"When it comes to understanding the structure of magical runes, everything we covered in the first half of class wasn't the most important part."
"What matters most is this—you need to trace the runes with your own fingers. Only through repeated practice will you internalize the textbook concepts and truly grasp what each rune does."
"As I've said, through the efforts of generations of grand mages and arch-arsenists, the ancient, arcane runes have been studied, distilled, and systematized."
"That's how we ended up with the basic runes you see in your textbooks. Of course, what we're learning now is only the beginning. Some more complex runes won't appear until the intermediate arcana courses—but that's getting off topic. I'll now distribute the materials. Everyone will attempt to draw their very first rune."
"Each student gets two sets—new students only. We distribute them by name, so make them count."
Cheap. Or maybe just stingy, Lanen thought. Classic for a for-profit school.
"Because the materials are expensive, if you mess up both attempts, you'll need to buy your own supplies later. When I hand them out, don't touch them yet—I'll make sure everyone receives theirs first. I'll call your names; come sign and collect."
After signing the distribution sheet, Lanen received his supplies: two tiny vials and a small rectangular rune base, all pulled from a square wooden crate. One vial glowed violet, the other blue—the violet was for rune tracing, the blue for magical pathways.
"All right, materials are out. Anyone not get theirs? Raise your hand."
No one moved.
"Good. Now then, ladies and gentlemen, fill your rune pens with the potion and begin your first practice. Be careful—don't waste it."
All around him, students grabbed their rune pens and filled them with the shimmering violet potion.
Following the textbook's instructions, Lanen focused his mind, steadied his hand, mentally laid out the rune design, and began to trace his very first rune.
He had watched Elina practice a few times during study hall, and he'd previewed the course material extensively—but nothing compared to doing it himself.
Fortunately, that preparation paid off. Lanen drew the rune in one confident sweep.
"That curve came out a little off, but it should still work," he murmured after checking his friends' progress.
"That kind of shape wouldn't pass quality control in a factory," Elina, watching from the sidelines, chimed in. As a returning student, she wasn't issued materials or required to practice.
"Naturally. Human hands can't compete with machines."
Lanen switched to the pen loaded with the blue potion, ready to draw the connecting lines.
"Finish the second rune first," Elina advised. "It's safer."
"Ah—right. Good call."
After completing both the glow rune and the limiter rune, Lanen carefully linked them with a blue line, then retrieved the standard magic crystal issued at enrollment. He placed it across the input and output nodes.
The glow rune lit up with a soft red glow.
Success.
Just as the textbook described: glow runes only activate under a specific low-flow magic current. The standard crystal's magic output needed to be suppressed before it would work—meaning both the rune drawings and the wiring were correct.
And since the glow rune allows only one-way current, the stable output also confirmed the wiring direction was properly traced.
"Fascinating," Lanen whispered to himself, staring at the little point of red light.
He was hooked.
"Is Lanen Banneray here? Someone's looking for you at the school gate!"
"Huh? I'm here—who is it?" Lanen replied as he stood up.
"No idea. Some guy's waiting for you. Old Albert from the mailroom saw me and asked me to pass the message. He only knew you were a freshman—I had to ask around. Anyway, better get going. I'm off." With that, the messenger left in a hurry.
It was midday. A stranger had knocked on the door of Dorm 310, and now Lanen was walking across campus, puzzled.
"Who could it be?"
The noonday sun shone bright. The air was crisp. Students strolled lazily along the path.
With the sound of sycamore leaves rustling in the wind, Lanen arrived at the gate—only to find the shopkeeper Abel waiting for him.
"Mr. Abel? It's you?"
"Mr. Banneray, I presume? Finally—we meet in person. First, let me apologize for my rudeness and stubbornness yesterday. Do you have a moment to talk?"
"Sure, I've got a bit of time. But no need to apologize—it wasn't a big deal. Let's talk over there."
They stepped just outside the gate and stood beneath the shade of a tall tree.
"Here's the thing. Last evening, I ran into two of my neighbors, and both were showing off some new calculation tool—an 'abacus,' they called it. They claimed it made them faster than me. Me! I used to be the fastest on the whole street." Abel looked sheepish.
"Then I tried it myself. And it really works." His tone turned reflective. "I asked Mrs. Lucy from the candy shop, and she told me your name. So I came to find you. I hope that's all right."
Seeing no trace of annoyance on Lanen's face, he continued:
"Do you have any more abacuses left? I'd like to buy one. I need to reclaim my title as the fastest accountant on West Street. I brought money."
"Sorry, Mr. Abel. I only made three, and all of them sold yesterday. But don't worry—I haven't started making more yet, but they're fairly quick to assemble. I can have one ready in a day or two."
"Then may I reserve the first one you finish? I'll pay in full upfront."
"Of course, Mr. Abel." Lanen beamed. A preorder was far better than cold-pitching in shops.
"How do I reach you, Mr. Banneray?" Abel began counting out coins.
"Just ask for Dorm 310 here at the school," Lanen replied, accepting the payment. "I'll deliver it as soon as it's done."
"Also—my shop handles consignment sales. If you want, I can help sell your future products. I'll even give you a discounted commission. I imagine there's plenty of demand for this among the students here?" Abel nodded toward the school.
"That would be wonderful—an absolute honor. It sounds like a great partnership."
A grin tugged at Lanen's lips as an idea sparked in his mind.
"But tell me, Mr. Abel—how would you like to collaborate on something bigger?"