Chapter 73: Runology
September 11th, Year 1420.
After waking up early, Raven practiced spearmanship for an hour and started preparing for departure.
An hour later, he left the master bedroom and soon saw Emanuel walking along the corridor while holding a file.
"What is it?" Raven asked curiously.
"This file has all the information you asked about the shops that sell Magical Beast corpses, My Lord." Emanuel paused for a second and added.
"Due to Wizard Alliance's restriction on selling magical items and materials to mortals, the best we can get in the normal shops are Mutated ones. Even those corpses cost around 5000 gold coins in the market. But we can get even Rank-2 or Rank-3 Corpses in the black-market auction houses."
Saying so, he took a document from the file and gave it to him.
"Seven Calls in Bloodstone City is a famous black-market organization that even auctions peak rank Rank-2 Magical Beasts every weekend. However, to participate in this auction, one needs the recommendation badge of a Seven Calls member." As he spoke, he took out a badge-like emblem and gave it to him.
"This is the recommendation badge I got from your friend when I asked about the details in the Mercenary guild, My Lord. You can use it."
“A friend of mine has a connection with someone from the Bloodstone City? Isn’t it situated near the Great Hillcrow Woodlands, considered one of the seven dangerous places in the empire?” Raven asked.
[There is a trace of shadow elemental power etched in it. Probably a tracking spell.] Zera's voice echoed in Raven's head.
"Oh? Who is that generous friend of mine?" Raven furrowed as he had no idea about Thomas's friends.
"It's Martin Amell, My Lord."
'A member of the Amell Family, huh? Can they still track me with this badge if I store it in my inventory?'
[No. Your inventory is stored in your soul. So, even a Divine can't track its location.]
"Good." Raven quietly stored it in his inventory and also looked at the document.
"Next is the information about the black auction house in the Iron Peak City, My Lord. The Duke of Arcturus hosts it, and only the nobles and wizards can attend it. But the auction happens only once every three months. The next auction is scheduled for November 3rd, My Lord."
"Hmm, how did you arrange the train ticket?" Raven asked.
"Once you depart from the Giaris today, you will reach Bloodstone City on September 14th and stay there until the 16th morning, My Lord. The black-market auction will happen on the 15th, so you will have enough time to prepare." Emanuel said and soon gave the final document.
"This document contains information about the official Wizard auction house in the Royal City, My Lord. But to participate in the auction, you must register with the Wizards Guild. It's a Crows Misery' Academic affiliated organization for all the Wizards in the Empire. Although I couldn't get any more information about the auction, you will easily gather info after registering in the guild."
Raven took all the documents and stored them in his inventory.
‘Even if I participate in the auctions, I don’t have enough money right now to buy anything.’
Shaking his head, he went downstairs with Emanuel, had breakfast, and finally got ready to leave.
As Raven walked out of the mansion house, he saw a 30-year-old lady in her maid's dress, a middle-aged man with a tall stature, and a young woman in her thirties standing right next to the carriage and holding luggage in their hands.
"Everything is ready, My Lord. Your departure time is 10.45 A.M." Emanuel came from behind and gave him four tickets.
Raven took the tickets and stored them in his inventory.
"Take care of the mansion until we return," Raven said.
Then, he looked at others and spoke before walking into the carriage.
"Let's go."
Jacob, Selene, and Stephaine followed him inside and sat comfortably.
Once everyone was seated inside, the carriage started to move slowly.
The carriage moved on the Bristol Street Road, left Salford Borough, and entered Southward.
After an hour of travel, the carriage soon halted in front of the Azmar Railway Station.
Raven lifted the curtain and looked at the railway station.
The Railway Station building stood tall, with its iron-and-glass canopy stretching over the platforms, sheltering passengers from the foggy and dusty air. The station's red-brick walls were adorned with ornate stone carvings, and large, arched windows allowed the morning light to stream into the interior.
While observing, Raven stepped down from the carriage, his gaze wandering over the scene before him. Porters hurried along the platforms, carrying heavy trunks and cases, while passengers dressed in the fashions gathered in groups, chatting as they awaited their trains. The scent of coal smoke and steam hissing from the engines filled the air, mingling with the chatter of voices and the clatter of wheels on the tracks.
