[System booting up… System booted]
[Linking with Host… Link successful]
[Mana detected in Host… Initiating standard procedure]
[Error] [Error]
[No Elemental Affinity found… Initiating Code Zero Protocol]
…
[Magic Rune System Online]
Sellas stared at the flickering screen. After a moment, it stabilized, displaying lines of text. Surprise and confusion flickered across his face as he read each line carefully, pausing at the last one.
Magic Rune System
{Hello, User Sellas. I am the Magic Rune System, equipped with advanced AI to assist you on your journey}
A neutral voice echoed in his head, startling him. Before he could respond, another voice rang in his ears, startling him back to the current events.
"Everyone, thank you so much for coming today. I'd like to conclude the ceremony for now and hope to trouble you again another time," said Lord Admar to the gathered guests. "Albert, please clean everything up."
With that, Admar's siblings and wives were guided into the hall for breakfast. As they sat at the table, he turned to the four children after a moment of silence.
"I'm glad three of you were able to awaken elemental affinities. Especially you, Karen—you surprised me most with your dual affinity. Wind and Fire is a rare and dangerous combination. If you master both elements and use them in harmony, you'll be able to inflict devastating damage on your enemies."
He then turned to Sean. "You'll be highly sought after by the Imperial Army, just like your brother. But the choice will be yours once you join the Imperial Academy."
Admar shifted his gaze to Maria, his gaze softened a little bit and spoke gently, "The Ice Element is one of the rarest. It's a combination of Water and Ice. Emilia will tell you more about it before she leaves—she shares the same affinity."
Finally, he looked at Sellas, who waited patiently, already resigned to his fate. He wasn't a naive child—he was an adult in the body of a boy, he could already foresee his future.
I'm not worried about being cast out, as long as they don't try to kill me to hide their shame. I have the system now. I just need to learn how it works and how it can help me survive in this dangerous world… and maybe explore it, too.
Sellas braced himself for the inevitable.
"It's a shame you weren't able to awaken any elemental affinity. But that's life—not everyone is lucky," Admar said with a sigh. He looked at Sellas thoughtfully and chuckled. "I can guess what you're thinking. But do you really think I'd cast you out like other nobles might do to their children who are unable to awaken any elemental affinity?"
He won't?
Sellas blinked, stunned. He had expected the worst—disappointment, maybe even banishment. But this? This was the exact opposite. It caught him off guard.
Admar chuckled again. "You are my son. The blood of the Thorrin family runs through your veins—veins filled with mana. That alone is all the proof you need. Others may not know it, but I'm very protective of my family."
"Even without elemental affinities, there are many paths you can follow at the academy—Enchanter, Scholar, Runesmith, Path of the Body… the choice will be yours."
Sellas sat quietly, letting the words sink in before responding, "I'm grateful for your support. I'd like some time to think about my path before deciding."
Lord Admar nodded, then gestured to the maids to serve breakfast. The meal was quiet, but Sellas could feel a warmth in the air—a warmth born from his father's words.
After finishing, Sellas gave a short bow and returned to his room, eager to explore the system. He closed the door, sat on his bed, and called out in his mind, "System?"
{Yes, Sellas}
Sellas smiled. The voice confirmed it—the Magic Rune System was real. He already had some understanding of Runes from reading novels and playing games in his past life, but he wanted a clear explanation from the system itself.
"System, what are runes?"
{Runes are characters that can be inscribed onto materials to influence the world around them. Each rune represents a concept and manipulates its surroundings accordingly. They can be used to cast spells or enchant objects. Runes can be used to channel mana or magic, like circuits}
"I see… So, I can fight by using runes to cast spells?" he asked, excitement building.
{Yes}
"Awesome," he grinned. But he hesitated before asking, "I don't have affinity… So, can I use runes to cast spells too?"
{Yes. User can use different elemental runes to cast different spells. But learning runic spells is far more difficult even for a Mage related to it's affinity much less for someone who has no affinity}
Sellas nodded inwardly. He didn't care about the difficulty, as long as there was a way for him to wield magic spells, like a fireball on his hand, it was fine.
