Return of the Runebound Professor

“Incredible,” Noah whispered. “You found all of that out just by using a low-level Space Rune?”

“And a lot of research. I plan to travel to this edge and determine what it is that lies beyond the kingdom. I have calculated its approximate distance from us. There, I will find… wait.” Tim’s proud expression faltered. He squinted at Noah. “You knew.”

“I knew, but not because I figured it out. I was told.”

“Told?” Tim asked. “By whom? If this knowledge has already been discovered, then why—”

“By someone who exists outside the empire.”

Tim’s string of questions evaporated. He trailed off and stared at Noah in abject disbelief for several moments. Then he let out a bark of laughter, one borne from a mix of surprise and delight.

“Then I was right!” Tim exclaimed. He grabbed Noah by the shoulders. “There’s a greater world! Tell me about it! How did you meet this person? Why are they here? And why—”

“Hold on,” Noah said with a laugh. “I don’t know the answers to those questions, Tim. The person I spoke to only told me this because I got caught up in something. I barely know any more than you do. Honestly, I probably know less. There’s only one piece you’re missing, though I don’t think it’s related.”

“Tell me,” Tim said, his eyes flashing. He paused, then released Noah and cleared his throat. “If you can, of course. I don’t mean to overstep.”

“There’s a reason there are no Rank 7s in the Arbalest Empire,” Noah said simply. “And it isn’t because making a Rank 7 Rune is impossible. I met many Rank 7 Demons in the Damned Plains.”

“A reason…” Tim’s brow furrowed. Then his face went pale. He took a step back, and Noah could practically see connections forming in his mind. “An intentional limit. The decreased amount of spatial energy in the Empire isn’t because we’re living in some form of anomaly. This was intentionally formed. Magical power is being removed from this area on purpose. But why?”

Noah didn’t even get a chance to respond. Tim’s mind was working so fast and the old man was pulling pieces together so quickly that Noah couldn’t do anything but sit and stare in awe as Tim pieced together the biggest secrets of the Arbalest Empire.

“An experiment,” Tim exclaimed. “That must be it! It’s the only thing that explains the abnormalities and the potential barrier surrounding the empire. Someone is intentionally keeping everyone within it at Rank 6 or below. Those that reach Rank 7 are removed to avoid impacting the spatial energy.”

“What’s that last bit?” Noah asked, blinking. “Impacting the energy?”

“Well, artifacts bear magical weight. That’s why there’s more power around the Bastions where they’re stored,” Tim said absent-mindedly. “The same bears true for mages. Insignificant ones may as well have no weight at all. But truly powerful mages would theoretically have the same weight as a powerful artifact. I’ve been wondering why that hasn’t proven to be the case — but if all the powerful mages are being removed from the kingdom, that would preserve this strange imbalance that we seem to be locked in. Thus, it must be an experiment. Someone doesn’t want the Empire to grow.”

“Fuck, Tim.” Noah shook his head in awe. “Your talents were completely wasted. You might be one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. I’m pretty sure everything you just said is completely correct.”

“Then you must introduce me!” Tim exclaimed. “The person you spoke to. I have so many questions for them. I do hope you haven’t killed them.”

“Killed them? How would I kill somebody strong enough to be from outside the kingdom?”

Tim arched an eyebrow. “If there’s one thing that I’ve become abundantly aware of, it is your ability to do what should be impossible. I take it that this person still lives? Are they our enemy?”

“No! I’m starting to think you’ve got a rather low opinion of me,” Noah said, narrowing his eyes.

“You have a slight history of altercations with the strong. It was a safe guess.” Tim’s lips twitched in amusement. “Does that mean it would be possible for me to meet this person?” ＲÁ𐌽ÒᛒËŞ

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“I think it’s more than possible. If anything, we need to make sure it happens. I’d love to see Garina’s expression when she realizes you’ve put everything together on your own.”

“Garina,” Tim said, rolling the name over in his mouth before nodding. “How can we find her? A great excursion to the edges of the empire? Or within the Damned Plains?”

“She’s coming over for tea in a few days.”

Tim blinked. “I — oh. That’s it?”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I didn’t think it would be that easy,” Tim muttered, tugging at his beard. “She’s coming over for tea? What kind of tea?”

