In the following half-month, Rocky day after day did the same thing: he drew Mana Runes.
On one hand, this was because the situation in Thunderhawk City required him to master Mana Runes in the shortest time possible, which was the only way he could proceed with his next plans.
On the other hand, it was because during the process of drawing runes, Rocky was surprised to find that he didn't feel the slightest bit bored!
Though he kept encountering failures, he could find pleasure in every failure by identifying his problems and trying to avoid them in the next attempt. This turned what was originally a tedious repetition not only into something that did not bore him but actually seemed quite interesting…
Finding joy in it, perhaps only these words could describe his current state.
Indeed, in failure after failure, not only did he not feel bored, but he also found pleasure; he truly found joy in it.
However, precisely because of this, he became even more immersed in it, almost as if he were possessed.
Fortunately, there was nothing pressing in Thunderhawk City during this time, and his obsession only made him stay in the laboratory all day without affecting others or anything else.
Days passed by uneventfully, each day progressing smoothly and tranquilly to a degree that felt pleasant.
However, whether it was Rocky, Liliya, or Aileen, they all knew that the current calm was just superficial, the real crisis was actually right before them.
The people from the Azure Commerce Guild were about to arrive!
The arrival of the Azure Commerce Guild would signify the increase in the prices of yarn, which would then trigger a series of chain reactions, eventually leading to a significant crisis within Thunderhawk City!
Facing this major crisis, everyone was thinking of solutions, not only Rocky, the City Lord, but Aileen as well.
"Grandpa, the merchant ships from the Azure Commerce Guild will be arriving in a few days, have you greeted them yet?"
Sitting in her home, Aileen asked somewhat anxiously.
After her last meeting with Rocky, Aileen had been busy. She not only told Voss that Rocky wanted him to negotiate with the Chamber on his behalf but also informed Voss about Rocky's plan to sell off private assets to subsidize the finances.
Perhaps Aileen didn't even notice it herself, but in the process, although she didn't say much, her stance in her conversation with Voss had been made clear—she did not want to stand idly by on this matter.
Aileen herself didn't notice this show of involvement, but Voss did. He never expected his granddaughter to be so earnest about this matter, so he certainly did not neglect it, having contacted the Azure Commerce Guild as early as a week before.
In this situation, facing an anxious Aileen, Voss showed a bitter smile, "Little girl, are you starting to doubt grandpa's abilities now?"
"Grandpa, I'm not doubting you!"
Being addressed this way, Aileen pouted in front of Voss, uncharacteristically becoming more childlike.
"Alright, alright. I've already spoken to Chief Steward Mar. He mentioned that some accommodations could be made, but the specifics need to be discussed in person, so don't worry."
Looking at Aileen, Voss said smilingly.
"Grandpa, you're amazing!"
Hearing her grandpa say this, Aileen finally smiled, significantly relieved.
The Chief Steward Mar mentioned by Voss was in charge of the trade with Thunderhawk City on behalf of the Azure Commerce Guild, and as Aileen knew, her grandpa had an old acquaintance with him. Therefore, since he said that accommodations could be made, it meant the price issue could be negotiated, which made things much easier.
If they could keep the yarn prices from rising too much, and then when the Magic Stone buyers arrived, sell them at a high price, this back-and-forth could greatly reduce the pressure on Thunderhawk City.
Her grandpa's words completely eased Aileen's mind, and she started planning the next steps.
In the days that followed, Thunderhawk City remained peaceful, with everyone busy with their affairs.
During this time, Rocky continued drawing runes non-stop.
Counting the days, he had already spent nearly a month in the lab, an endeavor that even Liliya couldn't help but admire for his persistence.
What a tedious and boring month it had been! Not only was he repeating the same thing every day, but the result was also always a failure. Not to mention the patience required, but just the fact that Rocky could maintain his composure throughout the continuous failures, never losing faith in himself, was something ordinary people couldn't achieve.
However, it was precisely because of Rocky's unyielding spirit that, after countless failures, he finally had a breakthrough.
He had succeeded!
Without any warning, Rocky almost habitually drew a rune on his bracer, and then he succeeded...
After one failure after another, he finally successfully depicted a First Level Mana Rune!
"Finally... succeeded...?"
Holding the wrist guard up to his face and taking a closer look, Rocky blinked his eyes, hardly believing it.
Because he didn't feel that the rune he drew this time was any different from the previous ones.
"You, you succeeded?!"
As Rocky was lost in thought, Liliya's voice rang out, and compared to him, Liliya sounded even more excited.
Coming to his senses, Rocky glanced at her and then at the wrist guard in his hands, finally letting a smile spread across his face.
It all came together naturally.
This idiom was the perfect summary of his success. After persistent practice, Rocky had naturally mastered the First Level Rune.
Do not underestimate this, because not only was this rune the first one Rocky had successfully depicted, but it was also the first Mana Rune to appear in the world since the beginning of the Sky Era!
Although besides Rocky, only Liliya saw the rune, it was still a historic moment. From that moment on, the whole sky would start to change because of the successful depiction of this rune!
"Congratulations, you finally did it..."
Looking at Rocky's smiling face, Lilia sincerely congratulated him.
She had witnessed Rocky's efforts over nearly a month and understood better than anyone the struggles he had undergone to depict the rune before him.
As for Liliya's congratulations, Rocky just smiled. He knew very well that during this time, Liliya had been instrumental. Although she may not have helped him with the runes themselves, she stayed by his side throughout, so that Rocky could feel her silent support every day.
So, after glancing at Liliya, Rocky gathered his courage and gave her a hug.
"Ah..."
Clearly, Liliya had not expected Rocky to suddenly hug her, caught off guard, she even let out a slight exclamation while being held.
As for Rocky, who was hugging her at that moment, he was enjoying it, savoring the fragrance of Liliya's hair and feeling her body, strong yet delicate.
Time passed by, minute by minute, for a long, long time.
"How long are you planning to hold me..."
After who knows how long, Rocky, completely engrossed in Liliya's embrace, was suddenly asked by her, but then with a playful shake of his head, he replied, "A bit longer."
"I think it's enough now."
Amused by Rocky's response, Liliya didn't indulge him any longer, she broke free from his embrace, and then asked:
"Rocky, now that you can depict runes, what are you planning to do next? Are these runes really useful?"