“There are 2 more efficient ways to use rune magic in a fight. I will start with the easier method.”(Teacher)

I had a really bad feeling, but luckily, or not, I didn’t know what I should have thought about it, he choose Takeshi to demonstrate it. I just smiled at him and wished him best luck in my mind.

“The 2nd thing I will show you today is called rune trap. It is simple, you write a rune on an object or hide it in the environment. The crucial part of this method is that you activate it at the right time. So we will have to work at your timing to perfect this magic.”(Teacher)

It sounded interesting and the whole class looked at the show carefully. Some wanted to know how rune trap is done or looked like, while others only wanted to see Takeshi suffer. I don’t think that they particularly hated him, but they wanted to see what damage rune trap can do. They had those “Let’s see what it can do and how much he can endure” look on their face.

Beside those 2 groups there was me. I was interested in both. The teacher started writing his rune again, but this time not in the air but on the floor. It took him a while to finish his rune, for about 3 minutes.

“If you ever use rune magic in an actual fight, you should prepare beforehand, because as you could see, writing runes takes a lot of time, which your opponent would never give you.”(Teacher)

He spoke true words. No real enemy would give you time to prepare your magic.

“Takeshi.”(Teacher)

“Yes?”(Takeshi)

“If you would be so nice and step on my rune please.”(Teacher)

Unwillingly he did as instructed. The next instance, the words which our teacher wrote beforehand started to shine.

“Ugh!”(Takeshi)

He was sent flying to the other end of the classroom. Everyone watched him crash into the wall.

“Teacher, is this even ok to do in school?”(Selina)

“Don’t worry the school rule says that as long as you don’t kill a student, you can do whatever you want.”(Teacher)

“Isn’t it something like do your best and be fair to your opponent?”(Selina)

“That is only a slogan.”(Teacher)

“Who would be stupid enough to be fair to his opponent?”(Me)

I unknowingly said that out loud and I regretted it in the next moment. Moreover, I did so with no restraint so even Takeshi at the other side of the class could hear it, probably and if he was consciousness.

“That’s right and because of that, rune magic has a 3rd option for its usage. This is often used for special situations and for restraining an opponent. It is called rune prison and is the most advanced rune magic there is up to date.”(Teacher)

After he said that, he was pulling something out of his pocket.

“Because it is the most advanced type of rune magic, even I would need a lot of time to prepare, so as not to waste our time, I brought one with me today.”(Teacher)

It was a tiny piece of paper with some symbols, or as I learned, so called runes, drawn on it.

“Take a step back from Hikaru. I will activate rune prison now.”(Teacher)

As before, the runes on the paper started glowing and started to disappear. The next second, they were drawn around me. I could feel something like a wall made out of mana was locking me. I tried to move outside but I couldn’t leave the circle of runes.

I was sure that I would be able to break open that so called rune prison, but for that it would at least require me to go into [black form] and that would be everything else but inconspicuous.

“A normal prison would be of not much use against strong opponents, so most of rune mages use some kind of effect in addition. The most popular effect would be an increase in gravity. Naturally only inside the rune prison.”(Teacher)

The runes around me started glowing again and I felt heavy. It was hard to stand but I somehow managed not to go down.

“Strange, there should be a tenfold increase of your gravity. Do you feel something?”(Teacher)

I tried to lift my head to look him in the eyes but it was hard. Like a collar bound to chains pulling me down.

“I certainly feel a lot of pressure teacher. I would appreciate if you could free me.”(Me)

“Hmm. Most of the teachers here break down after this increase, while you remain standing. What a remarkable body you have.”(Teacher)

The others started looking at me weirdly, like I was some freak. Staying unnoticed didn’t work that well, because I always make some small mistakes.

“Thank you teacher, but I already reached my body’s limits, so if you could please lift the pressure?”(Me)

“Eh, I would be really interested to see how far you can go.”(Teacher)

“I always had a strong body but this is my limit. If you add only a little bit of weight, I assume that my body would break.”(Me)

As long as I don’t support myself with magic or go into [black form] that is.

He finally released me and dispelled his rune prison. I felt really light. Like I had some superhuman strength, but I knew that this was only the illusion after being put under such heavy pressure. At least I got to know of a new method for training my body.

I smiled and hummed a little, while walking to an empty seat. I sat down and sighed. I was happy that I was released from that pressure.

“You just saw how to use rune magic, but you are all far away from that. You will first each have to draw your first rune before you can do any of that, just so you know.”(Teacher)

“Yes sir.”(Class)

“But always bear in mind, that everything has a limit. There are things, which cannot be achieved. Don’t overestimate yourself, when you pick a fight or use magic. Here in school it is only a mistake. In the outside world, that little mistake can lead to your death.”(Teacher)

No one knew why he said such depressing words. I knew that those words were completely true, but I think that the other children thought of it as a joke to scare them.

“We will start working on drawing runes next time. Dismissed.”(Teacher)

The whole lesson only lasted for about half an hour, but I learned a lot of things. As I was proficient in experimenting with magic, I was quite confident that I would be able to draw my first rune in under a weeks’ time.

I would have loved to start the same day but I was tired. Physically and mentally. I picked up Takeshi and together we went to the boy’s dormitories. We parted ways on the 2nd floor and went to our own rooms and when I entered my room, I finally went to sleep. This time, hopefully more than an hour.