Modern Runic Master
Prologue
Theo is wandering around a lively city.
Theo
Oh! Is that a market? Maybe I can find something interesting here.
Theo
It is already well past noon. If I don't hurry up, it will be too late.
My silly wifey is going to stop by the orphanage in a few hours but I don't have a gift ready yet. 😓
Theo
We only got to know each other for a month. She could have at least told me today was her birthday. 😥
Theo
Luckily, I managed to get this information out of Old Liu... Or else, who knows how she would react.😓
Theo
Anyway. Enough wasting time
Theo heads into the market and blends into the crowd
Theo
There are so many things... But nothing really catches my attention.
Theo
Now that I think about it, how much money do I even have on me?
Theo
Is that even enough to buy a decent gift? Wifey comes from a wealthy family... I do not want to embarass her with a cheap gift 😓
Theo
What to do... What to do? 😩
Merchant
Would you be interested in a couple of trinkets?
Merchant
I am running a special promotion. Any trinket for just $5! 🙂
Theo stops in front of the stall.
Theo
$5 for a trinket? Is that an appropriate price? Wealthy people like jewelry and such, right?
Theo
However, these trinkets are all fake. None of the gemstones look real. They seem to be made out of cheap coloured glass. 🤔
Theo
Still. I suppose this is my best option. Maybe if I refine them a little bit, they will look good enough for Wifey.
Theo
Sorry. I was just thinking about something important.
Theo examines the trinkets a little bit closer
Theo
Here's $20. I would like to take these two rings, this bracelet and this necklace. Is that alright?
Merchant
Of course! Let me pack them up for you. 😁
With a small plastic bag containing his purchases, Theo turns around and leave without further ado.
Merchant
I knew it. What a stupid foreigner 😈
Merchant
He did not even try to bargain. I made a killing selling some pieces of glass and strings for $20!
Misunderstanding
Theo
Finally back at home. It's already 13:00. Wifey usually visits the orphanage at 14:00. I should get to work quickly.
Theo takes out the trinkets and place them on the table
Theo
Obviously I cannot present them as they are...
Theo
But they will make a fine birthday gift after I work on them a little bit.
Theo
It has been a while since I inscribed runes. I hope I'm not too rusty. 😁
A quill magically appears in Theo's right hand
Theo
I guess I should make a nice bracelet. I have never seen Wifey wear any necklace before and a ring will probably make her overthink.
Theo
I'll start by removing the piece of glass.
Theo
Now, time to decide which rune to inscribe.🤔
Theo
First is of course a Warning Rune! I have been waiting to give Wifey something like that. As long as she will be wearing the bracelet I will always be able to find her and know if she is in danger.
Theo
Second, a Projectile Protection Rune! I heard that the weapons of this world use metallic projectiles. The rune should be able to protect Wifey against these.
Theo
Next, a Pain Response Rune combined with a Shield Rune. With that, as soon as Wifey feels a significant amount of pain, a runic shield should instantly be deployed around her.
Theo
And for the fourth and final rune, I think a Detoxifying Rune will do the job. It should protect Wifey against poison and even help her body deal with diseases.
Satisfied with his work, Theo assemble the pieces of the trinket back together to form a bracelet.
Theo
Not too bad. It does not look the best but functionality-wise, it is second to none. 😁
Theo
I just hope Wifey will like it. 🙂 I spent a decent amount of energy on this.
Theo
What time is it now? Oh! Already 13:55. I should get ready.
A few minutes later, a car enters the yard of the orphanage and stops close to the main building.
Emily
Thank you. I will be back in about thirty minutes. Feel free to take a break.
A beautiful woman steps out of the car after saying a few words to her driver.
Old Liu
Good afternoon, Miss Harvey. How are you doing today?
Emily
Hello, Old Liu. I am doing fine. I came to have a look at the children as usual.
Old Liu
Of course. Please come in. The children are learning to sing right now. I am sure they will be delighted to show you what they learned over the week!
Emily
Oh! Are the children happy with their new choir teacher?
Old Liu
Very happy. They even prepare a special performance for you!
Emily
Theo! 😡 I told you a hundred times already to call me Emily! We are not going out together. This is embarassing and will make people misunderstand!
Old Liu
🤭 I will let you two solve your misunderstanding. When you are done, come to the small theatre.
