How long was I stuck in that flashback portion of the [Hidden Quest]?
After I reaffirm my goals once more, I run back to the altar room as fast as I can. I have a feeling that Yur1 might have progressed nicely into it so far, so I better pick up the pace or I might lag behind. Also, I'm a bit worried about Wind. It’s been a few hours and he might be in some kind of a crazy [Quest] while this is going on. "The faster I can finish this, the better," is what I would say, but I know my big brother and he's not the type to be beaten down by monsters with fists alone. Words, I can't say, but it's better right now to focus on my own thing than worry about my brother and friend for too long.
I manage to arrive back in the altar room. Running is not my thing, not even in [Isekai]. So I have to catch my breath even if I'm currently in a body made of data. However, I look around and notice that Sentio isn't in this room at the moment. Is it because he left to observe my abilities or something? Although the room doesn’t remain empty for long, I notice a note left on the altar. I pick it up and read what it says.
[I think you know what's next, young
Good luck.
Yeah, I get the gist. I don't think I need a hint for it since I’ve learned everything from the world's past and my goal from the start. The real question is what I want for it. This [Sign] has to represent me and me alone. No, scratch that, everything that represents my journey both here and in real life. It's not just Wind who helped me a lot. His friends, Star, Azel, Ol' Wally, and even Yuri. Everyone has helped me be myself in this game and be who I want. Most importantly, they give me a reason to be strong and stand up on my own two feet. To fight on the same level as my brother.
I know what [Sign] I want.
The first thing I do is take out my journal and something I bought from the general store.
> [Charcoal Pencil]
>
> [A writing utensil composed of a charcoal core covered in a wooden casing that allows them to sketch and write. Everything written will be erased with the right tool.
>
> Quality: 10]
I would have asked Wind to make one for me, but I learned from Azel that making one requires a lot of items and we can't use charcoal from his [Guild Crafting Hall]. As for the said journal, it's the one I usually use for taking notes related to crafting and [Quest]-related clues. I'm still not sure if this is right or not, but I would rather not lose my notes if I use the first one for the final phase of the ceremony.
Back to the main topic, I start sketching my potential [Sign] on an empty page. I'm trying to find some references from my [Book of Presence] since it also has a special dictionary section from when I flipped through the pages while I was resting. If I recall, there are some [Signs] that are based on the previous ones, as well as combining them to create meaning. It's somehow similar to Japanese Kanji. I initially thought that you could combine some Hiragana characters to create some pronunciations. But thanks to my mom, I learned you can recognize a Kanji a bit easier if you imagine those images based on the translation alone. One example is "neko" or "cat" in English. The Kanji seems to have a tail like a cat, so I imagine the Kanji as that said animal.
Using that logic alone, I might draw a rune based on the image I wanted and the runes that already exist in the game's past. Some are interesting, but it's a bit overwhelming over which one should I base on for my [Sign].
My idea is that I want my [Sign] to represent who I am. A child who once lived in isolation, but was protected by the one whom they looked up to the most. And because of that person, they now have the strength to stand up for themselves and become stronger in their own right. Enough for them to become their idol someday.
Eventually, I run into a few [Signs] and runes in the book.
[Youth]
[Hope]
[Goal]
[Preserverance]
[The Strength to Share]
These runes... Two of them look like wind and a tornado with one looking like a lightning bolt. They look awesome alone on paper. But is there any way I can make something out of them? There's a lot of trial and error when making these, so I take my time sketching out some good [Signs]. It only takes me half an hour to draw a few in my journal, but none of them sit right with me. Most of them are copies at best and scribbles at their worst. I don't know what to choose from all of them. I don't want to humiliate myself by showing my half-baked drawings in public. I keep drawing and drawing, trying to find the right one for me.
It’s not until I draw the last one that my brain finally clicks.
It resembles a tornado and a lightning bolt, but I add a few spikes in the bottom like in those Flur-de-lis things I saw in those regal wallpapers online. I then add two circles outside it and a few curvy lines. I feel like I'm on to something, so I redraw it, removing the spikes and circles since they might not make sense and after two more attempts, I finally get it. My very own [Sign].
Time to put it into action.
----------------------------------------
[So how's the test so far?]
Dux turned to his hooded companion while watching footage of Kazu in the altar room from the crystal.
