Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 95 Maxime's strength revealed

"Get your men ready. If you accept, your first mission will begin tomorrow."

"Do we have any details on the number of orcs we'll be facing?"

Count Ardan looked at Maxime approvingly.

A leader shouldn't rush headlong into a mission without knowing the details of his opponent.

"There are only about thirty orcs, but all of them are rather large and therefore strong."

Maxime didn't know this information, as studying orcs is part of the courses received at university.

No one expects students in high school to fight orcs, and teaching them to fight them will only encourage students to fight them, and in most cases, to die quickly.

"What does that mean? What exactly should I expect?"

Count Ardan was slightly surprised that Maxime didn't know this kind of common sense.

Then he remembered that he was young and not noble, so it was rather understandable.

"We consider that as soon as an orc exceeds 2 meters, which is the case for most orcs, they have the strength to take on an apprentice knight."

"If an orc exceeds 3 meters, he can barely take on a knight, but he'll probably end up losing, and in short order."

"This knight will undoubtedly win thanks to his agility and technique. Because a contest of strength with an orc is generally a bad idea."

Maxime reflected slightly, and guessed that, based on the system, one meter of height was equal to one point of physique.

However, unlike the physique of humans, which was generally very balanced, that of orcs leaned heavily towards strength, endurance and defense, to the detriment of agility.

Hence the count's remarks.

"And according to the information, there are orcs to pay attention to?"

"Yes, they're led by an orc measuring 3 meters tall, and there are also 5 orcs measuring between 2.5 meters and 2.7 meters tall."

"The rest are pretty ordinary ranging from 2 meters to 2.3 meters."

Maxime nodded, quickly analyzing the situation.

The orc measuring over 3 meters had to represent the greatest challenge, especially if he had the ability to command and coordinate the other orcs.

The mention of the five intermediate-sized orcs between 2.5 and 2.7 meters indicated powerful orcs that could seriously injure or even kill some of the mercenaries if they weren't careful.

"It's feasible, but we need to prepare our strategy well," Maxime thought silently.

Count Ardan watched him with rapt attention. Maxime's thoughtful reaction, his ability to envisage solutions and not just reactions, confirmed that he was not dealing with a simple mercenary leader.

"I wonder if he's born with it, or has someone taught him?" thought Count Ardan silently.

The Count could never have imagined that Maxime came from another world, and that in this world there were many subjects to study in connection with the world of Eternity.

"We accept this mission."

Ardan inclined his head, satisfied with the swift, assured response.

"Irina is a strategic position, and its loss would weaken our control over the entire southern region. The defense of the village is crucial, but it might just be a prelude to something bigger."

Maxime frowned slightly, catching the nuance in the Count's words.

"You think the orcs are planning a major incursion?"

Ardan nodded slowly, his gaze lost for a moment in memories of ancient battles.

"It's highly probable. There are rumors of a coalition between orc tribes, a rare and worrying event. If they're true, we can expect a more devastating wave than usual."

Maximus frowned.

"The Count's words are the same as Baron Edrin's, so there really could be something dark afoot?"

Maxime and the Count then discussed a few innocuous things, before Maxime respectfully left the Count's office.

After leaving the office, Maxime joined the courtyard, where Andrew was still chatting with Alden and other apprentice knights, while the other mercenaries were busy learning duels with the other apprentice knights.

There were victories and defeats on both sides, but the main thing was that each side learned from the other.

The mercenaries learned the orderly, methodical style of the apprentice knights, while the apprentice knights learned to counter the unpredictable and particularly deadly styles of the mercenaries.

But the arrival of Maxime caught everyone's attention, bringing the duels to a temporary halt.

"Get ready, Saber-toothed Tigers. We leave at dawn to defend Irina's village."

The mercenaries exchanged glances, smiles taut with concentrated faces. Andrew, who was closest, nodded.

"Agreed, Chief. We'll be ready."

Alden, sensing an excellent opportunity to make progress, interrupted Maxime.

"I wish to accompany you."

A murmur of astonishment ran through the ranks, as Maxime watched the young knight with a piercing gaze.

But for him, having an apprentice knight at the stage of great additional success was an important added strength.

"So get ready, Alden. At sunrise, we'll leave to face this storm together."

"There's still time before you leave, why don't you train with me in the meantime?"

Maxime turned to the person who had said this with surprise.

"Chevalier Alaric..."

"Why are you afraid?" added Alaric with a teasing smile.

"No, but the difference in strength is far too great between us."

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Alaric shook his head with amusement.

"Don't worry, I'm simply offering you a personal course to improve your skills."

All the apprentice knights in the academy couldn't believe it, and displayed gaping mouths.

One apprentice knight murmured:

"Am I dreaming or did I really hear what I heard?"

"I think I heard the same thing," added another nearby.

"Professor Alaric really did offer personal training to the mercenary leader."

"Luck."

"Normally you have to be top in the top three of your year to benefit from it, and even then it's only a few hours' guidance."

The crowd was a little disgruntled and jealous of such preferential treatment for an outsider to the academy.

Sir Alaric noticed this, and laughed at the apprentice knights.

"If you can reach the level of a knight at his age, even if he's the weakest knight who ever existed, then I'll gladly teach you all day."

The apprentice knights were shocked, while the mercenaries were suspicious that this knight could directly guess their leader's level of strength.

"Don't deny it Maxime, when you gave off that aura earlier, I felt threatened."

"Now you're back to normal, but you must still have the level of a knight."

Maxime shook his head.

"I'm at most slightly stronger than the apprentice knights at the peak stage, but the power of a knight is still a long way off."

Maxime's words created a silence in the crowd.

A mercenary from nowhere could take down all the students of the strongest academy in the south of the Kingdom.

It was unheard of.