Runemaster Merling

"Knock, knock, knock. Hello, mister Merling. Are you in there?"

After the question was asked, the sound of light footsteps sounded from the room, and soon the door opened. To say Merling looked great wouldn't be quite accurate. Rather he looked, well… haggard. As if a mortal were to not have slept for weeks. Samuel almost ran away in shock. In his eyes Merling looked like a ghost. 'A corporeal ghost!'

 You might be wondering what the hell a corporeal ghost is, and the answer might shock you. It. Is. Nothing. There is no such thing as a 'corporeal ghost'. A ghost per definition is incorporeal. God damn it Samuel, you fool.

"Brat, is there something on my face, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you look horrible!"

Merlings mouth twitched. 'Why does he have to be so honest? Would it kill him to say: oh nothing. I was just surprised at how handsome you are?' 

"Kid what do you want, you said not to disturb you during this period of time, yet you come knocking on my door"

"Well, that only applied to you interrupting me. I said nothing about me interrupting you. Plus I need something, and I hope that you can help me"

Merling was speechless. 'Is this how you ask for something? Whatever, he is a talent. Helping him is investing in his growth, meaning he will owe me a favor'

"What do you need my help for?"

"Do you know how to draw or engrave runes?". Samuel was actually for once not very hopeful Merling would have what he needed. 

"It just so happens I do. I'm a certified fourth grade runemaster, recognized by the Runemaster guild. Why, do you want to learn from me"

"Yes, that's exactly what I want". 'I am the luckiest after all. This is perfect'

Samuel was ecstatic. If he could learn the process of engraving runes, wouldn't he become invincible? 

'Since I have the time sphere, learning how to engrave the runes will probably take what, an hour? I. Am. THE. Best person to have ever lived. How am I so superior?'

"Greatest senior Merling, could you please, please teach me how to become a rune master"

"Alright. But on one condition, you have to owe me a favor"

"No problem, I already owe you a favor from before, so two favors it is then" 

Merling clearly wasn't expecting this answer from that airhead. 'So he remembers who helped him, huh? Maybe he isn't so bad after all' 

"Come in, I have some books here that you can start by reading. If there is something you don't understand, you can just ask. Start reading these books right here, they are about the basics of runes and elementary rune language. This is the foundation for all future rune-mastering. Study it well!" 

Merling became oddly excited thinking about how he was about to teach this talent something. 'Doesn't this mean he'll have to refer to me as teacher Merling in the future? This is great! Imagine the admiring gazes of those old bastards at home, when they get to know I taught one of the most talented individuals in the entire Shattered Realm! Choosing to study runes is the best decision I've ever made. They all laughed at me. You can't use runes to become powerful, they said. Well, look at me now. Hahahah.'

While Merling was having an internal manic monologue, Samuel was perplexed at the enormous amount of books laying in front of him. 'This has to be at least 5000 pages, right? How am I supposed to read all of this in real time? I swear the time sphere has some sort of energy boost for my mind, making me able to sit still and try things for as long as I need. That doesn't apply to the real world! Damn it'

"What are you waiting for? Get to it!"