Supreme Magus novel Chapter 732

"Of course not. After all, you have to compensate me for three Orichalcum Skinwalker armors. You better give it your all, old man." Lith actually said. His smug expression hid his awe at the idea of what Orion could craft for him if he actually went all out.

"Yeah." Instead of mocking Lith back, Orion nodded. He hadn’t forgotten how Lith’s armors had already saved her daughters plenty of times. Orion would make the best he could without breaking the Kingdom’s laws.

Royal Forgemastering techniques could only be employed to craft authorized equipment. Doing otherwise was considered treason.

Lith then decided to strike the iron while it was still hot and exploit Orion’s unusual meek attitude. Lith told him about the discoveries about runes he had made during his stay in Kulah, putting the blame for his forbidden knowledge on Neshal and Yondra, while keeping Phloria out of it.

Dead mages told no tales and the Kingdom could not put dead mages to trial.

"I’m really curious about runes. Is it a hidden specialization like those that are taught in the academies? How do I get to learn about it?" Lith asked.

"How the heck did you squeeze so much information from them?" Orion was taken aback by such a request.

"I told you. Kulah was filled with old runes, so they had to explain to me how to operate the dimensional runes and counter the Golems. Also, my Forgemastering analysis spells can detect runes, which made them all the more eager to recruit me for their academies." Lith replied with his usual blend of truth and lies. _{freēwebnovel.com}

"You’re a bit too young for this stuff. The Kingdom doesn’t accept Forgemasters who don’t have a history of loyalty to the Crown. So far, you’ve been quite useful but no one thinks that you’re loyal to no one but yourself." Orion sighed.

"What about Phloria and Quylla? They already have wands and know runes. What’s with the double standards?"

"Kid, do you really want to compare a grassroots mage to an ancient household? Do you have any idea how many people owe me favors? I’m not waiting for the moment of my death to collect them.

"Since my daughters are interested in Forgemastering, it’s only natural that I do the best that I can for them. Phloria is determined in pursuing her military career, just as Quylla wants to become a teacher for one of the six great academies.

"That’s something the Kingdom is willing to bet on, at least with me vouching for them. But you? In a year you’ll be out of the military and who knows, maybe even out of the Kingdom. Would you give away state secrets to a rogue mage?" Orion said.

"So, you can’t teach me or you just don’t want to?" Lith asked.

"Both, but I can at least answer your questions. Runesmithing is just a branch of Forgemastering, just like the Bonding process. As for how you can learn about it, there are only two possible ways.

"Number one, you commit to the Kingdom. Become a permanent military member, an echelon of the Mage Association, get a role in an Academy, whatever works for you and roots you to the Kingdom.

"Number two, marry into a family important enough to give you access to the resources you want. That’s another kind of bond that can’t be overlooked and works just fine."

"Isn’t there at least a third way? Learning from an Emperor Beast or from another rogue mage?" Lith asked.

"Sure, that’s not against the law. Good luck finding someone who possesses that kind of knowledge and is willing to give it away for free." Orion sneered at the idea. "Any more questions?"