The Runesmith-Chapter 544: First Duel Starts.

Robert inhaled deeply, his eyes scanning the arsenal laid before him. The weapons gleamed under the forge’s fiery glow, their runic inscriptions not yet active. He was used to adapting to whatever weapon was handed to him, never once considering what he truly wanted. Now, given the freedom to choose, he found himself at a loss. The runesmith, arms crossed, observed him with an impatient smirk.

“Come now, lad. You look like a man who’s swung a blade his whole life. Surely you have a preference?”

Robert exhaled, letting his mind settle as he approached the weapon racks. His hands hovered over several swords, feeling their weight without lifting them. Each blade was expertly crafted, though not quite something a Tier 3 class holder would use. Nevertheless, they were at the pinnacle of Tier 2—his current rank. Some of the runes shimmered softly, but they seemed unfinished, waiting to be completed by a runesmith’s hand. He was beginning to understand what this ascension trial was all about, and he wasn’t sure if he was prepared for it.

He had trained with various weapons, always using whatever was handed to him. While he had settled on swords, there wasn’t a particular type he couldn’t wield. Before him lay blades of all shapes and sizes—long, short, curved, and even massive, super-heavy ones. In the corner, he spotted something that looked more like a sharpened slab of metal, too big to be called a sword but not entirely useless. Swords had their pros and cons; they were often seen as finesse weapons, which weren’t particularly effective against heavily armored opponents.

In the past, he had found himself using a longsword against heavily armored monsters. The blade was ineffective at cutting through their armored shells or thick hides. The only way forward was to use the tip and attempt to thrust at a weakened area like the underbelly or eyes. However, once he grew stronger and was able to wield heavier and enchanted swords, the possibilities broadened. With a sword that had enough mass, it was possible to use it as a bashing weapon. While it still failed to produce the small-area damage of an axe, with enough weight and the right timing, he could mitigate its weaknesses.

Even so, everything depended on his opponent. At this moment, it seemed he would be facing another knight in combat, but this did not mean he would not encounter monsters. These ascension trials were often unpredictable, and without any knowledge of his next opponent, he needed to choose something universal. A weapon that was neither too long nor too short, neither too light nor too heavy.

“This one should do… Do you have any shields?”

After walking around, Robert finally selected one of the heavier longswords. It provided enough reach, and the increased weight would help him against heavily armored enemies. With his strength, he could wield it easily—likely the heaviest weapon he could manage with one hand while carrying a shield. Though he was a sword expert, he was still a knight and could not forget what made him strong. Shields and heavy armor were staples of a knight’s arsenal, so he needed to balance his new weapon with proper defensive measures.

“Aye, I’ve got shields of all shapes and sizes. Just pick one and choose the enchantment!”

Robert glanced to the side where the Bernir look-alike pointed to. There he saw an assortment of shields and armor, all that he had to pick out to fit him personally. Luckily, the armor seemed to be tailor-made for his body, which would save him a lot of time. Robert took a steady breath and reached out to select a shield from the assortment laid before him. The shield carried its own set of runic inscriptions which also seemed to be dormant.

“This one.”

“Ah, great choice a Heater Shield, it has a great balance between defense and mobility! As for the armor?”

“We’ll go with the Full Plate Armor, that one looks promising.”

The runesmith grinned, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand before nodding approvingly at Robert’s selections. The chosen heater shield was medium-sized, practical, and adorned with delicate runic etchings along its rim, while the full plate armor gleamed under the forge’s warm glow, its polished surface hinting at superior craftsmanship. It was made from some heavy slabs of metal but still wasn’t the heaviest from the assortment here.

“Fine choices!”

The runesmith said, already moving to his workbench.

“Now, the real question Sir Knight, what enchantments do you desire?”

Robert hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision settling upon him. He tried to recall the names of various enchantments he had used in his life. Usually, he chose something practical, like an enchantment that kept the blade sharp. Even if it chipped, he could activate it to deliver a devastating slashing attack. For the shield, he typically relied on a standard mana shield, which synergized well with knightly blocking techniques. There were also elemental runic effects that could imbue a weapon with fire or even lightning magic.

‘Should I go with lightning runes? They should be effective against knights in heavy armor… but will my opponent also use rune magic? Should I ask the runesmith to add elemental protection to my shield?’

He continued to ponder the possibilities and realized he should gather more information. The runesmith here seemed fairly standard - not like his brother, who could cram multiple enchantments into a single piece of equipment. Typically, the limit was one or two enchantments. He was working with tier-2 gear, and he knew that if the enchantment was too powerful, it would burn into the weapon, eventually destroying it with prolonged use.

“Runesmith, how many runes can you fit onto each piece?”

