The word intrigued him. Raised his anticipation to an insane level. Accelerated his heartbeat. Pushed his mind into a complex mixture of fear from disappointment and sincere wish for a wonderful surprise, which can easily exceed his imagination. It could make him special. The hell, Robert was already unique – the Transcendent being. He was in this Tower with a desire for growth and power. Experiencing supernatural game-like skills from the challengers, he for so long relied on his own strength to overpower them. The slight addition from the runes wasn’t game-breaking, but this exact moment of getting a class might be it. His own cheat.
Only using all his willpower, Robert didn’t focus on his feelings in an attempt to find a new power and didn’t skip all messages straight to the end. Returning to the beginning, he started to check the text one by one, pausing his attention only on crucial ones. The first one was simple – his training with the “Reinforcement” run made the System recognize his effort, gave him a skill… and simultaneously nerfed Robert.
What the fuck? Why are doing this?
Instinctive Runes [Rank 1 MAX] – the unique skill that was granted by the System to a Transcendent being, who through his own efforts managed to start using the runes and thus bypassed the provided standard way of using schematics. To issue the possible balance problems, the System granted the skill, which can help to learn any found Rune instantly if the owner of the skill can activate it. On the other hand, it also limits available free slots to 7 and forbids activation of any Rune without learning it previously.
Robert immediately tried to use the already “Heavy” that was already deeply engraved in his mind only to get nothing. No, the inscriptions obediently appeared on the steel, but there was no effect. He felt like his mana enveloped the construct with odd symbols, spreading itself over the metallic volume. However, there is no sensation of sucking to fuel the rune as it was before.
Just fucking great! To take away what I’ve learned all by myself only to return in a limited form, damn it. Wonderful! Calm down, Rob… Okay, let’s add “Reinforcement” first.
The appearance of a corresponding rune in a newly created list instantly led to the obvious result – everything worked as it meant, crushing his naïve dreams of power on the first step. Robert was sure he could find more runes after raising his CP, as the enemies tended to use more artifacts in fights. However, the limitation on the number of learned inscriptions together with a need for activation basically cut his possible arsenal to the ground. It almost felt like the System itself was scared to give instruments to Rob, fearing he would break everything because of his state of the Transcendent. This assumption was confirmed by the following messages.
The reason for a class acquiring was the fact of getting two skills. Using them as a foundation, the System made a list of possible classes with different bonuses. At least it was supposed to be like that according to the information from the notification as Robert’s options were limited to a single one. Moreover, even with it, the System tried to mess with him. Luckily, it seemed it couldn’t bend the rules too much.
Rune Imbuer – an advanced unique class (Tier 2) that specializes in creating runic inscriptions with their mind and magic, and not instruments. By focusing on the limited number of runes, Rune Imbuer extracts more power from their Rune Engraving skills, increasing the effect by 250%.
Damn, here goes the first missed opportunity. I could have gone with a 30% decrease in cost, which would now increase up to 75%. Instead, the power went up to 50%, while cost got a 50% cut. Who knew? Where is my skill tree to plan anything beforehand?
Attention! Rune Imbuer is already an advanced class. As it is your first class, you will not get a free skill choice after advancing your skill from Tier 1 to 2, leaving only one pick for the class choice.
System, do you hate me?
Attention! The 10 bonus stats from the class cannot be assigned to Magic. The action is invalid. The System’s authority to find a solution is restricted as the Transcendent state ignores it.
Yep, you really hate me.
Attention! The class skill choice is pending.
Absentmindedly looking through a really short list, Robert was thinking over the course of his next actions. The lowered cost of the Runes made it possible to find the most basic spells to cast. However, the obstacle in the form of incompatible affinities would prevent him from using most of them. Of course, he wasn’t sure about it, but seeing how the System acted it wouldn’t be surprising. Moreover, such runes could easily take all his mana flow, leaving him even without the ability to conjure steel to protect himself. Therefore, the versatile approach might be better. He needed both defensive and offensive options simultaneously as it wasn’t a game, despite similar rules.
