Chapter 6: The Mysterious Key
The carriage ride took a little over ten minutes. Gune disembarked at the Dolan Club, located on Dolan Street in the Antukon district, on the south side of Sug Relic City.
As he stepped down, he noticed a young man, built like a small giant, dismounting a Blackscale Nightmare. The youth wore thick tank armor forged from dark iron metal. Only a tamed transcendent creature like the Nightmare could bear the weight of such a massive individual. The young man stood at least seven feet tall, his imposing figure drawing the attention of passersby. He seemed accustomed to the stares, paying them no mind. His eyes scanned the area, finally settling on Gune.
"Good evening, Gune," the giant rumbled, nodding in greeting.
"Evening, Philosopher Knight," Gune returned the nod.
He knew this young man well; they had conducted numerous private trades. His name was Paul Kerchagin, a nobleman with Behemoth blood. He was also a member of their small group. Despite his imposing physique and seemingly brutish appearance, Paul was a shrewd and calculating individual with a unique personal style.
They walked towards the Dolan Club together. After presenting their membership cards, they entered and headed straight for the private salon they habitually rented for their meetings.
"Any details about tonight's gathering?" Gune asked as they walked.
Paul shrugged. "You know Ailee. Not the strongest, but his lips are sealed. He won't tell us a thing until the last moment."
"True enough," Gune chuckled softly. Then, lowering his voice, he asked, "Interested in a complete Transcendent Knight's Breathing Technique?"
Paul stopped short, surprised. Just a month ago, Gune had been inquiring about such techniques. While Paul possessed a mid-level Knight's Breathing Technique himself, he didn't have a physical copy of the text. Now, Gune was offering to sell him one. "A truly unreadable fellow," Paul mused internally.
"What type?" he inquired.
Almost all transcendent texts were consumables; one couldn't simply copy them. This scarcity often led to inflated prices. Naturally, one wouldn't pass up a good opportunity.
"Dual breathing, focusing on both soul and body, with a stronger emphasis on the soul. I'd say the ratio is about sixty percent soul strength, forty percent physical strength," Gune explained. Thanks to the Idle System, he had already gained a deep understanding of the Pious Knight Breathing Technique in a short time.
"Suitable for Knights of Faith and ascetics. Of course, it's even more effective for Rune, Element, or Contract Knights and Warriors who also wield spells or elemental powers."
Compared to the rigid and stagnant system of the previous era, where the Church controlled access to mystical knowledge, the current Steam-Powered Transcendent Era fostered innovation and the blending of different abilities and professions. New types of transcendent practitioners emerged, such as Rune Knights, Element Warriors, and Contract Assassins, combining different power sources. Some of these new combinations were flashy but ineffective, while others thrived in the new era. Rune Knights and Element Warriors, for example, were particularly potent, requiring both strong souls and powerful bodies.
The challenge for these new transcendent paths was the lack of established training methods. They were pioneers, forging their own way, and consequently, their numbers were relatively small. This meant that the market for the Pious Knight Breathing Technique was somewhat niche.
"Dual soul and body breathing?" Paul pondered, then nodded. "Sounds interesting. I might consider adding it to my collection."
Gune remained silent, waiting.
"How many effective Catalytic Receptions are left?" Paul finally asked.
"With decent soul strength, at least two or three more."
"Two or three… a bit low, but not bad." After a moment of thought, Paul offered, "Two hundred gold pounds."
Gune considered the offer and nodded. "Deal."
The typical price for a single Catalytic Reception of a basic transcendent text was around one hundred gold pounds. Two or three receptions for two hundred pounds, considering the limited market for this particular technique, was a fair price.
In the Magnolia Empire, and indeed across the entire Oya Continent, gold pounds were the dominant currency. One gold pound exchanged for ten silver dragons, and one silver dragon was worth one hundred copper pennies. A single copper penny had slightly less purchasing power than a dollar in Gune's previous life.
An average worker earned about twenty silver dragons, or two gold pounds, a month. This was considered a decent wage in smaller towns. Earning three to five gold pounds a month allowed for a more comfortable lifestyle. The fact that a transcendent text with two or three receptions could fetch three hundred gold pounds highlighted the exorbitant cost of transcendent items.
