‘A Rune Champion huh?’
Rolan clasped his hands together in a cross pattern over his chest as he scanned the data projected onto his helmet display. He had just returned from the dungeon expedition after assembling the teleportation gate. While Agni, Armand, and the rest of the group remained in the dungeon, he was here to ensure the gate in the city was functioning properly. He did not want people traveling directly into his underground workshop, so the union had been tasked with assembling one within Albrook. At the same time, he descended into the dungeon to serve as the main defender. The monsters there had mostly been defeated, and as long as no one entered the elemental temples, everything would be fine.
Once he returned, Roland encountered his brother, Robert, undergoing his tier-3 ascension trial. In one of the levels of his workshop, he had created a special area for skill training, which Robert had been using to level up his tier-2 skills. Roland wasn’t sure what to expect from his "older" sibling, but he was pleasantly surprised by his unique class, which seemed to be a type of knight class focused on runic equipment. The trial description suggested that Robert would gain the ability to use runic equipment more efficiently. Roland knew well how powerful such equipment could become, especially if the user possessed the skills to reduce the mana required to activate runic components.
‘He might be expecting a lot from me… would be best not to disappoint him.’
As he rode the elevator up he thought about how his brother focused on this new class. It was clear that Robert only received it due to the vassal title and that he was expecting custom-made equipment in the future, something he would need to tackle if he made it through.
‘I suppose, I will need to step up to that challenge. What type of runes are best for dueling that will fit him?’
Though he couldn’t directly assist his brother during the ascension trial, he could still guide him through it. His mind held the knowledge of a vast array of runic spells, along with techniques to customize them for more effective results. If he were the runesmith in the trial, he could likely craft something to overpower his enemies, but that wasn’t the point. The trial required Robert to master the right combinations himself, and teaching him those would be no easy task. Robert was a traditional carrier knight, accustomed to relying on others, like his squire or whatever the military personnel had available, for his equipment. Only Knight Commanders enjoyed the privilege of requesting custom gear, and he hadn’t yet attained that rank.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a sprawling view of wind turbines scattered across his backyard. Without hesitation, he stepped out, heading into his home to grab a pencil and a notebook before making his way toward the city. As he walked, his hand moved swiftly, scribbling runes, sketches of armor, and designs for rune-covered swords.
‘This should be helpful.’
His wrist moved rapidly as it became a blur as he tried to compile a guide. Every rune, every intricate curve, had been painstakingly rendered on the pages of his notebook. He had to think from the perspective of a knight, not a runesmith. There was a certain macro pattern to runic spells and knowing the larger runic symbols would help Robert to identify what the enchantment was. It was clear that if he wanted to achieve that new class, he would need to know what he was dealing with during combat and be able to devise strategies to go against enchantments.
‘This should do it…’
“You there.”
“Sir High Commander!”
“Take this to my estate, It has to reach Sir Durendal’s hands.”
“As you command!”
He had taken a walk to the city and within half an hour filled out the sixty page notebook with all sorts of basic rune combinations and explanations. He could still do more but this would be enough to keep Robert busy for a few days. Once done, he handed it over to one of the soldiers who sped off into the distance as if his life depended on it.
‘Now then, I should get back to work…’
Roland stepped forward, his mithril boots clacking against the pavement as he approached a large, heavily guarded building. Two guards pushed open the massive doors, while behind him towering stone walls hid what he was looking at. The structure was built from thick slabs of reinforced stone, further strengthened by layers of earth magic. Inside, his gaze immediately landed on the large circular gate at the center of the room–the one the Dwarven Union had been working to establish.
“Aye, the High Commander has finally graced us. I reckon we can begin?”
Brylvia stood waiting for him, large goggles strapped to her forehead as she waved him over. She had been tasked with assembling the gate while he was away. Thanks to the small loan Arthur had secured, they had managed to gather all the necessary materials in record time. The project had put the city deep into the red, but once the dungeon farm was operational, Roland believed they could recover their losses in less than half a year.
“Is it ready?”
“Aye.”
Both of them nodded at each other and the final test began. Roland’s gaze never left the large, circular structure as Brylvia activated the final sequence. The runes carved along its outer rim flared to life, each glowing rune feeding into a central cascade of light. Slowly, the heart of the gate transformed, what was once a cold, inert disk now rippled with a fluid, water-like surface of mana. It shimmered in hues of deep blue and silver, its movements flowing with grace before a burst of energy illuminated everything. He paused, mesmerized by the sight. Even though he had seen this phenomenon before, it was always a brilliant display of magical technology.
