Chapter 14: Runes of Power and Dominion

Leonidas sat quietly by the riverbank, his sword on his knees, gleaming under the morning sun. The gentle rush of water over stones filled the air, but his mind was far from peaceful.

Ever since receiving Solomon's memories, his head had been a storm of knowledge and revelations—far more than he could use all at once. But one idea had taken root in his mind, persistent and precise.

If I can't yet command the full might of Solomon's magic, he thought, then I can blend what I know with what this world offers.

His eyes scanned over his sword—the weapon chosen with Kratos' guidance. It was solid, strong, but still a mere piece of steel. It wasn't yet worthy of a king.

Leonidas placed both hands on the blade, closing his eyes as he drew in a slow, controlled breath.

The runes of Solomon, countless sacred words and formulas, swirled in his mind. Among them, he recalled the ancient method of inscribing power directly into matter—binding rules of existence to objects.

World Runes.

Not just words, but commandments that define reality.

He focused on three simple yet vital concepts:

— Unbreakable: So the blade would never falter.

— Sharpness: So no armor, no hide could resist it.

— Weakness Imitation: So the blade would adapt to exploit any enemy's unknown flaw.

Leonidas opened his eyes, which now faintly glowed with a soft golden hue.

His hand traced patterns in the air above the sword, each movement causing glowing letters to manifest. Not Norse runes, but something far older—the script of a King who commanded demons and spirits alike.

"By name and seal, I bind you."

As his finger completed each stroke in the air, the runes burned themselves onto the blade, searing into the metal like molten light.

First, he spoke for Unbreakable.

"By the might of the earth that endures, let this vessel never falter nor fail—Unbreakable."

A dull thrum echoed from the sword as the first set of runes embedded along its fuller, pulsing briefly before settling into a faint glow.

Second, for Sharpness.

"By the edge that cleaves the night and the will that cuts through fate—Sharpness."

As the words left his lips, the edges of the sword shimmered, thin lines of light racing along its length, as though the blade itself had been reforged in divine flame.

Third, for Weakness Imitation—this, the most complicated and subtle rune of them all.

"By sight unseen and knowledge unknown, let this blade mirror the flaw within my foe—Weakness Imitation."

The runes that formed this final enchantment shifted like living things, constantly moving along the blade, as though they searched and studied the world around them.

As the final rune burned itself into place, Leonidas exhaled heavily, feeling the drain on his magic. His body trembled, but his grip on the sword was firm.

[System Notice: World Runes Successfully Integrated]

— Unbreakable Rune (Passive): The weapon cannot be shattered, bent, or dulled.

— Sharpness Rune (Passive): Blade cuts through all materials unless magically protected.

— Weakness Imitation Rune (Active): Automatically seeks and imitates enemy's greatest hidden weakness during battle.

[Template Integration: 70%]

— Solomon's enchantment mastery unlocked.

— World Law Manipulation (Beginner level).

— Magic flows through objects established and stable.

Leonidas smirked to himself, staring down at his sword with satisfaction.

Now, this is worthy of Solomon.

He slowly stood, feeling a new weight to the blade—not in mass, but in presence. It hummed in his hands, like a beast eager to be unleashed.

Behind him, the sound of soft footsteps broke his focus.

Kratos stood by the edge of the trees, arms crossed, watching silently.

"You've been out here long enough," Kratos finally said, his voice calm but sharp as always. "What have you done to that blade?"

Leonidas turned to face him, raising the sword slightly, the runes faintly glowing in the daylight.

"Improved it," he said, his voice calm but filled with quiet pride.

Kratos stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly as he examined the sword.

"Magic."

"Yes," Leonidas answered simply. "But not just magic. A command to the world. This blade won't break. It will cut through anything... and if something comes that I can't understand, it will find their weakness and cut that too."

For a long moment, Kratos said nothing. His gaze was heavy, like he was weighing his son carefully.

"You are growing... faster than I expected."

Leonidas remained quiet, waiting for the inevitable criticism.

But instead, Kratos let out a small, quiet grunt. "Good. You'll need it."

Leonidas blinked.

Kratos turned away, looking out into the trees.

"Power without control is chaos. But you are learning to control it." He glanced back over his shoulder. "Still... you have much to learn."

Leonidas smiled faintly, gripping his sword tighter.

"I know."

Kratos started to walk back toward the house, pausing only briefly.

"When you are ready, show me how that sword truly works. A blade is only as good as the one who wields it."

Leonidas nodded.

"I will."

As Kratos disappeared into the trees, Leonidas looked down at his sword one last time.

The runes pulsed quietly, as though in agreement.

Next time I hunt, it'll be different.

He turned and began walking toward the woods, ready to test the limits of what he had created.