"What does Azmar mean?" Raven asked, curious as he observed the station's name etched in stone above the entrance.
"It's named after the Azmar Woods to the east, My Lord," Jacob replied, stepping down from the carriage with a large suitcase. "The previous count used wood and minerals from those woods, so he named the station after the woodlands. Your town shares the same name because of its proximity."
Raven nodded, taking in the details of the station as they made their way inside. The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with polished marble floors, high vaulted ceilings, and chandeliers warmly glowed over the waiting area. The air was filled with the sounds of people talking, the rustle of newspapers, and the occasional call of a stationmaster announcing the arrival or departure of a train.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
"How long will we be staying in the Capital?" Stephanie asked, her eyes wandering around the station's entrance.
"The distance between Giaris and Red Ember City is around 4,000 kilometers," Raven answered, leading the way toward the ticket-checking counter. "It will take approximately six days to reach the capital by train. But we will stop at the Bloodstone for two days. And I plan on visiting the Hillcrow woodlands during the stay. So, I think we will reach on the 19th. And we might stay in the capital city depending on how things unfold."
While talking, Raven showed the tickets to the officer at the counter and made their way towards the platform.
As they approached the platform, Raven couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the steam locomotives, their black iron frames gleaming in the morning sun. The engine stood ready, their great wheels resting on the tracks that stretched out into the distance.
The group boarded the train, finding their reserved compartment. The interior was cozy and well-appointed, with plush seats and large windows. As they settled in, the train whistle sounded, and it slowly began to move, gathering speed as it left the station.
Raven glanced out the window, watching as the station faded into the distance, replaced by the rolling hills and fields.
“I’ll be meditating most of the time, so do not disturb me unless it is an emergency, Mr. Jacob,” Raven said.
“I’ll not allow anyone to come near the compartment, My Lord. Rest assured.” Jacob responded with a nod.
Nodding, Raven slowly leaned on the seat, closed his eyes, and quietly entered the memory library.
For the next three days, he spent most of his time learning the Basic Rune Language in the memory library. He also didn't skip training in the illusion world and progressed in spearmanship.
On the 13th Night, Raven read all the books about the basic rune language completely.
"What should I do next? Is it time for me to create the Elemental Circlet Technique?"
[That should wait until you reach the Bloodstone City. Engraving the elemental circlet Array in your Mind Space should be done quietly.] Zera said as she appeared beside him.
“Mind Space? What is that?” Raven asked in puzzlement.
[Umm, it’s a linked space connecting your soul, body, and consciousness. But your case is a little bit complicated. Due to your soul, body, and consciousness merging when I was awakened, the Consciousness Space has expanded vastly and even made a path to your sea of consciousness.]
“I don’t even understand what you are saying.” Raven had a hard time comprehending her words.
[You will know when you start creating Elemental Circlet Array in your Mind Space. Now that you've learned the basic rune language, it's time for you to experience my owner's memories and his past life experiences.]
"That old man Runeth's memories? Am I going to learn another skill?" Raven recalled all the painful memories he faced when he learned those three skills.
[No. Currently, you are walking on a different path than my owner. He was originally an Ancient Wizard but changed his profession to a Dual-Class Mystic for various reasons. After that, his main class became a [Historian], and his subclass became an [Artisan].]
"Main Class? Sub Class? There are two classes?"
[Well, it's the unique thing of the Class Gem pathway. Thanks to his [Historian] Class skill, 'Eidetic Memory,' he stored all his essential memories and experiences related to Ancient Wizardry, Historian Class, and Artisan Class in the memory library. While learning about the Historian Class won't provide much advantage for someone following the Warlock pathway, the same can't be said for Ancient Wizardry and the Artisan Class.]
"What do you mean?" Raven got confused.
[When he was an Ancient Wizard, he specialized in Runology and was called Rune Master. He knew a lot more about the secrets of Runes than anyone else in that world. When he went through False Reincarnation, he chose his sub-class as an [Artisan] and further improved his knowledge in Rune Study. So, it would be best if you became a Rune Master, too. That way, you can even disguise yourself as a Wizard in front of others.]