‘Remarkable, it’s always a sight to behold…’
He thought to himself while the dwarves scrambled around the gate, taking measurements to ensure its stability. He conducted his own scan and confirmed that everything was in order. The gate was connected to a large panel with a flat display, similar to the ones in his own workshop. On the screen, the operating system managed by Sebastian ran complex calculations.
“All rune signs operating at an acceptable rate. It’s a success!”
Cheers erupted from the team involved in the project, their fists pumping the air in celebration. But Roland’s eyes never left the gate. The massive, circular portal pulsed before him, signifying that a major phase of the project had been completed. Though this gate had been constructed from lesser materials and had a limited range, it was enough to initiate the second phase of their plan.
“Send the signal.”
His voice cut through the cheers, booming with authority. One of the dwarves at the console immediately straightened up, the excitement fading as everyone snapped back to work. The gate was now fully active, and soon, the first person stepped through.
“Why do I have to go first… I always lose to her, she must be cheating, but how?”
It was Armand, grumbling as he unwillingly tested the teleportation system. His presence on the other side confirmed their success. They could now transport people back and forth without leaving a trace. Without a visible trail of miners leading into the dungeon, no one would suspect what was happening.
‘Now then, how much should we siphon without reporting it to the duke? ’
Arthur had grown comfortable living on the edge, knowing that to win the culling competition he would have to be discreet. Technically, the underground dungeon belonged to the Valerian estate and the Adventurer’s Guild, meaning any operations conducted by the book would require splitting profits with both entities. However, with the Guild Master’s cooperation at a much smaller price, they could withhold a portion of their earnings.
‘Best to spread it around. Some to trusted merchants, others to the Thieves’ Guild. They have plenty of things we could trade for. Once we have enough, then we can start taxing it properly.’
This was a risky move, and they would need to remain vigilant against potential spies. Fortunately, the entire dungeon was under his control, as was the city itself. While he was not particularly fond of monitoring the entire territory along with its residents, he saw it as a necessary evil. Only through careful oversight could they protect everyone from spies and the abyssal cultists.
“Armand, there is more work to do, I need you to safeguard the next shipment.”
“Ahh, there is no rest for the handsome, is there?”
Armand shrugged and smiled as he headed out the door. Now that the initial expedition group could return, they would begin turning the entire level into a proper farming ground. They needed to transport all the turret parts, then clear out the five temples once again. Once that was done, Roland would finally face the boss chamber one more time before sending the dwarven miners to break through that strange wall. He did not know what lay behind it, but he was certain it was important.
‘This might still take a while. I wonder if Robert will be able to rank up before then. His cooldown should be shorter than mine. ’
*****
“So, this is a general flame rune… and this is a water rune, right?”
“Ah, great! You’re finally starting to get it but this is just the beginning, so pay attention!”
“Uh… sure.”
While Roland continued his work, Robert was fully engrossed in his studies. Sitting before him was Lucille, the woman he adored most in this world. However, her usual warmth was replaced by a stern gaze. She had tied her hair into a ponytail and, for some reason, decided to wear glasses. In one hand, she held a stick, using it to point at the blackboard covered in notes and diagrams. Robert had been stuck here for several hours, and he was already questioning whether this new class was worth being bored to death.
“Hey, are you even listening?”
“Y-yes!”
Robert jumped up as his thoughts drifted elsewhere. Meanwhile, Lucille continued smacking the blackboard, treating him as though he were her personal student. In her other hand, she held a notebook, the one that his brother had apparently prepared for his studies. There was a lot of material to cover, but if he wanted to advance to a Tier-3 class, this was likely a necessary step.
“Oh, look at the time. Why don’t we take a small break?”
Fortunately, Lucille understood the importance of pacing things properly. They had moved from the underground workshop to their current living quarters within the city. Robert knew he couldn’t impose on his brother forever, so they had chosen one of the better homes in the wealthier part of the city, near Arthur’s estate. For now, he was still maintaining the facade of being one of Arthur’s knights, but perhaps once he reached Tier-3, he would earn the rank of commander himself.
The living quarters, elegant yet utilitarian, had been rearranged into a makeshift study. On a low oak table lay several pieces of metal, each meticulously inscribed with runes that glowed faintly under the soft lamplight. They were teaching aids made for him so that he could see the runes in action. What he needed to learn was to identify these larger structures properly so when facing an armored opponent using these enchantments he would be ready to react instantly.
