The ring looked like an ordinary sliver ring in which a small pale white crystal was embedded on it. Outwardly it looked nothing impressive but in truth the ring is a storage ring.
Lucas looked toward Merlin and asked, "Uncle, I already have a storage ring. Although this-"
Before Lucas could finish Merlin calmly waved his hand and said, "I know, First don't publicize your treasures, meaning don't show off."
"Most space storage items have storage space at 1 cubic meter space including the storage ring you are wearing now, but this new ring have three cubic meter space.Also the ring have the ability to disguise itself and change its shape and color."
"Now bind the ring to yourself and transfer your items inside the new storage ring."
Lucas was skeptical but he did as Merlin told. Lucas clinked both rings against each other and thereby transferred all the items inside the old one to the new silver colored storage ring, after that he gave the old storage ring to Merlin.
Merlin nodded and smiled.
"Your birthday gift is inside the ring. Check it."
Lucas was excited and quickly closed his eyes and send his senses toward the storage ring and searched.
Inside the storage ring there were many different colored cards, jewels, gold coins, silver coins and also some new potions and books. Lucas quickly identified them, it was his pocket money.
Lucas ignored them and searched everywhere. At the corner of the space inside the ring was a rubik's cube filled with gold and silver coating.
Lucas quickly took the rubik's cube out and held it in his hand.
The rubik's cube was filled with mesmerizing golden and silver patterns. The rubik's cube reminded Lucas about an item he once heard about, with excitement showing on his face Lucas eagerly raised his head to look towards Merlin.
His Uncle Merlin grinned at him, "Yes, it's exactly what you are thinking about, it Runelight Cube made by RealMana Techsive."
"I had almost exhausted all my connections to find this, how is it? Are you happy?"
Lucas rapidly nodded like a cute chicken, excitement and merriness covering his face. Runelight Cube was a popular magical item introduced by a famous and illustrious company called RealMana Techsive.
Runelight Cube was popular among rune apprentices who studied runes, Runelight Cube was like a game or a puzzle that can only be solved by runes. You can also self develop problems using random patterns and can solve using rune knowledge.
Playing with Runelight Cube can rapidly enhance rune knowledge but it is only applicable for basic runes and nothing more. The RealMana Techsive produced only a limited amount of Runelight Cubes till now, so it was something hard to get. In the past Lucas have once asked his Uncle Merlin for one and with the short inspection he concluded that this Runelight cube is a more high tiered product than those released on market.
Lucas inwardly forced a smile and continued to act as the past Lucas.
Merlin turned his face and gave Ivan an imperceptible nod, following Ivan moved close to Lucas and gave him a bronze colored token. The token had a Craftsman Association symbol in the middle of it.
"From now on you can identify yourself as a Bronze grade Rune Apprentice. This is the badge issued by the Craftsman Association."
Lucas was surprised for a moment, he hurriedly said, "But I have never participated in any of the test conducted by Craftsman Association."
"City of Datura's Craftsman Association's Vice-President Mr. Miller told me to give it to you. He have seen your skills and is convinced in your ability in runes." Merlin said as he grabbed Lucas's hand.
"What-" Before the surprised Lucas could voice out Merlin waved a light from his hand and slashed at Lucas's finger.
Swish
As soon as the white arc of light touched tip of Lucas's index finger, his skin split and drops of blood fell. Ivan who was standing beside Merlin waved and the blood floated and fell on the bronze token held in Lucas's hands.
For a moment the bronze token glittered with a golden light.
Lucas calmly watched the whole process curiously. Merlin was a little surprised with Lucas's calmness. Even though Lucas wasn't a typical green house child, it was still a good surprise for Merlin at the calmness Lucas displayed.
"Oh, you are quite calm."
"It's just a little blood, it isn't anything new. Sometimes my experiments are not so user friendly" Lucas calmly responded to Merlin's inquiry.
Jane who was until now talking with someone from airport personnel approached them with a black backpack.
She threw the backpack towards Lucas and said, "Let's go the airboat is ready and will soon take off."
Merlin touched Lucas's head and gently spoke, "Don't forget to meditate, get strong. In our world personnel power triumphs over all."
" And one thing you should never forget. The dictum of mage is 'Always be prepared, always.'"
Merlin patted Lucas and said, "Now go, make me proud."
Lucas bid farewell to Merlin and Jane and went towards a red colored airboat with Ivan.
