Chapter 542 – Durendal’s Ascension.

“Confirmed identity, codename Durendal. Please present your identity card.”

“I’ll never get used to this… What did he call it? Two-factor authentication?”

Robert leaned back after pressing his hand against the flat glass surface. As always, it lit up, and a second later, a soft beep confirmed the scan. The process wasn’t over yet – he still had to slide a special card halfway into the side slot. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to open the chamber or even enter the workshop unless his brother was present.

‘He claimed this thing could also detect if someone was under a spell’s influence.’

The chamber door slid aside, revealing a smooth tunnel. Thick metallic conduits lined the walls, pulsating with runes and flowing magical energy. The sight still felt surreal to him as he was still adjusting to his new life in Albrook. His new identity placed him under his younger brother’s direct command.

Years ago, that would have been unthinkable – an unbearable humiliation. To serve beneath the very brother he once despised? But now, after everything, it no longer mattered. He owed his life to him. And the truth was undeniable – Roland was the most talented of the four siblings. Not even the two older ones could compare.

‘It is a shame really, if he cared enough he could surely become the next Baron Arden, father would probably forgive him if he explained everything…’

Robert walked forward slowly, lost in thought. He couldn’t help but feel that Roland’s talents could be put to better use elsewhere. His strength and ingenuity were undeniable, and gaining support from the crown wouldn’t be difficult. With his runic creations, the Arden estate would grow stronger, and with their father – a Marshal in the army backing them, their family might even rise to the rank of viscount or higher.

‘But I suppose… it’s not too bad here…’

His gaze shifted forward as he stepped into another chamber, this one packed with even more runic contraptions he didn’t understand. At one of the workbenches sat someone dear to his heart – Lucille, or Curtana, as she was called now. Both of them had cast aside their last names to become part of Roland’s operation, a choice Robert still believed was far better than what would have happened if Roland hadn’t saved him.

“Oh? Are you finished with your training?”

Lucille’s azure locks bounced as she turned toward him, her voice light with curiosity. Even now, Robert was struck by her beauty but even that paled in comparison to her intellect. Since arriving here, she had thrown herself into her work, determined to catch up to Roland – an almost impossible feat, in his opinion.

He noticed the faint shadows under her eyes and, as always, felt a hint of concern. She was pushing herself too hard again. And, as always, he would try to convince her to rest. Robert approached Lucille with a small frown, crossing his arms as he leaned against the workbench.

“You’ve been at this all night, haven’t you?”

Lucille sighed but didn’t look up from the glowing runes she was studying on a small metallic plate. She was now a Rune Mage, specializing in rune magic control. While she couldn’t inscribe runes onto metal herself, her ability to manipulate them far surpassed that of an ordinary runesmith.

Robert’s understanding of runes was minimal at best. Even though he had acquired the Rune Vassal title and the Rune Mastery skill along with it, his knowledge remained rudimentary. The passive skill merely allowed him to channel mana through runic structures more efficiently. While it slightly improved his natural affinity with runes, it did nothing to help him alter or customize spells in any meaningful way.

“Don’t start with that, Robert. I’m nearly done fine-tuning this golem rune, it’s so fascinating! Did you know that if I change this little component here, I’ll be able to increase the mana flow by 0,13%!”

“Ah… sure…”

Robert exhaled, shaking his head as Lucille became absorbed in her work again. She was brilliant, no doubt, but he wondered if she even realized how much she neglected herself in the process. He supposed it was a trait that she and Roland shared – a relentless pursuit of their goals, no matter the cost. Perhaps this was something that came with being a rune maniac.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Robert said, standing straight again.

“I just wanted to let you know – I’ve finished my training.”

That got Lucille’s attention. She finally looked up, her piercing eyes widening slightly in recognition of his words.

“You mean…?”

Robert nodded.

“Yeah. I’m ready for my advancement.”

Lucille’s face lit up with a mix of excitement and she finally put the runic plate away.

“That’s wonderful! You’ve really put in the work, Robert. Have you decided what class you’re going for?”

He didn’t deny it as the past few weeks had been hellish, to say the least. First, he was sent into the dungeon to grind levels, forced to hurl strange bombs at monsters that could kill him with a single swipe of their bony fingers. That was the easy part. What came next was far worse – Roland’s grueling regimen to level his most important skills.

Robert spent countless hours and days chugging mana potions until he was on the verge of puking, all to accelerate his Rune Mastery skill. Fortunately, striking restrained skeletal monsters with runic weapons helped him level it quickly. His mana pool had also expanded thanks to a few skill books his brother had given him, but even with that advantage, he still relied heavily on potions provided by Rastix. They worked, but the side effects were brutal – the toxicity buildup left him vomiting some nights and unable to sleep properly.

“It depends on what I’m able to choose.”

Robert wasn’t expecting anything too exceptional. His current class, Noble Blade, specialized in swordsmanship, but he wasn’t sure if he could advance beyond Sword Champion. Truth be told, he had no idea what Tier 3 classes were even available. That knowledge was usually kept secret, and with his father absent, there was no one he could ask for guidance.

“I’m sure you’ll get a lovely skill, you should look through the notes Sir Roland provided.”

“I already did.”

Before Robert left for the dungeon expedition, Roland had given him a stack of papers detailing possible class choices. His brother had gathered an impressive collection of books on class progression – some acquired during his travels, others sourced from the magical institute. The documents outlined the best options for someone like Robert, but they also came with a clear warning: don’t aim too high. He was well aware of the Tier-3 stopgap – if he set his sights on an advanced class beyond his reach, he could end up stuck without a class for a long time, unable to progress. It was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

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“But I won’t know until I get there…”

He glanced to the side, where a misplaced dresser with shelves stood. Inside were numerous ascension ritual crystals. Roland had told him to use them and not to be afraid of abandoning the ascension ritual if he thought the class he chose was a poor fit. It was a decision that would shape his entire life. It was better to take the time restriction penalty than to be stuck with a weak Tier-3 class.

“My brother sure likes to overprepare, doesn’t he?”

“I think that’s a fine trait. You can never be too prepared!”

Lucille responded as Robert took a crystal from one of the shelves. For nobles like them, seeing this many wasn’t too surprising, but they still cost a fortune.

“Does he think I’ll need this many just to progress…?”

“Don’t be silly. You’re not the only one who needs to undergo ascension rituals. He probably prepared them for the children as well. I think some of them are coming of age soon.”

She replied with a smile but her mouth twitched the moment she heard his reply.