"You can say that it was a fortuitous encounter. Unfortunately, I did not co across any clues on how to progress. That’s why I decided to pay a visit to the Formation Master Guild in hopes of finding so answers." Izroth explained calmly.
"To be able to see the connection between magic formations and arcane scripts despite being an Apothecary—I am impressed. Your comprehension ability must be well above that of your peers." Hyrell said with a small nod of approval.
She then continued, "Based on your words, I assu you have not had much luck in the creation of arcane scripts. You should not feel discouraged. Even as a Grade Ten Formation Master, it took years to find the correct path. When I made my discovery, it finally made sense why magic formations were created. Aside from the fact that higher grade arcane scripts requires at least two Arcane Script Runemasters, one must have a certain level of compatibility."
"Since you brought it up, I assu you have a way to test this compatibility?" Izroth asked.
"In truth, I believe that you have already determined your compatibility when you were brought to this place. Initially, I believed that your presence here had to do with the curse since it was sothing that I never accounted for. However, after seeing the Runic Quill on your possession, it is most likely that you were transported here because you fit the criteria I set beforehand. Of course, we should be certain. Are you willing?" Hyrell said with a look of anticipation.
"It has been 150 years since I have confined myself within this magic formation to stave the flow of ti. How long will it be before another compatible person appears? As long as he truly is compatible, no matter what, I must convince him to join the Formation Master Guild. Given his status as an Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild, it will be no easy feat. But, I cannot give up when I may have found the solution to the problem that has plagued for more than a century." Hyrell thought to herself.
"I will go along with it. After all, I am also curious. What must I do?" Izroth inquired.
"You do not have to do anything. Just stand there and do not move. I swear on my na that I will bring no harm to you." Hyrell said seriously.
Izroth nodded. Once he gave the go ahead, Hyrell moved a step closer to him and placed the index and middle finger of her left hand at the center of Izroth’s forehead. She closed her eyes as a quill similar to Izroth’s Runic Quill appeared in her hands. The quill was silver with traces of light blue and a golden tip.
Swoosh!
Hyrell’s hand that held the Runic Quill began to flow elegantly throughout the air as if she were writing or drawing sothing. At the sa ti, Izroth felt a strange sensation flowing throughout his body that originated from Hyrell’s index and middle finger pressed against his forehead.
’What an unusual feeling. At first, it was sowhat uncomfortable. But, the more it circulates, the more comfortable and familiar it feels. Also, the way this... Energy? Can sothing like this even be called energy? Regardless, it is flowing in complete cycles. It is similar to the way a cultivator would channel their spiritual energy. Though the paths do not flow along the known ridians.’
A few seconds later, Hyrell’s eyes shot open as they emitted a soft white hue. At the sa ti, strands of light began to flow from the Runic Quill in her hand. Whenever her Runic Quill passed, it left behind symbols that Izroth had never seen before in RML. After several of these symbols finished forming, Hyrell lower her Runic Quill and removed her fingertips from Izroth’s forehead.
In the sa breath, Hyrell ford an open palm with her right hand and slamd it against Izroth’s chest where his heart was located.
Although the blow seed devastating from an outside perspective, when Hyrell’s hand co into contact with Izroth’s body, there was no sign of any force or impact. Instead, the symbols that once floated into the air enter into the back of Hyrell’s palm before they flowed directly into Izroth.
Thump! Thump!
Izroth’s eyes emitted a faint white hue as he could heart his own heartbeat as if it were a loud drum being repeatedly struck. However, this only lasted for a mont as it quickly settled down and the hue in his eyes vanished.
Hyrell lowered her hand as the hue in her eyes also disappeared.
〈System Alert: You have received the «Ancient Spark»!〉
’Ancient Spark?’
Hyrell looked at Izroth as a series of small magic circles ford over her right eye. It was the sa ability she used to inspect the badge Izroth handed to her earlier.
It was not long before Hyrell’s eyes shone and her lips curved into a smile.
"You were able to receive the Ancient Spark. There is no doubt about it. You are compatible." Hyrell said as the magic circles over her right eye faded.
"After all these years... And, to think it would be young Apothecary Genius instead of soone from the Formation Master Guild. Who would have thought that fate would be this amusing?" Hyrell thought to herself.
However, it did not take long for Hyrell’s smile to vanish and be replaced by a troubled expression.
Even though it was confird that Izroth had what it took to beco a genuine Arcane Script Runemaster, he was already considered a young genius Apothecary. There was no way that the Apothecary Guild would sit by and watch as such a promising talent was snatched away from them.
"Izroth, I understand that you have devoted yourself to being an Apothecary. I will not ask you to forsake that path. I know how difficult it can be to walk two paths when you have yet to reach the end of the first. But, this is an opportunity that should not be wasted. I promise that I will do everything in my power to help you beco an Arcane Script Runemaster. All I ask is that you accept as your teacher." Hyrell stated in a genuine and straightforward manner.
’To think she would ask to be her student, first. Isn’t this a little backwards? Though, I suppose this works to my benefit.’
In Hyrell’s eyes, Izroth may be the last chance she ever had to reach the pinnacle of what it ant to be an Arcane Script Runemaster. After 150 years of waiting in anticipation, even if she wanted put on certain airs, there was no way that she could hold herself back.
"If you wished to beco my master, I would have had to decline. No matter what life, I, Izroth, only have one person that I have ever acknowledged as my master. But... If you wish to beco my teacher, that is a different story. However, you should know that the number of enemies I have is not small. There is a chance that you and the Formation Master Guild will get caught up in my affairs." Izroth warned.
A look of disappointnt flashed through Hyrell’s eyes. A part of her wanted to take Izroth as her direct disciple; however, her instinct and years of experience told her that doing so would drive him away. Not to ntion, it was likely that such a young genius Apothecary already had a master. To take on another master when you already have one, especially one of a completely different profession, would be the sa as disregarding one’s own master. This was even more so if it was done without their permission. Therefore, despite her personal desires, Hyrell settled for being Izroth’s teacher.
"I must admit, I would be lying if I said that it is not disappointing to hear that. However, I respect your wishes. Teacher and student—that will be our relationship. Rest assured, I will not treat you any worse than I would if you were my direct disciple. As for your enemies—hmph, I want to see who would dare to kick up a fuss in front of . From this day forward, as long as it does not go against the morals of what I believe to be right and just, your enemies are my enemies." Hyrell said firmly.
"Then, it is settled. I, Izroth, greet my teacher." Izroth said as he cupped his hands into his fist.
"Heh, if those old n back in my days saw this, they would have nearly had a heart attack. Greeting this way—I like it much more than all those tedious formalities." Hyrell said with a smile as she nodded her head in approval.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around Hyrell shifted as the look in her eyes beco cold.
"We have much to discuss. But, first... Now that you are my student, I will be sure to seek justice for you. If the way the badges of the Formation Master Guild are managed has not changed, it ans that one of the Formation Masters on inventory duty has erred down the wrong path." Hyrell said as she held her palm forward.
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, a portal appeared a few ters away where Hyrell stood.
"If a few rats have infiltrated the Formation Master Guild, I will make sure to clean up everything properly." Hyrell stated calmly. However, beneath the calm exterior was a gathering storm.
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