Next DayUpper District — Royal Guards Academy
The Royal Guards Academy was the first destination for any recruit selected into the Royal Guards.
Although most recruits were chosen from the regular army—and were already well-trained and combat-ready—they were sent here for further refinement.
The training went beyond physical strength.
At the Academy, recruits were trained both mentally and physically. By the time they graduated, an average Royal Guard was as educated as a member of the upper nobility. In many cases, the recruits themselves already came from noble or upper-class families, though talented commoners were also accepted.
The curriculum was extensive.
They studied tactics, strategy, administration, and statecraft. A Royal Guard was not just a soldier—they were expected to think, plan, and manage when required.
Their combat training was equally demanding.
Each recruit was trained to handle a wide variety of weapons. Their survival training was harsh enough that they could operate independently in the wilderness—able to protect not only themselves, but also those under their charge.
Mana training had also undergone recent changes.
Since Yuvraj Hamsa had taken over its development, recruits were now only taught the fundamentals at the Academy. Once they were formally inducted, their training continued under Hamsa himself, often in a semi-personal manner.
The Royal Guards included both men and women, though the numbers were heavily skewed toward men.
Female recruits were usually drawn from orphaned military families or selected from common backgrounds based on exceptional talent.
After completing their training, many of them went on to take administrative roles—often after further study in the temples within the Royal District.
Others were assigned as personal guards to members of the royal family.
At present, many of the guards closest to the Raja and Mahadevi were women.
However, due to a recent decline in recruitment and transfers, the balance had begun to shift.
The Royal Guards were gradually becoming more male-dominated—closer in composition to the regular army.
It was a workshop at the rear of the facility.
The constant clang of metal rang through the air without pause. Heat from the forges pressed down heavily, and the men working inside were drenched in sweat as they moved between anvils, furnaces, and racks of half-finished equipment.
This was where equipment for the army was forged and tested.
And one of the few places trusted to produce armor and weapons for the Royal Guard.
Today, Hamsa stood inside the workshop, accompanied by four guards, along with Gopal and Ranapala.
"So this is the full set," Hamsa said, standing before a display of armor and equipment.
The set consisted of chainmail lined with a thin layer of cloth. Guards for the arms and legs had been added at key points.
A spear and a small round shield formed the primary weapons.
Alongside them were a sword, a dagger, and a set of short throwing spears—standard issue.
"Yes, Yuvraj," said the blacksmith—a tall, broad-shouldered man covered in soot and sweat.
"As per your instructions, I incorporated the mana crystals that were supplied. In the chainmail, every few rings—arranged in a grid—have been replaced with mana crystal links."
He gestured toward the armor.
"The arm and leg guards each contain a crystal as well."
Then he pointed to the spear.
"As for the spear, you had asked for the crystal to be embedded inside the tip. As I explained earlier, that was not feasible. So instead, the crystal has been placed at the joint between the spearhead and the shaft."
He tapped the reinforced section.
"It has been encased in steel for added protection."
Hamsa listened, then picked up the spear and examined it briefly.
Then without a word, he handed it to one of the guards.
"Test it."
They moved outside to a practice range.
Hamsa's eyes started glowing their white hue.
The guard took aim at a wooden target placed at a distance and thrust forward.
A compact sphere of light shot through the air—
Boom.
The target shattered into several large pieces.
Hamsa watched closely. And his eyes went to normal.
"How is it?"
The guard lowered the spear.
"It feels smoother, Yuvraj. With the mana crystals, it takes less effort to use. It's far less exhausting compared to standard spears."
He nodded slightly.
"It's much better."
"Good," Hamsa said.
He paused, thinking.
"Ranapala. Wear the chainmail."
Ranapala stepped forward and complied.
Once he was ready, Hamsa motioned for him to move where the target stood.
"Remember what I taught you this morning," Hamsa said, raising his voice slightly. "Gather your mana and maintain a stable layer over your body."
Ranapala nodded, though there was a hint of nervousness in his expression.
It had only been a week since his mana circuit had been modified. He was still adjusting.
Until now, his training had focused on control—stabilizing his mana through meditation.
