Vlad’s heart raced with anticipation as he uncovered the runic pen, an immensely useful tool for Runemasters. It was akin to a magical tattoo needle, a key that would unlock the true potential of his rune creations, surpassing the makeshift ones he had been carving until now.
With the runic pen in his grasp, Vlad felt a surge of power. He could now craft intricate rune formations, imbuing them with greater strength and reducing their energy consumption.
Even more importantly, he could start engraving them directly on people’s bodies instead of having to use proxies like demonic leather. That would finally open the path for runic formations, which could exponentially increase the power of Warriors and Mages.
Vlad’s eyes glowed as he thought of all the runes he could now create with the help of the runic pen. One particular rune came to mind that would help his new force immensely. "A.I. Chip, do you have access to all my memories?"
[Beep! Chip has access to the full range of the Host’s memories, including those marked as First Past Life and Second Past Life.]
"Great!" Vlad shouted with excitement, knowing this would make everything much easier. "Access the Etheric Communicator Rune."
As always, as soon as Vlad gave the order, the A.I. Chip acted, and the robotic voice echoed in his mind the next second.
[Beep! Accessing Second Past Life’s memories...
Etheric Communicator Rune: It is a simple Rank 1 rune designed to function as a communication device, similar to a phone. This rune absorbs ambient magical energy from the world, allowing it to be used by anyone, even ordinary people, for voice communication over long distances. It can be easily inscribed on small, portable objects.]
There were many things a new organization would need to grow correctly, and one of the most important was an established communication network. The new laws of physics meant that phones and other technological devices were no longer functional, so the Etheric Communicator Rune was incredibly precious and very easy to generate now that he had a runic pen.
"A.I. Chip, analyze the Etheric Communicator Rune and then transfer all the knowledge and skills to my mind," Vlad ordered with a broad smile. The next second, he felt a burning sensation in his mind.
The memories of the Second Past Life were just theoretical knowledge, and Vlad would have had to develop the skills through training and studying to use them. However, now he could just command the A.I. Chip to do it, saving him a lot of time.
It took less than ten seconds, and by the time the A.I. Chip ended, Vlad felt as if he had been working on the runes for years, every minute detail clear in his mind.
Vlad couldn’t wait and immediately began to work. The materials for the Etheric Communicator Rune were very simple; he only needed a magical object capable of holding energy and being etched, and there were plenty of them in Arasbus’ space ring.
With a wave of his hand, Vlad took out an abyssal gem. With its unique properties, the abyssal gem was the perfect medium for the Etheric Communicator Rune, enhancing its range and effectiveness.
He then charged the runic pen with his energy and began to work. Every runic line was clear in his mind, and if that wasn’t enough, the A.I. Chip also generated a virtual image that showed him exactly where to carve.
In less than five minutes, Vlad completed the engraving of the Etheric Communicator Rune on the abyssal gem. A wave of relief and joy washed over him. "Hahaha, with the chip, I can learn and work at an unprecedented speed!"
Without losing momentum, Vlad took another abyssal gem and engraved the Etheric Communicator Rune on it.
"Jormungandr, catch." Vlad threw the gem to the small yellow cat, whom the mysteries and abilities of the A.I. Chip had entranced.
The small yellow cat caught the abyssal gem with his paws, and as he focused on it, a sharp light appeared in his eyes. "Oh, a runic artifact capable of establishing communication up to one thousand kilometers away. Amazing."
Vlad was not surprised that the small yellow cat would know the use of the rune. After all, he must have analyzed it with his A.I. Chip. No matter how you look at it, the chips were really awesome.
"Yes, the code of my communication gem is already engraved in yours, so we can stay in contact no matter what."
Jormungandr smiled and nodded to the young man. With these tools, things would be much easier. After that, they both kept working—the small cat trying to decipher all the uses of the A.I. Chip while Vlad created more and more communication gems.
Two hours later, Vlad already had over thirty communication gems. He could have kept working, but as he checked the time, he realized something else required his attention.
"It’s time. Let’s go." Vlad had been in utter excitement for the past couple of hours, but what came next cast a somber expression on his face as he donned dark military clothes.
Jormungandr’s expression mirrored Vlad’s as he jumped onto the young man’s shoulder, a dignified light in his eyes. The duo headed out of their residence and went to the chapel that had been built inside the Silent Wind Military Base.
Hundreds of people were already outside, all with somber expressions, waiting silently. Even if they did not know those inside the chapel, they were the warriors who gave their lives to defend them, and they deserved respect.
Many people were drawn to Vlad’s figure, but no one spoke as the young man entered the chapel, where eleven coffins were placed.
Dozens of people were inside the chapel, all of them familiar and close friends of the deceased. They had been mourning for the past day, and it was finally time for the funeral. The atmosphere was heavy with grief and respect, the air filled with the scent of incense and the soft sound of prayers.
Vlad headed to the podium, and as he stood there, he could feel the weight of the moment, the collective sorrow and determination of those present.
"These men died as heroes, sacrificing their lives for a purpose greater than themselves, to protect their loved ones..."