Wizard Bloodline

"Runes cannot be used directly; they need to be inscribed onto artifacts. Thus, the professions of artifact enchanters and rune engravers were born."

Ronan's interest piqued as he read this line. He was preparing to delve into the profession of rune engraving.

Typically, crafting an artifact involves first forging the artifact's prototype from materials, then inscribing the desired rune onto its core to grant it power.

However, direct inscription can lead to disaster if a mistake occurs, destroying the artifact and wasting materials.

Therefore, the usual process involves a runesmith first inscribing the rune onto a rune stone. An enchanter then uses the rune stone to enchant the artifact. This way, a failed enchantment only costs the rune stone, preserving the artifact.

Among the main professions in the wizarding world—alchemy, forging, enchanting, and runes—rune engraving is often ranked lowest, but mastering it can still provide a comfortable living compared to the average wizard.

Ronan chose rune engraving mainly because it had the lowest entry barrier and learning cost.

This was also the original owner's thought process.

He had already read more than half of the wizarding book in his hands before finally reaching specific content about rune engraving.

The book "Runology: Ten Common Zero-Level Runes" detailed the engraving methods for ten common zero-level runes.

These runes are: [Absorb Light], [Cleanse], [Shine], [Conduct], [Fortify], [Sharp], [Protect], [Swift], [Strength], and [Awaken].

Earlier, Ronan had already gathered some price estimates for most of these runes while buying blank rune stones at the market.

"[Absorb Light], [Cleanse], and [Shine] are low-level zero-grade runes, the cheapest, usually costing only one or two magic stones.

[Conduct], [Fortify], [Sharp], and [Protect] are mid-level zero-grade runes, with [Protect] being the most valuable, starting at five low-grade magic stones.

As for [Swift], [Strength], and [Awaken], these runes are often used in jewelry-type artifacts like rings and necklaces, classifying them as high-level zero-grade runes. Among them, [Awaken] is the most valuable, enhancing meditation during cultivation, focusing the mind in combat, increasing spell success rate, and providing some resistance to mental attacks, priced at over ten low-grade magic stones."

"These are the most common general-use zero-level runes. Rare spell-type runes of the same level are much more expensive."

Ronan recalled the flaming short sword artifact he'd seen at the market, likely enchanted with a rare fire spell rune.

"With these fifteen blank rune stones, even engraving just one of the most basic, cheapest runes would recover my costs."

"Oh wait, it should be twenty!"

Ronan quickly got up and rummaged through the miscellaneous box in the corner of his small house, finally pulling out a pile of rune stones and a small carving knife.

These were naturally left by the original owner.

There were forty rune stones in total, thirty-five of which were discarded due to engraving errors.

The knife was a basic carving tool for rune engraving, valued at ten magic stone fragments, the cheapest and most basic rune carving knife, barely functional with no additional benefits.

"Twenty blank runes, succeed with one, I should..."

"I should be able to do it."

Ronan wasn't naive; the vendor's mocking face was still fresh in his mind, making it clear that relying on just a few blank rune stones for practice was likely futile.

But he had no spare magic stones for a second batch of practice materials. These twenty blank rune stones were his only hope.

If this didn't work, he would have to find another way.

Ronan wasn't entirely without confidence; his character panel's ability to solidify progress gave him the courage to tackle rune engraving. If it went as smoothly as learning [Energy Missile]...

Shaking off distracting thoughts, Ronan focused on the task at hand.

After weighing the difficulty of engraving and rune value, Ronan chose [Cleanse], one of the low-level zero-grade runes, as his first practice target.

[Cleanse] derives from the zero-level spell [Cleanse], capable of dusting, absorbing water, and removing stains, a staple rune for wizard robes.

Ronan's robe wasn't a true wizard robe, just made from slightly special material, more stain-resistant than regular clothing, with no rune effects.

A true wizard robe enchanted with [Cleanse] would clean itself, staying fresh for months without washing, never accumulating dirt.

The first step in rune engraving is to memorize the rune's shape completely.

This step is crucial.

Runes are the crystallization of wizard wisdom and effort, optimized and refined over time, with each detail serving a unique purpose.

A slight deviation could render it ineffective.

This step is labor-intensive, requiring rote memorization without shortcuts. Ronan spent an entire night committing the broom-like shape of the [Cleanse] rune to memory.

"Gurgle, gurgle—"

In the morning, with the small treehouse's door open, Ronan stood inside, watching his breakfast boil on the stove.

After buying flour yesterday, Ronan had intended to make himself some noodles.

But something went wrong, and the noodles fell apart in the pot, turning into a mushy mess after a short boil.

However, the smell was quite pleasant.

Ronan didn't mind, adding some spices and eating it as it was.

"Time to move on to the next step."

Still holding the pot, Ronan squatted at the treehouse door, slurping the mush while considering his next steps.

After memorizing the rune, the next stage was to practice drawing it.

Once familiar with drawing, he would practice carving it with the knife.

Only then would he attempt actual engraving.

Ronan didn't see himself as a natural talent in rune engraving; he couldn't skip any necessary steps.

Life regained its rhythm.

Exercise, meditation, spell practice, now joined by rune research, filled Ronan's daily routine.

Though exhausting, it brought a sense of fulfillment he hadn't felt in a long time.

The last time he felt this way...

Was probably during his senior high school exam preparations in his previous life.