Chapter 10: Maesa Laurence
The core of a Rune Caster, a type of spellcaster, lies in their spirit, Source Pool, and Runes.
The strength of one's spirit determines their control over runes, the potency of their spells, and their overall rank. A weak spirit struggles with spellcasting, leading to exhaustion after sustained use. A strong, resilient spirit, however, maintains vigilance and clarity even under intense magical strain.
The Source Pool is simply one's magical reservoir. Its capacity and the amount of Source energy it holds dictate how many spells a Rune Caster can cast. A Rune Caster without Source energy is as helpless as a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Gune had recently acquired the Cyberna Source Pool technique from his mentor, which promised to further expand his Source Pool.
Finally, there were the runes themselves. Their inherent tier and level determined their power. Higher-tier, multi-syllable runes were generally more potent.
Gune's spirit was exceptionally strong, thanks to the constant mental forging provided by the damaged transcendent text he was idling. This unusual spiritual strength allowed him to condense four "Secret Crossing Runes" even at the novice level, a feat unheard of for most.
His three spells, constantly leveled by the Idle System, were also unusually high-ranked:
Transcendent Basic Rune: Ring Bombardment, Level 5
Common Rune: Firebolt, Level 4
Common Rune: Arc Lightning, Level 4
For a typical Rune Caster, mastering runes involved countless hours of practice, experimentation, and refinement, often taking years to increase a spell's level. Gune, however, gained experience every ten seconds, effortlessly and efficiently. This allowed him to reach unprecedented levels of power for his rank. Each level increased a rune's potency significantly, resulting in his level four and five spells possessing devastating power. This was the reason Gune dared to venture into the dangerous transcendent wilderness with his companions.
…
Night fell.
In the underground alchemy lab, Gune exhaled softly after completing a batch of potions. His assistants, Berry and Hawke, two novice alchemists around his age, took over the bottling, sealing, and storage process with practiced efficiency. Both possessed a decent aptitude for alchemy; with enough dedication to potion incantations, they might even become true alchemists one day.
While they worked, Gune recovered his strength and energy. He had been idling the Pious Knight Breathing Technique for several days and could already feel a marked improvement in his physical condition. His stamina and energy recovery were far superior to what he experienced with the basic knight's breathing technique he used before.
Once the potions were stored, Berry and Hawke approached Gune.
"Master Gune," they said respectfully. They knew that despite his youth, Gune was a prodigious alchemist, possessing skills they might never attain.
"I've encountered some problems with potion mixing recently," Hawke asked hesitantly.
"What kind of problems?" Gune replied. Their questions were simple for him to address.
After about fifteen minutes of instruction, the two satisfied novices departed.
"Eager to learn and making good progress. Old Man Coen certainly has a keen eye for talent," Gune mused. "Come to think of it, Old Man Coen must be a transcendent himself. How else could he consistently find so many gifted youngsters? Like me, or rather, my predecessor. He picked me up as a stray orphan."
Gune's few childhood memories were mostly of hunger and hardship, even bullying, until Old Man Coen took him in. "But he doesn't give off the aura of a transcendent," he pondered.
As he was thinking, footsteps echoed from the stairway.
"Hmm?" Gune looked towards the entrance. "One heavy step, one light. Someone's coming."
Old Man Coen, in his usual black robe and round-topped hat, entered the lab, followed by a small, ragged girl, around eleven or twelve years old, partially hidden behind him. Her face was smudged with dirt, whether intentionally or not, Gune couldn't tell.
"Adoption? Or something else?" Gune narrowed his eyes, wisely choosing not to ask.
"From today onwards, she's your sister. I've also arranged for her to attend Sug Transcendent Academy," Old Man Coen announced.
"An adopted… sister?" Gune's mind raced.
"I understand. Until I graduate, she won't have to worry about being bullied," Gune said, looking at the girl's timid demeanor. He knew she would be an easy target at the academy. Sug Transcendent Academy wasn't a playground; it was a school of power, where fights were common and broken bones were not uncommon. He had even heard whispers of darker things happening in the woods behind the academy.
"Yes. She'll be studying Shadow Arts. You can look out for her at school," Old Man Coen said in his raspy voice.
"Shadow Arts?" Gune raised an eyebrow and smiled at the girl. She quickly hid further behind Old Man Coen, avoiding his gaze.
"I'll keep an eye on her. Anyone who bullies her will face the consequences," Gune nodded.
"What's your name?" he asked, leaning closer to the girl.
