Driven by a burning curiosity, Regis closed his left hand’s fingers into a ball as he recited the incantation of the spell, imagining the shape it would take. He felt some of his arcana flow into his closed fist, making it glow with a soft silvery blue hue. When he opened his hand, a pale blue butterfly formed atop his palm, beating its wings to take off.

{You have successfully cast the ‘Phantom light wisp’ spell. This spell is now carved up into your Shardwaker’s mark.}

“Marvellous,” the dark elf heard the praise of Derris from behind. “You managed to cast the phantom light spell with such a beautiful form. It looks just like a real Moonlight Butterfly.”

“Show off.” Osmond grumbled as he sat down on the bench, placing half a dozen books on the table.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Regis asked as the elderly scholar sat down on the opposite bench.

“I borrowed the initiate and novice ranked shadow element spell collections, along with a couple of puppetry and necromancy related tomes. I must say,” the pale youth beamed with a content smile. “For all the shit talk necromancers and the shadow touched get, they sure don’t mind collecting these so called forbidden books. Although they did hide them a bit from view.”

“I’m sure they got those for… science.” The young spell weaver noted with an almost serious tone.

“Yeah… science. Anyway; did you find anything useful in that book beside that fancy light show?”

“I already learned ‘minor healing’ and there are a couple of light element infused spells in there that could come in handy against the undead later on. I’m pretty sure that Quentin would go bonkers over them, being a servant of light and all that.”

“He wants to become a paladin, not a light mage.” Osmond reminded his friend.

“Even so; having a few light spells wouldn’t hurt him.”

“True,” the pale youth and the old scholar nodded as one. “What about the enchanters’ tomes? Anything good in those?”

“I was just about to check those out.” Regis admitted as he switched the light elemental spell book with the beginner ranked enchanters’ guide.

Unsurprisingly, it was a copy of the same booklet he received from Chera back in Hunor. After flipping through its pages to see whether there was anything new in there, he let out a sigh and switched it with the novice ranked book that was almost twice as thick. The tome’s forewords claimed that it held the records of the common novice ranked runes, a passing note mentioning the second part of the series that held the records of the uncommon and rare runes and diagrams

On the first few pages, several fragments were recorded, increasing the number of pieces he could work with when trying to create specific spells or runic wards. Amongst the rune fragments, the most important ones were the pieces with the meaning of arrow, blade, greater, ray and shield. These were all of immense value to him since just these few pieces could aid him in forming new runic arcana and elemental spells. Arrow was meant to shape a projectile that was more advanced compared to his previous bolt spells. Blade meant just that; an intent to shape the arcane energies into the shape of a blade.

That was a prime material for a wide variety of combat spells. Enlarged or greater; as it was referred to in the book, had a single task to do. It was pretty much a runic amplifier that increased the size, strength and most likely the cost and power of a spell. ‘I guess the name says it all.’ He noted to himself as a plethora of enlarged spell variants flashed through his mind. Looking at the ray rune fragment, it had an obvious function as well. It focused any form of energy into a wide beam that moved in a single direction.

The ‘ray of light’ spell came into his mind, but with this rune piece, he could create a ray of fire or frost already, not to mention any other element he’ll later come across. Shield was also an important greater rune fragment as it was tied to the literal idea of a physical shield. With it, he could form either a stationary shield on his arm, or a floating one like his arcana shield spell. Now he had more wiggle room as he could master the original spell, picking one upgrade while creating a different runic version as well. After rummaging through the rest of the fragments, it was time to have a look at the actual ‘meat’ of the tome.

“You’re grinning like a madman.” Osmond broke the young spell weaver’s inner musings after looking up from his own book.

“Can’t blame a man for being happy once in a while.” Regis said with a content smirk plastered over his face before focusing his attention back onto the page that made him smile in the first place.

It was detailing the rune that represented the element of air. Its creation method seemed to have pretty much the same difficulty as fire or frost would, and so did the elemental rune of earth that followed it. Much to his surprise, he also found the rune of light in the book, even though he thought it would count as a rare element. With these three in the bag, the number of possible elemental enchantments he could make more than doubled. Still; the lack of any other elemental rune gnawed at him.

