Chapter 12: Complex Rune

The other 6 also seemed impressed, however when they got their tries, they realised they weren't as powerful as Oliver.

Oliver had 2 smaller runes on his neck and stomach, while he had a large one covering his chest. Having high amounts of mana and his body decently adapting to it too.

While the others had a variety of problems in each of their own Runes.

In Yurikels mind, he labelled each of them as failures. He didn't even feel bad about it, since he would be paying each of them a Grade 2 Mana crystal for their cooperation, enough to last them at least 20 years if they lived carefully.

"Now, for you guys other than Oliver, we will be paying you your mana crystal. If within the next 2 years, you are able to reach the peak of your rank, come back here. We would have found a way for you to advance by then. I will be paying you a Grade 4 Mana crystal then, so keep that in mind and train hard if you want to join.

The way to advance is simple for you guys. You can either train as a warrior or mage, while it would be ineffective, you would eventually reach the peak of your rank, but in my opinion, the most effective way for you would be to not only train as a warrior or mage, but to also absorb mana crystals slowly. By placing them on your runes, you will slowly expand your mana in your body, allowing you to reach the next rank. However be careful since this is uncharted realms. Now, good luck." He explained, as all of them walked out.

Elene seemed especially bummed out, she did not just come for the money but to become strong, however her eyes held out hope for the future and she had gained confidence, so John was already happy with what he had done.

"Right, so what do I do now? Do I get to go fight big monsters?" Oliver asked in excitement as he was jumping around.

"First, you will learn MagicSpells from me. Following that we will decide something again." Yurikel explained, as he led Oliver out.

John then decided to pull out his scrolls with a detailed diagram of his own body from Yurikel.

Soon, he would take his operation and it had to be perfect. He didn't just want to go to the First realm, he wanted a solid foundation and he didn't want to mess up like he did with Elene and the rest.

If he had a disadvantage he would lose in the future, so he had to be able make the best rune formation possible.

He also had a new working theory he wanted to go with.

He decided to draw 14 new Runes points of Runes on his body.

He knew he was going crazy when he had thought of this idea.

Oliver already mentioned that he had felt intense amounts of discomfort, like someone was lightly punching him when John drew only 3 runes, this was 4 and a half times the amount of that.

In addition to that, he wouldn't be able to use anaesthetics since he had to be able to draw the runes.

He didn't know how he would draw the runes onto his palms as well, considering he would have to hold his pen.

"I need to figure out a way to send the mana runes in the air into my body, the only way I can think of is to etch them into my skin, but that would hurt more than tattoos and I will have to do it while simultaneously controlling the mana in the air. I also cannot finish a rune if the lines are not continuous so I need to figure out a formation in which the runes stay intact…"

While thinking of all that, John began to draw completely new incorporations of symbols. He had decided to first make a massive oval, and with 14 points on it each for a rune on his body. The reason he picked an oval was because it helped in the absorption and distribution of mana particles.

Then, he was also deceived to make connections between the 14 separate ruin points, however mid connection, he realised the entirety of a Grade 1 Mana crystal had run out and only half of his idea was done. The second the mana was not supplied, the entire rune dispersed and the mana was spread out to the rune.

"Seems like you were trying something dangerous," Yurike said as he walked into the room.

He then looked at the diagrams John had on the scroll and was greatly surprised.

"Seems like you were not happy with Oliver's runs, this trial one seems at least 10 times more complicated. This might even allow your body and mind to constantly progress itself into the Peak of rank 1, gradually over a year without external power sources." Yurikel thought.

"Ah, but it seems like you're trying to get rid of the problem of not being able to draw the runes. Well, here are a couple of rank 2 crystals. Take a week to practise with them. Then, let's officially welcome you to becoming a Rank 1 Mage."

…

(After another week)

John was on his operation table, naked as he finished drawing his runes.

It took an entire Rank 2 Mana crystal, but he was able to create his complex Rune, which had 14 different points, for his ankles, knees, hip, stomach, chest, shoulders, elbows, palms and neck.