“How many? Well, that depends. I could probably manage up to four lesser runic enchantments on a single piece, but it also depends on the size. For a sword and shield, I’d say two common runes each, and at most, one greater rune on the entire armor - but that comes at a cost.”

“At a cost?”

“Aye. The metal won’t last long, and it won’t be able to store more than two, perhaps three charges before the runes stop working.”

“Ah right…”

He nodded at the dwarven man and continued to contemplate. He was familiar with the charge system used in runic equipment, but he wasn’t sure if it was something he needed to worry about. Charges allowed him to conserve mana, which he could then use in other ways. While most of his skills relied on stamina, some required mana, so it was likely better to use charges and preserve his resources.

Nevertheless, time was ticking, and he needed to make a decision. After considering his options, he chose to stick with the enchantments he was most familiar with - the ones that had carried him through his life. For now, they would have to do.

“For the sword… I want it to cut through armor efficiently while still retaining durability. I don’t want something fragile that will break mid-battle.”

The runesmith nodded, reaching for pen and paper to jot down Robert’s request.

“A rune that enhances sharpness and durability should do the trick. I’ll use the strongest ones you can fit.”

Robert didn’t need anything flashy. With all his combat skills already maxed out, it was best to focus on support-type runes that would keep his weapon intact and reliable. Without knowledge of his opponent, this was the safest choice. For his shield and armor, he leaned toward a defensive approach, opting for mana shields and runes that would grant him a burst of speed and strength when it was time to deliver the finishing blow.

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“I see… I’ll get right to it…”

“Is something wrong?”

The runesmith glanced at his notes, his body language betraying a hint of hesitation. Something about Robert’s choices or perhaps his descriptions didn’t sit well with him. Robert wasn’t a rune expert, so he simply described the enchantments he recalled using and the names they went by, without diving too deeply into specifics.

“Oh, don’t worry Sir Knight, I’ll provide the runes that best match your needs. Just give me some time.”

Robert nodded, stepping back as the runesmith turned to his forge. The rhythmic clang of hammer against metal resumed, filling the chamber with a steady cadence. Sparks flew as the runesmith worked with practiced precision, rune crafting runes into the steel with a combination of hard hammer blows and infusions of raw magic. The weapons and armor before Robert slowly transformed, taking on a glow of enchanted power.

‘Hm?’

Suddenly, the world blurred before him and he felt like he was rooted in place. The runesmith’s motions became faster and faster until he turned into a blur. He could see the sparks frozen midair, the glow of the forge stretching into streaks of light like falling stars. Then, everything snapped back into focus, and Robert found himself standing in front of the completed gear, his heart pounding as though only a second had passed. The runesmith stood before him, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"All done!”

“How did…”

For a moment, he wanted to ask, but then he remembered that all of this was part of the ascension trial, nothing more than an illusion. It seemed that after placing the order, time had flown by, bringing him to the moment when the gear was assembled.

Robert hesitated before reaching out. The sword felt perfectly balanced in his grip, its weight familiar yet enhanced by the runic energy within the blade. The runes along its length flickered softly, confirming that the enchantments were active but stable. He turned to the shield next, running his fingers over the runic etchings on its surface, feeling the magic woven into the metal. Yet, while it was a finely crafted weapon, he noticed it was not quite up to par with what he had in mind. Something was missing.

"Now then, you have your equipment, Sir Knight. I wish you luck!"

The runesmith spoke, and before Robert could respond, he heard someone call out from behind him.

"Sir Robert, it's time. We need to get ready!"

It was a young man, someone who fit the description of a squire. Like the others in this illusion, he resembled someone from Robert’s past - an old servant from the Arden estate who had once helped him don his armor and had also been his squire in the previous ascension ritual.

Robert took a final glance at his newly acquired equipment, nodding slightly to himself before turning to face the squire. The young man’s expression was urgent, and it seemed that this was the true beginning of the trial, the duels.

"Lead the way."

Robert said, adjusting his grip on the sword as he followed the squire who took the rest of the equipment out of the forge room. The squire guided him outside, and they walked toward the jousting arena he had previously seen from within the castle. Now that he was here, he could fully appreciate the grandeur of the architecture.

It was truly a grand castle, the kind a Duke might call home. Around him, people gathered, many cheering as if he were the champion destined for victory. Soon, he arrived at the arena, a vast coliseum-like structure lined with banners and emblems he did not recognize. Yet, despite their unfamiliarity, they all shared a clear runic theme.

Before stepping onto the field, he was guided to a separate room, where his squire assisted him in donning his new plate mail armor. In front, he had a mirror showcasing his current appearance. The plate mail shone with a brilliance and his sword, now alive with steady runic light, lay ready at his side. In that moment, he saw someone that he could become, a great knight.

