Return of the Runebound Professor

Chapter 422: Nothing short of incredible

I want Space Runes, Matter Runes, and any other abstract concepts that could relate to them. I dont care about the quality of the rune, Noah said, not wasting a second before cutting straight to the chase. Ill also accept locations of monsters that possess those runes.

Space and Matter? Ottos eyebrows rose. Not a simple path you head down. Do you already possess any?

Yes.

Technically speaking, at least. Ive got a single Rank 1 Space Rune, but he didnt ask what Rank it was.

Impressive. You grow odder the more I learn about you. A domain as strong as yours at Rank 4 using Space and Matter Runes. Otto leaned back in his chair and interlaced his fingers. I would ask where such a talent emerged from, but I suspect you would not answer.

Most likely not, Noah agreed. Can you get the runes I asked for?

Who do you take me for? Otto let out a bark of laughter. There is very little in this kingdom that I could not get for the right price, Vermil. If you so wanted, I could get you entrance into the King family itself. Access to Monster Runes would more than pave the road before you in gold brick. I could arrange for Runes to take you all the way to early Rank 6 and a wife, should you wish it.

A kind offer, but I have no need for any of it. The only thing I desire are the runes I asked for, Noah said with a shake of his head. Noble families are of no use to me. I do not care for the Linwicks any more than I care for the Kings and I certainly dont need a wife.

I dont think Moxie would approve much of me getting married.

It was worth an attempt. Otto gave Noah a wry smile. What rank runes were you hoping for?

Four or five would both be ideal, but any rank works. It depends how much youre looking to spend for the Monster Rune.

The noble thought for a few seconds. His fingers tapped on the wooden armrest and he looked up at the ceiling, studying the patterns within it, before returning his gaze to Noah. This is a very expensive ask. Hundreds of thousands of gold at the absolute minimum. The runes you seek are not cheap.

Nor are monster runes.

They are when they are nothing but a novelty, Otto countered. A fascinating novelty with potential to be more, but still a novelty.

Innovation is never achieved for cheap. You have to be willing to take risk if you want to become powerful.

You are correct, but only a fool would spend a fortune on a whim. I am indeed willing to take risk, but all risk must be balanced. I could likely get you some of the runes you seek at a very low rank. 2, perhaps? A True Matter Rune and a True Space Rune in exchange for a new Monster Rune.

Noahs lips pressed together. He already had a Rank 1 Space Rune. Getting a Rank 2 on top of that definitely wouldnt hurt, but it wasnt the most useful. The Matter Rune was considerably more worthwhile, but it wasnt exactly groundbreaking.

I could probably buy that at an auction but to be fair, it would cost a ridiculous amount of gold. I really dont want to have to auction a Monster Rune. Itll bring way too much attention.

If it sweetens the deal, Ill add in a location where I believe you should be able to get the Runes you seek, Otto offered. It will not be easy, but if you value the time less than the money, it will serve you well.

Is it nearby? The transport cannon is currently indisposed.

I will be able to arrange for transport there, Otto replied. It will only be a single access. The location is controlled by the King family, so I cant have you constantly coming in and out unless you join us.

Ill pass on the joining for the time being, but Im intrigued. What rank are the monsters in the area?

Three and above. They can put up quite the fight.

That sounds like exactly what I need. No matter how hard it is to get the Runes normally, if I just Sunder all the monsters, Ill be able to stock up on them no problem.

I dont suppose you can tell me more than that?

Otto shook his head. I believe you have all the information you need. Two Rank 2 Runes and one ticket to and from a personal hunting ground. I believe that offer is more than fair.

Im not sure Id call it more than fair. Technically, Im offering up something a lot more valuable. But hes saving me the trouble of dealing with an auction house and Monster Runes cant be duplicated by humans, so that definitely limits their value to a noble house.

Stolen novel; please report.

Alright, Noah said, holding a hand out. I think we have a deal. Ill have to retrieve the Monster Rune. I dont have it on my person right now.

Otto took it and they shook. Thats quite fine with me. Ill have to retrieve what I owe you as well. Ill send my assistant to handle the transaction tomorrow. Is that acceptable?

More than. Pleasure doing business with you.

Likewise.

They both rose from their seats and headed back for the sealed door.

Are your students as uniquely talented as you are? Otto asked as he reached for the handle, pausing before he pulled it open.

Why do you ask?

Im determining if I should be making bets, Otto said with a calculated smile. The odds arent stacked well in your favor, Magus Vermil. You have everyone quite deluded, and if your students are the same well, I never pass up an opportunity to expand my wealth.

