"Crimson Fern? Inborn Rune Force? Ha!"
"This is the funniest thing I've heard in my life! You think I'm a fool?"
"This has to be a fake!"
Just as he was about to crumple the certificate, a glint of gold flashed at his feet. A coin—real and heavy.
Startled, he dropped the paper and lunged for the coin, but Arthur swiftly snatched back the certificate and, with a calm smile, pressed a foot over the gold piece.
Arthur's eyes gleamed coldly, though a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Go buy me ten sets of proper city clothes—Solgard style."
"And... Keep the change."
The gatekeeper's mouth fell open.
Arthur gave the coin a casual kick toward him.
"What are you waiting for?"
The man scrambled for it, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
"O-of course, my Lord! Right away!"
Arthur arched his brow. "Good. Now, where's the dean's office?"
The man pointed hurriedly to the north. "That way, sir!"
Arthur nodded.
"I'll be inside. Bring me the clothes—and everything else I'll need."
As the gatekeeper sprinted off toward the shops, Arthur glanced once at his tattered luggage before tossing it into a bin by the gate.
Hands now free, he straightened his back and strode confidently toward the dean's office—his first step into Solgard University.
...
Solgard Primary University was smaller than Arthur expected.
From outside, it looked grand, but within, it was modest—a simple campus divided into a main building, a worn sports ground, and a single dormitory to the east.
Still, for all its simplicity, its rules were strict: every student was required to live on campus and follow a strict daily regimen.
Inside the main building, on the first floor, was the dean's office.
At a heavy oak desk sat a stern-looking man in his fifties—Director Luiz—flanked by two assistants in their thirties, both dressed in neat but plain uniforms.
Arthur stepped forward and respectfully placed his certificate on the desk.
"Good day, Professor."
"I'm this year's Scholarship Student from Runewood Village."
"I've come to register," Arthur said, keeping his voice calm and steady.
Director Luiz's eyes flicked up, taking in Arthur's worn clothes with a frown.
"Hmph, bumpkin."
"You don't even know proper manners, do you?" he muttered as he snatched up the certificate.
But as soon as his gaze landed on the words Inborn Rune Force, his eyes widened in shock.
"Inborn Rune Force?!" he blurted out.
The two assistants immediately leaned over to see for themselves, their eyes widening as they read.
However, when they spotted the Gene name—Crimson Fern—their astonishment turned into faint pity.
"What a pity…" Director Luiz murmured, shaking his head.
Arthur blinked. "Professor, what do you mean?"
Director Luiz shot him a sharp glare. "First of all, don't call me 'Professor.'"
One of the assistants chimed in, adjusting his glasses.
"Listen, Arthur, right?"
"Here, only a true professor can acknowledge a student—meaning, they accept you as their own. It's not just about learning; it becomes a bond."
"The professor guides that student through Primary, Intermediate, and maybe even Advanced University."
"But unless someone formally takes you in, you're just a regular student."
"So no, don't call any of us 'Professor'—because no one has acknowledged you."
The other assistant smirked. "Just a few days ago, another scholarship student arrived."
"He also has Inborn Rune Force and a Gene called Leaf Tendrils."
"And guess what? He was picked by one of our professors right away."
Laughter suddenly filled the room.
"Yeah!"
"Both trash picked each other—Trash Professor and Trash Student!" one sneered, and the others chuckled, shaking their heads.
Arthur stood still, though his mind raced.
'So there's another student here with Inborn Rune Force… a Leaf Tendrils Gene?'
'But why are they calling his professor 'trash'?'
Director Luiz's furious voice cut sharply through his thoughts and the laughter, silencing the room.
"Enough!" he barked, slamming Arthur's certificate down on the desk.
He let out a long, heavy sigh, running a hand through his graying hair.
"I can't let a child with Inborn Rune Force go to waste…" Luiz muttered, eyeing the certificate one last time.
"Even if his gene is worthless."
His sharp gaze locked onto Arthur.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the ruins to acquire your first rune. For now, get settled."
Arthur hesitated, "Sir… may I ask something?"
Luiz raised a brow, but gave a curt nod. "Speak."
Arthur steadied his voice.
"Could I… wait a week before receiving my rune?"
"I'd like to study more about runes here first—understand what I'm doing before I bind one."
A slow, approving smirk crept onto Luiz's face.
"Good. At least you're not completely foolish."
He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
"Fine. One week. Be ready when I call you."
Arthur gave a polite bow. "Thank you, sir."
Luiz waved him off. "You've been assigned to dormitory room eight. The scholarship instructor there will give you your duties."
"Now go."
One of the assistants stood and handed Arthur a standard white uniform—simple but clean—marked with the university crest.
Arthur took it with a quiet nod and turned to leave.
As he stepped out, his ears caught hushed whispers from the teachers still lingering inside:
"Half-Seer will be forced to test his ridiculous theories now."
"Yeah, as if that nonsense will actually work in the real world."
"No wonder they call him Half-Seer— he sees only half the truth."
"Enough."
"He's still the dean's friend, and no one has been able to disprove him."
"True… In all of Genovia, Half-Seer is a genius—but here? A laughingstock."
Arthur slowed for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly.
'Half-Seer?'
Without another word, Arthur moved on, slipping quietly into the path that led toward the dormitories.
...
The dormitory was a plain, single building—home to all of Solgard Primary University's students and teachers.
As Benjamin had said, real Runics were rare in these parts.
Only about fifty students lived here, all under strict supervision. The ten large rooms on the lower floor housed them, with Rooms Seven and Eight reserved for Scholarship students—no matter their age.
Arthur approached Room Eight, hearing loud voices before he reached the door. It was wide open.
Inside, the space was vast—at least five hundred square meters.
Twenty beds lined the room in tidy rows, though only half were properly made.
Around them, children—some as young as seven, others nearly twelve—argued and played without a care.
As Arthur knocked, the noise died instantly and every head turned.
From the group, a kid—easily three heads taller than Arthur and built like a wall—stepped forward, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he sized Arthur up, his eyes narrowing with obvious disdain.
"So, a new Scholarship Student, huh?" His voice oozed arrogance as he looked Arthur up and down.
Arthur offered a polite smile. "Hello, I'm the new Scholarship Student from Runewood Village."
The kid scoffed. "I'm Bram, boss of this dorm. So, what's your name? And your Gene?"
"Arthur Reid."
"My Gene is Crimson Fern," Arthur answered calmly, though a flicker of irritation crossed his eyes—he had no interest in playing games with the dorm bullies.
For a brief moment, Bram blinked in disbelief, then burst into laughter.
"Crimson Fern? Since when can a Crimson Fern Gene train?"
The room exploded with laughter, jeers echoing from every corner as the kids pointed and chuckled.
Still composed, Arthur asked, "May I come in?"
Bram's grin widened, his tone turning sharp. "You can—but I'm calling you Fernie from now on. Got that?"