Chapter 843 (1/2)

Living arrangements were easy and the Matriarch’s second request of providing a spear master for the one twin, Sleval, was similarly simple. Since Randidly had planned to send both children to the University, it worked out wonderfully.

Annon, the slightly younger and scrawnier brother, posed a thornier problem.

“I will leave this place,” Randidly warned. “He will be taken from all he has known. And the threats I will face… He is young. Let him grow up here. And your abilities as a Mana Engraver-”

The Matriarch cast her eyes meaningfully at the large leather-bound and handwritten book that lay on the table between them. “The Skills at Engraving belonged to my husband; I was never all that talented. And as we were fleeing, my guidance served the Willow Tree Spear Style just fine. However, Annon has displayed talent and interest in Engraving since he was small. I wish for him to have the opportunities to learn the Skills of his grandfather. And for that… I can only rely on you.”

“There is no guarantee that I can learn this,” Randidly admitted helplessly. The book on the table between them was the secret art of the Willow Tree Spear Style, creating a runic engraving that could Level like a regular Skill, without affecting your Class’ Skill limit. The basic version of it was to draw a complicated geometric pattern lightly and then fill in a small portion of the geometric pattern with more definitive engravings. That way, it could function as a Skill, and as it grew, spread to larger and larger geometric shape in the previously traced whole.

The Skill, in effect, self-replicated itself, doubling down on the abilities of the Skill. Although Randidly wasn’t sure of the scaling, it was clearly a powerful art.

There were quite a few caveats, however. All the interrelations needed to be perfect for the engraving to be stable, or it would explode and destroy the item. Depending on what Skill the maker was attempting to imbue into the item, the geometric pattern used needed to match the Skill’s, or the item would explode. And the creator needed to have mastery and understanding of the Skill at all levels, or… the item would explode.

Basically, the process was akin to playing with dynamite, where you lit the fuse by using the Skill. It might grow, it might explode. There was no way of truly telling without experience making such runes.

That experience would only happen if Randidly took the risk of a weapon blowing up while using it.

In addition, Randidly considered himself talented, but the level of fine detail required in the geometric patterns was mind-boggling. Simply sketching them out on the equipment, before creating the kernel of the actual Skill, would likely take three days of work.

“Even so, there is no one else.” The Matriarch turned and looked at Annon and Sleval, who were gawking at the new, full-length Tassle of the Willow Tree Spear Style that hung on the wall. It had been a long time since they had felt confident enough to announce who they were to the world. “Annon was always a strange child. Going with you will likely be a good experience for him.”

Randidly winced. Somehow, he doubted traveling with Randidly would be a good thing. “What about his brother? I cannot guarantee that I will return soon. Or at all. If something happens to me-”

“That is the way of life.” The Matriarch interrupted. “Nothing is guaranteed. And the bond between those brothers is not so weak that distance would destroy it.”

Randidly gritted his teeth but said nothing. Taking Annon and teaching him Engraving was annoying but possible. Especially once he returned to Earth and had access to the resources of Erickson Steel. But it was just one more responsibility on a long list that Randidly wished he didn’t have to handle.

Yet the Matriarch had given him a precious treasure, one that had shaped him in the past. To repay that debt, he would do it.

“Alright,” Randidly finally agreed as he leaned forward and took the book sitting on the table. “But I would ask one thing of you as well.”

The Matriarch tilted her head to the side. “Oh? What would that be?”

“Pronto University won’t teach just spear fighting, I would also like Engraving to be part of the curriculum. You might not be a master of this, but…” Randidly tapped the book. “You have enough knowledge to teach the basics, yes?”

*****

There was a breeze on her face.

Azriel struggled to open her eyes and found her eyelids too heavy to move. Frowning, Azriel focused all of her considerable Willpower on the task. Still, her eyelids were like beds of drying concrete. But she refused to give up. She would have this.

Slowly, light flooded into Azriel’s mind and showed her the world.

It was warm, where she was. Sunlight was flowing through open windows onto the covers that lay across Azriel. Azriel made to sit up, but her body groaned painfully. Annoyed, she wiggled back and forth, trying to loosen the covers that were as restrictive as metal bindings across her chest.

It was an impossible task. She must have been purposefully tied down-

“Stop that. You’ll tear open your wounds.” Helen scolded, leaning into Azriel’s view to glower at her.