Chapter 2: Rune Formations
*In a luxurious room inside the institute*
It was already eight pm, James still had two hours left until the time of department to the Canyon of Death, and although he was quite preoccupied for today's ceremony, he was calmly studying. To be more specific, he was attentively examining a series of strange patterns.
'Right, this way I could repeat the same process three times in a matter of second. Should I make it four times? With that amount the process would be complete, and it will not take extra time… but there's no way I can accomplish it with my current level. Hm…'
He was thinking deeply about where to carve said patterns. After a while, he looked at the image of a giant centipede-shaped creature in an old book. The creature had runes that resembled those he was examining in each segment of its body.
'However, this giant metallic centipede's runes are carved inside a four edged figure…'
The giant metallic centipede was a top tier monster capable of reaching the peak of rank 1 power in its mature stage. It was a powerful being capable of augmenting its defensive capabilities by enveloping itself in a resistant layer of a metal-like material (hence its name). The metallic cover offered not only an increase in the defensive capabilities of the creature, but also improved its attack. That is because these armors came with many spiky and sharp protuberances.
Aside from the advantages of the cover, they could also gain a boost in their physique.
In its mature stage, the giant metallic centipedes gained toxic abilities, and the capability of manipulating their armor at will, there were even written records of some that could throw metallic poisonous spikes at mortal velocities.
Because of this, some giant metallic centipedes could even fight on par with rank 2 beasts.
However, the centipede that James was currently looking at was just an adolescent. Their maturity stages could be deduced both from its size and the intricacy of the runes in its body. A newborn centipede was about the size of a dog and had no runes in its body, an adolescent centipede could reach the size of a horse and already had runes in its body, its power at this point was equivalent to that of peak rank 0 professional apprentices, right before reaching maturity the centipedes' runes would be carved inside a four edged figure. Once a centipede is ready to reach maturity, it enters a one-month hibernation state, after which the centipede would awaken with a body full more intricate runes that weren't surrounded by any figure. As centipedes continue to grow, it is possible for them to reach twenty meters long, and the most powerful centipede found until that day had its runes surrounded by a 23-edged figure.
After a while, he seemed to have reached a decision. He took a sharp dagger, and, after taking a deep breath, ruthlessly made a deep cut in his hand. Copious amounts of blood blurted out from the wound, and all of it fell into what resembled an empty ink recipient.
As soon as it was completely filled, he stopped the bleeding with a low level potion. Although its quality was meager, the healing potion's capability to heal injuries to the flesh shouldn't be underestimated. As long as the body had an acceptable amount of life force, the low level healing potion could restore said injury.
Right after, with an incredible precision and methodical movements, he slowly drew a rune that resembled that of the adolescent centipede of the book, and carved it inside a four edged figure in a leather scroll; all with his own blood.
Time had passed extremely fast for him, without having noticed, it was already almost ten pm. He quickly rolled up the scroll and occulted it within his robes, along with the book, then he rushed out of the room, not without having thrown all his work and materials to the fireplace and closing his door before.
There was technically nothing in his research that went against the teaching of the War Goddess' church, however, he had a bad feeling that something bad might happen should anyone find it. In any case, all proofs of his doings would be erased by the fire, so he could rest assured that no one could find it. or that's what he thought…
As soon as he had closed his door, the fire was suddenly extinguished, and from a dark corner of his room, a sneaky figure seemed to materialize out of nowhere. It was a man whose whole body was covered in black, an aura of darkness seemed to shroud him. The man walked slowly to the fireplace, where, against all odds, everything James had wanted to get rid of was like new.
"Archbishop Harrington will love this…"
The man said with a smirk on his face hidden under the black veils. He took everything and then vanished without leaving trail.
(***)
It was already ten o'clock. Everyone was neatly arranged in the main plaza of the school. Higher ups, teachers, students and the ones that were to ascend that day, where James was present, along with the rank 5 archbishop Fordis Harrington. A solemn aura seemed to cover the atmosphere.
In a certain moment, the archbishop spoke: "I will start with the space travel chants."
Without losing any time, he rose his scepter to the air, pointing towards the heaven, closed his eyes, and started chanting a pray.
"Oh, War Goddess, you whose strength can defeat the strongest of beasts, you whose strategies can outsmart even the smartest of foes, please listen to your humble servant, and grant him the ability to travel the world!"
After chanting his prayer, a radiant layer of light covered the entire plaza. Everyone was flabbergasted at the sight and couldn't help but to accompany the prayers of the archbishop. The light grew more and more intense, to the point of blinding everyone at the plaza, the intense holy light could be seen by the entire capital, reinforcing the fate in the hearts of the citizens.
When the light was at its brightest, all the rank 0 priests along with the archbishop disappeared like they were never there.
Weekly Power Status
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