The Runesmith

Chapter 671: Apprentice Appraisal.

“…What’s this about, Master?”

Ermes approached the secluded table where Roland, Bernir, and Hasim were seated. His tone carried confusion, and it was clear that something serious was about to be discussed. Hasim’s expression was solemn, while Roland’s half mask revealed only one side of an otherwise expressionless face.

“You’re Mister Ermes, right?”

“Ah, yes, that’s me. And you, sir, are…?”

Even though the human blacksmith did not know who Roland was, he could tell the man held a high position. His enchanted gear was pristine, and the presence of knights watching from the sidelines made that even more apparent. Roland inclined his head slightly, careful not to seem too intimidating.

“You may call me Wayland. I am a craftsman, much like yourself, though my work tends to differ in scope.”

Ermes blinked, clearly trying to place the name, and then it dawned on him.

“Ah, Mister Siegfried mentioned that name before. So you are that Sir Wayland…”

Roland nodded. As Siegfried, he had spoken of the elusive runesmith living in Albrook who crafted the black armor he wore. While few recognized the name, the armor spoke for itself to any craftsman who saw it. Ermes immediately understood that he was speaking with a master of great skill, and the fact that he had arrived alongside Hasim made it clear that this was no ordinary visit.

Ermes’ gaze shifted from Roland to Hasim, then to Bernir, who tried and failed to look like he belonged there. Instead, he had his head buried in a pitcher while the other two handled the conversation.

“…What’s going on here, Master Hasim?”

The dwarf folded his arms, his expression heavier than before.

”Aye… sit yerself down, Ermes. This’ll take a wee bit o’ time. ’Tis about the lass.”

That alone was enough to make Ermes tense. He pulled out a chair and sat, his back straight, hands resting on his knees as if bracing for bad news.

“Millie? Has she done something? Was she rude to…?”

Millie’s father immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion, which was not surprising. There was no reason for Roland to take an interest in his daughter. Even if her class was known, most master craftsmen would quickly see through her lack of skill.

“Ah, nothin’ like that, laddie. Now listen up! Master Wayland wishes to take Millie wi’ him as his apprentice, an’ I reckon ye ought to hear what the lad has to say.”

Hasim leaned back as if he had done his part. Roland nodded to the old dwarf, then turned to the father, who looked both confused and wary of the man before him.

“You wish to take my daughter as an apprentice? Is this some kind of joke?”

“I assure you, Mister Ermes, this is no joke. I am aware of your daughter’s circumstances.”

At that, Ermes narrowed his eyes and glanced at Hasim, who frowned.

“Don’t look at me like that, laddie. This weren’ me idea at all. He saw right through her class, the crafty bugger. This human’s the real deal if he can pierce a hidden status like that.”

It was clear the father would not trust Roland with his daughter so easily, and Roland did not expect him to. Still, he had not come to offer empty words. He intended to prove that he could help the girl thrive. To do that, he first needed her parents on his side, and he believed he knew how to do it. Roland let the silence linger just long enough for the weight of the moment to settle over the table before finally speaking.

“I did not make this decision lightly. I believe I may have an answer to your daughter’s ‘condition’. Before you decide anything, allow me to evaluate her.”

“You want to test my daughter, but I don’t think she will be able to…”

“Do not worry. I understand her class and the mana issues she is likely facing. But what if I told you I could ease them? If I am correct, she could begin leveling normally from now on.”

“...”

Ermes fell silent. Roland could not tell what the man was thinking, but he could hardly blame him for his distrust. A stranger had appeared out of nowhere, asking to take his daughter away. Fortunately, Hasim was on his side and chose that moment to speak up.

“What are ye doing, lad? Take the offer and see what he can do. If it comes to nothin’, ye lose nothin’. But if he’s right… And don’t worry, I’m here. I won’t let him try anythin’ shady.”

Ermes’ fingers curled slightly against his knees. His gaze shifted again, this time toward the counter where Millie was helping her mother, carefully carrying plates. There was hesitation there, and the unmistakable doubt of a concerned father. It was clear he had already tried many things and feared that more hope would only lead to disappointment.

“You’re asking a lot. I don’t want to give the child false dreams… not again.”

Roland understood what the man meant. Millie was no longer very young, and her progress had long since stalled. She had likely come to terms with her situation. If his offer failed, it might awaken hopes only to crush them again, leaving her hurt and disheartened.

“I understand your worries, but if you allow me, I believe I can help your daughter level up here and now. It shouldn’t even take long.”

“You will help Millie gain levels? Here and now?”

