The Runesmith

Robert stood in a well-lit chamber, his breath steady as he adjusted to his new form. The room was large, resembling a sterile underground warehouse with long fluorescent lights that provided bright, even illumination, something rarely seen in this world of swords and magic. Roland stood before him with his arms crossed, analyzing him with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Now, go ahead, why don’t you try starting with that ‘Vow’ skill.”

In the middle of the chamber, there was a training dummy made out of special iron wood. Robert took a deep breath, centering himself. The transformation he had undergone was still fresh, and his body felt unfamiliar, almost too powerful for his own control. But this was what the training was for. Roland stood a few paces away, as always wearing his runic armor and looking like the lord from within his ascension ritual space.

Robert focused on the skill he had seen in his system, ‘Rune Arch-Knight Vow. ’ He wasn’t entirely sure how it would manifest, but he understood that knightly vows required conviction. He thought back to the battles he had fought, the struggles he had endured, and the promise he had made to himself to protect those he cared about and grow strong enough not to be a burden. 

“I swear upon my blade and my strength… that I will never falter in my duty to protect the ones I hold dear…”

‘Something like that?’

Skills became ingrained into the very being of those who possessed them, so he had a general sense of what he was supposed to do. However, the vow had to be spoken aloud, with real emotion and conviction behind it. If he simply muttered random words without meaning them, the skill would not activate.

The moment he spoke, something within him clicked. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and he was suddenly bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The runes covering his armor, as well as those on his practice sword and shield, began to shimmer and pulse. The energy coalesced around him and the runes, enhancing their power exactly as the skill had described.

“I see… interesting.”

Roland nodded, his arms still crossed. Robert wasn’t sure what his brother saw on that visor of his, but it was probably important information. Roland wanted to create a new suit of armor for him, and for that, he needed to understand all of his new skills.

“Good. Now, let’s test how far this vow enhances the rune skills. Strike the dummy when you’re ready.”

Robert nodded and took a step forward, raising his sword. He felt the shift in his stance, his movements were heavier, yet strangely fluid, as though his body had adapted to a new rhythm. The moment he swung his sword, the runes on the blade flared to life, resonating with the power of his vow.

A sharp crack echoed through the chamber as the sword connected. The impact was instantaneous and devastating. Instead of merely denting the training dummy, the ironwood splintered and shattered outward, sending fragments flying across the floor. A gust of force followed, as if the very air had been displaced by the sheer magnitude of his strike.

“That was more than I expected. It seems your vow affects the magnitude of the amplification. Perhaps the length of the words also matters. We’ll have to perform a few more tests. Maybe try mentioning someone specific.”

Roland stepped over to one of the shattered pieces and picked it up. This was not the first time Robert had used the skill, but it was already his second attempt. Previously, he had made a shorter speech, something more general and with much less weight behind it.

“Someone specific?”

“Yes, like perhaps your mother… or Lucille.”

“L-Lucille?”

Robert’s words got caught in his throat as his face reddened slightly. His brother might have been smirking, but it was hidden behind his helmet. Roland was always a step ahead and if he said that it would work, then there was a high probability that it would.

“You’re telling me that the skill responds to personal connections?” 

Robert asked, trying to steer the conversation back to something less… embarrassing.

“A knight’s vow is usually tied to their honor, duty, or an individual they swear to protect or serve. If this skill is anything like traditional vows, invoking a specific person might enhance its effectiveness. You don’t really have someone you serve, so choosing someone close to your heart will probably work best.”

That made sense, but his brother seemed to be forgetting something. A vow of vassalage already existed between them, so in theory, he should be able to direct the skill at his brother. However, if this skill reacted to emotions, then perhaps his one true love, Lucille, was the best choice.

The only problem was that she was right there with them, watching from the sidelines and using her own skills to study examining magic.

“…G-go ahead, Robert. Don’t mind me.”

“I…”

Robert swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his brother’s words and Lucille’s presence to the side. He took a deep breath, focusing on the surge of emotions within him. The vow skill had a short cooldown but burned through half of his mana. Only through the use of mana potions could he realistically use it multiple times.

“I swear upon my blade and my strength… to stand as Lucille’s shield, to never waver, to protect her from harm, no matter the cost.”

