A possibility took shape in his mind.
'If Rune Force levels determine one's growth potential… then this functions just like energy levels in physics.'
A structure formed in his thoughts—a chart of power, where each level dictated progression.
If what Lawrence said was true, then his starting point wasn't just ahead of the others.
It was beyond them.
Arthur steadied himself before asking, "So, Inborn Rune Force tops out at tenth level? It can't go any higher?"
Lawrence exhaled as his black-grey aura faded, the enhancements retreating from his body.
"No."
"A Runic's strength doesn't rise so easily. At each Tier, your Rune Force must reach its peak—only then can you advance, but to do so, you must obtain a Rune."
Arthur's mind raced. "So when someone awakens their Gene during the Ceremony, they start as a Rune Scholar."
"But to break past that, they need a Rune to fuse with their Gene."
"Without it, no amount of training would push them into the next Tier."
Lawrence nodded. "Exactly. "
"Take you, for example—you're born with Inborn Rune Force, which means you're already at the peak of the first Tier."
"To progress further, you must first acquire a Rune and enter the early stages of the second Tier."
"Only then can your Mental Training continue."
Arthur's eyes narrowed in thought. "A Rune… like the Glyph you used earlier?"
"That's right," Lawrence confirmed.
"Your talent is extraordinary—a once-in-a-century phenomenon. But…" He hesitated, his gaze flickering toward Arthur's open palm.
"It's a pity."
"If your Gene were something else, you'd be destined for greatness."
The unspoken meaning hung heavy in the air.
Arthur remained silent, but inside his mind, something clicked.
'The Rune Force isn't different from the Shadow Energy.'
'They are one and the same—the very essence of the Scarlet Eclipse Technique.'
'That's why I can't progress further without a Rune.'
But then, a deeper question surfaced.
'What exactly is a Rune?'
Before he could ask, Lawrence gathered his belongings and walked away, his decision already made.
...
"Benjamin," Lawrence called as he stepped out the door.
Benjamin approached swiftly, his expression tense.
"Sir, what do you think?"
"Do any of this year's children have the potential to become Runics?"
Lawrence let out a slow sigh. "Only one… but it's a pity."
Benjamin's brow furrowed. "A pity? Why?"
"Among the ten, only one showed Rune Force." Lawrence's tone was flat, almost resigned.
"And not just any Rune Force—Inborn Rune Force. But his Gene…" He paused, shaking his head.
"Crimson Fern."
Benjamin's voice dropped. "Crimson Fern? Inborn Rune Force? That's…. tragic."
He didn't need further explanation.
Inborn Rune Force was an extraordinary rarity—an overwhelming head start in the path of a Runic. But paired with Crimson Fern?
No battle potential, no utility.
Wasted talent.
"Does that mean a Crimson Fern Gene can't be trained?" Benjamin asked, voice low.
Lawrence exhaled and placed a firm hand on Benjamin's shoulder.
"Not entirely."
"But even if he advances, his gene's low evolution rate means he'll likely end up useless in the long run."
His voice hardened. "Useless genes remain useless."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Then, without another word, Lawrence turned away.
"I'm off to another village," he said, as his figure disappeared down the road.
Arthur wasted no time. He turned on his heel and sprinted toward Benjamin, who stood just outside.
"Grandpa Benjie, what exactly is a Rune?"
"How do you obtain one?" His voice carried a rare urgency.
Benjamin hesitated, recalling Lawrence's words. "I'm not entirely sure myself," he admitted.
"But to obtain a Rune, one must hunt Runic Spirits—a dangerous task that only those fated to be Runics can undertake."
Arthur's mind spun.
'Rune… Runic Spirit…' These concepts were entirely new to him.
'Since the Scarlet Eclipse Technique had hit a wall, perhaps acquiring a Rune was the key to breaking through.'
Benjamin's gaze lowered, and realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened. "Arthur… you're the Inborn Rune Force child, aren't you?"
Arthur met his gaze and gave a small nod. "Yes, it's me."
Benjamin crouched, his expression unreadable. "I never imagined such talent in Runewood Village," he murmured. "It's a pity, though… You inherited a poor Gene from your father."
"If only your gene had been stronger, you might have become our village's second Emperor of Runes."
Arthur absorbed the words in silence.
Benjamin studied him for a moment before speaking again.
"Tell me—do you want to attend the special school for Runic Training? They have the most accurate knowledge about genes."
"And if anyone can help you obtain the runes, it's them."
A flicker of curiosity stirred in Arthur.
'Runic Training…'
'Could that reveal the connection between Genes, Rune Force, my Scarlet energy, and these mysterious Runes?'
But after a pause, he shook his head. "Grandpa Benjie, let me ask my dad first."
Benjamin's eyes softened with approval.
"Even a brilliant child must heed his father's counsel." He rose to his feet. "Come, Arthur. I'll take you home."
Leaving the other children behind, Benjamin led Arthur down the quiet path toward home—where Charles was still dozing in the afternoon light.
...
"Charles, Charles," Benjamin called, not caring if Charles was asleep as he strode into the house.
He had little patience for the slovenly toolmaker. If not for the fact that Charles was crippled—missing an arm and a leg—and had a child to care for, Benjamin would have thrown him out of the village years ago.
The only reason he tolerated him was because Charles forged tools for nearly nothing.
As he called out, Benjamin glanced around, searching for a chair.
But the sight of the rickety, tattered furniture made him pause. At his age, a bad fall wouldn't just leave bruises—it could break bones.
From inside came a rough, irritated voice.
"Who the hell is making all that noise?"
The curtain dividing the room was yanked aside, and Charles stepped out, his movements slow but deliberate. His sharp gaze swept over Arthur before settling on Benjamin.
"What do you want?"