Reaper of the Martial World

Book 7: Chapter 106: Veins (6)

As for the one who laid the trap, he was completely oblivious. But, this would definitely act as another key piece to the fall of the Ragnors and Uidah.

That said, even if Dyon did know, it wouldn’t stop the Demon Sage’s constant drilling.

“The most important part of a runic vein is its core. As long as the core is perfect, the outstretching patterns can have some flaws and still be viable.

“Since you’ve already learned all of the runic vein patterns I could possible teach you, you must grow your flame control to the point where you can draw them. You’re pitifully slow, to have only just broken into the practitioner realm after nine months, aren’t you ashamed?”

Dyon sighed, but didn’t respond. It really was too difficult.

“Instead of doing flame control exercises, you’ll now focus on drawing actual runic veins.

“When deciding what materials to use, there are three important things to consider. The first is the strength of the runic vein, the second is the compatibility with the person you’d like to give this runic vein to, and the last is the strength of your flame.

“Obviously, some beast materials are harder to draw on than others, even within a similar realm. For some, it’s because they are too fragile while for others its because they are too tough. Still, every material has its own various benefits.

“All of this said, your best shot is to simply use beast materials from the specific beast the runic vein originates from. This is the best way to maximize your effectiveness. Although there are some runic vein masters capable of evolving runic veins to new heights by not following this rule, your understanding of the theory is too shallow to expect such things.”

With a thought, a pile of beast skins appeared in front of Dyon. “Here. These are cured master grade beast hides. They created to specifically be tougher than normal and are comparable to master weapons in toughness. You’ll use these to practice.”

“How will I know when I succeed?” Dyon asked.

“If it’s a failure, the heavens will strike it down, turning the beast hide to ash. If it’s a success, the beast hide will gain an added luster and be readily available to adhere to a living being.

“Much like alchemy, runic veins have degrees of perfection, following the same low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, and top-grade formula. Until you can consistently form top-grade runic veins, corresponding to 90-100% perfect, you aren’t allowed to move on to the practitioner grade runic veins.

“Also, I won’t let you leave here until you reach the master grade. So, buckle up, brat.”

Dyon grit his teeth and got to work. His flame control had improved, but it was still too poor. In addition, the cured master grade beast hides required him to place a lot of power behind his flame, but when he did so, he lost control. This was almost more torturous that fighting embryonic infernal beasts for five decades.

What the Demon Sage also didn’t tell Dyon was that these beast hides weren’t the perfect material for his runic veins. In fact, the process of ‘curing’ beast hides made it so that it was intentionally difficult to gain the recognition of the heavens. Had Dyon been given the perfect materials for the runic veins he was working on, he definitely would not have failed as often as he did. But, the Demon Sage liked watching him die of frustration.

For example. The first runic vein Dyon chose to work on was a simple strength buff runic vein. It was a common grade runic vein found within the body of a bronze steel furred bear, an earth grade creature.

Obviously, the best materials to use were sturdy hides from omnivorous creatures who had high muscle density, but lacked in fast twitch muscles. However, the beast hide Dyon was given was from an earth grade ice lizard with a small body very much known for its fast speed and quick reflexes. On top of that, it was cured… The situation couldn’t have been any worse…

Dyon labored day after day before finally succeeding after just before the second year ended. Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly, the product had a high-grade result! Surprising because it was Dyon’s first success, but unsurprising because only a runic vein close to perfection would have been accepted after using such a poor medium.

What the Demon Sage also didn’t tell Dyon was that if he used other portions of the beast body, the rate of success would be higher… For example, if he had not only the hide of the bronze steel furred bear, but also used its blood in the etching process, even if Dyon’s final product was below the low-grade, it would have received a bump to the middle-grade at the very least! historical

However, the Demon Sage tactfully kept all of these things from Dyon, relishing in his pain. Luckily, but the mid-way point of the third year, Dyon gained the ability to form top-grade runic veins even with the poor medium.

Just when he thought the Demon Sage was going to give him a new common grade runic vein to work on, he was actually handed a practitioner grade runic vein causing another few years of pain to ensue…

This time, the Demon Sage forced Dyon to work from the low practitioner grade, to the middle and high, before finally the peak.