Cornered, the girl clutched Old Man Coen's coat tightly, her wide eyes filled with fear and wariness as she looked at Gune. Finally, she whispered, "Maesa… Laurence."
"Maesa Laurence. A nice name," Gune nodded. Then, narrowing his eyes, he asked softly, "Are you afraid of me?"
"Yes," she whimpered, on the verge of tears. "You… you're scary!"
"Strong Extrasensory Perception…" Gune muttered to himself.
Extrasensory Perception, or ESP, was a non-rational, almost instinctual awareness. It manifested as a sense of danger, a premonition of fear, or an awareness of malice and scrutiny. A good Shadow Artist didn't necessarily need overwhelming power, but strong ESP was essential.
"Alright, stop teasing her," Old Man Coen rasped. "She'll be joining you as a novice alchemist."
"Understood," Gune replied.
Old Man Coen led Maesa away via a different staircase. Gune watched them go, lost in thought, then smiled faintly. Old Man Coen had taken in many children. Gune remembered at least five others before him, all of whom were sent away after they grew up. Gune suspected Old Man Coen was a sort of "transcendent talent scout," finding and nurturing gifted children. Where they went afterwards, Gune didn't know.
He would find out soon enough. He was only three months away from graduation.
"Now that that's settled, it's time to test the Cyberna Source Pool technique," Gune thought, his anticipation growing. "Mentor Orloff knows my physical conditioning is better than most Rune Casters, but he has no idea just how strong I really am. I can't wait to see what this Cyberna Source Pool can do."
Chapter 11: The Face Flower
Within the confines of his cultivation chamber, Gune sat cross-legged, the Idle System interface open before him. His mental fortitude had been honed by the relentless mental strain of the incomplete transcendent text, Ring Bombardment. His spells were cultivated through the system, but his Source Pool remained unopened. Lacking a Source Pool to contain his Source Energy, it diffused throughout his body.
Gune relied on the ancient practice of meditation to cultivate his Source Energy. Meditation, being a method rather than a codified technique, couldn't be automated through the Idle System. It required focused concentration, drawing upon ambient Source Energy and integrating it into his physical form. This slow, inefficient process was far less effective than cultivating from a text.
However, thanks to his exceptional mental strength and robust physique, Gune had managed to accumulate a respectable amount of Source Energy through diligent practice. Furthermore, the high level of his spells allowed him to unleash considerable power with minimal expenditure, granting him impressive combat endurance. This, however, didn't change the fact that his overall Source Energy reserves were limited.
This limitation was about to change. While Old Man Coen hadn't been able to acquire a Source Pool opening technique, Instructor Orloff had come through.
His gaze swept over the four active slots: Bone Essence Potion Incantation, Firebolt, Ring Bombardment, and Pious Knight Breathing Technique. He decided to replace Firebolt. As a common spell that had reached level four, its potential was nearly exhausted.
In its place, he slotted the Cyborn Source Pool technique.
+6
+6
…
A steady stream of experience points began to accumulate. After several +6 notifications, Gune felt a subtle flow of Source Energy converging within his body. His physical form accelerated its absorption and processing of the energy. The speed was astonishing, a single day of idling equivalent to ten days or half a month of meditation. Moreover, as the Cyborn Source Pool technique leveled up, the cultivation rate would increase further.
If Gune possessed a transcendent body, the Cyborn Source Pool would simultaneously absorb Source Energy and construct a Source Pool within him. However, his body was still mundane. For now, the system focused on enhancing his body's capacity to store Source Energy. The system's adaptive nature ensured optimal cultivation without any risk of complications.
"In a week, I'll test my Source Energy capacity to gauge the effectiveness of the Cyborn Source Pool," Gune mused.
…
A week passed quickly, filled with daytime studies, nightly potion brewing, and constant background idling. Life remained stable and comfortable. However, the occasional reports of transcendent murders and cult activities in the Magnolia Steam Times' arcane section served as a reminder that peace and tranquility were merely a facade. Dark currents flowed beneath the surface, growing stronger.
To Gune's relief, Meesha adapted quickly to her new environment, requiring minimal guidance. When she appeared before him the next day in new clothes, he almost didn't recognize her. He was also surprised to discover her remarkable aptitude for potion-making, perhaps even surpassing young Sibo. Her true talent, however, lay in her heightened senses.
"She might become an exceptional Shadow Walker someday," Gune assessed.
Unlike her initial fear of Gune, Meesha showed no such apprehension towards Hawke and Berry. The three quickly became friends, and her arrival injected a fresh energy into the alchemy lab, filling the void left by Sibo.
