"I see..." I muttered, flipping to the next page.
With careful precision, I carved the corresponding rune with my quill onto a piece of parchment. The quill, it seemed, acted as an inscribing tool, channeling my mana as its energy source. As I traced each line, the symbol began to glow increasingly brighter on the paper, its heat intensifying. Just as the air around it began to shimmer with rising heat, I realized what was about to happen.
My heart raced as I quickly swiped my hand through the air, cutting off the flow of mana and denying the rune from activating. The glowing symbol dimmed and fell back onto the paper, its explosive potential safely contained.
That was close.
You have learned the rune: Pyroclastic Explosion.
Access the menu to view all the runes you have discovered.
A second window popping up above this,
Rune-Crafting level 1 -> Rune-Crafting level 2
Passive: Active Call -> Thinking about a rune will show its silhouette. Simply trace its lines and you will activate it.
I was expecting a level-up soon. That is how games usually work. I laid back down on the cold hard ground. Hundreds of sheets plastered with runes I've inscribed littered the ground around me as I brought up my status windows.
Name: Matthijs Geiger
Class: -
lvlⓘ: 5
Experience: 100 / 150,000
Health: 1200/ 1200
Mana: 35/300
Stamina: 670/850
Attributes:
- Strength: 97
- Dexterity: 90
- Constitution: 137
- Intelligence: 150
- Wisdom: 100
- Charisma: 50
- Resolve: 170
Skills:
- Rune Crafting: Level 2
"35 mana left, huh... Just enough for one more rune," I muttered to myself as I scrolled through the menu, reviewing all the runes I had collected. Hundreds of them, and I was still barely scratching the surface. It seems there are three fundamental types of runes: Enhancement, Elemental, and a rare few Utility ones. Enhancement runes can be applied to materials, boosting their physical properties.
Elemental runes, on the other hand, can be inscribed on any surface, but they don't just sit there—they release their energy outward from wherever they're placed. The power of each one depends entirely on how much mana I channel into it. Unfortunately, I still haven't figured out how to adjust the mana input. So much for fine-tuning.
I've also discovered that runes inscribed with your own mana last indefinitely until activated—unless they're destroyed, of course. However, when carved onto Seraphic stones, they typically lose their potency after 3 to 4 hours if unused. No big deal, though—you can simply retrace them. And here's something interesting: Seraphic stones can be thrown at objects or surfaces to transfer the rune's power. Pretty clever, right? How Vadek ever found these facts out will forever remain a mystery to me.
Now, here's the best part... If you use your own mana to inscribe a Seraphic stone... it will... it will...
It... Just kidding, nothing happens. It just takes on the effects of whatever rune you inscribed with your mana. Exciting.
It's been three days since I started this cycle of tracing runes, resting, and repeating the process, so I haven't seen much of Joshua or Fritz. They've stopped by a few times, though.
But this time, Joshua practically kicked the doors open, shouting, "Matthijs, the coronation event is happening tomorrow evening!"
He sat cross-legged directly across from me, his gaze locked onto mine. "What's the plan?" he asked, eyes unblinking as he waited for an answer.
Wait, am I supposed to know how their coronation events work here? Hello?! Joshua?! Memory loss?! Was that not clear from my interaction with Merilla?! I thought he was supposed to be the strategist, and I was just the muscle. Ahem, deep breaths.
"Langs, he has memory loss," Merilla interjected as she strolled in with Fritz. "How the hell do you expect him to know how a coronation event goes? Besides, we Ubuians were never there to witness the first one anyway." She paused and then added, "I'm joining whatever plan you come up with."
"Merilla, Vadek wouldn't want me to let you risk your life."
"You're right," she replied coolly. "But Matthijs, you're no longer my brother nor the head of the family. You can't control me." She folded her arms defiantly. "So, let me explain how the coronation events work."
She glanced around, spotted a map on one of the shelves, and pulled it out, unfurling it over the mess of papers on the ground.
"It will happen here, in Graduation Square—at least that's what they call it." She pointed to an area on the map, a large open space with a fountain in the center, surrounded by trees and forests, yet positioned right in front of the castle. "The 1st prince will be led from the top of the castle, down this steep slope, in a wagon to the middle of the square. He will then be brought to this podium where the corpse of the late king will be placed. He'll stand at attention as the people take turns placing flowers in the coffin. This is when he'll be the most still."
She glanced back up at me, her eyes searching for understanding.
"You still following?"
"Go on."
"Right. This would be our one chance to kill him."
"Kill him? No, no, I don't intend to take a single life!" Joshua yelled, slamming his fist into the ground.
"Don't be naïve, you imbecile," Merilla snapped as she grabbed him by the collar. "You really believe you can overthrow the entire monarchy without any bloodshed—"
But before she could finish, the tunnels began to shake. The growing unrest outside was accompanied by the thunderous sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors.
We bolted out, only to discover that parts of the ceiling were collapsing.
People were scrambling in every direction, fleeing from the falling debris. Those ahead of us were trapped beneath the rubble, their cries muffled by the chaos. I wanted to save them—I really did—but right now, I had to prioritize my survival. If I tried to float the debris away, there could be troops on the other side or even right above us.
"Crap..."