Theo
Wifey.Are you shy about us being together? Don't worry. I already explained it well to Old Liu.
Emily
What? What did you tell him?
Emily
We are not a couple!
Theo
We are. You said it yourself a week ago.
Theo
I remember very clearly when you leaned against me and buried your...
Emily
I already explained it to you.
Emily
I was only pretending. My parents arranged a blind date. To quickly escape this uncomfortable situation, I had to lie...
Theo
So we are not a couple?
At that moment, a car suddenly entered the orphanage's yard and parked right behind Emily's car.
James
My dear Emily! I knew you would be here! 😁
Emily
Speaks of the devil... 😓
Gift
Emily
Mr. Hathorne! Good afternoon. What brings you to the orphanage? 🙂
Theo
Wifey... Eh. Emily? Why are you suddenly grabbing my arm?
Theo
You have to be careful. People will misunderstand if you pull my arm so close to your chest. 😁
Theo
😦 Ouch. Emily. Why did you step on my foot? You know it hurts. You are wearing heels. 😰
Emily
😠 Stop talking. Don't say anything!
James
Emily! Your parents told me you would be here.
James
Who is that person? Why are you getting so close to him? 🤨
Emily
Mr. Hathorne. It seems that you have already forgot. This is Theo. My boyfriend. 😁
James
Your parents personally came to me. Are they aware of this guy's existence?
James
Just look at him. He is just a nobody. Emily. I know you are against us getting together. But there is no need to get other people involved in this matter, right?
Theo
And who are you? Who do you think you are?
Emily
Mr. Hathorne. He is the one I chose. Who he is and how we ended up together is none of your business. 😓
James
Is that so? Then, let me tell your parents about him. 😠
James
As for you, boy. I am the CEO of MHI Pharmaceutical. That's who I am and this role alone gives me the right to say you are a nobody!
Emily
Mr. Hathorne! 😠 That's enough.
Emily
What did you even come here for? If you are just looking for trouble, I would like to ask you to do so elsewhere!
James
I came here with good intentions but that person just spoilt my mood.
James
Your parents told me to escort you early to the hotel for your birthday party. I came here knowing that you visit the orphanage on a regular basis.
Emily
Did they? Well. There is no need for you to do so. I know the way and will be at the hotel on time for the banquet.
James
Your parents insisted that we go there together.
James
They even told me that I can call them at any time if you refuse.
James
I guess there is no other choice. And while we are at it, I might as well tell them as about this peasant. 😈
Emily
What? No. There is no need to disturb my parents. They must be in an important meeting at this time of the day.
James
Sure. Then, please come with me. We'll head to the banquet together.
James
Since that person is your boyfriend, he must be aware that it is your birthday, right? 😁
James
If that's the case. I am curious. What kind of gift did your boyfriend give you? 🙂
Emily
Eh. Why should I tell you?
James
I am just curious. A gift coming from your boyfriend is bound to be extremely precious. You should be proud to show it off!
James
Unless... He did not give you anything at all!
Theo
You are actually right.
Theo
My gift is very precious but I have yet to give it to her.
Theo
I was just waiting for the right time. You are just embarassing Emily. Of course she does not know about my gift yet. Don't you know it is impolite to ask for a gift?
James
Then, I believe that now is the right time for you to do so.
James
I doubt you will get to see Emily again today. You are probably not invited to the banquet.
Theo
Well. Although I would have preferred a more intimate time, I guess this is my only shot.
Theo
Here you go, Emily. Happy Birthday! 😁
Emily
This... Thank you very much, Theo.
James
It is not even packed as a gift!
James
Isn't that just a cheap trinket you can buy at the market?
James
Of course, what else could I expect from someone like you.
Theo
Please. This is something I made myself. It might not be the best looking but I put in a lot of work.
Emily
Don't listen to him.
Emily
I like it very much 😄
James
Now that you are done with this comedy, can you please follow me so that we go to the hotel?
Emily
Thank you again for the gift, Theo.
Theo
You're welcome. Just wear it at all time!
Emily
I will. Tell Old Liu that I won't be able to come to the theatre.
James
How long are you going to take?
James
About whether you will continue to pretend of having a boyfriend and wear this bracelet during the banquet.
James
Or will stop this masquerade before your parents realise it and punish that peasant.
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