For the remaining duration of Runes Weaving Class, the students were told to research tattered old tomes provided by the school.
Within the pages wrote the different runes discovered by their ancestors, and passed down until now. Among the runes they researched, only a tiny portion has been identified of their usage, and even then, it couldn't be said to be done skillfully.
Runes Weaving is in fact, researching the Heavenly words, by doing runic experiments.
For today, the students are only asked to research. Once they become more competent, the instructor will teach them all the ways one could use to test each rune for their purpose. If they successfully identified something that had never been found before, there are great rewards from the state, and if they could combine the runes into a new runic symbol, even nobility or a rise of one's station is possible.
The Snowdrifts quickly found themselves stumped by the information overload in this class, especially since they did not grow up in an environment where they would interact with such stuff. Most of them had better things to put their minds on, like worrying how to get through the day without starving to death.
Kairos, on the other hand, felt rather excited. But before he delves into the sea of information, there is something dangerous he needs avoid.
"Aisa, is there a way I can dim the glow in my eyes?"
Hmmmmm... nope! Kairos is slowly awakening~
Not truly understanding Aisa's meaning, and knowing how she would not explain, he is left without a choice. Kairos stuff his face right between the pages, before activating his Veritable Sight. The glow from his eyes is perfectly hidden after he untied his long hair and let them sprawl across the pages.
His face was so closely hovering above the tome that if another person does not look at him carefully, it will appear as though he had fallen asleep in class.
But before he could concentrate on his studies, a student that the five had not seen before walked over to them from the back of the class.
His tall figure and student badge cast him as a 4th year senior, while his clothes identified him as a high noble.
"Kairos Astroire," He said with a sneer on his face, "sleeping in the class just because you are a little famous aren't you?"
Kairos undid his Veritable Sight and looked up from his book. Not recognising the speaker, he promptly ignored the person, then returned to his study.
"You... How arrogant! Do not think that by holding the title of Earl, you have become superior to the rest here. I, too, am an Earl."
"It's him! The heir apparent of the Steel Rose family, Von Cixton," Someone who immediately identified him by his nobility, whispered.
When Kairos heard who the person is, a frown appeared on his face for a moment before returning to his usual countenance. Other than that, he made no attempt to acknowledge this guy hovering beside himself like a pestering fly.
Kairos recalled briefly hearing the name of Von Cixton once.
During the trade war when the three families stood against the Snowdrifts, Von was assigned by the Steel Rose to take control of their family businesses in an attempt to counteract Kairos' plans. Unfortunately, before he could take over, it ended in complete failure. There wasn't a thing he could do thanks to how swiftly the Snowdrifts had taken over the markets.
Standing next to Kairos, Von could now see how this boy whom he deems the one that shamed his family is, in fact, studying the runes, instead of sleeping.
However, when he observed that Kairos did not even flip a page the entire time, he laughed.
With the same amount of time, Von is confident to finish reading through a whole chapter of runes. His memory is a talent he prides himself on having.
Von, of course, did not know that Kairos' glowing eyes are revealing the truth behind these symbols that are cryptic to the others. If he had, he would have transferred out of this class from shame.
A single type of rice could feed countless types of people. Picking the wrong guy to compare with, is only asking to be slapped in the face. Or for this case, comparing test results with someone holding the answers sheet.
Each time Kairos' eyes moved to a new rune, an unbelievable scene appeared in his mind. The hidden secrets of the universe seemed to reveal itself to him, yet each time, he could only uncover such a small portion of truth that it leaves him thirsting for more.
As he absorbed that knowledge, he did not notice the glow of his golden eyes is slowly changing, becoming richer in colour. His Veritable Sight had been growing little by little since it first awakened with Aisa's appearance, nurtured by the knowledge he gained and strengthened by his increase in cultivation.
Though Kairos had not put his new understanding of the runes to the test, he already could vaguely understand their use. However, there are many runes among those he read that felt incomplete, while others not meant to be used by itself.
Unfortunately, because of how much information he is getting from every rune, it appears as though he is a slow student. It will take quite some time for Kairos to study everything fully. And until now, he could not move away from the first few pages of his tome.
"Look at how slow he is to memorise a few runes, absolutely ridiculous! How could a student this poor in academics like you be in the Genius class? Just what is the school thinking?" Von exclaimed loudly for all to hear.
Despite Von slighting him, Kairos did not appear to have any reaction. It is curious that even before practising the Origin Cultivation Method, he had always been quite unlike those around his age.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
He would never scream or shout when accused, nor does he seek to prove himself in anything. And when he became stronger than those around him, he did not seek revenge on the unfairness he faced in the past.
Bad things had frequently haunted him since he was young, simply due to his lack of status and wealth. In fact, there are not many children he could play with besides Tommy, Alan, Jim and Edward. The other kids were taught by their parents to shun children living in poverty like avoiding a plague.
Now, after the one who is called 'True Lord' asked him what is his reason for seeking power, he already has an answer in his heart. With success, some people would grow into arrogance or wanted the assurance that what they accomplished is by their own strength. Others, drunk on the power they never had before, abuse it.
But, a rare few exerts a nobleness that came from their bones, those that knew the grandness of their destiny that awaits them.
They are born to stand at the peak and does not lower themselves to the theatrics of jesters. They move only as they please, setting their sights upon the heavens until the day they reach their place upon their throne.
This type of people have a common point, a minor insult towards them is nothing more than a waste of breath. Only the truly powerful could gain their acknowledgement.
He was more interested in creating a peaceful new world where everyone he held dear could live in, and he charges towards it with little regards to anything else. He knows that the strength needed to achieve that is far beyond what he has. And far beyond anyone, he has met, even Aisa the Primordial One.