"Kazu finished observing one of the [Sign's] past," he answered. "Right now, he's working on his [Sign] to prepare for the final phase of the ceremony."
The hooded figure took a closer look at the crystal. [But he's making a tome in the middle of the ceremony...]
Dux smiled at her comment. "Well, he is new with [Sign Creation]..."
[As with other children participating in the ceremony...]
"But we recall that he has an uncanny talent to discover anything unorthodox related to magic itself. From [Magecrafting] methods to his unique fighting style when fighting against an opponent mirroring his elements, he has come a long way since his induction as an [Adventurer]."
[If you say so...] The hooded figure said as they leaned against their chair. [But he is still another [Insignis] child. What difference does he make in this ceremony?]
The man kept smiling and continued watching the crystal footage. "Plenty."
----------------------------------------
Okay, this is it. I have everything with me. [Sparking Mana Ink] and [Gale Mana Ink], an empty journal I made earlier, the [Tempest Quill Pen] and [Volt Quill Pen], and something I made at the last minute.
> [Tome of Gale]
>
> [A special enchantment tome specifically made for [Wind]-related magical tools. As it was made only for [Magecrafting], it is not for combat use.
>
> Creator:
>
> Quality: 19]
I don't know if a tome is necessary for a [Sign], but I don't have a [Thunder] or [Wind] staff with me and I would rather not take any risks that involve exploding electricity again. To be honest, this is still a guessing game for me since I don't know much about [Signs] other than the one I learned from that flashback with Origia. However, I'm not gonna hesitate any longer. This is not a story of me being a victim of bullying anymore. This is the story of Kazu, a young magician aiming to discover and change the world with his friends.
"Alright, let's start the show."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
I take a deep breath as I open the empty journal on the first page. I focus my [Mana] into my [Tempest Quill Pen] first and start drawing the first half of my [Sign] with the [Gale Mana Ink]. Back in the flashback, Origia didn't use any incantation to create the [Signs]. But when I read the book after I got out, I learned that some of them were made during the modern era. So it doesn't take long for me to try chanting them with a few twists of my own.
"Gods of
Now comes the hard part. There's a lot of improvisation on the part of this incantation, so I have to word it carefully.
"In the ink and pen forged by the gale, I write the representation of freedom and hope, the dream I wish to make a reality! I want to walk on my own two feet and stand by my allies as their equal."
I switch my quill pen to [Volt Quill Pen] and [Sparking Mana Ink] next and start to draw the last half of my [Sign].
"In the ink and pen forged by the spark, I write the representation of determination and connection, the hope I wish to have for myself and my loved ones! My future is uncertain, but I will fly through the obstacles as long as I'm not alone in my journey!"
Once I finish it, I release more of my [Mana] into my staff as my potential [Sign] starts floating in front of me. It's getting bigger and my journal is glowing a mix of blue and green. It looks like it's coming to an end and I have to do it with a bang.
"With this new mark, I shall make my name and follow my path without straying from it. Let the spell manifest through my new symbol into the world I cherish and protect! I call it..."
The mark begins to glow brighter and brighter as I keep my focus on my staff and magic.
"...[Rising Tempest]!"
That's it. That's the name of my first [Sign]. I put down my staff as I feel exhaustion starting to reel within me. How much [MP] did I use to make one [Sign]?! I get why Origia almost...got [Mana Exhaustion]. Either way, I don't think I can do anything more to it any further. I look up and watch the journal glow faint blue before it levitates right next to the rune. Both of them hum loudly as the [Sign] starts to merge into the third page of the journal. I figure that it’s all over until I notice something is happening to the first and second pages. The wisps start to write in [Symbol Speech] along with numbers on the side in the second. It's as if they are making a title page and a table of contents.
Lastly, the [Mana] then starts writing on the journal's leather cover. It also draws stars and a moon around it, as well as a cloud with a thunderbolt on the top. In the middle and on top of the runes, it draws my [Sign] as a final touch. When the glow is gone, I can see what's written on the cover.
image [https://i.imgur.com/6GfZtbM.png]
[Rising Tempest Sign Journal]
That's...the name of my new journal. My very own [Sign Journal]... I can't believe it, but I’ve managed to complete the [Sign Creation]. I did it! All of my own!