‘But… is this truly the best choice?’

For a moment, he hesitated before stepping out. He still wasn’t sure if this was the right class for him or if he should take his chances with the other runic door by failing this trial. His opponents would need to prove their skill before he could decide—after all, if the enemies were difficult to defeat, then the class was worth keeping.

His squire followed him until they reached the final corridor. Stopping just before the exit, the young man wished him luck. With a final breath, Robert stepped forward, emerging into the arena to the deafening cheer of the onlookers.

"Sir Robert!"

"It's the Champion!"

"Long live the Champion!"

He was momentarily taken aback by the overwhelming applause of the illusionary crowd. This was the first time he could recall receiving so much positive attention. The armored man who was his lord was seated above everyone else, looking down on everyone as if he were a king. The lord-like figure rose from his elevated seat. His voice carried clearly over the roar of the crowd as he addressed the assembled warriors.

"Champions, today you stand on the threshold of destiny. Sir Robert, your courage and perseverance have led you to this moment. Let your skill and honor shine forth as you face the challenges ahead."

His words carried a strange aura, leaving little doubt that this trial was of utmost importance. Almost immediately, a hush fell over the arena. From the side entrance, a distinguished figure emerged. His silvered hair and kind yet stern eyes recalled memories of long-ago lessons at the knight academy Robert attended. The man moved with long calm strides and he had an air of strength and experience.

Soon, the man who resembled his old sword instructor stood before him. He inclined his head respectfully toward Robert and spoke in a measured tone.

"Sir Robert, I have watched your progress with great interest. Today, I offer you the first test of your resolve!"

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Robert felt his pulse quicken as he tightened his grip on his enchanted sword. The weight of the moment pressed upon him, and every eye in the arena watched with anticipation. The lord-like figure stood still, his expression hidden beneath the heavy armor he wore, unreadable. The air vibrated with the promise of an honorable contest, but Robert knew better than to expect such a thing. This was an ascension trial. The opponents he faced were not real, and he had to be prepared for anything—even for so-called honorable knights to fight dirty.

The other man closed his visor and lowered his stance. Robert's eyes narrowed as he took in the details of his opponent's gear. The silvered helmet and heavy breastplate were etched with intricate symbols that glowed in a deep, unfamiliar red hue. He noted that the runes on the man's shield and sword pulsed revealing symbols. Their designs were somewhat familiar but he didn’t have enough experience to pinpoint the exact enchantment he was going against. The more he stayed here the more he realized that this test might be more about the runes than his skills as a knight or perhaps a combination of both.

The two knights circled each other in the center of the arena, each testing the other with measured movements. The opponent struck first, lunging forward with a swift thrust that Robert met by deflecting the blow with his shield. Metal rang out as the clash echoed across the coliseum. Robert felt a distinct surge of energy with every hit the other man delivered. The runes on his adversary's sword shimmered with every movement, sending ripples of magical force into the air.

Robert countered with a series of calculated strikes. His blade met the enchanted steel of his opponent's weapon, and the impact resonated through his arms. He tried to gauge the unpredictable nature of the runic magic; each blow from the enemy carried a mysterious weight that made Robert uncertain of his victory. Their swords exchanged blows in a rhythmic dance, the sound of clashing metal and crackling energy rising above the murmurs of the watching crowd.

‘He is anything but weak… and this is just the first opponent?’

As the duel continued, Robert focused on every detail. The stranger's technique was fluid and precise and the enchantments seemed to enhance his fighting style. It became clear that with each activation of the enchantment his opponent was becoming faster, focusing on making his speed his strength. Robert on the other hand, had decided to go with an all-rounder approach and was holding a more defensive stance, a part of his tactic to let the man use up his enchantment charges before going for a counterattack.

He shifted his stance, adopting a more defensive approach. His opponent pressed forward, hammering down with relentless strikes, each one testing the limits of Robert’s enchanted shield. The runes on his sword flickered slightly as he finally saw a chance to fight back.

With a sharp exhale, Robert deflected another heavy strike and twisted his blade to catch his opponent off guard. He sidestepped, shifting his weight to the left, then delivered a powerful riposte aimed at the exposed side of his enemy’s torso. His opponent, reacting with remarkable agility, managed to raise his shield just in time, but Robert had anticipated this. Using the momentum of his attack, he slammed his shield forward, forcing his enemy to stumble backward.

For a brief moment, Robert caught a glimpse of the runes etched into his opponent’s armor. They flared brightly, absorbing the impact and dispersing the force before the knight could fully lose his balance. Robert’s eyes narrowed at the enchantment he did not fully understand. It seemed that this fight would take a lot longer than he had expected…