The Runes Association's branch was as magnificent as the union, only having a more magical feel to it. The building probably had a hundred meters in length and a little shorter in width. It had a rectangular architecture with curves in the middle, making it look like a spaceship from the outside. Fascinating cubes were traveling from one side of the building to the other, floating and rearranging themselves.
"What are these moving cubes?" Arthur asked Ori who had accompanied him to register for a runic bracelet. Since he wanted to apply for a scholarship, he needed some credit to make up for it. As he had only attended the academy, he didn't have any activities or awards to his name.
Even though Jerano was an international college that was ranked among the top in the world, it still needed expensive tuition fees to attend. However, it was still worth it as the benefits offered were far more expensive than the money paid.
Arthur wanted a scholarship for a couple of reasons. The first one was to save money. The second one was to have a higher chance of passing the exam without revealing all of his strength. The third was for the benefits a scholarship student would have in the major he attends, like visiting ancient ruins and participating in researches.
"These work like an elevator, but on a more three-dimensional level. We won't be getting in one today, as the registration would happen on the lower floors." Ori answered his question before showing his ID to the guards. They let them in after scanning them for any artifacts or weapons.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ori."
"Don't mention it, it's one of my duties as a club president."
"I always wanted to ask you, why does our club have only four members if this was such a popular profession?"
"Well, it's because joining this club is not worth it if you don't seek higher education in this field. You can just start as an apprentice here instead and try to create a good weapon, armor, or artifact. That would boost your credit."
"Oh…"
"Regretting joining the club? Hahaha!" Ori laughed as he patted Arthur's back, who was slightly embarrassed. Before he could deny it, Ori continued.
"Don't worry, you made the right choice. Working as an apprentice on your own can be quite difficult, and the club is there to guide you. Furthermore, we'd be sharing each other's knowledge."
"I agree," Arthur nodded in agreement, remembering all the information Ori gave him on the subject.
The two passed a giant arced gate. Arthur felt like he had entered a different world as the whole place was vibrating with life, resonating with his ability. Every nook and cranny in this place were inscribed with runes making Arthur feel like he was at home.
The hall was bustling, many young and old people alike going in their business, some of them sitting together in groups. You can see a spectral collection of people's classes just with a glance, from the disheveled to the golden-robed. Some wore suits and others wore robes over their backs, a sign of two circles one inside the other linked by four streaks engraved on the robes, showing their belonging to the association.
"Try to not antagonize anyone," Ori whispered before he led Arthur walking toward the reception on the marble floor. Arthur kept looking left and right, amazed by his surroundings.
"Hello, we'd like to fill a registration application." Ori was even more polite toward the young man sitting behind the counter. The young man nodded and picked a form that he handed to Arthur and Ori, and the two retreated.
"Can't we just fill this online?" Arthur asked, picking up the pen to fill his personal information.
"No, this is a tradition set by the association. It's a tiresome process, but it keeps the applicants humbled or something. Furthermore, this pen would authenticate your personal information by going through public records. So this application is merely a formality,"
Arthur found it all useless, but he still did it anyway. Ori told him there would be a test later on to determine his skill level, but that would be for another day. There were rounds of the test so he had to wait for a bit before he can go.
After finishing with the application, Ori and Arthur left the association toward their final destination, the Green Golems dungeon. They had agreed earlier this week, a month in Arthur's perception, to hunt in this dungeon to study the runes that made these golems.
It was a neo ranked dungeon, so Arthur didn't fear it one bit. He had the dagger he brought from the trial as a weapon, even though he didn't know how to use it. His varying combat style was a huge flaw as he couldn't improve in any of them, but he was helpless. If he had some offensive runes, he would have an easier time fighting using his ability.
"You're late," Jia was tapping his foot on the ground, clearly impatient. Ellen stood a distance away from him wearing an oversized robe that made her look even more doll-like.
"Sorry guys, the association was crowded as usual. How are your preparations?"
"More prepared than you are." Jia scanned Arthur's gear and huffed. "Let's go in, we don't have much time to waste."
"Sorry about that, he's a good guy, just a bit conceited," Ori whispered to Arthur and the latter simply nodded, unfazed. He even found his attitude a bit cute.
The team entered the dungeon that was shaped like a maze, green bushy walls running in all directions. They started walking as Ori and Arthur chatted, Jia throwing a few comments that weren't so nice, and Ellen staying silent as she walked behind them like a lost puppy.
After a few moments, a low-pitched roar rang in their ears. A two-meters green golem emerged from the wall, standing in front of them. It had a chiseled body, human-like muscles apparent. He looked like a bodybuilder with a round-egg head that had no features whatsoever.
"Okay guys, we need to render it immobile before we study its runes. We're not here to kill monsters, simply for study purposes."
The group nodded and started taking out their weapons. Jia took out his sword, Ellen her staff, and Ori was already wearing his gloves.
"Jia you take the vanguard position. Ellen, attack it from afar as I distract it. Arthur, can you guard Ellen?" Their formation seemed to be already set, with only Arthur being the extra.
"Just stay back newbie, we've got this." Jia started walking toward the golem with his sword in hand. He must have imagined himself to look cool, too bad he ticked Arthur off with his arrogance.
Before the three can take a single step, Arthur appeared from the shadows behind the golem. Under the eyes of the startled three, he slashed with his dagger at the golem's legs cutting them off like butter.
This golem was only a low-mid-tier monster, only stronger than primitive monsters. Arthur had no problem taking care of it on his own at the moment, not to mention the special quality of the dagger he used.
The golem fell helplessly to the ground, as it began to roar and tussle itself to stand. Arthur gave it no chance to realize what happened, nor did he give the group, as he amputated its arms as well.
"You were saying?" Arthur fastened his dagger to his belt, creating something like a holder. Even though he lacked the sheath for his weapon, by no means did the group dare look down upon him.
They were speechless, as they had never expected Arthur to be strong. Many could kill a low-mid-tier monster in their school, but they were usually ones that focused on combat and abilities, not runes.
They had all ill-assumed Arthur's weakness due to the fact he knew nothing about runes, but he still tried to join their club. With the fact that he was transferred here only recently, they had all thought he was a weak person who wanted to earn any credit he could get.
Jia gulped as he sheathed his sword, too embarrassed to look at the group and Arthur. He felt like he has been slapped on the face, but he couldn't deny it was because of his childishness. Even still, he felt bitter inside for being humiliated.
The group began to examine the golem, Arthur taking the lead as he studied the runes on its arms. He found out that the way the golem moved was similar to humans. There was a cord in its arm that was attached to the forearm. The cord was made of elastic metal that would be shortened when needed.
It was time to learn new runes.