After grabbing a set of clothes from the Workshop's storage, Arthur was pushed into a changing room with a mirror in it. Along the way, he got to witness the workshop dust-clean corridors, the fountains that gave a refreshing ambiance, and the green-robed Runes Master going in and out of rooms.
A sigh left his mouth after Emma left him alone in the room. He started to slowly undress as his stomach churned at the thought of meeting all of these Runes Masters. However, he felt better when he remembered his latest achievement in controlling the Reality Gate in permanent runes.
He was successful in closing the gate. Right now, his control over mana was too lousy for him to be able to open it. He had to use brute force to close the gate itself on such a fine-level, so he had to wait until his control was better for him to reopen already closed gates.
He undressed. Starting with his shoes, followed by his t-shirt, and lastly his trousers. Standing there in his underwear, he was once again conscious of how much he changed. His previously skinny hands were now lined with chiseled muscles as if he was a weight-lifter for many years. However, his face remained the same only becoming sharper than it used to be. Arthur didn't know if it was his personality that changed or his features.
He wore the white shirt, followed by the black trousers, and then the leather boots. This was his first time wearing something so formal-looking and Arthur had to admit he looked better than usual. The last piece of clothing was the green-robe with its wide sleeves and silk-like texture. Arthur felt the fabric touch his thighs as he wore it and realized how comfy wearing it was.
There was a single embedded emblem sewed into the robe that was of a single moon overlooking a forest. It had a linen texture with white color. As he looked at himself in the mirror, Arthur felt like a new man.
"Oh, my," Emma giggled as she saw Arthur leave the changing room. "Are you sure you don't want to wear this permanently?" She was referring to her offer of him joining the workshop. Arthur was temped since he now had a way of hiding his real skills, but he still shook his head.
"If it ever happens, it won't be any time soon." He could see how downcast she became at his answer, so he felt slight guilt. "However, if I ever think about it, I'll consider your workshop." He added, lifting her spirits.
"We need to meet the rest," She pulled onto his arm and guided him through the hallways. Employees carrying supplies or documents looked at the two curiously. They passed through several giant halls that were probably for research, a cafeteria for lunch, and Emma even showed him the dormitory where some Masters resided. The last place earned more than a gasp from Arthur, as each Runes Master was assigned his pavilion and garden.
"We call this the Runes Hall, you could probably guess why," Emma said as she pushed open a double wooden door that was engraved with decorations and the emblem of the workshop. After his eyes adjusted, Arthur expected a chaotic scene appearing in front of him but it was all too quiet.
The hall was divided by wooden walls into many compartments but you could still see the people sitting inside since the walls were waist-height. Many robed people hunched over their desks working diligently, either researching runes or creating artifacts. Some compartments held more than two people, some of them talking and even shouting, but Arthur couldn't hear a thing.
"There's an isolation barrier at work," Emma noted his expression and explained. "Come on, everyone is dying to meet you."
"What? Why?" Arthur's head snapped to her as the shock was written over his face. The last thing he wanted right now was attention.
"Obviously to meet the mysterious person who stole one of their spots." Emma smiled mischievously. Arthur gave her a stare of 'I have not signed for this.'
"You'll be fine, your skill is more than enough to beat any apprentice here. They'll probably just ask for a demonstration."
"You've set me up," Arthur grumbled but was helpless. It was the least he could do to make up for everything she did for him.
"Mhm, hahaha! Don't be so nervous, just think of it as the association's test." Emma patted his back before sprinting through the hall. Her actions made more than one person turn, and many of them greeted her as Young Lady.
She didn't stop, however, and only greeted them back briefly before making her way to a separate office at the back of the hall. The door was swung open as Arthur and Emma walked into what looked like a lecture. A middle-aged woman was lecturing a few young men and women about what seemed to be runic lines.
"Young Lady! You can't barge into here like this!" The woman admonished Emma but a smile was plastered on her face. "It's good to have you back," She said. "Grandmaster should have taken a home closer to the capital than Kera."
"Hello, Auntie." Emma gave her a quick hug and continued. "You know his reasons,"
"Peaceful, quiet, and full of resources from Anerk." The middle-aged lady laughed and turned to Arthur. "This is?" She asked curiously.
"He's my friend, Arthur Silvera," Emma said with pride, making Arthur feel warm. "He's the person I recommended." She said playfully, making most of the students stand up. The warmth in his heart dissipated like smoke as he received the glare of the students, who he has realized to be Runes Apprentices, and the curious inspection of the middle-aged lady.
"Hello, Arthur Silvera." She reached out her hand to greet him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Alice Jenov, a Runes Master working at the Twilight workshop." Arthur took her hands and shook it as she introduced herself.
"The pleasure is mine, Master Alice."
"Hoho, he's quite polite." Letting go of his hand, Alice turned to Emma. "But does he have the skill to steal an opportunity from my students?" She smiled, an edge and slight resentment in her voice. Arthur realized that this recommendation was probably important to these people. He felt slightly apologetic.
"Arthur will be our dark horse," Emma straightened her back with confidence. "You'll see. Either in the Runes Apprentices Cup…" Her voice trailed as she scanned the surrounding. "Or now."
Clusters of conversations and murmurs resounded throughout the room at Emma's provocation. The middle-aged, who had black hair and brown eyes, Alice seemed to be provoked as well since her brows twitched.
"If that's the case, why not? Can I have a volunteer to entertain our guest?" Alice's words made every apprentice in the group raise their hands. She nodded in approval and picked a young man sitting in the front row. He wore a pair of golden glasses well suited his sharp eyes.
"Roy here is one of our best Runes Apprentices." Alice introduced him with pride. "Even though the list of names hasn't been finalized yet, I'm sure you caused him quite pressure by snatching a spot."
"Snatching is a bit extreme; Arthur earned it," Emma interjected and Alice laughed hollowly. The rest of the students snickered since they assumed Emma was only helping Arthur because he was her friend.
"Sure, he still needs to prove himself. Roy?" Alice turned to the golden-glasses student.
"Yes Master, I'm more than willing." He adjusted his glasses and turned to Arthur. "If you may, can we have a little challenge?" He walked over and stopped in front of Arthur. It was then that Arthur realized this guy was a bit taller than him.
"Sure, what kind of challenge?" Arthur shrugged. Since he was already planning on participating in the Runes' Cup, he had no plans of holding back. If proving himself was needed, he welcomed it with open arms.
"Simple, we'd both use the rune we're most familiar with. Whoever finishes the fastest with a better inscription, wins." Roy crossed his arms around his chest while frowning. Arthur had no idea why he was getting upset, maybe it was Arthur's relaxed attitude.
"Fine by me, you can go ahead first," Arthur said with a light smile. His expression was probably perceived as a provocation, but that was what Arthur intended. To be honest, he wanted to see how this guy would fare and fare a little bit better than him. Since he could inscribe runes almost instantly, he needed to know how long he should keep acting.
It seemed his words had their effect as Roy snorted and asked some staff to bring a set of Runic Cards. They were made from special materials including mana-reinforced steel and the skin of monsters.
"Young Lady, we also want to see the duel!" A voice broke the tension in the air and Arthur turned to find most people left their work and came spectating. Emma frowned at this and turned to Arthur, asking if this was okay.
"It's alright, how about we take this outside? I don't want to prove myself more than once anyway."
Soon, two tables were arranged outside with proper sets of Runic Cards, brushes, and Mana Liquid. The whole workshop stopped their work to come and see the challenge between two apprentices.
'How nosy can you guys be?' Arthur thought inwardly.
