By meditating on it, he didn't just refine his understanding of the craft—it allowed him to explore the very essence of the ability. Every mage came to the Shadowed Palace for this reason: to deepen their connection with their core and grow in alignment with their magic.
The energy between the orb and his core flowed naturally, like an ongoing conversation between the two. With every moment spent navigating the patterns the orb represented, Evan felt his core sharpen, as though it were approving of his insights. The refinement wasn't dramatic, but it was undeniable—a steady honing that made him feel closer to his potential.
As Evan delved deeper, images of his recent battles surfaced in his mind: Teral's Light Body, a skill that transformed him into an untouchable blur of speed and precision; Arvid's Defensive Form, a manifestation of his ability to control and manipulate his environment to devastating effect. These weren't just techniques—they were turning points, abilities that had changed the flow of combat entirely.
"Those forms weren't just flashy displays," Evan thought. "They were strategies built into their cores. Tools that allowed them to dominate the battlefield."
He let the thought linger, reflecting on his own abilities. Evan had always considered himself methodical, someone who grew by refining his techniques and understanding. But even with the orb at his side, the idea of mastering abilities like Teral's or Arvid's felt daunting. Learning and perfecting skills like those would take years of practice, discipline, and endless experimentation. Yet, a new idea began to form in his mind.
"What if I didn't have to master a form like theirs from the ground up?" he wondered, his gaze locked on the orb. "What if I could create something similar—something key—but built entirely through runes?"
The concept was bold. Evan imagined using runes to emulate the benefits of a defensive stance or an offensive burst of power, not through years of training but by inscribing and channeling their effects directly onto himself. He wouldn't need to shape a complex form; instead, he would craft runic sequences designed to give him immediate advantages in battle, enhancing his physical and magical capabilities in specific ways.
Evan let his thoughts drift further. Runes, when properly designed, could guide and stabilize magical energy. He had already proven that with his experiments in Runic Forging. If he could create runes that mimicked the essence of abilities like Defensive Form, why couldn't he inscribe those runes directly onto his body? He envisioned runes etched into his skin, channeling energy through his core to give him temporary boosts of strength, speed, or resilience.
"It would be like having a toolkit built into me," Evan realized. "Not a single transformation, but a set of enhancements I can activate as needed."
He could see the potential immediately. A defensive rune could stabilize his core during a fight, reducing the impact of incoming attacks. An offensive rune might enhance his reflexes or amplify the force of his magic for a decisive strike. These wouldn't replace the depth of a fully realized form like Teral's or Arvid's, but they could serve as a stepping stone—an advantage that was uniquely his.
Evan's focus intensified as he visualized the possibilities. He began sketching runic patterns in his mind, starting with the basics: Compression, Flow, and Reinforcement. These were foundational concepts that could be adapted to create defensive layers or bursts of power. He imagined layering these runes in sequences that would resonate with his core, drawing energy directly from it to fuel their effects.
Each rune would have to be carefully designed. A poorly balanced rune could disrupt his energy flow or weaken him at a critical moment. But if done correctly, the runes could act as extensions of his core, augmenting his abilities in ways that felt natural and seamless.
"This isn't just about creating runes," Evan thought. "It's about creating a system—a way to use my core more effectively without relying on traditional spells or forms."
He let the orb's glow center him as he considered the challenges ahead. Creating runes for his body would require a level of precision he hadn't yet achieved. He would need to test each pattern rigorously, ensuring it worked in harmony with his core. And even then, the energy required to sustain these runes might be more than his current strength could handle.
But the potential outweighed the risks. If he succeeded, he wouldn't just be a mage refining his craft—he'd be creating something entirely new.
As the light of the orb pulsed steadily before him, Evan felt a deep sense of purpose settle over him. The Shadowed Palace seemed to echo his resolve, the silence around him amplifying his thoughts.
"This is why I'm here," Evan realized. "To push beyond what's expected. To create something that's mine."
He closed his eyes, letting the vision of his runic system solidify in his mind. The path ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but for the first time, Evan felt like he had the tools to carve his own way forward.
With the orb hovering close to his core and the Shadowed Palace surrounding him in its quiet strength, Evan allowed himself to rest, ready for the next step in his journey.
Evan sat cross-legged in his tent, the hum of his core resonating softly in his mind. The Projection Engine, a virtual replica of Cedric's core created through Evan's deep understanding of projection magic, floated vividly in his mental space. It was a simpler construct compared to the Ember Engine, requiring only a few hours of focused effort to replicate its subproducts—Projection Core, Ethereal Binding, Material Resonance, Durability Spark, and Energy Efflux. Its purpose was clear: to simulate Cedric's core and serve as a testing ground for new enhancements.
Evan had one goal: create a runic framework to optimize Cedric's magic. But rather than test each combination manually, he instructed his core to run simulations, using the Projection Engine as the foundation. This approach would allow him to iterate through hundreds of potential designs rapidly while he focused on refining his understanding in the Shadowed Palace.
Evan activated Simulate, projecting the Projection Engine into his mental space. The instructions to his core were precise: test prototypes for stability, energy flow, and construct efficiency. The simulations would focus on:
Stabilizing Constructs – Ensuring Cedric's projections held their form under stress.
Improving Energy Flow – Smoothing power delivery to avoid inefficiencies.
Enhancing Adaptability – Allowing Cedric to quickly adjust between small, precise tools and large-scale constructs.
As his core began cycling through potential designs, Evan leaned back and closed his eyes. He allowed his consciousness to slip into the Shadowed Palace.