Lord of the Sky City

"How is your practice with the Second-Level Rune going?"

After casually throwing a piece of equipment to Rocky, Orton asked offhandedly.

"It's okay, the success rate of drawing runes has already surpassed 80 percent."

"80 percent and you say it's okay? Don't ever say that I taught you runes!"

After glaring at Rocky, Orton showed a face full of disregard, obviously dissatisfied with Rocky's low self-standards.

But Rocky's self-standards were not low at all, as an 80 percent success rate was already quite high.

Moreover, don't forget, it had only been a month since he became a Third Level Mage. That is to say, in just one month, Rocky had not only mastered Second-Level Runes but also managed to keep the success rate above 80 percent. This was enough to show his talent in this area and that he had worked hard on it.

Actually, Orton knew this too. His display of disregard was largely due to his bad temper. After nagging for a while, he said, "This time enhance the equipment with Second-Level Runes."

"Teacher, using Second-Level Runes everywhere... isn't that a waste of time?"

Rocky seemed somewhat troubled by Orton's request. Although he could now draw Second-Level Runes, the process was far from being as refined as with First-Level Runes. This would undoubtedly slow down the speed of making rune equipment, and Rocky didn't have so much time.

In a week, his fleet would be fully repaired, and then he would be departing with Karina.

Unfortunately, Orton seemed not to see his difficulty, and even bluntly sat down:

"Second-Level Runes aren't much harder than First-Level Runes. If you think it's too slow, that's your own problem. If you don't use Second-Level Runes, I won't help."

"And even if I help you, I can only help you with a hundred pieces of equipment per day. Any more than that, and I won't have the time. You'll have to manage on your own."

After saying this, Orton picked up a piece of equipment and began drawing runes on it without any further attention to Rocky.

Seeing this, what could Rocky say? He could only sigh to himself, then honestly picked up a piece of equipment and began drawing Second-Level Runes on it.

He knew that Orton was doing this to help him become familiar with Second-Level Runes, letting him gradually get accustomed to them through practice.

But Rocky was really in a hurry!

The last time he bought equipment from Eternal City, it wasn't just one or two pieces, but hundreds!

At that time, since Rocky was quite wealthy, he decided to replace all the Guard Corps' equipment with rune equipment, so he didn't buy just a few pieces, but a full three hundred sets of equipment!

The current organization of the Guard Corps was three hundred people, so Rocky bought three hundred sets of equipment, each set including Armor, shield, and standard longsword as the three major pieces, and Helmet, wrist guard, shin guard as three minor pieces, meaning each set contained six pieces, totaling one thousand eight hundred pieces!

To make all this equipment into rune equipment was definitely a massive undertaking, which is exactly why Rocky wanted to use First-Level Runes, fearing he wouldn't have enough time.

Unfortunately, Orton didn't care about these issues at all. He made it clear that if Rocky didn't use Second-Level Runes, he wouldn't help. Knowing Orton's character, he was definitely capable of doing such a thing, and Rocky had no choice but to comply.

"Drawing four Second-Level Runes on these pieces of equipment will reach the strength of One-star Magic Energy Gear."

Orton casually made a piece of equipment into rune equipment and, after treating it like trash and tossing it aside, he said to Rocky.

Continue your adventure with empire

"Teacher, can't I draw a few more?"

Having put down his Magic Energy Pen, Rocky looked up and asked. He obviously knew the conversion ratio between Runes and Magic Stones—four Second-Level Runes contained just a bit more Mana than a small Magic Stone—but he wanted to draw more Second-Level Runes on the equipment. That would surely make the equipment more powerful.

"No."

As soon as he had finished speaking, Orton shook his head, "The material of this batch of equipment is too poor, it can only withstand the Mana of One-star Magic Energy Gear; any more would ruin it. If you have time, you could draw five Second-Level Runes on the longsword—that's the limit."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Oh…"

Nodding, Rocky then understood what Orton meant. It appeared that Orton had already thoroughly grasped the strength of the equipment at hand through experiments; otherwise, he wouldn't have said so.

In such a scenario, there was naturally no point for Rocky to question further. He simply began diligently drawing Runes on the equipment.

Thus, the lengthy production process began.

Over the following week, Rocky devoted almost all his time to creating rune equipment, handcrafting a large amount each day. In the process, his mastery of Second-Level Runes naturally improved dramatically, as did his understanding of Runes.

Getting more proficient with Second-Level Runes was undoubtedly thanks to Rocky's own talents. It seemed as if it was destined—he indeed had a gift for Runes, something even Orton had to admit.

However, when it came to his understanding of Runes, it was entirely due to Orton's teachings.

Though Orton constantly said he had no time and could only make a hundred pieces of rune equipment each day, in reality, he didn't leave after finishing the equipment. Instead, he stayed by Rocky's side and guided him—plainly speaking, through his rather annoying incessant chatter.

Indeed, under Orton's continuous guidance, Rocky learned more in that one week than he had from a whole month of classes. Of course, this was not surprising since Rocky spent every day with Orton, constantly learning.

After a full week, the major project was finally completed. Rocky, together with Orton, managed to turn all three hundred sets of equipment into rune equipment!

Simultaneously, the day after the rune equipment was completed, Rocky's fleet was also refurbished. Two large warships and seven Reconnaissance Ships were fully repaired, taking off from the dock as if brand new.

With that, the equipment and warships were all ready, and Rocky met with Karina once more.

This time, the two met at the City Lord's Mansion in Thunderhawk City.

"Your city is nice."

Sitting opposite Rocky, Karina said as she sipped some fine red tea.

Since both parties were preparing to collaborate, Rocky also showed considerable sincerity. He had invited Karina to his City Lord's Mansion and had even given her a tour of the city area beforehand.

"You're too kind. Everything is still developing. I definitely must visit your Rose City whenever I get the chance."

"As long as we can eliminate the Wild Horse Air Pirate Group, there will be plenty of opportunities later," Karina said slowly, looking at Rocky.

Her implications were clear; she was informing Rocky that if this collaboration were successful, the relationship between him and her, and between Thunderhawk City and Rose City, would further deepen.

So then, Karina directly asked, "How is everything, all ready?"

"We can depart at any time."

"Great!" Hearing this, Karina burst into a smile, revealing her eagerness, "Let's set off tomorrow!"