The Runic Artist

Nate walked down the stairs of his inn alone. After breakfast he’d ducked over to the Guildhouse and purchased a plain metal bracer. The piece was Common tier for now, but not for long. He’d debated seeing what he could do with the Stat Sigils he’d learned, but as he wasn’t sure how well they’d perform, he’d opted to develop something he was far more intimately familiar with. Barrier runes. This Barrier rune had been designed with the ability to modify its element on the fly. The result had been a runic array that let him activate the barrier rune plus any number of associated runes around it.

Inscribing it with Runic Creation had been easy and he’d left Frick in his room with one of his Mana Gathering Arrays and half of his mana gems. The little blue goblin had finally been able to use his Imbue Intent to a lesser extent which made him finally able to apply Concepts with his Conceptual Material. He’d also left directions to try and modify the bracers' appearance as it was raised to Legendary. He didn’t want the person he bought it from recognising it when he used it in the Tournament.

The final piece was going to be adding an Obfuscation rune to conceal its nature but he was still working on getting that right. There were likely to be some powerful people watching the Tournament and he didn’t want them identifying his equipment. Part of that problem would be handled by physically concealing the bracer beneath his robe. But that was only part of it. The rune would be the second line of defence. He’d have raised it to Mythic if he had the time, but as it was, he didn’t expect the bracer to be ready by the time he had his first matches. He supposed he could use it at Epic, but that might lead to more questions if someone recognised the increase in his barrier’s power when the bracer made the leap to Legendary.

Thinking about it made him smile as he walked out the inn’s door and headed for the Guild training grounds. It felt good to finally be creating some of his own equipment. The only thing he was lamenting was the time it took to raise an items tier to Legendary. Even with Conceptual Material currently reducing that time by twenty five percent, it was still a long wait per piece. If it wasn’t for Frick it would be even longer, but the Familiar had continued to be dutiful in spending half a day performing the rote work he set for him.

He gave a quick glance at the notifications he’d gotten from last night's little artistic foray and his early morning runecrafting.

Amplified Magic 10 > 13

Empowered Runic Artistry 25 > 26

Runic Creation 27 > 28

Imbue Intent 29 > 30

True Teleportation 21 > 22

Conceptual Material 27 > 28

His skill development was coming along nicely as far as he was concerned. In a moment he supposed he’d get to see just how much stronger it was making him. It was a short walk to training field two where he was scheduled for his Silver badge assessment. He found Kiri and Deverell already there, leaning against the stone fence as they watched two individuals trade blows out on the sand. Walking up to join them, Kiri gave him a gentle shoulder bump in greeting. Deverell on the other hand just glanced at him and gave an imperceptible nod and a whispered ‘thank you’, before turning back to watch the two combatants continue their exchange. The fighters, or maybe trainers, both wore metal breastplates, along with bracers and greaves. The rest of their armour looked like it might be cloth or leather. The older one, as he judged it based on the grey hair, was wielding what he thought was a scimitar, though it looked a little big. The younger of the two had a broader build with blonde hair and held a longsword in his left hand, with a small round metal shield in his right.

Nate was far from a melee combatant but it looked like the large scimitar favoured sweeping strikes that made use of its weight to push his opponent back. Alternatively the longsword wielder kept using his shield to deflect rather than block to set up counter attacks that alternated between stabbing lunges and slicing attacks. His interest was really only in how he might go about defending himself against such and if there was anything special to consider. So far his answer, at least for these two, was no.

Looking at Deverell he asked, “Any advice?”

“Yes. Don’t reveal too much,” was Deverell’s quick and quiet response.

“Don’t mind him,” whispered Kiri. “Aisling has had him doing some recon work. He’s just tired.”

Nate nodded in response, glancing out at the field as the two combatants finished their bout and approached them.

“Been a while, Deverell,” the older of the two yelled as they approached.

“It has, Hamish,” Deverell replied, sounding displeased rather than his usual stoic self.

“I see living out in the sticks hasn’t loosened you up at all,” Hamish said, the man seeming more conversational than confrontational. “So, these the two then? Which ones Aisling’s and which ones Evindal’s?”

Deverell nodded at Kiri, “Aisling’s.”

Hamish grinned and walked towards Nate, “You can have her then, Timothee. I’ll take the lad.”

Timothee, the younger of the two Assessors, glanced at Hamish with a frown, “What are you thinking, old man?”

Hamish laughed good naturedly, “I’m thinkin that Lord Evindal won’t mind if his nomination gets a little roughed up. Aisling though, she might take it personally. Storms are unpredictable, kid. Don’t get caught in one.”

