Chapter 46: Loyalty Test
The midday brought them to Master Caelum’s Runic Workshop, where the forge-like chamber rang with the hum of carving styluses. Caelum’s stern voice cut through the heat as he guided them through crafting runes of loyalty, which is designed to strengthen a bond’s resilience under stress.
"Loyalty is your anchor," he said, with his eyes scanning the students. "A flawed rune betrays that trust."
Kelvin etched a loyalty rune into a soulstone, his gauntlet steadied his hand as he channeled Xerion’s fire. The stone glowed, accepting the rune, and he felt a surge of pride as Xerion’s approval rippled through their bond.
Lyra carved a shadow rune with her amulet amplifying her precision, while Darius, his focus was a razor-sharp, which produced a clean strength rune for Rhoam. Caelum’s grunt of approval was a small victory, their hands aching but their spirits were high.
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The afternoon was consumed by Master Veyne’s seminar in her circular lecture hall, Veyne’s lecture explored courage resonance, the art of channeling a beast’s fearless instincts into a tamer’s actions.
"Courage is not the absence of fear," she said with her serpent weaving threads of light. "It is the will to act despite it."
Kelvin took feverish notes and linked Veyne’s techniques to their stand against Gavric, his gauntlet thrummed with potential.
Lyra’s diagrams mapped their resonance patterns, her amulet glowed as she worked. Darius, his discipline were sharpened and he took detailed notes, Rhoam’s presence grounding him.
The seminar ended with a practical: channeling a courage pulse to stabilize a mock soulstream rift. Kelvin’s gauntlet amplified their pulse, synchronizing perfectly with Xerion’s fire.
Lyra’s amulet enhanced her control and her pulse was flawless. Darius’s pulse wavered briefly, but Rhoam’s nudge steadied him, earning a passable result. After the class they went for their lunch.