Chapter 9. The First Rune

Time flew by unnoticed. For Arthur, life at the academy had turned into a smooth flow of lessons, training, and rare moments of rest. He grew accustomed to the steady rhythm: morning lectures rich in magical theories, practical classes where students could observe their spiritual worlds gradually responding to their efforts, and evening hours devoted to meditation or studying new books.

The academy was a marvelous place. Arthur often admired the sunsets from one of the castle's many terraces, watching as Malik Tower gleamed in the sunlight. His life had become so full and exciting that he barely thought of home anymore.

The map issued to every student became his guiding star. It not only displayed the locations of lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories but also stored essential information. It even featured something akin to a forum, which Arthur loved to read. Every day, he discovered something new—be it fascinating knowledge hidden in the library's depths or magical creatures dwelling in the forest surrounding the academy.

Life became even more comfortable thanks to the group dynamics encouraged by the academy. Over time, Arthur found his place among the students. They helped each other with assignments, shared discoveries, and even held small competitions. Yet, Arthur maintained a special bond with Anya. Their friendship grew stronger, though personal conversations became increasingly rare.

But even in the academy's cozy environment, Arthur felt something was missing. The lessons and practices provided a wealth of knowledge, but he longed to apply it. He wanted to take the first step toward becoming a true wizard. This thought lingered in his mind, especially after lessons on the runes of the spiritual world.

Runes were a key to unlocking a wizard's inner world. Arthur learned that a properly carved rune could significantly enhance the spiritual world, adding new properties and abilities. This was the first serious step for anyone aiming to realize their potential.

During one lesson, the instructor emphasized the importance of the first choice. The first rune had to be chosen carefully, as its properties would shape the future development of the spiritual world.

Arthur spent a long time contemplating his choice. His spiritual world, a floating island surrounded by pink clouds, seemed delicate and fragile yet potentially powerful. He pored over textbooks and consulted more experienced students to determine which rune would best suit his unique world.

Eventually, he realized he was most drawn to spatial runes. These runes not only enhanced control over magical energy but also opened new possibilities for exploration—something that resonated deeply with his inner aspirations. However, these runes were notoriously complex: even the slightest mistake could damage part of the spiritual world.

One evening, when the academy was enveloped in silence, Arthur decided it was time to try. He secluded himself in his room, softly illuminated by magical crystals, and sat at his desk. Before him lay a book detailing the basics of spatial runes.

Arthur carefully reread the instructions. The process required complete concentration and control over spiritual energy. His task was to use meditation to enter his spiritual world, focus energy on a specific part of the island, and mentally carve the rune, visualizing its shape and properties.

Arthur's heart raced. He was afraid. Carving the first rune meant taking a significant step forward, but there was no guarantee of success. A mistake could have irreversible consequences for his spiritual world.

He closed his eyes, meditated, and soon found himself in his spiritual world. The island was as serene as ever, surrounded by pink clouds. The small tower at the island's center emitted a soft glow, as if encouraging him.

Arthur chose a spot near the tower—a small clearing where the energy felt particularly concentrated. He focused, envisioning the first rune, which possessed the property of spatial stabilization. Its shape was intricate: hundreds of interwoven lines forming a complex pattern.

As he began carving the rune, his spiritual world trembled. The sensation was strange, as though the entire island resisted the changes. Arthur felt his energy depleting but pressed on. His fingers clenched into fists, and his breathing grew heavier.

Eventually, the rune began to manifest. It glowed with a bluish light, radiating a peculiar warmth. Arthur felt his spiritual world change: the clouds around the island became denser, as if shielding it. The tower glowed brighter, and the island itself felt more stable.

When Arthur finished carving the rune, he was utterly exhausted but deeply satisfied. He had taken his first step toward unlocking his potential, and his spiritual world felt stronger than ever. However, as soon as he opened his eyes, reality began to blur. The space around him vibrated, and the room dissolved as if fading into nothingness.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, his consciousness was pulled back into his spiritual world. The island floated in a dense pink mist, thicker than before. The tower at the center emitted a bright blue light, seemingly welcoming his return. But something was off. Arthur immediately noticed the strange movement of the pink clouds, as if they were waves.

Soon, another island emerged from the mist. It slowly approached, its contours becoming clearer. This new island was dark and wild. Its surface was covered with dense forests, and a strange light, like a pulsating beacon, emanated from its center.

Arthur didn't know what to do but instinctively felt he couldn't avoid the collision. Within moments, the two islands merged into one, accompanied by a bright flash of light and a deep roar that made Arthur cover his ears.

Once the merging was complete, Arthur felt like a stranger in his own world. The new part of the island felt dangerous. Tall trees with thick foliage cast shadows where something moved. Arthur strained his ears and heard a low growl from deep within the forest.

His heart raced. He knew this place was unsafe, but there was no turning back. Every step echoed in the dense forest. His body tensed, ready for battle. The knightly training from his childhood finally began to pay off.

Arthur froze when the first shadow emerged from the darkness. It was a wolf. Its unnaturally glowing blue eyes gleamed in the dark like two icy shards. The creature's fur bristled, and its bared fangs seemed longer than normal.

But one opponent wasn't the problem. Far worse was the fact that two more wolves emerged from the thicket. They encircled him, closing in like predators on the hunt. Arthur scanned his surroundings, searching for any escape. The forest seemed alive, turning into an endless labyrinth, and the wolves embodied a living nightmare.

Arthur quickly assessed the situation. He realized that the magic he couldn't yet control wouldn't help him here. All he had was his wit and knightly training.

The first wolf lunged, leaping with a terrifying roar. Arthur dodged at the last moment, feeling the creature's hot breath near his ear. His sword flashed in a counterattack, but the wolf skillfully evaded.

"They're faster than I thought," Arthur mused.

The battle turned into a chaotic dance of steel and fangs. Arthur's sword left deep gashes on the wolves' fur, but they seemed unfazed. They attacked relentlessly from all sides, giving him no time to breathe.

Eventually, Arthur noticed something peculiar. One wolf, the largest and strongest, behaved differently. It coordinated the others' attacks, acting like their leader.

"The alpha," Arthur realized.

If he could eliminate the leader, the others might lose their resolve. With this thought, he charged at the alpha, ignoring the other wolves' attacks.

The fight with the alpha was the hardest. The wolf was incredibly strong and agile. But Arthur was determined. He knew his life depended on the outcome of this battle.

After a long and grueling struggle, Arthur managed to land a fatal blow on the alpha. The wolf collapsed, and its body began to dissolve into the air. The remaining wolves, now leaderless, panicked and soon disappeared as well.

The energy released from their disappearance flowed toward Arthur. He felt it strengthening his spiritual world, solidifying his island.

But the price was high. Arthur was more exhausted than ever before. His consciousness was on the verge of collapse, and he had almost no strength left. He barely managed to reach the tower for shelter.

When he finally opened his eyes, he realized he was back in reality. The room, familiar and comforting, seemed new. His spiritual world had changed. The forest that had appeared after merging with the foreign island remained, but it no longer felt hostile.

Through feedback from his world, Arthur realized that his spiritual realm existed within a dream dimension. The island he had absorbed was someone else's dream—most likely that of an animal. This experience gave him unique insight into his power. He now knew he could expand his spiritual world by absorbing and conquering other dreams.

However, the process was risky. Each time, he could encounter the unknown, and without full control over his spiritual world, Arthur couldn't choose which dreams to face. It was all up to chance.

But within this experience, he saw not only danger but also opportunity. His world had grown larger, and he had become stronger.