Roland nodded. He had already considered the problem and how to solve it. Millie needed a large amount of mana to scribe scrolls, but that required resources her family could not afford. While Hasim was an experienced craftsman, he lacked knowledge in areas such as lending mana and understanding mana wavelengths, both of which could help her. Roland, on the other hand, was far from an ordinary craftsman. He had studied rune magic and other disciplines to create things that had never existed in this world.

“Is it truly possible? What if you fail?”

“Then we forget this conversation, and I leave.”

Ermes studied him for a long moment, searching his face for even the slightest hint of deception. Roland did not look away. He had learned long ago that hesitation invited doubt, and doubt could ruin an opportunity before it even began.

“And if you succeed?”

Ermes finally asked.

“Then you will have proof that your daughter can progress and become something more.”

“Something more…”

The father’s jaw tightened. His gaze drifted once more toward Millie, who was now laughing softly at something her mother had said, completely unaware of the conversation that might decide her future.

“And what would that proof cost me?”

Ermes asked.

“Nothing.”

The answer came without hesitation. Roland already understood the concern behind the question.

“Mister Ermes, I know what worries you. I am not looking for a slave, only an apprentice. Someone loyal, someone I can trust with the knowledge I have gathered.”

“I see…”

Ermes went quiet afterward, lost in thought. Roland was not sure if his words had reached him, and it was only natural for Millie’s father to be cautious. Not long ago, he had nearly been killed, then captured, and only recently managed to return home. Sending his only daughter away with a stranger who made many promises was not an easy choice for any father. It meant placing trust in something unfamiliar.

However, in this world shaped by the system, one truth remained. A person needed to gain levels and advance in order to live properly. Even if the hope was faint, Roland knew that a parent could not simply ignore such a chance. His daughter’s future was at stake, and with Hasim’s support, the possibility that this opportunity was genuine seemed high.

“You spoke about an evaluation. What did you mean?”

“It’s a simple matter. Why don’t we step into a separate room, and I’ll show you? It should not take long.”

It seemed that he had gotten through to him. After a moment, the father nodded and stood up, leaving to fetch Millie and inform his wife about the proposal. While they discussed it, Roland remained behind with Hasim, who offered a quiet warning.

“Ye’d best no’ be spouting nonsense, lad.”

Hasim’s voice was low, and the tone made the threat clear.

“I’m not.”

“If anythin’ happens to that lass, those fancy knights’ll no’ be able to save yer sorry hide.”

It was a direct threat, one Roland had to accept. Hasim was a craftsman known for producing rare and epic items for many adventurers. He had likely accumulated wealth, fame, and powerful connections. It would not be surprising if he could hire assassins or even entire adventuring parties to come after him if anything happened to Millie.

“Nothing will happen. You have my word.”

“Aye. Because if ye raise that lass’s hopes an’ then crush ‘em, I don’t care what deal we signed. I’ll personally come after ye!”

Roland let out a small laugh.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

It was clear that Millie was deeply cared for. Whether it was love or simple sympathy for someone unable to progress within the system, the concern was genuine. Satisfied with the response, Hasim merely grunted and leaned back.

It took Ermes a few minutes to return. When he did, he gestured toward one of the staff doors.

“This way.”

His voice was quieter now, though the tension had not faded. If anything, it had settled into something steadier, like a man preparing himself for an outcome he was not sure he wanted to face. He clearly wished for his daughter to grow stronger, yet feared seeing her suffer again.

“Master Bernir, why don’t you stay here? I will not be long.”

“A-aye, Master Wayland.”

Roland stood without hesitation. Hasim followed with a grunt, leaving Bernir behind to eat and drink. They passed through a lone door into the back rooms of the inn. It was Roland’s first time seeing this area, and it appeared to be where Millie and her parents lived and slept.

“Papa? What is this about?”

Inside, Millie stood near a table with her hands clasped in front of her. Her mother lingered by the wall, holding an empty tray tightly against her chest.

“You too? Why is everyone looking so serious?”

Millie’s gaze moved between them, confusion written plainly across her face. She had probably been told something, but not the full story. Ermes stepped forward first.

“This man, Master Wayland, wishes to evaluate you.”

“Evaluate me?”

Her brows drew together as the confusion deepened. He had hoped her parents would explain everything, but it seemed this was a sensitive subject for the family. Perhaps they had already tried too many things and did not want to raise her hopes again. Still, with him pressing the matter, they could not refuse now.

“It is nothing complicated. I only want to confirm a theory.”

As he spoke, he activated a spatial rune embedded in his armor. A brief flash of light followed. Hasim raised an eyebrow, but when he saw nothing dangerous, he remained silent to ease the parentsʼ nerves.

“This is scroll paper and magical ink?”

“Exactly. Millie, I would like you to make a scroll for me.”

“A scroll? But I…”

Realization dawned on her, and she turned to her parents. They both nodded.

