Runes and whatnot [2]

In a grim and lonesome place within the mystical planes where the denizens and beast rot for they struggle another day. This oh-so-difficult place to survive housed an existence that everyone would deem atrocious for both Grim and Beast. Ghastly creatures crept over a castle seemingly placed on top and guarded by what many would classify as horrific

"Lord! You've finally awakened? Is it here? Has it finally risen? The prophecy we've been waiting for," A joyous manner permeated the throne room and countless others followed after to greet their master

"Correct you are... the child of that deserter has awakened her power. Soon my body shall return. But first," Mana as dark as the night sky surrounded the figure throne and formed a silhouette of a man where it kneels

"The child of the prophecy we must catch him before he grows strong! Break his limbs, shatter his circuit, and if needed kill him!" The phantoms he spawned along with his dozens of followers set out in search of the boy to foil his plans

...

Inside Godrick's castle

"So I just have to touch this?" Godrick nods in anticipation of this boy's fate for every arcanist's journey lies in discerning their gift

'I've heard about this from Godfrey, this thing is something like a coming of age, a time to be spent by everyone you held dear. But the only people I have are the comatose Simon and my master eagerly awaiting the results of my attribute. This is something I need to undergo, a magic that's fitting for me, that's what they meant by defining one's blessing,'

The young lad closed his eyes and took a deep breath, although shaking his body remained steeled and his mind sharp. The steps he took felt like an eternity for the endpoint was full of news whether it be good or bad for this little arcanist. As instructed by his master young Kettle extended his right arm and held the crystal ball and his mana poured

"Stay still... to make sure the reading of your attribute is properly made remain holding. Don't worry about the results and relax," Godrick's calming voice soothes him and he takes a deep breath and pours all his mana through the ball

'Focus... this is but a process that needs to be done before I proceed with my teachings. I need to focus and control my mana. Without learning my attributes learning spells will be difficult. I must know my capability so that I can pave my way, I need to learn more so one day I can go back home,'

"Huh?" After young Kettle poured all that he could muster the ball flickers blinding his view till it blurs

'Why is this familiar–'

It was a vague dream but he saw his body at the center of what seemed to be monsters eyeing him from above. Each of these figures points to either a claw, tentacle, or even a paw, this happened before, an event when he aligned his circuit. He never knew what the meaning of the monster's presence neither did he want to find out but now he vaguely understood

'You!!!'

"Me?" Stunned and confused when learning those monsters can converse they disappear and his view returns to the crystal

"Fascinating!" He snapped out of his trance-like state and saw multiple pillars near the crystal and his master beside him full of joy

"Tell me if in dreaming but do you also see what im seeing?"

His master prompted young Kettle to look and at first he was shocked but a second later he dialed down. "All of them are equal? All of my affinities are average? That can't be? Why oh why am I unfortunate?"

"Is there something wrong?"

Hearing his disciple's voice Godrick veered his attention and said. "No it's nothing… well then why don't we take a seat? We'll be shifting from practical to studies, so don't be confused if it changes,"

"Yes master," The moment young Kettle takes his seat the form of his master changes to a normal lovable turtle

"Whoa!"

"Is there something wrong?" Godrick as calmly

"No, it's nothing,"

'So cute… must resist petting. Master's gonna kill me. But he's too irresistible! Cassandra and Nathalie would have jumped the first thing they saw Master Godrick. But I'm different. I trained myself both mentally and physically- what the hell am I doing!!?'

He opened his eyes and he saw his left palm petting his master's head and shock filled his entire existence. "This was bound to happen so I'm not surprised. Calm down, I won't kill you. You're my precious disciple after all,"

"I'm sorry," Garry lowers his head

"Don't be I've already known the reputation of my small turtle form. I'll be using this form in our lectures... it uses less of my energy,"

"Understood," He nodded, and the books on the table opened dozens of archaic symbols burst forth surrounding the young boy

He circles and inspects the symbols from his view and some are familiar he later returns to his seat and says. "Aren't these runes? I've seen a few but these are quite old. I never once saw these characters–"

"Not even in the grimoire? You're incredibly fast in understanding. What you see here are the original runes," Although Garry knew what they were Godrick noticed his slight confusion

"Why are you showing me this master?" As he predicted even his disciples never knew their worth but even that was understandable

"Well, I expected that as you know runes are the first language, and because it was the first language the world holds it dear,"

"I'm not following," Garry says with an oddly confused tone paired with his indifferent expression

"Believe me when I say that I'm not spouting poetry what I say is real... think of things that are close to the creation of the world as possessing uniqueness. The ocean, the monsters, Grims, and even language, and runes are our connection,"

After hearing a wide variety of examples he finally understood but even then it only fuels his interest. "What do you mean by connection? Why do we chant when we use spells? Wait... are we asking the world?"

Godrick smiles in response to how quickly his disciple catches on and says. "Correct, the runes are our way to converse through the world. The world although has no sentience it's still alive. The words we say are but a means to ask the world,"

"Ask for what exactly?"

"What else? Permission. Although chanting has evolved. The difference between Arcanist and the norms is that we can converse with the world,"

Garry and many others thought that chanting was a means to create or a formula but it was truly a means of communication. Godrick manifested a ball of flame with not a word to be heard. His long-standing view of magic broke with just mere words and right there he felt a wall before him crumble

"You don't seem to be humbled nor broken? It seems you're more intrigued the more you hear. How come?"

"Do you think I'd feel offended? Master what you just did was broaden my horizon. Why would I hate you?" In just a short period Godrick felt the change in his body

'Good lord, what is this? Did he just break through the first realm with his understanding? His body is now able to hold a capacity comparable to a kindergartener's. If this is just his first day I wonder if he can reach the levels of his piers after three years have passed?'

"Marvelous! Just wonderful... you're getting my blood pumping. But even if I want to let's end this here," Godrick changes back to his bipedal form after learning it's already past noon

"What? Oh, come on. Master can't we just go for a little more? I'm not even tired!" He quickly jumps to grab a hold of his master's leg but only crashes on the ground after Godrick teleports

"I won't allow you to hole yourself in my castle all day long. You're 10 years of age act like it that's my orders. Why don't you find a hobby or better a friend?"

"You're not in the possession to tell me that, Godfrey said you have loads of free time so what change?" In his acts of rebellion, he suddenly felt his weight lowering and his body leaving the floor below

"Floateur... what you say is true but I do have to do something like readying your textbooks. I'll hover you along with some allowance why don't you take the day off?"

"Okay, I understand but I can walk–"

"No, I won't tolerate disobedience. Not even for you my dear disciple. So think of this exit of yours as a lesson," Godrick points his staff upwards and the castle structure opens Garry is sent flying where he safely lands on the exit

"Master!!!" He was sent flying upon the completion of his exit route and it closed right after he left

'That brat sure has a lot of time. His offer was quite intriguing but holing him here will affect his socializing. For a boy who only knows Grimmels his entire life, he needs to adapt to his new reality full of different races. But the results of his affinity to think that everything was balanced it's like he's been chosen to hold them all. Did the rulers of these respective magic find him intriguing to be graced by their power? I've been around for thousands of years and never have I seen such a perfectly balanced affinity he's special alright,'