The moment the words left his mouth, something inside him ignited. A surge of energy rushed through his veins, stronger than before. His armor and weapon flared brilliantly, the runes pulsing with an intensity that surpassed his previous attempt. The glow from his body shifted, becoming steadier, more resolute, as if it had found its true purpose.

“I was right. The conviction in your words strengthens the effect. Your runes are burning brighter, more stable. I suppose it’s the power of love?”

“Hey!”

Robert blushed even deeper as his brother ended the sentence with a mocking tone. However, this also seemed to be part of the test, as when his emotions were riled up, the runes on his practice armor started flickering.

“As I thought, under emotional turmoil, the skill weakens… You’ll have to watch out for that, Robert. Now how about we move on to that ‘Invoke Rune’ skill…”

*****

‘Quite the particular class this is, it has a lot of potential… I wonder.’

Some time had passed since he had examined Robert’s Arch-Knight class. The skills his brother showcased were intriguing but also somewhat limiting. He did not receive the specific knight skills that a Champion Swordsman would gain, but he could still learn them. Once he reached Tier 3, his swordsmanship was elevated to master rank along with many of his other skills.

‘With the right equipment, it’s going to be much stronger than a Champion, and that stat multiplier can’t be ignored.’

Roland started typing. Before him was the monitor in the lowest level of the workshop. He had managed to create something resembling a personal computer from his original world, and even the keyboard he made was identical. His fingers moved across the keys with ease, a testament to his old life.

It felt a bit strange for him to create a file on his own brother, but he needed to save the data he had collected. Besides the ‘Vow’ skill, the most interesting ability allowed Robert to invoke certain runes, even on pieces of armor that had not been touched by a runesmith. Robert only knew a few basic runes, mostly granted through the knowledge transfer from his ascension ritual. However, there were ways to learn more complex rune structures, ones that Roland could customize to fit his fighting style.

‘Invoke Rune’ required mastery of a rune, but its description was misleading. Robert did not need to truly understand the runes. Instead, he just had to use them repeatedly while training. Eventually, he would gain the ability to summon them at will through the skill.

There was also a separate window within his system that displayed the runes he had learned. He could only have five active at a time. It was possible to replace them with different ones, but this had to be done before a fight began. Once in battle, the option would be grayed out, making it crucial to choose wisely.

‘Now then, is there anyone that is worth it?’

Before him was a window displaying his brother’s picture along with the most important skills he had now and before the ascension trial. After minimizing his profile, a few images appeared on the right side, showing members of the Albrook troops. They were all men under Arthur’s and his supervision, selected for their potential to obtain a unique class like Robert’s. One of them was Fin, but he still needed many years of training before reaching a high enough level.

‘Would it be possible to start early? And what will I do about the vow? Can it be substituted with anything else?’

Roland pondered. The Rune Arch-Knight was an excellent class, but he was uncertain about its restrictions. Robert had the blood of Wentworth Arden, a man from a prominent family of knights and a noble. Blood ties were not just cosmetic in this world, and they might have been a requirement for achieving this class.

‘I could try with them and see if the path can be expanded to regular soldiers. Even if they don’t obtain the Arch-Knight class, something like Rune Champion or Rune High-Knight might be enough.’

There were few high-level Tier 2 class holders among the knights in their territory, many of whom were drawn by the high pay and the promise of a fresh start. There was a reason they had ended up here, and it was not a particularly great one. Their classes were fairly ordinary, and they were clearly not prominent enough for other lords to consider them worth the price or commitment. 

To some extent, they were below-average prospects, simply looking for an easy life in a small but growing city. Normally, no one would be willing to invest in their growth. Their skills were lacking, and their levels had stagnated. This was where the training facilities he had built would prove useful. Fully leveling up their skills would not be difficult—Robert had already demonstrated that before his attempt.

The only requirement would be for them to swear a vow of vassalage to him and Arthur. However, he was still uncertain whether his Overlord class influenced class selection. He would need to discuss the matter with Arthur to determine whether he would allow his knights to swear their vows directly to him rather than in the name of their new lord.

“It might be good to prepare a proper ascension chamber for the soldiers…”

He mumbled to himself as he stood up from his chair and closed the application. This was the end of his brother’s journey to tier 3 but many more people were waiting. After going through the trouble of restoring Robert’s memories and using them to help him pass his trial, he had gathered enough information to attempt a prototype that would help others to do the same.

