The First Rune
Estelle pulled three items from her bosom. A black card, a sheet of parchment, and a palm-sized orb glowing crimson.
'VIP card, registration form, and an A-grade rune stone.'
My eyes sparkled as I first took the black card and parchment she offered.
"This is the VIP card and registration form I mentioned earlier. Just fill in your name and signature on the registration."
It felt surreal. To think I'd be getting this card again so soon. In my previous life, it had served me well time and again.
As I stared at the black card, lost in nostalgia, Estelle continued her explanation.
"As I said before, becoming a VIP of our Red Rose Merchant Guild means you can purchase guild goods at a 30% discount. You can also secure loans at over 50% more favorable terms than continental banks. And you get access to our resorts and villas at reduced rates. Plus..."
She rattled off the VIP perks one after another. I already knew them all by heart, but I listened with a straight face. It was only polite when receiving such a card.
Becoming a VIP of the Red Rose Merchant Guild came with almost no obligations but a ton of privileges. On the surface, it looked like a raw deal for the guild.
'But that's just the surface.'
I recalled asking Estelle once in my previous life.
'Doesn't this mean the guild takes a massive loss?'
'No, VIPs end up supporting the guild in return for the perks. Take you, Aleck—even now, if something happens to the guild, you're the first to step up, right?'
VIPs experienced the perks firsthand and valued them enough to rally when the guild faced trouble. After all, if the guild faltered, their benefits would vanish too. That's how the Red Rose Merchant Guild endured even after Estelle's identity was exposed and they clashed with the four great lords.
'Recruiting VIPs like that isn't easy, but she pulled it off.'
Her business acumen was impressive, no wonder she was a top merchant.
"Here, signed."
I handed her the signed registration form. Truth be told, I didn't look like VIP material right now. Unlike my previous life, I had nothing standout to offer the guild yet. But Estelle was betting big on the potential I'd shown. It spoke volumes about her sharp eye.
"Congratulations. You're now a VIP of the Red Rose Merchant Guild."
Estelle beamed and extended her hand. I shook it with a grin. In this life too, we'd be mutual allies.
"As promised, here's the Origin Protection Rune."
She handed me the rune stone.
'Origin Protection Rune!'
I smiled broadly at the A-grade rune in my palm. I'd come for a B-grade and scored an A-grade instead. It would free me from ether constraints more than expected.
"The payment..."
I roughly calculated the cost of an A-grade Origin Protection Rune. No way I could cover it with what I had.
'Time for a loan right away.'
A VIP taking a loan immediately upon joining—probably a first, and a last.
But what choice did I have? It'd only been a month since my regression. I had no cash. Even the money for a B-grade had come from borrowing from Robed.
"It's fine."
"...?"
Estelle dropped a bombshell. I blinked, caught off guard.
She chuckled at my reaction, her eyes curving into crescents.
"The A-grade Origin Protection Rune is my gift to celebrate you becoming a guild VIP."
"Ah..."
My jaw dropped. An A-grade rune stone cost hundreds of millions at minimum. And with the current shortage of Origin Protection Runes... It had to be a hefty sum even for her.
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply at once.
'Refusing such sincerity would be rude. Yeah, definitely.'
"No need to thank me so profusely for this. Ho ho."
'Just this much,' she says. This woman... always so generous, past life and now.'
I couldn't help but like Estelle, then and now. I gave her a genuine smile from the heart.
Origin Protection Rune (A) registered.
* * *
After ironing out a few more details with the Red Rose Merchant Guild, I returned to my lodging. Nothing major—just minor things.
Oh, one thing.
'Patent.'
Estelle said registering the lemon saltwater formula as a patent could make money. So I delegated full authority for the patent process to her. In return, the guild would hold exclusive rights and pay me royalties.
I agreed readily.
'But is there even anyone handling patents? Can't you just make and use it?'
True enough for personal use, but commercial or group-scale use without permission was illegal. That's how they'd collect royalties from organizations plagued by primal pests.
'Eh, won't amount to much anyway.'
I had no idea back then just how lucrative that patent would be.
Anyway. Leaving the trivia to the guild, I sat cross-legged in my room to absorb the Origin Protection Rune.
"Hoo."
I exhaled lightly and popped the crimson orb into my mouth.
Whoosh—
It felt like molten lava surging in my gut. The scorching energy churned through me once, then a cool, refreshing wave followed.
