Welxorth Academy's library was all mahogany, pillaring towards an arched ceiling. The large open room's walls were lined with endless tomes of all colours, some as old as parchment from the past eons, or as recent as the newest leather lined research grimoires from the very scholars that walked the Academy. Although from an outsider's point of view, the library didn't seem to hold many books, it was obvious to a mage's eye that the small twinkles of mana hid something of greater size.
Directly across from the entrance doors stood a large sweeping staircase, with ornate railings and delicate wooden marblings, which led to the second floor that was more of a platform and that permitted further access to the bookcases climbing the ceiling.
From there, multiple ladders and plum velvet chairs were set sparsely across the library from top to bottom.
A spiralling chandelier hung from the overhead's arched curve, tiny crystals glinting from the infused mana. The walls of tomes were periodically interrupted by an arched window still which allowed the autumn breeze to come wandering inside, brushing past the stained glass panes.
Rather, it could be said that the decorations in the library were rarely used, for at the front desk, which loomed next to the entrance, was a handy artifact which allowed the user to infuse their impression of the book they were searching for. Many scholars, once having acquired their books at the front desk, would leave instead of indulging in the mundane action of sinking into the cushion of a plush seat and opening a beautiful book.
Ilrune brushed his hand against the polished desk, setting his gaze upon the artifact which was shaped like a gold lined book.
It's honestly quite an impressive library.
He gazed upon the empty chairs, and sighed.
Although its beauty seems to be lost on the students here. They probably see something like this everyday at their family estate.
Well. What am I waiting for?
Ilrune tapped a finger against the book-artifact, infusing a sliver of mana inside.
For a second, the book remained unresponsive. Just as Ilrune attempted another try, the grinding of gears told him that it had simply lagged behind for a second.
Soon, books came flying down, landing quietly on the table.
[Mana and Metal: Fundamentals of Rune Transcription in Engineering by Eder Ardor]
[A History of Vilste's Architecture by Flore Vian]
Oh. I thought it hadn't worked so I tried a different type of book.
Ilrune picked up the second book, its golden handle glinting slightly in the soft light. He frowned, debating whether or not to return it.
It's not a bad idea to memorize Vilste's sewer system, just in case.
... There's been no news of the chimeras since the other professors and I reported them to the government authorities. They assured us that they were going to take this seriously, but I hardly doubt that the officials are doing anything to solve the chimera mysteries. At most, they'll just hand off the case to the federal state government.
A bunch of useless fools seriously...
With a sigh, Ilrune opened his leather case and haphazardly threw in both books.
If someone is really tracking all my moves in this Academy, I bet they'll be quite confused. What kind of botany professor dabbles in history or rune making?
He subconsciously raised his hand, touching the golden badge.
So far, I transcribed most of the runes on it, but there is one problem; I don't know how to replicate it. After all, I'm not an expert on artifact engineering. All I know are the transformation related runes I was looking into.
Even at that, he didn't have any of the mana rituals needed to engrave runes in physical objects and therefore couldn't act without visiting Welxorth.
I would've loved to stay and read here, but it would be quite odd. Imagine walking in and seeing one of your professors lounging about...
With one last mournful look at the grandiose room, Ilrune naturally picked up his leather case and walked out of the library.
Hopefully,this rune book will have what I'm looking for... He thought as he walked.
"-With such a prize, I could even quit teaching and retire!"
"Given that you find him first."
Soon, fragments of a conversation drifted into his ears.
"My friend, you hurt my feelings. What makes you think I'll fail?"
Theodore d'Este shook his head, his long ebony hair moving in harmony with the movement.
"There are simply too many hunters. For the amount of people and including their skills and special abilities, you'd have a 0.37% chance."
Aurio Ettore pouted, but he brightened upon seeing Ilrune.
"Ah, Professor Monet! Come, quick. I require your help to resolve an argument."
Please don't let this be what I think it is.
Ilrune smiled good-naturedly and asked, "What is it?"
Theodore crossed his arms, his face a disbelieving wall of stone. "Professor Ettore here believes that he has a chance to capture the elven fugitive."
"..."
I need a drink...
Damn that poster. Why are you following me even at work?