Such prices were far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even Gune, after half a year of accumulating potions and selling materials gathered during his adventures, only possessed a little under one hundred gold pounds. This sale would more than double his funds, bringing him significantly closer to realizing his plans.
After agreeing on a time for the transaction, they entered the meeting room. Four others had already arrived: Ylair Cogan, the short-haired, mature-looking Ailee in black leather armor, the red-haired, red-robed Lanciel with her Lava Crystal staff, rumored to have already inherited her Transcendent Artifact, and the quiet, aloof He Luo, a highly talented spellcaster pursuing the path of an Elementalist.
Ailee, after checking the security of the room, sat down and addressed the group. "Now that everyone is here, let's begin." His voice was deliberately deep and serious, a habit the others had grown used to.
"Our objective this time is the location pointed to by this mysterious key." With a flourish, Ailee produced an intricately carved briarwood box covered in raised runes.
Chapter 7: The Mysterious Key
Aeli's ability to conjure objects out of thin air stemmed from a spatial storage artifact, an exceedingly rare and valuable treasure. All eyes were drawn to the ornate black briarwood box, but their minds were preoccupied with the "magical key" Aeli had mentioned.
"A magical item?" Blackrose, usually taciturn, spoke up, a rare occurrence.
"Yes and no," Aeli replied, lowering his voice. "About two months ago, I made contact with the sole survivor of an adventuring party through certain channels. They had a genuine Transcendent among them, but their entire team was nearly wiped out in Howling Gorge."
The name "Howling Gorge" brought a somber expression to everyone's faces. The Transcendent Wilderness wasn't a place to be trifled with. Even disregarding the truly dangerous zones, the variety of Transcendent insects, beasts, and incorporeal specters, resistant to conventional methods, were enough to obliterate ordinary people within three days.
The Oto Mountains, home to ancient tribal civilizations and the ruins of a bygone goblin empire, were particularly perilous. These civilizations and ruins were located in areas saturated with transcendent power. Howling Gorge, one such place, was a nexus of this power and the site of one of the four ancient tribal ruins. Countless adventuring parties had ventured into its depths, never to be seen again.
Legend spoke of a peculiar structure deep within the gorge known as the "Howling House." It would materialize in unexpected locations, its maw agape, waiting for unsuspecting prey. Should an unfortunate adventurer wander inside, the house would close its "mouth." When it opened again, the adventurer would be gone, replaced by a new adornment within the house—a painting, a bouquet of flowers, or perhaps a fresh towel.
Such a place, governed by the incomprehensible logic of a "magical item," was far beyond the capabilities of an average Transcendent team, let alone a group of novices like Gune and his companions.
"The survivor, utterly terrified, refused to go anywhere near Howling Gorge again. He sold me the only thing they recovered: a mysterious key," Aeli continued. "He even signed a blood-bound contract, guaranteeing its authenticity."
Aeli's words were met with stunned silence. Adventure wasn't about courting death. While they craved exploration and the thrill of uncovering mysteries, they weren't foolish enough to rush headlong into lethal situations.
Gune, too, was surprised. The vast wilderness north of Sug Relic City was all Transcendent Wilderness, but their previous explorations had carefully avoided the truly dangerous zones. Even so, they had faced numerous perils in the less hazardous areas, even suffering near-fatal injuries on occasion.
To venture into a place like Howling Gorge, a known death trap, would be suicidal.
A heavy silence fell over the group. Aeli, sensing the apprehension, forced a smile. "Don't worry too much. I know our team's capabilities. I wouldn't do something as reckless as venturing deep into a Transcendent Zone." Aeli, despite his youth, possessed a level of self-awareness that belied his age.
"As you all know, the outer regions of Howling Gorge aren't much different from ordinary Transcendent Wilderness. The key points towards a specific location, and it's within the outer area. There's some risk, of course, but our team isn't weak. We're comparable to an average Transcendent team, and with the key's guidance, I believe a limited exploration is manageable. We can always retreat if things get too dangerous."
