Chapter 13: Trouble Emerges

Entering the runemaster association, Sorin felt that the spiritual energy in the room was more purer than the outside.

Moreover, the entire place was very clean. Every breath that Sorin took felt like his body was being slightly cleansed. Sorin knew that these were the effects of some of the runes placed on this building.

Like alchemists who create magical elixirs and pills, runemasters are an occupation of Spirit Masters. A runemaster can utilise special ingredients to engrave magical inscriptions, known as runes, onto weapons, armours and objects. For example, they can strengthen equipment to be more sturdier by engraving a rune onto it. High level runemasters could even engrave runes that grant special abilities.

Both these occupations are very prestigious in the world of Spirit Masters as all who embark on the true path would at least require some of the things they create to stand a chance against stronger opponents. Items, pills or equipment that can make you even a slight bit stronger would sell very highly. After all, imagine having a rival who was equal in strength to you. If you could get something that could increase your battle strength by even 5 percent, you would surely want it to beat your rival and future enemies.

Runemasters and alchemists are two of the most well respected and lucractive occupations, as such, people in these occupations usually had a high sense of pride, viewing themselves as being superior than fighters that know nothing but to cultivate and risk their lives in search of treasures.

Although both were well respected, having their key roles to make the life of a Spirit Master more easier, these occupations also needed each other. Alchemists can create pills that can help recovery, boost cultivation and even strengthen the soul. As for runemasters, they create runes to give better effects to the alchemist's equipment, increasing their chance of creating elixirs whilst also increasing the elixirs potency. Moreover, for high grade pills from alchemists, they require pill shells engraved with various runes to enhance the elixir that they have created.

After entering and waiting for a few seconds by the entrance, a young girl had approached Sorin. She had the aura of someone at the third level of Spiritual Assimilation. She had big, watery blue eyes and medium length, blonde hair. She had white robes with a badge on her right shoulder that had a singular star engraved onto it. To these disciples, she was quite the beauty.

With a polite bow, she spoke.

"Junior brother, is there anything you need in the Runemaster Association? My name is Uriel, an assistant that can help with anything you are confused about."

The Runemaster assocation had Spirit Masters responsible for receiving and guiding guests. This girl was one of them. 

Sorin immediately went to the point as he replied.

"I heard this place is where one can become an official runemaster. If possible, I would like to take the examination as soon as possible." Sorin's voice was calm and held a somewhat commanding presence. 

Seeing how young this disciple was, the young girl was taken aback. He wants to take the runemaster examination? Although someone's age didn't matter, a runemaster required vast amounts of knowledge and experience. Only through countless errors and wasting a mountain of resources would one be able to take a step as a runemaster. Well, at least that was how her journey as a runemaster started out. She didn't have the privilege of a senior runemaster guiding her. However, her talent was quite good so she eventually became one.

Remembering back in the days where she would buy thousands of ingredients to practise with and failing, destroying the ingredients, had still left a sting in her heart.

Moreover, although she wasn't one to judge appearances, isn't this disciple a little new?

With a soft voice, she said.

"Junior brother, I wonder when have you been admitted to the academy?"

Sorin nonchalantly replied, his expression unchanging.

"Only a few days ago."

"Eh?" Uriel's eyes briefly constricted as she continued.

"I'm not sure if you know this junior brother, but to take the examination requires 100 astral tokens. Moreover, the examination is very difficult. Even people that have been learning the countless runes that exist for 3 years would struggle and that is only the theory part. To pass, you would also need to be able to make a basic 1 star rune, something much more harder than it sounds. Many disciples have taken the examination a few times already and still have not passed." She advised, trying to prevent Sorin from making a mistake. If you don't have the necessary talent, you could very well spend all your resources to not even become a runemaster at the end. It would completely cripple your path as a Spirit Master.

Sorin lightly chuckled before saying.

"I am aware of the difficulty of runemasters." After all, he had tried pretty much everything in his past life. Out of all the Spirit Master occupations, his talent for runemasters could be said to be workable. Not trash like the rest, but average which was good enough. Once he earned the title of 'Abyssal Tyrant', he had already consumed countless treasures and resources that raised his talent, thus, his understanding of runemasters were also quite profound.

He then said, "As for the astral tokens, I have enough."

Uriel showed another shocked expression as she thought that Sorin was joking. Didn't he say he was only admitted a few days ago, how could he garner so many astral tokens? Unless... he has the support from a faction or a group in the academy?

In Soaring Phoenix Academy, there were various factions and groups. Even the Runemaster association and Alchemist Association was a part of the Lunar Ivory faction. These factions usually recruited disciples that met their requirements, providing resources and in return, you assist them with a few things.

This academy had nearly 600 years of history since it was first created. As such, there had been many factions and groups that have been created, particularly from Spirit Master families. In the future, those that have attended Soaring Phoenix Academy could send their children or servants with potential. They could then join the faction or group they are affiliated with and be provided resources.

If this young boy really had such backing, it was possible that he could have been taught beforehand and be given those astral tokens. As if piecing everything together, Uriel smiled and spoke.

"I see! Well then junior brother, the next examination will start in around an hour. After paying the astral tokens, you can go to the waiting room where other disciples would also be taking the examination."

Sorin nodded. However, as he was about to speak, someone had suddenly entered the building.

Briefly glancing at the person, Sorin was met with a rather chubby person. He was tall and had eyes that looked like crescent moons with a devious smile plastered on his face. As he entered, many heads turned, only to retract their gazes after only half a second. He emitted an aura of arrogance. Obviously, from all these reactions, it wasn't hard to guess that the man wasn't a good person.

Turning his head to look around, the chubby man's attention was soon placed onto Uriel, or more accurately, her body. The man's eyes slightly opened, revealing a lecherous gaze that was practically trying to strip her entirely.

Uriel felt a chill, however, she simply forced a smile.