“Don’t think we’ve worked that bit out yet.”

“Well, it’s quite important. I will arrange for something,” Tim promised. “For tea. The strongest living being in the empire is coming for tea with you. Ridiculous. And here I was getting ready to set out on a grand, dangerous adventure. At my age, no less! Tea is far preferrable.”

“I wouldn’t get too lax,” Noah warned. His features darkened and he glanced around the Transport Cannon, at the sea of papers covering the floor and walls. “Tim, you have to realize how much danger you’re in right now. Forget the empire. If people discover what you’ve learned about Space Runes…”

“A little danger is better than rotting away. I will hide away no longer. Not when I have a chance to make something of my life. Who knows how many things we’ve all come to believe are actually false? I will not stop until I have unearthed them. This is my purpose, Vermil.”

Noah tilted his head to the side. He glanced around the Transport Cannon once more. The building was really quite spacious, even with all the papers and books littering it. A thought started to take form in his mind and his lips slowly pulled up into a smile.

I wonder…

“I might be able to help with that,” Noah said. “How often do people drop by the Transport Cannon nowadays?”

“Never,” Tim replied. “It is all but abandoned.”

“I see. And how do you feel about roommates?”

“Roommates?” Tim blinked. “I’ve never considered it, but I do love a good conversation. I would have no issue with it so long as they are well-mannered. Is there someone that needs a place to live?”

“A few someones,” Noah said with a grin. “And I think you’d find that they have quite a different worldview. It would definitely be beneficial for all of you to get to know each other.”

“Then dally not. This tower has been empty for too long. I would be thrilled to make this mysterious groups’ acquaintance,” Tim said, reading the look in Noah’s eyes. “Something tells me this will be enjoyable.”

“With pleasure,” Noah replied. “There’s just one thing I want to do first. It seems you’ve specialized into Spatial Runes. Shall we polish up what you’ve got to make sure you don’t have any trouble advancing further?”

Tim’s eyes lit up in delight. “Truly? Are you certain?”

Noah just grinned in response.

***

A short while later, Noah headed down from the transport cannon, the Fragment of Renewal back on cooldown and his mind thoroughly unbalanced.

Tim’s runes were terrifying. He’d made 6 space-based runes along with a mixed up one that had been the original Rank 2 that Noah had helped him make before his trip to the Damned Plains. And in that time, not only had Tim hit Rank 3, but Noah could literally see the progress in the man’s understanding in each consecutive one. Tim’s seventh Rank 3 Rune had been flawless — and Tim didn’t even know what a flawless rune was.

He’d made it flawless purely through his understanding of spatial magic.

What might have been even more ridiculous was that, even though Noah had cut apart and put together spatial runes dozens upon dozens of time, he realized that Tim’s understanding of spatial magic was considerably better than his.

Just looking at Tim’s Rank 3 Runes had been enough to show him the difference between someone who understood a subject and someone who may as well have been the subject.

He’d barely even had to do anything to help Tim polish his Rank 3’s up. Noah had just gone through and split the runes, removing the only non-spatial one, and Tim formed each of them into a flawless space-based rune within seconds.

It had been one of the fastest repair sessions Noah had ever done, and Tim had been left with six Rank 3s, many of which were rather close to full. He was pretty sure it wouldn’t be long until Tim was ready to advance to Rank 4.

How many more people are there like Tim? People that could have been incredible mages if the nobles hadn’t completely failed them?

Noah’s hands tightened at his sides. Arbitage pissed him off. It had everything it had needed to have been a real school. They were literally supposed to be one. It was a brilliant cover story. But instead of actually turning into a place of learning, the Bastion was nothing more than a place for nobles to posture.

People here didn’t truly want to learn. They just wanted to make sure they stayed ahead of their opponents so they could keep the little slice of the world they’d stolen for themselves. Noah’s lips curled up in derision.

The Advanced Track might be the only exception to that… but I’m not too pleased with them so far. I suppose we’ll have to see how tonight goes. Either way, I’m done playing around. Arbitage needs a fire lit under it. There are people here that want to learn. People that haven’t had the chance to.

The world is changing. Arbitage is going to have to change as well. And if there isn’t anyone willing to teach anyone how things should properly be done…

Then I’ll do it myself.

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