Inside the alchemy lab, a viscous red liquid bubbled and gurgled in a beaker. Gune observed carefully, nodding in satisfaction. The temperature was perfect. Fifteen more minutes of simmering, then remove from heat. The result would be around thirty-two vials of mid-tier Rage Potion. Even high-level transcendents, those of the fifth or sixth rank, would enter a frenzied state upon consuming it, their reflexes, speed, and strength significantly amplified. The trade-off was a period of debilitating weakness lasting an hour after the twenty-minute frenzy. Still, in dire situations, such a potion could be a lifesaver.
Gune had read reports of wilderness tribes using similar potions against the Imperial legions in the southern warzones, sometimes inflicting heavy casualties. While the northern expansion of the Magnolia Empire faced less resistance from wilderness tribes, the exploration of transcendent zones still claimed numerous lives.
As Gune waited for the potion to finish simmering, he heard footsteps on the stairs. The light tread identified the visitor as Meesha. She appeared at the entrance, hesitant to approach.
"Am I really that frightening?" Gune wondered, stroking his chin. "Just because I have strong mental power and potent spells…"
"What is it?" he asked softly, without turning around. The girl was clearly wary of him; excessive enthusiasm would likely worsen her apprehension.
After a moment of hesitation, Meesha spoke, "Our transcendent biology teacher wants us to cultivate transcendent plants and observe them regularly. He says it will develop our observation skills and patience."
Gune turned to face her. The eleven or twelve-year-old girl stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a floral print dress, her short hair framing her clean, slightly thin face. Her large, clear eyes watched him cautiously.
"Do you need me to accompany you to purchase a potted transcendent plant?" he asked gently.
"A classmate gave me a Face Flower seed," she replied.
"A Face Flower seed?" Gune rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully. "So, you want to cultivate a Face Flower?"
"Yes! But the biology book says Face Flowers thrive best when planted in winter, preferably during snowfall."
"It's not the right season now. However, soaking the seed in an ice-attribute potion for a few days will allow you to plant it now."
"Could you…" Meesha looked at him hopefully.
"Of course. Come here tomorrow night. I'll prepare an ice-attribute potion for you."
"Thank you!" A bright smile lit up Meesha's face.
Face Flowers were relatively common in the transcendent wilderness. Their name derived from the human-like faces that appeared within the blossoms. They tended to grow in clusters, forming vast fields. Compared to the aggressive potted Red Bite Man-Eating Flower, the potted Face Flower seemed harmless.
However, in the wild, between a field of Red Bite Man-Eating Flowers and a field of Face Flowers, one would be better off encountering the former. Face Flower fields often harbored a terrifying presence: the Face Flower King. This entity possessed the innate ability to charm, mesmerize, and even manipulate souls and emotions. A single glance from the Face Flower King could ensnare its victim, transforming them into a mindless puppet, willingly divulging all their knowledge and serving its every whim.
Fortunately, cultivating a single Face Flower posed no such threat.
As Meesha's footsteps retreated, Gune fell into deep thought.
"A Face Flower, huh?" he murmured.
Chapter 12: Blue Ice Princess
Early morning found Gune already at the Sug Transcendent Academy. He couldn't afford to be late for Instructor Orlov's class. Instructors, unlike ordinary teachers, were transcendent beings with the authority to expel lackluster students.
Arriving on the sixth floor of Orlov Tower, Gune saw several figures already seated, including the one he was hoping to see.
"Morning, Ylair," he greeted casually.
"Good morning," Ylair responded automatically, then turned back with a surprised look. In the four years they'd been classmates, this was the first time Gune had initiated a morning greeting. Looking at his neatly trimmed hair and lean but strong face, Ylair felt a flutter of nervousness, her heart beating a little faster.
"Can I ask you something?" Gune lowered his voice.
"What is it?"
"You mentioned your sister is a Shadow Arts student, right?"
"Yes."
"Do Shadow Arts students cultivate potted plants to improve their observation skills and patience, or have similar training methods?"
"Oh, that! I believe they do. My sister mentioned that transcendent plants exhibit subtle movements that require careful observation to detect. The tedious process helps cultivate patience and perseverance, which is crucial for Shadow Arts training."
"My sister even grows a few 'Bewitching Mosquito Grasses.' You know, those pesky mosquitoes are always a nuisance in the summer. But with those plants, the entire courtyard is practically mosquito-free."
"I see," Gune nodded. "Thanks."
