Level Up Legacy

Emma trimmed down the runes needed for the artifact and even wrote down ways to replace them. Instead of runes, the artifact would use scanners or a programming language to retrieve the information. The visualization would still need runes to be achieved.

"The mana cost is a tenth of what it used to be," Emma said with a smile. "If we can supply both runes and electronics using the same battery, it could be sold at the same time."

Everyone was stunned as she managed to optimize their work in just a few minutes. Arthur smiled because this was the type of innovation that he wanted. People were too reliant on mana and runes, so it was reassuring to see them recognize the advantage of electronics.

"Mana is a precious resource that will never be too abundant. However, there is always a possibility that it could disappear. As long as we utilize the laws of physics like Emma did, we can become independent as human beings," Arthur addressed the crowd.

Everyone nodded in understanding as they began taking notes. Arthur turned to look at Emma, who he hadn't seen ever since he saved her from the Yalen King. She appeared focused and collected, unlike the last time they met.

"How do we avoid this artifact from falling into the wrong hands?" asked Alice Jenov with a frown. The rest began thinking about an answer, and Roy was the person to come up with the first idea.

"We can encrypt the spells to make sure that we have control over them," explained Roy. "As long as we hold the key, we can decide who would use it."

"Artifacts like these will be stolen, and it defeats the purpose of mass-producing them," Arthur said with a shake of his head. "If only we had a method to determine who is a good person and who is not…"

Arthur said the last sentence with a grin, and the rest of the runemasters realized it from his tone. There was only one way to determine who was a good person and who was not.

**Level Up Legacy!**

This legacy was something that Arthur created with the Scholar Guardian to help humanity fight against monsters. Levels in the legacy depend on how much you help others. If they could program this device into reading the legacy and allowing people to use higher-leveled spells according to the legacy levels, they would ensure it falls into the right hands.

The team began discussing how to do that. Arthur smiled and stood to the side before he felt someone stand beside him. The beautiful blonde woman in a lab coat and a ponytail hugged the cupboard with a little nervousness.

"Hey," Emma said as she avoided eye contact. "It has been a while since we last met."

"A while indeed. How have you been?" Arthur returned the question with a smile, but she still avoided his eyes. Emma fidgeted under his gaze.

"A little busy with moving the workshop to Runera," Emma said before taking in a deep breath. "Can we talk somewhere private? I have something to tell you."

"Of course," Arthur nodded as he led the way. "Follow me."

Arthur led them back to his office, which had countless stacks of papers, incomplete artifacts, and diagrams around. Emma closed the door behind her as Arthur sat in his chair and adjusted himself.

"Please, have a seat," Arthur said while gesturing to the seat in front of her. "How can I help you?"

"This will take a while to unload," Emma said with a nervous laugh as she placed down the cupboard on the table. "Please be patient with me."

"You make it sound like we are strangers," Arthur said with a smile. "We go a long way back, Emma. Please go ahead and tell me."

Emma was silent for a short moment as she took a deep breath. Arthur could feel her heart beating faster in her chest and her body shaking, but he did not point out her fear. He allowed her to take her time until she told him.

"You were the first friend I had," Emma said while looking toward her hands, which pressed her thighs. "At a certain time, we walked the world together and laughed together. All of that changed after I took you to the apprentice's cup, and you had to fake your own death."

Arthur had already talked about what happened during the Kera Memorial, so Emma had the full picture of what happened at that time.

"We became friends again, although you hid your identity. I keep wondering about the times we spent together and question if they were just false memories for me. I still think about them before I sleep every night, Arthur."

Arthur didn't want to hear what she had to say next. He was about to avert his eyes when she raised her head to look into them. Her crystal-clear eyes contained no tears, only heartache hidden behind a wall of strength.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"You discarded me," she said, and Arthur felt a knife twist through his heart. "I know that you cared about me more than I ever knew. You became Alexie Linan and still came into my life. I thought that I was crazy for thinking we were anything more than friends."

"Emma…" he wanted to explain, but Emma shook her head with her hands shaking.

"I know that things happened which I don't know about. Your life in Alka was the reason that you fell in love with the Princess of Ice and Fire. I even found history books telling your love story and how it transcended space and time. It was a magical story, one that I wished to live.

"My life in comparison was one where I was imprisoned and treated as an object to find the outsider. I never knew that the outsider was the person I loved. How could one accept that the person they love is also the reason behind their misery?"

Arthur was silent, and then looked at the table. "What do you want me to say, Emma?"

"I just want to know if you loved me like I love you now, even for a little," Emma said as she tilted her head. The lights made her eyes sparkle with pain. "Please tell me that I wasn't crazy and just imagining it."