"It's the royal alchemist," someone hissed nearby. "He hates Ubuians the most."
I guess that's why he wanted to frame me
As the idea of using the Rune: Hardening crossed my mind, a window appeared in the corner of my vision.
Rune: Hardening Displayed!
Trace it well!
In the center of my field of vision, a translucent symbol hovered, tracking my every movement. My fingers moved quickly, almost instinctively, as I pulled out a seraphic stone, tracing the rune onto its surface with practiced precision. The stone pulsed with a brilliant glow, the energy radiating from it in waves. With a grunt of effort, I hurled the stone upwards, watching as it shattered against the tunnel ceiling. The rune transferred seamlessly onto the surface, sending a pulse of energy that stabilized the quaking earth above us.
"If it really is the royal alchemist, we don't stand a chance." My voice was low, as I turned, ready to escape. "This is just a stopgap—we need to go now."
Joshua's eyes flicked to Merilla, concern tightening his features as he swallowed hard. "Where's the escape route, Merilla?"
Merilla didn't hesitate. She swung her arm in a wide arc, guiding the other Ubuians with a commanding gesture. "This way!" Her voice cut through the chaos, strong and unwavering.
But I didn't follow. Instead, I stepped closer to Fritz, my hand gripping his arm with a quiet intensity. I leaned in, my breath brushing against his ear. "You know the sewer system, right? Lead me to the castle."
Fritz's eyes widened, his breath hitching as he recoiled slightly, his face twisted in disbelief. "Are you crazy? That's like attacking their bloody headquarters!"
Joshua, overhearing, shot forward, his eagerness barely contained as he tiptoed to catch our conversation. "Oh! Let me in on it!" His voice was loud, too loud, filled with a desperate need to be included.
I bit back a sigh, frustration tightening my chest as I shot him a sharp look. "Why must you be so loud?" But before I could say more, the ground beneath us trembled violently, silencing any further reproach. "We need to move now. Fritz, take me there."
Fritz hesitated, his jaw clenched in silent resistance before he finally let out a resigned groan. He spun on his heel and broke into a sprint, his footsteps pounding against the tunnel floor. Without wasting a second, I hoisted Joshua onto my back, his weight heavy but familiar. My muscles burned as I pushed myself to keep up, every step a battle as Fritz's figure grew smaller in the dim light.
Damn it, Vadek, you could at least exercise a bit more. Bloody hell, I'm falling further and further behind Fritz!
Joshua's breath was warm against my ear as he leaned in closer, his voice a hushed whisper, "What's the plan?"
I pressed on, my mind racing as the situation grew more dire. "If the royal alchemist is here, who's at the castle right now?"
"Attacking the empty camp... interesting," Joshua murmured.
"Truth is," I panted, my breath coming in ragged gasps, "we don't know if that was really the royal alchemist out there or just some regular troops. But either way, there should be fewer people in the castle."
Fritz slowed his pace, casting a quick glance over his shoulder, his eyes scanning our faces as if searching for resolve. The tremors were fading behind us, but the tension was palpable, hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break.
"What do you intend to do?" Fritz asked, his voice low, his gaze fixed ahead as if avoiding the answer.
I hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "…I didn't think that far," I admitted, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Kidnap them before the coronation event?"
Fritz let out a low, humorless chuckle, shaking his head as he resumed his pace.
"You're such a dummy."
. . .
"Mr. Royal Alchemist. We did as you instructed."
"Thank you." The Royal Alchemist stepped onto the balcony, his eyes scanning the city below. Gray smoke billowed from the buildings, spreading into the blue sky.
Guards stood silently, their stares unyielding.
The 1st prince approached, his boots clicking on the marble floor. "Royal Alchemist, is everything ready for the coronation tomorrow?"
The Royal Alchemist faced him, raising an eyebrow. "My lord, what are your plans once you are king?"
The 1st prince's jaw tightened. He slammed his fist into his palm, making the skin over his knuckles go white. "I will wipe out every Ubuian in the kingdom and destroy their remaining kingdoms." His gaze was fixed ahead, unblinking.
The Royal Alchemist's lips curled into a slight, approving smirk. "Understood. You have my support. The coronation event is confirmed."
The prince's fingers drummed on the railing, his gaze growing steely. "What about my brother?"
"He's been captured by an Ubuian. He's likely dead," the Royal Alchemist said, his tone steady.
The prince's lips stretched into a harsh grin. He shook his head, chuckling darkly. "Good. He was always weak, always telling me violence was wrong. It's a relief he's out of the way."
The Royal Alchemist's eyes briefly flickered with satisfaction before he masked it with a neutral expression. He turned to his preparations, his mind already working through the next steps.
"Rest well until then, my lord," the Royal Alchemist said, nodding as the prince walked away.
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Royal Alchemist," the prince called over his shoulder.
As the doors closed behind the prince, the Royal Alchemist's stride was brisk as he moved down the corridor. He stopped at each chamber, inspecting the guards with a critical eye.
"Royal Alchemist, we are reporting!" The urgent voice of a guard cut through the air.
The Royal Alchemist's head snapped around. His eyes widened momentarily before he controlled his reaction. "Speak."
"Advisor Jean has escaped his cell."
"…What."