the reasons. I can only advise you in that regard. His highness, appointed me because I was a hunter and I am Varas's friend," said Raban. "All this recruitment is a cover for the same purpose. I am your personnel guard, but I will only guard you from danger. You cannot order me to do things."
"I thought the border guard was protected from listening to the orders of emperors and kings," said Ajax surprised. If that were possible, he might need to further think about his safety in the border guard.
"It is protected by the human council of saints, but there are always methods. Your uncle tried using mercenaries and bounty hunters. The emperor has other options. He made deals with the generals. He gave something that allowed Karl Dustblade to breakthrough to emperor realm. It literally reinforced this entire fort and Dustblade family," said Raban.
"So, he bought the Dustblade family and their loyalty?" asked Ajax.
"That is not exactly right," said Raban. "He just gave them some incentives which you uncle cannot."
"Same thing," said Ajax.
"Well, he didn't actually need to do it. He could already ask Krev for all of this and he would do it. You know that Krev Dustblade is his highness, true disciple, right?" asked Raban.
"What?"
"Yes. So, now you get that he had always been aware of you, right?" asked Raban.
"Somethings are starting to make sense," said Ajax. "Why is he suddenly providing me your protection suddenly though?"
"Ya, he always wanted to let you grow on your own. He believed that it is best for you and you needed to face these challenges on your own. He was fine with you becoming a hunter and wanted you to proceed in the border guard like you were. But there has been some change,s recently which kind of forced him," said Raban.
"What forced him suddenly?" asked Ajax. "Did father send some kind of message or did he come back."
"No, it isn't your father. No one still heard from him or knows anything about him. It is your uncle, maternal uncle, Karthikeyan that intervened," said Raban.
"My mom has a brother? He could affect the Darkhan emperor," asked Ajax.
"You really don't know much about your mother's side of the family, right?" asked Raban.
"She never talked about them," said Ajax.
"Well, you have an uncle and quite a powerful one. He is from one of those ancient clans we talked about just now. Your grandfather fears the clan more than him and these changes and my appointment are him giving face to the Shwetavara clan," said Raban.
"Why all this? Why can't I just go to the clan? I mean if they accepted my mom back, what is the problem with them accepting me," said Ajax.
"You can't be admitted to the clan. As I said they have some specific conditions. I hear that they have a physique and most of the members like your mother are light attributed," said Raban.
"You are saying those that don't have light attributed mana are not allowed to go to the clan. In that case, how did my father meet my mother?" asked Ajax.
"No, they are allowed, but your mother marrying Varas, didn't earn her any favors in the clan. Your sister is accepted as she has light attributed mana like your mother, but it is not the same with you," said Raban.
"She has a good chance to grow up there and become one of the important people who hold power there. You will just make it harder for her. Just like in a royal family, there are power struggles and you will be only burden her chances of improvement and be "
"I get it, alright," said Ajax lifting his hand. He had already seen what a power struggle in the royal family could do. It resulted in a coup and far too many deaths than he would like. He also understood that his sister would have a better chance at the Shwetavara clan without him.
"So, you are going to stay here. Good news is that your mother reached her clan. You sister is safe there. Your uncle had informed the emperor of the same and insisted that you be protected. Thus, I am here," summarized Raban.
"So, the training is all a facade? Am I even a legitimate part of the hunter division? Is the hunter division legitimate?" asked Ajax as he was getting more and more confused the more, he thought about it.
"Yes, you are legitimate, everything is. Else, your enemies could easily guess your whereabouts," said Raban.
"True," thought Ajax. "If he wasn't part of a legitimate and existing organization his cover would have a lot of flaws and would be useless against his enemies."
"I understand then," said Ajax. "You are just my protector."
"Yes," said Raban. "But it isn't like you have free reign. You still need to work your ass off. Your grandfather thinks it is best that you act and behave as a member of DustBlade family in every aspect, even to the ones who know about you. He considers it necessary for your growth, except that you now have a protector."
"I understand," said Ajax.
From his memories, he always knew that the royal family was like that. Even his father always told him that without effort, he would remain a prince and he would be removed of his title and not receive his inheritance if he didn't show himself capable after growing up. He even told him that the current emperor was the same with him and it was like the family's way of life and core that managed to keep the family in power.
"I will still be the head trainer and evaluate you. The Darkhan emperor will also be aware of every development," said Raban. "When you are on missions, I will still be on guard in secret. Unless a king level cultivator comes to kill you, you will be safe."
"Ok," said Ajax as he smiled in relief. He was quite happy with the arrangement. It made sure he would be fine.
"Don't think you can do as you want. If you don't plan properly or make mistakes, you will be penalized or even jailed as any other border guard. Even for enemies that are against you due to your identity as a prince, the most help you will receive is information. You need to work your ass off," said Raban.
"I hope that this kid isn't gonna take it easy. His father was a lot more, easy-going at his age," thought Raban. Any and almost all royal family kids would be so. He understood why the emperor didn't make such any arrangements that befit a prince.
"I understand," said Ajax looking at Raban in the eye seriously. "I can't always have some taking care of me, my whole life. This is the only way I learn. To be frank, I am very happy that he is thoughtful enough to put me in hunter division. This gives me the best chance to prepare, gather information and earn the power I need."
"Good, that is the spirit," said Raban patting Ajax on his shoulder.
"That is not all, even if there occurs a situation where you needed to help me. Make a note of it. Every time you use your strength to help me, I will pay you back. Inform me every time it happens. This will keep me sharp. Else, sooner or later, there is a high chance that I will be relaxed and no one wants that," said Ajax.
"That is not necessary kid. I am being paid to protect you," said Raban smiling lightly.
"The boy is taking this far too seriously," thought Raban as patted him again on his should approvingly.
"No," said Ajax catching the hand on his shoulder.
Ajax held Raban's hand down on his shoulder while looking his eyes.
"I am very serious about this matter," said Ajax trying to make his voice sound as deep as possible. In his past life, he was mentored by agents and had seen agents mentored. The trainers insisted that one needed some pressure which would push them to try their best.
When he was being mentored, he initially considered the trainers to be cruel whenever they tried to pressure him or others. Later, in life, he realized that it was effective and he probably wouldn't have developed as much as he did without the pressure. He understood the necessity for it.
Even now, even if he knew that it was intentional pressure and they wouldn't do it, he wanted them to pressure him. Else, if he was easily provided help, he knew that there is a good chance he would ease up. So, he wanted to insist on it. He put his most serious expression.
"I am possibly the last surviving member of the kingdom. I owe it to my family and kingdom to take back what is mine and protect it. Grandfather was right. I need to get stronger and without pressure, it is not going happen. So, promise me that you would inform me of all actions that you would take for me and I am to pay you for it," said Ajax in a crisp and determined tone.
His entire demeanor also changed to a different person in the eyes of Raban. Raban felt like he was no longer looking at a pressured youngster, but an adult who is simply telling him what he is going to do. Raban could see the conviction in his eyes and just nodded.
"The payment you receive from grandfather is just for staying guard. Even if you never lift a hand, you are to receive it, right? My payment would be for the active services against any enemies, if you render if any," continued Ajax before turning around and leaving to join the others.
"Ok," said Raban as he stayed behind looking at Ajax walk away.
"He is much more mature if he realized all that," thought Raban following behind Ajax. "Much more mature than his father at his age. It is good that he is taking responsibility."