> [Rising Tempest Sign Journal]
>
> [A [Sign Journal] created by an [Insignis] named
>
>
I gasp as soon as I see the journal's item description. That last line might be a bit much, but I'm glad I'm the only one who can use it. If anyone can steal it... well... it would be all over for me. But what about my [Sign]?
> [SIGN CREATION COMPLETE!]
>
> [Congratulations! You have successfully created a [Sign], [Rising Tempest].]
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> [Rising Tempest] Rank 1
>
> [A [Sign] representing the youth's journey to discovery and hope. When it's [Unleashed], it will release a spell of a gale that fires several sparks of electricity to a line of enemies. This spell is considered as a [Wind] and [Thunder] element.]
Wait, not only is my [Sign] a special spell that doesn't need an incantation, but it counts as a [Wind] and [Thunder] elemental spell?! And what is a [Rank]? I wish I could ask more about it, but the pop-ups don't stop there.
> [NOTICE]
>
> [Because you have learned your very first [Sign], you have learned a new [Mastery], [Sign Creation].]
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> [Sign Creation Mastery]
>
> [This special [Mastery] allows you to create [Signs], custom spells in a form of a rune of your own creation.
>
> Because it's a [Hidden Mastery]. It will not take up space in one of your [Mastery] slots.]
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> [You can view the [Sign Creation] tutorial in your [Tutorial] window.]
"Custom spells"... So that's the real ability of the [Signs]. That's not only powerful but also amazing! But having that power comes with a great cost, right? I better take a closer look at that tutorial later.
[Well, I'll be. I have my doubts along with everyone else, but I never thought it happened.]
I gasp. I turn around to see not only Sentio but two robed guys I had never seen before.
"Sentio! Are those your fellow [Sign Sages]?" I ask.
[Yes. Everyone watched your progress throughout the ceremony and I must have to admit, you have made more surprises than other participants showed in their trials,] Sentio answered. [You are truly a prodigal diamond in the rough.]
Was that an "Aladdin" reference? Either way, I'm glad that they're enjoying my performance. "So does that mean I passed the ceremony?"
[Hmmm... Yes and no.]
"...Excuse me?" What does she mean by "yes and no"?
[Yes, you have finished the ceremony with flying colors. However, you have been summoned to our chambers to meet one of the [Awakened Sages] for your achievements.]
I raise my eyebrow when I hear another term I’ve never heard before. "[Awakened Sage]?"
[They are [Sign Sages] who oversee the [Signs] and the [Sign Creation Ceremonies]. But rather than giving you the context, it's best if we see them in person.] She snaps her fingers and a box suddenly appears right in front of me. [For now, your [Sign Creation Creation] has finished. Congratulations, magician
The box opens by itself and I see what's inside as more pop-ups invade my vision. When I see them, my jaw drops at the sight of what I’ve got.
"Oh my..." And before I finish, another pop-up appears in front of all the others.
> [Hidden Quest: Meet the [Awakened Sage] *
>
> You have earned full graces from the head of the [Sign Sages]. Follow them to meet the [Awakened Sage] in their chambers.]
Well, guess I know what to do next.
[Alright. If you follow us, we will lead you to them immediately.]
The sages walk out of the room where they intend to escort me to the [Awakened Sage] themselves. But there's one problem...
"Hang on! I can't follow you with this box in my hand."
And it's not just that the box that is (too) heavy or big enough to block my eyes that's giving me problems. Is there a function where I can turn off these pop-ups with my mind?!
----------------------------------------
> Current Quest: Sign Creation Ceremony ***
>
> Type: [Hidden]
>
> Status: Complete
>
> Party Member[s]:
>
> [Kazu]
>
> Reward[s]:
>
> [Signatio Passport]
>
> [Mark of the Signed]
>
> [Tome of Runes]
>
> [Guide of Signs]
----------------------------------------
> Current Quest: Meet the [Awakened Sage] *
>
> Type: [Hidden]
>
> Status: In Progress
>
> Party Member[s]:
>
> [Kazu]
----------------------------------------
Kazu's Masteries
[Arcana] Level 21
[Thunder] Level 18
[Wind] Level 15
[Alchemy] Level 18
[Magecrafting] Level 17
[Magical Affinity] Level 20
[Scribe] Level 23
[Earth] Level 10
[Sign Creation] Level 1