Seeing Kairos still ignoring him, Von shook his head in disgust, then turned and returned to his seat.
But, while their leader is calm, those from the Snowdrifts, however, stood up in anger, wanting to speak in retaliation. At this time, Jim started howling across the room in laughter. His reaction caused the class to be still.
He stopped quite a while later, huffing and wheezing to an end. Holding his tummy, Jim said with a voice tinged with dark humour, "Now I finally know how a defeated dog sounds like. Demonstrated by the heir of one of the Three Great Nobles, hahaha!"
Alan with a wicked glint in his eyes, whispered, "That's because, the Steel Rose family had sent him as their representative, but he was kicked off the helm before he could do a thing. You got to let him at least yelp once or twice or alleviate his embarrassment."
His voice was soft, yet his words had reached the ears of every person in the room.
The other students that were wondering what made Von come over from the 15 years old group, caught on immediately.
A few supporters of Kairos took the opportunity and chimed in fearlessly, "We were wondering what made Von Cixton go crazy and accuse the only one in this class who succeeded in using two ancient runes as poor in academics. What a joke.
If Kairos is poorly, then what is Von? A moron?"
"You all! You dare mock me? This boy was only lucky!" Vox stood up with beet red face as he pointed at Kairos angrily. He wanted to find out who insulted him, but when the class has been riled up, it's nearly impossible within all the noise.
"Well, if you disagree, why don't you challenge Kairos Astroire to a rune weaving competition?" One of the students who fancied a good show called out loudly from the other side of the class, and immediately many others shouted in agreement.
Soon, a chant is repeated amongst the students.
*Compete compete compete!*
Beneath the noise, Kairos couldn't help but give a sigh. He only wished to be spared from these meaningless activities and go back to his study. There hardly was any peace for him since he first entered the academy. Even a typical class like this could not continue without some form of challenge thrown at him.
"Well, do you dare?" Vox flashed a grin and asked confidently.
Kairos rolled his eyes then closed the book he was reading.
The instructor had not disrupted this commotion in the class. Though he respects what Kairos had done, he is far more curious in finding out what ability this boy has that he could use the ancient runes.
Sensing no help from the instructor, Kairos sighed again, "Alright, how do you want to compete?"
"I have a suggestion," The student that first suggested this competition called out.
The others looked at him to continue, then he said, "Why don't some of us gather a few runes from different Talismans or Engraved Weapons and mix all the symbols up. Then we will let them piece it back together. The first person who succeeds wins."
"It doesn't matter to me," Kairos said, and Von agrees. It would be a true test of their runes weaving ability.
The others quickly gathered hundreds of items and made two copies of the runes on them for the competition.
While they are taking out items after items, Kairos returned to stuff his face between the pages and continued his reading.
A short while later, there are two piles of paper are placed on a long table for them; There were over ten thousand runes for each of them to fit back into place, making this competition the worst kind of jig-saw puzzle there is.
At this time, Calculus who had just walked into class saw the competition going on. He had rushed here upon waking up.
Calculus did not know how long he was knocked out for, but with his dragon's natural regeneration ability to assist him, it surely wasn't a lengthy period. Yet, Kairos had already managed to land himself into another conflict.
"Fool," He snorted, then stepped to the side with his four bodyguards and watched the competition.
His words were meant for both Kairos and Von. The former for being insufferably provoking the high nobles, the latter for daring to challenge the former.
Calculus thought privately, "If Kairos is this easy to defeat, he would have been murdered by now. Von, you will realise that you will only be shaming yourself publically for underestimating him."
The two begin at once, taking a paintbrush and a scroll to scribble down the runic symbols that they believe to be a set.
Because some of the runes are all scrambled, Von had to carefully guess where each symbol should be placed. A completed set of runes is formed of many different runes placed in a complicated design. Each rune must be drawn precisely, in the correct size. Unfortunately, the runes drawn on the papers are all in uniform proportion. The difficulty is impossible unless one has an extensive understanding on Runes Weaving.
Von began to sweat as he flipped through the pile before him. Among those symbols he was given, there are quite a few that are repeated, and many that he had not seen before. He drew a few that he is confident with, but most are left undone. After an hour, he had only finished a tenth of all the runes given to him.
"This is impossible, but I have outdone myself today. A mere peasant boy would be dreaming to think he can win."
Von tilted his head and looked at Kairos on the other side; then he drew a deep shuddering breath.
The boy was already done! On his scroll, there are over a hundred sets of runes drawn out. The students began to gather on his side, trying to identify any mistakes.
"None..." Someone whispered in shock, comparing the written answers to the actual items.
"The runes are correct," another said, "And even the damaged ones are restored."
Because of wear and tear, some runes had faded, but somehow Kairos still completed the rune sets, when even the owners of the items themselves will be unable to determine what the original form is.
They could only tell because of the wholesomeness that a completed set of runes would feel.
It was Kairos' complete victory. A Runes Weaving competition is far too easy for him, although he had to prevent others from seeing the golden glow from his eyes. He hid his face with his book before the start of this contest, then activated both his Veritable Sight and Soul Perception. Afterwards, it was a simple case of memorising each rune that was written on the papers and piecing them into the correct sets.
Ten thousand runes, with some repeated and many unique ones, are tricky to be remembered. He could have cheated, by memorising the runes engraved on the weapons or drawn on the talismans, and it would have been easier. But he preferred to piece them together himself.
By truly participating, he was able to learn new things. It was never a competition between Kairos and Von, but merely a challenge... a simple exercise, for himself.
"He's cheating!" A loud outcry escaped Von Cixton's lips.