... In all honesty, I highly doubt that they'll find me. This isn't a belief out of ego, rather it's been so long that they wouldn't even know where to begin looking. As a plus, the portrait they drafted is highly inaccurate.
No matter the amount of bounty hunters, they'll be looking for an elf.
I've been disguising as a human for nearly ninety years... I'd like to say I've had some practice.
Ilrune listened to his colleagues with a wry smile.
"Anyone has a chance! Even if there are many hunters on his trail, the elven authorities haven't narrowed down the search range. He could be found anywhere on the two continents! This means that anyone could capture him, even me."
Aurio Ettore made a valiant effort at defending his case, although anyone could tell that the attempt was more out of jest rather than pride.
That is true. Anyone has a chance, but that also means nobody has a certain chance. Unless they specifically have my mana signature and a mage who can see mana signatures capture me, they'll be walking around blindly.
Even at that, I have some last resorts. Ilrune thought as he subconsciously reached for his blazer pocket, where a small dark blue vial hid.
"If I may," He interjected, slightly raising his hand. "I believe that the elven fugitive has been missing for quite some time now. He is the current King's older brother, no? It's quite unfortunate for Professor Ettore's retirement dreams, but my theory is that the fugitive has long disappeared."
In fact, he is hiding right here, masquerading as a human mage!
"I agree. Who says he's not dead?" Theodore nodded, the sliver of a smile tugging at his lips. "Sorry Ettore, you'll have to work with us for two dozen more years."
"The agony," Aurio smiled. "At least I'll have wonderful company."
I don't think now is the time to tell them I'm leaving next semester... haha.
Ilrune allowed his lips to twist in a slightly sardonic smile, before quickly replacing it with Bernard Monet's signature gentle look.
"I'll leave you two gentlemen to it, then." He nodded at the professors and left with the echo of their farewells clinging to his back.
***
[Chapter One: Fundamentals of Rune Transcription]
[While many people are foolish enough to believe that the transcription process consists of only drawing the rune like some cheap graffiti, the truth couldn't be any further.]
[The first step is always the most important as it allows for the foundation to stay solid as we build upon it. One must memorize the rune they wish to transcribe, down to the very proportions of the straight lengths and arch angles of the curves. If drawing the rune on regular paper is a harduous task with all copies of the same rune looking progressively more deformed, try again. Do not continue until you're done with drawing perfectly identical copies.]
Tap. Tap. Scritch.
Ilrune looked at the paper underneath his fountain pen. Many rows of neat little sigils were perfectly lined and replicated.
Benefits of a steady hand, huh. First step, acccomplished.
[Are you absolutely certain that your strokes all have equal pressures and are perfect copies of each other? Try again. Step two is slightly more abstract, and this is where many beginners struggle. Let me repeat myself once again, do not and I repeat absolutely do not move onto the next step if you are uncertain of the results you have created.]
[When engraving runes onto the preferred medium of your choice, there needs to be intent. Strong, willful intent that will forcefully grab the rune's mana signature and imprison it into the metal with no chance of the mana dissipating and returning to the earth. As well, there can't just be any intent. For example, if you intend to make an air purifying artifact (which, why would you do that?) you need the following intents: purifying, cleaning...]
Ilrune blinked slowly. His vision was darkening at the edges and keeping his eyes open felt like he had glued boulders onto his eyelids, rather than something that could be naturally attempted.
I'm falling asleep, even though I slept the recommended amount of hours.
...
Are the side effects already catching up? I thought that they would fade since I reduced the frequency of usage once I started using the artifact.
The disguised elf opened his leather case and stared at a row of vials. Attached to one of the sides was a contraception that held eight potion vials. Five of them were empty, two held the midnight blue potions, and he grabbed the last one.
It was unlike those he had made a month prior, that vial was magenta in colour, and shone mysteriously under the office's lights.
Clink.
He downed the bottle, and tossed it back into the suitcase.
"Urghh... Great potioneer that I am, can't even make the potions I drink the most taste good...." Ilrune grimaced as he wiped his mouth.
Then, he grabbed the book with both hands and brought his face close.
[Some intents are not transferable through a wand, which is quite normal. In that case, overlay multiple magic circles on the flat surface the medium rests upon, and engrave the rune using regular mana.]
