The Runic Alchemist

Damian shook his head, pushing away the negative thoughts. It had been six months. They must have improved a lot by now, probably even leveled up several times. They didn't need as much time to level up as he did, after all. And they were talented. Sam, despite his constant whining, had always paid attention and done the exercises Damian had recommended when they practiced swordsmanship together.

As for Einar, Damian didn't know much about him, but he seemed like someone with solid goals and strong motivation. The cousins, understood the importance of hard work. Yovan was lazy, sure, but his curiosity about spells and magic made him perfect for becoming a good mage.

"....Commander, I think we should take a little break, should you wish to freshen yourself," Tristan suggested, urging them to pause the discussion. Damian also gave his mana sense a rest.

"Yes, we can continue in a few hours. It's late into the night anyway," the pugilist agreed. Aramis nodded as well, and with that, the conversation came to an end.

"So, am I free to leave now?" Damian asked, voicing the question he'd been holding back. The second-rankers exchanged complicated glances, clearly aware it was wrong to force him to stay.

"We'll talk later," Vidalia said, meeting his gaze as she stood up. Damian figured another night or two wouldn't change much. He did feel worn out after enduring the blood-churning travel process twice in one day.

Damian also got to his feet, about to head out when Tristan spoke again. "Maximus, that Kiyama boy was asking about you. Said some kids from Pyron were looking for information about you."

They were here? Damian hadn't sensed them earlier—perhaps they were out of range. Instead of heading for the door, he turned toward the window.

"Where are you going?" Aramis asked, noticing the change in direction.

Damian just looked at him. Wasn't it obvious?

"Hold your horses now. They're not going anywhere. You can meet them tomorrow. It's late, they must be asleep by now," Tristan reasoned. Damian had to admit the guy had a point, so he canceled his plan to jump out of the window. Only then did he notice Bonecrusher observing him with a hint of amusement.

Weird—he had completely ignored Damian up until now. Aramis must have told him about him.

"Follow me," Vidalia said from the doorway. Damian complied, not knowing where else to go.

Tristan led them to another wooden building, this one two stories tall, adorned with the insignia Damian had seen on Tristan's clothes and tools. It seemed to be his personal residence. Damian declined the offer of food and opted for a bath instead. Afterward, he was shown to a small yet comfortable room with a soft bed.

As he was led there by a pretty maid, he noticed a storage room without a door nearby, filled with boxes and clutter. On top of one box sat a square metal piece. Curious, Damian grabbed it behind the maid's back. However Damian was disappointed when he inspected the metal piece. It turned out to be a status-revealing tool—nothing extraordinary. Well, he needed one anyway.

Not like Tristan was using it much.

Buried in his soft bed Damian played around with the square metal tool tracing the runes etched on it, gleaming in the moonlight but as always they made no sense to him. Then he activated it, since he had it why not..?

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Name: Damian Sunblade Lv.50

Rank: Lord

Affinity: Water, Space-time

Mana: 4879/6000

STR: 92

DEF: 60

INT: 140

AGI: 58

DEX: 60

CHA: 19

LUC: 3

Job: The Runic Chemist Lord Lv.25

Blessings: Godless [0 Available Points]

Titles: [Cold Blooded Killer], [Wild Hunter], [Chained], [Primordial Metal Shaper], [Titan Killer]

Skills: [Beginner Tree Climbing Lv.2] [Being of Truth Lv.9] [Expert Scholar Lv.9] [Expert Swordsman Lv.7] [The Runic Lord Lv.9] [Runic Inscription Lv.9] [Arcane Synthesis Lv.3] [Pain Resistance Lv.9] [Expert Spearman Lv.8] [Ascension Rank 1.2 (Temporary)]

Penalty: (1). Use of (Veil of Containment) from now on will cost 5 times the original mana, taking a piece of user's guilty soul with it each time.

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The chained title was gone. And... wait—he could take another job trial already? It didn't make sense. His stats were the same as when he'd last checked with Sena's status tool just a few days ago. What had changed?

Time of this world..? Or was his chained title the problem..? Or did Ascension required for him to have certain time constraints for each job.. He could not level up to get another job even if he was max leveled..? That would explain the transcendent trials being not available for everyone but that should also happen to first and second rankers job trials more often..

Why was he the only one getting this weird treatment..

Damian stared at the blue glowing screen for few seconds and then touched the new skill,

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[Ascension Rank 1.2 (Temporary): Pass the trial and ascend towards the peak existence.

(Trial#01: Activate to enter.)]

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There was no rush. He wanted to max out his 'Arcane Synthesis', 'Swordsmanship', and 'Spearman-ship' before taking the trial. Swordsmanship and spearman-ship were manageable, but 'Arcane Synthesis' would take time and specific tools. He wasn't in a hurry; he was already strong enough. Besides, he didn't plan on facing any third-ranker freaks soon—second-rankers were well within his ability to handle.

Satisfied, Damian stored the tool and closed his eyes, finally managing to fall asleep after some time.

The next morning, the sun was already up when Damian awoke. Vidalia was absent, but Tristan was in the building. After freshening up, Damian had breakfast, guided once again by the pretty maid. He was eager to meet his friends but knew leaving without saying anything would be rude. Tristan might not be the most pleasant person, but he was still his host.

The maid knocked on Tristan's door, and a voice called them in. Tristan was surrounded by papers, books, and various metal pieces of armor. He looked up and smiled that same uncle-like smile when he saw Damian.

"Oh, you're up already," Tristan greeted him.

Damian nodded. "I'm going to meet them."

"Do you want me to send someone to find them for you?"

"I know where they are."

"Oh, right. Of course you do. Go on, then," Tristan replied with a slight smile.

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