“It’s alright. Do as the sir asks.”

Ermes spoke calmly, and Hasim gave a small nod of reassurance. Roland, however, was not finished. He continued retrieving items from his spatial rune. Soon, a pale bracelet made from tier two alloys appeared in his hand. To everyone’s surprise, it began to shift.

“Oh, more runes are appearing!”

Millie pointed at the bracelet. Its surface, once bare in places, now filled with runic patterns that rearranged themselves, ready to be configured at a moment’s notice. Hasim watched from the side, scratching his beard.

“Yer mana reserves must be runnin’ deep. Is that why yer so bloody confident?”

“Something like that.”

“But hand it over an’ let me check first.”

Hasim demanded to see the bracelet first, and after checking the runes, he gave it back with a nod.

“Hmm… it looks fine.”

Roland nodded at the dwarf, who seemed surprised that he had managed to transform the runes without a smithing hammer. Runesmithing could be forced through in this way, but it required far more mana than using the proper tool. Even so, it did not take long for the enchantment to be completed. Once it was done, he handed the bracelet to Millie.

“Put this on. It’s attuned to you now and should offset your low mana reserves so you can scribe a magic scroll normally. Go on, try it.”

“It… it will?”

Millie took the bracelet and held it carefully, as if it were a precious treasure. She hesitated, turning it over in her hands. The pale metal glimmered faintly, the runes pulsing softly as if alive. She glanced at her father, whose gaze rested on her with a mix of skepticism and hope. Then, slowly, she slid the bracelet onto her wrist.

A faint warmth spread across her skin. Her chest rose as if she could suddenly breathe more easily, and her hands tingled with a subtle energy she had never felt before. Even so, doubt still lingered.

“Now try to scribe something. Anything is fine. Maybe a spell you practiced before but couldn’t complete?”

Roland spoke calmly, his voice steady. He could tell that she was nervous, but also eager. He was not sure how long she had been working with her Mana Calligrapher class, but he assumed she would start with something simple.

“Right…”

At last, she picked up the quill and began a process Roland knew well. It mirrored what he had once done when he first gained his Runic Mana Scribe class. The magical ink had to be infused with mana, and the skill needed to take hold as the scribe wrote across the special paper.

“She… she looks fine. Is it actually working?”

Lysa, Millie’s mother, was the first to notice. Millie’s father stepped forward, nodding slowly. Normally, this would have been the moment when Millie showed signs of mana depletion, but none appeared. Her quill moved swiftly across the scroll, as if guided by instinct, as if she had forgotten that mana had ever been a problem.

Roland watched quietly from behind, studying her penmanship. The spell she was forming ignited old memories. It was a simple mana orb light spell. To his surprise, her writing was clean and confident, far more even than his own had been when he first started as a scribe. It was clear she had practiced extensively. Within minutes, she finished, the bracelet carrying the burden of the mana with ease.

“I… I did it?”

“It seems so. Good work.”

Roland nodded as he stepped toward the scroll she had just created. Millie looked confused, glancing between the bracelet and the completed scroll in her hands.

“Not bad. The spell is one of the simplest, but producing it at the highest quality is still commendable. You must have been practicing a lot, or is it just talent?”

It was clear that this young girl had talent, but something else burned within her as well. The moment she realized she could scribe without feeling dizzy, her eyes began to glisten.

“C-can I try more?”

“You wish to do more?”

Roland tilted his head. For a moment, her parents feared she had been rude, but instead of reprimanding her, he pulled out several empty scrolls and placed them on the table.

“Be my guest. Scribe as much as you want. Are there any spells you were unable to produce in the past? As long as I am here with you, the bracelet will support you fully.”

Millie’s hands trembled slightly as she picked up another scroll. She glanced at her parents, who stood frozen between disbelief and cautious hope. Then, as if a dam had broken, she began scribbling again. The quill moved fluidly across the paper, the magical ink glowing faintly with each stroke. Her usual hesitation was gone, replaced with sheer confidence.

“I will be damned… lad, ye were not bluffin’.”

Even Hasim could not help glancing at the scrolls and judging their rarity. Though her level was low, she did not fall behind other mana scribes. If anything, she seemed ahead of them. After completing two more scrolls, Millie finally stopped, prompting her father to speak.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no… I… I just leveled up…”

Ermes exhaled slowly, and Lysa covered her mouth with trembling fingers. It all seemed too easy to them, yet it was true. Their daughter had leveled up, and it seemed this was not the end.

“Just one level? Why not continue? I am sure you can gain one or two more before the night is over.”

“Y-yes, thank you, sir!”

Millie answered, gripping the quill firmly as she continued with a strange look of eagerness on her face.