Nezha

“My name is Nezha,” he introduced himself, “I come from the Prydain Isles in the Waers Ocean. In our language, Prydain means ‘The Land of Eternal Sunshine.’ Our citizens make a living off the sea, and I spend half of my time a year there as well. 5;18

Legendary Mage. This mage’s dark skin was full of scars and corrosion. He was quite large and sturdy, but he dressed in a tight leather suit similar to what fishermen by the sea wore; one of the only differences were the sharktooth daggers at his waist.

Mana started to flow like a tide as it rushed through the hall, creating a strong gale that sent Nezha’s hair dancing in the wind. The greying black hair braids suddenly seemed to gain their own soul, moving in all directions of their own accord.

Looking at his dazed face, Nezha suddenly shrunk in size and build. He, or as it turned out she, put a blue cap over her hair. The memory of those ten snakes left him with goosebumps, but Richard nodded in understanding. He had been healed, and the information that Nezha was not completely human was a secret in its own right. He quickly assumed she was somehow related to gorgons.

It was only then that everyone noticed a burly young man next to Nezha, naked above the waist and quite sturdily built. He had deep blue hair that seemed to be made of waves, and similarly coloured eyes that were filled with fear at Richard’s face.

Nezha did not know what to say at this point. It was all she could do to stuff the pouch into Richard’s hands amidst her surprise. However, Richard firmly refused the extra payment and gave it back to her, leaving her feeling completely unable to express her gratitude.

He had a room arranged for Nezha in the castle, telling her she would get a design by the evening. What he managed to come up with was the Lance of Broken Stars, a six-rune set that was balanced in its boosts. It had two set abilities, Water Shield, and the eponymous Lance of Broken Stars. One was defensive and the other offensive, making it flexible, but there was nothing exactly special about it.

Of course, Nezha thought otherwise. She remained just as elated as before, immediately approving the design upon first glance.

Richard told her that she could collect the set in seven days before buying the materials and heading to Faelor to begin crafting it. He wasn’t quite satisfied with the design, but given the circumstances, it was the best he could do. Any more and he would need in-depth research that included anatomical analysis of several samples of the target species performed by grand mages over numerous years.

Seven Norland days later, Nezha took the Lance of Broken Stars and left silently. At that time, Richard didn’t understand just how much of a stir this event would cause.

## Disciple

Eventually, a humanoid youth with dark blue hair and eyes began the final battle with a gigantic demonic creature right at the top. An ear-splitting cry rang out as numerous lines on his naked torso lit up in resplendent colours, forming an illusory spear around one of his hands as he stabbed right into his opponent’s chest.

Many people were left breathless at the sight, some for the beauty and some for the spectacle. The youth raised both arms as he stepped onto the pinnacle, the only survivor of this battle and the most dazzling star amongst his peers.

Those above started discussing the existence of a great mage by the name of Richard who could craft powerful runes for those not of human descent. There hadn’t been many runemasters in the history of Norland who could do this, and right now less than ten were still alive.

The news thus spread far and wide.