Apart from the theory of magic class headed by Professor Hogrin, there were classes that focused on the studies of individual elements, advanced classes on variants, and theoretical classes on mutations that was also ran by Hogrin. However, after the week runs out all students would be attending classes based on the class of mage they would become. The current scheme of work would only serve elemental mages more, as that was the most basic magical classes. But once the allocation was done, they would split into different classes, and then other subjects such as alchemy, astrology, and language would be included into the syllabus depending on the classes.
But even so, the new classes would be narrowed as their subjects are quite broad. Alchemy covers a lot of ground from herborogy, farming, chemistry, metallurgy, engineering, geography, biology, botany, and physics. Too many advanced things for Asd to wrap his head around, though he's a bit drawn to the engineering side of it, especially since it might go hand in hand with the final element he had decided to choose for complete his seven phase mediation method; Runes.
By this point Asd would say he was extremely blind and stupid if he didn't notice his connection and quick acclimation of the draconic runes. The prime runes of magic. They are 777 draconic runes in existence and at the moment he knew four hundred of them, and more than half of those he didn't actively try to learn or memorize, he just woke one morning and knew the damn thing. To say it was spooky was an understatement as an affinity for the rune element does not show up in his Mana interface, enough that it even baffles Gaia who is a pure construct of magic and had more knowledge at her finger tips than even the dean of the academy himself. there were conveniently too many tools to make himself extremely strong available to him, but then the spookiness was easily explained by Gaia being connected to the academy's network. Maybe that's where all the knowledge of the runes came from.
But that explanation was just so he didn't fly into panic as no information could pass to him with him authorizing Gaia for it. But for now he would just go with that. now runes are a fundamental part of magic, they're used in spell modules, rune formations for rituals, Rune wards for enchantment, especially in alchemical engineering. They were the building blocks of reality, which is also why elemental manipulation is so coveted. With it you could bypass the usage of runes to directly alter reality, but there are limits. Runes enhance and empower anything they come in contact with, giving it more power, speed, versatility, resilience and evolution. And its applications were endless. For example, the empire had a secret but still very well-known division of soldiers called rune knights. Their equipment is enchanted with runes, and above all, so too are their bodies, organs, down to their very souls.
Rune knights tend to be people without an affinity for magic, while mana could be found in almost everyone alive on Boria, not all are predisposed to magic. Except of course you're a vampire, elf, fairy, or a Kitsune. Any member of this race not born with magic would be considered as being born with a defect. So the bottom line is runes are great, runes are amazing, and Asd wants runes. Simple as that.
He walked into the class for Runes and paused at the entrance. There were only 2 other students here, which was understandable the study of runes is extremely broad and very advanced. So much so that even the most genius of mages would only have a bare surface understanding of the subject. The problem with this class was the fact that Rhea was seated right at the front, and as he came in she turned around and their eyes met. For a moment he expected the world to end, to see anger, betrayal and hatred in her eyes, or for her to ignore him and treat him like he meant nothing. But all he could see was her eyes lighting up as a small smile graced her face, Asd felt his heart break.
"Well if you're going to stand there during the duration of the entire class then by all means go ahead, but I would advise you take a seat as that would be more comfortable for you, and less awkward for everyone else don't you say." The professor spoke. And Asd was forced to raise his head up to look at her.
As he moved towards a seat, close but still quite a distance away from Rhea he observed the Professor. She was an elf…. But not the ones commonly seen like the high elves, dark elves and wood elves. Instead she was a moon elf, her hair was white rather than the silver and blond most elves had, and in the middle of her forehead was an inverted crescent moon that shone a blazing gold. He didn't know much about elves, most especially moon elves as they were the most elusive of the elves, but a golden moon shaped mark meant she was a priestess, and a high ranking one at that. she would be teaching at the academy in the capital not in this dump at the end of the world…. What was she doing here?
"Now let us talk about Runes. But first introductions are in order; Asd, Rhea and Terek, I believe those are your names." She said, more as a statement than a question, at the collective nods of their head she continued.
"My name is High Priestess Mohali, but going with the Traditions of the academy you can call me Professor Mona. Now like I was saying; runes! A wondrous existence as am sure you know, and I'm not going to bother you with dull stuff so let's skip the basics. Of all 777 draconic runes, there are 2674 elfish runes, 600 dwarfish runes, and 18,000 fairy runes. Are you following me so far?" she asked with a cheeky smile as a dumfounded look came over the face of her three students.
"By now you should know elfish magic even if they share the same class if different from those that use draconic runes, same thing with dwarfish runes that were developed to suit their small brains from draconic runes. Elves adapted the draconic runes, to fit a variety of situations, which is why elfish runes and magic as so…... unique, we overthink things and go for elegances and longetivity. Our formations and wards can last several thousands of years. Fairy runes are a gross and crass combination of all three school of runes, as such…... theyre nasty little buggers with their triacks and illusions. Fairies to d ate remain the only species capable of creating another fully functional reality, and can procreate without having to well…. Procreate.
But forget about all those extra schools and focus on the draconic runes. They are the prime, the building blocks of reality and the first language to ever exist. All languages are derived from dragon tongue, though few if any at all can speak it. And to do so you need to understand, study and combine all six major tongues to make up the seventh prime tongue od dragon speech; the words of power. So yes magic has a pinnacle of elemental manipulation, runes have one too…. Dragon speak. The ability to call forth spells with just a word."
Asd swallowed, he thought magic was simple, he thought he would just gain power to make his life more secure. But there was so much more to it than just fighting, there was so much more this damn world has to offer. His Lion disagreed, it was as if he was split in two about being the dominating Royal Alpha that his bloodline says he should be, or the aspiring magical sage his mind and soul wanted. Asd was educated, at the very least his father paid that price with his fingers and toes to make sure of it. And due to that his son developed a love for knowledge that was even unmatched by his lust for power.
A part of him tells him he has to pick one and let the other go. Focus on being strong so that the world will not step on him anymore. Or focus on learning and uncover the very secrets of the universe. It was hard to choose, so very hard to choose. But then again, who ever said that he couldn't do both…. After all was it not man, and elves, and dwarves and vampires that said... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!