Only that morning had he begun using it actively.
Slowly, he gathered his mana and spread it across his skin.
He raised his hand, signaling he was ready.
"Good," Hamsa said. "Now channel it through the chainmail."
Ranapala frowned slightly.
That was harder.
For a moment, the mana resisted him.
Then—
He felt it.
The crystals embedded in the armor responded.
His mana flowed into them. It connected and stabilized.
He raised his hand again and gave a firm signal.
Hamsa narrowed his eyes slightly, activating his sight.
"He's good," he muttered.
Then—
Without warning—
Hamsa raised his hand.
sling
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Then—
Boom.
A controlled explosion erupted where Ranapala stood.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Hamsa grinned.
The blacksmith looked startled and concerned, while Gopal and the guards barely reacted.
As the dust cleared, Ranapala was still standing.
His arms were crossed in front of his face, bracing against the impact.
After confirming he was fine, he walked back toward the group.
"Yuvraj…" Ranapala said, exhaling. "I may be overstepping, but please give a warning before doing something like that."
He was mostly unharmed—just a few shallow cuts where the guards didn't cover, minor burns, and slightly charred clothing.
Hamsa with a flat face spoke.
"Did the armor fail?"
"No."
"Did you lose control?"
"…No."
"Then the test was valid."
He turned away.
"On a battlefield, hesitation is what gets you killed—not the attack. And the enemy won't give a warning either."
Ranapala felt a chill through his spine, then he sighed and spoke.
"…Fair enough. But can I at least know what you did?"
Hamsa glanced at him, expression flat.
"First—a dense mana projectile. To test your external mana layer and resistance to blunt force."
"Second—compressed wind blades. To simulate spear and sword strikes."
"Third—another mana construct," he continued. "This time applied around you, creating small bursts of heat. A controlled fire test."
Ranapala blinked, taking a moment to process everything.
Then he let out a long sigh.
By then, Hamsa had already turned away, continuing his discussion with the blacksmith.
Ranapala glanced at him, then walked over to Gopal.
"Gopal… is the Yuvraj always like this?" he asked quietly.
Gopal looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Ranapala hesitated and thought. 'Is this normal for them…?'
"I mean… what he just did. And even during training—he does the same with the others. He doesn't even go easy on his own younger brother."
Gopal nodded slightly.
"That's just how he is."
He glanced toward Hamsa.
"Though, you don't need to worry. The Yuvraj won't put your life—or anyone else's—at risk."
He paused.
"He only does things like that because he's confident you can handle it."
Ranapala let out a breath.
"I see."
Meanwhile—
"So I'll need roughly five thousand sets of these by next year," Hamsa said.
The blacksmith froze slightly.
"Yuvraj… that would be difficult."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Working with mana crystals is not easy. There are very few skilled enough to handle them properly."
He gestured toward the armor.
"And this is chainmail. Every link with a crystal has to be shaped by hand. Normal links can be punched out in bulk—but not these."
He continued,
"While working with the crystals, we also have to avoid feeding them mana. Especially during cutting or shaping."
His expression grew more serious.
"If mana leaks in, the crystal can shatter. In some cases, it can even injure the smith—damage to the hands, sometimes permanently."
Hamsa listened, thinking.
"What if that wasn't an issue?" he asked.
The blacksmith blinked.
"If you didn't have to worry about the mana interference… would production speed improve?"
"Yes," the blacksmith replied immediately. "It would be faster. And safer."
Hamsa nodded.
"Then gather anyone who can work with mana crystals. Bring them here."
He continued calmly,
"I'll handle the mana issue."
"As for the rest of the chain links, outsource them. Use commercial workshops."
He added,
"I know someone who that can handle the volume. Or to be presise will be able to."
The blacksmith straightened.
"As you command, Yuvraj. I will begin preparations immediately. By the end of the month, all royal forges will be working on this."
He gestured around.
"This workshop will focus entirely on the crystal components."
"Good," Hamsa said. "That gives us enough time to expand production further."
He turned away.
"Further instructions will come through Gopal."
With that, he left the workshop.
