The Runic Artist

Nate sat down at the dinner table with a smile. Rania was an excellent cook and the food smelled positively divine. Ever since his Perception stat had started increasing he’d found his sense of smell improving. In Helmfirth, that was rarely a good thing. While hygiene was nowhere near as bad as one might expect, due to the benefits of spells, mana and a functioning sewer system, it certainly left a lot to be desired. In the forest it was both a blessing and a curse. Many things in the forest smelled lovely and fragrant, but occasionally you’d smell something less than pleasant. Dung was the obvious one but there had been others. Rania’s cooking however never smelled anything short of amazing.

Glancing across the table, he could see how raw Kiri’s knuckles and hands appeared. They looked like she’d punched a wall a few too many times. He gave his best friend a pointed look before nodding towards her hands. She just shrugged back at him in response. With a thought he activated his Life Drain rune, targeting himself and with his Intent directing the drained lifeforce into Kiri. It took almost nothing and her hands visibly healed before he’d felt more than a slight weariness from the runes effects. He supposed the amount of lifeforce required to heal a few grazes wasn’t that much. Kiri flashed him a grin in thanks as Rania started to serve dinner. It was some kind of roast dinner with some unknown meat and a blue vegetable that smelled like squash, along with herb gravy and other assorted sides.

“So, I had a meeting with Aisling and Deverell,” Nate started, bringing some of the blue vegetable dipped in gravy to his mouth. It was delicious.

“How’d that go?” asked Kiri, her eyebrows raised which he had learned meant she was curious.

“Good. They’re putting us both forward for the Etrua Adventurers Guild Royal University Entry Tournament. By the Gods that is a mouthful. Anyway, we have six months to prepare. You in?” he replied with a grin.

Kiri started bouncing slightly in her seat, “Yes! Yes! Really?! Yes! We’re actually going to get to compete? That is amazing!” She paused, her excitement ebbing a little as it hit her. “Six months isn’t long. You think we can manage it? I mean I know you can…but do you think I can?” Kiri gave a not very subtle head nod towards her Mother, who seemed content to listen to the two talk.

“We can manage it. I’ve got some ideas but we will have to see what the best methods to use are to challenge your Skills. I am sure Frick will have some ideas. We’ll just use the way we’re planning to train real soon. Maybe make it a bit more challenging? What do you think?” he replied, shovelling food into his mouth while he could as he waited for Kiri’s reply.

Rania reached out and gently touched his arm, “No need to rush dear. The food isn’t going anywhere and I promise there is more if you’re still hungry.”

Nate slowed down. It was a habit of his. His Aunt hadn’t fed him often, but when she had she’d wanted him out of the apartment as soon as possible. He’d learned to eat fast to avoid drawing her ire. The thought made him choke up a little at Rania’s kindness but he swallowed the lump in his throat. It had been over a week since he’d even had a thought about his Aunt and Earth. Maybe that meant he was healing? Only time would tell, he supposed.

“I am definitely in!” Said Kiri, breaking him out of his thoughts as he began eating again, this time at a more sedate pace.

“Did you finish it?” Kiri asked, changing the subject as she got one of her trademark cheeky grins. He knew what she was referring to. He’d told her he was going to paint the sky during the battle.

He nodded indicating he had completed the artwork as he ate another mouthful of the meat and gravy. The meat practically dissolved in his mouth. He was definitely hiring a chef when they got settled in the capital.

“Well, let’s see it then!” Kiri pressed.

With a put upon sigh, he got up and shifted the extra chair that would normally house Jorge over to the side before reaching into his spatial storage and extracting the painting. He placed it carefully on the chair and stepped back, giving both the women a good view of the piece.

“Oh it’s lovely,” gushed Rania, placing a hand on her chest.

“It’s good. Not your best work though,” said Kiri.

At first he thought she was being a bit harsh but he saw the mischievous grin she was sporting and knew she wasn’t done. That comment was just the bait. The precursor. Now that she had set the trap she closed it on him.

“Why don’t you show Mother the other one you did? Of a certain person who…maybe…inspired your lightning and fire piece?” Kiri said, smiling like a cat that had caught a bird.

“That would be lovely,” said Rania with a motherly smile.

Shooting Kiri a small glare, he reluctantly took out the piece depicting Aisling standing before the mountains wreathed in storm, spear held in her right hand.

“Oh my,” commented Rania. “She looks quite regal doesn’t she? I hope it’s just idolisation, Nate. She’s a little old for you and I would hate to see your heart broken.”

Rania’s kind comments just made him glare at Kiri all the harder as his best friend silently laughed, holding her stomach with her ‘healed’ hands. Oh he was definitely going to get revenge for this. Maybe there was a rune for itching?

“I think you should give it to the Guildmaster. She might like a portrait of herself, and as I said, she does come across very powerful in it. Regal. Like a warrior surveying her domain,” Rania continued, breaking him of his musings of retribution. “I hate to ask more of you, after you put yourself at risk to save me…but I don’t suppose you could do one of Jorge, Kiri and I? It would be lovely to have a family portrait in my home.”