Timothee looked irritated before nodding to Kiri, “Come on then. Let's get this over with.”

The sword and board warrior made his way back out onto the field but not before Nate had caught both the Assessors with his Awareness of the Runic Artist.

Timothee

Sturdy Shieldbearer (R) (30) / Sword Novice (U) (14)

Hamish

Calm Bladedancer (R) (40) / Blade Trainer (U) (19)

Interestingly, Timothee only appeared to be a few levels too high for the Tournament. Hamish however was only a level away from unlocking his Tertiary Class.

Kiri hopped over the fence, following Timothee out onto the sand as Hamish joined Deverell and himself in watching.

“Did they explain the rules?” asked Timothee patiently.

“Nope,” Kiri replied with a smirk, drawing her two daggers. “But I am guessing if I can make you bleed a little they’d call it a pass.”

“Feisty,” Hamish commented. “Maybe you might finally get a date, kid.”

Nate snorted in response which earned a raised eyebrow from Hamish as he asked, “You calling dibs or something, squirt?”

“Both Timothee and I are a bit too male for Kiri,” Nate replied, his dislike for the older trainer growing. “All the Assessors this fucking rude, Dev?”

“Just Hamish,” Dev replied deadpan, waiting a moment before adding. “Feel free to repay the insult.”

Hamish snorted, “You think just because Aisling scouted this kid from the sticks he’s going to be able to scratch me Deverell? You couldn’t, when I assessed you.”

Deverell just shrugged, as if he didn’t care.

“Alright, if we’re done dick measuring, rules for the assessment,” said Timothee with a frown at Hamish.

“The assessment will last for five minutes. For the first three minutes I will only defend. In the last two minutes I will also attack. All you have to do is not be forced to surrender to pass. I am also allowed to fail you even if you last the full five minutes if I don’t think you’re skilled or controlled enough to be promoted to Silver. The second Assessor can overrule that judgement,” Timothee explained, indicating Hamish. “You’re allowed to use any Skills you have but killing or permanently maiming your Assessor is an instant fail and a permanent ban from the Adventurer’s Guild. Any questions?”

Kiri just shook her head in response, already crouched slightly and looking ready for a fight. Timothee glanced at Hamish who walked over to a couple of bags dumped on the edge of the training field and pulled out a very simple looking hourglass.

“Begin,” the older Assessor intoned as he flipped over the hourglass.

Kiri didn’t waste a moment, darting towards Timothee. In the tunnels of the Rare Dungeon they’d often been fighting at the same time so he’d had little chance to see her style beyond the glances as they checked on each other. In a word, she was fluid. She’d always been flexible. He’d known that back when they’d first begun working together and she’d been an archer, taking shots upside down as she cartwheeled through the air launched about by her old Archer’s Step skill. Watching her now, he could see how she’d transferred that style to her daggers.

From the start she was in Timothee’s face and had him on the back foot. He tried to check her with his shield but she flowed around it, moving for his back. The young Assessor followed through with the motion, continuing to turn as he tried to step away but Kiri was having none of it. Reversing direction in an instant, she continued to try and stay behind him, daggers flashing and as Timothee finally moved back to face her he glanced at the sand which had a few drops of blood now decorating it. That clearly gave the man pause and Nate was close enough to feel mana start flowing as the man activated multiple skills.

When next Kiri approached, it seemed like Timothee’s shield was everywhere. Every dagger strike was met with metal as the man's shield blurred to meet the attacks. Nate felt the change in Kiri’s body as she suddenly sped up, her daggers once more bypassing the shield as she cut Timothee’s arm twice. Before the Assessor could react this time she was inside his guard, with one her daggers pressed against his neck, the other aimed lower.

Timothee froze before smiling ruefully, “Pass. I didn’t even manage three minutes. Congratulations on achieving Silver. I’m really looking forward to seeing how you do in the Tournament.”

Kiri grinned cheekily and slipped her daggers away, sauntering over towards Nate, “Your turn. Don’t make us look bad.”

He grinned and rolled his eyes in response, “We competing on time?”

“Oh, definitely!” responded Kiri immediately, his best friend never one to back down from a little competition.

Deverell gave him a deadpan look, “Nothing over the top.”

Hamish was already walking out onto the sand, glancing back he motioned at Nate, “Get out here, squirt. You’re mine for five minutes.”

Nate glanced at Deverell who stared at him for a moment before sighing and giving a nod.