Aeli paused, then continued, "We all know that even with our families' support, Transcendent Artifacts are incredibly scarce. Even if our families acquire one, we're not necessarily first in line to receive it. Our expeditions into the wilderness are all for the same purpose: to find these Artifacts, Transcendent equipment, or even rarer magical items. This is a promising opportunity."
"So, what do you say?" Aeli looked at each of them.
After a moment of silence, Yulier spoke, "If it's just the outer area, I'm willing to explore. But I'm against going any deeper."
"I agree," Paul added.
"Same," Gune concurred.
The others echoed their sentiments. A Transcendent Artifact was a tempting prize, even if the chances of finding one were slim.
"Alright, since we're all in agreement, let's finalize the plan," Aeli said. "The wilderness practicum is in two weeks. As usual, I'll apply for free movement as a team. We'll explore the location indicated by the key then."
Half an hour later, after settling the details, the group dispersed.
Outside the Dolan Club, the night was deep. The gas lamps lining the streets cast a distorted but illuminating glow. Aeli, still in his formal attire, boarded his family carriage. The sound of wheels on cobblestone faded into the night.
Standing in the shadows of a lamppost, Gune watched the carriage disappear, rubbing his temples. "Something feels off, but I can't put my finger on it," he muttered.
A chill wind swept through the dark, misty streets, prompting him to raise his collar.
"Better to be overprepared than caught off guard. Two weeks is enough time for the Knight's Breathing Technique to strengthen my body further. I'm close to having enough points for Instructor Orok's Source Pool Expansion Method. Even if it doesn't allow me to fully open my Source Pool, it will increase my source energy capacity. And my physical body is far from ordinary."
A smile touched his lips. "Have you ever seen… a human turret?"
Chapter 8: Runes of Incantation
The arrival of the steampunk industrial revolution brought with it a dazzling array of innovations, none more emblematic of the era than transcendent steam alchemy. Mechanical creations poured forth from the workshops of alchemists, but the most potent instruments of destruction were undoubtedly firearms and cannons. As armies equipped their soldiers with these weapons, the age of cavalry drew to a close, replaced by a tide of steel.
This burgeoning steampunk revolution also ignited a resurgence of transcendent power, ushering in new professions and casting old ones in a new light. Among these, the spellcasting orders found renewed prominence.
Spellcasters were categorized into four distinct orders based on the source of their power: Elementalists, Pact Mages, Rune Casters, and Divine Casters.
Elementalists drew power from the natural elements, manipulating them to unleash potent elemental magic. In essence, they were the mages of old, wielding the familiar forces of nature.
Pact Mages forged contracts and performed summoning rituals to bring forth powerful otherworldly creatures to fight on their behalf.
Rune Casters, Gune's chosen path, channeled power from their internal Source Pool, weaving intricate and potent incantations for swift, devastating attacks.
Lastly, Divine Casters derived their power from divine beings through acts of devotion. While this granted them significant power, healing abilities, and access to divine miracles, it came with limitations and dependence. Furthermore, the suppression of faith-based power systems by the monarchy and other transcendent factions deterred many from this path.
…
Sug Transcendent Academy.
Orok Tower, sixth-floor classroom.
Unlike the spacious domed classrooms, the sixth floor of Orok Tower was considerably smaller, accommodating only fifteen or sixteen students. Orok, a white-haired instructor with spectacles and a gray wizard's hat, lectured intently on the unified field theory of Rune Casting.
"The core principle of Rune Casting is swift, efficient strikes. The three foundational tenets for achieving this are… Yulier, tell us." Orok's gaze swept across the room, settling on Yulier.
"Secret Crossing, Acceleration, and Repetition," Yulier answered promptly, rising to her feet.
"Indeed! These are the fundamentals, truths you must etch into your very souls." Orok nodded, gesturing for Yulier to sit. "Casting incantations takes time. If you don't want an enemy sneaking up behind you and slitting your throat while you're chanting, then the number of Secret Crossing, Acceleration, and Repetition runes you've condensed using your soul power will determine whether you live or die."
In the corner, Gune took notes while pondering Orok's words. "Everyone knows these runes are important, but… condensing them is incredibly difficult!"