Nate was blown away by the request. People had asked him for small pieces before., but just little sketches and doodles of themselves. He’d never really had the materials to do many paintings outside of school art classes. A chance to do a portrait of Kiri’s family sounded like time well spent to him.

“I’d love to, Rania,” he replied. He’d slowly gotten used to using her name as she’d constantly reminded him he didn’t need to be so formal with her. If he was being honest, she made him feel a bit like family. It was nice, heartwarming even, to be so welcomed into their home.

Rania gave a little clap of pleasure as she got up and started clearing the table. He made to help, but she shushed him and motioned for him to sit.

“I made a dessert since I knew you were coming tonight. You and Kiri can just relax here while I get it ready,” Rania remarked, making good on her words as she cleared the last of the dishes from the table and exited into the kitchen.

Kiri leaned forward the moment her Mother was gone, lowering her voice, “So how did it go today?”

“Started levelling the Skill. I think it should work but it might take a few days to get the kind of range to really scope out the area. I just hope the weird mana flows are being caused by a Dungeon, because if not, we’re back to square one and might need to end up combing half of Firth Forest for all I know,” he replied, matching her lowered voice.

“So we are stuck on hoping. Better than nothing I suppose. I mean, even if we didn’t find a Dungeon and I just levelled up off some ambient mana, I bet I would still get at least a Rare Class. Maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world?” Kiri said, glancing at him for his opinion.

“I mean, if that’s what you want, Kiri. But is it really?” Nate asked pointedly. He knew he was being a little manipulative in how he had phrased that. But he also knew that Kiri would never forgive herself if she at least didn’t try. Maybe the Achievement for entering a Dungeon before having a Class wasn’t that powerful. They just didn’t know. But he thought it was worth trying and he knew Kiri did too. She just needed to be reminded and reassured. In the end it was going to be her decision.

“You’re right. I want it. Thanks for doing all this, Nate. I really appreciate it,” she said, leaning back into her seat as her mother came back out of the kitchen.

Dessert was some sort of pie and by the Wanderer, he could’ve died happy eating it. No conversation was had as Kiri and he both devoured the dessert while Rania looked on with a small amused smile on her face as she ate at a far more sedate pace.

After dinner was done and some small talk, Nate bid his farewells. As he exited their house Rania came outside with him, walking down the little path through the partially restored garden.

“I just wanted to ask you and Kiri to be careful, with whatever it is you’re doing to fix her ‘problem’,” Rania said without looking at him. He was a bit taken aback. Kiri had assured him that her parents didn’t know about her loss of her Classes. The look must’ve been obvious on his face as Rania continued.

“Oh please, I know when something is wrong with my daughter. I knew when she was having trouble fitting in at the Guild, even though she didn’t say anything. I knew when she had her heart broken by that fickle merchant's daughter and I know that she is not herself right now. I just hope you two are careful with whatever you have planned, and that you do it soon. Before her father returns.” Rania finished.

“You’re not going to try and stop her?” asked Nate.

“Unlike my husband, who has seen the many evils the world has to offer and views things through that lens, I realise that Kiri cannot be happy kept bundled up in the blankets that are his protection. She wants, no, she needs to take risks and experience the world for herself. I am just glad she has a friend like you to help watch her back. Have I made myself clear, Nate?” Rania asked as she turned to face him with one eyebrow arched.

“Abundantly, Mrs..Rania.”

“Good. When can we expect you for dinner again, dear?” Rania asked as they reached the end of the path and he stepped out towards the fields.

“In three days, if that’s alright?” he replied.

“You’re always welcome here, Nate. We’ll see you in three days.”

Nate smiled and waved, noticing Kiri back at the door leaning against the doorframe. She gave him a little wave. Well, the night was still young. It was time to get back to his room at the Oaken Ring and do a little crafting. Maybe he could make Kiri her own Life Drain rune? How would he allow it to target someone though…his mind whirred with ideas as he walked back towards Helmfirth.

*************

Nate walked through the forest. It was his third day since dinner with Kiri and Rania and he’d kept himself busy. Every day he’d entered the forest, utilising his spatial Skills in an attempt to level them, but mostly his Spatial Sensitivity. Every night back at the Oaken Ring he’d focused on crafting some tools for Kiri, while also utilising his spatial storage to level his Spatial Sensitivity. The effort had paid dividends as he looked over the increases to his Skills and his Status.