“Sir Derris,” he turned towards the old scholar. “This tome only has three of the known elemental runes recorded in it. I know that the beginner ranked book also has two, but where’s the rest of them?”

“That,” the elderly man let out a tired breath. “The book you hold is only the first half of the novice ranked enchanting records. I’m sure you’ve read the forewords mention its other half having the rarer runes. From what I know, it should have the element of blood, lightning, nature and shadow in it.”

“What about the elements of death and poison?” Osmond butted into the conversation.

“While the element of blood is considered a rare element that borders heresy, it is still allowed to be taught to others. As for the elements of death and poison; those are forbidden element, hence they weren’t allowed to be recorded in any tome presented to the Royal Academy. You’ll have to get them through other means I’m afraid.”

“I see,” the dark elf nodded before shaking his mind free of the issue of forbidden magic. “Does the library have the second book as well?”

“It does,” Derris scoffed. “That old bastard Qadir rubbed that fact under my nose more than once, but it’s on the 3rd floor of the library. Only he and his two main apprentices were allowed entry there, so I can’t say for certain if it’s still there.”

“It’s alright,” Regis waved at the issue. “I’ll try to find it after we return from our mission to close the gates. For now, this is more than…”

“Hey everyone,” Valerie popped her head through the slightly opened door. “The food is ready. Come and join the rest of us while it’s still hot.”

“Finally.” Osmond said as he practically jumped up from the bench, heading towards the door with hasted steps.

“I guess that’s our cue to end the reading session for now.” The dark elf stated as he and Derris headed downstairs, bringing along the light element spell tome.

As they reached the mess hall of the guild, the welcoming scent of the fresh soup greeted them, along with the sight of the others placing down clay bowls and wooden spoons on the tables.

“Smells good!” Osmond admitted as he leaned closer to take a whiff of the freshly cooked soup.

“Have you found anything useful in the library?” Fabien asked as he handed a plate to the pale youth.

“There are plenty of good books to read once we’ll have the time, but for now, we only picked the ones we found necessary.”

“And on that note,” the dark elf placed the spell tome on the clear part of the table. “Here’s a book with a couple of novice ranked light element spells, including minor healing.”

“Sweet,” Cruz picked up the book immediately. “This will come in handy against those rotting bastards.”

“Anything else?”

“I checked out a similar book about shadow element spells, although I doubt that anyone here would want to dabble in that. As for Regis; he spent his time checking out a book about novice ranked enchantments, but he didn’t get to finish it.”

“I’ve seen enough to create a few new runic spells,” the young spell weaver claimed. “I’ll read the rest once we’re back. Now let’s eat! I’m bloody starving.”

“Amen to that!” Amanda agreed before shoving a spoonful of hot soup into her mouth.

“This is delicious!” Osmond praised the infernal youth’s cooking, followed by several muffled agreement from the rest of the group.

“I’m glad you like it,” Fabien tasted his own work with a smile. “My aunt taught me how to cook this kind of food. She was a bit of a hippie, but she knew how to work with vegetables.”

“So,” Sophie broke the quiet feast. “What are we going to do after we finish eating?”

“We’re going to do do what we set out to do,” the wannabe paladin stated between two spoonfuls. “We have to close the north-eastern gate as soon as possible. On the way back, we should look for any long term food supplies to bring back here for sir Derris.”

“Once we’re done with that,” the dark elves joined in. “We’ll head back to the inner town to bring the news of the gate to Hyord, then we’ll bring Letty over as well. After that we’ll lock down the guild, just to be safe and we’ll spend the night here.”

“This place sure beats that small shack, surrounded by those unfriendly people.” The sun elf agreed as she finished her breakfast.

“Enough talking,” Valerie stopped the conversation. “Eat up and check out that tome as fast as you can.”

“It’s not a race, sister.” Fabian tried to calm down his sister in vain.