This was the sensation of successfully integrating a rune.
'Got it.'
I'd engraved the A-grade Origin Protection Rune without issue. With the system message, warmth spread through my body, mending wounds in my ether circuits.
No more fretting over ether overuse side effects.
'Time to absorb the soldier white ant's neidan too.'
I pulled out the soldier white ant neidan Estelle had given me. It looked like white jelly, squishy... not exactly appetizing.
But it was good for me. Best to consume it now for ether circuit healing—neidans lost potency over time without preservation.
Squish.
'Hmm, tastes better than it looks.'
I'd never eaten a primal soldier white ant neidan before regression. By the time I could afford one, it was useless to me.
Indeed, it only healed internal injuries and boosted vitality—barely worthy of "neidan."
Still, the first taste was decent, like sweet peach.
Gulp.
I devoured it all.
Elixir Absorption (A) activated.
Perfect timing. This C-grade neidan allowed full absorption.
'Hot.'
As it absorbed, steamy heat roiled inside me. I crossed my legs and circulated Wind Qi Gong.
Shaaa—
The heat obeyed, flowing along my ether circuits as guided.
'The effect is solid.'
I murmured in admiration mid-cultivation. The energy was rapidly healing damaged circuits.
'Might as well expand the ether circuits while I'm at it.'
Like Ki O Ji Se—row when the tide comes.
Seizing the momentum, I linked more circuits to the dormant ether sea within.
'Something I'd planned for Growth Stage at earliest.'
But instinct screamed now was the time. Success here would let my Infant Stage body wield unimaginable ether.
I lost myself in Wind Qi Gong for hours.
* * *
The next day dawned. I headed to the training grounds for practice, steps lighter from yesterday's gains.
"Aleck!"
I ran into Kind on the way. His face lit up, and he bounded over.
"You're glowing today!"
"Yeah?"
"Yep, your skin looks smoother than usual. Eat something good?"
I chuckled. Sharp eye, that one.
After the neidan, I'd expanded my ether circuits, invigorating my body and glossing my skin. He noticed right away.
"Yeah, something good."
"Whoa..."
Kind's eyes sparkled like he was asking if there was any for him. Couldn't oblige—barely enough for me. Maybe post-Ultimate Body.
Chatting idly, we reached the grounds.
"Aleck!"
Robed waved energetically at us from the field. Had she eaten something good too? Her skin looked even rosier.
"Come here. Instructor Norton has new training instructions."
Kind and I reacted oppositely. I was curious about the fresh torment; he looked queasy already. Fair—he ended up wrecked daily.
"What's up?"
Robed flashed a bright smile. Whew, deadly. On Earth, she'd be a nine-tailed fox. No man could resist that up close. Even I stayed steady only thanks to experience.
"Read this. Instructor Norton handed them out. Starting today, separate team battle training for the Mantis Grand Tournament in a month and a half."
I skimmed the manual. Standard team formation drills for our 30 trainees to move cohesively.
'Selecting interim team leader...'
The back noted applications for interim leader. Rewards regardless of grades, plus performance bonuses.
I eyed the rewards. Molting loomed after my growth—more elixirs, and I'd hit Juvenile Stage. Might unlock Megaera Mantis clues.
'This is mine.'
Leading 30 needed my experience. With it, we rookies could score high. My combat XP wasn't going anywhere.
'Weakest individually, so teamwork is key for good results.'
And we could win. My boosted potential made it feasible—first league was only Infant/Juvenile anyway. I'd crush Juvenile powerhouses.
'Team leader's mine.'
I'll lead us to victory. Follow me, troops!
Noticing my gleam, Robed grinned.
"Aleck, interested in team leader?"
"Yeah, I'll apply."
"Knew it. Only you would."
She beamed. If not for rewards, I'd pass. Did she see through me? Nah, she thought I loved leading.
Instructor Norton entered as I pondered.
"Good morning, all. Read the manuals?"
"Yes—!"
"Good. We'll select interim team leader as stated. Any applicants?"
Everyone hesitated. A month in, leading 30 felt daunting.
'Perfect. No competition, easy win.'
Robed and Ruslan weren't interested. Just me.
I grinned and raised my hand.
"I'll apply."
"Ha, Aleck! Knew you'd step up. Interim leader is Aleck, then..."
"I'll apply for interim team leader too."
A deep baritone rang out with a raised hand.
Wait, that guy...?
I blinked at the unexpected rival.