In this world, power followed a strict hierarchy, ascending from Initiates through Acolytes, Adepts, Sentinels, Warlords, Mystics, Mythics and ultimately reaching the legendary rank. Albert, remarkably, held the rank of Warlord. More importantly, he possessed a unique advantage his mana remained untainted by corruption, allowing him to purify small amounts daily. Elyn collected these precious drops every twelve hours, storing them in specially made runic seals for future use. Despite these regular extractions, Albert's robust constitution prevented any degradation of his mana capacity.
Under the watchful eye of his butler Albert, Elyn endured tough physical training sessions that pushed the limits of human endurance. These brutal regimens weren't imposed upon him - they were his request . Beyond the physical preparation lay a more ambitious goal the removal of the mysterious chains that bound Albert, a curse that required both tremendous willpower and exceptional precision to break.
His plan involved entering Albert's mindspace to place a custom-designed runic seal. This seal would work gradually, dissolving the curse over six months. However, Elyn's calculations revealed a sobering truth the process would trigger a violent backlash, necessitating another six months of recovery supported by vast mana reserves and sophisticated healing techniques.
Elyn devoted himself to mastering runic sorcery. Starting with basic forms, he reconstructed increasingly complex configurations, transcribing thousands of iterations onto custom-made paper. His progress was accelerated by his "mind's eye," a rare gift that allowed him to visualize and analyze the intricate workings of runes. Yet even this remarkable ability proved insufficient for the preparation and implementation of advanced runic designs. So Elyn conceived a plan to channel his own mind through Albert's, using him as a medium to refine and enhance the runes further.
As weeks turned to months, Elyn's expertise in runic sorcery grew exponentially. He learned to harness the chaotic properties of mana in ways that pushed the boundaries of conventional magic. His experiments often ended in spectacular failures - including numerous explosions that would have levelled their residence had it not been for Albert's quick thinking. Yet each failure brought new insight which led to the creation of increasingly sophisticated seals. His first major breakthrough was the explosive seal - a deceptively ordinary piece of paper that contained enough concentrated power to annihilate peak-tier Adepts. These seals demanded extreme caution in handling, as Elyn learned through costly experience.
Building on this success, Elyn expanded his arsenal to include more specialized seals. He developed variants that functioned like modern flashbangs, creating devastating sensory overload effects that could disorient even experienced warriors and mages. His smoke screen seals proved even more innovative, not only obscuring vision but also interrupting magical perception, making them extremely effective in both combat and stealth situations.
Venturing into the realm of alchemy, Elyn began experimenting with local herbs, including the Bloodthorn, Nightshade Bloom, Gravewort, and Silvervine. By integrating these traditional ingredients with his runic sorcery, he created poisons of increased potency. These weren't simple toxins - they ranged from sophisticated paralytic agents to carefully calibrated fatal poisons that could bypass conventional magical defenses.
Elyn sat there, hunched over a wooden desk that bore the scars of countless failed experiments. Scattered across the table were fragments of charred paper, shattered glass vials, and bits of local herbs—remnants of a night spent testing the limits of alchemical and runic synthesis. His hands, ink-stained and trembling from exertion, carefully traced the contours of a new design on parchment.
The soft click of the door opening broke his concentration. Albert entered silently, a tray balanced with practised ease in his hands. Tea and a modest plate of bread rested on it. His immaculate posture and neutral expression were as steady as ever, but his sharp gaze lingered on Elyn's sunken cheeks and bloodshot eyes.
"Master Elyn," Albert began, setting the tray down with precision. "You've been at this for days. Even you must recognize the need for rest before your body demands it by force."
Elyn didn't look up immediately, his focus fixed on the intricate design before him. "I'm close, Albert," he said, his voice hoarse from disuse. "This seal—if I can stabilize the runic circuits—will dismantle mental defenses up to the Adept rank. Imagine the possibilities. Loyal operatives, unshakable and unquestioning. Perfect for the heist and expedition."
Albert's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And what good will it do if you work yourself to death before finishing it?"
Elyn finally set his quill down, leaning back in his chair with a weary sigh. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, smearing a faint streak of ink across his temple. "I know you're right, Albert," he admitted, though the reluctance in his tone was evident. "But I can feel it. I'm on the brink of something significant."
Albert moved to pour the tea, his motions deliberate and unhurried. The faint aroma like that of mint filled the room, cutting through the sharper scents of herbs and ink. " Master Elyn, a few moments of reprieve will sharpen your edge, not dull it."
Elyn took the cup, the warmth seeping into his hands. He stared into the tea for a moment before taking a tentative sip. The bitterness grounded him, cutting through the fog in his mind.
"Fine , I'll take a short break," he conceded.
Albert allowed the faintest trace of a smile to ghost across his face, a rare and fleeting acknowledgement. "A wise decision, Master Elyn ."
Elyn leaned back further in his chair, closing his eyes for the first time in days. The room fell into silence, the quiet hum of Albert's presence a steadying force against the chaos of his thoughts.