Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

Lian had spent the entire previous day with his family. He had made numerous purchases for his parents and Mira. Clothes and jewelry for the two women and brand-new weapons and armor for the only old man in the family.

They had spent the night together in the city's best tavern, sparing no expense, especially after learning about the city's prices.

Lunch and dinner for four people had cost him only 25 silvers, miscellaneous expenses around 50 silvers, and staying at the best tavern, with breakfast included, another 20 silvers.

Considering that 1 gold equaled 100 silvers… with his 3000, no, 2000 gold available, Lian could live like a sheikh in the city.

In the academy, he would be considered super poor.

Lian had begged his parents to stay a few more days, but Torren and Elyse did not want to compromise their son's studies by taking up his precious time.

They only expected him to stay safe, that was all.

On the other hand, Mira had tears in her eyes as she pleaded with her parents to stay longer with Lian, something they obviously did not allow.

And so, early in the morning, the four parted ways again.

Lian sighed as he waved goodbye to everyone and took a carriage back to the academy.

He really wanted to spend more time with his parents, but the study of runes was calling him. He had to start as soon as possible!

Moreover, he needed to hurry and reach Bronze 5.

Rick had warned him about something important happening at the academy, but it would only involve Bronze 5s and Silvers.

No weaker Mage would be chosen for this event.

"In the end, I cannot complain too much. If it had not been for Rick, I would never have known about all this. Or rather, I would have found out, but by then it might have been too late—still, 1000 gold…"

Lian was not a materialistic person, but he would never have spent so much on food… he was not a glutton like Seline.

"I wonder what she is doing… the headmaster said each of us got something unique, like a legacy tied to us… I did not get anything at all, that note was useless—"

He murmured as he arrived at the academy, stopping to admire the imposing walls and that gate where everything had begun.

"Sigh, now I have a phobia of entering through gates too? Were the statues not enough?"

Fortunately, nothing happened.

It was early morning, and the academy was buzzing with activity. Boys of all kinds were running as they headed to their classes, others took their time chatting with each other.

Everyone minded their own business, and no one bothered Lian as he walked calmly with a single destination in mind.

The Rune Forge!

It was there that the Rune Masters crafted artifacts for every need. And the artifacts were not simple products; they were true works of art. Each sold at an exorbitant price, depending on the type of artifact and its power. There were artifacts and then there were artifacts, after all.

In fact, one of the titles common Mages gave to Rune Masters was 'filthy rich.'

Lian dreamed of becoming a Rune Master, not only because of the money he could earn from selling artifacts but also because he felt somehow connected to runes.

The Rune Forge was located in a corner in the eastern part of the academy, and Lian did not take long to reach the area.

He expected something super fanciful and huge, but what he saw was… disappointing?

It was a low, decrepit building, almost abandoned, with gray stone walls covered in moss and faded runes that seemed on the verge of disappearing.

The windows were opaque, cracked in some places, and the "Rune Forge" sign had nothing to do with the one at the Seven Spirit Flavors restaurant.

"This should be the right place…" Lian murmured as he walked, "Rick did not say the Rune Masters were rich? So where is all this wealth he was talking about?!"

Lian could not believe his eyes once he entered the building. The atmosphere was even more oppressive than outside.

The main room was a maze of tables and strange instruments on them, yet there was not a speck of dust. Lian had no idea what they were, but they seemed important.

"Kid, what brings you here?"

BOOM—

A booming voice echoed through the place, followed by the chaos of an explosion.

A man with a soot-covered chest and face from the recent explosion emerged from a room.

Lian was petrified as he pointed at the man's head, unsure what to do. "M-Mage, are you okay?!"

"Huh?" Seeing the boy's worried look, the man immediately understood what he meant, as much of his body was charred from the explosion.

"Oh, yes, do not worry. Rather, what is a kid like you doing around here, are you lost? If so, I suggest you leave. You might get dirty—"

The man's words caused a slight grimace on the boy's face, but he quickly suppressed it. Lian had developed a certain phobia of dirt. "Mage, I want to become a Rune Master!"

The man did not respond immediately, merely staring at the boy with a scrutinizing gaze.

Several minutes passed, and when Lian was about to lose patience, the man laughed heartily while giving a pat on Lian's shoulder.

"Interesting, interesting! You have the spirit of a Rune Master. However, that is not enough…" The man's gaze turned serious as he looked into the boy's eyes.

"It is not just about spirit, kid! You need an affinity for runes. You must be able to feel them, breathe them, see them! Wanting it is not enough, you also have to be lucky!"

"Also, let me tell you something," he added with a solemn tone. "Do you know how many before you came here hoping to get rich? Too many! Do you know how many actually make artifacts?"

Silence filled the air as the tension became palpable.

"There are nine of us."

The answer stunned Lian. His mouth was open, his gaze conveying disbelief.

"N-nine?"