For Rune Casters, these three runes were essential for achieving rapid and powerful spellcasting. Secret Crossing, the most crucial of the three, reduced the number of syllables required to cast a spell.
A standard basic transcendent spell required four syllables, each taking roughly 0.25 seconds to pronounce, resulting in a one-second casting time. A single Secret Crossing rune eliminated one syllable, reducing the casting time to 0.75 seconds. Two runes brought it down to 0.5 seconds, and three to 0.25 seconds.
With four Secret Crossing runes, a Rune Caster achieved instant casting – no chanting required, just a thought. Instant basic spells were the dream of every Rune Caster, but the difficulty of condensing these runes made it a distant aspiration for most.
"Thanks to the constant soul-forging effect of practicing my damaged transcendent spell scroll, I've developed an unusually strong soul. Combined with my natural aptitude, I've managed to condense four Secret Crossing runes in these past four months," Gune mused.
"Besides Yulier and Yanni, who possess exceptional talent and ample resources, allowing them to condense one or two Secret Crossing runes each, no one else in this classroom likely has the capacity to condense even one. Those with decent talent and some resources might have managed an Acceleration rune or two. The rest are probably stuck on the dead-end path of Repetition runes."
Even with the abundant resources available to the wealthy and noble students, condensing Secret Crossing runes remained a daunting task, increasing in difficulty with each subsequent rune. One or two were achievable, but three or four were near impossible.
While less potent than Secret Crossing, Acceleration and Repetition runes were significantly easier to condense. Acceleration runes, as their name suggested, increased casting speed by roughly 10% per rune. Ten Acceleration runes would effectively double casting speed. However, they could never achieve true instant casting.
Repetition runes, the easiest to condense, allowed for the rapid casting of the same spell multiple times, but their effectiveness was limited to spells already mastered, offering no reduction in casting time for new or complex spells.
"Runes are not meant to be used in isolation, but in conjunction with each other," Gune concluded. A combination of Secret Crossing and Acceleration runes, along with a deep understanding of spell structure, was the key to maximizing a Rune Caster's power.
Chapter 9: The Cyberna Source Pool
Compared to the Transition and Acceleration Runes, the Repetition Rune was a late bloomer. The former two provided immediate benefits upon their formation. The Repetition Rune, however, offered no advantage when only one or two were formed. Even nine Repetition Runes were utterly useless.
But upon forming the tenth, a qualitative change occurred. The ten runes would merge within the depths of the soul, creating a "Repetition Sub-Soul." This granted the Rune Caster the coveted ability of dual casting, allowing them to simultaneously incant two spells independently, each benefiting from the effects of the Transition and Acceleration Runes. One person effectively becoming two. This was the power of the Repetition Rune.
The challenge lay in the difficulty of forming ten runes. It demanded not only talent but also time, perseverance, focus, and a significant investment of resources. Calling it a late bloomer was an understatement.
Nevertheless, the Transition, Acceleration, and Repetition Runes formed the core of a Rune Caster's power. While other runes existed, their effects paled in comparison. Gune had also heard rumors of exceptionally rare, special runes, undocumented in common transcendent artifacts, their written descriptions fading with time. He hoped to encounter such enigmatic runes one day.
The insightful Rune Inscription class, led by Instructor Orlock, concluded swiftly.
"A fruitful lesson," Gune mused. He had absorbed new knowledge and gained fresh perspectives on familiar concepts. The Idle System, diligently working on the Bone Essence Potion Incantation, the Knight's Breathing Technique, and the fragmented transcendent spell, constantly honed his soul, enhancing his mental acuity, memory, and comprehension.
"Gune, come to my office," Instructor Orlock's voice called out before Gune could gather his books.
"Perfect timing," Gune thought. He had something to discuss with Instructor Orlock.
…
Minutes later, Gune stood before Instructor Orlock's desk on the ninth floor of the Orlov Tower. The office was lined with six rows of towering bookshelves. Sunlight streamed through the glass doors onto the balcony, illuminating several potted plants.
Among them were three Red Bitefang Plants, otherworldly flora with blood-red, glistening bodies, each the size of two cupped hands, exuding a faint metallic scent. Their arm-length, thick stems visibly pulsed, and their needle-sharp teeth glinted menacingly within their gaping maws. These plants could easily tear flesh from bone.
