Chapter 176: Passive Relations
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 176: Passive Relations
Passive Relations
Martel did not know what to expect for his first lesson with Father Andrew. But since it did not involve magic, he did not feel too concerned. Even if he did poorly, this could hardly influence his examination or future studies at the Lyceum. And he had enjoyed himself back in Engby, learning his letters with Father Julius. Perhaps this would prove to be a pleasant break from his more challenging classes.
Martel entered the classroom to find an old man wearing the white robe of the clergy. Bald except for a crown of grey hair, Father Andrew shuffled around the room to look in his direction. "You're the new student," the priest spoke with a creaking voice.
"Yes, master."
"Father Andrew," he said in correction. "I'm not some mage." He took a deep breath, which came slightly wheezing. "I am told to run you through the different subjects of knowledge and rectify where you are deficient."
Martel nodded a little.
"Sit down."
Having free choice, the novice sat down at the nearest table.
"Not there."
With no further directions, Martel chose another in the middle of the classroom.
"I thought we should start with geography. Tell me, boy, where are you from?"
"I'm from Engby."
The priest scoffed. "Not the name of some insignificant village. What province?"
"Nordmark."
"Then you should know this. What is the river that divides Aster from Tyria?"
"Frosten," Martel replied hurriedly.
Eleanor picked it up and gave it an inspecting look. "I am not that well-versed in these symbols yet. I cannot readily give you much of an answer, but I can compare with my notes or take it to the library."
"Sure, as you prefer. It's not like I have need of it. I'm just curious."
"How did you acquire it?"
"Do you remember Regnar? The hedge mage who travelled with the actors' troupe."
"That rings a bell. He did seem like a fellow full of unexpected tricks."
Some less benign than others, Martel thought with annoyance, remembering how Regnar had tricked him into giving a performance while the street children robbed the audience. "By the way, what is your interest in runes? You never told me."
She gave a half-hearted smile. "Just looking for ways to get better at magic. These runes look like the passive sort," she continued, holding up the token between two fingers.
"Passive?"
"Roughly, runes can be divided into two kinds. At least, as far as we know. Some are active or rather activated, meaning their power lies latent until brought to life by the right word. Until then, they are just scribbles. Passive runes are imbued with magic at the moment of creation, on the other hand, and their power is constantly in effect," Eleanor explained.
"Regnar said something about this would protect me," Martel remembered.
She nodded. "That goes well with these being passive runes. Besides, it would be a worthless gift if the symbols required activation and he never told you the relevant words." She examined the token once more. "Though this might actually be one symbol that can be activated. Let me try." She mumbled a word that Martel did not recognise. Nothing happened with the pebble, and Eleanor grimaced.
"You alright?"
"Yes. Trying to use unfamiliar magic causes some mild discomfort, that is all. I had a bit of a headache after yesterday," she admitted with a wry expression.
"You shouldn't push yourself in that case," Martel cautioned her, remembering how it had felt when he had exhausted his magic at the Imperial palace.
"I will be fine. The lunch bell has already rung, right? You should go before all the fresh bread is taken. I will give this a closer look." She held up the rune token as she spoke the final sentence.
Feeling dismissed, with the implication that they would not be eating together or even walk to the dining hall together, Martel gave half a nod and left.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 176: Passive Relations
Passive Relations
Martel did not know what to expect for his first lesson with Father Andrew. But since it did not involve magic, he did not feel too concerned. Even if he did poorly, this could hardly influence his examination or future studies at the Lyceum. And he had enjoyed himself back in Engby, learning his letters with Father Julius. Perhaps this would prove to be a pleasant break from his more challenging classes.
Martel entered the classroom to find an old man wearing the white robe of the clergy. Bald except for a crown of grey hair, Father Andrew shuffled around the room to look in his direction. "You're the new student," the priest spoke with a creaking voice.
"Yes, master."
"Father Andrew," he said in correction. "I'm not some mage." He took a deep breath, which came slightly wheezing. "I am told to run you through the different subjects of knowledge and rectify where you are deficient."
Martel nodded a little.
"Sit down."
Having free choice, the novice sat down at the nearest table.
"Not there."
With no further directions, Martel chose another in the middle of the classroom.
"I thought we should start with geography. Tell me, boy, where are you from?"
"I'm from Engby."
The priest scoffed. "Not the name of some insignificant village. What province?"
"Nordmark."
"Then you should know this. What is the river that divides Aster from Tyria?"
"Frosten," Martel replied hurriedly.
Eleanor picked it up and gave it an inspecting look. "I am not that well-versed in these symbols yet. I cannot readily give you much of an answer, but I can compare with my notes or take it to the library."
"Sure, as you prefer. It's not like I have need of it. I'm just curious."
"How did you acquire it?"
