The Runic Alchemist

Damian was excited to visit 'The Path Taken' to see what would happen if he completed the unfinished runic array. But before he could savor the end of Runesmithing class, he was called to stay behind with Reize. A knight apprentice then escorted them both to another area, far from the classroom—the living quarters for the staff.

However, they didn't enter the room emanating an intense heat that Damian could feel even from outside.

'The Runefather's smithy..? Damn. Why won't they let us in?' he wondered. Then again, perhaps it was to keep people like him—those who could replicate things after a single glance—away.

Moments later, the Runefather stepped out, handing his leather apron to the knight apprentice. The man grinned as he approached them and gestured for them to follow.

Reize fell into step behind him without a word, so Damian followed as well. After walking far enough to reach another open square, the same as the morning assembly took place in, beneath a tall tree in the middle, the breeze gently swayed their hair. Finally, the Runefather spoke.

"Did you enjoy the class?"

"It was okay... Considering it's for beginners," Reize answered.

The Runefather turned his gaze to Damian.

"A bit too basic. Granted, it's for beginners, but if they've made it to their fifth year, they should already know the fundamentals. A more practical approach would teach far better than theory and hold the attention of teens more effectively," Damian replied, voicing his exact thoughts.

"Damn, you didn't hesitate at all," Reize said, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Hahaha!" The Runefather laughed heartily. "Yes, those two do get hung up on fundamentals. I agree—only with a hammer in hand can a true runesmith learn."

He continued, "Seeing your work, I have a proposal for both of you."

"Oh? Does this mean I can work on my baby?" Reize asked excitedly.

"Yes and no."

Her excitement deflated instantly. Watching her fluffy ears go from 100 to 0 in seconds was almost comical.

The Runefather chuckled and explained, "Your project has already raised too many eyebrows, and the High Table has decided to let it rest for this year. You can start something new, though. If it shows promise within two months, we'll fund all your needs. For starters, you each have a 100-gold budget."

He gently patted Reize's head, then turned to Damian.

"The same goes for you." He paused briefly before adding, "Your runes—there's nothing similar to them in any kingdom's history. And their size... Care to tell me where you learned such things?"

There it was. The thing Damian wanted the most with these people, leverage.

"Sure," he replied innocently, "if you can tell me how to use more mana in my runes than my tiny body holds—and the exact ratio of that premium alloy you guys have been working on."

For a moment, the two locked eyes, the wind rustling around them. Reize's breathing grew heavier beside him. Then, the Runefather grinned like an evil protagonist, releasing a sliver of his aura.

Damian stood firm, unflinching, without using any mana coating at all. This much pressure was nothing.

The Runefather increased the pressure, and Damian remained unfazed. On the third increase, Damian felt a slight weight on his shoulders, but Reize crumpled to the ground. The Runefather immediately ceased, helping her up and apologizing.

'This guy... seems sane.'

All the third rankers Damian had met till now had this crazy personalities, unpredictable nature, as if the man or woman on the outside and the power inside had two distinct personalities. But not Runefather. He seemed whole.

In fact, none of the three third ranker's mana that Damian could sense gave that ominous evil feeling that he was used to getting from the normal third rankers. Maybe it's because Vidalia, Threadripper and Hellstorm were people with lots of kill counts behind them. Perhaps it was because they were Highsword knights, who primarily fought monsters rather than humans. Or maybe it was because the Runefather was a runesmith.

After helping Reize find a place to sit and catch her breath, the Runefather turned back to Damian.

"Fine. We get the message. You can keep your secrets. We won't pry. For the term, your lab will be your private space. You have my word, I am still a knight after all.. And you are still a guest here.."

Damian simply nodded.

"But know this: the work you do here is our responsibility. We won't allow anything that threatens the realm, no matter how skilled a runesmith you are."

"Don't worry. I don't make weapons. That's for children.." Damian replied nonchalantly.

"Hahaha! You are one amusing kid, Morph Vialist.."

"Maximus. That's a lame title," Damian corrected.

"Well, that's what you're known as now. The Empire, Dawnstar, even the underground are in disarray over your potions. Their application is simple, but the potential for danger is enormous if not handled carefully. If you sell the rights, we'll give you more gold than you could spend in 300 years—even living as a noble."

"Too many people already hate me. No point in adding elves to the list. Besides, I gave my word. It may not hold the weight of a knight's, but it still counts for something," Damian replied politely. Courage on the side, respect was still needed to be given to these old monsters.

"You two can skip my class, You have no need for it after all.. Build something to be proud of—something that does good in the world, not something that takes more lives."

Both Damian and Reize nodded, bowing slightly as the Runefather walked away, leaving them outside the staff living quarters.

They exchanged grins like fools before heading to inspect their new labs, complete with private smithies. Each had a mana-recognition enchantment on the door.

Still, Damian wasn't about to trust that. He'd give the place a complete security overhaul before doing anything significant. At least here, the ever-present sensation of being watched was gone. He could sense the mana of all the people in the lined up lab rooms, next to each other.