Orlock moved among them with practiced ease, tending to their needs. While he could navigate their vicinity safely, anyone else risked losing a chunk of flesh, or worse, becoming fertilizer. Yet, even these Red Bitefangs were considered weak among transcendent plants. Immobile and with limited attack range, they were easy targets for a Rune Caster. Truly powerful, highly active transcendent species were creatures even seasoned transcendents avoided.
Finishing his task, Orlock turned to Gune with a smile. "Winter is approaching, and these little fellows are becoming more difficult to care for. Once the snow falls, they'll likely hibernate."
Gune offered a polite smile in return.
"You…" Orlock began, settling behind his desk and studying Gune. "You seem different from a month ago."
His words were veiled, but Gune understood. Over a month ago, Orlock had sensed Gune's three Transition Runes. Gune hadn't bothered hiding them; they weren't a significant secret.
"I was fortunate enough to succeed, but it put a strain on my soul," Gune replied honestly.
"So, four now. You can instantaneously cast most basic spells. Many mid-level transcendents can't achieve that. Your talent is even greater than I anticipated," Orlock said, a barely perceptible twitch in his eye. "The strain on your soul is normal. You're not a true transcendent yet. Once you cross that threshold, the burden will lessen, and you'll be able to form one or two more Transition Runes."
"If you're willing, take my letter of recommendation. The Dragonwood White Tower will welcome you with open arms. I'll recommend you to some exceptional mentors. You'll be trained as a core member. Becoming a transcendent Rune Caster will be a mere formality. You might even acquire a rare and unique Rune Caster Artifact, allowing you to specialize. Many spellcasters dream of joining the Dragonwood White Tower, most aiming to become Rune Casters."
Orlock slid a sealed letter across the desk. This scenario had played out three or four times in the past few months.
The Dragonwood White Tower was a powerful, independent organization dedicated to transcendent research and scholarship, maintaining strict neutrality in the conflicts of the various empires. Several such organizations existed across the Oya Continent.
Previously, Gune had declined Orlock's offer. This time, he hesitated. After a moment of contemplation, he took the wax-sealed letter. "I'll consider it after graduation. If it seems like a good fit, I'll go to the Dragonwood White Tower. I know it's a sanctuary for spellcasters."
"Excellent!" Orlock's wrinkled face finally broke into a genuine smile.
"There's something I wanted to discuss…" Gune began tentatively.
"The Source Pool establishment and cultivation techniques?" Orlock anticipated his request.
"Yes, Instructor."
"You're not a true transcendent yet. You haven't truly grasped the essence of transcendence. Even if you had the Bona Source Pool technique you've been asking about, you wouldn't be able to establish a Source Pool. It would, at best, slightly increase your source energy capacity. I can sense your physique is stronger than most Rune Casters, which helps with energy storage, but not significantly. However, I promised you, and I keep my promises."
With a wave of his hand, a book materialized in the air, its ancient cover adorned with runes forming the image of a grand hall. The pages flipped rapidly. This was a "Memory Palace Book," a unique creation of transcendent scholars. It recorded everything they experienced—sights, sounds, sensations, thoughts, and even ideas—perfectly preserving them within its pages. It could even organize and categorize fragmented information.
"Let me see…" Orlock murmured, scanning the pages. "The Bona Source Pool costs 20 points. You've accumulated… hmm, 21 points." He nodded, checking the point records. Another wave of his hand, and the Memory Palace Book dissolved into motes of light.
"Student Gune Laurence, 20 points deducted in exchange for the transcendent text: Cyberna Source Pool," Orlock declared. An unseen record was made, somewhere within the fabric of the world, acknowledged by the Memory Palace Book.
"Cyberna Source Pool?" Gune was stunned. The Bona Source Pool was a basic technique worth 20 points. The Cyberna Source Pool was an intermediate technique, worth at least 50.
"Instructor, are you sure?"
"Quite sure," Orlock smiled. "Your talent deserves it."
After a moment of reflection, Gune bowed slightly. "Thank you, Instructor."