[As for the medium, many metals can be used, but for greater efficiency, pure gold is always recommended. Don't be stingy with your gold, otherwise you'll have your head blown off by the mana explosion resulting from imbalance!]
"It makes sense that gold serves as the preferred medium," Ilrune muttered as he nudged his badge. "Where am I going to find so much gold? Market price is at ten couronnes per pound of pure gold."
Depending on the artifact I make, it might cost more or less. I currently have a little over 70 couronnes in total wealth... Shall I make a ring? The risk then lays in the fact that it is difficult to engrave multiple runes on a small surface. Then again, I don't really want to pin an attention attracting badge on my clothes everywhere I go...
Ilrune winced as he mentally weighted his options. On one end, bankruptcy. The other, potential mana explosion.
Should I just risk it? Ah... wait.
There is somewhere in Vilste where I could get gold for cheaper prices.
***
The bar was a sticky mess of pungent beer breaths and hazy conversations, but the hooded man didn't seem to mind as he sat himself at one of the available stools.
"'Afternoon! What can I get for you tonight?"
Soon, the bartender came to the man with a bright smile.
Tap. Tap.
The hooded man thought briefly, then smiled. "I was thinking a Luxevre special. But could you make it with Merlot La Capitale and crushed mana stones?"
The bartender fell silent for a short amount of time, then said regretfully, "I'm afraid we can't mix that for you, sir. Here's the card of one of my friends who can make these, he's right that way."
As he spoke, the man took out a business card from his inner pocket and handed it over to the hooded customer. Then, he pointed towards a side exit.
"Alright."
The hooded man nodded and left the bar. He approached the side door, casually tapping the business card once against the handle, and stepped out into what seemed to be the outside world.
To think that Vilste's black market is hidden behind a fake business card... Haha.
Ilrune smiled as he descended the dimly lit hallway.
No wonder the authorities struggle with finding it... Thank goodness for Perseis's ties.
The light at the end of the tunnel grew sharper as Ilrune's excitement rose.
Step. Step. Whoosh.
It felt like he had entered a whole new world. In this underground marketplace, the buildings stretched as tall as the ceilings allowed it, and lamps were strung by metal wires, hanging between different shops.
The ground was stone-paved and irregular, but regular use smoothed most of the jagged edges out. Masses dressed in black capes crowded the narrow streets, flittering from stand to stand, shop to shop.
Above, the fog made it difficult to distinguish how far underground the fantastical trade city resided.
Incredible. Truly incredible. Spatial magic isn't something that can be used willy nilly. It's capricious and rarely bends to the user's will.
This is why only a sparse amount of people are fluent in spatial magic. Others can only wade in the beginner area.
Pulling the hood further down, Ilrune seamlessly blended in a group of shoppers, pretending to be interested in various stands.
Pure gold is rarely sold in large quantity in such places... But if I buy enough golden jewelry, I'll be able to melt and purify the metal.
Ilrune had already planned on visiting various types of stands in case someone was following him, but his true interest laid in stolen jewelry and small batches of pure gold.
First, he stopped at an antique pottery stand, pretending to admire the handiwork.
Then, he lingered near an exotic plant vendor, an antique grimoire seller, a holy water stand, and a potions stand.
I could probably make all of these on my own. Ilrune sighed, but still made a point to 'examine' the goods.
A shorter figure stood next to him, also browsing.
Likely female, gloved hands but the material isn't good quality so either a noble in disguise or a regular civilian mage... I think I can sense something else.
Ilrune briefly shut his eyes, focusing on the tingle sparking the back of his neck. It felt like a myriad of tiny creatures crawled on that specific spot, trying to burrow their thick carapaces into his skin and hide from the outside air.
"..."
What are the odds?
...I'm sensing corruption. The mark is faint but I've seen enough of that vile thing to feel it.
Mentally, Ilrune began likening the hooded figure to a certain professor he seldom came across in the Academy.
The coincidence is remarkable.
...What are the odds?
"I'll have this one."
"Three dames."
Ilrune almost jumped out of his cape out of fright. The voice, a sweetened mellow thing, was exactly that of Gisele, another Welxorth professor!