Spatial Sensitivity 2 > 10

No Steps Necessary 1 > 4

From Me, To You 1 > 6

Runic Knowledge 18 > 19

Runic Creation Level 11 > 13

Eyes of the Runic Artist 14 > 15

Enhanced Magic Power 1 > 5

Stats

Physical

Mental

Magic

Strength

12

Intellect

74

Magic Power

42 (20)

Dexterity

59

Charisma

17 (3)

Magic Control

34

Agility

23 (10)

Creativity

66

Channelling Speed

32

Endurance

41 (3)

Willpower

13

Mana Reserve

58

Constitution

30

Perception

64

Mana Absorption

22

Classes

Primary Class - Level 1 (21)

Secondary Class - Level 1

Tertiary Class

Wandering Runic Artist (M)

Wandering Realmwalker (L)

…

Skills

Runic Knowledge (E) Lvl 19

Conceptual Material (M) Lvl 21 - (-10.5% Mana Cost, -15% Time Required)

Eyes of the Runic Artist (M) Lvl 15 - (+38% Perception)

Imbue Intent (L) Lvl 22 - (9 Intents, 4 Imbued Intents, +11% Intellect)

Enhanced Magic Power (E) Lvl 5 - (+9% Magic Power)

Runic Creation (L) Lvl 13 - (-24% Mana Cost)

Runic Artistry (E) Lvl 8 - (-12% Mana Cost, +15 Magic Power for Runic Arrays)

No Steps Necessary (L) Lvl 4 - (40 metres teleport range)

From Me, To You (E) Lvl 6 - (30 metres teleport range)

Spatial Sensitivity (R) Lvl 10 - (50 metres detection range)

Spells

…

Status Effects

Divine Translation Spell (Permanent)

Familiar Contract (Permanent)

System Contract - Aisling Teigland & Deverell Courbet (Temporary)

As all the Skills were below level twenty, they were levelling at a respectable pace. The focus had been Spatial Sensitivity and it showed. From Me, To You was levelling faster than No Steps Necessary simply because he could use it more frequently as the mana cost was significantly less. He guessed that was due to the amount of matter being moved. A stick or leaf was a fraction of his size and it was a miracle the cost for teleporting himself wasn’t higher. He guessed that was because the mana didn’t need to be moved as far, as it centred on him while From Me, To You required he move mana to the desired location. Without his Eyes of the Runic Artist he expected it would’ve gotten difficult to move objects a hundred or more metres in the future, but the Mythic Skill let him see that far, even if not in detail. The heightened Perception certainly helped.

As for his Runic Skills, the Life Drain rune for Kiri had been a bust. He just didn’t have a sigil that could be reliably used for something like ‘tethering’ or targeting an individual and his Imbue Intent didn’t allow that level of flexibility in the Intents imparted. Instead he’d focused on some other runes she would find useful. The acts of creation had been enough to get a few levels across the Skills involved, and his Runic Knowledge was on the verge of evolution. He was curious to see what he would get.

A moment later he felt a buzz in his Spatial Sensitivity. The skill evolution would have to wait. Because after days of searching a slowly expanding area as his Spatial Sensitivity ballooned out further and further, he’d finally got a whiff of something interesting. Or so he hoped.

Walking through the trees, he came to a pond that he guessed was about thirty metres across. The water wasn’t what interested him though. Walking around the edge he felt the buzz in his Spatial Sensitivity again. Closer this time. He continued to follow the waters edge until he felt the buzz a third time, just beneath him. Maybe a few metres he guessed. Perhaps there was an underwater cave that would give access to whatever was beneath him but Nate couldn’t be bothered swimming. Utilising his Powerful Earth rune and Imbue Intent he excavated a hole, creating a rough stairway down into the earth below. The process used up most of his remaining mana, already decently drained from the walk into the forest. Walking down into the darkness, he created a small amount of light with a trickle into his Powerful Light rune and a quick flex of Imbue Intent.

He’d been wrong that access was via an underwater cave, as if there was one, it was sealed now behind a pile of wet dirt and stone. However, without the earth between himself and the target of his Spatial Sensitivity, he could keenly feel a ripple in space before him. Reaching out to touch it he felt the pull as he was folded through space, the feeling reminiscent of his No Steps Necessary skill. As he stepped out onto wide expansive plains, golden grass swaying in a warm breeze, a notification forcibly opened in front of him.

You have entered a Dungeon!

The Assessment Period will begin now. You have five minutes to choose to leave the Dungeon before the entrance will be sealed.

Dungeon Name: Plains of Goivuts

Dungeon Tier: Uncommon

Dungeon Challenges: 3 + 1 Bonus Challenge.

Exit Conditions: Complete 1 Challenge.

Walk your Path. Reach your Goal. Become One with Mana.

There were more details available than the notification he’d seen when he’d entered the The Temple of Q’ival Dungeon and he wasn’t sure if that was just how the live notification looked or if it was because of his Eyes of the Runic Artist that was active. None of that mattered though. He’d found a Dungeon. It was time to go get Kiri. With that thought and a grin on his face, he exited the Dungeon, climbed out of the cave and sealed the earth up partially, using all of his remaining mana. As he headed back to town, recharging himself as best he could with partially full mana gems, he couldn’t help but smile. He’d succeeded. He just hoped Kiri would get what she wanted.