Chapter 202 202: Rune

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Seeing that the designs of runes suitable for shadow wizards were present in the library, he thought, 'It's just like I expected. The library has them. The one time I needed it the most, it didn't let me down.'

However, the design of all the runes was locked behind a freaking paywall. They could only be unlocked by using arcane points, and Val had a bunch of them. But having a lot didn't mean he should waste them on things that weren't useful to him.

Instead of buying them in bulk, he decided to get one that was the most suitable for him.

Unknowingly, he had saved himself from a lot of trouble. After all, as he was a level 1 Shadow wizard, he could form only one rune in his arcane heart, and once a rune was formed, it was permanent. Self-destruct was possible, but it will harm the arcane heart, and the harm would be irreversible.

That's why, in the wizard community, wise wizards always advise the young ones to be careful when selecting a rune to form in their arcane heart as it was no less significant than the most important moment of their life.

The library showcased a variety of runes specifically tailored for Shadow wizards. Their names and description are mentioned below.

1: Shadow Step Rune: Allows the user to instantaneously step from one shadow to another within a limited range. Useful for evading attacks or catching an enemy off-guard. Can only be etched on the core of a level 3 Shadow Wizard.

2: Dark Mirage Rune: Conjures illusory clones made of shadows, confusing opponents and diverting their attention. Can only be etched on the core of a level 2 Shadow Wizard.

3: Night Cloak Rune: Envelopes the user in a shroud of darkness, masking their presence and making them nearly invisible in low light. No condition.

4: Eclipse Blade Rune: Generates a blade made purely of shadows, sharp enough to cut through most materials. No condition.

5: Shadow Bind Rune: Can manipulate the shadows in the surroundings to ensnare and immobilize the enemy. No condition.

6: Dusk Shield Rune: Forms a protective barrier made of shadows, capable of absorbing a limited amount of damage. No condition.

7: Moonlit Vision Rune: Enhances the user's sight in the darkness, allowing them to see clearly in near-total darkness. No condition.

"Here, it mentions that runes like Dark Mirage and Shadow Step are exclusive to level 3 and 2 shadow wizards respectively. Why are there such restrictions? Why can certain runes only be formed when one reaches a specific categorized level?" Val inquired, directing his question to Voidslayer.

"There's a profound reason behind this. Whenever runes are activated, they generate significant pressure, and it's the core that shoulders this immense burden. If a core isn't sufficiently fortified, it can easily shatter under this pressure, leading to a rapid deterioration in a wizard's health and power. Now, the core of a level 1 mid-rank wizard simply doesn't possess the robustness of those at levels 2 or 3. Specifically, a level 2 mid-rank core is 2 to 10 times denser than its level 1 counterpart, and astonishingly, the core at level 3 is 50 to 60 times denser. These attributes make them incredibly resilient. While the caliber of your core might surpass many, it's still an unfortified core. I recommend you tread the well-trodden path of wizards before you. It's best not to tempt fate." Voidslayer gave a detailed and comprehensive reply to Val and even advised him to be careful.

The truth is, Voidslayer had read him like an open book.

Val was actually planning to construct a level 2 rune, believing that his core would be able to withstand it given the superior quality of his core compared to Assam's!

However, after hearing Voidslayer's explanation, he changed his mind, deciding not to etch a level 2 rune on an unfortified core.

After all, the risks far outweighed the benefits.

Val nodded in agreement with Voidslayer's words, saying, "I appreciate your concern. But rest assured, when it comes to my life, I don't take unnecessary risks."

After a thorough examination of each rune and considering his current abilities and shortcomings, Val decided on the Shadow Bind Rune.

He didn't have a spell that could catch his opponent by surprise and bind them.

Thus, the ability to manipulate shadows in his surroundings to ensnare the enemy would provide him with a strategic advantage, making it the ideal choice!

Once he expended his arcane points to unlock the rune, a brilliant ray of light erupted from the token. It pierced straight into his mind, imprinting the intricate design of the rune with vivid clarity.

Utilizing wizardry, he meticulously etched the Shadow Bind rune within his core.

Upon its formation, a surge of newfound power coursed through him, granting him the ability to invoke the Shadow Bind spell.

"This is going to be quite the game changer," he mused, a sly smile playing on his thin lips.

With that, there was no reason for him to stay in the cave. While it was dark outside, he didn't fear encountering the devils of the Forest of Dread. It is because they were no match for Alaric, who was only a mid-rank wizard with more brains than brawns, and Val was stronger than him in every sense. So how could they be a match for him?

He was confident he could deal with the devils of this forest easily!

Not to mention, he had to leave the cave to complete the mission.

Taking large strides, he stepped outside.

Almost instantly, a notification materialized before him:

[First layer of the class advancement dungeon completed.]

[Reward obtained: Return Scroll!]

[The Return Scroll is a revered legacy item of Morkus. This is no ordinary piece of parchment. Adorned with intricate runes and shimmering with an ethereal glow, it holds the unique ability to transport its user across vast distances. However, its power comes with a condition: it can only teleport to locations the user has previously visited. It also has a cooldown that increases with every use. Use it wisely!]