Is there a way for me to bet on them myself?

Otto let out a bark of laughter. No. Its against the rules. I suppose thats answer enough.

Damn. That would have been easy money. I imagine not betting for my own students also means I cant bet against the people theyre going up against. Ah well.

Chatter and the sounds of sparring washed into the small room as Otto pulled the door open. He gave Noah one last nod, then stepped out without another word.

Noah could appreciate that. Otto didnt mince words, and it seemed like the man was amiable enough. Even though Otto had asked a few leading questions to try and prod at his personal life, he hadnt gone too far.

Hell be a good ally to have, especially if I keep dangling Monster Runes in front of his nose. Money is a power all in itself. Having a rich bloke backing me will open up a lot of doors.

He stepped back into the crowded room, shutting the door behind him. It didnt look like much had changed since theyd entered. Moxie and all their students still sat or stood around the table, and nobody was bothering them.

Good. Looks like we get the rest of the meeting off. Time to go stuff my face.

***

Yulin sat beside Marley at the end of the table, pushing the potatoes around her plate with her knife. Jakob had stormed off to the other side of the room after both she and Marley had been utterly trounced, and she didnt blame him.

She couldnt remember the last time shed lost so badly in a fight. If it hadnt been for years of training to control her emotions, her cheeks would been bright red with shame.

Her thoughts drifted to Magus Vermil. The sleazy-looking professor had played both of them like a fiddle, and it was her fault.

I should have recognized that he was goading Marley earlier. It was such an obvious strategy. He didnt even fully commit to it, but I was still thrown off enough that I didnt try to step in until it was too late.

And then Vermil had gone and given them advice after it had become completely clear how badly hed outplayed Marley. Instead of gloating or pointing out his victory, hed rubbed it in even harder by trying to help them.

It wasnt like I fared any better against his student. Ive been practicing swordcraft most of my life. How did she move like that without using runes? Theres no way she cheated. Jakob would have called her out on it. Am I really that far behind her?

Yulins hands clenched at her sides. Shed been in the advanced track for nearly half a year now together with Marley. They had every advantage. There was no way to justify her defeat.

Marley was up against a professor. At least hes got an excuse.

Yulins hands clenched at her sides.

You look like you ate a live crab, Marley said, waving his fork in her direction and speaking through a full mouth.

That would have been preferrable, Yulin said tersely. How are you not more concerned with how poorly we performed?

Eh. Jakob will get over it, Marley replied with a one-shouldered shrug. Whats there to be that worried about? I mean, sure. Vermil tricked us, but hes a professor. There arent any bragging rights for a professor beating a student. If anything, he should be ashamed of himself.

Yeah, but what about me? Im not main branch. Jakob might not take anything out on you, but Im a different story.

Look, its fine. Marley took another bite of the cake on his plate and wiped his mouth with a napkin. You got played this time around. Vermil tricked you and his student was better. Its fine. The Torrin family name isnt going to be affected. Nobody cares if a side-branch student loses a fight.

Yulin was grateful that her fists were already clenched. It saved her from having to hide her emotions.

Besides, Marley said, continuing on without so much as looking away from the food on his plate, We didnt have to pull anything off today. Weve got time. And to be honest, Im happy about it.

Yulin blinked in surprise. Happy? Why?

I havent seen Emily since we were kids. Marley looked across the long table to where the silver-haired girl sat with the rest of Vermils group. A grin pulled at the corners of his lips. Shes a lot more attractive than I remember.

She is your enemy. As long as she is viewed favorably by anyone in the Torrin family, your chances of becoming the next head are at risk.

Bah. Im allowed to observe facts, Marley said. I mean, look at her. Are you telling me that you wouldnt at least give it a shot? Besides, she wont contest me for the position if shes mine.

Youre worse than you thought Vermil was. Self-righteous prick.

I have no desires but to serve the Torrin family, Yulin said flatly. That includes viewing anyone in any level of interest beyond assessing them as a threat.

Marley snorted. Right. Forgot. Whatever. Could you just stop sulking already? Youre ruining the mood.

Yulin forced her hands to unclench and she straightened her back, wiping her face clean of any feeling that might have seeped onto it. But, while her features displayed serene stillness, her mind had anything but.

Alexandras sword flashed through her mind over and over again. Her technique was unlike anything that Yulin had ever seen before. It was nothing short of incredible.

I wonder if she was serious about that offer to spar again in the future.