Chapter 49: Rune Language
By the time Raven woke up, dusk had already settled outside the window.
The faint orange glow of the setting sun spilled across the small inn room, painting long shadows on the wooden floor.
He rubbed his eyes, sat up, and freshened himself before turning his gaze to the newspapers stacked neatly on the table.
"Huh? Today's issue?" He muttered, picking it up.
Although he had often seen his sister and aunt reading the Legacy News, he had never cared much for the Empire's affairs.
But this time—he had reasons.
'I want to see if there's any mention of my sister or aunt.'
He unfolded the newspaper and began scanning through the headlines.
…
Legacy News
Breaking!
Scientific Breakthrough: Researchers discover a new element named 'God's Eye,' claiming it could unveil the secrets of the world itself!
Alchemist Johnathan's legendary "Elixir of Insight" to be auctioned in the Royal Capital on December 23rd! Nobles across and beyond the Empire are attending. Sources claim this potion can grant enlightenment to even Legendary Walkers!
Cyclops spotted near the Southern Wild Fortress! The Meadows Family raises alarm as mercenaries rush southward.
Empire's Western Serpent Army recaptures the Western Fortress! 2,450 soldiers dead, 9,000 injured. Families mourn and demand compensation from the Empire.
Shocking Revelation: Poison traces found in the Crown Prince's assassination! Could there be a traitor within the palace?
Chief Judge urges the Emperor to reform the Imperial Law Book! After analyzing 770 articles, the Supreme Judges propose sweeping legal changes. Will this empower the nobles—or weaken the throne?
Missing Noble Heir! The last descendant of the Holmes Family has been missing for six months. Kidnapping or foul play? The Council of Spade Nobles to decide the fate of his estate in the next meeting!
…
[Oh? A coincidence—or fate? Lad, look into this matter.]
Zera's calm tone echoed in Raven's mind, causing his brows to furrow.
'Do you know this family?'
[The Holmes Family has ties to my creator. Long ago, I told you how arrogance led my owner to become a crown, didn't I? The one who caused that downfall was a powerful clan—the Holmes. After that, my creator was renamed Holem's Crown. Even if this family is only connected by name, I feel there's something here that may help you.]
'Hmm… alright.' Raven didn't press further and continued reading.
Sword Princess Reappears! Rumored Engagement with the Vega Empire's Duke Household—A New Political Alliance Between Vega and Zenith?
Raven's eyes widened. Sword Princess could only mean one person—his sister.
'A marriage…?' he frowned. 'Didn't she tell me she liked someone else? Looks like that "father" of mine is using her as a pawn again.'
He let out a soft sigh and turned the page.
Crows Misery Wizard Academy Announces Entrance Exam! On January 3rd, Year 1421, one hundred prodigies will be chosen to walk the Path of Wizardry. The Dean promises rewards for the top three students!
Rumors stir within Parliament about selecting the next generation of "Seven Serpents" and "Five Sages." Is this the dawn of a new age of Walkers?
Raven's expression darkened as he skimmed the lines.
"There's news of my sister's return, but nothing about my aunt… Are they suppressing the news?"
For the imperial family, covering such incidents wasn't difficult.
But Raven's thoughts wandered back to Gavin's warning.
'What if they blamed her? What if Aunt Shirley were imprisoned in the Black Iron Prison Cells…?'
The thought chilled him. Even if he aimed to become Emperor, at his current pace, that dream was far beyond reach—decades, maybe centuries away.
'By then, it'll be too late.'
He clenched his fists. His mind spiraled.
'I need to act… but how? What can I do now?'
His gaze flicked to his remaining unused spell slots.
An idea—dangerous but tempting—slipped into his mind.
'Zera… can "Erase Existence" kill Prime Minister Gavin?'
[Ha! Two days ago, you swore not to kill selfishly. Now you're plotting the death of one of the most powerful men in the Empire. What changed, lad?]
'I'm not against killing,' Raven said coldly. 'I just won't kill needlessly. But if ending him lets me reunite with my family—I don't care.'
Zera's tone softened slightly.
[That spell can indeed kill a Demigod, but to use it on a living being, you need to touch them directly. And even if you succeed, his guards won't stand idle. One wrong move, and you'll die for good. I can't bring you back this time.]
Raven's mind flashed back to the man who had once severed his head.
'He's always around Gavin… a shadow guarding another shadow. Killing him won't be easy. And if I fail—I'll be branded a criminal.'
He exhaled deeply. "No… I'll focus on growing stronger first."
Setting the newspaper aside, he closed his eyes—and his consciousness sank into the Memory Library.
…
The vast, silent space of shelves and floating books welcomed him back. Zera appeared beside him in her usual faint light.
"I want to start developing the Elemental Circlet Technique," Raven said. "It's time I became a proper Warlock."
[Good. But before that, you must learn the Basic Rune Language.]
With a flick of her hand, a black-covered book appeared, floating before him.
"Rune Language?" Raven asked, curious. "Is it a type of ancient script?"
[Close. It's a language forged by the High Humans—used to interpret the essence of elements. After they vanished, humans refined and expanded it, using runes to shape what we now call the Wizard Pathway. Every Wizard must learn it.]
"But I'm a Warlock," Raven tilted his head.
[Even Warlocks rely on the Wizards' techniques. In the beginning, Warlocks were weaker—because unlike Magical Beasts, they couldn't form Magic Elemental Crystals in their hearts. Beasts could cast bloodline spells instantly, but Warlocks needed weeks, even months, to gather energy for just one Rank-1 spell. That's why they adapted the Wizards' Elemental Circlet Technique.]
Raven nodded thoughtfully.
'So… runes are the foundation of both paths.'
[Exactly. To command elements, you must first speak their language.]
Raven took the hovering book and opened it. Strange symbols filled the pages—some resembling living flames, others cold and geometric like ice shards.
He began to read.
…
Basics of Rune Language
The Rune Language consists of 2,163,050 characters, divided into four categories: Soul, Body, Spell, and Weapon.
Soul Runes:
Represent pure vowel sounds.
1,200 characters total.
Each corresponds to a distinct tonal vibration of the soul.
Body Runes:
Represent consonant sounds.
1,800 characters total.
Can stand alone or combine with Soul Runes to form syllables.
Spell Runes:
Formed by combining one Soul Rune and one Body Rune.
Total of 2,160,000 combinations.
Each symbolizes a unique syllabic resonance between spirit and matter.
Weapon Runes:
Special runes representing concepts of combat and armament.
50 in total, each tied to a martial principle—swords, shields, bows, etc.
Used in spellcraft, enchantments, and weapon forging.
…
As he read, Raven began practicing with a notebook, tracing the intricate symbols by hand.
Every curve and stroke seemed to hum faintly in his mind, echoing like whispers from another age.