Rune class

Both Mira and I lie down on the ground, breathing heavily. I can feel the rush of the fight dissipate into the cool evening air.

"Uuugh... See, I made you take off that blindfold. Hahaha, you bastard. How many hits can you take?" Mira pants, grinning wide enough that I can see it from the corner of my eye.

I groan and wipe the blood off my mouth. "Tsk, in the end, you made me take off the blindfold, did you get tired of having the advantage? By the way, why did you wait so long before you started hitting your punches?" Seriously, she was holding back. It's as if she wanted me to catch up.

Mira stretches her arms, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Tsk, is it wrong to enjoy a good fight? I was fucking pissed, using that stupid blindfold. I decided to wait instead of knocking you out immediately. When you started getting hits in, I started to match your speed; that way it's more fun. I'm not like that fucktard Gareth. I enjoy a fight that is a challenge, to learn and have fun. Don't get the wrong idea! I am not an addict like that muscle brain, make sure you don't forget!"

Just as I'm about to respond, our friends decide to take the stage. Arin comes marching up, visibly pissed. "Dammit you two! Shit, why the hell did you keep fighting even with all the damn blood you two kept throwing up?"

I sigh and reach into my pocket, tossing him a gold coin. Arin catches it, looking from me to the coin, as if measuring the sincerity of my gesture. "Tsk, fine. But not you!" he snaps, pointing at Mira, before kneeling beside me. His hands glow with a green aura as he channels healing magic into me. I feel the cuts and bruises start to fade.

"Thanks," I mutter, sitting up.

Mira raises an eyebrow, clearly curious. "We ain't close like that," I clarify, meeting her gaze.

Rolling her eyes, Mira reaches for her bag and pulls out a potion. "It's called being a gentleman, you bastard."

As I'm about to retort, Seraphina steps in, giving me a hand. "Sorry you had to fight her," she says.

I sigh, looking up at her, then at the group gathered around us. "It's all good, Sera. It was a good training match."

"Don't go being arrogant. I'll keep my part of the deal and spar with you for two weeks. I'll beat you for sure. I don't know what weird method you have to read my movements, but I'll beat you," Mira huffs as she walks away, stretching her arms like she's just had a light workout. Damn, she's confident.

Nyssa chuckles and shakes her head. "Oh my god~ Mira~ Mira~ Mira~ What are we going to do with that one? She barely makes an effort to listen and is always doing what she wants, regardless of the consequences." She rubs her head as if she's got a headache just thinking about it, then turns her piercing eyes toward me. "Hey V, good job~ I didn't know you were this strong. Although Mira isn't the strongest, she's still difficult to deal with because of her movements. Say~ Do you want to spar with me?~"

I involuntarily take a step back. "Haha, I'm sorry Nyssa, but I'm already struggling to keep up with my schedule." Hell no, I'm not sparring with you. I'd either end up a cultist or become a human sacrifice in some unholy ritual.

"Hey V, the monst— I mean... your best friend over there has been staring like that for a while now," Rai interjects, trying to diffuse the tension, and failing. I turn to see Isadora sitting on a bench, swinging her sword in her typical emotionless fashion. She's probably pissed that I made her wait so long.

Walking up to her, I reach into my bag and take out a coconut. She barely glances at it before returning to her swinging. Hmm? So she's mad mad. Grinning, I pull out another coconut and hold both in front of her. She glances back and forth between me and the coconuts twice, then continues swinging. Damn, she's mad mad mad.

But I have an ace up my sleeve. I reach back into the bag and pull out a bottle of coconut milk. Well, not just coconut milk; it's a milkshake I made for her once. She loved it, so I always keep one on me. Isadora pauses, her cold eyes assessing the transparent bottle. Then she takes it from me without a word. She turns to walk away, but stops and grabs the coconuts as well, then sits down, sipping her drink like she's guarding a treasure.

Hehe, you can't escape my grasp, Isadora.

Just then, I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's Arin. "V, you've got everyone riled up, even Isadora. What's your secret, man? How did you befriend the least friendly person in school?"

"Coconut milk and a refusal to die," I say, watching as Isadora sips her drink. "Works every time. Though, I don't suggest you try it. You gotta start off by feeding her good food."

★ ★ ★

"Now that we all understand the importance of different types of runic languages, we are going to move to the next step. Now, creativity is the biggest necessity when using runes. It's not just about writing. Now, this is when you all choose which method you will be going for. I know you've all been waiting for this day, but make sure to think about your choice thoroughly," the professor says with an air of gravitas.

He taps on the holographic screen, and three choices appear. It's like watching a flashy infomercial aimed at convincing me to invest my future in runes.

"Option one: Runic Linguistics and Lore," he begins. "Think of yourselves as the librarians of the runic world!" He continues to the next, "Second up: Runic Combat Arts. If you're looking for adrenaline, you've found it." And then to the third, "And last but certainly not least: Runic Engineering. Think of this as advanced crafting, with a sprinkle of magic!"

The professor steps back, clearly pleased with himself.

