Ch. 2: The Rune of Wisdom

"Emero Febdna Tstahtalla Morygranee Fildnaht Gneretseb Rosbanosi Psuioxon Foehzah Teloiv, NOSFERATU!" I chanted… A black-violet haze appeared and healed a wound that I had inflicted on myself earlier to practice this spell.

"Hmm…your control of the spell has greatly improved, young Knoll…," said Leodes. Leodes was a skilled tutor….he was solemn…very solemn….but passionate. I had learned much from him…, "Now I want you to cast the Luna spell one more time…," said Leodes.

I frowned…but I cast the Luna spell anyway…

"Ecneiliser Lacigam Symeney Mhguorhtn Rudnaetar Enicniemi Temase Httaymene Ruoyek Irtsneht Eofruoy Dnuoraelo Verdnael Pitniuq Sllaber Ifranul, LUNA!" lunar flames kindled and began revolving around me…

"Knoll…you are probably my most adept disciple… I have not much left to teach you," said Master Leodes, "Today I will tell you about the weapons of darkness."

"……?" I had no idea what he meant…..

Leodes smiled and tossed something at me… I easily caught it…it was a…

"A dagger, Knoll….it's a dagger. Unsheathe it."

I pulled out the blade….. The knife was rusty and plain as plain can be… But I noticed that there were markings on the hilt.

"Focus your mind into the sword, Knoll….just as if you were casting a spell."

I stared at my master in disbelief…. Was he….insane? But….I still gave it an attempt anyway…nothing happened… I threw it back to my master… He caught it between his fingers.

"Hm…it seems that you are not ready to tame its powers…Knoll, watch carefully."

Suddenly, forces of dark energy began flowing into the blade and a violet haze surrounded the knife.

Leodes chuckled, "It's called a Rune Sword…a blade infused with dark magic. They are magical swords that were created by magic sword-smiths… Extremely rare, these knives are… Its abilities allow the wielder to cast the spell, Nosferatu."

Leodes began twirling the Rune Sword between his fingers..., "Knoll…do you know where the power of the Rune Sword comes from? It comes from the Rune of Wisdom."

The Rune of Wisdom… What in the world was that?

"I can see by your perplexed expression that you do not understand what I mean… The Rune of Wisdom is a spell that significantly increases your elder-magical potential. It needs no incantations… To use it, one must have true devotion to the dark arts…to knowledge. The magicians transferred the power of the Rune into the blade thus giving it magical abilities. This spell is bestowed to certain magicians who have this devotion. It is even said that a true master of tapping into the Rune can possess the ability to teleport…though it is a legend…no one is sure if it is possible… Let me show you what it looks like…"

Leodes spread his arms out and closed his eyes… I could see veins throbbing on his forehead… The spell must have been extremely complex. Suddenly he started glowing…a radiant light surrounded him and below his feet…there was a large ring of light…there were intricate symbols and emblems in the circle…ones that would even baffle the most powerful magician. An glowing aura of magic energy surrounded my teacher. Before they are converted into magic, the spirit energy that would be invisible to mortal eyes was clearly visible.

"You understand…do you not? The true power of the Rune of Wisdom…," he said as he released the spell.

"Yes…I do understand its powers…"

"Do not forget…you have a month to the Exam… I know you can do it," said Leodes.

"But Master, my understanding of the darkness is meager… I still have much to learn. I'm not sure if I can…," I protested.

"You are a prodigy, Knoll…a prodigy… You are unlike my previous students who were arrogant and overconfident in their abilities…none passed the Exam. But Knoll, you are quite the opposite…and you are a considerate and humble person… But too much humility can lead to a low self-esteem, and the less confidence you have in yourself, the less likely you will succeed. Try your hardest…and if you fail…which you won't…you'll still have next year… Never forget, Knoll…a shaman must persevere. A shaman must fight for what he believes is right… But you…you will fight for our country and our emperor… I know you, Knoll…"

Leodes was right…I couldn't give up… During the month of training, I swore that I would give my all.