Benjamin's eyes glinted sharply, a rare flicker of admiration lighting his weathered face.
"Aye."
"There are only two Advanced Universities in the entire Shining Rune Empire."
"Two, Arthur."
"And between them, fewer than a hundred students are accepted each year."
Arthur's eyes widened. "Only a hundred? Out of the whole empire?"
Benjamin nodded solemnly.
"And if you graduate from there…" he paused, lowering his voice as if revealing a secret.
"You don't just become powerful—you're granted a noble title."
"Sometimes, even recognized directly by the nation's Runic Shrine. From that moment on, you and your family are no longer commoners."
Arthur swallowed hard, the weight of that revelation settling in his chest. "A noble title… that sounds incredible."
Benjamin sighed deeply, his smile turning bitter.
"It is. But for folks like us, it's a dream wrapped in thorns."
"You see, Runics are the noblest profession—those at the highest level are revered like kings."
"But to reach that height without a noble family backing you? Nearly impossible."
Arthur frowned. "Why?"
"Isn't it just about passing the tests, proving your strength?"
Benjamin shook his head, his gaze sharp and serious now.
"That's the difference between commoners and nobles, Arthur."
"You think talent alone will take you to the top, but at a certain point, talent isn't enough."
He held up a finger.
"At Primary University, sure, if your Gene reaches the tenth level, the teachers will help you acquire your first Rune, guide you to become a Rune Practitioner."
"If you're gifted, it's a smooth path, and you graduate."
Another finger went up.
"But at Intermediate University, you'll need two Runes, and you'll have to reach the Master of Runes tier to even think of graduating."
"That means going beyond what most people ever achieve—and worse, you'll have to fight and kill a Runic Spirit to form that second Rune. You think that's easy?"
Benjamin's voice turned grim, and his hand tightened into a fist.
"Nobles have warriors, family, and retainers to help them hunt Runic Spirits."
"But a commoner?" he snorted.
"We fight alone. One mistake, and we're dead. Simple as that."
Arthur's chest tightened.
"And Advanced University…" Benjamin gave a dry laugh.
"If you make it that far, the gap only widens."
"There, to graduate, you need three Runes and must ascend to the Rune Seer tier—one of the rarest and most powerful stages. Only one-third of students even survive to graduate. The rest fail—or die trying."
After listening intently to Benjamin, Arthur's mind began stitching together the fragmented pieces of Genovia's vast and mysterious Runic system.
"Grandpa Benjie," Arthur finally asked, his voice low with curiosity, "you mentioned there are ten Runic Tiers."
"I get that Advanced University graduates can become Rune Seers… but what about the higher Tiers?"
"How does someone reach them?"
Benjamin gave a faint, almost wistful smile. "… those who rise beyond the Rune Seer Tier are considered legends—people who stand at the very peak of the world."
His eyes grew distant, as though seeing something only he could.
"They say anyone who surpasses the Rune Seer becomes a Rune Sage, and beyond that, those are titles of myth—names that shake the Empire itself."
Benjamin leaned on his cane, his voice growing quieter, more somber.
"Only a handful have ever touched that height. Like the Emperor of Runes himself… who, as you know, came from our very village, once backed and guarded by the Empire."
Arthur's lips twitched at that—'if only you knew who you were really talking about.'
But Arthur said nothing, keeping his thoughts close.
Benjamin went on, his gaze sharpening as if wanting to be sure Arthur heard every word.
"Still, Arthur… don't let dreams of greatness blind you."
"Reaching the higher tiers isn't just hard—it's dangerous."
"Every step upward costs something, whether blood, life, or soul."
"Most Runics spend their entire lives trapped in the middle ranks, never breaking past them."
He paused, then added heavily, "And those who try to force their way up without the strength to bear it… don't survive."
Arthur realized that Benjamin's knowledge—while precious—was only a glimpse of the true depth and complexity of the Runic world.
Just a broad outline of an art that ran far deeper than the old man could see.
'If I want to truly understand Genes, Runes, and the nature of Runic Spirits,' Arthur thought, 'I'll have to uncover them myself… at University.'
...
For over two days, Arthur and Benjamin journeyed from Runewood Village toward Solgard City, surviving on meager meals and brief rest.
The city remained a distant silhouette until the third day, when its towering stone walls finally rose before them—sturdy and imposing, a reminder of its place near the Shining Rune Empire's border.
At the city gates, they passed through the standard inspection.
"Arthur Reid!" a guard called, scanning their names.
Benjamin patted Arthur's shoulder.
"I'll take you to university, then head back."
"Remember—listen to your teachers, don't wander off."
Arthur nodded quietly.
Benjamin's eyes softened. "Next time I see you, I hope you'll be a Runic—pride of Runewood Village."
Navigating the city's winding streets, they finally stood before a towering stone archway, twenty meters wide and ten meters high.
Beneath it, twin iron gates loomed, black and gleaming. Overhead, carved in bold letters: 'Solgard University.'
Benjamin stopped at the gate. "From here, you walk alone."
He pulled Arthur into a firm embrace. "Don't worry about your father. I'll look after him. Focus on your path."
Arthur smiled faintly and nodded.
With one last wave, Benjamin turned and walked away.
...
As Arthur approached the towering city gate of Solgard, a sharp voice rang out.
"Hey, little boy, is this some backwater place you call home?"
The gatekeeper's eyes swept over Arthur's worn clothes—modest by Runewood Village standards, but laughably shabby here.
Arthur met his gaze without flinching.
"I'm this year's Scholarship Student."
The gatekeeper snorted, arms crossed. "Scholarship Student?"
"We haven't seen one of those in years. You expect me to believe that?"
Wordlessly, Arthur pulled out the official certificate stamped by Lawrence Batista, the Runic Shrine's attendant.
The man snatched it, scanning it with a sneer.