Dragon Monarch System Chapter 980:- Treasure Collecting Hobby

Aditya had long regarded runes as one of the most captivating and least tapped-into ideas across this entire realm.

Captivating, since runes basically operated like the machines from his old life. And untapped, because nobody really grasped their complete capabilities.

Back in his former world, machines demanded intricate setups to operate. They relied on circuits, chips, power supplies, and exact craftsmanship. Lacking those elements, the fanciest machine turned into mere scrap metal.

Yet here, runes handled every bit of that.

Just one well-crafted and inscribed rune could manage energy streams, balance power delivery, boost bodily might, or even handle tasks on their own. No wires were required. No gears or levers either. All it took was solid design, mana, and real insight.

For Aditya, runes resembled hidden engines built from sheer intellect.

Still, for all their amazing promise, vast secrets of runes stayed hidden. That mystery kept them so untapped.

By comparison, cultivation stood worlds apart.

Cultivation was a concept everyone knew inside out. It lay wide open. Experts had probed it deeply. Lessons on it filled empires, schools, and even modest clans. Cultivation dated back to the planet's very origins. One generation after another had honed and perfected it, sharing their wisdom.

Endless guides, methods, mentors, and sects dedicated themselves to cultivation.

Runes, however, lacked that broad grasp.

One could view runes as an offshoot of cultivation, as runemasters demanded strong mana handling and profound insight to grasp and build solid rune forms. Yet unlike cultivation, mastering runes called for extra qualities.

It demanded gift, endurance, and razor-sharp mental concentration. Few possessed such traits. Even the gifted might lack the stamina. And those with both gift and stamina often found rune practice, much like alchemy, a cash-devouring pursuit. Right from the basics, practitioners had to dig deep into their own funds.

Few folks commanded the funds, hours, or skills to fully commit to rune studies. Even mighty empires, flush with wealth, found it tough to forge elite runemasters.

Empires poured years into training batches of a hundred rune novices.

These novices devoted ages to mastering simple rune marks. They sketched runes countless times, carving them into metals, rocks, and unique substances. Plenty washed out before hitting 1-star runemaster status.

From that hundred, just a handful advanced to 2-star runemasters.

And barely 0.1% showed the knack to unlock 3-star runes and truly reach 3-star runemaster heights in their lives.

The challenge proved overwhelming. Add in the endless years of drilling that both the learner and the funding empire had to endure.

Runes couldn't be conquered by sheer grind. Decoding rune designs hinged on creativity, reasoning, and keen sense of mana currents.

Aditya poured countless hours into rune research himself.

He'd hole up in a silent chamber, encircled by rune sketches, metal slabs, and carving implements. At times, he'd repeat rune outlines over and over, ensuring every stroke hit flawless. Other moments, he'd test merging varied rune setups, watching mana responses closely.

Occasionally, the rune held steady without flaw. More often, it crumbled and faded away.

Each flop revealed fresh lessons.

Thanks to recollections from his past tech-savvy world, Aditya viewed runes in a fresh light.

In his eyes, how this world applied runes fell far short of their worth. Frankly, it struck him as downright disappointing.

Most lacked vision. Or perhaps his own vision outshone locals' due to hailing from a realm bursting with inventive arts and bold expressions.

Folks stuck to the simplest rune uses.

Nearly all thought runes served just to imbue weapons and gear, or craft artifacts. They'd etch runes on blades for keener edges. They'd mark armor for added toughness or endurance.

Handy as that was, Aditya saw it as mere scratching the surface.

He firmly held that runes held far greater possibilities.

They might trigger automated shields. They could steady massive builds.

They offered ways to sharpen energy use.

They enabled powering setups without endless mana feeds.

His old world thrived on machines as civilization's core. Here, runes could fill that vital spot.

They might even eclipse that role.

To Aditya, a mighty kingdom or empire's real base didn't hinge solely on troops, commanders, or cultivators.

It rested on runemasters and alchemists. Runemasters built the frameworks that amplified strength and streamlined operations. Alchemists whipped up supplies, elixirs, and stuff that fueled cultivation and expansion.

United, they built enduring might.

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As Aditya dove deep into the writings of a 5-star runemaster, a figure slipped into the office silently. As the Goddess of Music, pulling off such a quiet entry came naturally to her.

The moment her hand touched his shoulder, Aditya jumped in surprise.

Catching his shocked expression, she grinned widely. She'd never witnessed that wide-eyed jolt on him before. It amused her greatly, and she secretly planned to repeat the trick someday.

"It’s you!" Aditya eased up at the sight of her.

"When did you slip in?" He'd been so wrapped up in rune studies that her arrival escaped his notice entirely. Staying vigilant every second wasn't feasible.

The Dragon Palace served as his sanctuary. Peace and calm always washed over him within its walls. Inside, he stood nearly unbeatable. No reason to stay tense.

Besides, breaching the Dragon Palace proved impossible. It offered true refuge for him and his loved ones.

"What are you up to?" Rin inquired, settling next to him. But before she could perch there, he snagged her waist and pulled her onto his lap. Rin steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder.

Scattered across the desk lay sheets covered in diverse runic scripts. To Rin, it all looked utterly alien. Staring at the runes intently for mere moments left her head spinning.

"How do you even wrap your head around this?" She peered into his striking blue gaze.

Aditya flashed a cocky grin in response.

"I am a genius."

"I excel so much at everything I touch that I can boldly say I'm the greatest talent ever known." Rin rolled her eyes at his boast. She half-expected his nose to stretch like Pinocchio's as he lifted his chin high with pride.

"Okay, Mr. Genius, stay humble now." She tapped his brow lightly, smiling back.

"How was your day?" Lately, Rin focused on connecting with her sisters or flipping through books. She wasn't a total bookworm, so socializing ranked higher. It wouldn't shock anyone if she spent a full day with one sister.

Sometimes, she'd drop by Lara’s cafe to lend a hand.

Sometimes, she'd stick with Alicia all day, aiding in any way possible.

Occasionally, she'd join Julia on trips to snag rare herbs from distant lands.

She'd even head to the Elven Continent now and then to visit Amelia or train alongside Elven Mages.

"I hit up an auction in Azure City and snagged tons of treasures." Her face lit up with thrill as she spoke.

Azure City now ranked as the busiest hub across the six continents. Its trade alone outpaced some minor empires' entire economies. Lately, folks from allied nations of the Istarin Empire flocked there chasing brighter prospects.

Unsurprisingly, it drew top spots for auctions and big events. The city's unmatched security, despite its massive scale, played a huge part.

"Treasures?" He arched a brow, feigning shock at her words.

"Yeah!"

"I grabbed an old, shattered bow from the Great War 91,000 years ago. Though unusable now, it carries huge historical and emblematic weight for the Beastmen."

"Next, I picked up unique gold coins bearing Moon and Sun emblems. They're over 100,000 years old."

Aditya had handed her 100 million Royal gold coins in total. That very morning, she'd burned through 98 million. She'd eyed spending the rest but held back to avoid emptying her purse. Asking for more so soon after his generous gift would feel awkward.

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