The problem was in a limited number of possible runes Rob could learn. And in a way to find good ones. And a utility of them as if his most trophies were weapons with not huge variation in terms of magic effects. There were many problems that he had to deal with. His obvious choice to bypass most of them was to find something akin “Capacity” or “Battery” rune to increase the range of his abilities. Unfortunately, most of the System’s provided options were complete trash in his case.
There was “Rune Elemental Specialization” to increase the effectiveness of the corresponding element. “Rune Size Manipulation” to engrave the rings or amulets with tiny inscriptions, which wasn’t possible otherwise for a standard way of adding magic effects to items. “Rune Rewording” could have been useful before he got his “Instinctive Runes” as it helped to change the inscriptions into different sets of symbols, making possible the usage of something more convenient than hieroglyphs. “Rune Engraving Cost” straightforwardly decreased the cost of the engraving process. An interesting choice could be a “Rune Overpowering”, but spending double the amount of mana to get a half increase in power was out of his energy budget. Robert had to fuel both runes and steel foundation for them, and everything demanded its part of the flow, which wasn’t endless.
Okay, Robert, breathe out. You don’t need a perfect choice. Do not compare yourself with a mighty, but imaginary picture of just a possibility. Your base level is current you. Any power-up is good and increases your strength. Yes, mathematically, a combination of a double cost decrease, the class, and “Overpowering” would make the effect of any rune much better, but so what? The “Heavy” on paper might look like a waste until someone gets a direct hit of a mace, whose weight was increased a dozen times. Non-conventional usage might be my only way and not an increase in numbers. Yes, there are several potentially good options, but you’ve already made a choice.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Rune Alteration [Rank 1 MAX] – the basic version of the skill grants an ability to slightly alter the effect of a rune during engraving with a standard schematic. However, it was changed under the influence of the “Rune Imbuer” class and “Instinctive Runes” skill. Now it grants the ability to create an altered version of the learned skill by spending experience points. Each alteration will be judged by the System itself. Each alteration will take a free slot in the “Instinctive Runes” skill.
The last addition didn’t sound good, but Robert felt he could squeeze more from this, despite it being basically a gamble. He already had several ideas on how to utilize it. Moreover, it might be a solution to his troubles with finding runes. The options of “Durable Runic Inscriptions” or “Hidden Runes” looked much less viable. Only “Rune Merging” might be on the same level, but the description told him that the end result would also take a slot, thus making it pointless for Robert. Therefore, Rob confirmed his decision to the System, not wishing to dive into doubts in an attempt to make a perfect choice.
Summoning the Status screen, he silently noted that his Combat Power had crossed 150 points, even though he never upgraded any attribute at all. Slowly going through the text, Rob paused on the description of “Reinforcement”, which was currently a single rune he “knew”. Focusing on its effect but not on the inscription itself, Robert conjured a basic steel plate. Then he felt as if the construct started to suck the energy, much more than needed just for the existence. Hiding the transparent screen for a moment, he looked at a metal surface, which was covered in symbols.
In a few seconds, Robert realized that they were not engraved, nor painted. Nope, it felt like those unknown hieroglyphs became an integral part of the mana-created matter. Flickering with a bright green light from time to time, they were chaotically located all over the plate without a previous orderly manner. As if it didn’t matter where they were – just their mere existence was enough to add a magic effect. And that went even further as the motion of the steel didn’t lessen the rune’s power in the slightest.
It is convenient… but looks terrifyingly villainous.
Redirecting his attention back to the newly acquired skill, Rob tried to activate it only to get an odd menu with a selection of learned runes, which right now consisted of a single entry.
Please, describe the effect of an altered rune for further assessment by the System. Additional reasoning would be preferable to increase the chance of successful altering. Warning! The skill can used only once for each rune.
Yeah, of course, more restrictions… Why don’t give me a break, System? Okay, let’s go. As my steel constructs are made from mana, and mana envelopes my whole body, logically speaking such steel can be seen as a part of me. At least I feel that way. Therefore, if I create an effect of “Reinforcement” on the steel construct, it has to expand its effect on the whole body and any other constructs that I make, as they are all interconnected. An altered effect must give this option… Like a Link… or Net.
Proceeding with the request. The altered version of Rune is created! 10000 experience points were automatically deducted to cover the cost of creation.