Lucas narrowed his eyes and gave the airboat a short glance. The airboat reminded Lucas of luxury ships on earth, from outside the only difference was that there were wings similar to the airplane on the side and instead of travelling in sea this one travels on air.
'How will it fly, it's enormous and bulky and the runway is short. Does it fly through magical means?'
Lucas walked through the passenger boarding bridge with Ivan. On the ground Merlin and Jane watched Lucas getting inside the airboat, after making sure Lucas board safely they departed.
"Airboat? It should be called Airship." Lucas quietly mumbled to himself as he observed the airboat from inside.
The hall was big and brightened with many magic bulbs in a wonderful pattern. The hall was connected to many other pathways. In front there were airboat staff for welcoming the passengers and guiding them to their cabins and answering any queries from the passengers.
"Airship is bigger, stronger and faster." Ivan answered Lucas's mumbling.
Lucas was startled at first, he have never seen a airship before so he became interested. "Bigger? How much?"
Before Ivan could answer, a chuckle sounded from behind Lucas.
A youth in his early twenties wearing a red expensive suit chuckled in disdain at Lucas's ignorance. "Hillbillies." The woman beside him laughed with the youth and spoke with the same disdain. "Can't believe that an establishment of Ortenga Family allows people like them."
Lucas indifferently looked at them and ignored them but not before giving a sidelong glance saying 'talking to you will only lower my standards.'
Both the young man and woman didn't like Lucas's look, they were infuriated and wanted to teach Lucas a lesson.
But quickly their companions held them back from causing any disturbance.
Lucas ignored them and asked Ivan. "Ah yes, you were saying?"
Ivan was inwardly surprised with Lucas's indifference and nonchalance, he gave appreciating node and said, "Airships are commonly used in long distance flight and inter-continental travels or sometimes when the cargo is huge."
"All airships are manufactured by special teams and for specific purposes like in inter-continental travels the airships are manufactured in accordance to passenger and cargo safety. Some specialized in speed of operation. But generally all the Airships are bigger, stronger, faster and safer than airboat."
Lucas and Ivan walked neither fast nor slow they talked about different topics completely ignoring the duo behind them.
Soon Lucas and Ivan found their cabin and entered.
The room was comfortably large.The walls were white and the furniture sure was high-end. Including the hall they just entered there were three rooms. Ivan selected the left and gave Lucas the right one. Inside Lucas put his backpack on his bed and went to the direction of the window.
From the window Lucas could see the airport, different kinds of aircraft landed and many took off. He never heard or seen some of them. The busy port somehow reminded Lucas of earth.
Lucas in a daze peered out through the windows.
"Is it your first time in a airboat?" Lucas almost jumped up by the sudden voice and quickly turned his head and saw Ivan.
Lucas quickly calmed down and replied.
"Yes, I have only travelled with grandpa and my cousins, but they had their own aircraft and they were smaller."
Ivan nodded and after a moment he said. "I have to go and meet my associates now. If you want to look around you can go. In ten minutes the airboat will take off."
Lucas hesitated for a moment and asked, "Uncle Ivan, do you know them?"
Ivan understood easily who Lucas was mentioning, inwardly he sighed 'kids will be kids he still haven't put it off from his mind'.
"No, I don't know. What is it?"
Lucas brow wrinkled at Ivan's answer. He once more carefully scrutinized Ivan and pondered.
Ivan who was going to leave said in a low voice, "Don't think about it, they are people who have too much of free time on their hands. You will get nothing but unnecessary trouble if you get entangled with them."
Lucas widened his eyes and laughed, "No, I was just thinking. As I was walking beside you Uncle Ivan, no matter what stupid question I have asked no one will act like them. With one look it is clear that Uncle Ivan is nobler than others. So in ordinary circumstances no one will interfere in between us."
Ivan was startled and laughed loudly, "So that's what it is, you don't need to think much."
Ivan spoke to Lucas while waving his arms. "I have put camouflage magic on myself. Unless I willed no one will be capable of seeing my original form. In the eyes of others I am an ordinary wealthy middle-aged man."
Lucas was surprised for a bit, "There are such magic."
Ivan smiled and said, "There are a lot that you don't know. Many information are withheld from the general public. To access such information you have to either have corresponding status, friends or join some high level organization."
"Use your SmartWatch and scan the token, it may enlighten you some."
"No need to think too much. The Nine Great School are the gateways of true knowledge and inheritance. You will understand after you get there."