Chapter 68：Learning Artificial Runes (1/2)
”Let me help you,” Her black hair sliding over her shoulder like curtains, Ellen sat down next to him. Arthur was appreciative and gave her a nod of a drowning person who has been saved, Ori's endless instructions being the sea.
”We either use specific brushes, mana conducting ones, or we use a device. A brush would transfer your mana and combine it with the mana liquid, activating its properties. Using this, we start drawing the runes. There's a specialized device that would control the amount of mana used, but it's kind of expensive and uses too much of a person's mana.” Her voice was devoid of any emotion, but it was a kind one.
Arthur realized this was the first time she talked to him so much. Her petite figure, unreliable in his eyes before, now looked like a responsible adult. He nodded his head multiple times in understanding, and she kept going.
”They say, when you master a brush, there's no rush. If you want to build a good foundation, it's better to rely on yourself and skill instead of a device, as no device could draw high-tiered runes.”
”I see, so I inject it with my mana?”
”Yes, after you dip it in the mana liquid. Then, try drawing the rune on the chord while maintaining the same amount of mana in every part. It's hard, but you'll get the hang of it in the end.” Ellen, the quiet petite girl, turned out to be an excellent teacher. Ori talked about theories and how mana interacted with matter and things Arthur didn't understand, but Ellen went straight to the core of the matter.
Jia was sitting alone also practicing on the chords. It seems he has grown a bit distant from the group after Arthur came, but the person in question had no idea how to solve the matter.
Having Ellen guide him through it, Arthur soon got the hang of things. After dipping the brush in the mana liquid, Arthur would start supplying it with mana until it began to glow. Ori explained that this was because the amount of mana supplied would be the same as the mana in the liquid, creating a homogeneous mixture. It was then that Arthur would be able to fuse the mana liquid to the core.
The challenging part was controlling the mana to be equal among all parts. This was a basic rune, but Arthur realized how much skill he needed to draw it. He would need very fine control over mana to do it. Even worse, the liquid wasn't of equal amounts. Making it even harder for Arthur to control the required mana.
Luckily, Ellen was there for him. She was extremely helpful by guiding him and answering some common questions he had. Even still, he wasn't able to draw the rune. The rest each made one core.
Arthur's failure didn't put him down in the slightest, as his mind has been hammered by years of failing to get jobs and running to scarp money together. Even more, he wasn't even worried. He can just disguise his runes as artificial ones, but he didn't want to freak the group out.
It was time to test the runes. The metallic runes, about half a meter in length, glowed with faint light when Ori sent mana through them. After a few seconds, the metallic cord was compressed. It started shortening the more Ori sent mana through the runes.
The thing Arthur noticed was that the speed the rune activated was slow. A lot slower than Arthur runes, that had something of an instant effect. They needed to wait a bit for the mana to channel through the mana paths they had drawn.
Even still, it was a fascinating experience. To see the world-altering by your effort, the group took a bit of time to savor the moment. Metaphorically, they had control over life in its tiniest corner.
After they were done, Arthur offered to help Ellen take some supplies back home. They would make the cords separately for now, even though the group had no expectations for Arthur to do them. Arthur didn't say anything when Ori told him it was okay even if he didn't make any, as that would require some skill and training.
Picking up the two boxes with ease, Arthur walked with Ellen out of the clubroom. She was able to lift the box herself, but it would block her view due to her height and small stature.
”Oh, damn. I forgot that Markus and Amelia asked to study together after school…” Arthur paused his steps as he remembered. He looked at Ellen and she looked back at him but didn't say anything.
”Do you want to join us?”
His question was like a pebble thrown into a lake, drowning with no effect. After a short pause, Ellen simply nodded. Arthur wondered where the talkative and succinct girl went to, but every person had their own stroke.
Arriving at the library, Arthur placed the boxes to the side and went inside. Amelia and Markus were sitting inside already, looking bored. Suspiciously enough, the two of them glowed when they saw Arthur. His keen perception picked up a stiff expression from Markus when he noticed Ellen, but it was soon replaced by his usual friendly demeanor.
”I invited a friend, hope you guys don't mind?” Arthur said while throwing a glance at the two as if they were supposed to be okay with that.