He strongly believed this would cause intense pain, but he didn't know how much.

Since he didn't know, he was feeling extremely anxious but he knew he could go through with it, simply because the runes would be etched onto his body at the same time, and his master Yurikel would hold him down during the process and thus he would survive.

"Start," Yurikel said, and John began drawing the runes in the air, drawing the most complex Rune of his life.

Eventually, after an hour of concentration, he had finished the drawing of the rune, and he was ready.

He lined himself with the runes, which he crafter perfectly for his body shape, and moved it to be an inch above himself.

"Teacher, the second I move the pen you have to move the pen away from me and keep me still." John reminded.

"I know, let's begin." Yurikel responded with strict confidence and pride.

John's heart was pounding in his chest as he lay on the table, his body tense with fear and anticipation. He knew what was about to happen, and he was terrified. Yurikel stood over him, ready to supply mana to the runes. He had to supply mana to each point of the rune 1 at a time, since if he activated them all at the same moment John might die to the pain. John could see the symbols of the runes that were to be etched onto his skin, and he felt a sense of dread wash over him.

As John dropped the runes, Yurikel began to work, etching the first symbol of mana onto John's ankle. The pain was immediate and intense, a searing, burning sensation that felt like his flesh was being ripped apart. John gritted his teeth and tried to endure it, but it felt like it was never going to end.

For hours, Yurikel continued, etching one symbol after another onto John's skin. Each time the runes were activated with mana and touched his flesh, John felt like he was being torn apart from the inside out. The pain was excruciating, and he could feel himself losing consciousness.

But he fought to stay awake. He knew that he needed to endure this in order to complete the ritual. He had to have the runes etched onto his body, no matter the cost.

As the hours ticked by, the pain grew more and more intense. John felt like he was on fire, every inch of his body consumed with agony. But still, he endured. He couldn't let himself give up now.

As the hours dragged on, John's body felt like it was being shredded from the inside out. He had never felt pain like this before, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could endure it. But he gritted his teeth and tried to push through the agony, knowing that giving up was not an option.

His muscles began to spasm and convulse, causing him to writhe on the table in agony. Sweat poured down his face, and his breathing became shallow and rapid. Yurikel continued to etch the runes onto John's body, his movements slow and deliberate.

John's mind began to fog over, and he struggled to stay conscious. The pain was too much to bear, and he was on the brink of passing out. But something inside him refused to give up. He had come too far to back down now.

Yurikel noticed the change in John's breathing and paused for a moment, concern etched on his face. But John shook his head and gritted his teeth, silently urging his master to continue. He couldn't stop now, not when he was so close.

And so the agony continued. John's body felt like it was being ripped apart, every nerve ending on fire. He screamed and thrashed, but he never once gave up. He endured, somehow finding the strength to push through the pain and hold on for just a little while longer.

Finally, Yurikel etched the final symbol onto John's neck. John could feel his body convulsing with pain, and then everything went black. He had passed out.

When he woke up, it was the next day. He was lying in a bed, his body still throbbing with pain. He could feel the runes etched onto his skin, their power coursing through him. But he was also weak and exhausted, his body having been pushed to its limits.

Over the next few days, John was in agony. It felt like his skin was on fire, every movement sending waves of pain through his body. But he endured it, knowing that it was just a part of the process. He knew that the runes would give him power beyond his wildest dreams, and he couldn't wait to see what he was capable of.

As time passed, John's body began to heal. The pain lessened, and he was able to move more freely. But the runes remained etched onto his skin, a permanent reminder of what he had endured. He could feel their power, and he knew that he had achieved something incredible.

In the end, the pain was worth it. John had endured hours of agony, but he had emerged stronger and more powerful than ever before. The runes etched onto his ankles, knees, hip, stomach, chest, shoulders, elbow, palms, and neck were a testament to his strength and determination. And he knew that he would never forget the excruciating pain he had endured in order to reach this point.