"I'm already an Alchemist, though." Raven narrowed his eyes.
[Hehe, who said you can only choose one path? And I thought of making both your identities stronger. To the Prime Minister, your aunt, sister, and others, Raven is a Warlock Class Mystic and an Alchemist. They also know a mysterious Wizard named 'Charles Nightwind' guides you secretly. And if you plan on revealing your real identity at the Supreme Court to save your aunt, you must make multiple preparations.]
"Preparations? As long as I prove my aunt is innocent, nothing bad will happen, right?" Raven was confused.
[Wrong. The 'Raven' they know is a child born with no affinity. The Royal Family will do their best not to acknowledge your identity as the 66th prince. The court might conduct multiple testimonies to confirm whether you are a Royal, but it will not favor you. We don't have any strong evidence other than that strange bracelet. And if your plan to reveal 'Affinity potion' knowledge to the Wizard Union, it will also become a strong backup. I believe this case will be put on hold under the pressure of Royals for an extended period. They will delay as much as possible to avoid harming the family's reputation and try to eliminate you secretly.]
"Ugh, I hate the Royal Family already. Is there no other way?"
[There is one. If the Wizard Union interferes, the case will be closed sooner by bringing your sister to the court as a major witness. All the Emperor and Prime Minister schemes will disappear if your sister comes to court. But what will you do once you win the case and rescue your aunt? With how the Royal Family acts, they will most likely take you back to the Royal Family and put you under house arrest like your sister.] Zera said with a sigh. In truth, even she felt it was a hopeless situation.
"So, Thomas Holmes needs to act as an intermediatory in this case, huh?" A look of understanding appeared on Raven's face.
[Yes. Thomas is nothing more than an orphan child in everyone's eyes. But there will be many suspecting that someone is backing you secretly or even impersonating you.]
"Yes. That's why I told Jacob that I had the help of a wizard."
[We should make Thomas a Wizard who specializes in Runology. That way, others can't link that the two people are the same.]
"Why not?"
[Even learning one and excelling in it will be difficult for a genius Wizard. Can a wizard learn both Alchemy and Runology? It may be possible early, but it will be much more difficult as you rise in the ranks.] Zera said coldly.
'True. Even with the 'Instant Memorize' skill, I took over five years to become a beginner Alchemist.' Raven nodded in understanding and quietly walked towards the shelf where books related to Runology were placed.
No, Raven sensed something unique about this shelf.
He soon found a book named Basics of Runes on the first row and tried to open it but couldn't. It was as if some invisible power was covering it!
[Let me help you.] Zera took the book from his hand and directly thrust it into his chest.
The book turned illusionary a second later and directly disappeared into his chest!
Before Raven could understand, he noticed that his vision started to blur, followed by new memories.
At that moment, he saw countless pieces of information in the form of images appearing before his eyes and started engraving them into his consciousness. But looking at each image, he noticed that time moved slowly.
He also felt a series of new memories of a person entering his mind. In those memories, he saw how that person struggled to memorize the rune characters, how hard he worked to write the characters in a strange circle, and even how he created an array circle. But one thing that puzzled him was that he couldn't understand the language he spoke.
'But I feel like I'm experiencing these things myself.'
Raven sat in the same place for over 30 minutes and slowly woke up from the strange state.
During the past 30 minutes, Raven experienced what Runeth had experienced during his childhood days and was astonished.
"If I hadn't learned the basic rune language, I wouldn't have understood most of what he did in those memories."
[That's why I asked you to learn the Basic Rune Language. If you had learned the Common Easica Language, you would have understood it more easily.]
"But I don't have enough time to learn a new language." Raven shook his head and decided to read the next book.
It was about the 'Creation of Magic Array.'
He memorized two more books until late at night and finally shifted his attention toward the Spellbook area.
"Which spellbook should I give Selene once we reach the Bloodstone City?" Raven asked as he stared at the small cupboard-like shelf in the memory library.
[Dream Walk, Dream Harvest, and Alter Dream. She must construct all three spells in her mind before we reach the Royal Capital.] Zera said.
Raven furrowed for a second and soon nodded.
Then, he decided to memorize the spell models and transcribe them.