Chapter 23: Runes
Just like the exterior, the interior of the house was completely made of wood.
More bookshelves than Leonard could count were arranged in a chaotic order.
"There must be thousands of books in here at least..." He whispered. Feeling more like he was in a library than in anyone’s home.
His eyes fixed on the front.
Possibly the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen nonchalantly floated on a fluffy cloud. Dressed entirely in black attire, which matched the color of her long hair and eyes, she appeared in a trance, staring at several open books simultaneously.
"Welcome, customer..." Cassandra greeted softly, shifting her gaze to him. The ground beneath her shone in weird patterns, and the soft cloud gently lowered until her feet touched the floor.
Immediately, goosebumps spread across Leonard’s back. From a single glance, he knew the woman before him wielded enough power to erase him with a flick of her finger.
Still, he had already faced a vampire and skeleton knights that had been much stronger than him. With his past experience in mind, he was able to keep his composure from faltering.
"Hello." He replied with a nod. "Appraiser Spencer referred me here to get a rune for dimensional storage engraved on me."
"Is that so..." Cassandra slowly tilted her head to the side, studying him silently. She gestured with her finger.
"Be not afraid, child. Come closer."
Leonard complied, realizing that he had instinctively kept a safe distance between them to be on the safer side.
Stopping face to face, he noted that Cassandra was slightly shorter than him when she wasn’t floating on her cloud.
"Here are the prices." She said, handing him a book where the costs of the services were laid out clearly.
In the catalog, the different options were visualized in the form of cubes, giving a clearer sense of the final result.
The most expensive option he could afford offered 3 meters in length, width, and height for 5,000 credits, while the next tier, measuring four meters in all three dimensions, was priced at four times the cost of the previous option.
"Are you worried about the high prices? The larger the storage, the harder it is to keep it stable, regardless of the gadget." Cassandra explained leisurely.
"Of course, you can always go for a dimensional storage ring instead, since those tend to be much cheaper. But keep in mind that their capacity can never be expanded."
"So that means the rune can be expanded..." He murmured. "Very well, I will buy the 3-meter option."
"Wise choice." She nodded in acknowledgment. "Give me your palm."
After Leonard paid the agreed amount, she began to draw runes across his palm. Her movements were so smooth and deliberate that even with his full concentration, he was unable to remember a single sigil during the entire process, which lasted twenty minutes.
[You have gained a new Skill, Dimensional Storage!]
[Dimensional Storage]
[A dimensional storage space measuring 3 meters in length, width, and height. Items placed inside retain their original state.]
He was momentarily surprised that the rune was considered a skill.
"So engraving the rune turns it into a skill? But aren’t skills supposed to have levels and ranks that can be improved with evolution points, what makes this one different?" He asked.
"Usually, yes. However, runic engraving works on a different principle. The only way to improve them is by seeking the help of individuals who can manipulate them. If you ever want to expand it, you will have to come back to me." Cassandra answered.
"Alternatively, once you reach Level 10, you can choose a class that specializes in rune manipulation and alter the skill to your liking."
Leonard was intrigued by the proposal. He imagined endlessly stacking runes with different effects onto his body, gaining a variety of skills in the process.
"Interested?" Cassandra’s lips curled into a faint smile. "To be honest, even the current rates of my services are generously below market value. The real reason I’m here is to look for potential recruits to train in the future. If you ever wish to attend my courses, you can do so after Headmistress Jennifer permits you to join the awakener’s academy."
He nodded, deciding to investigate the matter in greater detail later.
Eager to test his new skill, he took out the silver axe he had obtained from the Haunted Catacombs.
[Silver double-headed axe]
[Rank: Rare]
[A sturdy axe that grants +2 Strength when wielded, especially effective when fighting vampires.]
During his battle with the Lowborn Vampire, he had failed to notice that the axe was actually considered a treasure. It bore a rank of its own and was recognized by the system.
Without a doubt, this was the most valuable weapon he had ever owned, granting a slight increase to his strength. It had been the only item he hadn’t sold from the dungeon expedition.
[Dimensional Storage activated!]
The skill worked perfectly. The weapon vanished from sight and was stored within him. From now on, he wouldn’t have to worry about stashing it or going unarmed.
"And one piece of advice... free of charge." Cassandra added. "Consider buying yourself a cheap dimensional ring to use as a decoy. In case you’re ever extorted for your things, you can simply hand over the dummy ring while keeping your valuables to yourself."
"I hadn’t considered that... Thank you." He said.
Cassandra nodded. The runes beneath her activated, and she rose on her cloud, getting lost in her research once again.
"It seems that a lot of valuable knowledge is accessible only to those who attend the awakener’s academy..." Leonard concluded once he exited the wooden house.
However, another problem arose. The awakener’s academy was located in the Upper Sector. He didn’t need to live there to attend, but joining was a matter of both talent and funds. One couldn’t simply enter without sufficient backing.
Nevertheless, he had more pressing matters to worry about. Exhausted, he headed toward his home.
"I’m back." By the time he returned, it was already night.
"Young Master." Miranda was already at the door. "You were gone for quite a while... I was starting to grow worried. Imagine my surprise when I checked the news only to see that the dungeon you went to was suddenly sealed."
Leonard smiled warmly when he saw her face.
"Things got a bit complicated... would you mind if I fill you in tomorrow morning? After two days of staying awake and nonstop fighting, I’m moments away from collapsing."
Miranda didn’t mind. All she needed to know was that Leonard was safe... Besides, he needed proper rest.
After all, tomorrow was the ceremonial funeral of his father.
Comments