image [https://i.imgur.com/RCGrn1f.png]

Sitting cross-legged on a moving carriage, Drac held his hand out. He tuned Ignis and a ball of fire the size of his palm burned. Drac focused and tuned to the rune hidden in his glove. The fireball grew until it was the size of an orc's head.

Runes act as a filter, channelling only the vibration needed for the spell. Allowing for greater efficiency. I made the gloves and boots while Marina was teaching you. You have learned well for a novice of two months. However, I thought you would need help until we merge with a mage. And don’t worry; Marina has no doubt noticed.

Drac looked at the lining of his glove and found a small plate etched with runes.

“Why the metal?”

Runes are based on glyphs and need to be drawn in a precise way or they will not work. Fabric moves and crumples, ink can not write on leather properly and paper gets wet from sweat. So metal was the best solution.

Drac borrowed some of Elkan’s knowledge and read the engraved runes. “Ignis, Ventus… Why no Murus?”

Murus is a formula spell. Requiring more space that can fit in a glove. And the larger the rune, the more efficient.

“Now it makes sense. I always thought I struggled to tune Murus compared to the other spells.”

Struggled? It is probably the spell you are the best at.

Drac smiled as he formed a Murus knife in his hand. Several quick cuts to the air and he threw it to the distance for it to be pulled back by a rope of blue.

You may not be able to make a massive barrier like Marina. However, your creativity and ability to adapt show off the best when using Murus.

Drac looked at his jacket. Golden buttons glisten from top to bottom.

The buttons took a long fucking time. I worked on them while spying on you. Only completed it a week before we first talked.

“Did Levitation take that long to write?”

Gaia, no. Idem took the most time.

“Idem?”

Throughout these battles with you getting stabbed and cut, have you wondered why your jacket doesn't need stitching?

“Wait…can you-”

No, we cannot use it on the human body. The body needs to go through natural processes to live and Idem will halt them.

Drac sat back on his arm, watching the clouds float. Eyes widen with inspiration found within. Drac hurried and created a tablet of Murus.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Can I?” Drac asked Elkan.

Go ahead. I am intrigued.

Drac burrowed Elkan's knowledge and skill again.

Drac used aura sense. A rainbow of colour filled his vision.

Phosphene. An aura sensing technique that makes Rune making possible.

“Amazing…” Drac said in awe of the different hues swirling around him.

I never get tired of seeing this.

Drac found a red amongst the colours that flowed around him. With an aura-imbued finger, he dragged the red to the tablet. Drac focused and, with his finger, drew into the Murus. As an indentation formed on the tablet of blue, the rune hummed quietly. Drac held his hand out to the floating rune murus table and tuned.

A great blaze nearly burns off the skin from his palm. Drac laughed to himself, happy for the successful experiment.

Bloody brilliant… We are the same person, why didn't I think of this?

Because he is Drac. And you are stupid.

“What the fuck is going on up there!” Marina shouted on horseback below.

“Maybe the voices he keeps talking in his head told him to blow his hand off,” Kankraa said, walking beside Marina on foot.

Got to use your inside voice next time, Drac.

“You could hear?” Drac asked the orc.

“Our ears aren’t pointy for no reason. Don’t worry, Mad Drac, I like crazy people. They like to party hard!”

Hahaha, I like him more and more.

“Yep! And crazy fools make the best travel partners,” Marina said, looking warmly into Drac's eyes. Drac wanted to turn away and blush but Marina’s emerald eye pulled him back. Green eyes turned away as something caught her attention. Drac turned as well to look.

“Heartbrook, huh?” the orc said. “Looks worse in daylight…”

At the gate, several guards come with spears, trembling at the sight of the green monster. Drac jumped out of the carriage and stood in front of Kankraa. Guard recognised him, ginning him and the Orc passage. Guards stand at the side with stiff salutes. Uoro drove the carriage forward and nodded as he turned to a different street. Fergus poked his head out of the carriage, waving.

“See you later, Teacher!” Fergus shouted until he was out of sight.

Drac pulled Mist’s lead while walking the street. The rubble from two nights ago was still on the streets. People camped outside of destroyed homes. Blood still stained the walls and people searched within the wreckage for their things.

But life went on as normal. People sold their goods, and families walked together with sombre smiles on their faces. A mage taught children under a tree. Drac saw fewer children than he remembered.

“You humans have also suffered from the demon’s evil.”

Drac looked up. The orc’s lips drew a line. Eyes darken with rage.

“Calm down, orc,” Marina said on top of Mist. “Before they attack you out of fear.”

Drac looked around. People back away. Frightened by the large monster. Several adventurers slowly unsheath the weapon and prepare their shields. Children gawk at the orc while hiding behind their teacher.

Drac sighed. He borrowed strength from Axton.

A pulse of aura flowed from him. The air shook like thunder. All eyes turn to him. The Orc’s anger subsided and he looked down with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry… I just…”

“En?”

Kankraa nodded.

“Tell me about him before we meet my friends.”

“Come! It's this way,” said Marina as he spurred Mist forward. Kankraa nervously followed along.

Drac bowed to everyone on the street. Their faces relaxed. Warriors sheathed their weapons and saluted.

Drac ignored and pulse-stepped over to his friends.