For a moment, he wondered if all of this was worth the trouble. Perhaps it would be easier to pursue the path of a ‘Sword Champion’ instead. The class still carried its own prestige, and he was not entirely certain he would remain in Albrook forever. Roland had given both of them the freedom to choose their own paths, and they were free to leave at any time.
However, after watching his brother work tirelessly day and night, Robert felt a flush of embarrassment. He had always thought of himself as hardworking, but seeing Roland push himself without rest almost every day had ignited something in him. Inspired, he resolved himself to push forward. He would pass this test and become something greater than he had ever imagined. It was not about being passable anymore. He wanted to be exceptional—just like his younger brother, Roland, who never seemed to stop.
“Now then, let us resume, shall we?”
“Yes, honey.”
Robert nodded and resumed his practice. Time continued to tick by as he remained focused on his studies. Although he eventually gained access to the ascension trial, he chose to continue learning first. Over time, he was also provided with additional study aids, including clarity potions that helped him memorize texts more easily. Fortunately, they did not make his stomach churn as much as the mana recovery potions did.
On another day, Robert sat back in his chair, glancing at the pieces of enchanted armor spread out before him. His eyes scanned the intricate runes carved into the metal, trying to make sense of the pulsating patterns. Lucille stood next to him, a gentle but firm presence, her arms folded as she watched him closely.
"Alright, Robert."
Lucille said, her voice stern but encouraging.
"What do you see in these designs?"
He furrowed his brow, tracing his fingers over one of the armor pieces—a pauldron adorned with several faintly glowing symbols.
"It looks like... this one is a defensive rune. It’s got a layered structure. The outermost ones seem to fortify the material itself, while the inner ones might boost my endurance or redirect impact forces."
Lucille nodded approvingly.
"Good. You’re starting to see the bigger picture. These are the basics of what you’ll need to understand in battle. The strength of runes isn't always in the raw power they unleash, but how well they work together. How about this chest-plate?”
Robert shifted his gaze to the chestplate in front of him, a more intricate piece than the pauldron. He could see at least three different types of runes running across its surface, some interwoven which made it harder to pinpoint the use. He leaned in closer, squinting at the chest plate before gently running his fingers over the complex, rune patterns. Sometimes, the runes were so close to each other that it was hard to make sense of them but they always had a somewhat defined structure.
“Hm, this looks like some kind of array of multi-buffing runes, probably designed to increase strength, speed, and vitality.”
“That’s almost correct! But there’s also a flame shield rune imbued here on the side.”
“Ah…”
Robert realized he had missed one of the runes, which was partly hidden on the edge of the plate. Thanks to Roland, he had learned a technique to identify most runes and understand where they were typically placed. By leaning in closer, he could even sense the magical traces, and he knew that with more study, he might eventually be able to pinpoint the critical areas to disable the enchantments during combat. However, his current knowledge was still mostly limited to regular runes and didn’t extend to anything too specific.
“Don’t be discouraged, you are learning rather fast!”
“It’s all thanks to those potions and Roland’s notes make it rather easy to grasp.”
He was somewhat satisfied with his current progress, but he didn’t feel it was quite enough either. His studies continued, supplemented by specially prepared combat scenarios with his brother’s help. However, the best way to improve was still to attempt the ascension trial again. After the first week and a few days had passed, he finally decided to give it another try. Even if he failed, he would at least have more insider knowledge.
“Are you ready, Robert?”
“Yes.”
“Remember to look out for anything that seems out of place. There may be a way to prepare countermeasures for your opponents before choosing your runes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the illusory people there, they might even give you a hint.”
He replied to his brother who just found some time for him after returning from another day at the dungeon.
“I will. Thank you for the advice.”
Finally, the time came to resume the trial. Roland and Lucille were with him as he sat down and activated the ascension crystal, transporting him back to the usual training area. After stepping through the door once again, he was guided to the same strange armored lord and given the same speech. He was then instructed to go see the runesmith and prepare.
“Hm, anything out of place? The whole thing looks out of place.”
As he walked, he stopped himself from heading straight for the rune forge. Instead, he paused to look around, hoping that somewhere in this vast castle or even on the grounds outside, he might find a clue about who he would be facing and what runes they favored to exploit a weakness.
205