The main challenge was the runes, which relied on divine mana. Masking them would be necessary, and he would likely need Sebastian to record what the participants encountered during the trial. However, he envisioned personal chambers equipped with a database for each individual, which would significantly increase the chances of passing the best trial available. With precise knowledge of what to expect, people could prepare just as Robert had.

“Would it be possible to get that going before that thing starts?”

He continued walking while talking to himself. The culling was approaching and could begin within a couple of months. Their preparations were not yet complete, and they needed all the help they could get. However, many of the recent hires were new, and there was a possibility that spies had already infiltrated Albrook. While he had a monitoring system in place, it was not flawless. He needed a contingency plan in case someone leaked information about the state of their army.

Roland’s mind raced with possibilities as he stepped into one of his personal rooms. It was down at the level Sebastian’s main body was placed and behind a reinforced door made out of dwarven steel. Only he could open it up and once it confirmed his mana signature along with other biometric markers, the heavy door slid open. 

Inside, there wasn’t any specialized equipment, just a circular room with multiple high rectangular cases surrounding it. Inside each case were several armors, some missing a few pieces, with only two complete sets. Each one was slightly different, featuring rune structures that would give most runesmiths a headache.

‘Finally got around to making one of these.’

It was a proper armor chamber, designed to hold multiple armors, each suited for different situations. His first true Tier 3 armor was still there. The Rune Mark II stood right before him, and he removed the helmet that he took from it, letting it float toward the rest of the armor. With a click, it connected, and the display case slid back. Once in place, a field of blue mana shimmered in front of it, acting as a protective layer.

Roland’s gaze shifted to the newest addition to his collection, the armor forged from Ignisium ore. While his previous creation had been a testament to his mastery of runesmithing, this latest piece showcased his advancements in metallurgy and craftsmanship.

The armor was a full suit of plate, its surface shimmering with a deep crimson sheen, an effect of the Ignisium alloy fused with red mithril and other rare metals. This unique combination granted it unparalleled fire resistance, rivaling even the finest crafted sets as well as a bonus to any runic flame spells he placed on it. 

The chest plate bore the motif of a roaring flame, its ridges and engravings creating the illusion of flickering fire as light passed over it. The pauldrons extended outward in sweeping arcs, mimicking the upward lick of a blaze, each adorned with finely inscribed runes, every one serving a distinct purpose.

The gauntlets were among the most intricate parts of the armor. Each finger segment had layered plating designed to interlock seamlessly, allowing for maximum dexterity. The knuckles bore small, embedded runes that flared to life when mana was channeled through them, enhancing grip strength and providing an added burst of force in close combat but also more.

Once he looked at the vambraces the scale-like pattern came into view. When he made this armor, the image of salamanders and dragons entered his mind and when looking at it, he almost wondered if he didn’t overdesign it. The greaves and sabatons followed the same motif and it all came together at the chest area. With the breastplate containing a hidden compartment for his rune beam hidden within. The roaring flame motif extended from the sternum outward, each groove and ridge meticulously designed to catch the light, giving the illusion of an ever-burning fire

“It’s probably one of the more stylish ones I’ve created…”

The armor here was not crafted by the hands of the dwarves from the Union—it was entirely his own work. Bernir had assisted, but Roland had handled most of the heavy lifting himself. It had been a while since he had forged something of this caliber alone, and he wanted to create a piece that was as eye-catching as it was functional, befitting his position.

Though the armor appeared more unique than the Rune Mark II, it remained highly practical. Thanks to its unique alloy, any flame spells he cast while wearing it would receive a massive boost in potency. This enhancement was the primary reason he had chosen to forge this first elemental armor variant.

“Should I take it for a spin? They should be done with that wall soon… or should I work on the other one first? ”

Roland stretched out his hand, allowing the helmet from his new armor to float closer. He examined it carefully, then used his identification skill to assess its properties once more. Whether it was due to his increased level or simply his growing expertise, this suit had received a higher rating than his previous creation.

After inspecting his latest creation, Roland decided to let it glide back to the display case. Then his gaze fell back to a partially completed green suit of armor, there were at least three more suits he needed to make to complete the basic elemental armors and another two further down the line. Perhaps if he concentrated, he could finish them before the dwarven miners created that pesky tunnel…