Ch 31 : Heavenly Rune sets

As the creature failed to gather information from the control panel, it decided to observe Auron up close. Confident in its spirit form, the creature believed no one would notice its presence. However, Auron's mystical eyes granted him a rare detection ability, and he sensed the creature as soon as it entered his range. Without showing any outward signs, he pretended not to notice, waiting for the right moment.

"What is that?" Auron thought. "It's in my detection range, but it doesn't feel like a living being. Let's test something."

Condensing another fireball, Auron quickly tossed it at the creature. The sudden attack caught the spirit off guard, and flames engulfed it.

"Arghh! I'm sorry! Put it out! My soul can't endure this any longer!" the creature screamed in agony.

Auron ignored its cries, his focus remaining on the guards that continued to respawn. By now, ten of them surrounded him, and his fireball toss was becoming less effective as their defenses increased.

"Please stop the flames! I'm the Combat Tower Spirit! If I perish, the tower will lose its functionality!" the spirit pleaded desperately.

"If you're really the tower spirit, stop the guards from respawning," Auron demanded.

At once, the guards ceased their attack, vanishing from the battlefield. Auron approached the burning spirit cautiously but did not extinguish the flames. His mystical eyes activated to reveal the true nature of the spirit.

"If I put out this fire, will you harm me?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Why would I harm you?" the spirit winced, still in pain. "I was just curious about your mana core and wanted to study it further."

Seeing the faint, honest glow of white aura from the spirit, Auron decided to let it live, but he kept his guard up, his mystical eyes still active to prevent any sudden betrayal.

"So, are you really the Tower Spirit?" Auron asked, still doubtful.

"How many times do I have to say it? Yes! I am the Tower Spirit! Didn't I stop the guards from respawning?" Seraphael replied, clearly frustrated.

"Alright, I'll believe you," Auron said, though inwardly he remained skeptical.

"Well, what exactly does a Tower Spirit do? Do you just manage this place?" Auron probed further, curious about the being's role.

"Of course I manage the tower," Seraphael scoffed. "It's one of the academy's key facilities to train warriors capable of defending Eternis from the abyssal creatures."

"Abyssal creatures? What are those? And... what should I call you?" Auron asked, trying to fish for more information.

"Call me Seraphael," the spirit replied, still visibly annoyed. "What do you mean you don't know about the abyssal creatures? Aren't they the enemy you all are fighting?"

Auron's eyes widened in surprise. "From what I've read, the Great War happened thousands of years ago. Eternis was shattered into several continents as a result. So, the abyssal creatures were the enemy? That information has been kept hidden from the public."

Seraphael muttered to herself, "So they really did end up using that plan after all..."

She then turned back to Auron. "That explains why fewer people have entered the tower in recent years. And the ones who did? Trash, the lot of them—until you showed up today. That's why I approached you. Tell me, what's the deal with your mana core? How can it do so much damage?"

"Heh, everyone has their secrets," Auron replied with a smirk. "But I can tell you it's related to the Heavenly Rune I've carved into my mana core."

Seraphael's eyes narrowed. "Hmm, is it the Crimson Flare Rune? Maybe the Molten Core Rune? But it feels far more powerful than either of those."

"No comment," Auron said smugly. "By the way, do I get any rewards for defeating so many guards?"

Seraphael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Based on your results so far, you've already secured a top spot. You defeated ten 5th Layer Tier 2 Augmenters, and you're only... wait." She paused, scanning him more carefully. "You're only at the 9th Layer of Tier 1 Magus! What in the world did you put in your mana core? Even the geniuses from the Great War weren't this strong at your level!"

Auron's prideful smirk remained "What can I get from this? Got any list?"

Seraphael handed over the rewards list without hesitation. "Here," she said, her mind elsewhere, deep in thought. Auron's astonishing performance had surpassed even the most celebrated geniuses from the Great War era. As she reflected on the ancient prophecy of a legendary hero who would slay all the abyssal creatures, a flicker of hope arose within her. "Could he be the one?" she mused silently. "But… there's been no reaction from the other towers. Even though the towers have lost many functions, the communication system is still operational. Nothing unusual has come through yet. Still, let's hope."

Auron's eyes flicked across the list: Heavenly Rune Sets, Blazing Sword, Wind Slicing Halberd, Crystal Bulwark Shield... there were plenty of high-tier rewards to choose from. However, one particular item caught his attention, prompting him to raise an eyebrow. "Heavenly Rune Sets? What does that mean by 'sets'?" Auron asked, puzzled.

Seraphael blinked in surprise. "You don't know about Heavenly Rune Sets? Haven't they taught you this yet?"

Auron shook his head. "No, the teachers only mentioned basic Heavenly Runes like Blazing Core Rune, Boulder Strength Rune, and so on. They said we could create our own set of runes by combining these basics, something that suits our individual needs."

Seraphael's expression darkened, and she let out a sharp sigh. "What? That's it? It's true that you can choose runes that suit you, but it depends on whether you're trash or a true genius. And clearly, those teachers have left out important details. Human greed and selfishness haven't changed, have they? It must be those nobles who've hidden the truth," Seraphael muttered bitterly.

"What truth?" Auron pressed, curious now.

Seraphael turned to face him. "A Heavenly Rune Set isn't just a random combination of runes. It's a carefully crafted series of interconnected runes designed to enhance each other's power. When used together, they don't just add their individual effects—they multiply them, creating a synergy that can drastically increase your combat capabilities. Most commoners aren't even told about this, while the nobles keep the best sets for themselves, passing them down as family heirlooms. You might be the first in a long time to be offered such a thing outside those circles."

Auron's eyes gleamed as the information sunk in. "So, these rune sets are like an advanced system that pushes my abilities beyond their normal limits?"

"Exactly," Seraphael nodded. "If you choose a set, you'll be able to inscribe runes on your mana core that work together to create unique, amplified effects—far stronger than any single rune alone."

Auron thought carefully, recognizing the immense value of the offer. "I see. That sounds powerful. What kinds of sets are available?"

Seraphael gestured toward the list. "Each set is based on a different element or theme—like the Blazing Inferno Set, which enhances all fire-based attacks and provides resistance to heat, or the Stone Guardian Set, which boosts defense while grounding your energy flow. But since your affinity lies in something far more… unique, I'd recommend studying the sets closely before making your decision. You might find something that complements your Heavenly Runes well."

Auron nodded, already thinking of how these sets could combine with his current abilities and future potential. He gazed at the list again, feeling a rush of excitement at what lay ahead.

"Looks like I'll have to choose wisely," he said with a grin.