Runes… They're like an enchanted language. If that's true, I could even use them to create technology—Runic Technology. Or maybe… Magic Technology. Could I build a computer? A magical one like JARVIS from Iron Man?
His mind buzzed with possibilities.
"Wait… Iron Man. Could I really build something like that here? This world has magic—a power my old world lacked."
"System, is there a status panel? Something that shows my stats or system information?"
{Yes. Displaying system functions}
A screen materialized before him.
[System Functions]
[Status Panel: Active]
— Displays user information.
[Rune Compendium: Locked]
— Database of learned runes.
[Crafting Interface: Locked
— Unlocks with Basic Rune Proficiency Lv.1
[Knowledge Store: Active]
— Buy knowledge using Magic Coins.
[Inventory: Active]
— Store non-living items.
"Wow, so many functions… I should've played more crafting games in my old life. All I played were just shooting games. Still, that knowledge might be of some help too," he muttered. "Let's start with the Status Panel."
"Show me my status."
[User: Sellas Thorrin]
[Host Level: 1]
[Experience (EXP): 0%]
[Mana Capacity: 120 MP]
[Mana Regeneration: 2 MP/min]
[Runic Compatibility: High]
Sellas leaned forward, scanning each line.
Level 1… I wonder how I gain EXP. By crafting? Killing monsters? Maybe both. 120 mana… I think that's high? Albert did say I had a lot of mana. 2 MP per minute… That means full recovery in about two hours. Not bad. Maybe that's because my mana pool is still small.
{User can gain experience by crafting runes and defeating monsters}
"Nice," Sellas smirked.
No elemental affinity, but… Runic Compatibility: High. That has to mean something.
"System, explain Runic Compatibility."
{Runic Compatibility measures a user's innate ability to understand, inscribe, and manipulate runes. High compatibility enables faster learning, reduced mana cost, and improved success rates when crafting or casting runes}
A grin tugged at his lips.
So I didn't get elemental magic—but I've got a natural talent for runes. That's better than I hoped.
Sellas returned to the system interface and navigated to the Knowledge Store.
"System, open the Knowledge Store."
[Knowledge Store]
Rune Theory 1 — 50 Magic Coins
-Basic rune mechanics, types, and materials.
Rune Theory 2 — 500 Magic Coins
-Advanced study on rune interactions and modifications.
…
Runic Crafting Basics — 50 Magic Coins
-How to inscribe runes into objects.
Runic Crafting Techniques — 500 Magic Coins
-Efficiency tips and material conservation.
…
Runic Technology Basics — 300 Magic Coins
-Combining technology with magic-powered runes.
…
Runic Computer — 1,000 Magic Coins
-Guide to building a computing device powered by runes.
…
Fan — 5 Magic Coins
-Create a hand-held or table fan with simple mechanics.
Hand Bell — 5 Magic Coins
-Craft a bell for ceremonies or signaling.
Bicycle — 20 Magic Coins
-Build a simple mechanical travel device.
Clock — 20 Magic Coins
-Create a rune-enhanced timekeeping device.
…
Elemental Rune Mastery (Basic) — 500 Magic Coins
-Learn to manipulate elemental runes for spells.
Elemental Affinities and Their Interaction — 1,000 Magic Coins
-Study how elemental runes interact and combine.
…
Basic Alchemy — 150 Magic Coins
-Craft potions and salves using runes.
…
Rune Inscription Tools — 50 Magic Coins
-Basic tools to begin engraving runes.
…
Sellas stared, overwhelmed. The list seemed endless, dazzling him with possibility. He could already see how rich and powerful he might become if he could access all that knowledge.
Then he looked at the top of the screen.
[Magic Coins: 0]
He sighed and closed the panel.
"System, how do I earn Magic Coins?"
{User can earn Magic Coins by selling his own creations. The more sold the item, the more coins will be earned}
"So, I need to create something useful and sellable… Something with real value."
He tapped his chin, eyes narrowing with determination.
"I need to get started—fast."