Chapter 558 – Rune Duel.

Lucille looked at the skill she received. She knew that when she failed the trial, the skill knowledge would disappear, so she had to make the most of it while still accessing its intricacies. Every rune she adjusted, every fragment she transmuted, was another step closer to fully comprehending the very essence of runic magic.

She took a deep breath, focusing her mind as she gently placed her hands over a fractured rune on the automaton’s chest. The old rune flickered, unstable from seemingly years of neglect. She channeled her mana to activate her new skill to transmute the rune, to change it back to what it used to be, something that should be only in the realm of a runesmith.

It was a fascinating feeling. She could sense the rune shifting under her influence. The edges expanded, merging with a nearby unused runic component to restore this part of the automaton’s integrity. The moment she let go, the rune stabilized before her and reintegrated into the golem’s structure.

“How… how magnificent!”

Her hands trembled slightly as she gazed at her handiwork. Most of the rune was intact, and she had only needed to recreate a few parts, yet this was beyond what a Rune Mage should be capable of. She could not stop her eyes from sparkling. She had seen runesmiths use their hammers to shape runes onto metal before, but now she could do something similar.

However, she immediately noticed a glaring weakness in this skill. To transmute a rune, one had to be there in the first place. She spotted several dead spots on the automaton before her, areas she could not affect with this new ability. It was impossible for her to create a rune from nothing as the skill only worked on pre-existing runic structures that were not too damaged. It seemed that to pass this trial she would need to not only restore the damaged runes but also modify them enough to make the golem function with fewer.

Lucille steadied her breathing as she moved her hands across the automaton’s fractured surface, her mind rapidly analyzing each broken rune. The Transmute Rune skill pulsed through her fingertips, allowing her to reshape the old symbols, but she knew she had to be precise. Every alteration drained her mana, and she could already feel the strain creeping in.

The automaton was massive, its frame carved from obsidian-like metal that pulsed faintly with residual energy. It stood frozen, lifeless, waiting for her to complete its restoration. The runes covering its form were quite elaborate but she had seen far more complicated ones before. Roland, whom she now considered a mentor, had allowed her to study his designs. Thanks to that experience, this task was still within her capabilities.

She selected the most salvageable runes first, modifying their structure to compensate for missing components. Where an entire rune had been lost, she adjusted the surrounding ones to create a functional approximation. It was delicate work, requiring both her knowledge and intuition. Every decision had consequences as a single misstep could destabilize the entire array.

Time slipped away as she worked. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she adjusted another sequence. Her mana reserves were depleting at an alarming rate but she could not rest as just like with any of the other tests, there was a timer. The automaton’s chestplate held the most complex runic matrix, and she hesitated before making the final modification. A flicker of doubt entered her mind but when she remembered all the knowledge and help she received recently, it faded away.

“No.”

She muttered under her breath, shaking off the thought.

“I’ve come too far to fail now.”

Gathering the last of her energy, she pushed forward, transmuting the final sequence. The moment her hands left the automaton’s surface, a bright light filled the chamber. The runes blazed to life, spreading in deep blue arcs across its body. The once-broken lines now shone brilliantly, seamlessly interwoven into a new, functional design.

Lucille took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The automaton’s fingers twitched. Then its eyes ignited with a deep crimson glow. With a metallic groan, it straightened, dust falling from its immense form as its systems fully activated.

The chamber trembled as the obsidian construct took its first step forward, the runes along its surface shifting slightly as if adjusting to its restored form. The weight of its movements sent vibrations through the ground, but Lucille stood firm, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of her triumph.

“I did it… Those runes were made by me.”

She whispered, hardly believing her own words. The golem was proof that she could create her own runic structures, shape them to her will, and achieve something that would normally require a runesmith. However, she was unsure of what would happen next. The golem seemed to have a will of its own, and the true purpose of its creation remained hidden from her. Even the main control matrix had been concealed, preventing her from fully understanding its design.

Slowly, the golem turned toward the wall behind it. The chamber had no doors or tunnels leading out, and the entrance she had used had vanished the moment she stepped inside. It raised its massive hand, the dark metal and stone groaning as it moved. Pieces chipped away from its joints, but it pressed forward. After a long wind-up, it threw a powerful punch. Its fist struck the wall, sending chunks of rock flying and revealing a hidden path beyond.

Lucille coughed as the dust settled, revealing a passage beyond the shattered wall. She took a hesitant step forward, her exhaustion giving way to curiosity. The golem, now inert, stood like a silent sentinel beside the ruined wall, its task seemingly complete.

With cautious steps, she entered the passage. The moment she crossed the threshold, runic symbols flared to life, casting a soft glow along the walls. These runes were simple and far less intricate than the ones she had worked on before. Yet, as she continued their light began to pulse as if indicating that she was getting closer to the exit.

The path led to a massive, circular chamber. At its center, a square platform loomed, made out of pure white marble. On the far side, a robed figure stood. At first, it seemed like a living person but as she approached it revealed its true nature, an autonomous puppet.

“It’s not over yet.”

She mumbled to herself as she approached the large marble platform. This was already her fourth trial, yet she felt no fear. Instead, she was eager to see what this place would challenge her with next. The Transmute Rune skill was still with her, which likely meant she would need to use it again to progress.

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“Oh?”

The moment her foot touched the platform, something shifted. Directly in front of her, the ground began to move. A small stand emerged from within, with a wooden top with strange silvery cards resting on it. Each card was identical, with a single rune inscribed on its surface.