Walking out onto the field he checked the runes in his robes. If he wanted to beat Kiri’s time he needed a way to end the spar quickly without maiming or killing his opponent. He considered Shadow Prison but he didn’t want to reveal that as it was a trump card after all the time he’d spent making the Legendary array. He also didn’t want to use True Teleportation if he could avoid it as anyone watching, or worse, paying the Assessors for information, would ultimately find out and try to use it against him in the Tournament. Kiri had managed to use barely any of her skills, though her opponent was also barely over level forty. His opponent was almost level sixty, albeit only with a Rare class.

Given his limitations, Earthen Projectiles seemed the best idea. He guessed that based on Hamish’s classes he was likely around a hundred and twenty to a hundred fifty in his Constitution. With his Empowered Runic Artistry his Magic Power should effectively be one hundred and thirty eight. He was willing to take that trade. Especially if Hamish could only defend.

Squaring up with the Assessor he heard Kiri start cheering for him. Hamish however had an ugly look on his face.

“Evindal won’t mind if I rough you up a bit. Teach you a bit of respect for your superiors. Feel free to complain afterwards,” said Hamish, apparently not caring even as everyone looked on with sour expressions on their faces.

“Ready?” called Timothee, his own face showing his distaste for his fellow Assessor.

Hamish and Nate both nodded, indicating their readiness. Hamish raised his sword in defence as he looked on almost disinterestedly. He watched as that disinterest transformed into shock as he was knocked over by a blunted spear of stone slamming into the swordsman breastplate. He’d intentionally aimed for the armour initially as the goal was not to maim the man. That didn’t mean he was going to let up though, as he continued funnelling mana into the Earthen Projectile runic array, controlling it with Imbue Intent. Blunted spears kept slamming into the Assessor, preventing him from getting up. A cloud of dust and sand arose around him as another spear slammed into him every second.

A scream of rage and frustration was released from the dust followed by a yell of, “Enough.”

He felt the mana flow into the Assessor as the man sped up. Surging to his feet. It had been less than ten seconds so far, and already the Assessor was charging at him, sword held out ready for a sweeping strike. Nate went for his old faithful of a barrier at ankle level to try and trip the man, but instead Hamish leapt into the sky, coming down at him with his blade held high. He considered teleporting then, uncertain if his barrier would stand up to the attack. Fortunately the choice was taken away from him as Hamish’s movement was arrested mid-air with a groan of pain. It only took a moment for him to figure out why as his Awareness of the Runic Artist sensed the changes happening. The breastplate Hamish wore was slowly constricting him.

“Now now now, what do we have here?” came a familiar voice.

Nate spun to see Luc casually leaning against the wall around the training grounds.

“Would you mind putting him down, Master Crozier?” asked Timothee quietly.

“Who put you up to it, Hamish?” Luc asked, ignoring Timothee.

When Hamish didn’t respond Nate felt the metal breastplate begin to compress even further.

“I won’t ask again, Hamish. If you don’t give me the name, I am going to take both your arms and you can try and see if your benefactor is willing to pay to have you healed,” said Luc, still reclining carelessly.

“..Allais,” Hamish mumbled.

“Mother or daughter?”

“..Mother,” Hamish whispered. A moment later he was finally dropped to the sands below, Luc’s control over his armour released. The Assessor coughed and spluttered into the sand, spraying a little blood and a lot of spit as he tried to pull his own armour off.

“Good to know. Next time though, my student won’t be holding back, Hamish. You pull a stunt like that again and I will have him punt you around this field like the piece of shit you are. Imagine getting your ass handed to you by someone twenty levels your junior. Ha! So, does he pass?” Luc said, the question directed at Timothee rather than Hamish.

Timothee, looking thoroughly shaken, glanced at Luc and just gave a quick nod, “He passes.”

“Excellent! Hear that, kid? You’re a Silver Badge now. We should go out and celebrate! Drinks are on me, if you’ve finished my little task?” Luc boisterously yelled before glancing at him with a smirk.

As he walked off the field he wasn’t sure whether to be thankful or horrified. He gave Luc a nod, trying to ignore how Luc had casually declared he would take Hamish’s arms. Even as he did, it was hard to ignore his occasional instructor's smirk and he found himself mirroring it, “I’ve got it. Are we allowed to go out, Deverell?”

Deverell looked between the grinning and bouncing Kiri, Luc’s amused smirk and his own slowly blooming hopeful smile, “Fine. Don’t overdo it. Tomorrow is the start of the Tournament. You better be there.”

With those words Deverell spun on his heel and left as Kiri jumped up in the air, “Night on the town!”

Luc just grinned, “Alright, meet at the Gates at dusk. My treat. And bring my project Nate!”

Tonight was going to be a good night, but first, he had some more runecrafting to do.