Chapter 9: Perks of Power

One of the enduring mysteries across every Realm in existence is the expression of magic. No matter where mana is channelled and magic is cast, the arcane energies of the world always prefer to be cast as Glyphs.

To that end, understanding what Glyphs are is extremely important. Simply put, they are the language of magic.

Every Glyph means something specific. That is why mastering Glyphs begins by learning them in a form academically called Conceptual Glyphs, where the mage learns concepts represented by magic, to be used at best as Subglyphs for their spell circles.

In a similar fashion, if Glyphs are words, then spell circles created using Glyphs are the sentences of magic and Glyph Prints are the alphabets making up the words. Since not everything in the universe can be represented by a single word…

Excerpt from Chapter 1: Introduction

An Introductory Treatise on Sorcerous Glyphs

High Academ Merivius N.

The moment Lancet heard those words, the moment her eardrums reverberated with the power in Ryland’s cast, her heart threatened to seize up.

Space cracked open as Ryland stuffed his hand into the dark whorl edged with golden cracks. He pulled out two oblong orbs gleaming with sunlight. It happened so quickly, Lancet didn’t even get the time to feel shocked. Had he just literally broken open reality itself?

It shouldn’t be surprising anymore that this man was capable of feats like that. The whole meeting was really just an exercise in just how flabbergasted Lancet could feel.

And yet, she had to make an effort to close her jaws hanging open.

Especially when she saw legitimate proof that his incantation wasn’t just a fluffed-up name for a basic spell.

Eventually, Lancet managed to nudge a shocked Seri into bringing in some Inscribed gloves. Those fruits Ryland had pulled out were serious magic. Wandering Goddess… Lancet swallowed. The hymns of the Old Church often had references to several divinities, one of the most prominent of which was the Wandering Goddess.

It was said that where her tears fell, undying trees bearing fruit that could turn the eater immortal grew from the blessed ground. As such, they were considered Relics of the most priceless category.

So much so that the Old Church had a regulatory body specifically built for controlling the dissemination of any items, artifacts, and so on that were associated with the Wandering Goddess—and with any other divinity within their purview, of course.

And it wasn’t simply because selling such things could make the seller inordinately rich. They were priceless for ascension too. For gaining ranks and earning magic.

Nobles ingested supplements made from divine Relics like the Goddess’s Tears. Healer Mages experimented with them to create serums of agelessness. The Old Church itself doled them out as tiny grains at the rare religious function, a way of showing that they still retained some level of power despite all the changes within Androvia and the Accorded Realms.

Essentially, if people knew Ryland possessed not one but two of the Tears, he’d be put on watchlists for sure.

Unfortunately, Lancet couldn’t really feel anything further. She was all out of shock.

“We will take utmost caution,” Lancet promised as Seri carefully took the fruits in her gloved hands. “These will stay safe with us for the rest of eternity if need be.”

Ryland chuckled, possibly noting her near-desperate sincerity. “I’ll need them before long. But yes, thank you. I could have stored them in my own space, but…” He maintained his smile. “I thought they would be one last bit of evidence of my identity. And since I’ll be withdrawing them eventually, it will help me remember I actually have a bank account.”

Lancet just nodded mutely. “I must inform you, sir, that while we prize ourselves on our confidentiality, there are certain things we must report according to the law. Not the existence of the Tears, don’t worry. Rather, the law requires us to report if any of the old, immortalized accounts are reopened.”

Ryland hummed at that. His face remained impassive so it was impossible to say what he was thinking, but she could tell that he was running through the implications of her statement at breakneck mental speed.

“As you wish,” he said. “Is there anything else?”

“No, sir,” Lancet said. “Allow me to mirror the question—is there anything else, anything at all, that we can help you with?”

Ryland smiled wide. “No, I believe we’ve done enough. Thank you very much. Come on, Viren. I promise I’m not forgetting anything this time.”

“Are you sure, sir?”

Ryland was already moving to the door. “I’m positive.” Then he paused. “Wait, was that rhetorical?”

Viren snickered. “No, sir.”

He nodded at the two bank ladies before leaving after his… actually, Lancet had no idea what their relationship was. Certainly not father and son. Apprentice and master, maybe? Though even that seemed odd.

Beside Lancet, Seri seemed to physically deflate. Lancet herself felt something akin to that too. And more besides. Lingering anxiety about how she had acted, a slight giddiness at what the future might hold, and of course, the strong undercurrent of disbelief tingeing the whole experience.

Whatever else happened, Lancet was pretty sure she’d be talking about this day even with her grandkids twenty or thirty years down the line.

“Last call!” the conductor shouted. “Last call before departure for the north!”

Ryland and Viren’s hurried steps got them into the train just in time. This was why he preferred to rift to places. That way, he was almost never late.

The train was an interesting construct. Fast though they had to move, Ryland had still noted how it was wider than the versions he was familiar with from other Realms. It was also tall enough to be double-decker. Large windows populated both floors, with a few curious passengers looking out at the station and the surrounding town.

One of the reasons they were a tiny bit late was because Ryland had leaned down at the edge of the tracks to observe the feat of magical engineering that was Vyrdian trains.

“Sir, we’re going to be late,” Viren said, somewhat anxiously.

This narrative has been purloined without the author’s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Ah, how intriguing.” Ryland would have thrust his head under the carriage to peer closer, but that would unfortunately have resulted in a safety violation. “While the Inscribed wheels are large and closer together on the underside, there is a supporting frame above them that is also Inscribed with Glyphs. What I wouldn’t give to take a closer look…”

Viren looked like he wanted to haul Ryland to the train carriage by his cloak. “Sir.”

“You’re right. I can take a closer look.” Ryland winked at the boy. “We’ll just make sure not to tell anyone, alright?”

Viren just looked relieved that he was being followed into the train.

Ryland was happy to let Viren take the lead, for he was a little busy casting a spell. “[Omniscience].”

As they got onboard, Ryland’s spell circle activated on his right eyeball. The sound of space cracking within his body was always very odd, especially when it was this close to his ear. But he could now look closer at the train’s undercarriage as his eye was displaced through spacetime. He found the location where the Glyphs were Inscribed pretty easily.

“Ah, how simple but ingenious,” Ryland said. “The—”

“Tickets, please.”

Ah, right. Ryland was inside the train now. He took out the shiny card from the bank. “Here you are.”

“That is not a ticket, sir, that’s—” The conductor paled. “ A five-star card?” With a hasty jerk to get into position, he bowed deeply, quite like what the bankers had done. “S-sorry, my lord. I didn’t mean any disrespect. Please, follow me. I will lead you to the first-class carriage immediately.”

“No need to apologize,” Ryland said easily.

Viren just shook his head and sighed.

The train started trundling along as they walked. With one eye, Ryland noted that they passed by compartments of sleek wood serenading the rather wide walkway in between. Soft cream-yellow light made everything feel warm and gold. There was a pleasant scent too. Clearly, the train staff did well to keep everything both spotless and welcoming.