Outside, he found Ranapala, Gopal, and the guards talking.
"Well," Hamsa said, "our work here is done for now."
He glanced at Gopal.
"When we head back, remind me to come here one last time."
"As you command, Yuvraj," Gopal replied, noting it down on a birch tablet.
Hamsa then turned to Ranapala.
"Well then," he said casually, "shall we go visit your in-laws?"
_______________________
Padmavathi's Family Home
Hamsa found himself in the same room he had visited a week ago.
This time, Ranapala stood beside him.
Hamsa had asked him to sit, but Ranapala had refused.
Ratnavathi sat across from them, composed and attentive.
Servants entered quietly and placed refreshments before them. Once the formal greetings were exchanged, a brief silence settled over the room.
Hamsa took a sip.
Then—
"What do I owe the pleasure of the Yuvraj visiting us personally?" Ratnavathi asked.
Her tone was respectful, but measured.
Hamsa set his cup down.
"Your family runs a steel workshop," he said. "And is part of the Iron Guild. Correct?"
"Yes, Yuvraj," Ratnavathi replied.
She sat straighter as she spoke.
"The workshop itself is relatively new. Until recently, we only worked in basic steel production. We've only just begun expanding into more refined work."
There was a faint note of pride in her voice.
"It has been progressing remarkably well. The peace and stability brought under His Majesty, Raja Valangar II, has helped greatly."
Hamsa nodded.
"Good. And regarding your trade… I understand you are a member of the Five Hundred of Barbarikon."
Guilds. [Shrenis][1]
Guilds were organized groups of people belonging to specific trades.
They were broadly divided into two main types: merchant guilds and artisan guilds. Artisan guilds focused on production—crafting goods, refining materials, and maintaining technical skills. Merchant guilds handled trade, distribution, and the movement of goods across regions.
Despite this distinction, the two were closely interconnected. Artisans depended on merchants to sell and transport their products, while merchants relied on artisans for supply.
Over time, guilds evolved into powerful economic institutions.
Merchant guilds in particular accumulated immense wealth and influence. In many cases, their continuity outlasted political powers—kingdoms, empires, and even entire dynasties rose and fell, but major guilds continued to operate.
Their power was not limited to trade.
Many guilds maintained private armed forces, both land and navel, which could be deployed to protect trade routes, enforce agreements, or defend their interests and even be part of armies under the ruler.
These forces operated under guild insignia.
Guilds also functioned as financial institutions. In many ways, they acted like banks, offering high interest on deposited wealth—a reflection of how profitable and stable their operations were.
There are records of merchants and guild members openly boasting about the vast sums they had entrusted to guild accounts. In some cases, these funds were significant enough that they claimed to have influence over Rajas or Samrats, often saying it gave them "ears in the court."
Internally, guilds were governed by their own rules and systems. Many had formal constitutions or charters that defined how they operated, how decisions were made, and how disputes were handled. These structures varied from guild to guild.
Some guilds grew powerful enough to be granted judicial authority, allowing them to settle disputes within their domain without direct interference from the state.
In certain cases, guilds extended their influence into governance. Historical records show that some guilds controlled or administered major trade settlements.
There are also instances where prominent merchant families, through strategic marriages or royal grants, acquired rights over land—occasionally even claiming territories that were once under imperial control.
Leadership within guilds varied depending on the type and size of the guild, but most followed a broadly similar structure.
At the top was an elected head, often referred to as the Shreni-pati (Guild Master). In artisan guilds, positions such as the Sthapati or Shreshthin (Master Craftsman) also held significant authority.
These positions were typically elected, reflecting the guilds' emphasis on skill, experience, and merit rather than birth or status.
The Guild Master oversaw the functioning of the guild, supported by an advisory council composed of senior and experienced members.
Together, they were responsible for:
Setting the overall direction and policies of the guild.
Handling major negotiations and trade agreements.
Resolving internal disputes and acting as judicial authorities within the guild.
And more. In many ways, they functioned much like modern companies.
[1]
[2]
[1] Though this is what they were knows as, I will stick with guilds for now. I will read through a bunch and later make the change if I do decide to use this.