Chapter 26: Primary Defense Runes
"So what can you do?"
Facing Garoth's final soul-searching question, Samantha puffed out her chest proudly like a swan and declared, "I can inscribe alchemical runes now! Primary defense runes!"
When mentioning the runes she had mastered, Samantha grew excited and said to Garoth, "Want me to inscribe some runes for you? I've already practiced on myself and my technique is quite proficient now. I guarantee no mistakes."
Samantha's tail curled around to the front, swaying before Garoth's eyes. On each gem-like crimson scale of her tail, one could see many crooked, worm-like markings crawling haphazardly in disarray. Yet among them were some gradually improving patterns—though rough, they showed definite promise. The progress in her technique was visibly evident.
"Alright then."
Garoth pondered briefly before nodding slowly.
He stood before Samantha, puffing out his chest and flexing his muscles to raise the gray buffer scales, revealing the black-and-red steel-forged scales beneath.
"Try inscribing one here first."
Samantha took a deep breath. Her dragon pupils narrowed as she focused intently, slowly carving into one of Garoth's chest scales with her claw. Magical energy gathered at her claw tip, glowing red-hot like a branding iron. Sparks flew as it scraped against Garoth's scales, producing a metallic screech that set teeth on edge.