Chapter 54: Valmyr’s Essence Runes
Everyone turned toward the failed Vanguard after he boldly declared that it was now his turn.
For a moment, Valmyr simply stood there with his massive Shield resting beside him and his Broadsword planted into the ground. The grin on his face widened when he noticed their attention focused entirely on him...
Just like some people, the failed Vanguard also enjoys being the center of attention...
"Unlike Kaeloris, or Caelestra, or Vaelorin..." He began proudly. "I awakened the standard number of Essence Runes. Six; three for my Shield and three for my Sword."
Then he paused for dramatic effect, clearly expecting some kind of amazed reactions from the group...
But Veyrath simply snorted.
"So? What do you expect is to do?" The failed Alchemist asked with scorn. "...Bow down and worship you like some kind of genuis that you aren’t?"
The grin on Valmyr’s face stiffened, then he humphed at Veyrath.
"It seems someone is jealous that there is a greater prodigy than him." He said smugly.
Veyrath sneered with derision. "Me? I’m not jealous of you."
"Well, you sound jealous to me. In fact, I practically feel the envy oozing out of you." Valmyr retorted.
Veyrath looked as though he wanted to throw a rock at the failed Vanguard...
Fortunately, Regaleon intervened before another pointless argument could even begin.
"Enough!"
Immediately, his calm voice settled the atmosphere. Then, he swept his golden gaze across the duo.
"We are here to understand our Essence Runes and not to quarrel with one another."
He then shifted his gaze to Valmyr. "Please, continue."
The failed Vanguard cleared his throat before speaking further...
"As I was saying before the interruption, I awakened three Runes for my Shield. The first Rune is called Mountain Stand..."
He patted his enormous Shield affectionately before continuing.
"Mountain Stand allows me to anchor myself against incoming attacks. Once activated, my footing becomes extraordinarily stable. The stronger the force against me, the deeper that stability becomes..."
Veyrath immediately teased him. "You are built like a mountain already. Why do you suddenly need a Rune to stand like one?"
Vaelorin burst out laughing. "Now, that’s a good one.."
With that, the two bozos nearly doubled over in their laughter...
Valmyr ignored them and continued with his explanation.
"Mountain Stand isn’t simply about standing still. The Rune allows me to absorb and distribute incoming force throughout my body and Shield. And as long as the attack does not exceed a certain threshold, I can withstand it without being pushed backward..."
Kaeloris adjusted his glasses before asking. "Define this certain threshold..."
Valmyr scratched his chin thoughtfully before replying.
"As an Awakener, if I activated Mountain Stand, I should be capable of enduring an attack from a Middle Stage Rank One Etheryean without moving."
Hearing that, the group noticeably became more interested.
"Without moving? Now, that’s actually impressive." Caelestra admitted.
"The Rune essentially transforms you into a living fortress." Kaeloris added.
Valmyr nodded proudly. "Yes. Something like that."
Then, the failed Vanguard raised a hand. "And that is only for the first Rune. The second Rune is called Absolute Guard..."
He tapped the gleaming surface of his Soul Essence as he expatiated with a serious expression.
"Absolute Guard allows me to redirect or nullify a portion of an overwhelming force. If Mountain Stand is about enduring attacks within my limits, then Absolute Guard is for attacks beyond those limits."
Kaeloris was the first person to speak once more.
"The synergy between your two Runes is quite impressive. Mountain Stand anchors you against attacks within your tolerance while Absolute Guard deals with attacks beyond that tolerance. Together, they eliminate most of the weaknesses associated with a defensive fighter."
"Right. My third Rune is called Fortress Expansion. Just like it’s name suggests, this Rune allows me to project a defensive territory around myself..."
"You mean like a barrier or energy field?" Veyrath finally asked.
"It is not technically a barrier or an energy shield, but somewhat similar to those concepts. Within this territory, it allows anyone I wish for to receive protection from external attacks."
"In other words, you can protect multiple simultaneously?" Caelestra asked with an undertone of surprise in her voice.
"Yes. That’s what is basically does."
Meanwhile, Regaleon seemed relieved after hearing the function of Valmyr’s Rune. For the first time since arriving in the Nether Lands, a genuine burden seemed to be lifted from his shoulders...
The group was desperately in need of a reliable defender which was why during every battle so far, he had been forced to divide his attention between fighting and protecting others, especially Sylveris.
The young girl had developed the habit if staying close to him during dangerous situations; though he didn’t dislike it, it still created problems.
Whenever he fought, he constantly had to consider her safety which was why every movement became restrained, every strike became calculated, and every risk becomes unacceptable.
