Chapter 241: Bothering (2/2)
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When it was finally Five O'clock, the runes research department started growing emptier as the researchers went back to their rooms. Some of them went out with their colleague for dinner or other activities, but Arthur was different.
”I'll be showing you around today, the next few days you'll be on your own,” Eric said as they walked out of the logistic department. ”We have three facilities. The runic library, the virtual realm, and the lab. You can use all three to study and test out before you go ahead and inscribe runes.”
”What would the virtual realm do?”
”It's a floor with virtual capsules to see the effects that runes produce. The capsules also have access to the online community, so you can play a few games in your free time.”
”Games?” Arthur was confused. ”I didn't think Jerano would support this.”
”They do, a lot.” Eric laughed. ”In the rei-rank, Arts become more and more important. That's why games are essential to training people. You must have heard about the latest plans to integrates virtual gaming into the educational system.”
Arthur nodded his head, Si mentioned something similar the first time that they met. The fact that virtual reality has made several breakthroughs, so he was recruiting people from there.
Well, it turned out to be a lie in the end. He was after because of Master's Ronin prophecies. However, Arthur was still grateful for the fact that Sier told him to lie to the union.
After he had seen the ruling class, he realized how a genius would be thrown into politics and be exploited. As for revealing that he can control runes? He would be eaten alive.
”I think you should start with the library.”
”Okay, but what if I want to see a real-life demonstration of the rune?”
”That would require that you borrow an actual artifact for studying, it depends on whether it was genuine or artificial artifacts. It would take a day to get the former, a week for the latter.”
”Thank you, Senior Eric,” Arthur said gratefully.
”Don't mention it, now go and graduate from this shit hole.”
'Hehe, no way.' Arthur laughed inwardly as he started walking away. He stood in front of the portal and said the library before walking in.
He found himself inside a giant hill that was at least a hundred meters tall and couldn't see the end. It was filled with books from bottom to top as they dyed a myriad of beautiful colors.
”Alexie?” A voice called out to him. When he turned, he found Emma standing there with a smile. ”What are you doing here so late?”
”I'm a part of the logistic department, so.” Arthur shrugged. ”I'm sorry about this morning, I didn't mean to…”
”It's okay, I think I overreacted for a personal reason.” Emma waved her hand away. ”How is the logistic department? Do you need any help studying?”
Her sincerity touched him, but Arthur shook his head. He had decided to keep his distance from her, lest he reveals his disguise. As he was about to say something, a man walked from between the shelves and wrapped his hand around Emma's waist.
”Oh, are you done?” Prince Caleb asked with a smile. Arthur stood there staring at the two, making Prince Caleb turn to him as well. ”You are… I'm sorry, I don't remember.”
”Alexie Linan, your highness. I eliminated your first ranker today.” Arthur said with a smile as he glanced at Caleb's arm. ”What brings you to the runes department?”
”I'm accompanying my sister and fiancé. Are you with someone too, or are you alone?”
”I'm alone,” Arthur said, his mouth making a straight line.
”Figured.” Prince Caleb smiled and pulled on Emma. ”Let's go, we'll be late for the evening party.”
”That is…” Emma looked troubled as she glanced at Alexie. ”Goodbye, Sir Linan.” She said before the two left together.
'He's her fiancé.' Arthur reminded himself as the two walked away. 'But why does it bother me so much that he's close to her?' He wondered. 'No,' He shook his head. 'It's simply because I can't trust him to take care of her.' Arthur cleared his thoughts as he began studying his ether rune.