Nyssa leans over to me, her curiosity piqued. "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I chuckle, "he just sounds like he's advertising the options." Because he is. The more students a professor can rope in, the more perks like field trips and extra funding they get. It's an academic Hunger Games, and we're all tributes.

Biana's snores snap me back to reality. She's napping beside me, clearly not as captivated by the professor's pitch. I flick her forehead hard. She wakes up, groaning and rubbing her head. "Whaaat? Can't you see I'm trying to...sleep?" she mumbles, yawning midway through her complaint.

Decisions, decisions. Should I just choose for Biana? Given her lack of interest, maybe it's for the best.

"Hey, Biana, wake up," I groan, flicking her forehead for the second time in less than five minutes. "You don't mind if I choose, right?"

She rubs her eyes, lets out a tired, "Hmmmmmmmmₘₘₘₘₘₘ..." and then—what the hell?—she falls asleep again, snoring loud enough to challenge a lawnmower. Tsk, this damn girl. I would've shoved her into combat class, but I can't bear to subject any professor to that kind of torment.

I get up and walk toward the front, handing in the filled-out forms for both of us. "Runic Engineering for two," I tell the professor. While the other options are appealing, I can't rely on Eira for everything. Plus, she despises anything to do with runes. So, a win-win?

Returning to my seat, I listen as the professor wraps up his speech. "Alright, you'll stay in this class for one more week before you're transferred. You can change your choice during that time, but after that, you're committed for a year. Now, we have an assignment. There's a pile of magic stones on that table. These stones are the worst grade and can fall apart rather easily."

He unveils some weird-looking device and sets it on the table. "This contraption runs on magic stones. Your task is to engrave a specific rune on a stone. If you do it right, the machine will work. You can partner up if you want."

I glance at the slumbering Biana. Well, that's not happening. I'm left with one option: annoyance. I'll bug her till she gives me the answer. Grinning, I pull out my notebook and doodle a devilish smiley face next to my plans for world domination. I then proceed to elbow Biana, in the most annoying way possible, until she stirs.

"What now, V? I swear, if you're waking me up for some dumb—"

"I need you to wake up for the smart reason of not failing this assignment," I interrupt, rolling my eyes. "Check this out. We've got to engrave a rune on one of these god-awful stones to power that thingy."

She glares at me as if I'd just suggested we storm a military base. But after a second, her eyes light up. "Fine, but you owe me, like, three naps."

Three naps? What currency is that? "Deal," I say anyway, walking toward the table filled with stones of dubious quality.

After some bickering, several failed attempts, and one near-explosion—no, seriously, who made these stones?—we finally get it right. The machine whirs to life, and I can't help but let out a triumphant "Ha!"

Biana rolls her eyes. "Okay, okay, I'm tireeed dude. I'm gonna pass out now"

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The buildings lining the street stand silently like brooding guardians, their windows barely revealing the life within. Stores are open, yet the proprietors stand deep in the shadows of their doorways. Pedestrians pass by with little more than hushed whispers, their gazes avoiding eye contact. Even the sky seems to have been brushed with a darker shade today, casting a hazy atmosphere over everything. It's an unsettling vibe, almost like the energy has been drained from this stretch of street, leaving a vacuum in its place.

"Umm, hey Nyssa, are you sure this is the right place? Isn't it rather quiet?" I say, subconsciously gripping the strap of my bag. "The areas around the holy church are usually packed and busy."

Nyssa turns, her smile unfazed. "Oh, I forgot to mention. I'm not part of the holy church. I joined a religion that recently appeared."

"New religion?" I can't help but raise an eyebrow. I've known Nyssa for some time, but I don't recall her ever mentioning what church she's part of. It's not uncommon for smaller faiths to exist alongside the omnipresent holy church, but this has me intrigued. What sort of 'new religion' has she joined?

"Trust me~ It will be very fun~ I'm grateful you were willing to volunteer," Nyssa says, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she grabs my hand and pulls me forward.

As we turn the corner, a magnificent church comes into view. Its intricate spires and grand, sweeping arches are almost ethereal, belying its purportedly recent origins. How can a newly-established religion afford such a lavish place of worship? It's unsettling in its own way.

"Come on, let's enter. You'll love it here~" Nyssa's voice is almost musical, making it hard to hold onto any reservations.

We step inside, and it's as if we've crossed into another realm. Stained glass windows filter the light into rich hues, casting intricate shadows on the walls. A blend of incense and candle wax fills the air. Even though it's my first time here, I can't help but admit—it's enchanting.

"Wow, it's really... beautiful in here," I find myself saying.

Nyssa beams. "I knew you'd like it! Come, let's head to the back room. That's where they usually need help with small tasks."

As we make our way through the church, the quietude seeps back into my awareness. Where is everyone? Are we the only ones here? A new, lavish church without any congregants—something doesn't quite add up.

Finally, Nyssa pushes open a wooden door at the end of a corridor. The room we enter is filled with people, but they're not talking or mingling like you'd expect in a church's common area. They're all engrossed in some sort of prayer or meditation, eyes closed, faces serene.