With his electives officially chosen, Aurelius left the registration table and made his way back to Valen, who was standing in the meeting spot they had planned earlier.
"Hey," Valen greeted him, looking up.
"Hey," Aurelius replied, sitting down next to him.
"So, how was it?" Valen asked, curious about Aurelius's elective choices.
"I chose an introductory rune class and a class called 'The Basics of the Mundane'," Aurelius replied, excited about his choices. "The attendant recommended it to me since I don't have any magical affinity."
Valen raised an eyebrow. "Sounds interesting. I ended up choosing an elective based on advanced swordsmanship and one on elemental magic. They are both areas where I am lacking."
"That's cool," Aurelius replied, impressed. "I'm just hoping to learn as much as I can here at the academy, I feel like I still have so much to learn."
Valen chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll pick it up in no time. Plus, you've got me to show you the ropes."
Aurelius smiled at Valen’s comment.
The two continued to chat and Aurelius even got to meet some new people. The rest of the day was filled with exploring the campus, hanging out, and meeting new people.
As the sun began to set, Aurelius found himself feeling exhausted but excited for what was to come.
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Today was monday, and it marked the official beginning of Aurelius' journey at Lothern Academy. It was a momentous occasion, not only because it was his first day, but also because he had managed to wake up earlier than his friend Valen, which was a rarity in itself. Filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, Aurelius couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
After getting out of bed, Aurelius quickly freshened up and donned his academy uniform, a task that had become easier with each passing day. Making his way downstairs, he headed to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. With a satisfied stomach, he glanced down at the slip the attendant had given him, carefully indicating the locations of his classes.
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Day One:
8:00 - 10:00 Introductory Rune Class. B9
10:15 - 12:15 Sword Mastery 101. C12
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Surveying the campus surroundings, Aurelius consulted the campus maps to navigate his way to his first class. Ensuring he was at the correct location, he stepped into the classroom, curious about what awaited him inside. As he entered, his eyes widened at the spaciousness of the room. At the far end stood a podium and a sizable chalkboard, presumably meant for the professor. Rows upon rows of chairs and desks stretched out before him, with each successive row slightly elevated, creating a tiered effect.
Aurelius made his way up the rows, carefully selecting a desk that offered a clear view of the professor. The room was sparsely populated at the moment, but as the clock inched closer to 8, more students began to trickle in, filling the seats gradually.
Just as the clock struck 8, the professor entered the room, striding in with a purpose. Aurelius observed the professor, noting the signs of age evident in his greying hair and a slight limp. However, any physical discomfort seemed to vanish as soon as the professor placed his belongings on a nearby desk, and his face lit up with a warm smile.
"Welcome to the Introductory Rune Class. My name is Professor Elwin," he introduced himself, his voice resonating with a calm and reassuring tone. "Over the next few months, we will embark on a journey to explore the fascinating world of runes and their profound connection to magic."
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Aurelius leaned forward, interested in the professor's words.
"Before we begin, I want to emphasize that this class is designed to cater to students of all magical backgrounds, whether you possess a magical affinity or not," Professor Elwin continued, acknowledging the diverse group of students in the room.
Aurelius nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief wash over him. At least the professor confirmed what the attendant had said.
"With that out of the way, let’s jump right in. I’ll figure out your names later.”
“Runes are ancient symbols imbued with magical properties," the professor explained, moving towards the chalkboard. "They have been used by various races a civilizations throughout history to channel and manipulate magical energies."
As he spoke, Professor Elwin began to draw intricate symbols on the chalkboard, each stroke deliberate and precise. The symbols seemed to dance and come alive under his skilled hands, igniting Aurelius' curiosity.
"The art of rune creation requires a deep understanding of magical principles and the ability to imbue these symbols with specific intent," the professor continued, gesturing towards the drawings on the board. "Throughout this course, we will explore the fundamental aspects of runes, from their history and symbolism to their practical applications."
"For today's session, we will start with the basics," the professor said, turning his attention back to the students. "We will explore the foundational concepts of rune design and examine some common symbols and their meanings. By the end of the week, you should have a solid elementary understanding of how runes function and their potential applications.”
"But like I mentioned, today we're starting with the basics," the professor continued, turning back to the whiteboard.
"Just like any other objects, runes come in different tiers of power. We have the common tier, followed by uncommon, rare, epic, mythical, and finally, legendary."
The professor proceeded to draw on the whiteboard, emphasizing the tier list.
"Now, what sets runes of different tiers apart? What differentiates a common rune from an uncommon one?" Professor Elwin posed the question to the students.
A student with fiery red hair raised her hand.
"Yes?" Professor Elwin acknowledged the student.
"Is it about power?" the student inquired, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Professor Elwin smiled at the student's response.
"While that's partly true, it's a common misconception that power is the sole factor in determining a rune's tier. There are smaller, subtler elements that come into play, which can influence the classification of a rune."
"For instance, a basic fire rune that simply generates heat in its surroundings would be considered a common-level rune. However, if you add an activation sequence to the rune, such as a touch trigger, it becomes more complex and requires additional components. As a result, that fire rune would now be regarded as an uncommon-level rune."
"So, while power does impact the rune's output and its tier, it's these nuances—the slight modifications and intricacies—that truly make a difference."
Aurelius scribbled down notes in his school-provided notebook, eager to absorb every bit of information the professor shared. He was fascinated by the idea that even the smallest modifications could elevate a rune's tier. It opened up a world of possibilities for him, as he began to imagine the potential applications of such modifications.
As the class progressed, Professor Elwin delved deeper into the subject, explaining the different types of rune activation mechanisms, such as touch triggers, verbal commands, and even environmental triggers. He also discussed the importance of understanding the symbolic meanings behind the runes and how they could affect their effectiveness.
The professor's passion for the subject was contagious, and Aurelius found himself getting more and more engrossed in the lecture.
After an engaging two hours of lecture and discussion, the introductory rune class came to a close. Professor Elwin encouraged the students to practice what they had learned and explore their own creative ideas. He also emphasized the importance of patience and persistence when it came to rune creation.
As Aurelius packed up his belongings and prepared to leave the classroom, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation for his next class: Sword Mastery 101. The thought of honing his combat skills and learning advanced sword techniques excited him.
Leaving the rune class behind, Aurelius made his way to the location marked for his sword mastery class. Along the way, he passed by Valen, who was also heading towards his own class on elemental magic.
"Hey, Aurelius! How was the rune class?" Valen called out, walking alongside him.
"It was great," Aurelius replied with a grin. "Professor Elwin is a great teacher. I learned so much about the basics of runes and their different tiers. "
Valen nodded, his eyes shining with curiosity. "That sounds incredible. I hope my elemental magic class is just as exciting."
As they reached Aurelius' destination, they bid each other farewell, promising to catch up later and share their experiences from their respective classes.
When Aurelius arrived at the sign for classroom C9, he found himself standing outside rather than inside a classroom. Before him lay a sprawling dirt field.
Aurelius quickly made his way towards where he noticed other students gathering. In front of them stood about ten teachers, their gazes piercing as they observed the assembling students.
"Oh, boy," Aurelius thought. He couldn’t help but wonder what he was getting himself into.