Chapter 72：Easy Money (1/2)
It takes one several years to get to know somebody, and sometimes they regret how they first acted. For example, when Julia saw the runes inscribed by the man with golden-eyes, she felt instantly regretful.
A genius.
No further praise or words needed, a simple fact. This poor and average looking man turned out to be a genius in the runes path. Her fingers traced his work, doubting they were created by humans. As if nature itself gathered, flawlessly, to create these runes. His lines were more perfect than depicted in textbooks, a true sign of his relentless perfectionist personality. No average joe could spend this time learning something.
What did she do, instead of appreciating him, to this genius?
She tried to fail him for her benefit. She might be a genius herself, but it was hard to find another one. One that she could have as her assistant. Just imagining the quality of work that they could make was enthralling.
Her heart ached as she wrote down his score. Barely passing in written, yet full score in practical. It was probably the first time someone gained a full score for a rune they inscribed, no matter how perfect it was.
'I need to be shameless,' she thought.
She wrote down the address that she read in his application and decided to visit him in his home.
***
”What are you hiding, Arthur?” Emma asked as they sat in the arcade. They ordered some snacks and refreshments, to quench their thirst after several hours of playing together.
”Hiding?” Arthur almost chocked drinking the juice when he heard her question.
”I saw your work,” She ate some of her ice-cream, waving her spoon afterward and pointing it at Arthur. ”It was near perfection,”
”Hah, and how would you know?”
”My family works in runes,” She mischievously grinned, and then playfully added. ”To be precise, my family are mostly runes' masters.”
”Oh…” Arthur felt stumped for words. He used the five hours pretending to inscribe runes, a torturous experience he never wished to relive. In the end, he used his ability to inscribe the runes and left. He then met Emma outside, who had finished earlier, and the pair headed to Otherworldly Paradise.
After being beaten black and blue in every game, Arthur had to suggest they go to the café to retain what was left from his pride. As they sat down, the interrogation began. Arthur didn't mind since it was more curiosity than anything for Emma.
”The truth is, I've always wanted to be a runes master. The only reason I applied to be an apprentice is to participate in the Runes Apprentices Cup.”
Emma nodded, seemingly lost in thought. After a lengthy silence, she asked something making Arthur tilt his head in puzzlement.
”The preliminary has already started though.”
”The, what? Huh?” Arthur almost fell from his chair out of shock. He lost his ability to coherent proper sentences as this sudden revelation.
”Yeah, you can't just walk into the Runes Apprentices Cup. Unless you have a recommendation, you need to participate in the preliminary rounds. They began a week ago, I think? Maybe you can still make it.”
”Oh, thank god.”
”But… wouldn't it be easier to gain a recommendation?” Emma asked, greeted with a confused face. ”Some people can recommend participants, like branches of the association, runes masters, and some institutes. They are fought for since the preliminary rounds are a pain in the…” She coughed and stopped right there, realizing how improper her words would be.
”I see, then I need a runes master to recommend me.”
”The examiner from earlier is someone who's looking for apprentices,” Emme suggested, but Arthur simply scowled.