It felt really good when I woke up, at first at least. When I looked at my clock, it was already 15:00. I was late and totally screwed if words got through to Amelie, as she especially told me to attend my side courses. The way from the dormitory to rune class would take me only 5 minutes, if I could use magic to boost my speed or fly. Unfortunate both were a big no, because I wanted to stay as unnoticed as possible.

I stood up as soon as I realised I would be late and rushed down the stairs. I exited the building and ran. I ran as fast as I could without magic. By the time I reached the remote building, which was located at almost the other end of the academy grounds, I was physically exhausted. I panted heavily.

I really need a break sometime soon.

“…volunteers.”(?)

I could hear some talking from outside. I knew that class has already begun. I didn’t know the time as the clock of the tower of the academy was only facing the front and I was at the back side of the academy at the moment. The only things I hoped for was that I would not receive any punishment and that no one would tell Amelie about that.

I opened the door and entered. It was a lecture hall and everyone inside and man they were a lot, the least I counted in that split second were 30, was looking at me. The teacher of my class stood in the middle. He was an old man with white hair, grey beard, but probably a lot more wisdom than any of the others present.

“I’m sorry I am late.”(Me)

“Name?”(Teacher)

“Hikaru.”(Me)

“Hikaru was so nice as to be the first volunteer, now I only need 2 more.”(Teacher)

“Huh, I did?”(Me)

The teacher only needed to look at me again, until I understood that it was my punishment. No on raised their hands, it was a sign that those volunteers were probably punching bags or something like that.

“Yes I did, I am sorry.”(Me)

After I apologized again, the teacher looked around. When I did the same, I noticed a certain someone sitting in the back of the class and laughing silently. I pointed at that person.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“How about him? He was sitting in the back all silently by himself. I don’t think that he can learn something from there.”(Me)

I said to the teacher.

“Name?”(Teacher)

Falling into despair he could only give a sad reply.

“Takeshi, sir.”(Takeshi)

“Good. Takeshi come to the front and thank you for being our second volunteer.”(Teacher)

He was slowly walking to the front, while glaring angrily at me. When he stood next to me I whispered into his ears.

“Now we are even.”(Me)

“What is even, it’s not my fault that you were late.”(Takeshi)

He answered. I only smiled back and we both shut up.

“Hmm. So who wants to be the 3rd person? I give you 5 seconds otherwise I will choose someone.”(Teacher)

No one raised their hand again.

“5.”(Teacher)

He started counting. He probably wanted to continue as he already was at 4 but before he could, a girl in the front raised her hand.

“Fo... Name?”(Teacher)

“Selina, sir.”(Selina)

“Good, now that we have 3 volunteers let us start. Before I show you the basic principles of rune magic in action, I will explain what the basic concept of rune magic is.”(Teacher)

I was listening as closely as I could and tried to remember every single word.

“With normal magic you have certain restrictions. Those restrictions are called talent, affinity and effort. You don’t need any of those for rune magic. The most basic routine is trying and failing. After some time, you will be able to succeed with the most basic formulas. The problem of rune magic comes after that and lies within your creativity as well as your strategic thinking, but that is far from now. I guess that the first people will only be able to succeed with the basics in about a month’s time.”(Teacher)

He took a deep breath before continuing.

“For rune magic, you need to be able to control normal mana freely. When you are able to do that, you focus and write the magic you have in mind down. You will be provided with a book, which will list basic magic, like [fireball] or [heal]. I know it is hard to understand. I will show you what I mean.”(Teacher)

He was focusing some mana into his finger.

“The easiest way to train this, is by writing with your finger. It is important to fully concentrate, otherwise you will fail every time. Concentrate on your mana, concentrate on which kind of magic you want to use. I have only affinity with water magic but now I will use fire magic, the opposite of my element.”(Teacher)

He was writing something in the air with mana. I wasn’t able to read the thing he wrote and when he finished, he snipped with his fingers. A little fire was created out of thin air.

“It takes a lot of time to master rune magic, but it is definitely worth it.”(Teacher)

I really wanted to ask what else someone could do with rune magic, but I knew that he was already angry at me and I didn’t want to be on his bad side right from the get go.

“Teacher, I come from the capital and a lot of nobles as well as the king use some kind of symbol to represent their families, is that rune magic too?”(Selina)

“Sure. It is also part of rune magic. It’s good that you ask, because I already wanted to demonstrate marking to you.”(Teacher)

The teacher was facing Selina and wrote something in the air again.

“As soon as you are able to use rune magic, even when you just use the basic of basics, you will receive your personal symbol. I can’t tell you how it looks, because it depends on the individual. This symbol can be used to mark someone or something and is often used to symbolize that someone is from a group or family or to verify the authenticity of a letter.”(Teacher)

He said.

“If I put my symbol on something else let’s say for example on a piece of paper, you could compare them with each other.”(Teacher)

He said, turned around and looked at Takeshi and me.

“This is 1 way to use rune magic, but there are 2 more which I will demonstrate to you now.”(Teacher)

He said and smiled wickedly.

“This doesn’t look good.”(Takeshi)

“Agreed.”(Me)

We whispered to each other.