"Why do you ask?"
"Because a knight who doesn't aspire to be a shadow operative isn't a good spellcaster," Gune declared cryptically.
Ylair paused, then giggled, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stole a glance at Gune. "This guy," she thought, "always coming up with the strangest sayings."
As he organized his textbooks, Gune pondered. "It seems I was overthinking things with Meesha. My paranoia is getting worse." He rubbed his temples. His naturally cautious nature often led him to suspect hidden motives, even when there were none.
"But… I still have a nagging feeling of unease."
"Could it be the upcoming expedition… or… those God of Giants cultists from a while back?"
"They seemed to have gone quiet after that incident. Are they gathering strength for something bigger?"
"My power is still too weak. I need to become a true Rune Caster to survive the tides of this mysterious transcendent world, instead of being washed away like flotsam."
…
Night fell.
In the underground alchemy lab beneath 155 Old Stone Street…
"Whew…" Gune exhaled, looking at the three vials of cerulean liquid.
"Blue Ice Princess." A low-level, high-quality ice-type potion. One vial would chill an ordinary person to the bone even on the hottest summer day. Two vials would freeze their body solid. Three would send their soul straight to the afterlife.
For Ice Elementalists, however, it was a potent source of elemental energy, a replenishing "mana potion."
"Is that… Blue Ice Princess?" Meesha's eyes widened as she watched the azure liquid being poured into the vials.
"You recognize it?"
"They mentioned it when they talked about cultivating Face Flowers. Blue Ice Princess is one of the best potions for them. I've seen pictures." Meesha whispered, pointing to the empty space at the top of the vials. "Yours is much prettier than the pictures. There are tiny snowflakes swirling inside. So cute!"
Gune handed her the three vials in a small paper bag. "Be careful. Don't touch the liquid directly. It's extremely cold."
"I know. Thank you!" Meesha expressed her gratitude with a slightly awkward curtsy.
After she left, Old Coen emerged from the shadows at the bottom of the stairs. Gune had sensed his presence earlier, but Meesha, despite her nascent "extrasensory" abilities, hadn't.
"Something you need?" Gune asked, cleaning his workbench.
"Yes," Coen replied, his voice raspy. "Next week, the academy has a week-long wilderness practicum. I'll be gone the entire time. About the potion brewing…"
"Sales have been slow recently, and you've built up a good supply these past few days. Don't worry about it."
"More importantly, I've heard that those God of Giants cultists have been sighted in Sug Relic City, along with whispers of other factions. Be careful out there. I know you have some skills, but against truly powerful transcendents, your tricks won't be enough. You're not a true transcendent yet."
"Within the city, you're relatively safe, with the instructors around. But in the transcendent wilderness, the plants and creatures are the real danger. Be cautious."
"I will," Gune assured him. He had some experience in the wilderness, and with his cautious nature, any encounter with transcendent flora or fauna was more likely to end badly for them than for him.
…
Late that night, in the secret chamber beneath his house…
After checking the security of the mechanisms, stone door, and hidden entrance, Gune finally relaxed on the cot in the corner. He picked up a thick tome borrowed from the academy library, "In-Depth Analysis of Ancient Transcendent Plants," and began to read.
A competent alchemist needed extensive knowledge of natural and transcendent plants, their variations, and their medicinal properties. Missing a valuable transcendent plant due to ignorance would be a devastating mistake for any aspiring alchemist exploring the mystical and transcendent realms.
…
Meanwhile, moonlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting a pale glow on Meesha's window. She carefully dropped a tiny, withered, fingernail-sized Face Flower seed into a vial of Blue Ice Princess.
Gazing at the seed submerged in the cerulean liquid, she whispered, "Little flower, little flower, grow quickly!"
Chapter 13: Surging Source Energy
The Sug Relic Transcendent Academy's most iconic structure, the Hall of Fame Tower, dominated the skyline. Its deep black, spherical dome, sharp, mechanically elegant spire, and towering height made it visible from ten streets away. Built to commemorate historical figures who had made significant contributions to the academy and transcendent scholarship, the tower also housed various facilities, including the Source Pool Capacity Tester.
Gune, along with Ylair, Lanciel, and He Luo from their small group, stood before the tester. A tall, incredibly thin young man stood before them, his loose clothing hanging off his skeletal frame like a flagpole, giving him a comical appearance. He placed his bony hand on a basketball-sized orb of black silicon crystal.