“The sooner we get done with the gate business, the sooner we can get back here.”

“She’s right about that.” Cruz took her side as she flipped the pages all the tome.

“We’ll head out in a quarter of an hour.” The dark elf stated in a matter-of-fact tone as he stood up to bring his plate over to the kitchen.

“He sure is bossy today.” Amanda chuckled has she finished her share all the food.

Soon everyone was done eating and after a few minutes of huddling over the spell tome, it was time to head out once again. They checked and then double checked their equipment before heading over to the entrance door.

“Do we have to wait for you to break those runes again?” Khan asked with a slight impatience in his voice.

“No.” He answered as he reached out towards the right side of the door frame.

His touch made the white symbol flicker. The other two runes reacted as well, turning on and off in a slow rhythm as the barrier faded away.

“I can temporarily suppress them,” Regis stated as he walked outside with the others behind him. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

With the promise made, the young spell weaver touched the slowly blinking rune, making it solid once again as the barrier returned. The old scholar stood on the other side of it, watching the group with strange emotions.

“Be careful out there,” Derris spoke finally. “It’s been far too long since I’ve had anyone to talk to and I don’t want you youngsters to get in over your heads.”

“If it’s troublesome, then we’ll run.” Quentin promised, earning a nod from the elderly man before he closed the door.

“He’s a nice grandpa.” Khan noted as he turned around, his eyes drifting towards the corpses they left behind. “Shouldn’t we deal with those first?”

“We should add to the pile,” Cruz said as she looked over to the street at the side of the square. “If we must sacrifice corpses to advance, then we should rack up enough kills for something good to trade for.”

“Ugh.” Amanda belched slightly at the thought of the disturbing ritual with Sophie still shuddering beside her.

“It looks like you’re getting your chance love.” Valerie let out a small sigh as a couple of rotting swordsmen shambled in from another side street.

“Shields up everyone!” Quentin reminded the group before they took up their battle position.

Sophie stood at the back with an arrow at the ready, Osmond standing beside her with his cane pointed at a rather fast trotting spearman. Quentin stood in front of them, chanting a quiet prayer that made both his armour and his shield glow up for a moment. The light seeped back into his equipment, forming a thin pale white mist layer on it.

Amanda readied her hammer as Valerie unfurled her whip, ready to lash out at the nearest foe. Cruz made her staff grow maces on both ends while Khan drew both of his swords, eyeing up a slow moving brutish undead. Regis just stood still with his right hand slightly raised in front of himself. His mind entered into a focused state as he added fragment after fragment into a line, forming a command that came to life under his will.

Pale blue threads of arcane energy whizzed out of his fingertips, snaking and splitting as they formed a small runic circle above his palm from the fragments he chose. The runic circle began to pulse before turning bright white. He pointed it towards the nearest undead before anyone could react and released the spell. A thick arrow made of pure light cut through the air before taking the fallen spearman’s head off in a small but gruesome explosion that pretty much incinerated its skull.

{You have successfully cast the ‘Runic light arrow’ spell. This spell is now carved up into your Shardwaker’s mark.}

“Oh shit!” Khan blurted out as he watched the fallen’s head being eviscerated in a split second.

“Light arrow?” Osmond asked absent-mindedly before releasing a similar spell, only his was pitch black.

“Shadow arrow?” Regis asked back with a knowing smirk.

“Show-offs.” Cruz spat on the ground before she burst forward to smash in an incoming axeman’s head with her staff.

“I’m not going to be outdone by a pair of dorks.” Amanda grumbled as she bursts forward, smashing into an armoured undead.

The crack of Valerie’s whip resounded in the air and she took out a high ranked fallen before her brother could cut down an axeman with a single move. A broad blade holding squire fell on its knees with an arrow in its eye socket, earning a second one a split second later. The battle seemed to be fast paced as spells and weapons crashed with the incoming undead, returning them to the grave with a vengeance. Several minutes later a group of panting outlanders we’re all that remained on Scholars’ Square.