“Link” – an optional addition to “Reinforcement” that connects all created constructs to give the same effect to each of them. Restrictions: 1) The constructs must be made from mana 2) The constructs must have a permanent interconnection through the same mana source 3) The constructs must have the same basic properties 4) The constructs can’t be made from any organic matter 5) The effect of the connection works only in conjunction with “Reinforcement”. The cost of “Reinforcement-Link” is 50% higher than “Reinforcement”.
Not exactly what I wanted, but still good. For 2 mana per second, which is 40% of my current mana flow, I can strengthen all steel altogether. With “Heavy” and “Meditation” I will only have 3 free rune slots, so need to be careful to pick properly. Moreover, the cost really bites. Currently, I have enough only for one more alteration.
Closing all notifications and screens, Robert focused on his abilities once again. Creating a short sword in his hand, he willed to reinforce it. The instantaneous appearance of the green runes and the decrease of mana’s flow felt surprisingly good. There was no delay between mental command and its execution. It was almost like his ability to conjure steel got an upgrade. Previously, no matter how fast and trained he was, the rune creation always took an effort. The lag was really tiny, almost non-existent, taking sometimes only a fraction of a second. Nevertheless, it was there, making an impact on any of his actions.
However, right now, there was none. An especially noticeable difference was with the “Heavy” inscription. The fluidity of possible motions, where he could add the weight in a proper moment to accelerate any of his attacks. Maybe not all, but any overhead variant would get its portion of empowerment from a simple inward thought. And with the same thought he could expand the reinforcement to any of his summoned objects.
Not wasting any time, Robert created the mace that he used in most of the fights and the same small round shield. Adding the destructive effect to the weapon, which immediately pulled the spiked ball on the top of the mace down to the floor, Rob focused on the feelings of available energy. Smirking with delight, he took off his shirt. In the next moment, his torso was covered with a pet-bellied cuirass. Made from a single piece, it was quite short not to obstruct any of his motions, ending lightly lowering his waist.
Rotating his arms in shoulder joints and making a few swings with a mace against empty air, Robert slowly adjusted the construct’s form for a better fit. He wasn’t able to create a full version of the knight’s armor, as too many elements had to move, which wasn’t possible for him. The steel didn’t want to stretch, and his muscles needed a free space to tense underneath the conjured construct, which could be only partly bypassed with a constant adjustment in position or size. Even if he could find a solution to the problem, it was going to be another mental and energy toll to sustain the summoning. At least for now with his current control of a conjuring ability.
However, there were several pieces of defensive gear he could use. The first was a simple round helmet with a caged visor. Once again quite short, it only covered his head up to chin’s level. No neck or throat protection, and only barely passable coverage of the face not to limit the sight. Another was a set of greaves that protected his frontal shins, and a single vambrace to cover his right forearm, while the other was already protected by a shield. Taking into account the usage of “Heavy”, such a combination of conjured equipment left him with less than 10% of available mana to use in case of emergency, but Robert was happy. He could finally use his steel directly for the defense, and not rely mostly on his own reaction and a single shield with a rune.
Okay, that can indeed work. Such easiness of rune’s usage is convenient… But, well, my look must be hilarious. Or scary. At least my eyes are not shining.
Robert didn’t have a mirror, but it wasn’t hard to imagine his appearance. His need to keep contact with steel made him put his armor on a bare chest. The helmet partly hid his face, leaving only his muscled arms and bootless feet visible. Plain brown pants that were turned into shorts. Oversized caricature mace. A round metal shield in one hand and a vambrace in another. High greaves. And on top of all that the disturbing runes that were flickering with poisonous green light on the metal surface of his equipment. He almost looked like a mixture of a gladiator and a knight in a magic setting. Only engraved abs and chest muscles on the breastplate were lacking to complete the image of a powerful warrior.
Nah, not doing it… Okay, it seems I am not the only freak directly from an anime here.
Looking at the man, who casually walked inside his chamber, Robert tried to surpass his laugh as the future opponent was like a quintessence of clichés in terms of appearance, easily winning any possible competition of cosplayers. However, while eying the man, he almost missed the information from a notification.
Ghostly Slasher, CP 194
Well, not so funny anymore.