"Do you remember Regnar? The hedge mage who travelled with the actors' troupe."
"That rings a bell. He did seem like a fellow full of unexpected tricks."
Some less benign than others, Martel thought with annoyance, remembering how Regnar had tricked him into giving a performance while the street children robbed the audience. "By the way, what is your interest in runes? You never told me."
She gave a half-hearted smile. "Just looking for ways to get better at magic. These runes look like the passive sort," she continued, holding up the token between two fingers.
"Passive?"
"Roughly, runes can be divided into two kinds. At least, as far as we know. Some are active or rather activated, meaning their power lies latent until brought to life by the right word. Until then, they are just scribbles. Passive runes are imbued with magic at the moment of creation, on the other hand, and their power is constantly in effect," Eleanor explained.
"Regnar said something about this would protect me," Martel remembered.
She nodded. "That goes well with these being passive runes. Besides, it would be a worthless gift if the symbols required activation and he never told you the relevant words." She examined the token once more. "Though this might actually be one symbol that can be activated. Let me try." She mumbled a word that Martel did not recognise. Nothing happened with the pebble, and Eleanor grimaced.
"You alright?"
"Yes. Trying to use unfamiliar magic causes some mild discomfort, that is all. I had a bit of a headache after yesterday," she admitted with a wry expression.
"You shouldn't push yourself in that case," Martel cautioned her, remembering how it had felt when he had exhausted his magic at the Imperial palace.
"I will be fine. The lunch bell has already rung, right? You should go before all the fresh bread is taken. I will give this a closer look." She held up the rune token as she spoke the final sentence.
Feeling dismissed, with the implication that they would not be eating together or even walk to the dining hall together, Martel gave half a nod and left.
Chapter 176: Passive RelationsPassive RelationsMartel did not know what to expect for his first lesson with Father Andrew. But since it did not involve magic, he did not feel too concerned. Even if he did poorly, this could hardly influence his examination or future studies at the Lyceum. And he had enjoyed himself back in Engby, learning his letters with Father Julius. Perhaps this would prove to be a pleasant break from his more challenging classes.Martel entered the classroom to find an old man wearing the white robe of the clergy. Bald except for a crown of grey hair, Father Andrew shuffled around the room to look in his direction. "You're the new student," the priest spoke with a creaking voice."Yes, master.""Father Andrew," he said in correction. "I'm not some mage." He took a deep breath, which came slightly wheezing. "I am told to run you through the different subjects of knowledge and rectify where you are deficient."Martel nodded a little."Sit down."Having free choice, the novice sat down at the nearest table."Not there."With no further directions, Martel chose another in the middle of the classroom."I thought we should start with geography. Tell me, boy, where are you from?""I'm from Engby."The priest scoffed. "Not the name of some insignificant village. What province?""Nordmark.""Then you should know this. What is the river that divides Aster from Tyria?""Frosten," Martel replied hurriedly.Eleanor picked it up and gave it an inspecting look. "I am not that well-versed in these symbols yet. I cannot readily give you much of an answer, but I can compare with my notes or take it to the library.""Sure, as you prefer. It's not like I have need of it. I'm just curious.""How did you acquire it?""Do you remember Regnar? The hedge mage who travelled with the actors' troupe.""That rings a bell. He did seem like a fellow full of unexpected tricks."Some less benign than others, Martel thought with annoyance, remembering how Regnar had tricked him into giving a performance while the street children robbed the audience. "By the way, what is your interest in runes? You never told me."She gave a half-hearted smile. "Just looking for ways to get better at magic. These runes look like the passive sort," she continued, holding up the token between two fingers."Passive?""Roughly, runes can be divided into two kinds. At least, as far as we know. Some are active or rather activated, meaning their power lies latent until brought to life by the right word. Until then, they are just scribbles. Passive runes are imbued with magic at the moment of creation, on the other hand, and their power is constantly in effect," Eleanor explained."Regnar said something about this would protect me," Martel remembered.She nodded. "That goes well with these being passive runes. Besides, it would be a worthless gift if the symbols required activation and he never told you the relevant words." She examined the token once more. "Though this might actually be one symbol that can be activated. Let me try." She mumbled a word that Martel did not recognise. Nothing happened with the pebble, and Eleanor grimaced."You alright?""Yes. Trying to use unfamiliar magic causes some mild discomfort, that is all. I had a bit of a headache after yesterday," she admitted with a wry expression."You shouldn't push yourself in that case," Martel cautioned her, remembering how it had felt when he had exhausted his magic at the Imperial palace."I will be fine. The lunch bell has already rung, right? You should go before all the fresh bread is taken. I will give this a closer look." She held up the rune token as she spoke the final sentence.Feeling dismissed, with the implication that they would not be eating together or even walk to the dining hall together, Martel gave half a nod and left.