A moment later, a low hum resonated, and the number "24" appeared on a nearby display. The thin youth nodded in satisfaction. The number represented standard Source Energy units. One unit was equivalent to the energy required to cast a basic four-syllable transcendent spell. 24 meant he could cast such a spell twenty-four times under normal circumstances, excluding any supplemental Source Energy potions.
Of course, in dire situations, when there was no time for potions, mages often resorted to drawing upon the deeper reserves of Source Energy within their bodies. The stronger and more robust the physique, the more one could draw upon these reserves. This "twig of a boy," however, looked like he'd collapse after three or four such attempts. Still, 24 units for a novice was quite respectable.
After his test, the satisfied youth lingered nearby, clearly intending to bask in the attention. Gune recognized the tactic – a blatant attempt to show off. 24 units, twig boy, and you think you're impressive?
Ylair stepped up next. Placing her hand on the orb, she received a reading of 42. Her brow furrowed. "I've been slacking off lately. My progress is too slow," she muttered, clenching her fists. "I need to work harder."
The twig boy's eyes widened. Ylair's Source Energy capacity dwarfed his own.
Gune calmly approached the tester, placing his hand on the orb. It hummed, and the number "64" appeared. The twig boy, defeated, covered his face and shuffled away.
Ylair, Lanciel, and He Luo stared at Gune in astonishment. Even the other spellcasters in line—Rune Casters, Elementalists, and Contractors—began to murmur.
Gune himself was slightly surprised. Just a month ago, his capacity had been 44. Now, it had soared to 64, a testament to the power of the [Cyberna Source Pool] he was idling.
"As expected… a mid-level Source Pool cultivation technique is formidable. The Cyberna Source Pool method, combined with my strong physique, is producing remarkable results!" he thought. "50 units is the entry point for a Rank 1 Rune Caster, and I'm well on my way to 100, the threshold for Rank 2. And I haven't even opened my Source Pool yet. Once I do…" Gune's eyes narrowed, a smile playing on his lips.
"I recently acquired a Source Pool cultivation technique. It's been quite helpful," he murmured, ostensibly to himself, but loud enough for others to hear.
"A terrifying fellow indeed," someone muttered.
Lanciel and He Luo completed their tests. Lanciel's capacity reached 82, unsurprising given her near-transcendent status, likely due to her connection with a Transcendent Artifact. He Luo also scored well, with 38 units.
Later that evening, under the guidance of their instructor, over sixty spellcasting students boarded a transcendent steam train bound for the northern mines.
Unlike the 1435mm standard gauge of Gune's previous world, derived from the width of two horses' hindquarters, this world's tracks were 2655mm wide, based on the considerably larger posterior of a Blackhorn Brutebull. History, it seemed, had a way of rhyming, even across worlds.
The wider gauge resulted in massive train cars, five meters wide, five and a half meters high, and forty-five to fifty meters long. Each car was a behemoth, capable of carrying a large number of passengers. Half a car easily accommodated all the students.
The train let out a low, mournful whistle, followed by the rhythmic clang of metal on metal as it slowly started moving. The students chatted, laughed, and played games like Cthulhu Run, while Gune quietly watched the wilderness roll by.
In his past life, people could freely drive into the wilderness, exploring vast prairies, towering mountains, desolate deserts, and boundless oceans. But in this world, the transcendent wilderness was a dangerous place, teeming with powerful plants, creatures, malevolent spirits, and fierce tribes. Venturing into the wilds unprepared was tantamount to offering oneself as a meal.
These practical lessons in the wilderness were a rare opportunity for Gune to appreciate the natural beauty of this world.
"Hey, Gune, what are you thinking about?" Paul's large hand landed heavily on Gune's shoulder.
Gune subtly shrugged off the hand. "If you want to test my strength, just say so. We can spar when we get off the train."
"Ha ha," Paul chuckled, his little scheme exposed. "Nothing like that."
Paul Kerchagin, the self-proclaimed Philosopher Knight, lived by the philosophy of "might makes right." His favorite saying was, "When my hammer shatters your skull, you'll realize you owe me an apology." This attitude had gotten him into trouble more than once, but his Behemoth bloodline, wealth, and noble status usually smoothed things over. However, he had never gained the upper hand against Gune.
Within their small group, Paul was the tank, relying on his Behemoth heritage and transcendent equipment for defense. Ailee was a master of stealth and assassination, one of the academy's top Shadow Walkers. Lanciel, with her near-transcendent power and abundant Source Energy, was a force to be reckoned with. But even among these talented individuals, Gune remained the undisputed strongest.