Genetic Ascension

Chapter 2216: Suited

In order for the latter to be true, Magnus would have had to somehow sense Runes before the system descended, before his Will was truly and fully unlocked, and somehow through the mangled mess that was left of Earth's Runes.

While even after the Summoning began, Earth's Runes were in a mess, it couldn't be compared to how bad it was before the Summoning began.

It had to be remembered that Earth's Runes were in such a terrible ordeal because of the actions of others. They knew that Earth could produce a great deal of talents, and if the future generations were allowed to stack their understanding with that of past generations, they would grow to a level that—with the help of restrictions set by the system during the Summoning—it would be impossible to stop their rise.

As such, not only was Earth placed in a heavy time dilation, but after the conclusion of every Summoning, their Runes were scrambled, ruined, and destroyed, such that the laws of physics were twisted and changed beyond comprehension.

The end result was an Earth that had to start from scratch following every Summoning as though they were returned to the cavemen era. This was why the technology of the Ninth Summoning was basically the same as the Sixth Summoning despite the amount of time that passed.

In fact, it was highly impressive that they were even able to return to such a peak time and time and time again.

Whenever a Summoning was triggered, the system would begin to allow Earth to funnel some higher forms of energy, and the Runes would begin to heal a bit. Not enough to get back into tiptop shape, obviously, but enough that it would breathe life into the world enough for it to be sensed.

It was certainly enough for Sylas to do so.

But, this…

Even Sylas hadn't been able to sense Runes before the Summoning began. Yet, the more he observed his grandfather, the more sure he was that Magnus somehow had, and even had gone as far as to accidentally start the timer on his Runic Age far ahead of time as well.

Granted, Magnus grew up in the Brown family estate before he chose to marry Sylas' grandmother and was removed from the main family line.

As such, while growing up, Magnus recognized what was coming ahead of time and would have been prepped in ways Sylas not once had been.

But even so, if it was so easy to do, then every one of the hidden families would have done the same thing.

And clearly… Magnus was one of one.

Magnus' eyes slowly opened as his enlightenment ebbed and flowed away, coming to a stop.

Sylas could tell that his grandfather hadn't quite made it to Rune Creation and taken that step into true perfection of the F-tier, but he was close. If he got systematic training, it likely would be about three months or so before he took that step.

If Sylas guided him personally, likely only three weeks would be enough.

Magnus blinked and then looked up a bit startled. Then he smiled.

"Sylas, what brings you here?"

Honestly, Magnus was a bit sad about the current state of their family. Cedric and Isolde took family very seriously, so much so they had a very clear work-life balance they had never allowed their businesses to interfere with.

The family had once had dinner together every night, and often took weekend excursions together.

In his old age, and missing his wife, this had kept Magnus going all these years. Well, that and the idea that his grandson would certainly be able to get revenge against the Grimblades for kicking him out.

But ever since the Summoning began, Cedric and Isolde had no choice but to be understanding of Sylas' position. As much as they wanted to still have their family dinners, it would be meaningless if the world was destroyed and they died. So they could only let Sylas go about and do as he pleased.

However, that didn't mean that Magnus wasn't still a bit saddened by it.

Sylas took a deep breath and actually found himself telling his grandfather what happened to his parents.

Magnus frowned. "… So that is what happened to me? I see?"

"Grandfather, have you studied Runes before?"

"Studied Runes?" Magnus looked a bit confused for a moment, blinking. But then he seemed to turn his senses internally and seemed to understand something. "… Oh…"

Magnus remained silent for a while.

Sylas stood in his grandfather's room and didn't press him to answer quickly. It was rare he got a moment of silence like this, even if that silence came with a heaviness to it.

"… Back when your grandmother got very sick, I tried as many ways as I could to save her. Medicine wasn't working, so I turned to other things. One time I thought I was close, but…" Magnus sighed and shook his head. "It was taking too much time away from the last moments we had together. I could feel that I wouldn't succeed in time, so I abandoned it and stayed by your grandmother's side instead."

Sylas nodded slowly, taking a silent seat on the edge of his grandfather's bed along with him.

It seemed that he had been correct. His grandfather had, indeed, somehow managed to touch on the concepts of Rune Mastery even without the system's help and aid.

He was far more than just any normal talent.

Likely because of the heartache that brought him since, he hadn't even considered going back to it, choosing another path to distract himself. But now, he had been brought right back here.

Thinking of the withering dried leaves, Sylas realized something else.

"I'm not a very good leader, grandfather. But I believe that you are."

Magnus blinked and looked at his grandson. Then he laughed.

"It is not that you are not a good leader, Sylas. It's instead that you don't care to be because you want to do everything yourself."

"That may be so, but the conclusion is still the same. I think this path is quite well suited to you and the Grim Blade."

Sylas held out a palm and a surge of Death Runes formed.

Magnus' eyes glazed over.