B2 Chapter 243: Sequential Improvements, pt. 1

Rieker was already waiting for them when they entered the underground training hall. He stood casually, arms crossed over a shirt that was suited to a day at the markets, shooting them an easy grin.

“Well, lads, I hope you’re ready for a rough couple of weeks—you’re all at a precipice, and I intend to push you over it before your next mission,” the guildmaster said, a glint in the man’s eyes setting Kaius’s heart racing.

He smirked back, rolling his shoulders to ready himself for the day ahead.

…

A pulsing flash visible in his mana sight was the only warning he got, a low powered light beam flickering into place a moment later to intersect with his chest.

It was weak enough it would have done little but warm his skin.

Kaius hurled his Will into the coursing magic of Slip Step, gritting his teeth as he urged the spell to push him out of the world as he lunged forwards.

Reality blurred, and the beam phased harmlessly through his chest.

Ahead of him, Porkchop was waiting in a defensive stance.

Light and thunder filled the hall as a Stormlash crackled to life in his hand. Whipping the spell forwards, it arced through the air at a breakneck pace—aimed to bind Porkchop around his chest.

Right before his attack could land, a wall of jade erupted from the earth, dissipating his attack at a distance that left crackling secondary streamers unable to reach his brother.

Another beam flashed—this one singeing the scales of his new armour.

The sudden jolt of heat was almost enough to throw off his rhythm. Almost.

Lunging to the side, Kaius slipped around the wall of jade that Porkchop had sent racing towards him a moment after it had blocked his attack.

Spinning into a twirl, he tapped into Drakthar, discharging three spells at once. Writhing blue-white snakes filled the air, and Kaius threw the full weight of his intent and Glass Mind into binding the mystic abilities to his will. Urging them to diverge from the path he had set—to curve through the air around the next wall that Porkchop was actively summoning.

His magic bucked against him—the runic conduits that dominated Glyphbinding serving as a barrier that blocked his direct connection with the mana within them.

Still, even with the burdens his chosen style had fostered upon him, he managed. Somewhat.

One lightning bolt jerked high.

Barely three strides, but it was enough—it skimmed over the top of his brother’s summoned wall to crack against Porkchop’s chest.

Faced with an opposed element, the Stormlash struggled to penetrate his brother’s jade breastplate, much of its potency burning off as it charred the armour’s exterior.

The potent resonant force imbued in it by Resonance Amplification had no such limitations.

Porkchop grunted, shards of crystal spalling from his armour to land on the stone floor like a glass rain.

**Ding! Latent Glyph of Drakthar has reached level 100!**

**Ding! Spell available for selection!**

Kaius skidded to a halt, his heart thumping as a wide grin spread across his face. He’d done it! After nearly a week of constant—and contrived—sparring, he’d managed to push his Latent Glyph of Drakthar to the next stage.

With his focus broken by the skill increase he had been waiting for, he read through the other skills that had increased since the start of his spar.

**Ding! Latent Glyph of Aelina has reached level 86!**

…

**Ding! Resonance Amplification has reached level 83!**

…

**Ding! Rapid Adaptation has reached level 90!**

…

**Ding! Uncanny Dodge has reached level 75!**

…

**Ding! Liturgical Bladeform: Primus Ordo has reached level 86!**

A new spell. A massive achievement that would do much to broaden his capabilities.

Stormlash had proven itself a priceless and potent part of his kit, but at its core he knew his class was one designed for flexibility. With only a single damaging spell available to him, he’d felt hamstrung—forced to limit the ways in which he approached combat.

His latest skill—Mystic’s Rend—went a long way to correct that, but ultimately it was something that amplified his abilities in close combat, and not something that could potentially add a new modality to his offence.

A spell absolutely would. Especially if he was lucky enough to get something that improved his ability to deal with enemies at range.

Excitement fizzing within him, Kaius threw his arms in the air in celebration, a loud laugh spilling from his lips.

“I did it!” he called.

His team grinned back at him—their genuine delight at his latest gain plain as day on their faces. They rushed over, already having expected something significant when he’d lost his focus—a clear sign that their current bout was over.

“Finally! I know Prismatic Shardwall needs work, but it was getting boring letting you wale on me all day.” Porkchop replied, his armor vanishing as he bounded over to butt his head into Kaius’s chest—a move that nearly sent him sprawling.

Ianmus wasn’t far behind, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

“Congratulations—and not just for the new spell. You’re getting adept at influencing your spell-hymns; I think you managed to force a skip a good half a dozen times this bout.”

Kaius beamed, glad that his friends were with him to celebrate his victories. It was just a shame that Rieker wasn’t here for the moment—he’d been too busy with his duties to spare them more than an hour that morning.

Still, the people most important to him were here, and he had a spell to pick.

“I’m going to see what I’ve been offered now.” Kaius said, shifting his weight from foot to foot, as if he was readying to physically chase down the object of his excitement.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Seeing his friends’ nods of encouragement, he turned his attention to the waiting notification, and the words of the system spilled across his vision.

Volcanic Expulsion:

Runic Hymn – Tier I (Evocation)

Affinity: Magma

Glyph: Drakthar

150 Mana

Selection Available!

This Hymn summons a spray of liquid magma in a 20 long-stride cone. The spray continuously erupts for five seconds.

…

Rexia’s Thorns:

Runic Hymn – Tier I (Evocation)

Affinity: Nature

Glyph: Drakthar

90 Mana

Selection Available!