But now... Perhaps that burden could finally be shared.
Regaleon crossed his arms thoughtfully as he spoke.
"If user currently, this Rune could completely alter out battlefield strategy as noncombatants could remain behind you while we focus entirely on offensive actions..."
Valmyr was silent for a few moments... Then he spoke.
"I understand your tactics; but unfortunately, Fortress Expansion consumes a ridiculous amount of Aether and I wouldn’t he able to sustain it for more than five minutes as an Awakener."
Immediately, the excitement surrounding the function of the Rune cooled considerably...
Veyrath clicked his tongue irritably. "I just knew there had to be some kind of catch..."
"You can’t help it. There’s always a catch." Vaelorin quipped.
"Still, five minutes is enough to determine victory or defeat in battle. So, i guess it is manageable." Regaleon analyzed.
After allowing Regaleon’s words to settle, Valmyr lifted his Broadsword. The Soul Essence gleamed with a vermilion light beneath the crimson sky as Valmyr said...
"Now, onto the exciting part..." The failed Vanguard grinned like a maniac. "For my Sword, the first Rune I awakened is called Cataclysmic Strike..."
"Well, that sounds ominous..."
"It is. This Rune allows me to accumulate destructive momentum. In other words, the longer my strike is prepared, the more destructive it becomes..."
"Therefore, if an enemy is far away, your attack becomes stronger before it lands, right?" Surprisingly, it was Aureleah who asked this question.
"Right. Also, repeated attacks against an opponent continuously builds force; and this makes subsequent strikes more dangerous..."
Kaeloris adjusted his spectacles before speaking. "That Rune is especially useful in a battle of attrition; because, the longer the fight continues, the more dangerous you become and while your opponent falter, your attacks would just keep escalating."
Valmyr nodded his head.
"My second Rune is called Giant Slayer. Now, don’t let the name fool you because it doesn’t specifically targets giants as it suggests..."
"Well, that was a turn off." Vaelorin said disappointedly.
Valmyr ignored his comment and spoke further. "This Rune enhances my ability to damage opponents stronger than myself with minimal effort."
"In simpler terms, a proportional damage amplification..."
Valmyr blinked blankly. "What’s that? Some kind of language or Rune..."
Kaeloris sighed at his peer’s ignorance before explaining. "It literally means the stronger your opponent, the more effective your attacks become."
"Oh. You should have spoken in a language we all understand..."
The failed Gnost rolled his eyes and muttered. "Sometimes I wonder how your Runes awakened before your brain did."
Hearing that, the rest of the cohort snickered...
But Regaleon looked thoughtful as he asked. "Valmyr, what happens when you combine Giant Slayer with Cataclysmic Strike?"
Valmyr was stunned for a few moment, then he grinned proudly. "Let’s just say that the result would be catastrophic.. "
Suddenly, Veyrath frowned.
"Hold on. If those Runes are so powerful, then why didn’t you use them extensively during yesterday’s battle?"
Valmyr’s grin disappeared as he answered seriously.
"That’s because I am not proficient enough to use them. Cataclysmic Strike alone requires precision, timing, and control to use, and if any of those is missed, the accumulated momentum becomes unstable. Just using it alone is already taking... Now, combining it with Giant Slayer..."
Valmyr’s expression turned solemn. "... that is something above my current self."
Slowly, understanding appeared on everyone’s faces.
Regaleon nodded. "So it isn’t just about activating the Rune, it is about mastering it."
"Right. And that is the reason I agreed with Veyrath when he suggested we train our Essence Runes."
Then, Valmyr spoke further.
"Now, onto my last Rune. This one is called Momentum Devour and with it, every successful strike increases my attack speed, impact force, and my destructive radius."
"Therefore, if the rune combines with Cataclysmic Strike... The destruction would compound. And if it combines with Giant Slayer... The damage becomes increasingly devastating. I must admit, you have such terrifying Runes." Kaeloris said.
"So, is there a drawback to this Rune?" Caelestra inquired.
Hearing that question, the failed Vanguard simply shrugged.
"It is the usual, Aether consumption. I likely won’t be able to use Momentum Devour properly until I become a Rank Three Etheryean." He concluded.
For several moments, no one spoke as they processed everything Valmyr just revealed...
Finally, Sylveris clapped her hands, breaking the silence. Then, a bright smile appeared on her face as she turned toward the silver-haired Knight.
"Since everyone has talked about their Essence Runes, Regaleon, I think it is finally your turn..."
Then, a mischievous gleam flickered in her silver eyes as she added. "Also, after you are done, my sister would go next..."
